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Temporary Magic #1
Temporary Monsters
Lenny Hodge is a young man with certain abilities—special talents that even he doesn’t understand. It is only when he joins Terrifitemps (the temporary employment agency that secretly controls the world) and meets his new team—a psychic, a vampire, a ghost hunter and a werevole (yes, a werevole)—that Lenny realizes how much his special talent will put him in jeopardy.
But it’s worth it, right? Hasn’t Lenny always wanted to save the world?
But it’s worth it, right? Hasn’t Lenny always wanted to save the world?
174 pages, Hardcover
First published November 19, 2013
7 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Craig Shaw Gardner
151 books138 followersCraig Shaw Gardner was born in Rochester, New York and lived there until 1967, when he moved to Boston, MA to attend Boston University. He graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Broadcasting and Film. He has continued to reside in Boston since that time.
He published his first story in 1977 while he held a number of jobs: shipper/receiver for a men's suit manufacturer, working in hospital public relations, running a stat camera, and also managed of a couple of bookstores: The Million Year Picnic and Science Fantasy Bookstore.
As of 1987 he became a full time writer, and since then he has published more than 30 novels and more than 50 short stories.
He also published under these pseudonyms:
Peter Garrison
He published his first story in 1977 while he held a number of jobs: shipper/receiver for a men's suit manufacturer, working in hospital public relations, running a stat camera, and also managed of a couple of bookstores: The Million Year Picnic and Science Fantasy Bookstore.
As of 1987 he became a full time writer, and since then he has published more than 30 novels and more than 50 short stories.
He also published under these pseudonyms:
Peter Garrison
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 19, 2017
TEMPORARY MONSTERS is a sketch-comedy based story about a temporary employment agency employing monsters like vampires, werevoles (okay, that's different), vampires, psychics, a Boris Karloff look-a-like, and even a talking horse/pooka. One day, while looking for a job, perpetual loser Lenny discovers that not only has he been hired by the organization but they are the only force in the world standing against some of the stupidest villains in the world. This includes FOO, which seems a non-Orientalist parody of Fu Manchu's organization, and the Dim who are a take on the modern mythology of Shadowmen.
I really enjoyed this story but I should mention Temporary Monsters will probably prove to be an acquired taste. It's very much like the old Hannah Barbara monster parodies and the Scooby Gang wouldn't be that inappropriate to drop in among this group. There's a herd of singing buffalo, rhyming rat hordes, bad vampire jokes, and an arcade which is ruled by a sentient game of Pong. It's very much in the vein of Discworld or the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy but avoids anything resembling a serious plot or drama. The closest thing to drama is when Lenny is about to be dumped into a snake pit by his evil ex-girlfriend but gets rescued by the aforementioned singing buffalo.
This is a fun story that doesn't try to take itself too seriously and I enjoyed listening to it from beginning to end. I purchased the physical copy of the book as well as the audiobook but if I had to recommend one or the other, I definitely recommend picking up the audiobook version. Thomas Machin does an incredible job of giving all of the characters goofy exaggerated voices that puts you in the weird off-beat universe. He basically works as a one man cartoon show and that's impressive. Lenny sounds like a pleasant easy-going geek, the Baron like Count Chocula, Karnowsky like Karloff, and Bob the Pooka like a goofy Mister Ed.
If I had to give any characters particular props then I would say I love the Baron for doing the Classic Movie Vampire thing and making it work. Not many old Bela Lugosi types can still attract women in the modern era but he pulls it off. I'm also a fan of Sheila and Lenore, Lenny's ertswhile love interests who seem annoyed at their own attraction to the lovable loser. I suppose a bit like Leela and Phillip J. Fry.
I'm trying to think of other things to say but it's really just six hours of silliness and that's something I often pick up audiobooks to enjoy. If you're in the mood for some over-the-top supervillain lairs to be invaded by harmless monsters ala Hotel Transylvania crossed with Johnny Quest then this is definitely a work which will appeal to you. It has all the makings of a cult classic like the Beetlejuice cartoon from the 90s. At least in my opinion.
9/10
I really enjoyed this story but I should mention Temporary Monsters will probably prove to be an acquired taste. It's very much like the old Hannah Barbara monster parodies and the Scooby Gang wouldn't be that inappropriate to drop in among this group. There's a herd of singing buffalo, rhyming rat hordes, bad vampire jokes, and an arcade which is ruled by a sentient game of Pong. It's very much in the vein of Discworld or the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy but avoids anything resembling a serious plot or drama. The closest thing to drama is when Lenny is about to be dumped into a snake pit by his evil ex-girlfriend but gets rescued by the aforementioned singing buffalo.
