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23 reviews for:
Ace in the Hole
Victor Milán, Melinda M. Snodgrass, George R.R. Martin, Walton Simons, Stephen Leigh, Walter Jon Williams
4.01 AVERAGE
23 reviews for:
Ace in the Hole
Victor Milán, Melinda M. Snodgrass, George R.R. Martin, Walton Simons, Stephen Leigh, Walter Jon Williams
4.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Violence, Medical trauma, Stalking, Murder, Pregnancy, Outing, Gaslighting, Dysphoria
Moderate: Torture
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This really is the strongest of the books since the first, using the same editorial tour de force that worked in book 3 where all of the stories interweave with each other. This time its 5 of the 7 stores, as the other two stories are their own book in the series, which was absolutely the right call. (And the fact that Martin pulled that off so nothing in book 6 feels incomplete is a marvel). Everything about this duology feels like the end of the series, concluding long running plot arcs, concluding tales for the villains who have been POV characters in many stories, bringing emotional closure to several others. It's worth the ups and downs of book 4 and the slog of book 5 to get here.
For me, at least, the Bryant, Harper and Cadigan stories have been the weakest of the series: aside from caring about Sewer Jack in book 3 and being interested by the Hero Twins in book 4, nothing in their tales connects with me or feels like it quite fits. Their strong focus in book 5 and absence on book 6 and 7 makes everything there tighter.
For me, at least, the Bryant, Harper and Cadigan stories have been the weakest of the series: aside from caring about Sewer Jack in book 3 and being interested by the Hero Twins in book 4, nothing in their tales connects with me or feels like it quite fits. Their strong focus in book 5 and absence on book 6 and 7 makes everything there tighter.
This was definitely one of the better Wild Card books as it tells a more coherent story. I loved the character development and the book was intensely action packed with good character development. I enjoyed it immensely.
As I may have mentioned before, I am on a quest to reread all of the “Wild Cards” books that I have already read (the first thirteen or fourteen books, I think) in order before I start to read the newer ones (which I haven’t read), mainly so that I can remind myself of who all the characters are after all these years. I was looking forward to reading this one because, as I remember it, this was one of my favorite (if not the favorite) books. Having just finished it, that belief was proven correct.
The novel takes place during the 1988 Democratic convention in Atlanta, where the Democrats are trying to choose a candidate to run against George Bush (the elder, not the Shrub). None of the contenders have the nomination locked up, but the two front runners are Senator Gregg Hartmann and Reverend Leo Barnett. Hartmann is the senator from New York, who is very much in favor of jokers’ rights (healthcare for jokers, etc.). Barnett, on the other hand, is sold as the conservative Southern minister who wants to remove all people affected by the wild card virus to concentration camps.
A full summary of who is present and what is going on would take too long (and would spoil the fun of the book), but a couple of highlights are in order:
Sara Morganstern is there, still trying to expose Hartmann’s secret ace power to the world to avenge the death of her sister, which she believes was caused by Hartmann.
In order to prevent this, Hartmann has secretly hired Mackie Messer—aka Mack the Knife—to silence Morganstern and others who know about his ace, Puppetman.
Somebody else has hired James “Demise” Spector to kill Hartmann.
Dr. Tachyon is there to support Hartmann, until he learns the truth.
Jack Braun—aka Golden Boy—is there as the head of the California delegation and a Hartmann supporter who becomes embroiled in all of the intrigue.
This book sizzles along, with plenty of action to keep you turning pages. It is a great addition to (or edition of, whatever) the Wild Cards series and I highly recommend it (after reading the first five so that you know who everybody is).
The novel takes place during the 1988 Democratic convention in Atlanta, where the Democrats are trying to choose a candidate to run against George Bush (the elder, not the Shrub). None of the contenders have the nomination locked up, but the two front runners are Senator Gregg Hartmann and Reverend Leo Barnett. Hartmann is the senator from New York, who is very much in favor of jokers’ rights (healthcare for jokers, etc.). Barnett, on the other hand, is sold as the conservative Southern minister who wants to remove all people affected by the wild card virus to concentration camps.
