Catskinner's Book is a science fiction/urban fantasy audiobook set in a surreal world unlike any that you have seen before. James Ozryck has a monster in his head. All of his life the entity that he calls "Catskinner" has made him a fugitive, afraid to get too close to anyone, afraid to stay in one place for too long.
Catskinner kills, without compassion and without warning, and is very good at it. Now James has learned that Catskinner is not the only monster in the world, a world that has suddenly become a far stranger and more dangerous place than he imagined. In order to survive he will have to become something more than a monster, he will have to learn what it means to be human.
I want to write stories unlike any that have ever been written before.
Yes, I know that there are only a few basic plots and everything has been done before, but I think there is still room for a personal vision.
I have always been fascinated by writers who invent their own worlds, their own cosmologies. That's my goal as a writer, to take my readers on a trip to a place where they have never been before, a place where no one has ever before.
I believe in that place, and I think it's all around us, just around the corner. I think the world is a stranger place than we imagine, a more dangerous and a more beautiful place than can imagine, and I want to share my world with you.
"tonight the walking meat that has done this will sleep tonight they cling to the skin of the world tomorrow they will fall beneath the shadow of great black wings"
Catskinner's Book is a solemn, moody story with a pretty fantastic titular character. There are a lot of questions left unanswered and, like some of the three star reviews, I think that the end was almost a letdown from the fantastic eeriness the author builds throughout the story. We meet James, who works in a hardware store that's actually a front for a mysterious businessman named Victor. James, or more specifically, Catskinner, kills for Victor when needed. It's not until his employer is removed from the game that James starts discovering exactly who is occupying headspace with him. Sure, he knows Catskinner is amoral, alien, and without remorse, but he doesn't know exactly what Catskinner is, that there are others like him, and that some of them view Catskinner as a threat. The book was very well written. I love the style. It reminds me of the Sandman Slim novels by Richard Kadrey, so if you like those, you'll like this one. I absolutely enjoy moral ambiguity and intriguing monsters and this story delivers. I plan on picking up the next titles in the series.
A really cool horror/thriller premise about a man with a demon living on/in him. I liked Catskinner's voice and the interplay between him and his host. The first half blew me away, the second part felt less tightly plotted and intense. But I will be reading more from this author when I can.
3.5 stars rounding to 4 because a) fantastic premise and b) price.
This is definitely one of the stranger books I've read. It's gripping from the first page. You first meet James who seems to be your everyday nutjob with an alter ego named Catskinner that loves nothing more than the thrill of the kill. He works in a faux electronic store for a man named Vincent who for whatever the case may be, Vincent lives like a snowman in perpetual cold climates. This book is VERY descriptive. You get lost easily within the spine of this wonderful story and quickly lose track of not only time but the fact that you yourself are not a part of the story. I swear my husband tried to talk to me and I he was just muffled voice in the distance I was that lost! Since my copy is print I don't get to read it much. I'd let the husband read it before me and asked him all kinds of questions (trying to know what happens before I read that far) but he refused the spill the beans. I was quite intrigued during the mass amount of time James/Catskinner stood staring at the wall. This book is full of action and quirky quotes. It will definitely keep you wanting more. Catskinner's book is a genre of its own fitting into neither of the genres it's tagged for. If you like amazingly detailed fight scenes and the strange and unusual, this book is for you. I give this book 5 of 5 paws
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Misha Burnett’s urban fantasy series is weird. That’s all I knew when I picked up Catskinner’s Book. Now having read it, I can confirm that Catskinner’s Book is, indeed, very weird, but I mean that in the best sense possible. If you want something different from your usual urban fantasy/science fiction fare, look no further.
James has a problem. His culty parents basically grafted an otherworldly, non-physical creature to James’ being. The creature is psychotic and believes violence is the best answer. It can also take control of James’ body to perform superhuman acts of brutal butchery. After spending years in various institutions, James has finally settled down into something approximating a life. He holds down a job at an electrical supply store while Victor, his boss and only kinda-sorta friend, sometimes sends him on missions to kill certain people. Everything works fine until Victor is murdered and James is thrust into the fantastical and horrific world behind the world to find Victor’s killers.
