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slawler's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the premise of The Dirty Streets of Heaven, but I did need to push myself to finish it.
I liked the "flawed narrator" first-person POV we get with Bobby Dollar, but sometimes the monologue was so repetitive that I got bored. The complex plot with betrayals, liars, multiple players, and so many unknowns provided tons of opportunity for conjection and the theories that could have been so fun with this narration. Instead it was a lot of emotional rehashing of the action sequence that was just described.
The female characters were all one-dimensional sex objects, which I can tolerate when it's a product of the flawed narration POV. Bobby D is a womanizer, ok. But I need that to go somewhere or do something. Maybe the womanizing gumshoe has a character development arc about his relationships with women, maybe other characters offer a contrast, maybe the women are so badass that it's obvious, but there was none of that to save it, so maybe this book is just sexist.
Those are my two main complaints, and there is a lot to enjoy about this book, so while it didn't hit the mark for me, I'll probably read the next one in the series just to see. And I'll definitely read more Tad Williams.
I liked the "flawed narrator" first-person POV we get with Bobby Dollar, but sometimes the monologue was so repetitive that I got bored. The complex plot with betrayals, liars, multiple players, and so many unknowns provided tons of opportunity for conjection and the theories that could have been so fun with this narration. Instead it was a lot of emotional rehashing of the action sequence that was just described.
The female characters were all one-dimensional sex objects, which I can tolerate when it's a product of the flawed narration POV. Bobby D is a womanizer, ok. But I need that to go somewhere or do something. Maybe the womanizing gumshoe has a character development arc about his relationships with women, maybe other characters offer a contrast, maybe the women are so badass that it's obvious, but there was none of that to save it, so maybe this book is just sexist.
Those are my two main complaints, and there is a lot to enjoy about this book, so while it didn't hit the mark for me, I'll probably read the next one in the series just to see. And I'll definitely read more Tad Williams.
guppyur's review against another edition
2.0
Mixed feelings. The story, which is about one of several earthbound angels trudging through his daily grind in his post-life job when the usual order is upset, isn't bad. And as he figures out what's going on, it becomes pretty intricate. But the writing is mediocre, the protagonist is pretty two-dimensional, and the few unnecessary sex scenes aren't just bad, they are extended. The ending is pretty unsatisfying, too -- not much is really wrapped up. First in a series, we'll see about reading more.
EDIT: We have seen about reading more, and the answer is no. Dropped a star to better reflect my feelings about the book.
EDIT: We have seen about reading more, and the answer is no. Dropped a star to better reflect my feelings about the book.
ham_jansen's review against another edition
4.0
Good noir story similar to Dresden Files and Constantine but unique enough to stand on it's own.
songwind's review
3.0
I enjoyed this book, but not as much as I had hoped. The pacing was odd, and a few too many of the plot points hinged on the main character acting like an idiot.
shalini_gunnasan's review against another edition
3.0
I like the story and the worldbuilding. It's unique and pretty fun. I liked the mystery story, how it develops and the philosophy behind it. I don't like the main character enough to care about his next adventure though, so I'll stop at this book.
One of my big cons is the way women are represented here... damn, do better. The way the love interest is so 2D and not a person, and referred to in child-like terms, was just too creepy. Women are constantly referenced in sexual terms, this angel is such a horndog and any woman he can't shtup just doesn't appear in his orbit somehow. Terrible. There are even a couple of scenes where consent was NOT given explicitly. Really have a bad vibe from that.
One of my big cons is the way women are represented here... damn, do better. The way the love interest is so 2D and not a person, and referred to in child-like terms, was just too creepy. Women are constantly referenced in sexual terms, this angel is such a horndog and any woman he can't shtup just doesn't appear in his orbit somehow. Terrible. There are even a couple of scenes where consent was NOT given explicitly. Really have a bad vibe from that.
schwahawk's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
kreppen's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lanica's review against another edition
3.0
Gritty and dark noir fantasy. Some erotic scenes. I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. Noir is not my thing, but I do like urban fantasy. I’ve also played a rpg about angels and demons fighting thier good vs evil war on the earthy realm called InNominae which this reminded me of. I’ll keep reading...
sandygx260's review against another edition
2.0
When I saw this book from Tad Williams, I felt pretty excited, since I adored "The War of the Flowers." To me, this book had the same "vibe"
Wow, was I wrong.
Let me list this book's seven deadly sins:
1) Super obnoxious first person POV;
2) Sloppy editing;
3) Logistical errors;
4) Long-winded back story blah-blahs;
5) Shallow characters;
6) Willfully stupid decisions;
7) Tons of excess verbal padding.
I could probably crank this list into many other deadly writing sins but why bother?
To me, Bobby Dollar is indeed dead. His character started out obnoxious, which, if written well, could be funny. The problem is Dollar remains at the same level of snarky, willful stupidity. I mean I love snarky, witty characters... but only if they are witty. Dollar is as annoying as fingernails ripping across a blackboard, a fitting cliche for him.
The only reason I grant this two stars is for some of the action sequences. Other than that, well... to Hell with it.
Wow, was I wrong.
Let me list this book's seven deadly sins:
1) Super obnoxious first person POV;
2) Sloppy editing;
3) Logistical errors;
4) Long-winded back story blah-blahs;
5) Shallow characters;
6) Willfully stupid decisions;
7) Tons of excess verbal padding.
I could probably crank this list into many other deadly writing sins but why bother?
To me, Bobby Dollar is indeed dead. His character started out obnoxious, which, if written well, could be funny. The problem is Dollar remains at the same level of snarky, willful stupidity. I mean I love snarky, witty characters... but only if they are witty. Dollar is as annoying as fingernails ripping across a blackboard, a fitting cliche for him.
The only reason I grant this two stars is for some of the action sequences. Other than that, well... to Hell with it.