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Nightside #9
Just Another Judgement Day: Nightside, Book 9
I'm John Taylor. I work as a PI out of the Nightside, that secret center of London where clocks always read three AM, where terrible things happen with predictable regularity, and where the always-dark streets are full of people partying like Judgement Day will never come.
Now it may have arrived. God's own enforcer, the righteous engine of destruction known as the Walking Man, has come to the Nightside. He's a being whose sole purpose is the elimination of the wicked and the guilty—and given the nature of the Nightside, there's a good chance that once he gets started, he'll just keep on until there's no one left.
So the Authorities have hired me to stop him. Legend has it that he can't be killed. I'm very much hoping that the legend isn't true . . .
Now it may have arrived. God's own enforcer, the righteous engine of destruction known as the Walking Man, has come to the Nightside. He's a being whose sole purpose is the elimination of the wicked and the guilty—and given the nature of the Nightside, there's a good chance that once he gets started, he'll just keep on until there's no one left.
So the Authorities have hired me to stop him. Legend has it that he can't be killed. I'm very much hoping that the legend isn't true . . .
Audible Audio
First published December 17, 2008
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About the author
Simon R. Green
312 books3,206 followersSimon Richard Green is a British science fiction and fantasy-author. He holds a degree in Modern English and American Literature from the University of Leicester. His first publication was in 1979.
His Deathstalker series is partly a parody of the usual space-opera of the 1950s, told with sovereign disregard of the rules of probability, while being at the same time extremely bloodthirsty.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
His Deathstalker series is partly a parody of the usual space-opera of the 1950s, told with sovereign disregard of the rules of probability, while being at the same time extremely bloodthirsty.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews
June 14, 2021
Basically, if you like the trope of an unstoppable gunman of god mixing it up in Nightside, you'll enjoy this one. It's an all-out western with Cthulhu cyborgs and lots of god-slaying on the dirty noir streets.
Honestly, I liked most of it but thought the end was something of a let-down. It fits the old trope, but still.
Otherwise, not bad.
Honestly, I liked most of it but thought the end was something of a let-down. It fits the old trope, but still.
Otherwise, not bad.
May 31, 2016
And so the series goes on - and slowly its becoming more and additive it. I will have to say that after the Lilith war the stories have become more compact and as such now are limited to a single book. This makes the book both quicker to read - after all everything that is going to happen, will happen, has to happen in these pages, it also to a lesser extent mean that the story is shorted and more compact.
However the story here follows pretty much the same route and even though the dialogue and observations are just as snappy and cutting the main focus of the story does not quite cut it for me. His mission and his skills are impressive but his attitude, well lets say it some else does not sit him on his rear then I will gladly volunteer.
But this is the Nightside and the world of John Taylor so you know there will be a reckoning and not a pretty one.
However this book to me marks the change in the style of the writing. Now we see hints of something else brewing with both actions and revelations at the end of the book marking a shift in our accepted stations. Now I know that at the time Simon Green announced that there would be a finite run to this series and there would be an end - not necessarily a complete END just he wanted to move on to other projects, and you can start to get the feel such seeds of destructions are being sown even here.
Finally I want to point out or at least make an admission. I know that Simon Green has often said that he likes the idea of his characters from various series and universes to cross paths - if you like a combination of the tales of the eternal champion meeting the cast of Stephen Kings works meeting at the foot of the Dark Tower. I definitely get the feeling that this book is incredibly heavy on these names and how they were dropped. I just wonder once I have survived this series if I have the strength to search them out.
However the story here follows pretty much the same route and even though the dialogue and observations are just as snappy and cutting the main focus of the story does not quite cut it for me. His mission and his skills are impressive but his attitude, well lets say it some else does not sit him on his rear then I will gladly volunteer.
But this is the Nightside and the world of John Taylor so you know there will be a reckoning and not a pretty one.
However this book to me marks the change in the style of the writing. Now we see hints of something else brewing with both actions and revelations at the end of the book marking a shift in our accepted stations. Now I know that at the time Simon Green announced that there would be a finite run to this series and there would be an end - not necessarily a complete END just he wanted to move on to other projects, and you can start to get the feel such seeds of destructions are being sown even here.
Finally I want to point out or at least make an admission. I know that Simon Green has often said that he likes the idea of his characters from various series and universes to cross paths - if you like a combination of the tales of the eternal champion meeting the cast of Stephen Kings works meeting at the foot of the Dark Tower. I definitely get the feeling that this book is incredibly heavy on these names and how they were dropped. I just wonder once I have survived this series if I have the strength to search them out.
February 15, 2018
5 Stars
Just Another Judgement Day by Simon R. Green is book number 9 in the Nightside series. I really enjoyed this book and it reclaimed it's shine. The Nightside series is one of my favorite today and a perfect example of how good the Urban Fantasy genre can be. I would read about John Taylor everyday if I could.
These stories are classic noir like private eye mysteries in an urban fantasy setting. They are perfect for my interests today. I have been reading a lot of urban fantasy lately. Combine my new favorite genre with a detective noir like story and you have made me something special. I loved this book. I loved the writing of Green. I loved the world of Nightside. And I especially loved our main character (can't call him the good guy), John Taylor.
These marvelous urban fantasies have worked because of the amazing place, the scary and relatable hero John Taylor, and his equally interesting friends and associates. I love the humor, the action, and the writing...
A fun intimate story about John Taylor doing what he does best. Even though this one lacked the emotional punch, I could read these books all day every day. Thank you Simon R. Green for the amazing series and kick-ass, bad-ass, and simply cool hero in John Taylor.
Highest recommendations for the series.
The amazing world building combined with the fantastic writing of Simon Green make the Nightside series a favorite of mine.
Just Another Judgement Day by Simon R. Green is book number 9 in the Nightside series. I really enjoyed this book and it reclaimed it's shine. The Nightside series is one of my favorite today and a perfect example of how good the Urban Fantasy genre can be. I would read about John Taylor everyday if I could.
