The Nimble Man (Menagerie)

Rating:
Summary: Pulp serial fiction meets horror
Review: A fun, guilty pleasure read. An engaging story, hopefully the first of many. The characters are the best part, from an intriguingly named "Eve" who may be the real thing, to "Doctor Graves", an obvious homage to Doc Savage. The authors have done a fine job combining elements of horror and magic with a good old fashioned action/adventure story. Highly recommended!

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable pulp action novel
Review: An enjoyable pastiche, "The Nimble Man" is an fast-moving action-adventure pulp novel in the best tradition of Doc Savage, The Shadow, The Spider, Tarzan, et. al. While it may be said that "They don't write 'em like that anymore," the evidence is to the contrary, 'cuz there's one right here. Time and again I felt a grin spread over my face as I recognized where the writers were going. And they seem to be having such a wonderful time getting there. If there's a fault to the book, it's perhaps the authors may be overreaching just a bit beyond their capabilities in a few places. Still, I can't wait for the next adventure of this thrilling troupe!

Rating:
Summary: Never Meddle In The Wizards Of Affairs
Review: Chris Golden has become a 'presence' on the horror scene. He has been a prolific writer of stories for the Buffy and Angel series, as well as having many successful efforts of his own. Tom Sniegoski is best known for his comic books work, where he has frequently collaborated with Golden. Now they have joined together to write the first volume a new series, The Menagerie: The Nimble Man.

The basic premise isn't particularly original - wizard and friends join up to save the world books have been around since Lord of The Rings. But the group that make up what is to become The Menagerie are unique in every way. Something one should expect from authors who have the temerity to make Arthur Conan Doyle the magic worker. Then there's Eve, whose second husband made her a vampire (after she proved that gardening wasn't her strong point.

Then there is Clay, the world's oldest shape changer, Len Graves, adventurer and ghost, Squire, the hobgoblin chauffer, Ceridwin, a princess of Faerie and Doyle's one time lover. And last, but not least, is Danny, a demon in the offing with a worried mother. All of these unite when Doyle's attempts to prevent Lorenzo Sanguedolce (Sweetblood) from being extracted from a living tomb backfire, and a deranged Queen of the Fay sets about trying to end the world.

What makes the book is the reality the writers bring to the characters. These aren't cut-and-paste heroes speaking overblown prose, but people who, if you didn't know who they were would seem like ordinary folks with both good points and issues. Or as ordinary as a 16 year old with horns is ever likely to be.

As much as I like him, Chris Golden is an erratic writer, who often falls short of his full potential. Teaming with Sniegoski seems to have done the trick, though, and The Nimble Man is that great rarity, an intelligent action story rich in both character and context. I was much delighted, and am looking forward to the next volume.

Rating:
Summary: HORROR NOVEL X-MEN
Review: For some reason, when I read the back of this book and looked at the cover, I thought it was a ripoff of The League of Extraordinary Gentelmen or more likely of Hellboy. Thankfully, I've only been exposed to one of the aforesaid titles so I could enjoy this novel.

Mr. Doyle is an extremely long-lived sorceror who in times of a mystical threat to the Earth, summons together a band of occult beings/superheroes to battle against evil. There's Eve, the original wife of Adam who also happens to be the mother of all vampires. She's changed her tune though since she wants to get into Heaven. So Eve has made it her mission to destroy every single one of her progeny. Clay is an immortal shapeshifter that can assume the form of any living thing and of a few that God threw in the trash heap of Creation. Squire is the standard midget sized wise cracking hobgoblin who reminds one of the character Leprechaun who can traverse the ways of shadow. Dr. Leonard Graves is a disembodied spirit with one foot of ectoplasm on our dimension and one in the spirit world who advises the Menagerie and also searches for his own murderer.

As The Nimble Man opens, the Menagerie is trying to track down Doyle's mentor, Lorenzo Sanguedolce, the most powerful sorceror that ever lived, who has been missing for a hundred years. Doyle has learned that evil forces are after Lorenzo to use his power for their dark plans. It's imperative that the forces of light reach them first.

I liked this novel in a comic book tongue in cheek type of way. I mean you can't take things too seriously when the character Eve, who has seen the face of God, and bears half the responsibility of our exile from Eden, is obsessed with fashion, and of buying the best clothes, and wanting to be sexy. I mean, really, after a millenia of immortality and creating vampires, would the mother of all life really be interested in following the current fads in fashion? And a lot of the bad guys and girls seem to have an affinity with black leather and sunglasses a la The Matrix. I mean when did all this dominatrix/gimp wear become cool? Bring out the whips!

I really felt that the authors should have just put costumes on these people and just been honest that this is a straight up dark superhero novel. I did think that a long lost love plotline of Doyle's past was well-done as he has to seek the help of Ceridwen, a fairy princess. I thought the characters were well crafted and seemed realistic, except for Eve and Clay. I just think that immortals would act a lot less human, and be a little more wiser about the world, more like the Elves in The Lord of the Rings than characters in Buffy.

