Product Description
As prophesied, Owen Deathstalker has returned to save the Empire from the mysterious entity known as the Terror-leaving his descendant Lewis with the task of leading an army against the legions of the madman who has usurped the throne. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Twisted and bloody as always and I loved every word.
For as many problems as I had with Lewis and his compatriots (sorry people Owen was cooler and he did it first) I will say that this (hopefully) last installment of the Deathstalker saga does the best job of anything I have ever read of tying up all the loose ends.Important questions that have been nagging me since the very beginning of the series are finally resolved such as whatever happened to David Wolfe and just who exactly created the madness maze and why?For those of you who have stuck with the series for a long time you will not be disappointed with this installment.

I will however have to start charging the characters for every time they use the words "blessed Owen"

This book just plain reeked.
I am sorry I bought it.This book was horrible, from beginning to end.It was nothing more then a rehash of the first books and provided nothing original at all.I am embarrassed to even claim to have read it.I hope Mr. Green, who has written some very fine pieces of science fiction, goes back to the drawing board and figures out what to do with his career.If no one will buy any of his books unless the word, "Deathstalker" is in the title, then I feel for him, because he is a much better author then he let on in this book or the two that proceeded it.

All good things must end, even the wildest space opera ride of all time
After seven previous novels totaling thousands of pages, two intergalactic revolutions, the deaths of billions of people across a vast spectrum of home worlds, the apocalyptic threat of two all-but-unstoppable alien forces, and heaven only knows how many humorous remarks by a succession of over-the-top characters, the Deathstalker saga finally comes to an end, I am sad to report, in Deathstalker Coda.I'm hoping Simon R. Green will pull another Deathstalker rabbit out of his hat at some point, but it really looks like Deathstalker Coda brings one of the most frolicking space opera series of all time to its completion.It should come as no surprise when I suggest to you that you shouldn't start your Deathstalker journey here - at a minimum, you should first read Deathstalker Legacy and Deathstalker Return because those two novels chronicle the final chapter in the life of the universe's greatest hero.For the full back-story to the climactic events of Deathstalker Coda, however, you really should read all of the Deathstalker novels.I promise it won't hurt a bit, as they are all incredibly entertaining and quite addictive.

As this novel opens, more than two centuries have passed since Owen Deathstalker, quiet historian turned intergalactic hero, and his band of unforgettable rebels overthrew the despicable Empress Lionstone XIV, stopped the galaxy-destroying power of a mysterious alien force called The Revenant, and ushered in (after a lot more fighting) a new era of peace throughout the galaxy.The golden age ended, however, when the power-hungry Finn Durandal betrayed basically everyone and usurped the throne from the rightful King Douglas.(One thing that has not changed over the years, however, is the Deathstalker luck, as Owen's ancestor Lewis has been branded an outlaw after running off with Douglas' beautiful fiancée.)Under Durandal's capriciously iron rule, the worlds' enforcers of justice have been decimated, and billions of citizens once again suffer under the megalomaniacal despotism of a royal fiend.And that's not even the bad news.All of these woes tend to pale in comparison to the approaching threat of the Terror, a destructive, world-eating force that dwarfs even the unparalleled horrors of The Revenant.Since Owen's disappearance two centuries earlier, legend has said that the Deathstalker would return when his people desperately needed him.It seemed pretty unlikely to those of us who witnessed his death, but return he has - just in time to get the shock of his life (upon learning just who and what the Terror really is).

There is no shortage of heroes and fiends in the world of the Deathstalker, and virtually every single character is larger than life.This is space opera pushed to its extremes, which makes for a wild and bloody ride all the way to the very end.I must admit, however, that there's a sort of a dual nature to this story.On the one hand, you have Lewis Deathstalker and his allies fighting to overthrow self-proclaimed emperor Finn Durandal, while on the other hand you have Owen Deathstalker setting out alone to stop the threat of The Terror.These two narrative streams don't truly flow together until the very end, which makes this novel a little less enjoyable than Green's earlier efforts, but the conclusion really does tie everything together nicely.Those who have read the first five novels know that the end of that original series lacked a sense of closure, with the fates of two beloved characters ringing a little less than true.With Deathstalker Coda, that sense of closure is finally achieved, making for a conclusion that does not disappoint the devoted Deathstalker fan.

Green's ability to keep so many characters and so much history straight across such an extensive, action-packed series is an achievement in and of itself, as is his remarkable ability to keep the story moving at a brisk pace with nary a moment to rest along the way.Owen's story in its totality requires quite a commitment from the reader, but all the thousands of pages making up the complete saga seem far too few for those of us who would love to see the Deathstalker story go on indefinitely.It's been an extended adrenaline rush, as I can honestly say I've never enjoyed a series as much as I have flat-out enjoyed every single minute of the Deathstalker saga.Owen, you will be missed - but you will certainly never be forgotten.

5 Stars for a Space Opera
Simon R. Green returns to the rich, vibrant universe he created for the Deathstalker series.In this book, the seventh book in the series, Green leaves behind the characters which he worked very hard to create for the first six books to focus on their successors.If you enjoy space operas, this is one of the finest.Complex charater motivation is played out across a galaxy Green has populated with science fiction horrors and wonders.While there are many factions and characters, this book (and series) never becomes difficult to follow.Mind-candy at its most delicious.

The unfortunate conclusion
I have read the entire series... and while I have been used the occasional bad bit of writing and plot tie ups in the series ( usually only in sections of a book ) I was very saddened to see that almost the entire book was cliched and ( I really hate to say this ) badly written.Dialogue between characters was weak almost as if I was reading a rough draft.And it appeared that the writer was just trying to finish the book with as few loose ends as possible.

I almost really hope that Mr. Green did not write this book but someone else finished it for him, it would explain many of the amauterish mistakes I would catch.

Simon R. Green's books are among my many favorite's.I still reread the first Deathstalker book and Blue Moon Rising.The Hawk and Fisher series is excellent light reading.I am just sad to see such a conclusion to a story that swept me up in its mythos and took me along for a ride. ... Read more

Product Description
Toby, a 33-year-old bookstore clerk, follows a mysterious woman through a magic doorway out of his world, Veritie, into Mysterie, a parallel world packed with gods and devils and troubled by the battle between Good and Evil. The homely Toby is told by Gayle he is the one to "decide the fates of people and the world." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

Super Reader
As it turns out, I had read this, just didn't remember the author.

A bloke working in an eclectic bookshop follows the wrong woman off the train, and ends up in Mysterie.

Angels, a low-rent version of Thor, Luna, Gaia, Nichols Hob the Serpent's Son and others are there to help and bedevil him.

A few names dropped from the Nightside, too, it seems, along with Hob.

Basically, he becomes an important mortal element in a struggle between Powers and Dominations as Green likes to call them.

Not up to par with the Nightside novels
I have to say that I've read lots of the stuff by Simon Green but this one was just not up to snuff.Unfortunately, I found myself getting bored with this one as the pacing is really slow until you're 1/2 way through the book.I thought it was still a fun read but it's just off.It seems like this was the transitional novel to get to the Nightside series.Some of the descriptions of the characters living in the other world become more fleshed out ideas in Nightside.

It's a decent read but I wouldn't be in too much of a rush.

A lot of fun to read
For those looking for heavier urban fantasy, please pick up Gaiman's "Neverwhere", which will sit more like a heavy meat and potatoes meal to the reader.

This is a lighthearted, thought-provoking, creamy and zippy concoction that is more like a light summer entree rather than a heavy winter meal.

I loved "Something from the Nightside" so much, I grabbed up all the Simon R. Green I could find, and so far my small library doesn't carry much, but I did find this book there.It was a blast!My husband zipped through it, then my best friend, and they wouldn't leave me alone until I had read it also, all within 2 days of me checking it out.

I enjoy most of the characters (Luna is particularly memorable), and I did not find it pat or cutesy at all.There are cute parts, and lots of parts that had all of us laughing aloud, which really makes me want to own all this man's books, but there is a lot to roll around your thoughts once you put the book down, as well.Especially as a budding novelist!:D

If you want intellectually heavy, go somewhere else.This may not be for you.I am an English teacher and not by any means an intellectual pygmy; I can read and understand heavy prose and epic poetry and write intelligent essays critiquing them.But when you want something to make you smile, laugh, and think thoughts that take you out of your everyday rut, I'd recommend Simon R. Green for the majority of people, especially for my friends and family.