This is a fun story that doesn't try to take itself too seriously and I enjoyed listening to it from beginning to end. I purchased the physical copy of the book as well as the audiobook but if I had to recommend one or the other, I definitely recommend picking up the audiobook version. Thomas Machin does an incredible job of giving all of the characters goofy exaggerated voices that puts you in the weird off-beat universe. He basically works as a one man cartoon show and that's impressive. Lenny sounds like a pleasant easy-going geek, the Baron like Count Chocula, Karnowsky like Karloff, and Bob the Pooka like a goofy Mister Ed.
If I had to give any characters particular props then I would say I love the Baron for doing the Classic Movie Vampire thing and making it work. Not many old Bela Lugosi types can still attract women in the modern era but he pulls it off. I'm also a fan of Sheila and Lenore, Lenny's ertswhile love interests who seem annoyed at their own attraction to the lovable loser. I suppose a bit like Leela and Phillip J. Fry.
I'm trying to think of other things to say but it's really just six hours of silliness and that's something I often pick up audiobooks to enjoy. If you're in the mood for some over-the-top supervillain lairs to be invaded by harmless monsters ala Hotel Transylvania crossed with Johnny Quest then this is definitely a work which will appeal to you. It has all the makings of a cult classic like the Beetlejuice cartoon from the 90s. At least in my opinion.
9/10
June 1, 2018
“Do you have any problem working with people who are different?”
Massachusetts author Craig Shaw Gardner is the author of more than thirty novels and fifty-odd short stories (some of them very odd.) His novelization of BATMAN was a New York Times bestseller, and he’s a past president of the Horror Writers Association. He’s written reviews and articles for numerous periodicals, ranging from THE WASHINGTON POST to RAMPAGE WRESTLING, and (far more importantly) he serves as the perennial co-host (with Eric Van) of the “Kirk Poland Memorial Bad Prose Competition” every July at Readercon.
Attempting to analyze this book would be a frivolous gesture. This is a Craig Shaw Gardner book and no more need be said. The imagination about the world of very strange creatures and their derring-do defies explanation so it is just a sit back, guffaw, yodel, and jump off the couch with a Batman cape experience.
It opens seriously enough – ‘Lenny Hodge took a deep breath. He had to keep a positive attitude. He stood in the hallway, staring at the gold letters (outlined in black) painted on the frosted glass. TERRIFITEMPS! We’ve Got the Answers! The door, the hallway with its greenish-gray linoleum floor and glass light fixtures, even the old wrought-iron elevator that had brought him up here, all of it seemed from another time and place. All the other temp agencies in greater Boston—and he had seen close to a dozen—were in brand-new buildings, all state-of-the-art chrome and glass and modern art prints and attractive greenery, places that said “We’re the cutting edge,” places where he could fill out endless forms. So they could never call him back … This place said something more like “Welcome to 1962!” Not that it mattered. Lenny had passed desperate a long time ago. Nobody was hiring. He still went out on every interview he could find—more from habit than anything else. Maybe an old-fashioned place would give him brand-new results. He took another deep breath and opened the door.’
Inside that door Lenny encounters an employment agency employs all different kinds of monsters from vampires to werevoles and everything in between (uh, they also secretly control the world!) and as the quick synopsis states, ‘Lenny Hodge is a young man with certain abilities—special talents that even he doesn't understand. It is only when he joins Terrifitemps (the temporary employment agency that secretly controls the world) and meets his new team—a psychic, a vampire, a ghost hunter, and a werevole (yes, a werevole)—that Lenny realizes how much his special talent will put him in jeopardy. But it's worth it, right? Hasn't Lenny always wanted to save the world?’
A million laughs and good times and surprises are here for the pure escapism entertainment we all need at present. Gardner is gifted!
Massachusetts author Craig Shaw Gardner is the author of more than thirty novels and fifty-odd short stories (some of them very odd.) His novelization of BATMAN was a New York Times bestseller, and he’s a past president of the Horror Writers Association. He’s written reviews and articles for numerous periodicals, ranging from THE WASHINGTON POST to RAMPAGE WRESTLING, and (far more importantly) he serves as the perennial co-host (with Eric Van) of the “Kirk Poland Memorial Bad Prose Competition” every July at Readercon.
