The Toyminator (Gollancz S.F.) (edition 2007)

Quit before I got halfway through. Word-to-plot ratio too high. ( )

Sequels are typically a departure from the original story, and I'm glad The Toyminator follows this pattern. I was not a great fan of the Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse, it was just too much rehashing of old nursery rhymes, but this sequel, with many of the same characters, is much more original. I enjoyed the much more adult-oriented writing too! ( )

Hollow Bunnies was great! The characters were funny and their rapport was entertaining. The Toy City scenario was interesting and offered new elements in which Rankin clearly delighted in penning. A sequel couldn't fail right? The Eddie Bear character is still very well written, a delight to read. However, his sidekick and the other characters and their actions seem to be facsimiles of the ones from the previous book. The setting of Toy City is poorly executed in Toyminator, with only a few clever new scenes. The biggest disappointment is that the title, the imagery it conjures (and indeed the untrue front cover) sets up the reader for expectations in the plot that do not exist. A different title would have made the book more palatable; it would deliver on the reader's expectation. Overall, there are some elements that are still great, but I feel that Rankin has rushed this one. There are moments where you are swept along as Rankin enjoys his writing, but they are too few and far between to make this stand out. Good, but definitely not great. Mr. Rankin - Make a real Toyminator book so that General Electric mini-gun gets a proper outing! ( )

Great follow-up to The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse! Eddie and Jack take on a new case. If they don't figure out who's behind the latest toy murders, it could mean the end of Toy City.

Lots of comedy, many movie references, and great special effects! ( )

By Rankin's standards this is practically sane. As usual a great fun romp with all of the expected Rankin running gags making an appearance, in a plot that hangs together and real(and fake) characters you're intersted in following. ( )