Not Ripe Yet, Still a Bit Green
I like Green's baroque visual imagination-- his description of Angel would probably cause Lovecraft to chew up a copy of his "Collected Works" in envy.Not a squamous or rugous part in sight. But once Green has created these imaginative creatures he is not sure what to do with them other than have them pound someone into the ground or be pounded into the ground by another character.

The frame work of this book is familiar-- think A Fish Dinner in Memizon by E. R. Eddison and all of the other more modern authors mentioned by the other reviewers-- and Green draws on British legend and history in a way that is vaguely reminiscent of a lot of British writers.But the mind does tend to wonder a bit between acts of mayhem. And isn't the conclusion just a bit too pat?

No matter, this one is worth a read and maybe if you are intrigued there is a whole world of British fantasy to explore that is not LotR or Harry Potter.

Average Joe visits extraordinary place
Simon Green's "Drinking Midnight Wine" is a fun read.It is about a regular guy who takes a trip, via a portal to a parallel Earth, into a land of magic.This fast-moving story covers the basics; love, , wimp-become-hero, good-vs-evil, descendants of Norse gods, etc.Green spins an interesting version of this old, yet popular concept.His use of beings from 'our' mythology enables the reader to readily identify with many of his characters.I enjoyed reading it. ... Read more

Product Description
The legendary Independent Agent is dying ...so who will inherit his hoard of secret information and fabulous secrets? For most of the last century, he was the greatest spy in the world, but now The Independent Agent is retiring, he has decided on one last great game - the six greatest spies in the world today must work together - and compete against each other - to solve the six greatest mysteries in the world. Whoever wins the game will also win The Agent's priceless treasure-trove of information. Eddie Drood, aka Shaman Bond, has been invited to join the great game, and of course he can't say no, especially when he learns what the mysteries are - everything from the Tunguska Incident to the Philadelphia Experiment, to whatever the hell it was really happened at Roswell. But that means he needs to survive working alongside old friends and old enemies ...especially when the spies start dying, one by one ...And one of them is going to haunt him ...for the rest of his life. THE SPY WHO HAUNTED ME is the third of the Secret Histories: a riveting roller-coaster ride through the dark side. ... Read more

Product Description
He's Hawk. She's Fisher. They're cops, patrolling the mean streets of the ancient city misnamed Haven, a sinister place where demons, thieves, sorcerers, and murderers own the night and anything can be bought-except justice. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Exciting and entertaining as you would expect all of Simon R. Green's books!
Just as fun as Swords of Haven!And all of the Deathstalkers, and Shadows fall, well, I am enjoying all of his books!

Where do the heros go?
I have always injoyed Greens book's. When I read The blue moon, I always wondered what happened to the 2 main heros. Then I read Guards of Haven and found both again.

Swords, Sorcery, and Cops: Good Fun
Reviewed by Vicky Burkholder
on 07/10/2008

This book includes three stories in one book: Wolf in the Fold, Guard Against Dishonor, The Bones of Haven. It is my understanding that all three have been previously published under a different title (Fear and Loathing in Haven) so if you've read that, you've already read this.

Though I'm not usually a sword and sorcery/cop story type of reader, this book surprised me with its wry wit and offbeat humor. I was drawn in from the first line and enjoyed the stories immensely. They are set in a modern medieval world where magic is acceptable, fighting is done with swords (or in the case of Hawk, an axe), and corruption rules the land - or at least, the city of Haven. Hawk and Fisher, husband and wife Guards, are the two best crime fighters in the city. The worst area, the Northeast Corridor, is their beat and nobody crosses them. In a city where crime is the norm, they can't be bought. Together, they attempt to bring order to chaos.

With a plot that is straightforward, a small twist to keep you interested, and characters that are slightly stereotypical but fun, this is a lighthearted book that doesn't take much thought. It's pure entertainment. The only caveat I offer is one of copyediting. There are enough areas where a good grammarian would have been an asset, but it's not enough of a problem to completely detract from the enjoyment of the story. If you like sword and sorcery, cops, wizards, and good vs. evil stories, but don't want to have to work at understanding it, definitely pick this one up.

Another Splendid Green Production!
Simon R. Green has created another engaging set of characters in this novel, which relates the tale of the only two honest City Guards in Haven, a man and wife with a mysterious past that is occasionally hinted at.It will quickly grab you, and you won't want to put it down.
Green's writing has matured since his 'Deathstalker' series;the 'Guards of Haven' characters seem more real and believable than those in 'Deathstalker'.

Simon R. Green has never done me wrong
I discovered Green at Coliseum books in NYC (Now sadly closed) when I just wanted something similar to mental popcorn to pour through on the odd quiet night.Boy was I in for a shock.I'm now a slavish devotee of his work in any setting, but it was Hawk and Fisher that laid the bait.An effortless wordsmith, Green blends humor and turn of phrase in a way that just delights.The plots may not always be convoluted or hard to decipher, but I have never ever cared.It's always been about how we got there.Do yourself a favor and pick up Green. ... Read more

Product Description
The sequel to the best-selling Deathstalker follows outlaw Owen Deathstalker and his band of washed-up warriors, pirates, and aliens, as he battles the tyrannical Queen Lionstone XIV to preserve the galaxy's freedom. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

Certainly enjoyable even if it does drag in places
This series was ostensibly written as a homage to a simpler time where good guys were good and bad guys weren't all that complicated.I personally find the characters in the bookOz, Owen, Hazel, and Ruby and Ransom, the Stevie Blues and Augmented men to be refreshing I am sick of those 20 book long series where it is revealed slowly over the course of time that the evil emperor/empress really isn't such a bad person after all.

This time it is different the bad guy (or in this case bad woman) really is that bad kind of like a comically evil Ming the Merciless this series is amazing not for its quality which frankly isn't that great once you step a pace back think about it for a few seconds but rather for its similarities intentional and not so intentional to Doc Savage, Flash Gordon, Perry Rhodon and John Carter of Mars the series is what it is and most of the time that is not necessarily a bad thing.

Overall-while most the action is still on Deathstalker and his gang fighting the empire bydegrees Captain Silence andhis gang travel around the rim a little visiting some (for once) very inhuman aliens.My favorite characters this time are the more minor ones David Deathstalker, Kid Death and don't forget Finly Cambbel the masked gladiator.Asmuch as convenient plot devices and repetitive dialog make me want to give this series up I like the characters to much to do that and you will too.

Super Reader
Robot space zombies. My spousal unit thinks they are a bad idea. I am glad Simon Green disagrees.

This is a weighty tome for something like this, and does drag at times, and seem flat because of it. However, it is saved by some of the funny lines and the sheer over the top craziness of the Personalities.

They read capitalised. Owen Deathstalker. Jack Random. Jenny Psycho. Ruby Journey. Kid Death, etc.

Clones, espers, energy half-men, and more. Nuns, robot zombies, slaves, rogue AI, mutants, monsters, super secret police and anything else he could think up.

Even the most stable that want to be historians and drink plonk kill people with swords because it is more fun.

In Deathstalker's case, the sword thing makes sense, because if you are fighting someone up close and have the genetic advantage of being able to superspeed boost your strength and reflexes staying out of long range weapons exchanges where your advantage is minimal makes sense.

Green has taken Flash Gordon and E. E. Doc Smith (and even has a ship called the Dauntless - but flown by the bad guys) and mutated it via the Tatooine cantina to come up with a very large violent conflict. With an evil empress instead of Ming the Merciless.

I haven't read the first book, but apparently in a desparate situation an alien machine did something to all the Personalities that were there, and made them younger, stronger, faster, linked them mentally and gave them ever growing and increasing powers. So, Deathstalker's superhumans lead the rebellion.

The last part of the book is where a third of these superhumans fight a battle to free some clones and rebels from under one Imperial family's control, complete with subversive star media commentator and tranvestite camerman to film it live.

It reads pretty much as though he was crazily coming up with ideas and throwing them at his keyboard.

If you like this sort of thing in general, space carnage, with swords, then it is probably worth picking one of these up to have a look. No great stuff, but packed full of hilarity and hitting things.

Let's get this slightly campy rebellion started
While this second entry in the life and times of Owen Deathstalker retains all of the action and fun of the first novel, an element of camp seems to have set in to make the series less fulfilling.Greene, every so often, seems to set the story aside momentarily in an effort to be funny, and the introduction of characters such as Half a Man indicates to me that Greene has decided to embrace some of the campiness of space opera and just run with it.Perhaps the most interesting thing about Deathstalker Rebellion is the fact that Owen Deathstalker, the main character by default, is the least interesting person in this entire drama.Outlawed by Lionstone XIV, this historian and aristocrat turned reluctant hero has set the rebellion against the Empire in motion, but - at least at this early stage of the game - he has become all but irrelevant.His close comrades - legendary rebel Jack Random, pirate and clonelegger Helen D'Ark, and bounty hunter Ruby Journey - are much more prominent and intriguing than he is.

