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goobdiddy's review against another edition
4.0
Solid 4 stars. Fun fantasy that reminds me a bit of Terry Pratchett (but a bit more ribald). VERY different from her other series (The Company).
brantp's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
reingerman's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
readerpants's review against another edition
4.0
Much more Terry Pratchett-y -- silly humor and social commentary worldbuilding -- than I expected, and more like a few short novellas in a single volume than a coherent whole. Not nearly as good as [b:The bird of the river|7640634|The Bird of the River|Kage Baker|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1274209310s/7640634.jpg|10170082], but a nice read.
jesssika's review against another edition
4.0
This was such an interesting book. You find yourself immersed in a world of adventure of not 1 but 3 great tales. It all begins when Smith has to lead a caravan from his cousins town to Salesh-by-the-Sea. All along the way, they are met with difficulties of attacks and wrecks. Though, they finally make it to find that they failed to protect some cargo which gets them all fired. So, the team buys a hotel in Salesh and begin the business there. The next adventure deals with Smith and friends trying to find out who murdered a client staying at the hotel during a festival. And finally, the next tale takes Willowspear, Smith, and the Lord on a sea faring adventure to the anvil of the world where Smith will have to make a crucial decision.
At first, I didn't quite get how all these different cultures and storylines could mesh together without making me go insane. But slowly and surely they did. There was no huge love story or big battle scene. It was an easy going page turner where you laughed, cringed, sighed, and laughed some more. By the end of it, I loved many of the characters and wished to know more of their adventures. I was vaguely disappointed that there really was no big climax. Still, it was a good story with likeable characters that had you guessing at times with plenty to keep you turning the pages.
At first, I didn't quite get how all these different cultures and storylines could mesh together without making me go insane. But slowly and surely they did. There was no huge love story or big battle scene. It was an easy going page turner where you laughed, cringed, sighed, and laughed some more. By the end of it, I loved many of the characters and wished to know more of their adventures. I was vaguely disappointed that there really was no big climax. Still, it was a good story with likeable characters that had you guessing at times with plenty to keep you turning the pages.
gmvader's review against another edition
4.0
Kage Baker has been on my radar for a while now. She wrote a series of science fiction books about a time travel agency that seem to be popular. I always intended to read her books.
I had no idea that she had written fantasy books as well. In fact I remained completely ignorant of her writing until last year when she passed away rather suddenly. As is so often the case her death reminded me that I hadn’t read any of her books yet. So I dug through my collection of unread books – it’s a fairly substantial amount – and pulled one out at random.
The Anvil of the World sounds like an epic adventure story. It reads more like a Terry Pratchett novel. There are serious things happening and the tension is real but it’s written in such a light manner that it feels jovial and is hilarious. I’ve mentioned this before but accomplishing this is not a trivial matter. It’s the difference between Galaxy Quest and Rocketman and Galaxy Quest is tremendously hard to pull off.
Ms. Baker does it with aplomb, while still providein characters that are unique, funny and entertaining (and all named Smith and still easy to tell apart).
The book feels more like three short stories that all tell a greater arc – like a three episode miniseries – than like a novel. There aren’t even any chapter divisions.
Kage Baker manages to tie up racial tension, fantasy races, evil overlords, religious fanatics, inns, assasins, demons, and gourmet cooking into a neat package of humor and good times.
I had no idea that she had written fantasy books as well. In fact I remained completely ignorant of her writing until last year when she passed away rather suddenly. As is so often the case her death reminded me that I hadn’t read any of her books yet. So I dug through my collection of unread books – it’s a fairly substantial amount – and pulled one out at random.
The Anvil of the World sounds like an epic adventure story. It reads more like a Terry Pratchett novel. There are serious things happening and the tension is real but it’s written in such a light manner that it feels jovial and is hilarious. I’ve mentioned this before but accomplishing this is not a trivial matter. It’s the difference between Galaxy Quest and Rocketman and Galaxy Quest is tremendously hard to pull off.
