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Mischief Mayhem Want and Woe #1
Chuggie and the Desecration of Stagwater
In the first installment of Mischief Mayhem Want and Woe, Brent Michael Kelley unleashes the horrors of Desecration on Stagwater.
Norchug Mot Losiat, Chuggie to his friends, is the embodiment of Drought. When, in his rambling, he stumbles upon the remote city of Stagwater, he finds love, temptation, and treachery. He fights against men, demons, and his own nature to battle the sinister forces threatening the city. But Chuggie? All he wants is a boat.
Norchug Mot Losiat, Chuggie to his friends, is the embodiment of Drought. When, in his rambling, he stumbles upon the remote city of Stagwater, he finds love, temptation, and treachery. He fights against men, demons, and his own nature to battle the sinister forces threatening the city. But Chuggie? All he wants is a boat.
334 pages, Paperback
First published November 29, 2011
17 people are currently reading
268 people want to read
About the author
Brent Michael Kelley
17 books71 followersBrent Michael Kelley lives and writes in the Wisconsin Northwoods. He shares a home with such things as hairless dogs, a snake named Darth Batman, and the woman he married on Halloween. In addition to writing about his pal Chuggie, he likes writing story-poems, painting monsters, and making wine. Some say late at night, if you’re alone by a campfire, you can summon Brent by closing your eyes and saying his name eleven times. He insists this is not true and there’s no way it will work… yet.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 9, 2013
A non-Medieval Europe analog secondary world fantasy novel, with some SF sprinkles, and smothered with plenty of bloody horror gravy. If you like some interdimensional energy beings clothed in giant robot armor alongside hordes of undead ghoulies, black magicians, and scarecrow armies, then you're going to really like this.
I'm particularly partial to genre mash-ups like this. The only issue I had with the book was that it could have gone through another round of line edits. The writing itself was very good. It's just that there was a bit of detritus left behind from someone (the author? the editor?) reworking sentences in earlier drafts. I'm talking about the kind of thing that leaves an extra word in a sentence that obviously wasn't meant to be left there, or an errant letter "t" from an omitted word.
Fiddly bits, really. Distracting? Yes. But nothing that stopped me from really enjoying this piece and adding the next in the series to my to-read pile.
Oh, and I must mention that the titular character, Chuggie, is a singular creation. He's sort of a wandering, bumbling, drunken badass. His weapon of choice(?) is a boat anchor chained to his torso. He's ugly as sin, has five horns on his head, and just happens to be the walking embodiment of drought.
Recommended to readers of both New Weird and Horror.
I'm particularly partial to genre mash-ups like this. The only issue I had with the book was that it could have gone through another round of line edits. The writing itself was very good. It's just that there was a bit of detritus left behind from someone (the author? the editor?) reworking sentences in earlier drafts. I'm talking about the kind of thing that leaves an extra word in a sentence that obviously wasn't meant to be left there, or an errant letter "t" from an omitted word.
Fiddly bits, really. Distracting? Yes. But nothing that stopped me from really enjoying this piece and adding the next in the series to my to-read pile.
Oh, and I must mention that the titular character, Chuggie, is a singular creation. He's sort of a wandering, bumbling, drunken badass. His weapon of choice(?) is a boat anchor chained to his torso. He's ugly as sin, has five horns on his head, and just happens to be the walking embodiment of drought.
Recommended to readers of both New Weird and Horror.
December 3, 2011
I'm going to admit that, based on the cover alone, I probably wouldn't have bought this book. Not that the cover is bad, it's actually quite charming. But looking at it gives me the impression of a YA novel, with the crayon-like colors and the pumpkin-headed things approaching the horn-headed protagonist who appears to be chained to a tree. But the book was recommended so I gave it a go...and I am very glad that I did.
I don't know if Kelley does this, but when I write a book sometimes I imagine a particular actor, celebrity or even a friend as a character when I'm writing them. It just makes it play out in my head better. I also do this when I'm reading a book. So, I can't say for sure who Kelly had in mind when he was writing Norchug (Chuggie) but I can tell you who I imagined: Tom Waits. Except with horns. And it worked perfectly for me.
Despite being as old as the world itself, Chuggie is a pretty simple fellow. Unfortunately, he lives in a world full of ulterior motives. Chuggie's motivation is simple: he just wants to live a simple life...whatever that means for a living embodiment of a force of destruction. Stuff keeps getting in the way, like a town run by three evil bastards: Stagwater. Though Chuggie's plans there are rather simple (he wants a boat...he's already got the anchor) all the power players there have other plans for him. Some want him dead, some want to recruit him, a couple want to marry him. Chuggie doesn't want any part in this, but he gets pulled in against his better judgement.
Chuggie is an entertaining character, kind of an O, Malandro rogue. He's as old as the world itself, but still seems to fit into it somehow. As the avatar of drought, Chuggie is always thirsty and, if he wishes, can drain the liquid out of everything. He's not particularly comfortable with this ability, so he doesn't enjoy using it. Still, it's always there in the background, haunting him. He learned a while back that being drunk quiets the voice, so he made that permanent--which apparently he also has the power to do. Chuggie is therefore drunk at almost all points in the book. As such, people tend to assume he's just a common drifter, and he likes it that way. Unfortunately, those in the know see him for what he really is, or at least can tell he's more than that.