These stories are classic noir like private eye mysteries in an urban fantasy setting. They are perfect for my interests today. I have been reading a lot of urban fantasy lately. Combine my new favorite genre with a detective noir like story and you have made me something special. I loved this book. I loved the writing of Green. I loved the world of Nightside. And I especially loved our main character (can't call him the good guy), John Taylor.
These marvelous urban fantasies have worked because of the amazing place, the scary and relatable hero John Taylor, and his equally interesting friends and associates. I love the humor, the action, and the writing...
A fun intimate story about John Taylor doing what he does best. Even though this one lacked the emotional punch, I could read these books all day every day. Thank you Simon R. Green for the amazing series and kick-ass, bad-ass, and simply cool hero in John Taylor.
Highest recommendations for the series.
The amazing world building combined with the fantastic writing of Simon Green make the Nightside series a favorite of mine.
March 9, 2017
3.5 STARS
About : After killing a crowd of Springheeled Jacks who entered the Nightside through a Timeslip, John Taylor and Suzie Shooter decide to wind down in a Nightside bar. But they can’t relax for long. Soon John’s on-again-off-again friend and arch nemesis brings news of a different kind of monster: a righteous kind.
“The Walking Man, the wrath of God in the world of men, the most powerful and scariest agent of the Good, ever, has come at last to the Nightside to punish the guilty.”
Problem is, if the Walking Man kills all the guilty in the Nightside, no one will be left. John Taylor steps up to challenge the Walking Man, but how can he defeat the unstoppable wrath of God? Just Another Judgement Day is adult UF written by NYT best-selling author Simon R. Green and published December 17th 2008.
So…how did I end up reading #9 of the Nightside series, you ask?
Storytime (You Can Skip Storytime, If You Want) : It’s kind of funny story. My rural California library hosts several Dresden-addicts and every time they check out their next installment of the series or graphic novels, they ask me, “So did you start book 5 yet?” They get into conversations with each other at the front desk. They ask me how I liked the audiobooks.
I finally admitted to them that while I enjoyed the Dresden books, other series are taking priority at the moment.
So of course one of them took this as permission to hand sell some Dresden drones to me and he went out and bought me Simon Green’s Just Another Judgement Day. This particular Dresden fan is also one of my very favorite library volunteers, and he does some tasks that I would have to do instead of working on fun things like book displays or the teen summer reading program.
So I thanked him profusely, brought the book home and stuffed it into my overflowing bookshelf. But after seeing the volunteer again (who very politely didn't ask me if I'd read his book, yet) and feeling super guilty, I decided to jump in that very weekend.
Thoughts (The Actual Review) : At first, Just Another Judgement Day appeared to be exactly what I expected from the Dresden-like cover, from John Taylor’s trench coat to his girlfriend named Suzie, I mean, c’mon!
But I soon realized the error of my assumptions. Not only is John Taylor’s trench coat a living thing (“I’ve always believed in having a coat that can look after itself,” John casually explains), Suzie Shooter likes to trip Mary Sues and laugh at them as they nurse their bruises.
The opening scene hits noir tones as it kicks off a new story in the magical world of “The Nightside.”
“In the Nightside we’re great believers in letting everyone go to Hell in their own way.”
You’ll find more action in the single first macabre chapter than in whole novels of other series. Literally, chapter one runs through a whole plot that I enjoyed immensely, though it has little to do with the rest of the novel. (It’s similar to the Indiana Jones or James Bond stunt at the beginning of every Jones/Bond movie that sets the tone.) The large volume of wacky, fun adventures overwhelms any little considerations about convenient happenstances that smooth the plot *WINK*
And beside the terrific speed and volume of the action, the worldbuilding surrounding it all is a magical, living thing. I haven’t read anything that felt so effortlessly magical since I read Harry Potter when I was a kid. Breezy comments and whole scenes hint at great story possibilities for past and future books:
“A great painting of a strange alien jungle suddenly came alive and formed a window into that world.”
Jumanji moment! I almost wish this volume had taken advantage of more of that—but that’s that trouble with coming in at book 9. I’m sure the author has “gone there” in other books, but this very specific adventure deals instead with the shades of morality in the Nightside.
The other great thing about Just Another Judgement Day is John’s first-person narration, which made me literally laugh out loud:
“‘It’s not really my usual kind of case,’ I said.
‘I’ll pay you half a million pounds.’
‘But clearly this is something that needs to be investigated. Leave it with me, Percy.’“
I enjoyed the characters, although other reviewers (who have read more than book #9 haha) say they’re very two-dimensional; from this I assume the characters don’t undergo much series-level character change, and yet Suzie does change in this book. I love how her growth caps off the story. It’s the perfect ending, imo. Though the plot climax is otherwise anti-climactic and suffers from some repetition and alittabitta moralizing, I enjoyed the rest of the book enormously and Suzie’s revelation totally made it work for me.
Overall : Get ready for some serious fun, UF lovers. I think I’d have to be in the right mood to pick up this series again—I like a little more characterization in my average fare—but I would definitely not be opposed. That was fun!
Recommended To : Anyone looking especially for humor and warp-speed pacing in their Urban Fantasy.
Plot: 3 Stars
Characters: 4 Stars
Writing: 3.5 Stars
Worlduilding: 5 Stars
If you liked this review, you can read more of my speculative fiction reviews on my blog
About : After killing a crowd of Springheeled Jacks who entered the Nightside through a Timeslip, John Taylor and Suzie Shooter decide to wind down in a Nightside bar. But they can’t relax for long. Soon John’s on-again-off-again friend and arch nemesis brings news of a different kind of monster: a righteous kind.
“The Walking Man, the wrath of God in the world of men, the most powerful and scariest agent of the Good, ever, has come at last to the Nightside to punish the guilty.”
