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Hawk & Fisher #2
Devil Take The Hindmost
Off shelf condition- may have minor dings, wear due to customer handling. Price reflects these-
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
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437 people want to read
About the author
Simon R. Green
312 books3,208 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 46 reviews
January 21, 2016
I have no excuse.
But I do have lots of explanations:
1. Almost bedtime and I didn't want to start something meaningful/suspenseful.
2. Lingering doubt if my review for H&F #1 was excessively curmudgeonly?
3. The edition I borrowed was actually Books 1-3.
4. I really wanted a palate cleanser before diving into my next reads.
End result? H&F, book 2, is better than its predecessor. However, it still fails to work for me, personally.
This time it is a straight-up guarding situation, where Hawk and Fisher and detailed to guard another Reform candidate--really, it is amazing anyone in the city of Haven bothers to fight the corrupt system. Once again, the first chapter is an action-packed conflict that appears to be largely resolved at the end.
Writing improved significantly except for--and I kid you not--almost identical paragraphs from book one describing Hawk and Fisher with maybe two word changes. Check for yourself, pages 4 and 176. Apparently, one is allowed to plagiarize themselves. But I did notice a definite improvement in creating mood and tension. However, Green thoughtfully tries to ratchet down any suspense by creating large info-dumps about politics in Haven, the conflict between the Conservatives and the Reform, and the ways this plays out on the streets. It is often of the awkward aside category, with Hawk pontificating and responses like "Hawk, I had no idea you were so interested in local politics" said, you know, his wife Fisher. But the local customs were amusing, with the tendency to erupt into knife fights, so there's that.
Villain wasn't concealed, and there are numerous points of view from him early on. I think they were supposed to show how awful and selfish he was, because they really didn't increase suspense. There's a mole who our highly trained Guards are unable to ferret out until they confess. A dead sorcerer is one of the most interesting things about the story, but sadly, the most neglected. And in true Green style, the ultimate confrontation comes when
So far, the series reminds me of Lackey's series The Oathbound, which I'd recommend over Hawk & Fisher any day. It's the same general idea of mystery/conflict resolving in fantasy setting with much better pacing. While equally morally simplistic, writing is above average and characterization is better. Plus, sorceress and swordswoman who become besties.
Hawk & Fisher #1 review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
But I do have lots of explanations:
1. Almost bedtime and I didn't want to start something meaningful/suspenseful.
2. Lingering doubt if my review for H&F #1 was excessively curmudgeonly?
3. The edition I borrowed was actually Books 1-3.
4. I really wanted a palate cleanser before diving into my next reads.
End result? H&F, book 2, is better than its predecessor. However, it still fails to work for me, personally.
This time it is a straight-up guarding situation, where Hawk and Fisher and detailed to guard another Reform candidate--really, it is amazing anyone in the city of Haven bothers to fight the corrupt system. Once again, the first chapter is an action-packed conflict that appears to be largely resolved at the end.
Writing improved significantly except for--and I kid you not--almost identical paragraphs from book one describing Hawk and Fisher with maybe two word changes. Check for yourself, pages 4 and 176. Apparently, one is allowed to plagiarize themselves. But I did notice a definite improvement in creating mood and tension. However, Green thoughtfully tries to ratchet down any suspense by creating large info-dumps about politics in Haven, the conflict between the Conservatives and the Reform, and the ways this plays out on the streets. It is often of the awkward aside category, with Hawk pontificating and responses like "Hawk, I had no idea you were so interested in local politics" said, you know, his wife Fisher. But the local customs were amusing, with the tendency to erupt into knife fights, so there's that.
