Just Finished:
I've been wanting to read this novel for a long time. It's been several years since I was last with Caine and I was a bit worried that my expectations - exceptionally high - from the last novel would diminish my ability to love this one. I was wrong. Not only is this a worthy continuation of the story, but in Stover's mix of the past fused with the present it's also a stunning exploration of the character and his transformation.
The secret of these novels is that each time you pick up a new entry, you learn that you don't know Caine as much as you'd think, but there remains one reliable aspect: he's always the most dangerous person in the room because he's always living in the moment. However, for all his reputation, for all the violence and mayhem that follows him, on the inside he's simply a scarred man doing the best he can. It ends on somewhat of a cliffhanger, but the other half of the story is resolved so well it drains nothing from the satisfaction.
Serious themes such as exploitation, morality and humanity are touched on, and Stover draws from the
Heart of Darkness well again with his usual quality. My favourite SFF novel of 2008. A shame the next Caine novel could possibly be the last. How this astounding series could suffer from sub-par sales is a mystery for me.
A fantastic introduction to a character that pushes at the best of Dumas, and a keen exploration of an extraordinary time and place. The narration caught me by surprise, but it works quite well and gives you a great sense of anticipation for the future of these tales. The action flows with relaxed style and the antagonists are a relish to fear. Must get the next entry!
A disappointing end to an enjoyable series. Don't be overly-worried, the action is well-written. Primarily, the events becoming a bit too contrived and the ending borrowing a bit too much from a close genre source are what hurt it for me. The characterization, though, was superb - I truly wish Buettner could have slowed down more in parts.
and the Fox (sequel)
The story starts out in such an overused fashion (youth goes to academy to learn arts of war) that I wasn't expecting much, but then it takes an interesting turn. The intrigue is crafted nicely, the characters - especially the younger ones - are well developed, and the action is neat. It really opens up into a great story, and although there are a few flaws that detracted from the experience in the first, they largely disappear in the sequel. Seems like one of those series that appreciate in quality as they go on. Moreover, the sequel opens up things so well that I was a bit disappointed when
. Kudos to Cyan for planting me on the path; anything else with Sherwood Smith's name on it that you'd recommend besides this series?
Now Reading:
Murder of Roger Akroyd by Christie.
Gravity's Rainbow by Pynchon.
Taking A Break From:
War & Peace by Tolstoy.
Total War by Ahern.
lol - maybe, it's just too manly for me?)
afternoon delight said:
Simple words cannot describe the legitimate wonder and mystery and perfection within these stories.
Totally agree. Read Labyrinths last month. I'm still in awe.
