Reviews

An Orc on the Wild Side by Tom Holt

soapythebum's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

After finishing this I found out that there is an entire series that deals with these same characters and I'm not sure if this was a spin off or a summary of the other series, but I enjoyed it and plan on checking out his YouSpace series.

betharanova's review against another edition

4.0

This is a story about how the English can ruin any place at all just by moving there, which is true. The main character is the Dark Lord Mordak (unfortunately a goblin rather than an orc proper, but see if that stops me). He is clever, wry, frightening, and doing his very best. I love him.

This book is hundreds of pages of taking the piss out of Tolkien, and it's all hilarious. Dwarves, snotty elves, humans (represented by a single lawyer named John), and an all-male society of goblins struggling with the idea of worker's rights. It also makes fun of lawyers, real estate agents, administrators of all kinds, and spiteful travel bloggers. I was laughing the whole time, but about halfway through, the plot really hits, and the book turns amazing. Absolutely would read again.

The only reason it doesn't have five stars is that Tom Holt doesn't qualify for the list of male authors I trust to write women characters. Nothing was so bad it ruined the book for me, but occasionally I would stall at lines like, "Females can multi-task; don't try to understand it," and look directly at the camera.

eighthsamurai's review

3.0

3.5

sophietica's review against another edition

4.0

I hadn't read a Tom Holt book before and wasn't sure what to expect. I really enjoyed it - this book is in the same neighbourhood humour-wise as Terry Pratchett. Not quite as laugh-out-loud funny, but few are.

emheld's review against another edition

3.0

I think I'd have enjoyed it more had I read it. Not that the narrator is bad, but I didn't always connect with his interpretation of the text.

The story, with its multiple disparate viewpoints that all loosely coalesce at the end, was also oddly paced and structured. At times choppy, while at others like a collection of short stories. Holt's wit always shines thru...but sometimes the window is a little smudged.

poseidon9697's review against another edition

funny lighthearted slow-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

words_and_dreams's review against another edition

funny lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

Not as funny as it thought it was. Political satire set in a fantasy world. 
I got pretty bored and there wasn't a solid plot, nothing to keep me hooked. 

caryambler's review

4.0

Thanks to Tom Holt & Goodreads Giveaways for the chance to read An Orc on the Wild Side.
A satirical journey through a fantasy land involving humans moving to another realm and the mishaps that ensue.
I really enjoyed it and will absolutely be reading more of Tom Holt's books

dustfeather's review against another edition

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

pogue's review against another edition

funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0