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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
challenging
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Today I'm bringing you my review for Inside Man!!🎊
From me, this 2nd novella in the Prosper's Demon series gets 5 ⭐!!🥳
For anyone who's curious 👀, I also have a post on the 1st one☺️
General info : fantasy novella with a paranormal twist; part of a series ; horror elements mixt in with alternative history
CW: descriptions of mutilation, graphic deaths, a little talk about demonic possession
#bookthoughts
This is a novella, and, by definition, very short.😅 So, I cannot talk extensively about it without giving you spoilers.🤔
Here's what I'm gonna do...in my opinion, you don't really have to read the 1st instalment to understand what is happening ( but it's way funnier if you do)...we have a demonic unnamed MC this time around..and we follow him as he receives an odd request from HQ...to work with an exorcist 👀..in solving an issue that very well may destroy The Plan 😶
This story is very much a journal entry for this entity, as we get to know his feelings and thoughts on anything he deems important. From father Eusebius, the Third Horn Monastery, to HQ, to Lofty, Him and The Plan, possession in general and his 'new partner'.🤭
I really enjoyed Parker's dry sarcasm for our narrator. He's very good at keeping you engaged given his unique premise and perspective 👀🤭.
We also have a 50-50 balance when it comes to action vs discussion...not to mention, these discussions with you, the reader, offer interesting ideas on the divine, religion, purpose of your actions / beliefs. Parker presents a new take on The Plan and how one should see Good vs Evil...from a 'humble' demon's pov😆. (Morality is heavily debated)
The atmosphere is great, writing is excellent and, for the world-building...it seems that all the works of this author happen in the same universe 🤔..so..bonus points! 😂
The best part is the character work 🤌...here this title shines bright and will definitely remain in your memory!😏
BTW...reader's discretion is advised 😅..not everyone may like this take on a higher power, or the ending for that matter 🤷🏼♀️.
All I can say is enjoy the ride, experience great writing and be open to surprises.🙃
From me, this 2nd novella in the Prosper's Demon series gets 5 ⭐!!🥳
For anyone who's curious 👀, I also have a post on the 1st one☺️
General info : fantasy novella with a paranormal twist; part of a series ; horror elements mixt in with alternative history
CW: descriptions of mutilation, graphic deaths, a little talk about demonic possession
#bookthoughts
This is a novella, and, by definition, very short.😅 So, I cannot talk extensively about it without giving you spoilers.🤔
Here's what I'm gonna do...in my opinion, you don't really have to read the 1st instalment to understand what is happening ( but it's way funnier if you do)...we have a demonic unnamed MC this time around..and we follow him as he receives an odd request from HQ...to work with an exorcist 👀..in solving an issue that very well may destroy The Plan 😶
This story is very much a journal entry for this entity, as we get to know his feelings and thoughts on anything he deems important. From father Eusebius, the Third Horn Monastery, to HQ, to Lofty, Him and The Plan, possession in general and his 'new partner'.🤭
I really enjoyed Parker's dry sarcasm for our narrator. He's very good at keeping you engaged given his unique premise and perspective 👀🤭.
We also have a 50-50 balance when it comes to action vs discussion...not to mention, these discussions with you, the reader, offer interesting ideas on the divine, religion, purpose of your actions / beliefs. Parker presents a new take on The Plan and how one should see Good vs Evil...from a 'humble' demon's pov😆. (Morality is heavily debated)
The atmosphere is great, writing is excellent and, for the world-building...it seems that all the works of this author happen in the same universe 🤔..so..bonus points! 😂
The best part is the character work 🤌...here this title shines bright and will definitely remain in your memory!😏
BTW...reader's discretion is advised 😅..not everyone may like this take on a higher power, or the ending for that matter 🤷🏼♀️.
All I can say is enjoy the ride, experience great writing and be open to surprises.🙃
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gore
I bounced a bit off [b:Prosper's Demon|50905325|Prosper's Demon|K.J. Parker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1565123933l/50905325._SX50_SY75_.jpg|72621511], as it was a bit too cruel and cynical for my liking, especially when contrasted with [b:Penric's Demon|25791216|Penric's Demon (Penric and Desdemona, #1)|Lois McMaster Bujold|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1436108514l/25791216._SX50_.jpg|45642232], which I fell in love with a year later.