Problem is, if the Walking Man kills all the guilty in the Nightside, no one will be left. John Taylor steps up to challenge the Walking Man, but how can he defeat the unstoppable wrath of God? Just Another Judgement Day is adult UF written by NYT best-selling author Simon R. Green and published December 17th 2008.
So…how did I end up reading #9 of the Nightside series, you ask?
Storytime (You Can Skip Storytime, If You Want) : It’s kind of funny story. My rural California library hosts several Dresden-addicts and every time they check out their next installment of the series or graphic novels, they ask me, “So did you start book 5 yet?” They get into conversations with each other at the front desk. They ask me how I liked the audiobooks.
I finally admitted to them that while I enjoyed the Dresden books, other series are taking priority at the moment.
So of course one of them took this as permission to hand sell some Dresden drones to me and he went out and bought me Simon Green’s Just Another Judgement Day. This particular Dresden fan is also one of my very favorite library volunteers, and he does some tasks that I would have to do instead of working on fun things like book displays or the teen summer reading program.
So I thanked him profusely, brought the book home and stuffed it into my overflowing bookshelf. But after seeing the volunteer again (who very politely didn't ask me if I'd read his book, yet) and feeling super guilty, I decided to jump in that very weekend.
Thoughts (The Actual Review) : At first, Just Another Judgement Day appeared to be exactly what I expected from the Dresden-like cover, from John Taylor’s trench coat to his girlfriend named Suzie, I mean, c’mon!
But I soon realized the error of my assumptions. Not only is John Taylor’s trench coat a living thing (“I’ve always believed in having a coat that can look after itself,” John casually explains), Suzie Shooter likes to trip Mary Sues and laugh at them as they nurse their bruises.
The opening scene hits noir tones as it kicks off a new story in the magical world of “The Nightside.”
“In the Nightside we’re great believers in letting everyone go to Hell in their own way.”
You’ll find more action in the single first macabre chapter than in whole novels of other series. Literally, chapter one runs through a whole plot that I enjoyed immensely, though it has little to do with the rest of the novel. (It’s similar to the Indiana Jones or James Bond stunt at the beginning of every Jones/Bond movie that sets the tone.) The large volume of wacky, fun adventures overwhelms any little considerations about convenient happenstances that smooth the plot *WINK*
And beside the terrific speed and volume of the action, the worldbuilding surrounding it all is a magical, living thing. I haven’t read anything that felt so effortlessly magical since I read Harry Potter when I was a kid. Breezy comments and whole scenes hint at great story possibilities for past and future books:
“A great painting of a strange alien jungle suddenly came alive and formed a window into that world.”
Jumanji moment! I almost wish this volume had taken advantage of more of that—but that’s that trouble with coming in at book 9. I’m sure the author has “gone there” in other books, but this very specific adventure deals instead with the shades of morality in the Nightside.
The other great thing about Just Another Judgement Day is John’s first-person narration, which made me literally laugh out loud:
“‘It’s not really my usual kind of case,’ I said.
‘I’ll pay you half a million pounds.’
‘But clearly this is something that needs to be investigated. Leave it with me, Percy.’“
I enjoyed the characters, although other reviewers (who have read more than book #9 haha) say they’re very two-dimensional; from this I assume the characters don’t undergo much series-level character change, and yet Suzie does change in this book. I love how her growth caps off the story. It’s the perfect ending, imo. Though the plot climax is otherwise anti-climactic and suffers from some repetition and alittabitta moralizing, I enjoyed the rest of the book enormously and Suzie’s revelation totally made it work for me.
Overall : Get ready for some serious fun, UF lovers. I think I’d have to be in the right mood to pick up this series again—I like a little more characterization in my average fare—but I would definitely not be opposed. That was fun!
Recommended To : Anyone looking especially for humor and warp-speed pacing in their Urban Fantasy.
Plot: 3 Stars
Characters: 4 Stars
Writing: 3.5 Stars
Worlduilding: 5 Stars
If you liked this review, you can read more of my speculative fiction reviews on my blog
March 3, 2010
Anyone who's gotten this far into the series knows that the stories are a little predictable. Green tends to repeat himself, not just from book to book, but even within books. If I read the line "He's the wrath of God on earth" again, I think I was gonna scream. And every time he uses his Gift and "then it was the easiest thing in the world..." my eye twitches a little.
That said, after the last book, which I was rather disappointed in, this one has some fresh life and fun again. Yes, it is sort of a filler book, but I also think I can see the threads for where the next arc is coming from. It was also an opportunity to introduce us to the several new characters and creations - and, really, that is Green's shining light, I think.
Aside from some of the new characters, we also got glimpses of some old faves, like Julien Advent and, my ultimate fave, Razor Eddie (though I would've liked to see more of him.) And Walker's even human...
Mixed in with the fun, the frenetic violence, and the the wry wit and snarky commentary, there was even some depth in the guise of the question of morality - of the infinite shades of grey vs. black and white, and how you can, arguably, do something 'evil' for the benefit of 'the greater good'.
The only problem, as I said before, is it gets repetitive. John and The Walking Man have the same circular argument about morality about three times, at least, not even counting John's own circular thoughts on the topic.
**minor possible spoiler**
It was interesting to see how the story was resolved, without access to the damn Gift, but it was also sort of anti-climactic. To be honest I really thought the Walking Man was going to go to St. Jude's and be confronted with the truth from his god... I would've liked to see him fall apart as he realized that he was just another crazy man thinking god was talking to him - ah well, can't have everything.
That said, after the last book, which I was rather disappointed in, this one has some fresh life and fun again. Yes, it is sort of a filler book, but I also think I can see the threads for where the next arc is coming from. It was also an opportunity to introduce us to the several new characters and creations - and, really, that is Green's shining light, I think.