The first real blow Deathstalker delivers to the Empire is an assault on the Income Tax and Tithe Headquarters on Golgotha, seat of the imperial government.He succeeds in throwing the Empire's finances into disarray, but the resulting blow to the planet's defenses allows an unknown alien ship to pop in and lay waste to the starport and other prominent facilities.This poses a problem, as the underground of rebels (including a number of fascinating aristocrats alongside hackers, clones, and individuals with esp abilities) already plotting their own rebellion on Golgotha itself aren't exactly happy about staging a rebellion that promises to just open up the way for their own annihilation by aliens.In the aftermath, however, all the rebel groups throughout the Empire come together for the first time in order to make plans to work together.Lionstone XIV, meanwhile, has to lay plans for a threat from within as well as without.Captain Silence and Investigator Frost (my favorite characters) somehow manage to avoid execution for their failures once again and end up out on the Rim shoring up planetary support.While there, they encounter a lost ship from two centuries earlier which turns out to be full of Ghost Warriors; these are animated, computer-enhanced corpses controlled by the dastardly AI from the planet Shub, known enemies who now bear watching - along with the Hadenmen, or Enemies of Humanity, who have joined up with Owen's forces after the Deathstalker freed them from their Tomb on the lost planet Haden.

The main action in this novel, though, focuses on the inhospitable planet Technos III, where the Wolfe Family is in charge of producing new stardrives for the imperial navy.Family clans are very complicated in this imperial universe, with each Family conspiring for greater power while individual Family members constantly plot against one another.Thus it is that several groups, not just the rebels, do not want to see the Wolfes produce a single new stardrive.Random and Ruby travel to the harsh environment to lead the rebel forces fighting for their planet, but the biggest surprises are laid by folks ostensibly loyal to the empire - it all comes together to make the ultimate climax quite interesting, to say the least.

Deathstalker Rebellion seems much longer than its 500+ pages.There are some redundancies built in to the story, characters have a knack for somehow managing to engage in pages of private dialogue in the midst of frantic activity going on all around them, and there are some real "oh, come on" moments in the story.You've got one character who returned 200 years ago from alien capture with only one side of his body - his other half is some sort of alien energy field.You've got heroes capable of doing all kinds of miracles thanks to an earlier trip through a mysterious maze of unknown alien origins, and that sometimes provides an easy out for Greene when characters find themselves in real trouble (sort of an alien ex machina).You have a civilization that has manufactured a weapon capable of wiping out a galaxy of worlds instantaneously, yet no one can invent a blaster that doesn't require two minutes to recharge between shots.Perhaps the biggest problem is the fact that events and characters are spread quite thin across the novel - you can go 100 pages without encountering the protagonist, for example.As the rebel efforts begin to coalesce in the future, though, I would expect this problem to diminish.

Despite the negatives, Deathstalker Rebellion is a fun, action-packed, sometimes slightly wacky, read; it's pure space opera and seemingly proud of it.The encounter with the Ghost Warriors is an especially intriguing, momentarily creepy, episode.I wouldn't recommend starting this series with this or any other sequel, though; there is just far too much going on in too many different places.If you enjoy space opera, you should enjoy the Deathstalker series; if you can take it or leave it when it comes to space opera, you may find yourself frustrated by the seemingly slow progression of events in these pages.

Great Space Opera
If you can skim through the worst of Simon Green's wordiness, you'll do all right with this book - the meat of the story is worth it.Hazel, Owen, Finlay, Ruby, Jack, Silence, Frost and the others are still developing as characters in interesting ways.The encounter with the Ghost Warriors is especially chilling, as is the Grendel Alien(s).Great read for those who favor sci-fi over fantasy.

Good stuff
I loved it, plenty of gore and comments while it's happening.Great characters, awesome storyline, it's just good stuff. ... Read more

Product Description
Owen Deathstalker, unwilling head of his clan, flees to Mistworld where he begins to build an unlikely crew of rebels to overthrow the capricious, murderous galactic queen, and soon embarks on a dangerous journey to claim his destiny. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (63)

He is a Deathstalker after all...and smile!
My title accounts for a lot of words in this book.Everyone repeated thinks "I am aafter all."They say it so frequently I would just roll my eyes every time I saw the phrase.Also, everyone smiles or grins.Ship going down in flames?No problem just start grinning.About to be killed by Chekov vampires (I mean Wampyrs)...just grin and bear it.

There are so many silly names in the book I found myself thinking that "Jack Random" had a hidden meaning; did the author just use a random name generator?Owen Deathstalker, Hazel D', Ruby Journey, Finley Campbell, etc.The worst was naming a starship captain Silence.When a sentence begins with "Silence crept forward" you have to stop and think...is it the captain or an eerie omen.

To add insult to all of this, there are so many quotes stolen from movies and other books that I couldn't decide if the author was trying to be funny or just ripping off other works.The talk about the planet New Hope for example, and at one point even quote Monty Python.

The main problem is the story just is awkward.We are suppose to believe that Owen is a historian, but all his actions say he is a warrior.The historian angle is suppose to make us feel something more for the poor main character, but it doesn't work.The whole historian thing could have been left out and it wouldn't have changed anything.The idea that an empire would employ energy weapons that can only be fired once every two minutes is laughable.The idea that sword play would be so prevalent isn't realistic either.Furthermore, the quest that Owen takes up is as unbelievable as the sequence of events that lead him through the story.

Now, there are other things that I found annoying too.There is blood, and lots of it.The whole book is swimming in body parts and blood.Sorry, but there are only so many ways to describe mutilation, and the author found them all...repeatedly.

My first thought was to give this thing a single star, but as I finished it I realized that despite all the problems it still kept my attention enough to want to finish it.There are a bunch of books that couldn't even accomplish that.So, if you like a space opera with tons of fighting, weird characters, super human powers, really evil bad guys, and reluctant heroes then you will enjoy this novel.

A good old fashioned space saga
This series was ostensibly written as a homage to a simpler time where good guys were good and bad guys weren't all that complicated.I personally find the characters in the Oz, Owen, Hazel, and Ruby and Ransom to be refreshing I am sick of those 20 book long series where it is revealed slowly over the course of time that the evil emperor/empress really isn't such a bad person after all.

If it seems at times the interesting characters are killed off before you get to know them like old Lord Sumerdale who knew Lionstone was a psychotic murderess and not afraid to say it to her face.

and the dialog is a little to repetitive like Captain Silence having to constantly remind us that A. Its always night in space, B.investigators have no emotion and C.most aliens had not survived their initial contact with humanity

and there is entirely to much in the way of Dues Ex Machina it doesn't really matter when this series works it does so really well and you don't notice the flaws.

Overall-if you're idea of fun is a light read that doesn't challenge your intellect to much this is the book for you.When all is said and done if you stick with it you'll want to see the Iron Bitch crash and burn as much as I do.

It is what it is, and that's not a bad thing.
If you're a science fiction fan who craves hard science or high-tech, "Deathstalker" was not written with you in mind. If you prefer social commentary, metaphysics, or brooding, introspective anti-heroes, you will not find "Deathstalker" to be a very satisfying read.

If you enjoy a good, old-fashioned, space adventure story; good vs. evil; sympathetic characters; rayguns, starships, cyborgs, clones, and psychic warriors; cliffhangers and suspense; and action scenes you can't read fast enough ... then this series just might be for you.

This book was awful.
The writing was bad.The characterization was nonexistent.The plot made very little sense.The book was plagued by stupid errors that another round of copy-editing would have caught (like where he refers to espers as "elves" for the first two chapters, then realizes that's stupid and drops it).

The story hits every major science-fiction trope the author could think of (espers, cyborgs, rogue AI, vampires, battle drugs, genetically engineered monsters, etc, etc), but none of them are at all interesting, and the result is a bland, tasteless mess.

I'm shocked that the author managed to sell eight books of this.