This one is far kinder than its sibling novella. Still dry and irreverant, with quick scene changes, but the narrator is a lot less of an asshole and vastly more relatable, being a demon just doing their job™ as equal and opposite to heaven. And while it takes a bit to get there, this demon also questions if there is an ineffable plan, much like Crowley from [b:Good Omens|12067|Good Omens The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch|Terry Pratchett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1615552073l/12067._SY75_.jpg|4110990], which makes them that much more likeable.
The book is very light on plot, more an extended reflection on the bureaucracy of Heaven & Hell and if, despite having set jobs and no free will, if there is a Plan at all or if He is just winging all of it.
There is a section that's either about the kind of people Christians are or the kind of people Jewish people are; if it's the latter it feels a bit uncomfy to me, a gentile, but if it's the former it does nail the whole persecution complex that a lot of loud Christianity has.
While still very cynical, the likeability of the narrator makes all the difference in my enjoyment. Hovering somewhere between 3.5 and 3.8 stars - not fun enough to merit a full-throated 4 stars, but good enough to round up to that at least.
This one is far kinder than its sibling novella. Still dry and irreverant, with quick scene changes, but the narrator is a lot less of an asshole and vastly more relatable, being a demon just doing their job™ as equal and opposite to heaven. And while it takes a bit to get there, this demon also questions if there is an ineffable plan, much like Crowley from [b:Good Omens|12067|Good Omens The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch|Terry Pratchett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1615552073l/12067._SY75_.jpg|4110990], which makes them that much more likeable.
The book is very light on plot, more an extended reflection on the bureaucracy of Heaven & Hell and if, despite having set jobs and no free will, if there is a Plan at all or if He is just winging all of it.
There is a section that's either about the kind of people Christians are or the kind of people Jewish people are; if it's the latter it feels a bit uncomfy to me, a gentile, but if it's the former it does nail the whole persecution complex that a lot of loud Christianity has.
While still very cynical, the likeability of the narrator makes all the difference in my enjoyment. Hovering somewhere between 3.5 and 3.8 stars - not fun enough to merit a full-throated 4 stars, but good enough to round up to that at least.
challenging
dark
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is the third novella by Parker I have read, and by far my least favorite. This may be because it feels like a retread of the same ground already trodden by [b:The Devil You Know|27158850|The Devil You Know|K.J. Parker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1444908820l/27158850._SY75_.jpg|47198285] and [b:Prosper's Demon|50905325|Prosper's Demon|K.J. Parker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1565123933l/50905325._SX50_SY75_.jpg|72621511], but more chaotic.
Like the other two novellas, this is about a snarky, Deadpool-esque demon trying to outwit a human (in this case, also possibly trying to outwit other demons). It feels like the Deadpool element was cranked up to 11, with so many modern US pop culture references with a fantasy twist that it becomes increasingly nonsensical ("This is all second-archer-on-the-grassy-knoll stuff"), and with repetitive descriptions of an exorcist metaphorically/metaphysically beating up demons (even when he's a fetus!) in a "humorous" way ("He hits me. Then he jumps on my broken metaphorical ribs").
This feels like it was fun for Parker to write, and for certain folks really fun to read. But it was not my sense of humor or cup of tea, and the tight plotting of Prosper's Demon was missing.
Like the other two novellas, this is about a snarky, Deadpool-esque demon trying to outwit a human (in this case, also possibly trying to outwit other demons). It feels like the Deadpool element was cranked up to 11, with so many modern US pop culture references with a fantasy twist that it becomes increasingly nonsensical ("This is all second-archer-on-the-grassy-knoll stuff"), and with repetitive descriptions of an exorcist metaphorically/metaphysically beating up demons (even when he's a fetus!) in a "humorous" way ("He hits me. Then he jumps on my broken metaphorical ribs").
This feels like it was fun for Parker to write, and for certain folks really fun to read. But it was not my sense of humor or cup of tea, and the tight plotting of Prosper's Demon was missing.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Nos encontramos ante la segunda parte de "El demonio de Próspero" pero, en este caso, cambian los papeles, puesto que nuestro protagonista no es otro que un demonio.
