Luke Scull

I don't give out a lot of 5 star reviews, but often when I do it's for the last book in a series. That's probably because if they're good books I'm probably really connected to the characters by then and if the ending's good then that seals the deal.

This is "grimdark" without the pretense. This isn't the guy who just went to Hot Topic for the first time and stepped out a punk rawker. This is the real deal. Dark, gritty, bloody, and downright mean to some of the characters that you really show more want to succeed, but not emo. Demons, giants, dragons, magic and in this final book some technology. The tech kinda threw me at first, but I got used to it quick.

Congrats Mr. Scull. I know we talked years ago when I read the first book, you've got a satisfied customer. What's next? show less

This book was definitely a pleasant surprise or maybe I should say unpleasant since it's supposed to be in the "grimdark" genre. The good thing about it is that it's not only dark and gritty, there's humor in there but it doesn't feel forced or campy like a lot of fantasy humor. All of the humor centers around Davarus Cole, a brilliant creation of a character type I haven't seen in fantasy before.

This is epic fantasy that's contained in under 500 pages, has plenty of action, really cool show more magic, an interesting back story and extremely likable characters. It's really brutal, occasionally a little over the top in the believability department, but didn't feel like it was forced. There's a second book but the first one does NOT end with a cliffhanger.

I did this on audio and the narrator was good but one strange thing is that he alternated between calling Davarus' dagger "Mage Bane" and "Mega Bane". The first time he said "Mega Bane" I was worried the story was really going to suck, I almost stopped because it sounded like something from a video game.

In the end I'm really glad I picked up this unknown (to me) author's work and I can't wait for the next book to come out. show less

JRR Tolkien casts a long shadow across Fantasy fiction. He proved that fantasy fiction can have literary merit. It was a lofty example he set. To paraphrase Raymond Chandler, famous for his pulp crime stories, "genre fiction is not an excuse for poor writing".

Thankfully, for fantasy readers, others have risen to great heights. George RR Martin, Patrick Rothfuss, and Gene Wolf all spring immediately to mind.
At a less lofty standard, but still excellent within the genre are writers like show more Feist, Sanderson, Gaiman, Jordan.

I'd even argue tooth and nail with someone that Weiss & Hickman's Dragonlance Legends Trilogy transcends that mythos and delivers a character-rich epic fantasy story; Raistlin Majere is right up there with great characters in fantasy fiction.

Which brings me to The Grimm Company.

Discerning fantasy enthusiasts deserve better than this. Pull out the swearing and graphic violence and you could slap a Forgotten Realms banner on this book. The writing does not rise beyond that standard, and even then I'd be casting dispersion on RA Salvatore and his solid Drizzt Do'Urden stories.

The great Fantasy novels are evocative, rich immersive experiences. They have memorable characters of depth and humanity. They are told with strong narrative voices. All of this can be achieved within the tropes of the genre. Heck, the best push these boundaries further.

The Grim Company felt like a 15 year old boys concept of a fantasy novel. The characters are cardboard cutout caricatures. Their behaviour labored, obvious and lacking depth or defining qualities. In the case of one character - he's outright annoying. The writing itself heavy handed and littered with chunks of mood-killing exposition. It feels like fantasy by the numbers written on autopilot.

The other thing that really bugged me is the current trend for "gritty" fantasy with violence and swearing. No matter how old words like 'F*ck, Sh*t, C**t" really are, they're in such common parlance today that they ring too modern for the context. I would prefer authors be more creative with their curses.

The descriptions of violence lack impact the same way fake blood in zombie splatter films lack impact. It does not add depth to the story. It does not add depth to characters. It's just a gleeful wash of (red) colour. You want colourful, progressive shocking violence? Go watch the scene in Jackie brown where Louis shoots Melanie, or Pulp Fiction when Vincent shoots Marvin. Tarantino was a great student of film and he really understood this stuff. There's a reason *that* scene in Reservoir dogs was so shocking despite nothing actually being shown. This can be translated to the written word too.

I don't get off on critisicing authors - it's a tough gig. But I wish more thought and art went into this story. This novel is not Rembrandt, it's not even dogs playing pool. It is a black heavy-metal T-shirt with some flaming skulls on it. Some people will dig that. I hated it. show less

***Spoilers ahead you’ve been warned***

It’s been a while since a good fantasy has come by my way and with anti heroes! It’s different and nice to see even though the world building and plot is typical fantasy but it’s written so well that it’s enjoyable and with some occasional funny parts you’re left with a memorable book and want to keep going in the series.

The world building is well done. Mages are dictators of their own cities and have the general populace under their thumb. show more Magic is pretty much only done by Magelords (not including the band of sorceresses that are mentioned). Dorminia is protected by Augmentors (elite units that have enhanced magical items) which is a fine idea. The mindhawks (birds that can read your mind to see if you’re thinking thoughts to overthrow the Magelord) is also a really neat concept that I liked.

The plot itself is intricate and it takes time to get fully immersed in it. Once you’re familiar with the world and setting it’s well worth the time invested and although it may be a bit hard to keep track of everyone at first, the action scenes are well written, the dialogue is real albeit vulgar at times (but it keeps it real), and the battle at the end is epic. Everything is somewhat interconnected and once the pieces all come together it makes for one great story.

The characters are a mixed bag and you have a variety to choose as a favorite. Cole seems to be the butt of many jokes despite his main role in the story. I found myself bursting out laughing at some moments that featured him - although I have to add, he’s not a very likable character. He’s naive, arrogant, and a bit of a dolt. But that’s what makes his role more interesting. Even I had to agree with Jerek when he said: “The boy’s a hero after all.”

My favorite would be Brodar and Jerek. Their background stories are interesting and they compliment each other. Brodar is the cool headed fighter who’s going on past his prime, whereas Jerek is the hot headed one that has a constant chip on his shoulder. They make a great duo and even while fighting together it makes for an exciting battle scene to read.

I sympathize with Barandas even though he was for the ‘bad guys’. He was loyal to a fault and was your model soldier. But he had a nice likable personality and although he was loyal to the Magelord you had to admire that in him. He’s good at his job and he was also trying to set things right. It made me sad on his demise. It was worth reading his one on one fight with Brodar.

There are so many questions to be answered! Lots of things were left hanging and I am looking forward to reading book two of this series. If you like a good fantasy with anti heroes with various flaws, some bits of dark humor, hefty battle scenes and blood coming from all over this is definitely for you. show less