3.5 Stars for Imagination and Daring
This is the first Simon R Green book I've read.I am not saying it won't be my last, but I am probably going to give up on the Deathstalker series.I may eventually pick up the next one at the library.So - I say he's imaginative: his worlds are interesting and he does a decent job of intermingling interstellar travel with feudal duels and the trappings of aristocracy.I say he's daring: In this 500+ page book there is no satisfaction except in setting up the next book...I usually like to have a choice in the matter to pick up the next in the series, but this one just leaves it hanging, big time.He's bold to take the reader on a long desert journey, promising water at the end, and then finally presenting a glass of salt water.

As other reviewers have mentioned, there are MANY grammatical and spelling mistakes (even a major character's name is misspelled twice!) and there are countless phrases and dialogue used over and over again which really breaks my concentration because it just seems unnatural.This criticism is more personal than anything, but I dislike 40 - 50 page chapters, and there are looonnnggg chapters in this book.

In the end, I am still mildly interested in what happens to Deathstalker and his friends in the next book.I just can't bare to give it 4 or 5 stars, though professional editing could have made it a 4. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Welcome back to the Nightside
Imagine Harry Dresden loose in a Neil Gaiman-style world, and you'll have some idea of what's going on in the world of the Nightside.

And the dark supernatural underbelly of London is no less alluring -- and dangerous -- in the second omnibus of Simon R. Green's urban fantasy series, containing the shortish novels "Nightingale's Lament" and "Hex in the City." And it's still full of action, grotesque danger, bizarre creatures and crimes that only an expert "finder" can solve.

In "Nightingale's Lament," John Taylor is approached by Parisian banker Charles Chabron, who asks him to help him with his daughter, a nightclub singer called Rossignol. Not only has the girl withdrawn from everyone except her management, but her sad songs are driving people to suicide. And when John starts investigating Rossignol, he finds that she is always in a depressed, drugged stupor and her managers the Cavendishes keep her isolated.

After one of her fans shoots off his own head during a concert, John joins forces with the zombieesque Dead Boy, and starts prowling around for the last singer that the Cavendishes took under their wings. Turns out that Sylvia Sin has become something inhuman and horrifically desirable -- and the Cavendishes have done something even more terrible to Rossignol. Rescuing the trapped nightingale will stretch John's abilities to the limit... and he may not be able to truly save her.

And things get more personal when John Taylor has "Hex in the City." After a disastrous auction where the chaos butterfly attracts some unwanted bidders, Lady Luck herself -- who exudes luck both bad and good -- hires John for the ultimate "find" mission: discover the origins of the Nightside itself. If he can do that, then she will give him the information he desperately wants, about the missing mother whom he can't even remember.

After consulting a grumpy wishing well, John joins forces with the Madman and Sinner ("Please get him out of here. You don't know what it's like, having him around. The screams and the howls and the rains of blood") to unearth the darkest secrets of the Nightside. But there are a lot of people who don't want John to succeed -- including Walker and the Reasonable Men -- and the secret of his mother's identity may be too terrible...

Transvestite superheroes, Sister Morphine, temporal triplets, the ghost of Merlin Satanspawn, Hell's Neanderthals, teenybopper-goth groupies, a ragged and homeless Herne the Hunter, and a twerpy probability-shifting guy called Count Entropy. Even if Simon R. Green had no writing ability whatsoever, the world he conjures in the Nightside series would be worth the read -- dripping with darkness, eccentricity and utterly twisted fantasy-noir humor.

Admittedly Simon R. Green fills his noir/urban fantasy novels with a little too much tough-guy wisecracking, and it's a bit annoying that John deals with everything by saying, "I'm John Taylor." But Green does a pretty solid job overall -- and while "Nightingale's Lament" is a pretty straightforward noir-soaked fantasy, "Hex and the City" expands the storyline to epic proportions, with revelations that can affect all of the Nightside.

And Green's spare, slightly bizarre prose is suited to the stories. He has a knack for describing things ("the neon signs were flickering on again, like road signs in Hell") and his dialogue is just as fun ("The octopus is off, but we hope to recapture it soon. And don't ask for the chameleon, because we can't find it").

John Taylor is your average noir anti-hero in the Raymond Chandler mold -- a little grizzled, cynical, and always with a snappy remark at the ready. He's backed by a cast of incredibly bizarre characters, including the pragmatic, ghoulish, booze-swigging Dead Boy, the Madman who reshapes reality, the tragic Rossignol, and the amiable Sinner who belongs neither in Heaven nor in Hell (so he just sort of hangs around the mortal realm).

"Haunting the Nightside" brings together one good and one great urban fantasy, both exploring the dark slimy niches of the Nightside. Definitely a good read. ... Read more

Product Description
Owen Deathstalker's greatest love--Hazel d'Ark--has been abducted by a cult dedicated to the excesses of scientific experimentation.Stranded on Lachrymae Christi, Owen struggles to help a leper colony survive, waiting for his chance to rescue Hazel. But Humanity is once again in the throes of intergalactic war...

Will Owen surrender to the battle cry?Or forsake his own destiny...for the woman he loves?

"Green blends derring-do, space battles, and wry banter aplenty to form an eminently satisfying space opera." --Booklist

* Simon R. Green is the New York Times bestselling author of Blue Moon, Shadows Fall, and thirteen other novels
* Deathstalker Destiny is the fifth novel in a big intergalactic adventure in the tradition of Star Wars ... Read more

Customer Reviews (38)

Please save your money..
This series of books could do with a lot of editing.... (Some whole chapters seemed to be repeats from earlier books)the entire series should be parred down to one novel and then perhaps it would be a good read.

Wildly entertaining and full of shocking surprises
A part of me didn't want to read this book.Deathstalker Destiny is the fifth and final installment in the life and times of Owen Deathstalker.I've been through a lot with the main characters of this Deathstalker series.Heck, we overthrew a seemingly impervious evil Empire, liberated worlds, saved great big chunks of humanity time and time again, and overcame superhuman enemies the likes of which I had never dreamed of.Now, it's all coming to an end.It wouldn't be so bad if there weren't this really depressing prophecy hanging over Owen Deathstalker's head since early in the first novel - Owen Deathstalker, the greatest kind of hero, the only honorable aristocrat from a court of power-hungry villains, the last great hope of humanity itself predicted to die alone far from his friends without ever coming to know the love that helped drive him.

Things certainly aren't going too well as the book opens.The Empire is still mightily struggling internally to develop an effective form of government after the end of the rebellion; seemingly all of humanity's enemies are attacking almost everywhere in force- the rogue AI of Shub, the self-augmented Hadenmen, and some kind of souped-up giant insects; a far greater enemy called the Recreated is now on its way; and the worst plague in history is decimating one planet after another.Owen Deathstalker doesn't have time to think of these things, though.Hazel D'Ark, the former clonelegger and pirate who became Owen's best friend as well as the woman he loved, has been taken by the Blood Runners (who will torture her in order to learn the secrets of the powers she acquired in the alien Madness Maze on the Wolfing World), and Owen sits helplessly on the leper planet Lachrymae Christi - without a ship and without the Maze-given powers he had come to depend on.

Of course, Owen's attention eventually shifts back to the Empire's losing struggle against unstoppable alien forces.Owen has always understood duty, and he really has little choice in the matter.He does truly become humanity's last and only hope for survival.Everything comes full circle by the end, but at least Owen finally does get to hear the story behind this awful destiny he has never been able to elude.A lot of big issues are resolved over the course of this book, including some surprisingly important ones involving some of the most fascinating and unique secondary characters I've ever encountered in science fiction.

I have to say that Simon R. Green floored me several times over the course of this novel.After well over 2000 pages with this series' heroes, I thought I knew these characters pretty well.I was nothing less than shocked by a few of the events in Deathstalker Destiny.I can accept everything that happened, but I surely didn't see some of it coming.Green truly closes this series out with one bang after another, and that goes a long way toward making this the most exhilarating novel in an already exhilarating series.There is, however, one weakness that takes a little something away from the reader's enjoyment - some crucial plot points are resolved much too easily.Up until now, nothing has come easy for Owen Deathstalker and his friends, and the new challenges now facing our heroes are even more daunting and formidable than ever before.As a reader, you can't see how the characters can possibly get themselves out of all the troubles now facing them - and then, in the matter of a page or two, all is said and done and you're heading off toward the next impossible challenge on the list.When all is said and done, though, this novel (and this whole series) is just way too much fun to miss.Green sometimes goes way out on a limb in terms of the rules of his universe, but the Deathstalker series makes for amazingly entertaining reading.And I guarantee you won't forget the unique cast of characters who call this universe home.

deathstalker as a series may be hard to defend
except that it's simply loads of wierd demented entertainment and what else really needs to be said?