Aside from some of the new characters, we also got glimpses of some old faves, like Julien Advent and, my ultimate fave, Razor Eddie (though I would've liked to see more of him.) And Walker's even human...
Mixed in with the fun, the frenetic violence, and the the wry wit and snarky commentary, there was even some depth in the guise of the question of morality - of the infinite shades of grey vs. black and white, and how you can, arguably, do something 'evil' for the benefit of 'the greater good'.
The only problem, as I said before, is it gets repetitive. John and The Walking Man have the same circular argument about morality about three times, at least, not even counting John's own circular thoughts on the topic.
**minor possible spoiler**
It was interesting to see how the story was resolved, without access to the damn Gift, but it was also sort of anti-climactic. To be honest I really thought the Walking Man was going to go to St. Jude's and be confronted with the truth from his god... I would've liked to see him fall apart as he realized that he was just another crazy man thinking god was talking to him - ah well, can't have everything.
June 17, 2020
There's always a mini story before the story in Green's Nightside books and I forgot about that so when I started reading it, I thought oooh, I'm going to like this one. Then I realized it was just the mini story before the story.
In the end, this 9th installment of this series was probably my favorite so far. A little gruesome at times but I really liked the overall story.
Part of the problem for me is that I take too long in between reading Nightside books. Maybe, just maybe, I need to start reading them more often.
In the end, this 9th installment of this series was probably my favorite so far. A little gruesome at times but I really liked the overall story.
Part of the problem for me is that I take too long in between reading Nightside books. Maybe, just maybe, I need to start reading them more often.
December 1, 2017
مثل همیشه ای کتاب تاریک که هرکسی نمیپسنده شخصیت پردازی خیره کننده ولی پایان عجیبی داشت. نمیدونم چرا نویسنده دوست داره پایان هاشو ناگهانی بنویسه. طوری که یجورایی منطقین ولی انگار از جعبه ی شانسی دراومدن. با اینکه یه چیزی رو تا بزرگترین حدش میبره، بعد بصورت عجیبی همون چیز بزرگ شکست میخوره. فکر کن�� خیلیا تا حالا مجموعه رو نصفه ول کردن. ولی من انقدر ادامه میدم تا بفهمم نویسنده ازش هدفی داره یا نه. یا همین براساس جعبه ی شانسی پیش میره...
May 22, 2021
This was another fairly self contained Nightside story, but one that I enjoyed much more than the previous one. We had an intriguing big bad, some fun new characters, interesting discussions of right and wrong, and even a little character development. The ending was perhaps a little anti-climatic, but still a thoroughly entertaining read.
November 19, 2017
4 Stars
A good man with horrible powers.
Pride, is not one of them.
Are you doing what you do because its the right thing, or because you think you're right?? Are you being judgmental or merely giving an opinion?? Be careful what you say in the name of God.
A good man with horrible powers.
Pride, is not one of them.
Are you doing what you do because its the right thing, or because you think you're right?? Are you being judgmental or merely giving an opinion?? Be careful what you say in the name of God.
August 15, 2012
I just finished reading Simon Green’s “Just Another Judgement Day”, the ninth installment in his highly-popular Nightside urban fantasy series. I completely enjoyed this novel, and found the storyline to be both compelling and highly-informative concerning the burgeoning new group of Nightside power brokers, referred to as the Authorities, who have replaced their former holders as the guiding management for the Nightside. And yet, there’s still even more to this storyline, such as the evolving relationship between Suzie Shooter and our enigmatic hero, John Taylor. Finally, the readers gain additional insight into the personal relationship between John Taylor and Walker, the Nightside’s chief enforcer and oft-quasi-adversary to John.
*Whew*
Merely alluding to the additional quality content in this novel is a storyline in and of itself!
Of course, Just Another Judgement Day follows a highly engaging storyline thread involving God’s arm of justice, the Walking Man, making an ominous appearance in the Nightside on his perpetual mission to smite evil-doers. However, the reader quickly discovers that, while feared and nearly invincible, the mysterious Walking Man harbors a dark agenda, key motivations, and compelling background all his own, which brings life to what may seem a straightforward mission. As is often the case, John Taylor is called upon by the new Authorities to stop the Walking Man before he wreaks havoc in the Nightside. Oh, and readers will be treated to a remarkable character, Chandra Singh, who enriches the storyline in his own unique and interesting manner.
All in all, this novel was simply amazing in its own right, as well as thoroughly satisfying at so many levels: excellent character development, compelling arc of impending threat, and juicy tidbits and insights into characters that we have all grown to love in the Nightside. This novel gets five stars, and A-plus, and my urgent recommendation to “read it now!”
Wow!
*Whew*
Merely alluding to the additional quality content in this novel is a storyline in and of itself!
Of course, Just Another Judgement Day follows a highly engaging storyline thread involving God’s arm of justice, the Walking Man, making an ominous appearance in the Nightside on his perpetual mission to smite evil-doers. However, the reader quickly discovers that, while feared and nearly invincible, the mysterious Walking Man harbors a dark agenda, key motivations, and compelling background all his own, which brings life to what may seem a straightforward mission. As is often the case, John Taylor is called upon by the new Authorities to stop the Walking Man before he wreaks havoc in the Nightside. Oh, and readers will be treated to a remarkable character, Chandra Singh, who enriches the storyline in his own unique and interesting manner.
All in all, this novel was simply amazing in its own right, as well as thoroughly satisfying at so many levels: excellent character development, compelling arc of impending threat, and juicy tidbits and insights into characters that we have all grown to love in the Nightside. This novel gets five stars, and A-plus, and my urgent recommendation to “read it now!”
Wow!
July 3, 2015
Amazing as always. Read these books friends!
June 30, 2024
We head back to the Nightside again for Just Another Judgement Day, our ninth trip there. Green actually examined some excellent themes in this one, such as blind faith, the nature of justice and revenge/punishment. And then he blows it all to hell with a cop out, lazy final fight costing the book a whole star. Nine books into the series, we expect better of you Simon!
