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Book review: The Hob's Bargain
Jan. 28th, 2010 01:13 amToday's book review is The Hob's Bargain by Patricia Briggs.
This is a standalone novel.
This is the earliest of Briggs' books that I've read so far. I had a little feeling that the plot was being wielded as a blunt instrument early in the story, and the magic seemed a bit arbitrary, as though it could do whatever the author needed without a clear rationale. But I still found characters that clicked with me, and once I was hooked on the characters, I was definitely there for the story. It read fast and smooth, and had me really keyed up for the climax, as I was convinced that first one and then another thing that was going to make me very unhappy was inevitable, and then managed to work things out OK. It's not as good as the Hurog books or the Mercy Thompson books. I can live with the fact that I don't get any more after the end of this book; I'm still sad that there isn't another book after Dragon Blood and I'd really be in a bad way if I didn't know there was more Mercy coming. It is a more engaging read than a lot of books out there, though, or at the very least it pushes my buttons.
8 out of 10.
( plot summary )
This is a standalone novel.
This is the earliest of Briggs' books that I've read so far. I had a little feeling that the plot was being wielded as a blunt instrument early in the story, and the magic seemed a bit arbitrary, as though it could do whatever the author needed without a clear rationale. But I still found characters that clicked with me, and once I was hooked on the characters, I was definitely there for the story. It read fast and smooth, and had me really keyed up for the climax, as I was convinced that first one and then another thing that was going to make me very unhappy was inevitable, and then managed to work things out OK. It's not as good as the Hurog books or the Mercy Thompson books. I can live with the fact that I don't get any more after the end of this book; I'm still sad that there isn't another book after Dragon Blood and I'd really be in a bad way if I didn't know there was more Mercy coming. It is a more engaging read than a lot of books out there, though, or at the very least it pushes my buttons.
8 out of 10.
( plot summary )