Got all that? Good, because Burnett charges headlong into the story and world he’s created without giving you time to breathe. Once the inciting incident hits, it’s pedal to the metal until the end. That said, the world is truly fantastical. There are no witches, or ghosts, or vampires or werewolves. Burnett populates his world with all sorts of unique creatures. We have the crazy hot plant-transgender-women-things that ooze sexuality; fiery metal centipedes that explode when they die; sentient ooze that dissolve your very being; and much more.
None of it feels out of place because Burnett explains how these various creatures function with plausible-sounding scientific explanations (I’m the furthest thing from a science geek, but they do sound plausible). It’s a fantastical world with a scientific coherence to it. Calling this book urban fantasy might be a disservice because of the connotations of urban fantasy. Many times, it feels more like the science-fantasy of the genre-bending classics of the pulp era. So I guess that would make this an urban science-fantasy-thriller?
This leads me to Burnett’s writing. While Burnett can be poetic, it’s never at the expense of clarity. Far too many authors try to show off their wordsmithing abilities only to end up being opaque with what’s going on. but Burnett manages to be the best of both worlds. There was never a moment where I had to reread a sentence due to confusion or clarity issues. This, more than anything else, is what made me finish the book in less than two days.
James as a character is sympathetic. Sure, he’s not exactly a good guy, but you feel for the guy and the hand he’s been dealt, and you want him to succeed at making the best of his situation. Catskinner’s foreign worldview and mindset keep things very interesting, and his(?) conversations with James are fun to read. In fact, I’ll read any book with more Catskinner in it as he is the most interesting character in the book. Other characters are introduced as well, weird characters indeed, but to talk more about them would spoil the fun of discovery.
A final consideration. This book can get quite racy at times though it never devolves into prurience or obscenity. Much like the magazine covers of Weird Tales, the book never quite crosses the line, which I find refreshing and much more effective. For someone who’s bemoaned the weird deviancy of horror elsewhere, I’d say Burnett managed quite an achievement for this reader.
If I had any kind of nitpick, and it is just a nitpick, is that the climax of the novel isn’t quite climactic enough. I was expecting a massive fight against a formidable opponent. Burnett sidesteps that fight in a way that feels just tad anticlimactic. That said, he manages to throw a curveball your way which made me immediately get the second book. He manages this without dropping a massive cliff-hanger on your head, pretty awesome if you ask me.
This is a fantastic book. I plowed through it quickly and enjoyed everything about it. It’s got imagination, sympathetic characters, a truly fantastical world, and a forward-moving plot. This is weird fantasy at its finest and one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read this year.
Burnett takes readers on a far-out ride, showing wonders and horrors under the surface of the mundane world. As a child, the main character was forced to play host to Catskinner, a sadistic, murderous, alien being, now channeling these qualities as a killer for hire.
Soon enough, he finds his way into a wider, wilder world of terrifying alien beings from the outer spheres and the people who serve, resist, or try to profit from them. Our hero must rediscover his own humanity in the fight against evil.
A very well-written tale with some excellent worldbuilding and references to other works of fantasy. The only fault was some of the decisions and behaviors of the characters didn't quite make sense from a strategic standpoint, but it's the start of an intriguing series.
A surprising, excellent tale that blends contemporary fantasy and scifi with a fast pace and brilliant world.
The book hinges on the idea that people don't see what they don't want to, so why would we believe in a vast network of monsters and aliens among us? Those that do are fall under their spells while the rest of us wilfully ignore anything out of the ordinary. This book throws us deep into the thick of it and doesn't hold back. It's at times gory and gruesome but with elements of political infighting that really add an extra dimension.
Mistakes: I found three. One was a word missing from a sentence. Another was a repeat in a sentence. The last was just a misspelling. Plot: I found the story to be very interesting and entertaining. Characters: I like the MC, the plant girl I'm still thinking about. 8/10 solid weird story.