Our hero John Taylor is hired by the new Authorities in the Nightside to stop God’s judgement made Man, an unstoppable entity come to murder as Judge Jury and Executioner all those he deems evil. Which is basically everyone/thing in the Nightside, John seemingly excluded.
Green raises excellent questions and examines them honestly here, with a somewhat absurd ability as all the characters are mythic or magical or monstrous. He presents an antagonist following orders by God himself who is intrinsically flawed, a vigilante who kills the mega evil and minor bad alike, without regard for mercy compassion or change.
He also brings up problems in the blind faith of religion, to the point of whose God is right? And what gives one group of believers the right to judge hate condemn and sometimes murder another group of believers for their belief?
As stated this truly was one of Greens more thought provoking Nightside novels, and fun throughout. Aside from the huge question of why didn’t he immediately kill John since he’s done TONS of nasty shit in the series. That and the cheap end fight cost an otherwise excellent book a star.
Our hero John Taylor is hired by the new Authorities in the Nightside to stop God’s judgement made Man, an unstoppable entity come to murder as Judge Jury and Executioner all those he deems evil. Which is basically everyone/thing in the Nightside, John seemingly excluded.
Green raises excellent questions and examines them honestly here, with a somewhat absurd ability as all the characters are mythic or magical or monstrous. He presents an antagonist following orders by God himself who is intrinsically flawed, a vigilante who kills the mega evil and minor bad alike, without regard for mercy compassion or change.
He also brings up problems in the blind faith of religion, to the point of whose God is right? And what gives one group of believers the right to judge hate condemn and sometimes murder another group of believers for their belief?
As stated this truly was one of Greens more thought provoking Nightside novels, and fun throughout. Aside from the huge question of why didn’t he immediately kill John since he’s done TONS of nasty shit in the series. That and the cheap end fight cost an otherwise excellent book a star.
March 31, 2020
Seemed a poor man's version of Dresden. But this one will be great TV series in the vein of Angel. 😊
December 27, 2012
I've read nine installments of this series so far, and I'll read the others. Like many books (Butcher's Dresden series, Hearne's Iron Druid series, and Kadrey's Sandman Slim series, to name just a few), these books are what I tend to call "Television Substitutes." They're enjoyable enough, and a slight notch above pulp fiction (usually), and, most of the time, I'd rather curl up with the dog and read something light than waste time in front of the TV. Slumming with television substitutes can be quite relaxing.
I can only give the Nightside books three stars, though, because of what I consider a few notable flaws. For one, they're a bit cartoonish. Nine books in, many of the characters still hardly manage two dimensions, let alone three. The protagonist, John Taylor, expands into 2½ dimensions, on occasion, but his love interest barely reaches comic book character status.
Second, there's a large amount of repetition, especially of stock phrases. It gets tiresome run up against yet another use of the phrase "... and it was the easiest thing in the world for me to ..." or read yet another description of how important it is for Taylor to exaggerate his reputation.
In this particular book (Just Another Judgement Day), Green tossed in a few references to his Deathstalker series, which I found jarring. I understand the temptation, but it tears down the third wall (to borrow a theater phrase).
I can't escape the feeling that the books could use a firmer editing hand.
As I said, I'll certainly read the remaining installments. The series is decent escapism. I just wish the characters had a bit more depth and that Green would dispense with overusing the stock phrases.
I can only give the Nightside books three stars, though, because of what I consider a few notable flaws. For one, they're a bit cartoonish. Nine books in, many of the characters still hardly manage two dimensions, let alone three. The protagonist, John Taylor, expands into 2½ dimensions, on occasion, but his love interest barely reaches comic book character status.
Second, there's a large amount of repetition, especially of stock phrases. It gets tiresome run up against yet another use of the phrase "... and it was the easiest thing in the world for me to ..." or read yet another description of how important it is for Taylor to exaggerate his reputation.
In this particular book (Just Another Judgement Day), Green tossed in a few references to his Deathstalker series, which I found jarring. I understand the temptation, but it tears down the third wall (to borrow a theater phrase).
I can't escape the feeling that the books could use a firmer editing hand.
As I said, I'll certainly read the remaining installments. The series is decent escapism. I just wish the characters had a bit more depth and that Green would dispense with overusing the stock phrases.
December 3, 2013
If Simon R. Green can get away with recycling his NIGHTSIDE stories and presenting them as new ones, I should be able to get away with recycling my reviews of them. So, here is my review of Just Another Judgement Day which is a copied and pasted and only slightly altered review of the previous novel, The Unnatural Inquirer:
John Taylor has been hired byThe Unnatural Inquirer, the gossip magazine of the Nightside, THE AUTHORITIES to find a stolen DVD that allegedly contains a recording of a transmission from the afterlife KILL SOMEONE. His investigation will take him all over the Nightside where we’ll encounter old and new friends (and enemies).
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John Taylor has been hired by
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March 3, 2010
It's nice to see that Simon R. Green is getting less predictable in his writing, which has been the unfortunate drawback to his last few novels. Rather, he has taken a fresh step in the Nightside series, which bodes well for the future books.
I think the strongest aspect of the book was the slow shift away from the pre-Lilith war characters by writing them into the background of the story. His more memorable characters are still present, however, not recurrent and in the forefront as they were in the previous novels. He also gives Susie Shooter unexpected depth in her brief presence in the novel and left me curious as to where the future novels are going.
I think the strongest aspect of the book was the slow shift away from the pre-Lilith war characters by writing them into the background of the story. His more memorable characters are still present, however, not recurrent and in the forefront as they were in the previous novels. He also gives Susie Shooter unexpected depth in her brief presence in the novel and left me curious as to where the future novels are going.