Great Story!!!! Good Book, needs help in editing.
Mr. Green tells a great story with all 5 of the Deathstalker books, however he needs to learn the concept of "Chapter" vs. "Part" in writing a book. His so called "Chapters" are enormous and there is no real stopping point when it's time to go to sleep at night. Mr. Green also tells a great story with a terrific build-up of all the conflicts, however his solutions are too simplistic. It's almost as if he got tired of writing and took an easy way out. One other comment is that he over-uses certain phrases in the book. Read it and you'll know which ones I mean.All in all, however, it's a very entertaining series of books.

Re-read book one and you'll appreciate the ending.
Simon R Green concludes this epic series with a prophecy he mentioned in the first book.People who didn't see it coming and are disappointed by it need to re-read the first book.Books 6 and 7 to come out soon! ... Read more

Product Description
The continuing adventures of Owen Deathstalker pit the warrior rebel and his compatriots, Hazel d'Ark and Jack Ransom, against the evil Empress of the planet Golgotha, who has some cosmic tricks up her sleeve. Original." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

Stick to the other Simon works
Pure pulp, and not in a good way.This is the Green series to avoid IMHO.Reads like a cheesy SyFy low budget movie.

Action-packed and full of surprises
The seeds of rebellion have been sown, and now - in the third volume chronicling the life and times of Owen Deathstalker - the war finally begins.Deathstalker War is the strongest book in the series thus far, mixing in incredible action and excitement, shocking secrets and betrayals, human drama of the deepest kind, and some completely unexpected subplots.This is just good, old-fashioned space opera.As in the previous two books, Green does let elements of redundancy slip in from time to time, and the big finish is stretched out so much as to be a tad farcical, but this is still a gripping, wonderfully entertaining read.

Before the rebels actually go to war themselves, the war comes to them.On the home world of Golgotha, Empress Lionstone XIV is ravenously eager to put a stop to all the rebel foolishness and make plenty of examples of those who would defy her.Both sides know that four planets will basically determine the victor - Mistworld, refuge of bounty hunters and those who have fallen out of imperial favor , safe haven of espers and clones, and rebel stronghold; Shannon's World, once the ultimate pleasure world but now wrapped in mystery and known as Haceldama, the Field of Blood; Virimonde, an agricultural planet where the Deathstalker (now Owen's nephew) is lord; and of course Golgotha, seat of the imperial government.

The war begins on Mistworld, where Owen Deathstalker, Hazel D'Ark, and a young version of legendary rebel Jack Random, have gone to win the support of the Mistport Council.Aided by a fiendishly dangerous secret weapon called Legion, Empire forces manage to land in force on the planet without detection.The result is war at its ugliest, as Mistworld fights against overwhelming odds for its very survival.They forevermore have a war on this planet, going at it hand-to-hand in the streets, while blood flows in the gutters and men have to climb over dead bodies to advance from one enemy to the next.Then the scene shifts to Shannon's World, where Finlay Campbell, Evangeline Shreck, Giles Deathstalker (the original Deathstalker, who has emerged from 943 years in stasis), and the esper Julian Skye seek to penetrate the mystery that has swallowed up all the imperial soldiers sent to penetrate its silent depths and - most importantly - "rescue" a brilliant imperial tactician who crashed there some time earlier.After the bloody free-for-all of Mistworld's war, the adventure on Shannon's World could not have come as more of a surprise.I won't even dare describe it here - except to say that Green is a remarkably brave author.What initially seems unbelievably silly ends up being the most emotionally compelling section of the book.

Owen's nephew David, accompanied by his friend Kid Death, has set up shop on Virimonde, the planet Owen escaped from when he was outlawed by the Empress.The two young friends ignore their rebel commitments and basically just go about having all the fun they can possibly have on this peaceful, agriculturally rich planet.Then comes news that Lionstone XIV intends to mechanize the entire planet and make an example of the peasants who have been - with the implicit approval of David - flirting with democratic government.It is here on Virimonde that the true madness of the Empress is made clear to all - thanks in no small part to a seemingly omnipresent journalist and cameraman who manage to beam the awful pictures of the bloodbath back to the home world.

All of the principle characters converge on Golgotha in the end, hacking and slashing their way to the Imperial Throne itself.There's a lot of riveting military action, and Green throws in some rather shocking surprises to make things really interesting.The ultimate showdown, unfortunately, is drawn out far too long and becomes something of a farce in terms of its execution, but it was still compelling enough to keep me up into the wee hours of the morning determined to see how everything came out.

Deathstalker War sets the stage for a transition in the series.Everything up to now has led up to the war, and it will be very interesting to see what happens next and how the rebel leaders (whom we readers have already spent over 1500 pages with) will change.I was just a tad down on the Deathstalker series after reading Deathstalker Rebellion, but Deathstalker War has truly recaptured my imagination and fueled my interest anew.This is easily the best of the first three volumes in the Deathstalker series.

One of the best Si FI books I have ever read
Mr. Green's Deathstalker series is addictive gripping and just plain fantastic.From the first page to the last you are hooked and eager to want to know what happens next.I actually heard this book in a five volume audio series available on Amazon complete with music and sound effects.The book along with the first two books Deathstalker and Rebellion are read by a series of actors who do a fine job indeed.They make the pages of the printed book come alive and you never want to turn your player off.The characters in this series are some of the best ever created and hats off to Mr. Green for not relying soly on stereo types too often found in Si Fi and Fantasy books.Yes you have those of course, they are a corner stone of any good Si Fi book but Mr. Green has also created characters here which are wild wacky and just plain delicious.My favorite has got to be Valentine Wolf.He is cunning, ruthless and you just got to love his disposition.His lines are some of the best on the audio version and you can tell the actor had a ball with him.This series has lots of surprises along with tons of action.The final scenes in the throne room with the Empress are the best.You just got to love Lionstone even though she is known as the Iron B*****h.The ending was unexpected where she was concerned.Another reason to read this fine series is that it is abit more gear to adults and thus the themes presented are more mature in tone.It was excellent through and through and I hope the remaining books of this series are done in the audio format.Simply loved it.Bravo!Highly recommended.

A solid conclusion to a sweeping Space Opera
Perhaps not a genuine conclusion but at least the war is over - or is it?Green has written an enjoyable escapest swashbuckling/fantasy/SciFi series that is just good old fashioned entertainment.Worth the read and the wait because unlike all too many other writers I never got the feel that Green was drawing out the series to enhance his bank account.The plot proceeds at a good pace and the action is almost non-stop.

We're halfway done!
This is prime space opera, done in 1990s fashion.Violence and superhumanpowers abound; surprises and conflicts never end.An overstuffed universefull of wonderful science fiction cliches, Green's Deathstalker series is agreat escapist frolic.It was wonderful seeing Deathstalker win the war(oh, like you didn't know that was going to happen from the first page?). It was also wonderful seeing Jack Random declare that there would bedemocracy from now on!In that, Green performs a minor miracle, as very,very few space opera or fantasy writers realize the inherent ridiculousnessof an empire in outer space, replete with lords and empresses.But then,that's part of why the stuff sells so well, isn't it?I enjoyed it as muchas the next reader, and Green truly does offer up an exciting tale. ... Read more

Product Description
From four of today’s hottest fantasy authors—all-new novellas of dark nights, cruel cities, and paranormal P.I.s.

The best paranormal private investigators have been brought together in a single volume—and cases don’t come any harder than this.

New York Times bestselling author Jim Butcher delivers a hard-boiled tale in which Harry Dresden’s latest case may be his last.

Nightside dweller John Taylor is hired by a woman to find something she lost—her memory—in a thrilling noir tale from New York Times bestselling author Simon R. Green.

National bestselling author Kat Richardson’s Greywalker finds herself in too deep when a “simple job” goes bad and Harper Blaine is enmeshed in a tangle of dark secrets and revenge from beyond the grave.

For centuries, the being that we know as Noah lived among us. Now he is dead, and fallen-angel-turned-detective Remy Chandler has been hired to find out who killed him in a whodunit by national bestselling author Thomas E. Sniegoski. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (51)

A Good Book With Different Styles
I enjoyed this book a lot.It gave me another Dresden story, but it also introduced me to the authors and their version of modern fantasy.I recommend it even if you've never read any of the authors before and you just want to see what the style is like.