Villain wasn't concealed, and there are numerous points of view from him early on. I think they were supposed to show how awful and selfish he was, because they really didn't increase suspense. There's a mole who our highly trained Guards are unable to ferret out until they confess. A dead sorcerer is one of the most interesting things about the story, but sadly, the most neglected. And in true Green style, the ultimate confrontation comes when
So far, the series reminds me of Lackey's series The Oathbound, which I'd recommend over Hawk & Fisher any day. It's the same general idea of mystery/conflict resolving in fantasy setting with much better pacing. While equally morally simplistic, writing is above average and characterization is better. Plus, sorceress and swordswoman who become besties.
Hawk & Fisher #1 review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
August 16, 2010
Hawk and Fisher are tough city guards and a family which can match any kind of enemy, natural and supernatural, and protect the law. Even they, however, face a deadly challenge when send to protect James Adamant, a young Reform politician, who dreams to end the injustice in the city of Haven. His enemy in the elections, the Conservative Hardcastle is brutal, merciless and hypocritical (a true Conservative, I might add :-)), and resorts to desperate and ugly tactics to destroy Adamant, including sending bloodthirsty mercenaries, summoning dark magic and even allying with a returning dark god. Can Hawk and Fisher protect Adamant and how much that'll cost them?
"Winner takes all" is a delightful, action packed swords & sorcery novel, told in the grand tradition of authors like Fritz Leiber and Raymond E. Feist, but with the specific sardonic tone of Simon R. Green. Witty, exciting and sometimes gory, this is a must for fans of good old school swashbuckling fantasy novels.
"Winner takes all" is a delightful, action packed swords & sorcery novel, told in the grand tradition of authors like Fritz Leiber and Raymond E. Feist, but with the specific sardonic tone of Simon R. Green. Witty, exciting and sometimes gory, this is a must for fans of good old school swashbuckling fantasy novels.
Read
August 6, 2023good book, interesting characters. some action.
March 23, 2021
Writing is better than the last one but the characters seem flatter, this may be a poor judge due to Green's later books that feel alive with other characters.
November 3, 2016
I have very little to say about this - it's similar to its predecessor, Hawk and Fisher, but less confined in plot, and (partly as a result) less good. It's fundamentally junk, but the author writes well enough that it's very readable junk, if you like that sort of thing. [My 1/5 rating here represents a 3/7 on my own scale - 'bad, but with redeeming features'].
My slightly longer full review in on my blog.
My slightly longer full review in on my blog.
September 4, 2018
This is a difficult book to review. Looking back, I enjoyed the overall stories, but there were moments when I wasn't sure.
There was plenty of mayhem, fighting, magic and intrigue, but the hesitation comes from the theme, which was a political campaign race. As far as political campaigns go, this was the best and only novel I've read on the matter, but I can't rate it higher than a 3 star. There were some great moments, I'm just not that interested in the theme for relaxing reading.
There was plenty of mayhem, fighting, magic and intrigue, but the hesitation comes from the theme, which was a political campaign race. As far as political campaigns go, this was the best and only novel I've read on the matter, but I can't rate it higher than a 3 star. There were some great moments, I'm just not that interested in the theme for relaxing reading.
February 1, 2017
Доста по-слаба от първата: нямаше разкриване на престъпление, а само смотана политика и някакви безсмислени мелета. От уважение към първата - четири звезди, иначе ако трябва да съм честен, и три са ѝ много.
March 14, 2021
This is a tighter story than the first novel and Mr Green pretty much drops us in the plot from Page 1. We learn a lot more about Haven and its culture. We also get a few hints about what Hawk and Fisher did before they arrived there. The story is good fun, with some clues to future stories being laced throughout.
The characters are also clearly delineated, despite them being very broadly painted and portrayed. There’s room for depth but Green wants us to be involved in his story so we get little time to decide whether we like them or not, just that they’re protagonists or antagonists. There’s a sense that every character must have a secret or a problem that complicates the story and I find that a rather annoying trait in a writer. It’s great for the story as jeopardy and mistrust are piled deeply onto the cast as they enact their play but it’s a bit much for a novel of this length to deal with without becoming almost parodic in its delivery. Green does a reasonable job of balancing it all but it’s a close-run thing.