So I really like this book, but I didn't like the second book as much (I'll talk about that there). Catskinner is my favorite character. Easily. I loved how he is both handicap and utterly necessary partner to the main character. I do feel that Burnett missed the boat on his sexpot lady lead. Like...she starts so dumb that she sits around waiting for people and yet she's not dumb. At all. She's amazingly proactive later on. I really started to like her, but it didn't feel like the same character.
I do love how James goes from his very simple life to having to understand the world when the man who was both guide and in a way a slave master (he benefited quite a bit from James' ignorance) dies. The fantastical world beneath the mundane world (that is, of course, ignorant of this whole world going on behind the scenes) felt really original. I wasn't pointing at different beasties in my mind all the time going okay these things are basically elves, etc. It is, however, still a fantastical world beneath the mundane world book though.
His characters are unique and the setting very strange. I honestly didn't know what would happen next. Excellent use of emotional content as well. I'll read the next one.
When required to place this book in a genre Burnett has previously chosen science fiction and urban fantasy. It might also be categorised as supernatural fiction or horror. The opening scenes have an ambience of crime noir and spy thriller. While the book very definitely contains speculative elements, the story takes precedence over the speculation, refusing to be confined by genre.
This novel is the first in the Book of Lost Doors series. The protagonist, James Ozryck, has shared his body with an inhuman consciousness since early childhood; a consciousness he calls Catskinner. Catskinner gives him access to superhuman abilities but also kills without apparent reason or compassion. He finds work as a contract assassin but the murder of his boss reveals Catskinner is not the only unnatural being in the world, and not all of them are as content to merely exist. Before James can build himself a new future he must try to understand his past.
At the core of this novel’s strength is the characterisation. As with Byronic heroes such as Milton’s Lucifer and Hammett’s Sam Spade, James Ozryck is unashamedly not a good man, but from the first page Burnett paints him a character flawed by extreme circumstance and environment; a man worthy of our sympathy. Catskinner is similarly well handled, possessing a distinct intelligible character without sacrificing its otherness. The competing drives of the two main characters blend to produce a dynamic balance between ensuring survival and having a reason to survive.
The complexity of motivation in James/Catskinner continues into the other characters. While characters might be of a particular gender or sexuality they act like individuals and not stereotypes, each displaying personal goals that temporarily coincide or conflict with others. However Burnett does not fall into the trap of making characters defy stereotypes for the sake of it; beyond the nuanced interaction of the key characters are many background interactions which realistically portray the hollow biases that power our stereotypes.
A similar depth is evident in the cosmology. The reader is slowly exposed to more of the magic concealed within every day society, each piece building on others and providing new possibilities for previous events until the disparate pieces fit together to not only show they are all aspects of one whole but also ignite speculation about how it might explain anomalies in the real world.
The book is written entirely from the perspective of James, which portrays very well his search for answers and frustration when he does not find them; however this identification with James can instil the same drive and the same frustration in the reader. As the book is well paced, and Burnett does not withhold information merely to extend the story, this frustration is quickly eased, but this is not a book for readers who do not enjoy the satisfaction of a hard-won explanation.
This is one of the best books I have read this year. The fusion of an engaging plot with a complex world make it enjoyable both as a thrilling adventure and a metaphysical exploration. I recommend it to anyone who does not limit themselves to strict realism.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair review
Well, this book impressed me. Right near the start I realised the author had good control of pacing and delivery; I liked the voice; I appreciated the writing; I laughed at some of the humour. As a result I had confidence in the author. This was confirmed by the way they didn't give unnecessary detail, only what was needed, so the reader does some of the work. I could then relax and enjoy the tale, which lived up to the writing, to the extent that I looked forward to picking the book up and continuing each night. It was full of unexpected twists and imaginative events, all that I'd want from a book. Big thumbs up.
The version I had contained quite a few typos, I don't know if it was an older edition and they might be fixed now, but they stood out all the more because the rest of the writing was so good. I also noticed the cover for the version I had (from a book bundle I'd bought some time ago) was different to the version currently on sale, and superior to it. I think the current cover (black, with hands holding flowers) really doesn't do the novel justice. It's an entertaining and well-written sci-fi action novel - the black and white cover makes it look like a self-help book. Don't be put off by the cover, the story is cool.