Familiar faces and intriguing introductions
Okay, I confess. I'm a Harry Dresden addict; so much so that I fear I'll soon end up shelling out for hardbacks instead of patiently waiting for paperback editions. Still, in the meantime, Mean Streets is a set of four novellas that includes a Harry Dresden tale, so it was a good option to keep both me and my husband happily reading.

The Warrior by Jim Butcher provides a satisfying transition between heroic Michael's accident and his subsequent, possibly more normal life. Harry Dresden is still the faithful friend, still reluctant keeper of the sword, and still the target of dangerous foes. I really enjoy the way the author weaves glimpses of truth and forgiveness into his stories of magic and fear, and I enjoyed his portrayal of religious fervor gone right and gone wrong. I'm still desperately awaiting my next paperback, but I'm glad I didn't allow myself to miss this tale.

Simon R Green's John Taylor is another fun character. My husband doesn't like him (yet) quite as much as I do. Maybe the dream-like quality of shifting rules and realities is harder for a scientist to absorb than Harry Dresden's world. But I love the characters and dialog and the wild imagination. And I love the way the reader gets to put together the clues in Simon Green's tales. The Difference a Day Makes was quite definitely wild and odd, but it made its own kind of sense and I really enjoyed it.

Harper Blaine is fast catching up with Harry Dresden as one of my favorite characters. Kat Richardson's tale, The Third Death of the Little Clay Dog, takes her to Mexico and invests the "gray" of her paranormal sight with all the colors and delights of the Day of the Dead. I loved the way a different attitude to life and death was portrayed and incorporated into her mythology. And I loved the dog. (Don't worry, no animals were harmed, etc...)

The final story in this set involves a character I'd not met before, fallen angel Remy Chandler. He's certainly a fascinating guy, inhabiting another fascinating world, just a stone's throw from our own. Combining Noah's flood with refurbished warehouses in Boston is no mean feat, and the tale was complex and intriguing. I suspect I'll be looking out for more of this author's books soon.

These Mean Streets certainly have a lot to offer any reader of paranormal mysteries, whether or not you've met the characters before--fine additions and fine introductions for your reading pleasure.

Mean Streets Review
I do like Anthologies and Short Story collections. They're a good way to discover other authors and potential new books to read. Or the inverse of a complete bomb.

I picked up this book due to Jim Butcher being one of the featured authors and a new Dresden story in it.

Simon R. Green is who brings this entire anthology down. I don't like his writing style and the story is just flat out dull. It's only saving grace is being a short story and not a full length novel like the first 6 of the Nightside series that I have read.

Kat Richardson's story turned out to be fairly interesting and worth the discovering of a new author to consider. It's not action-packed, but has a lot of good "thinking-man's" game to it.

Thomas E. Sniegoski's "Noah's Orphans" was mildly interesting if not predictable. But then, being familiar with scriptures it wasn't hard to follow and figure out what his aim was. Fallen Angels having affairs with mortal women resulting in offspring.... and their subsequent destruction. It wasn't anything new for me or all that exciting. I'll not do more then that in an attempt to avoid too many spoilers and leave some surprises for those who would find this type of story interesting.

butcher and richardson rocks
these are 4 short stories, jim Butcher first: the warrior that is fallen, has to defend a sword called fidelacchius against a rogue minister bent on preserving the sword against any impurities..
Simon greens story tells of Lisa Barclay who is searching for her husband that has disappeared. She ends up in the nightside, and what she finds later shocks her mind.
John Taylor and Dead Boy help her regain her memory and they help her on the road to going back to London whole and sound.
The 3rd Death is about a eccentric old lady that wills a clay dog to someone. She hires Harper to take this statue and place it on someones' grave.
Harper finds out it is much more complicated than what it seems on the surface, and she must have this deed done by Nov. 1st.
noah's Orphans are a race of people that were supposed to be destoyed in the flood during Noah's time.
noah finds these beings and is trying to protect them when he is killed.
Remy investegates the murder and finds out so much more is behind this than he first could see.

Awesome book
This is an awesome anthology by some of the best paranormal fiction writers there are today. ... Read more

Product Description
There is a part of the Forest where it is always night, where the tall trees bow together to shut out the light. Men call it the Darkwood. The border fort on the edge of the Darkwood had been built to keep the peace. So far it had, but after delivery of a large consignment of gold it falls silent, answering neither natural nor supernatural communication. When the Forest King sends a small force, combining sorcerous and military skills, they find a deserted fortress soaked in blood. Magic reveals something malevolent and unreachable somewhere in the fort. But Duncan MacNeil and his company have human foes, greedy for gold, to deal with before they can take on the inhuman ... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Not his best work but...
I have to agree with the majority of reviews here. It's not his best work, really a moderately typical sword and sorcery novel.Gory in parts, though I wouldn't call it a horror novel, and if you're used to Green, a bit less gory than some of the reviews indicate.

I thought, due to the name of one of the characters, that there would be a few typical Green puns--I kept waiting to see, "Stop.Hammer time," or at least "You can't touch this."Green seems to take himself a bit more seriously in this novel.(If he'd used either of those puns, I'd have raised my rating from a 3 to 4, but...).

The book is from 1994, and I think Green was still finding his voice at that time.

Sets Pattern For Ghostworld and Hellworld
This is a sequel to Blue Moon Rising, but like Ghostworld and Hellworld, the character base has been trimmed from the epic to the contained.

The time is ten years after the Demon War (see Blue Moon Rising).A border fort was constructed to secure a border with Hillsdown.But now the fort has gone silent.A team of Rangers is sent to investigate.

Upon arrival at the fort it is obvious that there is something very wrong.Soon the Rangers must join with some bandits in order to survive a horror that threatens the whole world.

Dream sequences give a great personality profile for each character in a similar fashion to the flashbacks in Blue Moon Rising.While a direct sequel to the events of Blue Moon Rising, this is a tough and gritty tale that does not have the Rupert/Dragon/Julia/Unicorn brand of humor.But it is no less a good yarn.

If you like the Forest Kingdom books (or the Twilight of the Empire books), you should take quite well to this one.

a great book,
but not Green's best work; if you enjoyed Simon R. Green's Darkwood series, then I highly recommend that you read Shadows Fall, his best work to date.

Reads like a movie novel...
not the best Dark Wood story, in my opinion. But if you enjoyed Blue Moon Rising and Blood and Honor, you will still enjoy Down Among the Dead Men. Its just an interesting little side story in the Dark Wood series. be forewarned, its pretty gritty and gory...

excellent surreal fiction
Though not as grand-scale and plot-involved as Green's other works, this book takes an interesting turn--Green focuses the plotline around the psychology of the main characters, the result being one of the mostinsightful and fascinating pieces of surreal fiction I've read.Greenretains he dramatic talents and smooth writing, and the reader is hookedform the first chapter on an incredibly involving drama of the mind.Andyet, throughout, none of the sword-and-sorcery classic fantasy element islost. ... Read more

Product Description
"A good book, a good read, and FUN!" Vector In Castle Midnight, where the Real and the Unreal meet, the King lies murdered and his three sons ready themselves to do battle for his throne. But one prince is ill, possibly the victim of poison, so his loyal followers, determined to keep the prince's illness a secret, hire an impersonator. The Great Jordan had been a great actor, but, down on his luck and reduced to the role of a travelling player, he is more than willing to take on the royal part ...until the Unreal starts to get the upper hand. As whole sections of the castle become supernatural no-go areas, with hallucinations and spectres as thick on the ground as traitors and spies, the Great Jordan begins to wonder if this might be his last curtain call ... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Best selection and price.
I lost my original copy of this book. The best selections and prices were on Amazon.com. This copy was purchased from the UK, that should tell you how badly I wanted to get this book back into my collection. Shipping was quick and very reasonable.

A Most Excellent Book.Huzzah!
Another literary victory for Simon R. Green.He's the wittiest writer I've yet encountered, much more so than Douglas Adams, in my opinion.Green can weave a great sci-fi tale while being creative and funny, and introduce the most unexpected yet completely plausible plot twists I've ever seen.It's great to read a book and hang on every word, instead of being able to see the predictable end after the first few chapters.
This is a great read, and the cover's artwork is well-done.A worthwhile addition to any library.

A fun and wonderful read
This is a great book that I have read many times.It has a great plot with good development, and just enough twists to keep you going.I love the way the characters are unfolded to us a bit at a time to keep us guessing.This is a great fun book without all the weird dark garbage so many authors put in their books about magic and mayhem.All in all it's a great book worth getting.I would love to have the e-book since i have already worn out two paperbacks. ... Read more

Product Description
Now in one volume, three action-packed adventures of Hawk & Fisher-from Simon R. Green, the New York Times bestselling author of the Deathstalker series.

