Scan barcode
theburnedhand's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
wildfaeriecaps's review
5.0
Oh, this was so good. I love that we're getting to the meat of the story now. All those background threads that have been teasing throughout the various series that Craig Schaefer writes (and that I read out of order the first time). I can't wait to see how it all comes together along the way!
ashkitty93's review
5.0
I really appreciated the choice to have Dan give his life a long, hard look, and make a concrete decision about how to move forward. The first five books were fantastic but this truly feels like a turning point for his character. Loved the callback to simpler times with the hat and wand. The inclusion of Ecko + the Chicago Outfit felt like it could've easily snowballed out of control, but Schaefer kept things moving so well. And I'm always down for musical theatre references.
We're officially into Ambitious territory, and I'm excited to see how everything pans out from here.
We're officially into Ambitious territory, and I'm excited to see how everything pans out from here.
xenlinde's review
4.0
5 stars for the audio book narrator
I was struggling getting into book 6. Then, I had a 4 hour drive and decided to listen to the audio book version. The narrator did an amazing job . Anyway, can't wait for the next book now.
I was struggling getting into book 6. Then, I had a 4 hour drive and decided to listen to the audio book version. The narrator did an amazing job . Anyway, can't wait for the next book now.
hpstrangelove's review
5.0
Audiobook review. Narrator: Adam Verner
See review of entire series in book 8.
See review of entire series in book 8.
queenterribletimy's review
4.0
This review was originally posted on Queen's Book Asylum where you can check out my choice of song too :)
My actual rating: 4.5*
This being a review for a 6th book in a series, mild spoilers for previous books might appear.
After a little… err… “vacation” in the Iceberg prison, Daniel Faust is out and about once again. Now, with a clean slate and a big pile of trouble landing in his lap. It’s time for Daniel to learn about the consequences of his actions, and decide what he wants to do with his life. And it’s time to fight a war for Las Vegas and face one very angry Damien Echo.
The Castle Doctrine, being the 6th book in the Daniel Faust series, makes it that much harder to review it, so this might be shorter than usual. I could start raving about how much I love this series, but I think that should be clear by now. I’m a Schafer fangirl, and I’m not ashamed of that.
This book closes off the second story arc within the series, bringing solutions, but also opening up new ways for the characters to follow in later installments. It also delves deeper into the First Story. A story arc spanning through different series, bringing together different characters, making them exist in the same universe. Daniel, among others, will play an important part in it. As I previously read The Wisdom’s Grave Trilogy, that gave me some background info about how this story is playing out, even though the official reading order places that trilogy after book 8 in the Daniel Faust series. And yes, I *finally* bothered to check the reading order, lol. Don’t worry though, you can go in whatever order with each series, but it’s something to consider in any way. That said, it’s exciting to see these characters coming into play and see how they’ll get to where they need to be at certain points.
As usual, there are a lot of things happening in The Castle Doctrine, several plotlines are coming together, and Daniel has to use his tricks and his friends to save his neck. And still, for me, the focus was on Daniel finding his own way in the chaos. Yes, he had Damien Echo chasing him down, the Chicago Outfit trying to take control, and a cop pressuring him to close down that business, but he also has to make decisions for the long term. He lost everything and got obsessed with a problem that shouldn’t be his priority so he could ignore the important decisions, and avoid taking charge of his life. Happens to the best of us, and after what he went through in The Killing Floor Blues, it’s quite understandable. We see a much more human side of him. One that we all can relate to, especially in these times.
It’s also interesting to witness how Daniel transits from a morally grey antihero into a kind of villain. Maybe. I’m not sure I’m expressing myself well here. It’s not that he is an entirely bad person – he cares about his family and friends and at least tries not to hurt innocents – but he also develops a bit of ruthlessness as things escalate and lines start to blur. I find myself fascinated by his character, and that’s a big reason why I’m sticking to the series. He is definitely not a hero, he’s got snark and a good heart. I really would like to see him have a companion other than Caitlyn. A cat, say. I’m sure that would be fun.