Fun and exciting but almost outstays its welcome. I will be reading on, though.
The characters are also clearly delineated, despite them being very broadly painted and portrayed. There’s room for depth but Green wants us to be involved in his story so we get little time to decide whether we like them or not, just that they’re protagonists or antagonists. There’s a sense that every character must have a secret or a problem that complicates the story and I find that a rather annoying trait in a writer. It’s great for the story as jeopardy and mistrust are piled deeply onto the cast as they enact their play but it’s a bit much for a novel of this length to deal with without becoming almost parodic in its delivery. Green does a reasonable job of balancing it all but it’s a close-run thing.
Fun and exciting but almost outstays its welcome. I will be reading on, though.
March 20, 2025
The city of Haven is in the throes of an election and one of the candidates has been threatened with death. Captains Hawk and Fisher are assigned to protect the candidate. In Haven, politics is prosecuted with gloves off. Intimidation, assassination, and magic are all tools of the conflict.
The major parties in this race are buying thugs, votes, and allies as quickly as they can, and there are indications of trouble in the party of the threatened candidate. Hawk and Fisher must protect the candidate and uncover the plotters to ensure the election is fair ... enough.
Hawk and Fisher are largely forces of nature; this story is about the candidate, his friends and advisors, and the enemy candidate. The enemy is a caricature, but the other characters are drawn interestingly. The plot of the story provides opportunities for more information about the people and society of Haven, which are detailed enough to hold the reader's attention. Other than that, it's a rather rote adventure plot, with attacks (both physical and magical), kidnappings, and betrayals.
Not a bad little story, but too slight to be really memorable. Fun for all that.
The major parties in this race are buying thugs, votes, and allies as quickly as they can, and there are indications of trouble in the party of the threatened candidate. Hawk and Fisher must protect the candidate and uncover the plotters to ensure the election is fair ... enough.
Hawk and Fisher are largely forces of nature; this story is about the candidate, his friends and advisors, and the enemy candidate. The enemy is a caricature, but the other characters are drawn interestingly. The plot of the story provides opportunities for more information about the people and society of Haven, which are detailed enough to hold the reader's attention. Other than that, it's a rather rote adventure plot, with attacks (both physical and magical), kidnappings, and betrayals.
Not a bad little story, but too slight to be really memorable. Fun for all that.
October 21, 2020
Devil Take The Hindmost is another fun, fantasy romp from Simon R Green. Hawk and Fisher are on guard duty again, this time tasked with protecting Reform candidate James Adamant, which in Haven is a pretty dangerous job. They do politics differently there.
Hawk and Fisher are again the stars of the show, they are really fun, interesting characters and in this book, they are given much more scope to flex their muscles. The supporting cast is solid too. There are badass mercenaries, evil beings (both of the political and mystical variety) and undead wizards. Everything you need to craft a fun, fantasy story.
The writing is much improved from the first book as well from both a technical and story point of view. The characters are deeper and the story broader and more varied than the previous book, with backs being stabbed, friends becoming enemies and ancient evils getting into the mix.
If you enjoyed the first book, you’ll love this one. If you had some issues with Green’s writing then it’s worth looking back in because this book is much improved. Also, more Hawk and Fisher, which is never a bad thing.
Hawk and Fisher are again the stars of the show, they are really fun, interesting characters and in this book, they are given much more scope to flex their muscles. The supporting cast is solid too. There are badass mercenaries, evil beings (both of the political and mystical variety) and undead wizards. Everything you need to craft a fun, fantasy story.
The writing is much improved from the first book as well from both a technical and story point of view. The characters are deeper and the story broader and more varied than the previous book, with backs being stabbed, friends becoming enemies and ancient evils getting into the mix.
If you enjoyed the first book, you’ll love this one. If you had some issues with Green’s writing then it’s worth looking back in because this book is much improved. Also, more Hawk and Fisher, which is never a bad thing.