All in all, it was a good read. Would probably make a good movie.

Rating:
Summary: Great Light Reading- emphasis on Light
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book; it's great light reading for a rainy weekend. This book is the first in a new series about the Menegerie. To me, it's totally parallel to League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, but I digress... The central character of the group is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (yes, Sherlock Holmes author) who in this series is a powerful wizard. Being a magus, Doyle has prolonged his life span, so he exists in modern times. He's spent many years searching for his old master, the archmage Sanguedolce; mainly because he learned the forces of evil have been searching for Sanguedolce as well. Doyle doesn't know why the dark side is looking for the archmage, but he's determined to reach him first. On a side note, no one knows why Sanguedolce chose to disappear in the first place- this is an issue Doyle intends to resolve as well. The story opens with Doyle and the vampire, Eve (yes, Garden of Eden evictee), in a museum preparing to borrow a magical item that will locate Sanguedolce. The usage of the item is successful, so Doyle and Eve meet up with Doyle's chauffeur and weapons master, Squire (who is a hobgoblin with a potty mouth), and they take off to the location (which is conveniently within driving distance). Maybe I'm too traditional, but I would think an archmage who witnessed the Twilight Wars of Faerie would have sequestered himself in Atlantis, or Babylon or even on another plane altogether- but no, he's in Boston. Doyle and Eve eventually arrive at Sanguedolce's resting place (the archmage is in a state of suspended animation and has entombed himself within a huge sarcophagus of amber). However, an army of evil Fey arrive and make off with the sarcophagus. Doyle, Eve and Squire return to Doyle's house to regroup. While this is going on, we're also being aquainted with Clay- known as "The Clay of God", he was the clay God used to create every entity known to man (and a few unknown to man). Thus Clay can assume any of these shapes at will. And we meet Dr. Leonard Graves, who was a famous adventurer and scientist in his lifetime. Now he is a spirit determined to solve his own murder mystery. And we are also introduced to Danny, a teenager who is suffering the worst case of puberty ever- he's turning into a demon. And we thought we had it bad in high school... Doyle also makes a journey to Faerie to bring Princess Ceridwen, his ex, into the group. While there, he learns that Faerie has been attacked by Ceridwen's evil aunt Morrigan. Meanwhile, the human world is in chaos- frogs raining from the sky, bloody fog, raised dead, children vomiting up maggots; but Doyle takes it all in without so much of a twitch of his moustache. While Doyle is in Faerie, Squire remains in the house, while the rest of the group takes off on numerous errands (and these ancient entities are so obedient to a mortal man; another oddity)- then Morrigan invades Doyle's home. And as another reviewer mentioned, what's up with the black leather catsuit? I realize black garments and a taste for S&M usually indicates a villain in popular fiction, but I would have liked to see something different. She does this because the portal Doyle used to access Faerie is in his house, so Morrigan intends to destroy the portal and strand Doyle on the other side. She also has in her service the evil Fey who took the sarcophagus; so they haul in the archmage, and set up base in Doyle's house. Predictably, Doyle and Ceridwen return to the human world via a secret portal, and the party moves their own base of operations to Danny's house (much to his mother's chagrin). Through various avenues they determine that the mayhem in the world are the portents of the Nimble Man; him being an insane fallen angel who is imprisoned in Limbo. Morrigan is a religious fanatic who is dedicated to this angel, and she intends to tap into the inert Sanguedolce's power to bring the Nimble Man to the human world. Not good. So it would seem our group of heroes has their work cut out for them. Out of the entire party, Ceridwen suffered the most, and yet her battle was the most challenging and interesting. Danny the young demon (who'd never fought before) grabbed a fire drake in mid-swoop and wrung its neck like a professional. Clay pummeled a giant night hag, and suffered nary a scratch. Dr Graves obliterated a pair of demon dogs by shooting them with his spirit pistols (they died by the ectoplasmic bullets). Doyle took out two ancient Fey warriors in a sword battle with ease (I would think he would have been injured somewhat in this fight, but no). And even the climatic battle with the Nimble Man himself was over within a minute. And we're informed at the end another threat looms on the horizon (to be known in future novels) that will make the Nimble Man look like "a mere mote in comparison." WELL... I don't think our mighty Menegerie should have anything to worry about! The coming battle should last no more than five minutes! This Menegerie reminds me of player characters created by power gamers that I play D&D with. No matter what the DM comes up with, they wade through every challenge without so much as losing a drop of sweat. People may think I hated this novel: Not true- I did like it, but I was nonetheless disappointed. I realize the party is supposed to win; but so easily? It was over so quick, what were the characters so scared of? Three-quarters of the novel was spent with them getting acquainted, with half of the final quarter consisting of them storming Doyle's house, and the last bit has Doyle shove the Nimble Man back into Limbo. And with the Nimble Man making such a hasty entry and departure, the title of the book should have been, "Morrigan". She was the primary villain here. I wanted to see the fallen angel come into the world and level a city, at least! Show us some unholy power! Overall, this book as I said, is good for a rainy weekend when you're just looking for mindless entertainment. The ideas here are great, and I like the occultnik history involved. To me though, this book was more intended to introduce the Menegerie, than really challenge them.

