Simon MacDonald

I may need to read it again!

I expected more, given the reviews I read. It was OK.

I've now read six of this series. If you like overly detailed descriptions of weapons, ammunition, firefights, a bit of torture, and general mayhem, then this is for you. Me - not so much. Only read them all as I had a box set.

Score: 3.5. A very good thriller - I enjoyed it.

A quirky mix of SF and Fantasy set in a future South Africa. Humans, robots, and demi-gods, in a strange plot, all competing for power by various means.

I'm afraid it did not do it for me; I had to struggle to finish it.

A good yarn. The hero (anti-hero?) of the story is not at all likeable, but fits well into the crime and corruption ridden story. Given the author's background I'm guessing some of it is semi - autobiographical?

Anywhere from 2 to 4 out of 5!I had to work hard to enjoy this book. The author explains almost nothing; I almost put it down after the first 20 pages. I'm glad I persevered with it, although I must say there is still quite a lot of stuff in the story I'm not 100% clear about! Let's try the second book.

Interesting ideas, but the plot contains some fairly unrealistic, and convenient, juxtapositions of characters and their relationships.
Overall the writing is a rather flat, and the characters are rather shallow. I'm guessing this is a translation?
However, I actually enjoyed the tale.

That was good fun. If mercenary groups were rock bands and went on tour killing monsters. Follow the adventures of Clay “Slowhand” Cooper and his fellow members of the Saga as they eat, drink and fight their way across the land fighting evil. Takes the piss out of many classic rock bands and artists.

3.5 stars. Dark and somewhat nihilistic. I enjoyed it. Can't say anymore without spoilers.

These books just keep getting better and better. Excellent plot and character development with each new book. The first few books are a little slow, but Joe Pickett's character gets stronger and the plots get darker and more complex.

An excellent tale of war, honour and morality.

Every but as good as when I first read it. An original classic of the genre.

More fun than I expected. An intriguing who-dunnit with novel twists. I feel a sequel coming on, if that is at all possible...

Overall, it was great fun. The complexities of time travelling make a wonderfully labyrinthine plot, and this, along with the great cast of characters, is what makes the book so entertaining. The satirical pokes at government bureaucracy are, at times, somewhat tedious, and whilst largely funny, just interfere with the main storyline.

I feel a sequel coming up.

2.5. People seem to have very mixed views on this book. The first part of the book is reasonably ok, but the latter part of the book descends into a rambling plot, full of holes, and dull as a dull thing. The writing is mediocre, and the characters all seem to be maladjusted without anything going for them. Particularly the hero Quentin, who is a miserable, odious git.

Ho. Hum. The copy I'm reading is trilogy omnibus edition. Do I carry on and see if it gets better - or worse.

I've read all the John Milton books. This was OK. Trouble is that I'm starting to feel sorry for the guy. There is only so much guilt and angst he should suffer. Give the guy a break and give him a little happiness. Just saying.

An interesting and well written book, with terrific ideas, that turns on it's head, all our comfortable preconceptions of gender stereotypes, and then completely kicks them to bits.

OK, that's the basics; did I enjoy it - I'm not sure, and I'm not sure why. I don't want to go into detail about the story as I don't do spoilers. Perhaps the book was a bit too deliberately trying to make us think, about the horrors of our current society by invoking a total inversion of our attitudes to everything.

Is it worth a read? Oh yes!

Ho Hum... Just about gets a 3. Pretty predictable space opera stuff with a some swearing and sex thrown in to make a bit up to date. Not a lot happening apart from major scene setting for the next couple of books. The characters are pretty much lite-beer without much body or flavour.

Might give part two a read when/if it appears to see if it improves.

Dull. Stupid plot. Miserable characters. Expected more.

Probably a 3. Dark humour reminiscent of Disk World, but dunked in a bucket of very crude language. Amusing characters, but not much of a story behind it all. Not sure if I will read any more in the series.

I got 40% through the book and gave up. Dark, violent, and gory, which would be OK if any of the characters or the plot were interesting enough. They weren't - just boring. Life is too short to be bored. It was not for me.

An excellent start to a new trilogy. Interesting characters, a fascinating new world, and some powerful opponents.

Whilst this was a very enjoyable read, I found the main storyline a little weak. The historical flashback sub-story was more fun, and the very vulgar humour as great as ever. Oh, and we finally meet Sabetha; Bitch!

Up to the standard of the first book.