They're lovers. They're partners. They're cops.

They're the battle-scarred crime-busters of a never-ending urban war. Hawk rules the streets by battle-axe. Fisher cracks down on outlaws with sword and dagger. Their merciless beat is the sinister city misnamed Haven-a dark and violent town overrun with spell-casters, demons, and thieves. A place where money will buy anything... except justice. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

too much politics
I'd read the first book in this series years ago and remember really enjoying it. So I thought I'd get the compliation of the first 3 books to take on vacation. I was disappointed.

Either my memory is faulty or my reading preferences have changed. The action I anticipated was so diluted with the political commentaries of Hawk, that I actually quit reading mid-way into the second book.

Great charaters, fast past story, great read!
It may not be great liteture. but it's a heck of a lot of fun. Dependable stories, really as much mystery as fantasy. Well written and a joy to read.

Early Simon Green, Not As Fun As Later Simon Green
I checked out Green's earlier works after getting hooked on his later stuff.Hawk is a less complex version of Green's male hero, who usually plays the detective. Fisher is a simpler version of Green's typical strong female lead; she has no issues and is married to Hawk.Mr. Green introduces legendary characters at a slower pace than later series, and they aren't as interesting.Generally Hawk and Fisher (jaded non-practicing Christians) work together, as opposed to John Taylor's and Edwin Drood's constant stream of new interesting partners.Haven also has more political hand-waving than Green's other stuff; he eventually learned purifying his plot and action made better books.

The City of Haven itself shares several features with the Nightside: the Street of the Gods (complete with street preachers), a harsh district (the Shades vs northside), and a governing body which employs the main character-hero yet is largely corrupt.

As I read through the volumes, the contrasts became more apparent, rendering 'Hawk and Fisher' a pale shadow of the later works Mr. Green would produce. Rather than get too specific, here's my impressions of the books:

Hawk and Fisher -- average hack & slash, character descriptions repeated later ***
Winner Takes All -- closed room murder mystery; magic solves everything **
The God Killer -- fantastic descriptions; good sword & sorcery ****

Overall I recommend Simon R. Green's Nightside series if you want a better, more modern version of Haven. Begin with "Something from the Nightside" (Nightside, Book 1).Or you can skip right to "The Man with The Golden Torc," another series set in the same world as the Nightside series, but with little overlap.

Basic story, maybe better for younger readers?
I found myself bored reading this book.I read his book "Shadows Fall" and really enjoyed it, but I stopped this one after the first of the three books included were complete.It wasn't a bad story - but it was too simple and lacked depth.I think I might have enjoyed this when I was younger - but to me it lacks depth now.

You can't go wrong with Simon R. Green!
I first read the Deathstalker series and loved it- wanting more of his work, I turned to Blue Moon- still wanting more I picked up the Hawk and Fisher books and found myself in practically the same universe- and VERY happy.The characters are wonderful.I only wish there were more books!Green's writing style just pulls you in!You can't help but love Hawk and Fisher's "We've been through worse." when everything seems just about as bad as it could be.

This series is a definite read- and if you want to try his sci-fi with the same type of grim world where good is set against overwhelming odds, I highly recommend the Deathstalker series.

I'm just starting his Nightside series, and that's fun so far too! ... Read more

Product Description
Rupert didn't especially want to be a prince. And he certainly never asked to be the second son of a royal line that really didn't need a spare. So he was sent out to slay a dragon and prove himself-a quest straight out of legend. But he also discovered the kinds of things legends tend to leave out, as well as the usual demons, goblins, the dreaded Night Witch-and even worse terrors hidden in the shadows of Darkwood.

Rupert did find a fiery dragon-and a beautiful princess to rescue. But the dragon turned out to be a better friend than anyone back at the castle, and with the evil of Darkwood spreading, Rupert was going to need all the friends he could get. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (66)

Not the worst book I've ever read - but close.
It's because of books like this that people think Fantasy novels are for children and idiots.

Limp characterization. Huge plot holes. Purple prose. And dialogue so clunky you wonder if the author ever actually listened to people talk.

Oh, and Cliches Cliches Cliches.

I'm willing to give it two stars because there were a few mildly interesting plot twists.

I might have liked this book if I'd read it when I was 13, but I liked everything when I was 13. Now I know a good book from a bad one, and this, my friends, is a bad one...

Blue Moon Rising by Simon R. Green
Blue Moon Rising by Simon R. Green- This is the first book of a series of stand-alone novels under the title of Forest Kingdom. However, each book is an entirely new story with different characters. The second book is called Blood and Honour and the third book is called Down Among the Dead. The two main protagonists are also the main characters in Simon R. Green's Hawk and Fisher series (No Haven for the Guilty, Devil Take the Hindmost, The God Killer, Vengeance for a Lonely Man, Guard Against Dishonour, Two Kings in Haven, and Beyond the Blue Moon). Simon R. Green has written a number of various series; Twilight of the Empire, Deathstalker, Deathstalker Legacy, Nightside, and Secret Histories. His is currently starting a new series called Ghostfinders that has its first book due out in August 2010. He's written two stand-alone novels, Shadows Fall and Drinking Midnight Wine, and has written a number of short stories. Blue Moon Rising was originally released in 1991 and published by Roc.

Prince Rupert knows he was sent on an impossible mission to slay a dragon. He knows his father, King John, sent him to die so that his older brother, Prince Harald, can become the next king. With his unicorn, Rupert journeys deep into the forest and into a place called the Tanglewood, a 'buffer zone' to the evil and corrupt land called the Darkwood. In order to find the dragon, Rupert has to seek the aid of a Night Witch, who tells him that the dragon is found beyond the Darkwood. Rupert and his unicorn travel in and beyond the oppressive darkness and barely make it out alive. After finding the dragon, he learns that the dragon is a peaceful creature who has a princess under his care. A princess who has been tormenting the dragon for a while. After 'saving' Princess Julia from the dragon, and finding out he can't kill so noble a creature, the group travel back to the Forest Kingdom and his father. During the trip back through the Darkwood, things don't go well for the group and they barely makes it out alive. Upon returning to his home, Rupert learns that the demons from the Darkwood are attacking the Forest Lands and the kingdoms only hope lies with an exiled Warlock. To make things worse, Julia finds out that Rupert's brother, Harald, is who she was to marry. As war looms over the land, Rupert is sent out to bring back the Warlock and travel, once again, through the Darkwood. When he returns, things are not looking good.

Criticisms:
1) Cliché. Wow was this story cliché. There barely seemed to be anything that was unique or new. What should I start with? How about the story. I know it's hard to write a new and fresh story, but this was just too basic. How bad is it when a story is just basically about good vs. evil? Sure, there were a few 'twists' but that's the whole premise. This wasn't very horrible, but it grated on my nerves. Speaking of twists, this story had them and guess what? They were terrible. The biggest twist comes after we find out who the Demon Prince is talking to in a scene around the middle of the book. We don't know who they are but it soon becomes obvious, and that's pathetic. I don't want to give it away, but I will say this. Harald would have made a lot more sense and would have felt justified. I will give the story this though, it was hard to believe it wasn't Harald. Even when we do find out who it was, it didn't come as a shock at all. The twists were way to obvious. Finally we have the characters. Each character is a horrible cliché, but I'll get into that next.
2) Characters. Almost all the characters we meet are just basic and stock. There is really nothing unique about them. Rupert is as boring as they come. He does have his moments though, but for the most part, he has to be one of the blandest and annoying main characters I've ever read about. He just isn't likable. The Warlock is the stock old man who has great power but can go a minute without drinking. While this character wasn't totally awful, I just found him annoying. The Champion who accompanies Rupert is probably the worst cliché. He's every stories impossibly strong warrior who is stoic and unmoving. But even with the clichés, the real problem was that every character felt underdeveloped. There just wasn't enough to make me actually care about these people. They were just two-dimensional and unrealistic that I could barely stand them. That being said, I loathed Julia. I absolutely did not like her and because of this I WILL SPOIL things about her. When we first met her, she seemed okay and great. As the story wore on, my opinion barely changed. She was decent and somewhat likable. But all that changed in a blink of an eye. After Rupert leaves to find the Warlock, Julia is left alone at the castle. The whole time we see her there she's thinking about Rupert and missing him. It seems like she might love him. Ever since she found out who Harald was, she would always try to hurt or avoid him. Yet, what happens when Rupert returns? It seems like she totally forgot about him. Going so far as trying to make Rupert jealous with Harald. She turns into this petty person and that the worst thing. She basically becomes a high schooler in how she acts. Sure seven months is a long time, but it seems like she just started to realize that Rupert wouldn't be coming back at about month four or five. Then after a few pages, she's suddenly back with Rupert. Why? Did she suddenly realize that she loves Rupert, well yes she does. But it just seemed so wishy-washy and was just plain poor character development that I can't help but hate her.
3. Relationships. I think the biggest problem with the story is character relationships. They just don't ever seem to form. In the case of Rupert and Julia, we are told that they love each other by page one hundred. There was no building up the relationship, there barely was anything. All we were told is that a few months pass and Julia and Rupert seemed to like each other. That's it. Then we have Rupert and the dragon. It's the same case as Julia, but for friendship. We're just told that they are friends. Yet for about three-quarters of the story, the dragon isn't in it. So when he finally returns, it's suddenly like Rupert and the dragon are buddies. What makes this worse is that on the back of the book it says, "But the dragon turned out to be a better friend than anyone back at the castle." Huh? Seriously there doesn't seem to be any friendship that developed other than being told that they were. It's lazy.