Rating:
Summary: Who needs the Super Friends when you have the Menagerie?
Review: I would recommend The Nimble Man to those who enjoy a good tale of unlikely hero's who come together to save the world. Although the characters were well written, they remained one dimensional and somewhat predictable as was the story plot. However, I am hoping that this is a lead-in to more books and the story and characters will evolve as the premise is excellent. Our unlikely hero's include: Eve, the mother of all Vampires and the castoff Queen of Eden, who is a delightful surprise filled with humor, a keen fashion sense and won't quit in a fight. Mr. Doyle, a Sorcerer and the leader of the Menagerie, who was a little disappointing to me in his leadership skills and powers. Dr. Leonard Graves, a Ghost, has some useful skills with Zombies and gaining knowledge from the afterlife. Clay, a shape shifter, who has some unique skills in tracking killers and fighting. Danny, a sixteen-year-old demon, who is wonderfully written by someone who obviously knows teenagers are teenagers be they demon or human. Squire, a hobgoblin who travels the shadows, is the caretaker of the group and one humorous fella. Ceridwen, a Fey Princess, has control over the forces of nature. Julia Ferrick, Danny's mother, who isn't really a member of the Menagerie, but deserves kudos for her great characterization and finding out that she is the mother to a demon changeling, but loves him anyway. Now that, my friend, is the backbone of a true Mom.

Rating:
Summary: strong dark fantasy
Review: The Agents of the Menagerie fight to protect the world when a supernatural crisis occurs . The group includes Eve the mother of vampires, Clay the shapeshifter older than time, Squire the hobgoblin, Prince Ceridwen of Fey, and changeling teen Danny. Strange phenomena are happening as the dark rises under the power of the one calling them. Malevolent creatures roam free as a red mist surround the city cutting off communication with the outside.

The Menagerie led by enigmatic Mr. Doyle tries to locate the most powerful mage that ever lived Lorenzo Sangveloce before the enemy can gain access to unlimited arcane supremacy. The apostate fey Morrigan wants to bring THE NIMBLE MAN into the world so that they can jointly rule over humanity and faery. The battle between good and evil has begun.

Fans of Tanya Huff, Jim Butcher, and Mercedes Lackey will love this dark fantasy that is the first installment in a new series in which authors Christopher Golden & Thomas E. Sniegoski have surefire hit. Several revelations occur throughout the exciting story line so that the audience never has a chance to become complacent about the key characters especially the Menagerie or what will happen next. There is much to be learned about the individuals on the quest to save the world so stay tuned for more thrills forthcoming by two superb fantasists.

Harriet Klausner


Rating:
Summary: The Nimble Man's LXG!!
Review: The Nimble Man, Book # 1 of The Menagerie, was a great choice for me to read.

From the first page to the last, the action and adventure never let up. If you liked the League of Extrodinary Gentlemen comic or movie, then you will certainly enjoy this colorful novel.

Led by the sorceror Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Menagerie team battles awesome forces of darkness quite unique from anything I've read before. From vampires to elementals to hobgoblins to shapeshifters, THE NIMBLE MAN has that and so much more to offer for hours of reading enjoyment.

Fresh and ever-growing characters abound in this debut 1st novel, partly written from the author who wrote the famous and great Shadow Saga. These two writers seem to blend beautifully together, and I for one, will be looking forward to purchasing the next installment.

Hollywood, please make this into a movie!

Rating:
Summary: A Cinematic-style Ride You will Never Forget
Review: Wow! what a ride! Golden has outdone himself with this incredible cinematic style dark fantasy adventure depicting a group of unforgettable heroes who's job is to protect the world against dark forces of evil.Lead by the amazing Sir Arthur Conan doyle, a famous sorcerer.Ceridwen, powerful fey princess and Doyle's exlover.Dr. Leonard Graves, a ghost of a famous adventurer, Eve, the sexy and deadly mother of all vampires who seek redemption for centuries of evil and Clay-a powerful and immortal shapeshifter.They and Squire,
Doyle's hilarious and sharp-tongue hobgoblin manservant must combine all of their formidable powers to battle Morrigan-Ceridwen's evil fey aunt who seeks to resurrect a ancient terror:the Nimble Man, which is a terrifying and insane fallen angel! Golden pulls all of the stops in this gripping adventure and breathtaking in scope as our heroes must battle Morrigan's army of Corca-Duibhne, night people and other monsters
and menaces straight from celtic mythology and hordes of decaying zombies!!Another I love about this book is that resembles in style the movies: hellboy and League of Extraordinary gentleman and the witty dialogue between Squire and Eve is hysterical! I only hope this will be only a first in Doyle and his league of heroes adventures because this one was a classic!