The story is compelling: Chuggie tries to enter Stagwater to buy a boat for a trip to a warmer place. All he has is a bag of junk, the clothes on his back, and an anchor (in the shape of a lady) at the end of a chain he wraps around his body. Chuggie uses the anchor as a flailing weapon at several points in the book, which is hilarious because getting hit with an anchor WOULD HURT SO MUCH! If you're like me, you'll laugh out loud the first time he tosses the anchor into someone. Anyway, Stagwater lets him know he isn't welcome and tries to send him north, even using magic to try and compel him to go there. They definitely don't want him going south, or entering the town. So, Chuggie goes south just to piss them off. That's where he meets a woman living in the forest, a witch seemingly imprisoned by a magical spell, but attended by an army of animated scarecrows (no, they don't sing). Chuggie, who has been alone most of his life, falls in love with the witch and is motivated to free her. She sends him back to Stagwater to look for an item that can save her. And that's where things start to get complicated.
The most entertaining part of the book are Chuggie's dialog, both internal and external. Chuggie is creative with his profanity, using terms like "slime tits!" and "goat rammin frog dicks!" Chuggie's biggest flaw is that, despite his age, he's relatively naive and trusting. Despite living in a world full of people who don't care about anything but their own agenda, Chuggie takes people at their word a lot and that's what leads him to almost getting killed a lot. But it's understandable that he'd be that way. Chuggie is a simple creature: a force of nature, more or less. The world is far more complicated, and Chuggie's outsiderness makes him ill equipped to operate in it with the same level of guile as those around him. He gets along best with other characters with similar, simple motivations; two city guards who only care about their families, a child who just wants a home, and a conjurer who just wants to practice her art. I enjoyed watching Chuggie maneuver through whatever they threw at him, always on the very edge of losing everything. It was very endearing.
Despite it's kind of playfulness, the book has an undercurrent of darkness and horror. There are evil, unspeakable, disgusting things lurking in the woods north of the city. Terrible things happen in the city, too. Evil and destruction is present in all forms, from undead abominations, greed, lust, envy and revenge. Ironically, Chuggie is the only power player in the field who doesn't want to destroy anything.
I highly recommend this book to fans of fantasy or horror. The world is compellingly built, giving just enough details about thing and place outside the immediate sphere of the narrative to make you want to hear more. The characters are attractive and deep. The writing is good. On the downside, there were a couple of parts where POV was murky, but it doesn't throw you out of the story. Chuggie, in particular, is one of the most endearing characters I've met since Tyrion Lannister from the A Song of Ice and Fire series. I couldn't get enough of him. And I think you'll enjoy him too.
I don't know if Kelley does this, but when I write a book sometimes I imagine a particular actor, celebrity or even a friend as a character when I'm writing them. It just makes it play out in my head better. I also do this when I'm reading a book. So, I can't say for sure who Kelly had in mind when he was writing Norchug (Chuggie) but I can tell you who I imagined: Tom Waits. Except with horns. And it worked perfectly for me.
Despite being as old as the world itself, Chuggie is a pretty simple fellow. Unfortunately, he lives in a world full of ulterior motives. Chuggie's motivation is simple: he just wants to live a simple life...whatever that means for a living embodiment of a force of destruction. Stuff keeps getting in the way, like a town run by three evil bastards: Stagwater. Though Chuggie's plans there are rather simple (he wants a boat...he's already got the anchor) all the power players there have other plans for him. Some want him dead, some want to recruit him, a couple want to marry him. Chuggie doesn't want any part in this, but he gets pulled in against his better judgement.
Chuggie is an entertaining character, kind of an O, Malandro rogue. He's as old as the world itself, but still seems to fit into it somehow. As the avatar of drought, Chuggie is always thirsty and, if he wishes, can drain the liquid out of everything. He's not particularly comfortable with this ability, so he doesn't enjoy using it. Still, it's always there in the background, haunting him. He learned a while back that being drunk quiets the voice, so he made that permanent--which apparently he also has the power to do. Chuggie is therefore drunk at almost all points in the book. As such, people tend to assume he's just a common drifter, and he likes it that way. Unfortunately, those in the know see him for what he really is, or at least can tell he's more than that.
The story is compelling: Chuggie tries to enter Stagwater to buy a boat for a trip to a warmer place. All he has is a bag of junk, the clothes on his back, and an anchor (in the shape of a lady) at the end of a chain he wraps around his body. Chuggie uses the anchor as a flailing weapon at several points in the book, which is hilarious because getting hit with an anchor WOULD HURT SO MUCH! If you're like me, you'll laugh out loud the first time he tosses the anchor into someone. Anyway, Stagwater lets him know he isn't welcome and tries to send him north, even using magic to try and compel him to go there. They definitely don't want him going south, or entering the town. So, Chuggie goes south just to piss them off. That's where he meets a woman living in the forest, a witch seemingly imprisoned by a magical spell, but attended by an army of animated scarecrows (no, they don't sing). Chuggie, who has been alone most of his life, falls in love with the witch and is motivated to free her. She sends him back to Stagwater to look for an item that can save her. And that's where things start to get complicated.
The most entertaining part of the book are Chuggie's dialog, both internal and external. Chuggie is creative with his profanity, using terms like "slime tits!" and "goat rammin frog dicks!" Chuggie's biggest flaw is that, despite his age, he's relatively naive and trusting. Despite living in a world full of people who don't care about anything but their own agenda, Chuggie takes people at their word a lot and that's what leads him to almost getting killed a lot. But it's understandable that he'd be that way. Chuggie is a simple creature: a force of nature, more or less. The world is far more complicated, and Chuggie's outsiderness makes him ill equipped to operate in it with the same level of guile as those around him. He gets along best with other characters with similar, simple motivations; two city guards who only care about their families, a child who just wants a home, and a conjurer who just wants to practice her art. I enjoyed watching Chuggie maneuver through whatever they threw at him, always on the very edge of losing everything. It was very endearing.