A full summary of who is present and what is going on would take too long (and would spoil the fun of the book), but a couple of highlights are in order:
Sara Morganstern is there, still trying to expose Hartmann’s secret ace power to the world to avenge the death of her sister, which she believes was caused by Hartmann.
In order to prevent this, Hartmann has secretly hired Mackie Messer—aka Mack the Knife—to silence Morganstern and others who know about his ace, Puppetman.
Somebody else has hired James “Demise” Spector to kill Hartmann.
Dr. Tachyon is there to support Hartmann, until he learns the truth.
Jack Braun—aka Golden Boy—is there as the head of the California delegation and a Hartmann supporter who becomes embroiled in all of the intrigue.
This book sizzles along, with plenty of action to keep you turning pages. It is a great addition to (or edition of, whatever) the Wild Cards series and I highly recommend it (after reading the first five so that you know who everybody is).
This is the first of the WC books I've re-read where I had serious problems. Everything seemed fine when I was fourteen...
My biggest issue is Tachyon. He's pathetic. I feel badly for the jokers and everyone who relies on him - he ought to be a little effective but spends nearly the entire book crying. Literally weeping.
My second issue would be the female characters, since they barely do anything - and when they do, they're sleeping with someone or looking to their male counterparts. Chrysalis - the one with any agency typically - is killed "off-panel". The Wild Cards books have come a long way in the past quarter-century, thankfully, in regards to its female characters.
Then there's Jack Braun. The writers really over-estimate the memory of the American public. Jack, no one's going to care about you being a traitor or whatever. Stop whining.
Then there's Hiram and his plot point (which won't be resolved until next volume). Everyone's staring at this nasty scab on his neck, everyone notices he's acting REALLY STRANGELY, but no one acts on it, just so we can kick his plot point can down the road.
If there's one thing I appreciate about this volume, it's that some too-powerful characters are taken off the table (Demise, Puppetman, Mackie). Not the end of mental-domination plotlines but we're getting there.
My biggest issue is Tachyon. He's pathetic. I feel badly for the jokers and everyone who relies on him - he ought to be a little effective but spends nearly the entire book crying. Literally weeping.
My second issue would be the female characters, since they barely do anything - and when they do, they're sleeping with someone or looking to their male counterparts. Chrysalis - the one with any agency typically - is killed "off-panel". The Wild Cards books have come a long way in the past quarter-century, thankfully, in regards to its female characters.
Then there's Jack Braun. The writers really over-estimate the memory of the American public. Jack, no one's going to care about you being a traitor or whatever. Stop whining.
Then there's Hiram and his plot point (which won't be resolved until next volume). Everyone's staring at this nasty scab on his neck, everyone notices he's acting REALLY STRANGELY, but no one acts on it, just so we can kick his plot point can down the road.
If there's one thing I appreciate about this volume, it's that some too-powerful characters are taken off the table (Demise, Puppetman, Mackie). Not the end of mental-domination plotlines but we're getting there.
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is one of the 'mosaic' novels that rather than being written by numerous authors in the form of short stories that are then edited together, are written by one or two authors with a definite story-line, much more like an ordinary novel. I prefer the numerous authors and their short stories though.
This one was set around a political campaign, which I wouldn't normally be interested in at all if it wasn't for the various characters. The Jokers and Aces that fill the pages of these wild card novels are just wonderful and this is what held my attention and to be honest, what always holds my attention with these books, even if the story isn't to my liking per se.
The next book was originally a part of this one but they felt it would be too long to publish as one novel, and I have to say, I think I agree with them. Apparently it follows the investigation into the murder of Chrysalis who was one of my favourite characters and whom I shall miss terribly now.
A good read. Looking forward to the next one more though, even though it is another 'mosaic' novel.
Very good.
This one was set around a political campaign, which I wouldn't normally be interested in at all if it wasn't for the various characters. The Jokers and Aces that fill the pages of these wild card novels are just wonderful and this is what held my attention and to be honest, what always holds my attention with these books, even if the story isn't to my liking per se.
The next book was originally a part of this one but they felt it would be too long to publish as one novel, and I have to say, I think I agree with them. Apparently it follows the investigation into the murder of Chrysalis who was one of my favourite characters and whom I shall miss terribly now.
A good read. Looking forward to the next one more though, even though it is another 'mosaic' novel.
Very good.