Rating: 
Summary: Worth The Wait!!
Review: ...I thought that I had already submitted a review for this book --something I don't usually do, except that it's SO awesome-- but I don't see it here, so here's another. Three words: this book ROCKS. Very (surprisingly) high literary quality, highly original stories-- this isn't your usual derivitive Lovecraftiana. My new goal in life is to force all my friends into reading this.
Rating:
Summary: A Dark Fantasy Masterpiece
Review: Although I've come to realize that the work of many of today's finest authors is only available through small-press publishers, I must admit I was a bit put off by the price of this book, despite the glowing reviews I'd read. But I am decidedly *not* sorry that I purchased it.McNaughton's work displays many of the influences he credits (Lovecraft, Howard, and Smith), but he has succeeded in creating a truly unique world, and equally unique characters to populate it. I found myself drawn into each individual story, and was delighted to be allowed to discover the linkages between them on my own. The dust jacket states that McNaughton has created more of this world, and I should like to say that I very much hope that I will be allowed the opportunity to see it.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully Rude
Review: Forget any comparisons to Tolkien by reviewers or the writer of the introduction; they're absurd and probably insulting to both. Lovecraft would be a better parallel, but McNaughton is frankly a better writer and the stories are clearly set in a fantasy universe (as opposed to Lovecraft's extensions of reality). Also, I want to issue a warning that this book is explicitly sexual, and definitely unorthodox in its encounters. If necrophilia is a topic that you can't even think about in a fantasy novel, then avoid this book. Having said all that, here's my review. This collection of short tales, many of which are linked together in complex serials, are incredibly gripping and "wonderfully rude." McNaughton's prose is masterful without becoming a showcase for his talent and thorough without becoming mired in unneccessary detail. The characters are fascinating to watch, but thankfully not the kind with whom the reader automatically empathizes. I say this because the shocking turns of plot and inescapable poisons of McNaughton's pitch-black fantasy world quickly move characters from one state to another. The overarching themes are: ghouls, necrophilia, grave-robbing, and metamorphisis. These "low" subjects are treated irreverently, without pity to a reader's lace-kerchief sensibilities regarding death, and the collection thoughtfully mucks up the spotless armor in which high fantasy often likes to dress itself. McNaughton's world is rude without becoming crude and grotesque rather than simply gross. On one level the tales are a fantastic exercise in how nauseated one can become and yet remain locked into the reading experience. However, they are also simply great reads with intricate plots, deeply motivated characters, and rich "smoky" environments. I can honestly say that I have never read anything quite like this, and the thought of finding another work by McNaughton frankly scares me. Why? Because I know I will have to/want to read it, and I know it will completely creep me out.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully Rude
Review: Forget any comparisons to Tolkien by reviewers or the writer of the introduction; they're absurd and probably insulting to both. Lovecraft would be a better parallel, but McNaughton is frankly a better writer and the stories are clearly set in a fantasy universe (as opposed to Lovecraft's extensions of reality). Also, I want to issue a warning that this book is explicitly sexual, and definitely unorthodox in its encounters. If necrophilia is a topic that you can't even think about in a fantasy novel, then avoid this book. Having said all that, here's my review. This collection of short tales, many of which are linked together in complex serials, are incredibly gripping and "wonderfully rude." McNaughton's prose is masterful without becoming a showcase for his talent and thorough without becoming mired in unneccessary detail. The characters are fascinating to watch, but thankfully not the kind with whom the reader automatically empathizes. I say this because the shocking turns of plot and inescapable poisons of McNaughton's pitch-black fantasy world quickly move characters from one state to another. The overarching themes are: ghouls, necrophilia, grave-robbing, and metamorphisis. These "low" subjects are treated irreverently, without pity to a reader's lace-kerchief sensibilities regarding death, and the collection thoughtfully mucks up the spotless armor in which high fantasy often likes to dress itself. McNaughton's world is rude without becoming crude and grotesque rather than simply gross. On one level the tales are a fantastic exercise in how nauseated one can become and yet remain locked into the reading experience. However, they are also simply great reads with intricate plots, deeply motivated characters, and rich "smoky" environments. I can honestly say that I have never read anything quite like this, and the thought of finding another work by McNaughton frankly scares me. Why? Because I know I will have to/want to read it, and I know it will completely creep me out.