Lo que os puedo contar de la trama, sin destripar la historia, es que conoceremos a un demonio que se dirige a nosotros durante su narración, contándonos cómo se ve envuelto en una posesión a un Duque que puede poner en jaque el "Plan".
Igual que en la primera parte nos metíamos en la mente de un exorcista, en este caso acompañamos a uno de sus acerrimos enemigos, conociendo los pensamientos y tejemanejes de este ser, siempre desde un punto de vista humorístico y muy sarcástico, lo cual es de agradecer, porque convierte esta historia en una delicia que te arranca alguna que otra sonrisa.
Es una novela corta que se puede leer de forma independiente, pero yo os recomiendo que leáis primero "El demonio de Próspero" porque, de esa forma, captaréis las menciones y guiños que se hacen en este libro y, además, os resultará mucho más interesante el cambio de roles que se produce.
Debo confesar que éste me ha gustado mucho más que el primero. Por una parte, me ha encantado cómo el demonio narra la historia, con ese toque de sarcasmo e incluso resignación y, por otro lado, me ha gustado la visión de los demonios que nos ofrece el autor, cambiando muchas de las ideas preconcebidas que tenemos sobre cielo e infierno. Me ha resultado muy interesante e incluso me ha hecho reflexionar.
En general, una novela corta llena de sarcasmo y humor, que nos mete en la mente de un demonio, que nos va narrando, mientras rompe la cuarta pared, cómo se desarrolla el "Plan" que tienen preparado para el mundo.
Lo que os puedo contar de la trama, sin destripar la historia, es que conoceremos a un demonio que se dirige a nosotros durante su narración, contándonos cómo se ve envuelto en una posesión a un Duque que puede poner en jaque el "Plan".
Igual que en la primera parte nos metíamos en la mente de un exorcista, en este caso acompañamos a uno de sus acerrimos enemigos, conociendo los pensamientos y tejemanejes de este ser, siempre desde un punto de vista humorístico y muy sarcástico, lo cual es de agradecer, porque convierte esta historia en una delicia que te arranca alguna que otra sonrisa.
Es una novela corta que se puede leer de forma independiente, pero yo os recomiendo que leáis primero "El demonio de Próspero" porque, de esa forma, captaréis las menciones y guiños que se hacen en este libro y, además, os resultará mucho más interesante el cambio de roles que se produce.
Debo confesar que éste me ha gustado mucho más que el primero. Por una parte, me ha encantado cómo el demonio narra la historia, con ese toque de sarcasmo e incluso resignación y, por otro lado, me ha gustado la visión de los demonios que nos ofrece el autor, cambiando muchas de las ideas preconcebidas que tenemos sobre cielo e infierno. Me ha resultado muy interesante e incluso me ha hecho reflexionar.
En general, una novela corta llena de sarcasmo y humor, que nos mete en la mente de un demonio, que nos va narrando, mientras rompe la cuarta pared, cómo se desarrolla el "Plan" que tienen preparado para el mundo.
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“I distinctly remember telling them all, back in the day. It’ll all end in tears, I told them. But they wouldn’t listen, and they went ahead, and the rest is theology.”
I love the theory that’s gone into building this world. It allows for witty, cynical, and morally gray characters to stand out in all the best ways. Following a demon’s perspective was a great choice and made for an immensely engaging read throughout. My one issue with this novella is the plot twist. I understood it in theory, and it allowed for one of two worthwhile theoretical explorations… but I didn’t find it all that interesting in practice. Slightly disappointed, but not completely dissatisfied.
past reads:
• august 2022 - 3 stars
I love the theory that’s gone into building this world. It allows for witty, cynical, and morally gray characters to stand out in all the best ways. Following a demon’s perspective was a great choice and made for an immensely engaging read throughout. My one issue with this novella is the plot twist. I understood it in theory, and it allowed for one of two worthwhile theoretical explorations… but I didn’t find it all that interesting in practice. Slightly disappointed, but not completely dissatisfied.
past reads:
• august 2022 - 3 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Murder