Despite it's kind of playfulness, the book has an undercurrent of darkness and horror. There are evil, unspeakable, disgusting things lurking in the woods north of the city. Terrible things happen in the city, too. Evil and destruction is present in all forms, from undead abominations, greed, lust, envy and revenge. Ironically, Chuggie is the only power player in the field who doesn't want to destroy anything.
I highly recommend this book to fans of fantasy or horror. The world is compellingly built, giving just enough details about thing and place outside the immediate sphere of the narrative to make you want to hear more. The characters are attractive and deep. The writing is good. On the downside, there were a couple of parts where POV was murky, but it doesn't throw you out of the story. Chuggie, in particular, is one of the most endearing characters I've met since Tyrion Lannister from the A Song of Ice and Fire series. I couldn't get enough of him. And I think you'll enjoy him too.
December 28, 2015
Brent Kelley is a master of the fantasy/horror/comedy world. Chuggie and the Desecration of Stagwater is my favorite book this year next to Chuggie and the Bleeding Gateways.
When not drunk of his ass or absorbing near by water from anything he can suck it out of, Norchug Mot Losiat or Chuggie, is out having adventures and taking on missions and favors for people he encounters.
Meet Shola, the kind witch banished from Stagwater and forced to live in tight boundaries until Chuggie comes along and not only falls for Shola but agrees to take on the mission of obtaining the goat-face purse which Shola believes can be used to free her. However, Shola is hiding more than she lets on when she sends Chuggie out on an adventure to Stagwater where the town is less than pleased to see him.
Meet Kagen Kale, the not so kind jerk face of Stagwater that is out for blood, torture and power. If only he could rid himself of the fat lazy Chief Magistrate Haste. Kale wants nothing more than to rule over Stagwater with an iron fist. Through the torture of the Carnies that live in the slums of Stagwater and the orphan children, he is able to harness their fear and pain for his own devious ways. His plans become in peril when a strange drunkard with an anchor comes moseying through town.
Haste and Kale know of Chuggie's existent and try to send him to the north where people are said to never return. Smarter than the average drunk Chuggie does not take their advice and finds himself within the walls of Stagwater when he has to find out where to obtain the goat-face purse. Despite the avoidance, north is the direction he must head if he wants to free Shola.
Chuggie does not have to make this trek on his lonesome. With the help of Faben Brassline, a no nonsense female Woodsman willing to help Chuggie. Their mutual distaste for the Magistrate and other leaders of Stagwater fuels their journey.
Faben isn't the only one who seems intersted in helping CHuggie...ENTER THE STEEL JACKS!! Alien like robotic structures that are said to be the protectors of Stagwater. Enforcers if you will that keep the people "safe" as long as Haste and his people play by the rules and laws that are in place. One such Steel Jack, Non, has taken a particular interest in Chuggie and wants to enlist him as part of his crew with the help of Fey Voletta, a blade cultist, that is as thirsty for blood as she is beautiful.
Can Fey and Non recruit Chuggie? Will Chuggie be able to defeat the Giant Baby monster living in the north and save Shola? Will Chuggie be able to find the orphan boy he saved? And what is with the dagger he finds along with the goat face purse? Will he ever master it's powers and defeat Kale and the others from the terrible reign on Stagwater?
There is so much here and so much awesomeness that I can't give a just review. This is a shooting star of an adventure and having read BOTH Chuggie adventures I am biting my nails and sipping my wine waiting for the next book from Brent Kelley to come out. If it isn't a Chuggie book I will personally eat your soul Mr. Kelley.
When not drunk of his ass or absorbing near by water from anything he can suck it out of, Norchug Mot Losiat or Chuggie, is out having adventures and taking on missions and favors for people he encounters.
Meet Shola, the kind witch banished from Stagwater and forced to live in tight boundaries until Chuggie comes along and not only falls for Shola but agrees to take on the mission of obtaining the goat-face purse which Shola believes can be used to free her. However, Shola is hiding more than she lets on when she sends Chuggie out on an adventure to Stagwater where the town is less than pleased to see him.
Meet Kagen Kale, the not so kind jerk face of Stagwater that is out for blood, torture and power. If only he could rid himself of the fat lazy Chief Magistrate Haste. Kale wants nothing more than to rule over Stagwater with an iron fist. Through the torture of the Carnies that live in the slums of Stagwater and the orphan children, he is able to harness their fear and pain for his own devious ways. His plans become in peril when a strange drunkard with an anchor comes moseying through town.
Haste and Kale know of Chuggie's existent and try to send him to the north where people are said to never return. Smarter than the average drunk Chuggie does not take their advice and finds himself within the walls of Stagwater when he has to find out where to obtain the goat-face purse. Despite the avoidance, north is the direction he must head if he wants to free Shola.
Chuggie does not have to make this trek on his lonesome. With the help of Faben Brassline, a no nonsense female Woodsman willing to help Chuggie. Their mutual distaste for the Magistrate and other leaders of Stagwater fuels their journey.
Faben isn't the only one who seems intersted in helping CHuggie...ENTER THE STEEL JACKS!! Alien like robotic structures that are said to be the protectors of Stagwater. Enforcers if you will that keep the people "safe" as long as Haste and his people play by the rules and laws that are in place. One such Steel Jack, Non, has taken a particular interest in Chuggie and wants to enlist him as part of his crew with the help of Fey Voletta, a blade cultist, that is as thirsty for blood as she is beautiful.