The characters in the story were great fun, especially the protagonist's dual nature (the way the author dealt with his interior discussions were really well done, and often very funny), and the lovably ambiguous ambimorph.
As to plot: many questions were left unanswered, presumably for the sequels (though I still never understood why Godiva had been left alone in a shop). Overall that's fine - there's _just enough_ of a wrap up. Only one plot element didn't work for me - a major character (Agony) only appears towards the end. It turns out one of the long-winded sequences of events was engineered by her "to get your attention", so the protagonist would visit her for a chat - yet she had already met him earlier and had the opportunity to chat with him about whatever she wanted without any convoluted shenanigans. On top of which, she never actually explains what she wanted, due to interruptions and distractions. That leaves the final segment of the book feeling like it was exciting but totally unnecessary - something that could have easily been fixed. If I've misunderstood any of that then the fault's mine - there are a lot of subplots the author needed to loosely tie up in the final section.
Final thoughts: an unexpectedly entertaining book which is well worth a read. Some of the writing is as tight as any piece of noir, the action as exciting as any thriller, and the mysteries as puzzling as any whodunnit.
Over on his blog, Misha Burnett consistently describes his debut novel as being hard to classify. Having read it, I’m inclined to agree. After thinking it over a little, I would personally describe this novel as follows: Catskinner’s Book is a mixture of cosmic horror and urban/supernatural fantasy, with just a dash of science fiction and written in a style resembling a crime thriller. I can honestly say that I’ve never read anything quite like it, and I mean that in a good way. Mostly.
When the book begins, James Ozryk is living out his life as a contract killer. He can do little else: James shares his body with a malevolent intelligence that takes delight in the fighting and killing of others, and has done so for much of his life. This entity refers to itself as Catskinner – hence, the novel’s title – and is capable of great feats of strength that James himself could never accomplish. When his boss is murdered, James goes out on the hunt for revenge, for once sharing Catskinner’s goals.
For the first two thirds or so, I was enthralled. James and Catskinner make an interesting pair of main characters and the interactions between them were fascinating to read. The fight scenes, of which there were several, were all fast and fluid. Layers upon layers of supernatural intrigue was shown or implied. The dialogue and description were strong, and each of the side characters were interesting in their own right.
Towards the end, sadly, things unravelled a little. The plot’s momentum begins to slow down and then, just as things are picking up again, it suddenly twists in a major way. This might sound like a good thing, but the problem is that the twist wasn’t foreshadowed in any way and seems to be there solely for the purpose of being a twist – a "shocking swerve", in the words of TvTropes. This is followed up by an anticlimactic finale which resolves few of the plot points raised over the course of the book. To be blunt, I was disappointed. I imagine that things will be resolved in a later book, but still.
Catskinner’s book is a tough one to rate, seeing as my issues with it are all to do with its endgame. The book promises much over its length and does a good job in building suspense but, for me at least, the payoff wasn’t worth it. It’s not a bad book – not by a longshot – but I wouldn’t call it amazing either.
James Ozryck likes and lives an ordinary life. He's got a decent job at a junk parts store. He lives in a small apartment upstairs. His boss is good to him. He enjoys a decent lunch, downloading videos, and playing computer games. And then there's that voice in his head of a monster he calls Catskinner that takes over his body and kills people. Oh yeah - that!
Upon starting Misha Burnett's book, I expected to join James in trying to find out who this entity is and why he inhabits his body. That's what I wanted from this story which kept the pages turning for me. While James does learn a bit about himself and Catskinner throughout the story, that is not the central theme here.
When a strange woman "attacks" the store and immobilizes Catskinner, James sets out with Catskinner to find and kill her. James' small world is suddenly turned upside down as he learns there might be other monsters out there. Along the way, James encounters numerous characters who may or may not be on his side - helping him to discover who Catskinner really is and the role James plays in this world.