Ms. Baker does it with aplomb, while still providein characters that are unique, funny and entertaining (and all named Smith and still easy to tell apart).
The book feels more like three short stories that all tell a greater arc – like a three episode miniseries – than like a novel. There aren’t even any chapter divisions.
Kage Baker manages to tie up racial tension, fantasy races, evil overlords, religious fanatics, inns, assasins, demons, and gourmet cooking into a neat package of humor and good times.
usbsticky's review
3.0
I read book #2 in the series, thought it was not bad, then tried this one. This type of book is what I would call light comedic fantasy. Like a situation comedy but in fantasy books.
Spoilers ahead:
It follows an ex-assassin named Smith who gets a job as caravan master from his cousin. That's the first part. His caravan suffers several mishaps (attacks and assassinations) but gets to the seaside town. Due to a huge problem with some merchandise he was carrying (broken art eggs), he and all of his caravan drivers and cook decide to set up shop opening a hotel in the seaside town. That's part 2. That's also where I decided to dnf.
The writing was easy to read and follow and the plot was mildly entertaining/funny but the writing wasn't tight enough, not focused enough for me to continue. I just didn't care enough about the characters to want to continue no matter how wacky the situation was. And that describes middling level authors.
Spoilers ahead:
It follows an ex-assassin named Smith who gets a job as caravan master from his cousin. That's the first part. His caravan suffers several mishaps (attacks and assassinations) but gets to the seaside town. Due to a huge problem with some merchandise he was carrying (broken art eggs), he and all of his caravan drivers and cook decide to set up shop opening a hotel in the seaside town. That's part 2. That's also where I decided to dnf.
The writing was easy to read and follow and the plot was mildly entertaining/funny but the writing wasn't tight enough, not focused enough for me to continue. I just didn't care enough about the characters to want to continue no matter how wacky the situation was. And that describes middling level authors.
lisalark's review
5.0
How have I not discovered Kage Baker before? I am amazed that I am just reading her works now and distraught that she is gone.
I'd describe this as . . . sort of Terry Pratchett/Douglas Adams but less British and a bit less male, although she doesn't write a super gendered tone (which I like). Also sort of . . . hmm, Heinlein?
So very excited to read more by her. Yay!
Revising to share this self-description: "Rapier wit developed as defense mechanism to deflect rage of larger and more powerful children who took offense at abrasive, condescending and arrogant personality in a sickly eight-year-old. Family: 2 parents, 6 siblings, 4 nieces, 2 nephews. Husbands: 0. Children: 0."
I'd describe this as . . . sort of Terry Pratchett/Douglas Adams but less British and a bit less male, although she doesn't write a super gendered tone (which I like). Also sort of . . . hmm, Heinlein?
So very excited to read more by her. Yay!
Revising to share this self-description: "Rapier wit developed as defense mechanism to deflect rage of larger and more powerful children who took offense at abrasive, condescending and arrogant personality in a sickly eight-year-old. Family: 2 parents, 6 siblings, 4 nieces, 2 nephews. Husbands: 0. Children: 0."
thinde's review
3.0
It's difficult for me to rate this book. It consists of three stories with a consistent set of characters. The tone is light and humorous but there are some darker themes.
On the negative side, the story isn't visceral - it doesn't make your heart jump or swell. On the other hand, it is peopled by sympathetic characters and has an overall sweetness to it that is endearing, particularly the finish. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised since that description almost fits "The Company" series as well.
I suppose all I can say is that I don't think my time reading this book was wasted, but I'm not driven to continue the series either.
On the negative side, the story isn't visceral - it doesn't make your heart jump or swell. On the other hand, it is peopled by sympathetic characters and has an overall sweetness to it that is endearing, particularly the finish. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised since that description almost fits "The Company" series as well.
I suppose all I can say is that I don't think my time reading this book was wasted, but I'm not driven to continue the series either.
yarnbandit's review
I'm not sure this is a real book. I quit less than halfway through- I couldn't keep track of all the Smiths and was just not entertained. This author thinks they are much wittier than they really are.