Rating:
Summary: Just Awesome!
Review: I am entranced by this book. I just finished reading it for the first time and loved the characters and situations they find themselves in. I am now starting it again trying to document McNaughton's world and the inter-relationships of the characters, gods and places. I highly recommend this book. I am giving copies as presents to people I know that I feel will appreciate the style and stories.
Rating:
Summary: A new classic in weird tales
Review: I am entranced by this book. I just finished reading it for the first time and loved the characters and situations they find themselves in. I am now starting it again trying to document McNaughton's world and the inter-relationships of the characters, gods and places. I highly recommend this book. I am giving copies as presents to people I know that I feel will appreciate the style and stories.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books ever!
Review: I bought THE THRONE OF BONES through a book club. I had never heard of it or Brian McNaughton before. I guess the cover art first attracted me. When I started reading, I couldn't put it down, and I found myself thinking about the book and the characters when I wasn't reading it. Brian McNaughton's writing is style is like nothing I have read before. His mix of fantasy, sex and humor is so very entertaining and unique. As I read, I realized the stories were self-referential, mentioning places and theologies that are expanded on in later stories, which makes the world, Seelura, seem deeper and more alive. After reading it I had to go back and read it again so I could see how the characters, cities and religions all fit together within his work. I was very excited when I read on the dust jacket that he has a whole chronology, history and map of his world. I hope these get published one day, along with more of his work, by a mass market publishing house so that everyone can go to their local bookstore and pick up his work. Until then, I will continue recommending this book to everyone I can.
Rating:
Summary: A real fantasy classic
Review: I was skeptical when I read the glowing reviews of this book -- after all, comparisons with Lovecraft and Clark Ashton Smith are easily made, but seldom realized. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Brian McNaughton is indeed worthy to enter the pantheon of the great dark fantasists. This book concerns ghouls, and if you have a distaste for the undead and the things they dine upon, I suggest you look elsewhere for your reading enjoyment. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a worthy successor to the mantle of the late Clark Ashton Smith, you need look no further. Earthier than Smith was permitted to be in his day, these stories still have the same ability to transport the reader worlds away to exotic cities, vast necropili, and other locales near and dear to the dark fantasy-lover's heart. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Just Awesome!
Review: If you like Fantasy stories with some glore and such this book is for you! I Found that the people in the book are real to life but enough to make you think, it keeps you reading the next page lets just say. THis is one of the best books i've seen for a really long time. The book isn't for people younger then 15 i may add =] Well I don't know what else to say but read the book, have fun, and start dreaming ;)
Rating:
Summary: Osteocarpentry
Review: Mr McNaughton in this book has managed to suffuse the worlds of his influences with enough of his own vision that it stands apart, alone, atop the hill built of the skeletons of works that came before him. It is not easy to take the characters and situations of his forebears, especially one Old Gent from providence, and give them your own voice. The tales in this book more than accomplish that goal. I read the book once, and couldn't believe that it was that good, so I had to go through it again. The second reading was done in ONE SITTING. Brian McNaughton has an excellent command of both literary idiom and character. His beasties always talk and act like one thinks they should. He has a way with an image that has to be experienced to be believed. I was told by reputable sources that this was a book I should own, as both a reader and a writer of Lovecraftian dark fantasy, and again those sources have been on the mark. This volume has replaced Masterton's PREY and Browning's RESUME WITH MONSTERS as the best recent volume of Cthulhu Mythos-related fiction I have found. To make a long story short, I bought the expensive hardcover edition, and am happy to have spent the money. A review earlier mentioned that Brian has more of these tales. I want them. Seek out and obtain Mr. McNaughton's fiction if you like horror, dark fantasy, or good writing in general. Thanks, Brian.
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