What makes this book work is the fact of how "ordinary" James is. Anyone can relate to him. And while the plot extends beyond Science Fiction and Fantasy, bordering on the genre of Speculative Fiction even, the reader almost forgets that this is fiction. We believe James. Sure, we think he might be suffering from multiple personalities, but we believe him nonetheless because he is like us. We know him in real life, off the page. Burnett builds upon these elements, but he stays true to his central character throughout, and to the reader, keeping the storyline very real.
Catskinner's Book is a read that's almost impossible to discuss out loud with anyone who hasn't read it. It's a read you will suggest to others just so you can share a discussion about it, anticipating what your colleagues will get from it. Read it for yourself to discover the world of Catskinner, and like James, take what you want or need from it. This is not a book you will soon forget!
This is a first for me. I have never written a review before finishing a book except very rarely when a book is so bad I can't continue. Mr. Burnett, your book is the exact opposite.
The author bio states he has had little formal education, and sadly the editing here agrees with that statement. I usually detract a half to a whole star for that alone. I would definitely like to see it cleaned up.
Also, anybody who knows me knows I absolutely can't stand little green men and the surest way to convince me someone is a total lunatic is to start seriously discussing Area 51 and government conspiracies. To me, aliens are the weakest of all paranormal entities.
All that aside, I am just at 56% through Catskinner's Book, and I have to say it's completely fascinating and at certain points, deeply profound. Its fast-paced action and page-turning storyline have been extremely entertaining thus far. I thought you might lose me this afternoon when you made the poor, toothless bimbo Godiva into a hermaphrodite, but by God, Mr. Burnett, I wouldn't doubt if you have ME lusting after her by the end of this adventure. And that's something from a woman who very much appreciates a Man's Man!
And Dear Mr. Burnett - you may not have a formal education but I would wager your mind, heart and humanity against many a supposedly educated person. Your writing, while clearly unpolished, is deeply profound in many cases and so far, I am completely emotionally invested in James, Catskinner & Co.
I groan at the thought of yet another series but rejoice at the thought that there are at this time three more books after this one. Yaaay!
Once again, I thank Amazon and Kindle for promoting indie authors and giving freedom to voices that would otherwise not be heard. I am indebted for a link to another human being who can think outside the box so beautifully. Long live the fascinating Catskinner!
I was given a copy of Catskinner’s Book by Misha Burnett for the purpose of the review. But I have to say that reading the book wasn’t like work. It’s a fun, but scary read that keeps your attention and keeps you wondering what comes next.
Catskinner’s Book is described as science fiction/urban fantasy. We’re introduced to James Orzyck only to find out later that’s not his real name. James has a monster living inside. Sometimes the monster acts out causing James, or at least his body to do strange and awful things. People die without warning or without explanation.
But before long, James and his inner friend are found out and that sets off a high paced adventure that takes some interesting twists and turns.
This is a first novel for Misha Burnett, but I suspect that the writing will get better. Don’t get me wrong, this book is gritty, and shocking at times, but it’s written well. There are, however, a couple of story elements I couldn’t quite follow.
The action in Catskinner’s book never stops all the way to the end. The end did feel a bit abrupt, but this book is the first in a series, so maybe that was intentional. Half way through I did have a “who are these people” moment when the main villain is taken out of the picture.
Burnett has been writing poetry and fiction for about forty years, doing various odd jobs too support his family. Catskinner’s Book is Burnett’s first novel.
The next book in the series, Cannibal Hearts, is expected to be available in the Summer of 2013.
He is currently working on the next book in the series, Cannibal Hearts, which will be available Summer, 2013.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading this as I bought it along with a number of other books on a whim to try and broaden my reading horizons slightly from my 'usual' authors and genres.
Needless to say I was very pleased to find that the plot was not something I would find harder to read (like a historical romance novel for example) but a gripping SF/Fantasy action novel that genuinely surprised me more than once and which opened up a world of opportunity for a very good series of novels.
The protagonist James is well developed and I found myself empathising with his desire to find some sort of stability and form some connections when he has been dealt a pretty unusual starting hand in life.
The supporting characters start off fairly well developed as well and although there are a few by the end, there weren't so many as to become superfluous.