September 9, 2021
A bit of a shift in this one, to more a political style story, rather than the whodunnit of the prior one, but helps expand on the setting / city of Haven, and allows for quite a bit more action as well.
Hawk and Fisher return, and are in good form here, albeit it does get dark for them at times. A lot of new characters introduced here, again a good mix of characters, and again varying shades of grey, no real straight good guys, but a couple of straight bad guys.
One of my favourite parts in this story is visiting the Street of Gods, which is a really cool idea here, and presented really well in just how different a place it is.
Lots of good action in this one, and despite some darker scenes, ends on a nicer / more hopeful note than the prior story.
Hawk and Fisher return, and are in good form here, albeit it does get dark for them at times. A lot of new characters introduced here, again a good mix of characters, and again varying shades of grey, no real straight good guys, but a couple of straight bad guys.
One of my favourite parts in this story is visiting the Street of Gods, which is a really cool idea here, and presented really well in just how different a place it is.
Lots of good action in this one, and despite some darker scenes, ends on a nicer / more hopeful note than the prior story.
May 29, 2022
The setting is the sprawling city of Haven that has seen better times. There's crime and corruption everywhere. (Reminds me a bit of Sanctuary). Hawk and Fisher are former adventurers that have settled in the city and taken up the job as city guards. They are known as some of the few honest guardsmen.
It's election time and things are getting rough between the politicians. Hawk and Fisher are assigned to a rising reform politician and have to keep him safe. Unfortunately the old guard politician isn't interested in 'playing by the rules' and is only concerned with getting re-elected.
It's election time and things are getting rough between the politicians. Hawk and Fisher are assigned to a rising reform politician and have to keep him safe. Unfortunately the old guard politician isn't interested in 'playing by the rules' and is only concerned with getting re-elected.
February 5, 2020
Cada vez me gustan más Fisher & Hawk. En esta ocasión, defienden a un candidato a concejal amenazado de muerte en los días previos a las elecciones. Como siempre en Haven, nada es tan sencillo y nadie es lo que parece.
Muy entretenida, mucha acción, muchos personajes interesantes y un poco de filosofía de bolsillo de Hawk contrastada con la practicidad de Fisher ;)
Ojalá consiga los demás libros de estos dos, porque ME ENCANTAN <3 <3 <3
Muy entretenida, mucha acción, muchos personajes interesantes y un poco de filosofía de bolsillo de Hawk contrastada con la practicidad de Fisher ;)
Ojalá consiga los demás libros de estos dos, porque ME ENCANTAN <3 <3 <3
February 7, 2022
As always, Graphic Audio did an excellent job with this one. I like the Hawk and Fisher series, and although I've been reading them out of order, that in no way reduces their enjoyment. Great stuff here folks, if you like amazing audio effects, good story telling, and amazing cast of characters, then by all means, grab yourself a copy of any graphic audio title as soon as you can, they're well worth the price.
August 4, 2025
Rating 3.5.
Politics in Haven: more honest than some in the real world of today or just more blatant?
The villains are properly villainous, the story relatively quick and action-focussed and the resolution reasonably satisfactory.
One long-standing issue that is finally resolved much later in the series is first outlined here, but it is well in the background. Industrial action...
Politics in Haven: more honest than some in the real world of today or just more blatant?
The villains are properly villainous, the story relatively quick and action-focussed and the resolution reasonably satisfactory.
One long-standing issue that is finally resolved much later in the series is first outlined here, but it is well in the background. Industrial action...
April 1, 2018
Lepšie než 1. Je tu viac akcie aj mágie. Mestská hliadka posiela manželov ako osobnú stráž kandidáta na radného za reformátorov. Toho sa snaží odstrániť momentálny vládca rady zo strany konzervatívcov a ďalší silný kandidát akýmikoľvek prostriedkami.
August 29, 2019
The luster has worn off a bit in this one. There were more characters that went mostly undeveloped. However, the plot was decent enough and had enough twists and turns to keep my interest.