I also liked how this story arc got closure (both regarding Damien Echo and Angelo Mancuso who earned a tiny bit of respect from me for being a man in the end), but I also look forward to seeing how Daniel’s story will continue. I’m especially interested in how he’ll be able to get on the same page with Emma regarding Melanie (I’m totally on Daniel’s side, for the record, as he advocates for Melanie having a say in her own future and which side of her inheritance she wants to choose), and how his relationship with Caitlyn will continue. And of course, there are those mysterious characters such as The Enemy and The Thief, among others who definitely are up to no good.
The Castle Doctrine was another great installment in the Daniel Faust series, with a satisfying closure to a trilogy, probably my favorite within this story arc. On to the next one, then.
My actual rating: 4.5*
This being a review for a 6th book in a series, mild spoilers for previous books might appear.
After a little… err… “vacation” in the Iceberg prison, Daniel Faust is out and about once again. Now, with a clean slate and a big pile of trouble landing in his lap. It’s time for Daniel to learn about the consequences of his actions, and decide what he wants to do with his life. And it’s time to fight a war for Las Vegas and face one very angry Damien Echo.
The Castle Doctrine, being the 6th book in the Daniel Faust series, makes it that much harder to review it, so this might be shorter than usual. I could start raving about how much I love this series, but I think that should be clear by now. I’m a Schafer fangirl, and I’m not ashamed of that.
This book closes off the second story arc within the series, bringing solutions, but also opening up new ways for the characters to follow in later installments. It also delves deeper into the First Story. A story arc spanning through different series, bringing together different characters, making them exist in the same universe. Daniel, among others, will play an important part in it. As I previously read The Wisdom’s Grave Trilogy, that gave me some background info about how this story is playing out, even though the official reading order places that trilogy after book 8 in the Daniel Faust series. And yes, I *finally* bothered to check the reading order, lol. Don’t worry though, you can go in whatever order with each series, but it’s something to consider in any way. That said, it’s exciting to see these characters coming into play and see how they’ll get to where they need to be at certain points.
As usual, there are a lot of things happening in The Castle Doctrine, several plotlines are coming together, and Daniel has to use his tricks and his friends to save his neck. And still, for me, the focus was on Daniel finding his own way in the chaos. Yes, he had Damien Echo chasing him down, the Chicago Outfit trying to take control, and a cop pressuring him to close down that business, but he also has to make decisions for the long term. He lost everything and got obsessed with a problem that shouldn’t be his priority so he could ignore the important decisions, and avoid taking charge of his life. Happens to the best of us, and after what he went through in The Killing Floor Blues, it’s quite understandable. We see a much more human side of him. One that we all can relate to, especially in these times.
It’s also interesting to witness how Daniel transits from a morally grey antihero into a kind of villain. Maybe. I’m not sure I’m expressing myself well here. It’s not that he is an entirely bad person – he cares about his family and friends and at least tries not to hurt innocents – but he also develops a bit of ruthlessness as things escalate and lines start to blur. I find myself fascinated by his character, and that’s a big reason why I’m sticking to the series. He is definitely not a hero, he’s got snark and a good heart. I really would like to see him have a companion other than Caitlyn. A cat, say. I’m sure that would be fun.
I also liked how this story arc got closure (both regarding Damien Echo and Angelo Mancuso who earned a tiny bit of respect from me for being a man in the end), but I also look forward to seeing how Daniel’s story will continue. I’m especially interested in how he’ll be able to get on the same page with Emma regarding Melanie (I’m totally on Daniel’s side, for the record, as he advocates for Melanie having a say in her own future and which side of her inheritance she wants to choose), and how his relationship with Caitlyn will continue. And of course, there are those mysterious characters such as The Enemy and The Thief, among others who definitely are up to no good.
The Castle Doctrine was another great installment in the Daniel Faust series, with a satisfying closure to a trilogy, probably my favorite within this story arc. On to the next one, then.
matosapa's review
3.0
I'm still enjoying this series and looking forward to the next. This book ties up a few major threads and also introduces the new major arc.
zefrien's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5