January 15, 2011
4 stars because after a couple disappointing books this one finally grabbed my attention. Although I find the child abuse story line extremely upsetting (not just suzie's in this one- there's more. It's not in-the-moment description, just aftermath, but still horrifying of course) I did appreciate what that did for suzie's character.
You get more of John & suzie's private life, info on the new authorities (that raises an interesting question about the future), bad news about Walker and even a little Eddie.
Definitely a better book than the last one.
You get more of John & suzie's private life, info on the new authorities (that raises an interesting question about the future), bad news about Walker and even a little Eddie.
Definitely a better book than the last one.
January 9, 2013
Read every book in the Nightside series and you'll have read some ace-level sci-fi. Green's imagination is enviable and flat-out genius. His characters, concepts, lines . . . perfecto. He's a master of first-person sci-fi.
Take this book for example. Imagine the left hand of God came to town, with the purpose of inflicting Old-Testament-style wrath upon the Nightside, a town full of evils and vices. He's wreathed in God's might. He's indestructible. Cruel. Merciless.
How would you stop him?
[Whispering to you:] Read this book!
Take this book for example. Imagine the left hand of God came to town, with the purpose of inflicting Old-Testament-style wrath upon the Nightside, a town full of evils and vices. He's wreathed in God's might. He's indestructible. Cruel. Merciless.
How would you stop him?
[Whispering to you:] Read this book!
February 28, 2013
What a great book! I couldn't wait to see how John Taylor would stop The Walking Man. And I loved that John wasn't all gung-ho, that he wanted to stop the guy without killing him, if possible. I also really liked the developing relationship between John and Suzie, loved seeing their home. But I didn't expect the twist with Walker at the very end, that made me rather sad because I love the guy, he's such an arrogant bastard. But I guess that's where the series was headed since the beginning? Can't wait to get my hands on book #10!
May 3, 2009
I enjoyed this book but the series is beginning to feel repetitive. Big Bad comes to Nightside, John, Suzy and 1 or 2 other people take it on, people die. It's not that there's a total lack of forward momentum, there are changes in the Nightside. In this book we meet the new authorities, for example. But it still feels like the more things change the more they stay the same.
I did notice a few crossovers with the Shaman Bond series.
I did notice a few crossovers with the Shaman Bond series.
December 23, 2012
Loved it. Fast-paced, truly dark in many ways, and filled with debates over faith vs fanaticism, good vs evil, and the merits of all the levels in between.
Add to this all the changes going on in the Nightside and the series gets freshened up a bit.
These damn books are like potato chips.
::reaching for the next one::
Add to this all the changes going on in the Nightside and the series gets freshened up a bit.
These damn books are like potato chips.
::reaching for the next one::
February 26, 2018
Nice to see Suzie Shooter ... I'm getting kinda tired of JT questioning if he fixed the future or not... I think the fact he no longer has time traveling assassins after him is a pretty strong sign...
June 20, 2018
Just Another Judgement Day is the ninth book in the Nightside Series written by Simon R. Green and centered on John Taylor, the main protagonist, who is not a private detective per se, but he has a knack for finding lost things.
Taylor was hired by the Authorities to stop the Walking Man, who has come to Nightside. The Walking Man is God's own enforcer – His righteous engine of destruction. His sole purpose is the elimination of the wicked and the guilty, which means no one will be left in Nightside once he get started. Since he has already prevented one Apocalypse – the Authorities think that he would be perfect to stop another one. However, legend has it that the Walking Man can't be killed and Taylor is hoping that this particular legend isn't true.
However, this apocalypse this time around is both less spectacular and more puzzling. The Walking Man won't stop until his vengeance is satisfied, which is unlikely to happen or he is destroyed, which is impossible without using a thing or two with even worse consequences. So, John Taylor chases the Walking Man around the Nightside, following the trail of flipped-over rocks and trying to mitigate the damage, while figuring out how to save his home from an Irresistible Force without having to use an equally destructive Immovable Object.
Just Another Judgement Day is written rather well – a tad repetitive, a tad episodic, and engaging in repetitive description, but good nevertheless. Green has mixed fantasy, science fiction, urban fantasy, horror and humor rather well and it flowed exceptionally well – despite its repetitiveness.
All in all, Just Another Judgement Day is a wonderfully written book and a very good continuation of the series, which I plan to read in the very near future.
Taylor was hired by the Authorities to stop the Walking Man, who has come to Nightside. The Walking Man is God's own enforcer – His righteous engine of destruction. His sole purpose is the elimination of the wicked and the guilty, which means no one will be left in Nightside once he get started. Since he has already prevented one Apocalypse – the Authorities think that he would be perfect to stop another one. However, legend has it that the Walking Man can't be killed and Taylor is hoping that this particular legend isn't true.
However, this apocalypse this time around is both less spectacular and more puzzling. The Walking Man won't stop until his vengeance is satisfied, which is unlikely to happen or he is destroyed, which is impossible without using a thing or two with even worse consequences. So, John Taylor chases the Walking Man around the Nightside, following the trail of flipped-over rocks and trying to mitigate the damage, while figuring out how to save his home from an Irresistible Force without having to use an equally destructive Immovable Object.
Just Another Judgement Day is written rather well – a tad repetitive, a tad episodic, and engaging in repetitive description, but good nevertheless. Green has mixed fantasy, science fiction, urban fantasy, horror and humor rather well and it flowed exceptionally well – despite its repetitiveness.
All in all, Just Another Judgement Day is a wonderfully written book and a very good continuation of the series, which I plan to read in the very near future.
February 1, 2020
‘*‘ Meine Meinung ‘*‘
Nach dem letzten Band reichte es mir erst einmal mit John Taylor. Es war immer das gleiche, Taylor rettet die Welt und es gibt keine Veränderungen bei den Charakteren.