Can Fey and Non recruit Chuggie? Will Chuggie be able to defeat the Giant Baby monster living in the north and save Shola? Will Chuggie be able to find the orphan boy he saved? And what is with the dagger he finds along with the goat face purse? Will he ever master it's powers and defeat Kale and the others from the terrible reign on Stagwater?
There is so much here and so much awesomeness that I can't give a just review. This is a shooting star of an adventure and having read BOTH Chuggie adventures I am biting my nails and sipping my wine waiting for the next book from Brent Kelley to come out. If it isn't a Chuggie book I will personally eat your soul Mr. Kelley.
July 19, 2012
An outlandish (and meticulously-constructed) fantasy romp that defies comparison. Kelley's prose is a perfect mix of terse and poetic. I found myself lingering over many of his more descriptive passages and, all the while, marveling at the whole of his world-building. Demi gods, Steel Jacks, Woodsmen conjurers, carnies, bungling bureaucrats, fire hogs, lies, debauchery, dimensional rifts, and torturgy. . .this book has everything you never knew you wanted in a fantasy. But, more than anything, Chuggie is just plain hilarious! When I "closed" this book, I kept thinking "Terry Gilliam and Michael Moorcock walk into a bar. . ." over and over. But there is no punch line, because Brent Michael Kelley is no joke.
October 27, 2013
A damn good story I enjoyed all of the way through. I don't want to pull myself away from the world of Norchug Mot Losiat(aka Chuggie) and all of the magical mayhem of this book. I am very inclined to buy the next one in the series and start reading it immediately. Chuggie is a character you can't help but fall for. He is all at once hilarious, clumsy, powerful, hopeless, wise, and stubborn. There is plenty of adventure, fantasy, humor, even a bit of love and horror to enjoy here. The ending brought so many parts together into a chaotic climax. Thanks to Kris for turning me onto the series, and Brent Michael Kelley.
December 2, 2011
There is a town called Stagewater that has a river running through it. It would seem normal by comparison to any other town, but there are things brewing that most of its citizens don’t know about.
The town is under the protections of Steel Jacks (robot aliens from another planet), and run by the magistrate, Haste, and his lackeys. Haste and his tight group of counsel use a method call tourgery to collect the sorrow from Stagewater’s citizens. By drinking in the sorrow, they enter into the Pheonal Trance, which allows Haste to predict the future of Stagwater. It’s deemed a necessary evil for the greater good of the city.
One of Haste’s trances induces the vision of a traveler that will bring the destruction of the town. The word is spread to send any strangers north of the city walls.
Disease, Fire, Flood, and Drought were all born somewhere around the beginning of time. Norchug Mot Losiat, better known as Chuggie, is the incarnation of Drought. His goals aren’t by any means hard; he just wants to make it to the ocean with his anchor and chain, which is attached to his ribs.
FROM THE BOOK:
“I’m want. It means I thirst. It means I’m poor. It means something’s missing. It means I fall short.” Chuggie spat at a mossy log. His eyes pointed at the ground, but his gaze pointed inward.
“That sounds like you get the losing end of the stick. If that’s really true, why would you keep on trying.”
“It’s just true enough.” Chuggie squinted. “Result is I don’t waste a lot of time makin’ plans. Usually just go. Livin’ like that can really shake the confidence if you aren’t as amazing as ol’ Chuggers.” His smile returned.
***
On his way to the ocean his anchor gets snagged in a tree outside of Stagwater. Gaurds are sent to direct him north, and by all means, keep him out of the city.
Chuggie grows upset with the way that he has been treated and suspects that the guards have used a spell on him. So he defies their request to head north and wanders south. South of Stagwater he finds a witch that has been banished from Stagwater and bound to the place that she lives. Chuggie has to free her, but first he needs to bring her some items, and this involves entering Stagwater… and heading north. What lies to the north? No one knows, because no one ever comes back.
Brent Michael Kelley did an excellent job of creating a colorful cast of characters for Chuggie and the Desecration of Stagwater. Demons, alien robots, incarnates, witches, and animated objects all come together to create a great dark fantasy that will stick with me. I loved it, and I’m glad that I had a chance to read it.
The town is under the protections of Steel Jacks (robot aliens from another planet), and run by the magistrate, Haste, and his lackeys. Haste and his tight group of counsel use a method call tourgery to collect the sorrow from Stagewater’s citizens. By drinking in the sorrow, they enter into the Pheonal Trance, which allows Haste to predict the future of Stagwater. It’s deemed a necessary evil for the greater good of the city.
One of Haste’s trances induces the vision of a traveler that will bring the destruction of the town. The word is spread to send any strangers north of the city walls.
Disease, Fire, Flood, and Drought were all born somewhere around the beginning of time. Norchug Mot Losiat, better known as Chuggie, is the incarnation of Drought. His goals aren’t by any means hard; he just wants to make it to the ocean with his anchor and chain, which is attached to his ribs.
FROM THE BOOK:
“I’m want. It means I thirst. It means I’m poor. It means something’s missing. It means I fall short.” Chuggie spat at a mossy log. His eyes pointed at the ground, but his gaze pointed inward.
“That sounds like you get the losing end of the stick. If that’s really true, why would you keep on trying.”
“It’s just true enough.” Chuggie squinted. “Result is I don’t waste a lot of time makin’ plans. Usually just go. Livin’ like that can really shake the confidence if you aren’t as amazing as ol’ Chuggers.” His smile returned.
***
On his way to the ocean his anchor gets snagged in a tree outside of Stagwater. Gaurds are sent to direct him north, and by all means, keep him out of the city.
