Rating: 
Summary: Unique series--but where to from here?
Review: I found FSH to be oddly disjointed, compared to earlier Garrett novels (particularly the seamless Old Tin Sorrows, by far the best of the series). Often I had the impression that Cook expected me to understand something that he hadn't bothered to explain, simply because Garrett had understood it -- or perhaps because similar situations in previous novels *had* been spelled out explicitly. Every so often, I'd find myself reading a page three or four times, convinced I'd missed something, because the next page was inexplicable (e.g., the sudden appearence of the Dead Man in the later part of the story).That said, this was a good, morally ambiguous, sprawling monster of a plot. Without spoiling anything, I can say that this book finally unifies a lot of plot threads that have lurked in the Garrett books for years. The 'all-star-cast' nature of it makes me wonder, actually, where Cook intends to go next. His own military experiences have informed so much of the series' development that I was a bit shocked at the back-cover text of the book announcing the 'end of the war', and now I wonder if the setting can sustain itself without that constant source of angst and suffering. I can't recommend this as a *first* Garrett novel -- look in used bookstores for some of the earlier, now out-of-print books. Especially Old Tin Sorrows -- did I mention that it's incredible? :-) But as the latest entry in the series, it does its job admirably -- even with the jerky, disjointed nature of the storytelling.
Rating: 
Summary: good, but...
Review: I found FSH to be oddly disjointed, compared to earlier Garrett novels (particularly the seamless Old Tin Sorrows, by far the best of the series). Often I had the impression that Cook expected me to understand something that he hadn't bothered to explain, simply because Garrett had understood it -- or perhaps because similar situations in previous novels *had* been spelled out explicitly. Every so often, I'd find myself reading a page three or four times, convinced I'd missed something, because the next page was inexplicable (e.g., the sudden appearence of the Dead Man in the later part of the story). That said, this was a good, morally ambiguous, sprawling monster of a plot. Without spoiling anything, I can say that this book finally unifies a lot of plot threads that have lurked in the Garrett books for years. The 'all-star-cast' nature of it makes me wonder, actually, where Cook intends to go next. His own military experiences have informed so much of the series' development that I was a bit shocked at the back-cover text of the book announcing the 'end of the war', and now I wonder if the setting can sustain itself without that constant source of angst and suffering. I can't recommend this as a *first* Garrett novel -- look in used bookstores for some of the earlier, now out-of-print books. Especially Old Tin Sorrows -- did I mention that it's incredible? :-) But as the latest entry in the series, it does its job admirably -- even with the jerky, disjointed nature of the storytelling.
Rating:
Summary: Faded Steel Heat - Phew!
Review: Lots of old friends appear: Chodo's daughter (and Garrett has been naughty again), Crask & Sadler, Tinnie, and some Cantard reminders. After the disappointing Petty Pewter Gods, it's good to have the real Garret back (although Saucerhead seems somewhat changed from previous books). I was afraid that Mr. Cook was planning on retiring Garrett when I saw the promo for the Garrett files. I'm glad to see that the rumors were premature.
Rating:
Summary: Another great book in the line
Review: The book started out a little awkward, almost as though Mr. Cook couldn't quite get things moving together at the same time. Once the story took hold, however, it was another great book in the series. Not a good place to start, so if you're new to the series, start back several books.
Rating:
Summary: Another great book in the line
Review: The book started out a little awkward, almost as though Mr. Cook couldn't quite get things moving together at the same time. Once the story took hold, however, it was another great book in the series. Not a good place to start, so if you're new to the series, start back several books.
Rating:
Summary: thicker than the usual garrett but addictive.
Review: The endless cycle of violence continues... More wizards, more weirdness, more frantic garrette getting dumped on and this time he's almost totally left out of everything except the blood. who bought the cartoon rights, anyone know?
Rating:
Summary: The Parrot is enough to Raise the Dead
Review: This was actually the first in this series I read. The somewhat tongue in cheek hard-boiled detective writing style kept me interested. I sometimes had problems remembering when/where this is supposed to take place and kept envisioning Chicago in the 30's with a vastly different population, until he kept reminding me about the horses. (what happened to him with horses anyway?) The story is much lighter than his Black Company series, yet still drives home the problems and weaknesses with being merely human. He examines not only the "wacko" fringe groups in TunFaire, but his own prejudices. The revelation scene comes off like passage from a Hercule Perot novel, but as usual has Cook's strangly warped twists in it. The Parrot actually is useful in this book for things other than getting in trouble. Humour permeates this story, but not to the detriment of the story. The adventure still keeps you on the edge. You will be tempted to read it quickly to see what happens, but I suggest you hold yourself back and savour his prose as well.
Rating:
Summary: The Parrot is enough to Raise the Dead
Review: This was actually the first in this series I read. The somewhat tongue in cheek hard-boiled detective writing style kept me interested. I sometimes had problems remembering when/where this is supposed to take place and kept envisioning Chicago in the 30's with a vastly different population, until he kept reminding me about the horses. (what happened to him with horses anyway?) The story is much lighter than his Black Company series, yet still drives home the problems and weaknesses with being merely human. He examines not only the "wacko" fringe groups in TunFaire, but his own prejudices. The revelation scene comes off like passage from a Hercule Perot novel, but as usual has Cook's strangly warped twists in it. The Parrot actually is useful in this book for things other than getting in trouble. Humour permeates this story, but not to the detriment of the story. The adventure still keeps you on the edge. You will be tempted to read it quickly to see what happens, but I suggest you hold yourself back and savour his prose as well.
Rating:
Summary: One day, Garret will return.
Review: Truly one of the best genre-bending series out there, the series creates a rich fantasy world that nonetheless is grounded in a reality we can easily recognize. If only the publisher would actually put out one of the two new Garret books they are holding back from the market. But that's Roc for you these days.
Rating:
Summary: Read anything you can find by Glen Cook
Review: Well, previous reviewer, when you are reviewing a not-yet-available book you can only extrapolate from past performance. I too found Petty Pewter Gods not quite up-to-standard. That means it was only exceptionally funny and witty. I live in hope that the next one will be right back above and beyond. Like all the really good storytellers, Glen Cook only steals from the best. The Archie Goodwin/Nero Wolfe reflections are a real treat to an old Rex Stout fan. I would personnaly like to see more of the Dead Man, but I recognize the plot difficulties created by such a powerful character. It is tough for Cook to keep the tension going without the Dead Man's powers giving an easy resolution. The Dead Man's orneriness and increasing dormancy are a partial answer, but it means one of my favorite characters is under used. The worst (and best) things about the Garrett PI world are all those characters and plots whose stories have not yet been told. GET TO WORK GLEN! While the Black Company stories are fine, any time not used to tell tales of TunFaire is time ill spent. My fantasy is to host a night(a week?) in a pub with Cook, Terry Pratchett, Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle, Sharyn McCrumb, Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels, Fred Saberhagen, Dave Duncan, David Drake, Tom Holt, Poul Anderson, Lindsey Davis, Tom Sharpe and George MacDonald Fraser. Joining us via the ouija board would be Rudyard Kipling, Mary Stewart, Victor Mollo, Mark Twain, H. Beam Piper, J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Forester and Robert A. Heinlein. What links this eclectic group other than my taste? Fine writing and a different (sometimes twisted) way of looking at the world. I will gladly stand their drinks, but if anyone else wants in, they have to stand MINE! The preceding offer is real, by the way, to all those on the list, be they quick or dead. Drinks only to the quick.
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