Na ja, und jetzt muss John wieder die Nightside retten und tut dies auf die altbewährte Methode. Ich fand es spannend, dass der Wanderer als der Böse dargestellt wird. Ich musste ihm zustimmen, dass alle Missetäter sind. Die, die es sich einfach nur gut gehen lassen, sind genau so schuldig. Das hatte mich hoffen lassen, dass sich endlich mal etwas bei Green verändert, doch leider geht es weiter, wie gehabt.
Kennste einen Teil, kennste alle. Das ist total schade, denn man könnte mehr aus der Nightside, John Taylor und Susi Shooter machen.
Ich denke, dies ist für mich der letzte Teil, den ich lesen werde. Ja, es sind nur noch 3 Bände, doch mir geht diese Stereotypie total auf den Keks.
Von mir gibt es 1 Weltenbrand-Stern.
‘*‘ Klappentext ‘*‘
Die Nightside hat einen neuen Gesetzeshüter, vor dem die Reichen und Mächtigen erzittern. Es handelt sich um den Wanderer, dessen Mission es ist, Sünder zu exorzieren - mit extremen Mitteln. Das Problem ist, dass Sünde und Korruption die Fundamente der Nightside sind und der Wanderer zwischen Missetätern und denen, die es sich einfach nur gutgehen lassen, keinen Unterschied macht. Er wird die Nightside verwüsten, wenn ihm niemand Einhalt gebietet, und dafür heuert man Privatdetektiv John Taylor an. Der Wanderer ist weder mit Magie noch mit Naturwissenschaft zu verletzen, und wenn John seine Schwäche nicht finden kann, wird er es mit dem Zorn Gottes persönlich zu tun bekommen.
Nach dem letzten Band reichte es mir erst einmal mit John Taylor. Es war immer das gleiche, Taylor rettet die Welt und es gibt keine Veränderungen bei den Charakteren.
Na ja, und jetzt muss John wieder die Nightside retten und tut dies auf die altbewährte Methode. Ich fand es spannend, dass der Wanderer als der Böse dargestellt wird. Ich musste ihm zustimmen, dass alle Missetäter sind. Die, die es sich einfach nur gut gehen lassen, sind genau so schuldig. Das hatte mich hoffen lassen, dass sich endlich mal etwas bei Green verändert, doch leider geht es weiter, wie gehabt.
Kennste einen Teil, kennste alle. Das ist total schade, denn man könnte mehr aus der Nightside, John Taylor und Susi Shooter machen.
Ich denke, dies ist für mich der letzte Teil, den ich lesen werde. Ja, es sind nur noch 3 Bände, doch mir geht diese Stereotypie total auf den Keks.
Von mir gibt es 1 Weltenbrand-Stern.
‘*‘ Klappentext ‘*‘
Die Nightside hat einen neuen Gesetzeshüter, vor dem die Reichen und Mächtigen erzittern. Es handelt sich um den Wanderer, dessen Mission es ist, Sünder zu exorzieren - mit extremen Mitteln. Das Problem ist, dass Sünde und Korruption die Fundamente der Nightside sind und der Wanderer zwischen Missetätern und denen, die es sich einfach nur gutgehen lassen, keinen Unterschied macht. Er wird die Nightside verwüsten, wenn ihm niemand Einhalt gebietet, und dafür heuert man Privatdetektiv John Taylor an. Der Wanderer ist weder mit Magie noch mit Naturwissenschaft zu verletzen, und wenn John seine Schwäche nicht finden kann, wird er es mit dem Zorn Gottes persönlich zu tun bekommen.
March 9, 2025
This book made me want to stop reading the series completely, largely because it did not fit in with the rest of the series. And the premise was good - how do you stop an unstoppable warrior of God?
As it turns out, the Walking Man is a cross (heh) between the Punisher and a Lawful Stupid paladin - thirst for vengeance as a backstory, all crimes/sins bad (although some are worse than others). Maybe I'm triggered too easily, but I thought that dogs do not have an innate sense of good and evil, so maybe dogs should not be killed just because what was fed to them?
John Taylor also seems to have picked up the Idiot Ball. When the Walking Man reveals the "hidden secrets" of some bad guys, Taylor does not comment on how "common" they are in Nightside terms. Necrophilia? Killing your own parents? Never happens in the Nightside community. I would have expected at least a little snarkiness from him.
And then the Idiot Ball got passed to Razor Eddie. I thought Eddie was supposed to be repenting for his evil deeds, even though his idea of repenting is not quite usual. But going off and terrorizing the Street of Gods right after a battle? Why?
Of course the Walking Man was finally neutralized, but the way it happened... "Innocent in this case" did not seem to have stopped him before.
I finished reading this only because I would like to complete the whole series. But it was irritating most of the time.
As it turns out, the Walking Man is a cross (heh) between the Punisher and a Lawful Stupid paladin - thirst for vengeance as a backstory, all crimes/sins bad (although some are worse than others). Maybe I'm triggered too easily, but I thought that dogs do not have an innate sense of good and evil, so maybe dogs should not be killed just because what was fed to them?
John Taylor also seems to have picked up the Idiot Ball. When the Walking Man reveals the "hidden secrets" of some bad guys, Taylor does not comment on how "common" they are in Nightside terms. Necrophilia? Killing your own parents? Never happens in the Nightside community. I would have expected at least a little snarkiness from him.
And then the Idiot Ball got passed to Razor Eddie. I thought Eddie was supposed to be repenting for his evil deeds, even though his idea of repenting is not quite usual. But going off and terrorizing the Street of Gods right after a battle? Why?
Of course the Walking Man was finally neutralized, but the way it happened... "Innocent in this case" did not seem to have stopped him before.
I finished reading this only because I would like to complete the whole series. But it was irritating most of the time.
June 28, 2019
4 Stars
I have had The Nightside Series on my TBR for YEARS! I finally got around to dusting them off and taking a walk on The Nightside. They are a somewhat gritty and darkish urban fantasy with paranormal and sci-fi elements- there is suspense, drama, and plenty of things that go bump in the night.