Chuggie grows upset with the way that he has been treated and suspects that the guards have used a spell on him. So he defies their request to head north and wanders south. South of Stagwater he finds a witch that has been banished from Stagwater and bound to the place that she lives. Chuggie has to free her, but first he needs to bring her some items, and this involves entering Stagwater… and heading north. What lies to the north? No one knows, because no one ever comes back.
Brent Michael Kelley did an excellent job of creating a colorful cast of characters for Chuggie and the Desecration of Stagwater. Demons, alien robots, incarnates, witches, and animated objects all come together to create a great dark fantasy that will stick with me. I loved it, and I’m glad that I had a chance to read it.
June 16, 2012
What a freaking BLAST!!!
Reading CHUGGIE was undoubtedly the most fun I've had reading a book in recent years. Kelley's novel is definitely "out there." As an author, he takes risks without apology and, thanks to his quirky style, every one of them pays off.
CHUGGIE has something for everyone: giant baby monsters,knife throwing blade cult vixens, drunken demon heroes, armored aliens from another dimension, fat villain mystics and a truly bizarre cohesiveness that works like a dream.
Be warned: there are times when CHUGGIE seems not to make sense. The strangeness intensifies, the characters and events grow more and more bizarre and you may find yourself scratching your hear and wondering, "Huh?" But trust me--it doesn't matter. The odder the book gets, the more fun the author seems to be having with it and there's more to delight the reader.
I'll let other reviews handle the plot details of this book. All I want to say is, provided you're willing to relax and allow yourself to go along for a roller coaster or a ride, CHUGGIE is a resounding success. Though clever, whimsical and intelligently written, this book is not for everyone. But if you're looking for something a little (okay, a LOT!) off beat, you're going to love CHUGGIE.
Reading CHUGGIE was undoubtedly the most fun I've had reading a book in recent years. Kelley's novel is definitely "out there." As an author, he takes risks without apology and, thanks to his quirky style, every one of them pays off.
CHUGGIE has something for everyone: giant baby monsters,knife throwing blade cult vixens, drunken demon heroes, armored aliens from another dimension, fat villain mystics and a truly bizarre cohesiveness that works like a dream.
Be warned: there are times when CHUGGIE seems not to make sense. The strangeness intensifies, the characters and events grow more and more bizarre and you may find yourself scratching your hear and wondering, "Huh?" But trust me--it doesn't matter. The odder the book gets, the more fun the author seems to be having with it and there's more to delight the reader.
I'll let other reviews handle the plot details of this book. All I want to say is, provided you're willing to relax and allow yourself to go along for a roller coaster or a ride, CHUGGIE is a resounding success. Though clever, whimsical and intelligently written, this book is not for everyone. But if you're looking for something a little (okay, a LOT!) off beat, you're going to love CHUGGIE.
March 14, 2021
You’ll fall into this strange world, but I’m not sure you’ll ever get out.
I feel like I should begin this review by stating something like, I’ve been Chuggied! What the hell does that even mean? Who knows! It’s a bit like this little nugget of fantasy, blended with sci-fi, and a whole load of gore. I’m not sure my brain will ever be the same again.
Let’s start with Chuggie. I can some him up in one word – weird. An embodiment of drought who is as lovesick as he is naive. Out of a whole cast of self-serving villains, Chuggie is surprisingly benevolent. He has his own blend of darkness, but compare to everyone else, he’s a little cherub with and anchor chained around his torso instead of wings.
The plot is familiar, save the princess, I mean the wicked witch from the magisterial trinity of wickedness otherwise known as torturers of orphans for the sake of conjury. What could go wrong? This book is dark, bordering on horror. Depraved, gory, and worst of all I found myself enjoying Kale’s villainous thoughts. 'Kale could feel his eye twitching. If he didn’t smash his fist into someone’s face soon, he was going to explode.' I found him to be one of the only characters who revealed his true agenda. In a weird way, he was refreshing, and I need to double check my allegiance to dark humour.
Throughout the novel there’s some lovely descriptions, 'Six crescent moons loomed overhead like elders bent in a conspiratorial cluster. Angry, purple-gray clouds crawled across their faces.' Some philosophical moments, “An ounce of gold weighs a ton when you make it into a crown,” said Haste.' And some great action beats, 'Kale thumbed his nose like a boxer.' 'The men stared like haunted paintings.'.
I did notice Chuggie’s dialogue was inconsistent where he sometimes switches from speaking slang to non-slang. Elsewhere, the dialogue is very sound. There were a few places where several consecutive sentences began with pronouns, leading to their overuse. It’s a shame because it does slightly affect the reading of an otherwise very well written novel.
The world in which Chuggie lives is a well fleshed out imaginative world filled with demon hordes, dark magic, and alien robots. The plot is devilishly twisted and sets a great pace. So much of this book is original. I’m not even sure how to define it? Dark, for sure and not recommended for the trigger sensitive. In some ways it reminded me of Samuel Beckett with its humour leaning towards slapstick, but with added grotesque.
If you’re a fantasy fan don’t be put off by the sci-fi elements, it’s not hard sci-fi. This will be a great book for someone who wants to read something original from an author who clearly thinks outside the box. I tell you now, you’ve never read about a character like Chuggie!
I feel like I should begin this review by stating something like, I’ve been Chuggied! What the hell does that even mean? Who knows! It’s a bit like this little nugget of fantasy, blended with sci-fi, and a whole load of gore. I’m not sure my brain will ever be the same again.