My only complaint - and it is really more of an opinion - is that I felt there was a little bit of deus ex machina with the timely arrival of some supporting characters at moments where the main characters were in need of help or guidance, which I would have preferred to see them struggle through themselves. However these moments were few and far between and I found myself rapidly reading through entire chapters on my lunch breaks and into the early hours of the morning.
I discovered this book late thursday night, read through part of the sample when it was already past my bedtime, was haunted by the book all day friday, and finally bought it and devoured it as soon as I got home from work.
A lot of urban fantasy that I've seen lately has a kind of sameness to it, but catskinner's book is something different. Catskinner himself is fascinating and I'd love to see more of him, along with more of his relationship to James.
While I do think the book had some structural flaws (I was a little confused by how quickly the first big threat was neutralized, and I would've loved to learn more about the backstory behind that first threat), I could not put this book down. Seriously, I read the whole thing in one sitting. I even suffered through reading a good portion of it on my phone because my laptop was acting up. I'm delighted to hear the author is planning a sequel, and intend to snap it up as soon as it's out.
Also, I really liked the way the female characters were handled. They weren't just pawns, they wanted things (and not always the same things the protagonist wanted!) and went out to get them.
I LOVED this book! It’s short, it’s sweet, it’s violent, it’s sexy, it’s intriguing … A+ all around! The world Burnett’s created is absolutely fascinating, and totally unlike anything I’ve read before — I honestly don’t know where he comes up with this stuff!
The protagonist, James, is enthralling — he’s a curious mix of beleaguered every-man, jailkeeper to a vicious alien entity, lonely man just trying to find his place in the world, and hired hitman. It’s bizarre. It’s wonderful.
I’m trying to think if there’s anything I didn’t like … I think the only thing that threw me was Godiva’s evolution as a character (Godiva being the love interest). When she first shows up, she comes across as extraordinarily vacuous. But by the time you get to the end of the book, she’s brilliant, resourceful, and deviously clever. It made a certain amount of sense, but I would have liked more of a gradual transition or explanation.
I highly recommend Catskinner’s Book. If you’re at all a fan of science fiction — or even urban fantasy! — I suggest you give it a try. It doesn’t fit neatly into one genre box, but … well, read it and you’ll see how great it is!
Wow, I practically swallowed this book whole. Catskinner's Book is a mixture of noir, lovecraftian horror, with a little bit of Clive Barker thrown in for good measure. The best thing about this book is its pace--it starts running and just doesn't stop until the end. The style is also superb, noir is a tricky tone to use--so many books get ruined by laying it on too thick, but Burnett really has masterful control.
This book is pulpy in the best use of that word--action based, spare prose, with quite a few surprises thrown in for good measure. I was mostly surprised at how much heart is here--I wasn't expecting to care about the protagonist. I also appreciate how the character pool was limited, and that characters actually grow and change as the book proceeds.
This book isn't for everyone--some parts are definitely on the weird side. The only shortcoming I can see is the end is a bit abrupt, but the ride is good enough to make it worth it.
I absolutely loved this story! The relationship of the main character(s), James and Catskinner, was psychologically fascinating as these two personalities were profoundly interesting. I could hear the distinctive voices of each in my head. The dialogue between them was well done, and contributed to the plot development.
The plot moved at a steady, quick pace with one intriguing adventure after another. As soon as you recovered from one incident another was put before you. The mechanics and descriptiveness of scenario was both plausible and fantastic.
Two things I thoroughly enjoyed about this book: 1) the accessibility of the writing style, and 2) the genius creativity and imagination expressed through the author’s imagery. I would highly recommend it if you are looking for a psychologically dynamic sci-fi/fantasy story.
It took me a total of 6-8 hours to finish reading this story, which is a good thing, because once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. The storytelling is just that captivating. James has a lifelong "companion" named Catskinner. Together, they earn a living as contract killers. Or as a contract killer. It's complicated. Catskinner lives in James's head, and keeps him safe. When he takes control, people usually die. When James's boss gets killed, James and Catskinner begin a quest to avenge Victor's death. Their journey takes them down into a shady underworld where extraterrestrial entities wage war with one another, using humans as pawns, and it seems that all sides want James/Catskinner either working for them, or permanently out of the way. Without knowing who to trust, it's James and Catskinner against the world. It's an unfair fight. The world is outnumbered.
