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mbpartlow's review against another edition
4.0
Easily my favorite in this series, after the initial book.
Hilarious, clever, great twists, snark, genteel humor, witty...OMG, I love this series so much!
In this outing, Johannes and Horst are reunited to save the world. Their interactions are mulit-layered and very clever. Their dialogue is perfection.
I have no objectivity. Loved it.
Hilarious, clever, great twists, snark, genteel humor, witty...OMG, I love this series so much!
In this outing, Johannes and Horst are reunited to save the world. Their interactions are mulit-layered and very clever. Their dialogue is perfection.
I have no objectivity. Loved it.
timinbc's review against another edition
5.0
Not a classic for the ages, but within its niche a definite 5.
You really need to have read the other books, or at least one of them.
In this one, Howard is obviously very comfortable in his world and with his characters. He's having fun, and so are we.
Gotta love "her smirk vanished like hope after an election." And there are plenty of other phrases where you can imagine Howard grinning as he types.
The new Horst is interesting, and a perfect partner for the usual Johannes - who I must warn you doesn't appear for quite a while. The female air corps is good, and even some of the secondary characters were developed cleverly.
The plot rolls along smoothly and reveals new complexities nicely.
The ending .. well, don't get your hopes up that this book will wrap everything up neatly. The good news is that we are very likely to see the brothers again soon.
You really need to have read the other books, or at least one of them.
In this one, Howard is obviously very comfortable in his world and with his characters. He's having fun, and so are we.
Gotta love "her smirk vanished like hope after an election." And there are plenty of other phrases where you can imagine Howard grinning as he types.
The new Horst is interesting, and a perfect partner for the usual Johannes - who I must warn you doesn't appear for quite a while. The female air corps is good, and even some of the secondary characters were developed cleverly.
The plot rolls along smoothly and reveals new complexities nicely.
The ending .. well, don't get your hopes up that this book will wrap everything up neatly. The good news is that we are very likely to see the brothers again soon.
hirvimaki's review against another edition
5.0
As much as I enjoyed book one, I enjoyed book two more. The same with three. And four was no exception. Pithy, witty, clever, and just plain fun.
“Apparently the Ministerium Tenebrae had decided to conquer the region using the unusual twin-pronged attack of zombies and avant-garde artwork.”
~Jonathan L. Howard, The Brothers Cabal
A thoroughly enjoyable read.
“Apparently the Ministerium Tenebrae had decided to conquer the region using the unusual twin-pronged attack of zombies and avant-garde artwork.”
~Jonathan L. Howard, The Brothers Cabal
A thoroughly enjoyable read.
murdrean's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
stepriot's review against another edition
5.0
Horst Cabal could have easily been the goofy sidekick or resentful and bitter. He has several legitimate reasons to despise his brother, and yet he doesn't. He not only forgives his brother for any wrongs but also understands and accepts him. Their relationship ends up being one of the most rewarding and endearing things about the series, which is a bit of surprise, especially given... well everything else that goes on around them.
klparmley's review against another edition
4.0
I think I enjoy Johannes better with the leavening of his brother. This one made me laugh out loud often enough to get my husband's attention.
I am looking forward to the next installment.
I am looking forward to the next installment.
anxious_undertaker's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
alixblck's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
grayjay's review against another edition
3.0
Another fun Ruritanian/Steampunk romance from Jonathan Howard. The first half of this volume focuses exclusively on Horst's adventures after being brought back from death the second time, as he relates these adventures to his brother Johannes. Centering this fourth book on Horst freshened the tone up a bit for me as a reader, yet the author maintains his ascerbic wit. This story ties together events from all three of the previous novels, funneling everything into one overarching narrative.
winterscape's review against another edition
4.0
The Brothers Cabal is perhaps my favourite of the first four Cabal novels, but that may be the recency bias talking. It makes me want to re-read the series at some point to find out!
After the events of previous novels, seeing Horst and Johannes together again, bonding and caring for one another, was a balm to the heart. All the humour and snark was there, as were monsters and supernatural shenanigans, but so was a story about two brothers who never wanted to hate each other learning to work together again despite their immense differences. Set it against the backdrop of a newly forming government of monsters and you've got yourself a great read, particularly around Halloween.
My only complaint (is minor and barely worth mentioning, but is the reason it's not a perfect five stars) centres around the aerial troupe, whose members I found difficult to tell apart and whom I would have liked to spend less time with in the middle of the narrative.
Nevertheless, once you get past the innerworkings of flying machines, their myriad pilots, and the ways in which crop-dusting is a lucrative side venture, you'll emerge on the other side to an exciting and fast-paced finish.
I give it an "I really liked it," and I'm looking forward to Book 5!
After the events of previous novels, seeing Horst and Johannes together again, bonding and caring for one another, was a balm to the heart. All the humour and snark was there, as were monsters and supernatural shenanigans, but so was a story about two brothers who never wanted to hate each other learning to work together again despite their immense differences. Set it against the backdrop of a newly forming government of monsters and you've got yourself a great read, particularly around Halloween.
My only complaint (is minor and barely worth mentioning, but is the reason it's not a perfect five stars) centres around the aerial troupe, whose members I found difficult to tell apart and whom I would have liked to spend less time with in the middle of the narrative.
Nevertheless, once you get past the innerworkings of flying machines, their myriad pilots, and the ways in which crop-dusting is a lucrative side venture, you'll emerge on the other side to an exciting and fast-paced finish.
I give it an "I really liked it," and I'm looking forward to Book 5!