Let’s start with Chuggie. I can some him up in one word – weird. An embodiment of drought who is as lovesick as he is naive. Out of a whole cast of self-serving villains, Chuggie is surprisingly benevolent. He has his own blend of darkness, but compare to everyone else, he’s a little cherub with and anchor chained around his torso instead of wings.
The plot is familiar, save the princess, I mean the wicked witch from the magisterial trinity of wickedness otherwise known as torturers of orphans for the sake of conjury. What could go wrong? This book is dark, bordering on horror. Depraved, gory, and worst of all I found myself enjoying Kale’s villainous thoughts. 'Kale could feel his eye twitching. If he didn’t smash his fist into someone’s face soon, he was going to explode.' I found him to be one of the only characters who revealed his true agenda. In a weird way, he was refreshing, and I need to double check my allegiance to dark humour.
Throughout the novel there’s some lovely descriptions, 'Six crescent moons loomed overhead like elders bent in a conspiratorial cluster. Angry, purple-gray clouds crawled across their faces.' Some philosophical moments, “An ounce of gold weighs a ton when you make it into a crown,” said Haste.' And some great action beats, 'Kale thumbed his nose like a boxer.' 'The men stared like haunted paintings.'.
I did notice Chuggie’s dialogue was inconsistent where he sometimes switches from speaking slang to non-slang. Elsewhere, the dialogue is very sound. There were a few places where several consecutive sentences began with pronouns, leading to their overuse. It’s a shame because it does slightly affect the reading of an otherwise very well written novel.
The world in which Chuggie lives is a well fleshed out imaginative world filled with demon hordes, dark magic, and alien robots. The plot is devilishly twisted and sets a great pace. So much of this book is original. I’m not even sure how to define it? Dark, for sure and not recommended for the trigger sensitive. In some ways it reminded me of Samuel Beckett with its humour leaning towards slapstick, but with added grotesque.
If you’re a fantasy fan don’t be put off by the sci-fi elements, it’s not hard sci-fi. This will be a great book for someone who wants to read something original from an author who clearly thinks outside the box. I tell you now, you’ve never read about a character like Chuggie!
December 27, 2013
I have a new favorite character and it’s Chuggie. He’s got that great sense of humor and the perfectly fugged up outlook on life. He’s got his problems, but he’s doing the best that he can, and striving to do better. The only problem with Chuggie being such a great character is initially some of the scenes he’s not in made me miss him. It’s not so severe as a George RR Martin “how many chapters do I have to wait for Arya” deal, because the book is much less dense, but his absence was felt, at least until later chapters when the other characters really came into their own. But from the beginning Chuggie made me an instant fan.
The setting is rich and original. It’s sort of low fantasy by way of a dive bar. The types of people that populate this setting are interesting. So much so that I think the setting would make for a great game or tv series setting. I’m thrilled to see that there is another book, hopefully more to come, to further explore this world. I kind of wish that there were maps at the front of the book. Maybe a big overview world map. Definitely a map of the area around Stagwater. It’s such an interesting world, that it would be nice to stare at a big map and just wonder what sort of characters are in the other places, and what stories are happening there.
The best review I can give this book, is that after finishing it I immediately felt compelled to start reading the next one, so I’m beginning Chuggie and the Bleeding Gateways now. More Chuggie!
The setting is rich and original. It’s sort of low fantasy by way of a dive bar. The types of people that populate this setting are interesting. So much so that I think the setting would make for a great game or tv series setting. I’m thrilled to see that there is another book, hopefully more to come, to further explore this world. I kind of wish that there were maps at the front of the book. Maybe a big overview world map. Definitely a map of the area around Stagwater. It’s such an interesting world, that it would be nice to stare at a big map and just wonder what sort of characters are in the other places, and what stories are happening there.
The best review I can give this book, is that after finishing it I immediately felt compelled to start reading the next one, so I’m beginning Chuggie and the Bleeding Gateways now. More Chuggie!
April 16, 2013
CHUGGIE AND THE DESECRATION OF STAGWATER was not what I expected. I didn't know what I expected but I know it wasn't that. It was nothing like that. Not at all.
This book was a complete surprise and an absolute delight. From the first page it grabbed me and seductively drew me through Kelly's strange fantasy world which, though very enchanting is not for children. It's fast paced, gruesome and funny, terrifying and wonderful.
I could call CHUGGIE AND THE DESECRATION OF STAGWATER a "dark fantasy" due to the heavy horror aspects - torture, death, and such, but I hate to. I never found the book dark or even heavy; I was never disturbed, only delighted by CHUGGIE.
Brent Kelly is a real talent and I can't wait for the next installment of Chuggie's adventures. I hope there are many many more to come. Brent has a character with some real legs here. Oh, and an anchor also.
Buy this book. Read this book. You will like this book.
This book was a complete surprise and an absolute delight. From the first page it grabbed me and seductively drew me through Kelly's strange fantasy world which, though very enchanting is not for children. It's fast paced, gruesome and funny, terrifying and wonderful.
I could call CHUGGIE AND THE DESECRATION OF STAGWATER a "dark fantasy" due to the heavy horror aspects - torture, death, and such, but I hate to. I never found the book dark or even heavy; I was never disturbed, only delighted by CHUGGIE.
Brent Kelly is a real talent and I can't wait for the next installment of Chuggie's adventures. I hope there are many many more to come. Brent has a character with some real legs here. Oh, and an anchor also.
Buy this book. Read this book. You will like this book.
March 6, 2015
If you have a great imagination this is a brilliant read...loved it. Chuggie is my new hero.