I’ll try the third one.
I’ll try the third one.
December 29, 2021
Really nice mystery to this one. I had figured out who I thought was the murderer only to second guess myself later on in the story. But that was a good thing. Well done performance on the audio version.
January 2, 2024
This book was awful, i got this a blind date with a book and I am disappointed. I don’t get why this is consider fantasy.. I mean yea there’s magic… but this book is mostly about politics… also how is this a series? This book was not it for me :(
March 23, 2017
A very decent Simon R Green novel - what you see is what you get, a bit of sword and sorcery with a mix of noir and a guest appearance of what appears to be the Street of Gods from the Nightside. Action packed and easy - a popcorn read to cleanse the palate.
December 5, 2017
I liked the political intrigue in this one.
March 17, 2019
Ahhh. I'm in a good mood. Ending was good. I hope the feeling keeps up in the following haven-adventures
August 3, 2019
Lepsie ako prvy diel, vrazdenie v uzatvorenom priestore, i ked predvidatelne kto je vrahom...
March 29, 2021
started off as a political thriller but then degenerated into God know what. Middle of the road review because of that
March 4, 2023
I like how when either Hawk or Fisher say something, the other one begins their reply with ‘Right’ or ‘You got that right’
April 5, 2023
Entertaining fast read, but nothing I will remember a year or two down the line.
May 27, 2023
Not as good as the first one. Too much political intrigue (read "boring") for me.
December 26, 2025
Iš tų knygų, kurias truputį gėda, kad kažkada skaitei. Nes ji nei protinga, nei gerai parašyta. Paimi netyčia į rankas po daug metų. Ir vėl pajauti malonumą skaitydamas.
August 14, 2013
За пръв път се запознавам с творчеството на малко познатия у нас писател Саймън
Грийн. "Виновникът" за това е моят приятел и колега Александър Драганов, който ми
подари "Победителят печели всичко" за рожденния ми ден. Трябва да призная, че съм
приятно изненадан от това откритие на литературния хоризонт. Някои от
по-запалените фенове сигурно познават Грийн като авторът на "Хоук и Фишър". Тази
книжка проследява други приключения на легендарната двойка стражи. За какво става
въпрос:
Всеки град има своите любими кървави спортове. Някои си падат по боя с петли,
други задоволяват низките си страсти, гледайки гладиаторите на арената.
Пристанищният град Хейвън се забавлява с най-мръсния и кървав спорт на света -
политиката...
Хоук и съпругата му Изабел Фишър са единствените честни и неподкупни стражи в
града. Той налага реда по улиците с помощта на бойната си брадва, а тя - с верния
си меч. В Хейвън наближават избори и целият град полудява, когато кандидатите
започнат да използват всички възможни методи, за да спечелят. Подкупи, сделки,
корупция, убийства, сплашвания, физическа саморазправа, употреба на магии, дори
искане на помощ от Богове - кандидатите няма да се спрат пред нищо, само и само да
постигнат целта си.
Саймън Грийн обръща поглед към нещо изненадващо и малко познато във фентъзито - а
именно комбинирането му с политика. Интересуващите се от последната ще останат
доволни, гарантирам. Толкова мръсни номера, толкова спестени истини, актуални и в
съвременния свят рядко се срещат на едно място. Авторът доказва, че за да се
напише едно хубаво фентъзи не са нужни многотомни поредици и разточителни описания
- Грийн пише стегнато, изчистено и адски увлекателно. Харесаха ми и немалкото
хорър моменти, използвани от писателя в книгата - на моменти може да бъде наистина
безмилостно брутален. Интригите в романа се заплитат по такъв начин, че до самия
край не знаеш какво ще се случи.
Нека цитирам някои запомнящи се пасажи, с които авторът обича да завършва абзаците
си:
Никой в Хейвън, пиян или трезвен не беше толкова глупав, че да разгневи Хоук и Фишър. Има си и по-бързи и безболезнени начини да се самоубиеш.
