Rating: Summary: Artless Arrow Cutting Review: "The Art of Arrow Cutting" is a clumsy novel with a clever premise written by a writer who thinks he's cleverer than he is. From the main character's too-precious name (Michelangelo "Mage" Magistrale), to the film-aware dialog (which sounded good when we were in college, up late and drinking too much coffee, but doesn't sound so fresh as dialog in a fantasy book), this is a directionless book that could have used a firmer hand with a red pencil. Mage accidentally comes into the possession of a "focus", a magical item that causes happy accidents to occur in favor of the user. Regrettably, it also causes the villain, the wealthy wizard, Tamenaga, to hunt the user down and kill him or her (as he had the previous owner). This causes Mage enough consternation that he decides to use the focus to get revenge while being hunted by demons from Japanese mythology. Sadly, the synopsis is more exciting than the book itself. Dedman's writing skills are at first-year creative writing student levels and this is a tale that requires a defter hand, a better sense of humor and a wider imagination. This is an interesting read and can be entertaining as long as your expectations are low.
Rating: Summary: Artless Arrow Cutting Review: "The Art of Arrow Cutting" is a clumsy novel with a clever premise written by a writer who thinks he's cleverer than he is. From the main character's too-precious name (Michelangelo "Mage" Magistrale), to the film-aware dialog (which sounded good when we were in college, up late and drinking too much coffee, but doesn't sound so fresh as dialog in a fantasy book), this is a directionless book that could have used a firmer hand with a red pencil. Mage accidentally comes into the possession of a "focus", a magical item that causes happy accidents to occur in favor of the user. Regrettably, it also causes the villain, the wealthy wizard, Tamenaga, to hunt the user down and kill him or her (as he had the previous owner). This causes Mage enough consternation that he decides to use the focus to get revenge while being hunted by demons from Japanese mythology. Sadly, the synopsis is more exciting than the book itself. Dedman's writing skills are at first-year creative writing student levels and this is a tale that requires a defter hand, a better sense of humor and a wider imagination. This is an interesting read and can be entertaining as long as your expectations are low.
Rating: Summary: Artless Arrow Cutting Review: "The Art of Arrow Cutting" is a clumsy novel with a clever premise written by a writer who thinks he's cleverer than he is. From the main character's too-precious name (Michelangelo "Mage" Magistrale), to the film-aware dialog (which sounded good when we were in college, up late and drinking too much coffee, but doesn't sound so fresh as dialog in a fantasy book), this is a directionless book that could have used a firmer hand with a red pencil. Mage accidentally comes into the possession of a "focus", a magical item that causes happy accidents to occur in favor of the user. Regrettably, it also causes the villain, the wealthy wizard, Tamenaga, to hunt the user down and kill him or her (as he had the previous owner). This causes Mage enough consternation that he decides to use the focus to get revenge while being hunted by demons from Japanese mythology. Sadly, the synopsis is more exciting than the book itself. Dedman's writing skills are at first-year creative writing student levels and this is a tale that requires a defter hand, a better sense of humor and a wider imagination. This is an interesting read and can be entertaining as long as your expectations are low.
Rating: Summary: Nice concept, but shallow Review: I very much liked the concept, but it was a light -- as in lightweight -- read. It's not really noir: The good guys are nearly spotless, the bad guys black as pitch, and the villian much too easily out-smarted and defeated -- like a bad Bond flick. I could have done without the snide jabs at Reagan. Big turn-off. Also, both the author and the editor missed this fact of human physilogy: pupils contract, not dialate, when lights are shined in them (pg. 262.) Luckily for him, the woman Mage shot was, in fact, a monster. Wait for the true paperback -- the trade paperback wasn't worth the price.
Rating: Summary: Nice concept, but shallow Review: I very much liked the concept, but it was a light -- as in lightweight -- read. It's not really noir: The good guys are nearly spotless, the bad guys black as pitch, and the villian much too easily out-smarted and defeated -- like a bad Bond flick. I could have done without the snide jabs at Reagan. Big turn-off. Also, both the author and the editor missed this fact of human physilogy: pupils contract, not dialate, when lights are shined in them (pg. 262.) Luckily for him, the woman Mage shot was, in fact, a monster. Wait for the true paperback -- the trade paperback wasn't worth the price.
Rating: Summary: an enjoyable read for fans of the genre Review: If you like urban fantasy, you'll enjoy this fun book. However,I wouldn't put it in the same class as my favorite Tim Power's books.I didn't find it particularly angry. I enjoyed the japanese mythology and will keep an eye out for future efforts by Dedman, but only 3 stars from me.
Rating: Summary: Japanese mythology today Review: Mage (Michelangelo Magistrale) is a photographer by trade and a rootless drifter by nature. When he runs into Amanda Sharmon at a Greyhound bus station in the backwoods of Canada he doesn't realise that by helping a stranger in need he is about to change his own life - and get an introduction to the strange world of Japanese mythology. I wouldn't call this a mystery novel, though it does have elements of that. Its more like a modern urban fantasy. Its easy to read and the main characters are likeable, though you can get mixed up at times with all the unusual Japanese names which keep on cropping up. If you like light fantasy and Japanese mythology then this is a book worth reading and I'm happy to read the sequel SHADOWS BITE and see if it is as enjoyable and light as the first book.
Rating: Summary: Japanese mythology today Review: Mage (Michelangelo Magistrale) is a photographer by trade and a rootless drifter by nature. When he runs into Amanda Sharmon at a Greyhound bus station in the backwoods of Canada he doesn't realise that by helping a stranger in need he is about to change his own life - and get an introduction to the strange world of Japanese mythology. I wouldn't call this a mystery novel, though it does have elements of that. Its more like a modern urban fantasy. Its easy to read and the main characters are likeable, though you can get mixed up at times with all the unusual Japanese names which keep on cropping up. If you like light fantasy and Japanese mythology then this is a book worth reading and I'm happy to read the sequel SHADOWS BITE and see if it is as enjoyable and light as the first book.
Rating: Summary: A great book, I'd buy fifty more just like it! Review: My taste is clearly not the same as your average Amazon.com reviewer's, because I loved this book. What did I like about it? For me, the big selling point was the characters. These are cool people. Magistrale and Takumo are people I enjoyed hanging out with in my head. Plus, I think that Dedman really has a light (and I mean light, not "shallow,") touch with dialogue, which made this novel a blast to read. Maybe I'm just a sucker for a rip-roaring tale of adventure and magic. If you are, too, you'll love this book.
Rating: Summary: A great book, I'd buy fifty more just like it! Review: My taste is clearly not the same as your average Amazon.com reviewer's, because I loved this book. What did I like about it? For me, the big selling point was the characters. These are cool people. Magistrale and Takumo are people I enjoyed hanging out with in my head. Plus, I think that Dedman really has a light (and I mean light, not "shallow,") touch with dialogue, which made this novel a blast to read. Maybe I'm just a sucker for a rip-roaring tale of adventure and magic. If you are, too, you'll love this book.
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