The series follow John Taylor, a Private Detective who has a reputation for ‘finding things that don’t want to be found”. So, what is The Nightside? It is a place (parallel/alternate reality) in London- but hidden to ‘normal’ Londoners; it is where you can find every imaginable paranormal/supernatural creature can be found, and much more. It’s "that square mile of Hell in the middle of the city where it's always three a.m. Where you can walk beside myths and drink with monsters. Where nothing is what it seems and everything is possible."
I have enjoyed my trip to The Nightside- I found it to have a bit of a noir, steampunk, supernatural feel to it- which I enjoyed. The books are all very quick and easy reads- they didn’t ‘blow me away’, but they definitely entertained!
Thank you, Mr. Green!
I have had The Nightside Series on my TBR for YEARS! I finally got around to dusting them off and taking a walk on The Nightside. They are a somewhat gritty and darkish urban fantasy with paranormal and sci-fi elements- there is suspense, drama, and plenty of things that go bump in the night.
The series follow John Taylor, a Private Detective who has a reputation for ‘finding things that don’t want to be found”. So, what is The Nightside? It is a place (parallel/alternate reality) in London- but hidden to ‘normal’ Londoners; it is where you can find every imaginable paranormal/supernatural creature can be found, and much more. It’s "that square mile of Hell in the middle of the city where it's always three a.m. Where you can walk beside myths and drink with monsters. Where nothing is what it seems and everything is possible."
I have enjoyed my trip to The Nightside- I found it to have a bit of a noir, steampunk, supernatural feel to it- which I enjoyed. The books are all very quick and easy reads- they didn’t ‘blow me away’, but they definitely entertained!
Thank you, Mr. Green!
January 30, 2025
I know in my review of the previous Nightside book I complimented Green on his brevity when it came to explaining/describing an action scene. In the Ark Files, which I listen to while working out, I've gotten so that I tune out the repetitive and what feels like overly long action sequences.
I think the reason Green changed it up here is that the series might be taking a turn towards the grim. There are changes in the Nightside after the Lilith War. Walker is changed, we finally meet the new authorities, and The Walking Man has come to the Nightside.
Think of The Walking Man as God's wrath walking the Earth. Green goes into more description of of The Walking Man's actions, perhaps to point out that wrath has no mercy. But is God's wrath also God's justice? That eventually becomes an interesting part of this tale. As does The Walking Man's inability, or choice, to see things as only black and white with no shades of gray.
And, there is an awful lot of gray in the Nightside.
I think the reason Green changed it up here is that the series might be taking a turn towards the grim. There are changes in the Nightside after the Lilith War. Walker is changed, we finally meet the new authorities, and The Walking Man has come to the Nightside.
Think of The Walking Man as God's wrath walking the Earth. Green goes into more description of of The Walking Man's actions, perhaps to point out that wrath has no mercy. But is God's wrath also God's justice? That eventually becomes an interesting part of this tale. As does The Walking Man's inability, or choice, to see things as only black and white with no shades of gray.
And, there is an awful lot of gray in the Nightside.
February 12, 2019
Who is the Walking Man?
He's a pain in the ass and this book is ALL about him. Apparently, he's the wrath and vengeance of God, or a god, who kills the guilty with no mercy. He's after just about everyone in the Nightside. Except, not everyone is guilty enough to die for their crimes/sins. John is hired by the up-and-coming new authorities to stop the Walking Man.
Some thoughts
I'm frustrated that John doesn't use his gift to find things all that much.
We learn that Walker is
Suzie heals her old abuse wounds by helping abused kids and
The Speaking Gun makes a re-appearance,
The showdown between Razor Eddie and The Walking Man was entertaining and surprising at how it ended.
This was your typical Nightside book, better than the last one, but not the best in the series.
Onto book 10
He's a pain in the ass and this book is ALL about him. Apparently, he's the wrath and vengeance of God, or a god, who kills the guilty with no mercy. He's after just about everyone in the Nightside. Except, not everyone is guilty enough to die for their crimes/sins. John is hired by the up-and-coming new authorities to stop the Walking Man.
Some thoughts
I'm frustrated that John doesn't use his gift to find things all that much.
We learn that Walker is
Suzie heals her old abuse wounds by helping abused kids and
The Speaking Gun makes a re-appearance,
The showdown between Razor Eddie and The Walking Man was entertaining and surprising at how it ended.
This was your typical Nightside book, better than the last one, but not the best in the series.
Onto book 10
April 3, 2019
The Walking Man has come to Nightside to punish the sinful and the New Authority wants John to stop him.
What I enjoyed:
* The whole idea of The Walking Man doing God's work and being protected was interesting
* We had a new sidekick this time, Chandra a monster hunter from India also doing God's work
*
* Suzie
* Slight references to The Droods
What could have been better:
* John doesn't use his gift enough and he doesn't have the excuse he did in the past
* There is some repetitiveness to the books overall plots
What I enjoyed:
* The whole idea of The Walking Man doing God's work and being protected was interesting
* We had a new sidekick this time, Chandra a monster hunter from India also doing God's work
*
* Suzie
* Slight references to The Droods
What could have been better:
* John doesn't use his gift enough and he doesn't have the excuse he did in the past
* There is some repetitiveness to the books overall plots
January 8, 2025
This was book was fun, as all Nightside books are to one degree or another, but Just Another Judgement Day is definitely the weakest book in the series to this point. Having resolved the main series arc in the 6th book, Green seems to be clawing about for a hook for further books, and while this sort of ad hoc approach worked reasonably in outings 7 and 8, it unravels in this book. The first section of the novel doesn't tie into subsequent events at all, and there is a lot of fluffy filler. There has been so much rich amusement in this series up to this point that I won't hesitate to read on and see what other amazing imaginative curveballs Green has up his sleeves, but a few more books of this quality and I think the series is toast.
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