November 20, 2013
Norchug Mot Losiat, Chuggie to his friends, is walking Drought. When, in his rambling, he stumbles upon the remote city of Stagwater, he finds love, temptation, and treachery. He fights against men, demons, and his own nature to battle the sinister forces threatening the city. But Chuggie? All he wants is a boat.
This is the setup for Brent Michael Kelley’s debut novel, Chuggie and the Desecration of Stagwater. A graphic designer from Wisconsin, Kelley also paints and writes. His short fiction was published in the anthologies Detritus (Omnium Gatherum) and A Pocketful of Moondust (Rebel Books UK). Kelley is successful in creating an unusual antihero, a perpetually drunken embodiment of drought who can suck the water from living things and drain lakes dry. He is dimwitted, profane, misdirected, and nearly purposeless. Without his elemental power he would not survive in a world as cruel and dangerous as the one the author has created.
The prose is simple and direct. Although not particularly polished, it is effective for the story and perhaps appropriate for the character it describes. A weakness of the book is that although there is clearly a lot of world-building behind the scenes, much of it is only hinted at. Many intriguing characters and ideas are sketched but not developed in any depth. It is unclear who many of the forces in the world are or what motivates them beyond a desire for power or mayhem. More of this history would have added richness and interest to the story. The strength of the book is Chuggie himself, who is a flawed but sympathetic creature, reminding one of Caliban from The Tempest. Late in the book, a character asks “How can you be so old and so naïve at the same time?” It’s a fair question. Chuggie is as old as the world itself, and although age does not guarantee wisdom, you would have to work awfully hard not to have gathered just a little in all those millennia. It is one of many questions about Chuggie and his world that remain unanswered.
Structurally, this is a story of two books. The first two acts involve a great deal of setup that outlines a world of strange demonic magic in a semi-industrial society with extra-dimensional alien invaders. The tone is absurd and often humorous as Chuggie encounters various characters who want to involve him in their schemes in one way or another. He remains obtuse throughout, swayed from his desire to head south for the winter only by falling in love with a woman who has been cursed by the evil Magistrates of Stagwater. In the third act, the pace picks up and things take a turn for the grotesque and horrific. A convergence of evil forces dooms Stagwater and its inhabitants in a whirlwind of surreal and graphic violence. Although this creates a level of urgency and intensity not found in the beginning, it is an abrupt shift from humor into pure horror, and the helter skelter pace of the finale leaves much unexplained.
As of February, the author reports that the next installment of the series, Chuggie and the Bleeding Gateways, is in the hands of his editor with a release date to be announced. The book will pick up where Stagwater left off. I look forward to seeing how Chuggie develops and hope that the author will reveal more of the strange universe he inhabits.
[Originally published on Hellnotes.com]
This is the setup for Brent Michael Kelley’s debut novel, Chuggie and the Desecration of Stagwater. A graphic designer from Wisconsin, Kelley also paints and writes. His short fiction was published in the anthologies Detritus (Omnium Gatherum) and A Pocketful of Moondust (Rebel Books UK). Kelley is successful in creating an unusual antihero, a perpetually drunken embodiment of drought who can suck the water from living things and drain lakes dry. He is dimwitted, profane, misdirected, and nearly purposeless. Without his elemental power he would not survive in a world as cruel and dangerous as the one the author has created.
The prose is simple and direct. Although not particularly polished, it is effective for the story and perhaps appropriate for the character it describes. A weakness of the book is that although there is clearly a lot of world-building behind the scenes, much of it is only hinted at. Many intriguing characters and ideas are sketched but not developed in any depth. It is unclear who many of the forces in the world are or what motivates them beyond a desire for power or mayhem. More of this history would have added richness and interest to the story. The strength of the book is Chuggie himself, who is a flawed but sympathetic creature, reminding one of Caliban from The Tempest. Late in the book, a character asks “How can you be so old and so naïve at the same time?” It’s a fair question. Chuggie is as old as the world itself, and although age does not guarantee wisdom, you would have to work awfully hard not to have gathered just a little in all those millennia. It is one of many questions about Chuggie and his world that remain unanswered.
Structurally, this is a story of two books. The first two acts involve a great deal of setup that outlines a world of strange demonic magic in a semi-industrial society with extra-dimensional alien invaders. The tone is absurd and often humorous as Chuggie encounters various characters who want to involve him in their schemes in one way or another. He remains obtuse throughout, swayed from his desire to head south for the winter only by falling in love with a woman who has been cursed by the evil Magistrates of Stagwater. In the third act, the pace picks up and things take a turn for the grotesque and horrific. A convergence of evil forces dooms Stagwater and its inhabitants in a whirlwind of surreal and graphic violence. Although this creates a level of urgency and intensity not found in the beginning, it is an abrupt shift from humor into pure horror, and the helter skelter pace of the finale leaves much unexplained.
As of February, the author reports that the next installment of the series, Chuggie and the Bleeding Gateways, is in the hands of his editor with a release date to be announced. The book will pick up where Stagwater left off. I look forward to seeing how Chuggie develops and hope that the author will reveal more of the strange universe he inhabits.
[Originally published on Hellnotes.com]
August 26, 2016
I have to admit that I wouldn't have read this book on my own by looking at the cover and reading the description. I've never heard of a book like it and I am very glad I gave it a chance! As I read into the story more, the more I realized I loved the cover. The story is excellent and exciting to follow and the book is very hard to put down once it's been started. I fell in love with the protagonist, Chuggie, immediately as well as hating him at the same time. The characters were done very well and seem realistic. The book cuts off abruptly and makes you immediately want to pick up the second book. I'd recommend this book to most of my friends!