Ценеше мечтите си твърде много, за да ги загуби заради слабост или склонност към компромиси.
Всеки има нужда от нещо, в което да вярва. Особено ако не вярва на себе си.
Той не бе особено добродушен дори когато беше жив, а след смъртта си е развил много гадно чувство за хумор.
Добрите намерения не бяха достатъчни, за да контролираш множеството.
Подходящите думи, казани в подходящия момент могат да събарят тронове и да строят империи. Или да донасят бунтове и граждански войни и трупове в горящи бойни полета.
Мъжете се биеха толкова добре, защото се страхуваха повече от собствените си офицери, отколкото от врага.
Препоръчвам книгата горещо. Този роман е един от редките, които ме карат да съжалявам, че автори със солидно творчество като Саймън Грийн са почти непревеждани на български.
Грийн. "Виновникът" за това е моят приятел и колега Александър Драганов, който ми
подари "Победителят печели всичко" за рожденния ми ден. Трябва да призная, че съм
приятно изненадан от това откритие на литературния хоризонт. Някои от
по-запалените фенове сигурно познават Грийн като авторът на "Хоук и Фишър". Тази
книжка проследява други приключения на легендарната двойка стражи. За какво става
въпрос:
Всеки град има своите любими кървави спортове. Някои си падат по боя с петли,
други задоволяват низките си страсти, гледайки гладиаторите на арената.
Пристанищният град Хейвън се забавлява с най-мръсния и кървав спорт на света -
политиката...
Хоук и съпругата му Изабел Фишър са единствените честни и неподкупни стражи в
града. Той налага реда по улиците с помощта на бойната си брадва, а тя - с верния
си меч. В Хейвън наближават избори и целият град полудява, когато кандидатите
започнат да използват всички възможни методи, за да спечелят. Подкупи, сделки,
корупция, убийства, сплашвания, физическа саморазправа, употреба на магии, дори
искане на помощ от Богове - кандидатите няма да се спрат пред нищо, само и само да
постигнат целта си.
Саймън Грийн обръща поглед към нещо изненадващо и малко познато във фентъзито - а
именно комбинирането му с политика. Интересуващите се от последната ще останат
доволни, гарантирам. Толкова мръсни номера, толкова спестени истини, актуални и в
съвременния свят рядко се срещат на едно място. Авторът доказва, че за да се
напише едно хубаво фентъзи не са нужни многотомни поредици и разточителни описания
- Грийн пише стегнато, изчистено и адски увлекателно. Харесаха ми и немалкото
хорър моменти, използвани от писателя в книгата - на моменти може да бъде наистина
безмилостно брутален. Интригите в романа се заплитат по такъв начин, че до самия
край не знаеш какво ще се случи.
Нека цитирам някои запомнящи се пасажи, с които авторът обича да завършва абзаците
си:
Никой в Хейвън, пиян или трезвен не беше толкова глупав, че да разгневи Хоук и Фишър. Има си и по-бързи и безболезнени начини да се самоубиеш.
Ценеше мечтите си твърде много, за да ги загуби заради слабост или склонност към компромиси.
Всеки има нужда от нещо, в което да вярва. Особено ако не вярва на себе си.
Той не бе особено добродушен дори когато беше жив, а след смъртта си е развил много гадно чувство за хумор.
Добрите намерения не бяха достатъчни, за да контролираш множеството.
Подходящите думи, казани в подходящия момент могат да събарят тронове и да строят империи. Или да донасят бунтове и граждански войни и трупове в горящи бойни полета.
Мъжете се биеха толкова добре, защото се страхуваха повече от собствените си офицери, отколкото от врага.
Препоръчвам книгата горещо. Този роман е един от редките, които ме карат да съжалявам, че автори със солидно творчество като Саймън Грийн са почти непревеждани на български.
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