Praise:
1) Humor. The story was really funny. It reads more like a parody than a serious fantasy novel, and it actually works. The jokes and situations that the characters get into are really humorous. However, it felt like only half the story was a parody while the other half was serious. It didn't help that the humor and seriousness meshed together in the same paragraph. I just felt wrong. But I can forgive that because I really did enjoy most of the humor.
2) John and Harald. These were the only characters that seemed to have some depth to them. King John was by far the best. He was the most complex and interesting. From his friendship with the court Astrologer we see a deep and insightful character. There were times when he came off as swallow and unlikable, but these were times when the story actually needed him to be. As for Harald, he was just plain interesting. The way that Harald teased Rupert was great and the fact that he hides his loyalty to his father and land so well just made him memorable.
3) Last Quarter. I really enjoyed the last quarter. It did have its problems (Julia, obvious twists, and poor showing of relationships), but it was exciting and fun. The action scenes were confusing, but it felt right. The desperation that the characters felt, I felt. I couldn't keep the book down for too long during this time. It was a fun ride to the finish.

Side Notes:
1) Scenes. Why was it that we would have three paragraphs with one persons view-point and suddenly switch to another? It was kind of jarring at first, but easily adaptable.
2) Cover Art. I know that there are a few different versions, but the one I'm going to be talking about is the one above. It's pathetic and boring. Sure the unicorn and dragon look great. Rupert and Julia are laughably bad. But what bothers me is the white. It's just too lazy and boring.

Overall: 3/5
Final Thoughts:
Blue Moon Rising should have stayed being a parody. It would have worked better with it being cliché, but once it turned serious, the cliché things just became unbearable. The characters were pathetic. They were so underdeveloped and unlikable that the only people I enjoyed were the king and Harald. At least they had some substance. The other major problem was that I never believed the relationships between these characters were there. I don't like being told they are friends, I want to see it unfold. It's just lazy otherwise. All in all, I have to say that Blue Moon Rising is a decent read. It's exciting at points, boring at others but it does its job. If you like parodies, definitely pick it up. Otherwise, use your judgment.

Blue Moon Rising
Blue Moon Rising starts out as a stereotypical knee slapping style story as it goes though everything the jacket mentions. There is a sarcastic unicorn, wise dragon, and feisty princess. Not to mention the dark woods and demons. After the first 100 pages though, the story completely changes. What you thought was going to be simple quest based fantasy becomes character driven, and thoroughly entertaining. We get intrigue at the castle and multiple traitors, as well as funny goblins and an angry princess. The story behind the south tower, the high warlock, and the champion are all interesting, and every character in this story is realistic and believable. Blue Moon Rising was setting up to be a great story for me until it started to drag at around page 350. The final big fight was a bit uninteresting to me and overly detailed, but that could be explained by my taste. I'm not a fan of 10 page long battle scenes. If you take the last battle out, then I'd give the novel 4 stars. Don't judge this book by the cover or jacket, it is more in depth and multidimensional than it seems. There is just the right amount of humor, drama, quests, and character development to make this a well balanced, well developed fantasy.

Well-Shaped, but Not Literature
Overview:

The story is a light (generally), fun (mostly) read that had some interesting elements. The story is not original, instead being a pastiche of hackneyed crap from other fantasy novels that has been rearranged and reworked into something cute, fun, and amusing. Fans of the Myth Saga of Aahz and Skeeve by Robert Aspirin should take note here. This is in a similar vein, albeit a little bit darker. Despite the darkness and the death and the doom and the gloom, it's a fairly light read, really.

A. Plot

The plot of the book was really its driving force, even if it is not entirely new. This is not surprising; it is fantasy adventure, not literature. The second son of the king is sent (to die) to find a dragon and prove his worth. Instead, he comes back with the dragon and a princess, who was supposed to marry his older brother, until she was sacrificed to the dragon (who wanted nothing to do with her). He fails to die, so he is sent on another quest with the same goal. Surprisingly, he still doesn't die. Instead, he keeps being a nuisance, right up until the end of the book.

The plot is well done, overall. The conflicts are a bit obvious at times, and nothing here treads new ground. The traitors in the castle are obvious, none of the plot twists are really twisty (although some obvious ones are left out). Despite this, I give it good marks. Why? Because this is fantasy. It's not supposed to be complex, deep, and full of pathos. Rather, it is supposed to be escapism, and it is that, pretty well, too. So, I give it full marks. Just not a lot of stars. The intentions were not high enough to justify any more, despite fully meeting all of the author's goals.

B. Characters

The characters in the book were fun and engaging. None of them are stereotypical characters, but they aren't so opposite as to be just as meaningless. For example, the dragon does not hoard wealth, but butterflies. He is not a philanthropist, though. He eats people, occasionally. The unicorn is not bravely charging into battle, nor is he cowardly avoiding it all the time. Instead, he bites down, is sardonic about it, and goes with Rupert. Similar things could be said about the other characters, but don't need to be. If you like fantasy, just read it instead of this.

None of the characters really develop and grow in the book, though. They are pretty much the same at the end as they are at the beginning. But, on the other hand, this is just a fatasy novel. Having higher expectations for it puts it in the realm of literature, which this isn't.

C. Setting

Set in the Forest Kingdom (such an original name!), the settings include such typical fantasy fare as a castle, a forest, a tower, a dragon's cave, etc. There isn't anything really novel about the setting, other than a dark forest that is spreading its borders into the rest of the kingdom.

D. Theme

Darkness! Angst! Despair! It's like an emo kid's diary. After a while, it gets a bit annoying.

Treachery! Corruption! Betrayal! It's like a soap opera. After a while, it becomes tedious.

E. Point of View

The point of view is entirely third person, limited omniscience. For the beginning of the story, we mainly follow Rupert in his quests. Not too long after, we are exposed to others as the center of attention, alternating between Rupert and Julia, with occasional forays into other characters mindsets. The perspectives are not problematic, but they are not novel, either, contributing little to the book.

F. Aesthetics

The aesthetics in the book are negligible. The descriptions are brief in general, despite others' reviews. The text is not overly flowery; the sentences are generally brief, although the chapters are quite long (almost 100 pages for some). Again, not causing enough problems to distract, but not enough to write home about.

Conclusion:

I would eagerly recommend this to people who enjoy fantasy. It has some depth in addition to the interesting characters. It isn't literature, but it wasn't intended to be. It is supposed to be good, light fun. And, for the most part, it is. There is some dark, angsty, badness, but it doesn't overwhelm the remainder of the fun.

B+

Harkius

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What can I say about this amazing author? The guy is my hero! He writes the kind of pulp fiction in fantasy, mystery and science fiction that I'd give my right arm to effortlessly produce. (Though I'm sure he sweats the details as much as I do, it all looks seamless.) He makes you feel the place, it's like being there. You live and breath his characters. Having been a part of Prince Rupert's ride from the beginning in Blue Moon Rising, to see what he's become as Hawk in the Partnership with Fisher (AKA Princess Julia) was not so much a revelation as a homecoming. READ THIS BOOK and then go and seek out the Deathstalker series, which is equally as great, along with his newer work the Nightside Books and The Secret Histories. A great line in wit, characterisation and storytelling. Highly reccomended. ... Read more

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