July 2, 2021
Chuggie, the main character, is the personification of drought and rather likeable. He's also pretty much permanently drunk. Add in a cast of rather bizarre secondary characters and Chuggie begins to seem more and more normal. There's a witch who specializes in making scarecrows, fastidious villain Kade, Steel Jacks strange, alien creatures of energy and even more.
Chuggie just wants to find a place warmer than where he left, but Stagwater, the city in his path, has other ideas. Thwart Chuggie though and things can get... messy.
Chuggie just wants to find a place warmer than where he left, but Stagwater, the city in his path, has other ideas. Thwart Chuggie though and things can get... messy.
July 5, 2014
This was a great book and all I want to do is read more about Chuggie. He was a great character that was perfectly written. While the story and some of the details are a bit graphic over all this was one of the most enjoyable reads I've had in a long time. If it wasn't for work I probably would've read the whole book in one night. The ending was a little abrupt but I still love and only want more.
November 6, 2019
Wow!
This was a genuinely fantastic new fantasy series! The main protagonist, Chuggie was easily likeable and charismatic. He is the Personification of Drought and reads much like the character in a Gaiman or Pratchett book.
I won't delve into the plot in fear of spoilers, but Chuggie was a surprisingly relatable and endearing character.
I really can't wait for the next Chuggie book!
This was a genuinely fantastic new fantasy series! The main protagonist, Chuggie was easily likeable and charismatic. He is the Personification of Drought and reads much like the character in a Gaiman or Pratchett book.
I won't delve into the plot in fear of spoilers, but Chuggie was a surprisingly relatable and endearing character.
I really can't wait for the next Chuggie book!
November 8, 2019
I really enjoyed this story. The main character Chuggie is fascinating. In this story you will find , humor, death, blood, daggers, An anchor, magic, betrayal, horror, very odd creatures, a few shining stars. It’s a smooth read and fast paced.
February 11, 2020
I would say that this book is very well written, well thought out, and well done. The characters were interesting (if a touch grotesque in parts, which is to be expected), the plot was entertaining and the whole goat situation… Anyways, I would say that this book was VERY GOOD.
May 7, 2014
A thoroughly enjoyable read. It has a little bit of everything mythical. Great pacing & storyline.
Read
February 7, 2016Someone should make this into a movie.
This book really heats up towards the end. I would LOVE to see this title be made into a movie.
This book really heats up towards the end. I would LOVE to see this title be made into a movie.
February 1, 2020
Imaginative and frolicking writing
Wildly innovative with a compelling main character that, despite his thirst, makes you root him on and wait for the next ancient tale.
Wildly innovative with a compelling main character that, despite his thirst, makes you root him on and wait for the next ancient tale.
December 28, 2023
I really enjoyed this. Quirky, imaginative, and an all around good time. Couldn't help but picture it in the style of the movie The City of Lost Children.
May 5, 2023
Although I promised the author a review when I read this book some three years ago, for some reason the review never happened. I am really sorry about that because CHUGGIE AND THE DESECRATION OF STAGWATER is truly a breakthrough novel of the highest order. Almost worse than never writing and posting the review, I don't seem to remember (or have any record of) how the promise came to be made. Brent Michael Kelley, if and when you read this, any clue would be most appreciated. Here is my attempt to rectify the error of my ways.
I found Norchug Mot Losiat, most often called Chuggie, a unique protagonist and the entire work completely and refreshingly original. Since "Lord of the Rings," I have found that few writers can create the elaborate world of fantasy that suspends belief with the alacrity of J. R. R. Tolkien. In order for fantasy to work, the reader must believe wholeheartedly that the words portray fact even when intelligence screams 'how can this be?' Brent Michael Kelley has done this with alacrity.
I am generally turned off by the obviously made-up names so favored by fantasy writers. If I were scrolling through a description of a book and came across a name like Norchug Mot Losiat, I would probably take a pass, simply because the effort of saying the name in my mind is just too much. However, who would not be enamored of a character called Chuggie; a name that is easy on the mind and quite descriptive of the creature.
To say that I enjoyed reading CHUGGIE AND THE DESECRATION OF STAGWATER is understatement in the first degree. I quite literally could not put the book down. I do not do spoilers. A book is meant to be discovered by each and every reader. Savor this one as you would a fine wine with a totally quirky name.
I found Norchug Mot Losiat, most often called Chuggie, a unique protagonist and the entire work completely and refreshingly original. Since "Lord of the Rings," I have found that few writers can create the elaborate world of fantasy that suspends belief with the alacrity of J. R. R. Tolkien. In order for fantasy to work, the reader must believe wholeheartedly that the words portray fact even when intelligence screams 'how can this be?' Brent Michael Kelley has done this with alacrity.
I am generally turned off by the obviously made-up names so favored by fantasy writers. If I were scrolling through a description of a book and came across a name like Norchug Mot Losiat, I would probably take a pass, simply because the effort of saying the name in my mind is just too much. However, who would not be enamored of a character called Chuggie; a name that is easy on the mind and quite descriptive of the creature.
To say that I enjoyed reading CHUGGIE AND THE DESECRATION OF STAGWATER is understatement in the first degree. I quite literally could not put the book down. I do not do spoilers. A book is meant to be discovered by each and every reader. Savor this one as you would a fine wine with a totally quirky name.
September 18, 2013
Chuggie is a very endearing character... when blood isn't oozing from his mouth. I really start to feel for him after that thing happened with the lady (spoiler-ish). And then that other thing happens but he does some good things for those other people. If you really want to find out you'll have to read the book and go on the adventure yourself. Can't wait to read the next one!!
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