Instead of getting in the shower, I was sitting on the edge of my bed, fighting with a sluggish Wi-Fi connection, attempting to immediately download the next three books in this series. (Ah, instant gratification. Gone are the days of driving through a torrential downpour at a quarter to closing, fighting to get the next book in the series before being forced into the unthinkable position of waiting TWELVE HOURS without finding out whathappensnext.) No book lover in the world would dare make an attendance note on my record for such a thing.
Catskinner was one of those books: well-written, original, accessible, smart, clever, compelling and just satisfying enough to leave you wondering whathappensnext, thereby justifying (almost) being late to work.
Now, if you will excuse me, I have three more books to read.
From the moment I read the first few pages of Catskinner’s book I was intrigued by the plot and the unique characters. I found myself quickly drawn to the story. Each chapter was engaging and exciting and kept me wanting to turn the page.
James, the protagonist, is such a strange and interesting character. I found myself deeply intrigued by him and his alter ego, Catskinner. I liked the interaction between the two. The author made it feel believable. As the story goes on, more characters are introduced—and they’re just as strange and interesting as James. Godiva, especially, got my attention.
This story is action-packed and full of surprises. There are no dull moments, which makes it a fantastic quick read. I think this book would make a great movie.
This book drew me in from the very first page--the voice, the characters, the intelligence, the humor, the originality. James is a sympathetic character--and Catskinner himself is, if not exactly sympathetic, fascinating. I was even fond of him (in a strange sort of way) by the book's end. Misha Burnett has created a unique, compelling world peopled with unique, compelling characters. The book can be disturbing, but wonderfully so. There are some copy-editing glitches, but the writing is so good, I easily forgave them. I'm looking forward to reading Cannibal Hearts, which is already in my virtual to-read stack. If you like urban fantasy/sci fi/horror and are looking for something new and different, do yourself a favor and read this book.
Whew! This book was intense from the very first page...and didn't let up until the last word.
My first thought though was "this is going to be too weird for me." I thought that, but couldn't put it down. I raced through it to finish it. Every time I thought there couldn't be any other creatures, there were!
I truly am in awe of writers who can create something from so deep within their imagination that their creation is unique. Well, I'm assuming this is unique. But I can't be sure because this is a totally new genre for me.
Do I recommend this book? YES! It was entertaining, fast-paced, and well written.
The ending was rather sudden, a few grammar errors (nothing major, and having read on a Kindle app, it is to be expected), but otherwise an excellent read. A quick read, mostly because you cannot put the book down, and I even liked the sudden change in antagonist. Makes you wonder how large this expansive, multi-dimensional novel can truly reach. Ecstatic to learn there will be a sequel. I recommend this book to just about everyone. I loved it, short answer. My favorite quote from the book is "'You're the princess.'...'And you're the knight who rescued me.'...'No, I'm the dragon.'"
This book started out great and really got me caught up but it just kinda went downhill from that point. I almost set it aside but I really liked the characters even when the story itself wasn't at its best and I wanted to know what happened to them.
This book is entertaining and a bit strange in itself but from the middle through to the end it could have used a bit more firming up. It felt like the author started flying by the seat of his pants instead of having a clear goal of where he may be taking the story.
I bounce between 2 and 3 so I will settle on 2.5 stars.
Fanstastic book! Dark, funny, sexy - keeps you on the edge of your seat. Every character is very original and a mystery unto him/her/itself. I love that there is no predicting what might happen next and often laughed out loud while listening.
Both the narrator and the writing are excellent and make this book extremely hard to put down. Luckily, I have it on authority that the second book will hopefully be out on audio in January. I am eagerly awaiting the release!
A fantastic quick read that plays with many traditional sci fi elements in a very modern and at times innovative way. The characters are compelling and well developed. The story moves along nicely with several twists. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series to see where things go.
I read the print edition and happen to be a fan of black and white photography and truly love the elegant simplicity of the photo.