Attempting to analyze this book would be a frivolous gesture. This is a Craig Shaw Gardner book and no more need be said. The imagination about the world of very strange creatures and their derring-do defies explanation so it is just a sit back, guffaw, yodel, and jump off the couch with a Batman cape experience.
It opens seriously enough – ‘Lenny Hodge took a deep breath. He had to keep a positive attitude. He stood in the hallway, staring at the gold letters (outlined in black) painted on the frosted glass. TERRIFITEMPS! We’ve Got the Answers! The door, the hallway with its greenish-gray linoleum floor and glass light fixtures, even the old wrought-iron elevator that had brought him up here, all of it seemed from another time and place. All the other temp agencies in greater Boston—and he had seen close to a dozen—were in brand-new buildings, all state-of-the-art chrome and glass and modern art prints and attractive greenery, places that said “We’re the cutting edge,” places where he could fill out endless forms. So they could never call him back … This place said something more like “Welcome to 1962!” Not that it mattered. Lenny had passed desperate a long time ago. Nobody was hiring. He still went out on every interview he could find—more from habit than anything else. Maybe an old-fashioned place would give him brand-new results. He took another deep breath and opened the door.’
Inside that door Lenny encounters an employment agency employs all different kinds of monsters from vampires to werevoles and everything in between (uh, they also secretly control the world!) and as the quick synopsis states, ‘Lenny Hodge is a young man with certain abilities—special talents that even he doesn't understand. It is only when he joins Terrifitemps (the temporary employment agency that secretly controls the world) and meets his new team—a psychic, a vampire, a ghost hunter, and a werevole (yes, a werevole)—that Lenny realizes how much his special talent will put him in jeopardy. But it's worth it, right? Hasn't Lenny always wanted to save the world?’
A million laughs and good times and surprises are here for the pure escapism entertainment we all need at present. Gardner is gifted!
Did not finish
March 25, 2015This was just plain horrible, I couldn't finish it.
July 1, 2017
Lenny Hodge has had weird stuff happen to him since he was a kid. Mermaids, aliens, you name it, Lenny has probably seen it. Lenny can't seem to hold a job. Weird things just keep happening to him. He eventually ends up at TerrifiTemps, a job placement company. They offer him an immediate job on their staff. What Lenny doesnt know is that TerrifiTemps is a group dedicated to fighting supernatural and superscience Evil. Lenny is put on a team with a Romanian Vampire, a ghost finder, a Werevole (Think a really big Mole), and a psychic. They immediately head out on a mission after Terrifitemps boss is cursed, and they track the villainy to Foo, an evil genius. This begins the race against time to stop Foo's evil machinations for world domination. Can Lenny's erratic powers be trained enough on the job to stop Foo? Only way to find out is to listen to the book.
Characters are a major strength of this book. They're quirky, funny and earnest, and that includes the villain, who looks at world domination as just another corporate merger. Lenny is a likable everyman who just has so much weirdness swirl around him. The TerrifiTemps crew is hilarious, as are Foo's Henchmen and his narcissist of a daughter. This is a worthy successor to his Wuntavor books of the 80's, which are some of my favorite comedic fantasies.
Thomas Machin did an excellent job narrating. He brings each character to distinctive life. His pacing is good, and the narration never lagged or became monotone. I am eagerly awaiting the next installment of this team.
Characters are a major strength of this book. They're quirky, funny and earnest, and that includes the villain, who looks at world domination as just another corporate merger. Lenny is a likable everyman who just has so much weirdness swirl around him. The TerrifiTemps crew is hilarious, as are Foo's Henchmen and his narcissist of a daughter. This is a worthy successor to his Wuntavor books of the 80's, which are some of my favorite comedic fantasies.
Thomas Machin did an excellent job narrating. He brings each character to distinctive life. His pacing is good, and the narration never lagged or became monotone. I am eagerly awaiting the next installment of this team.
October 5, 2017
This was another pickup from AudiobookBoom. That means I got the book for free, to give a review. The price has no bearing on my review. If you like audiobooks and write reviews, and really enjoy free I suggest checking out audiobookBoom.
This is the first book of the of the Temporary Magic series. We meet Lenny Hodge, Lenny is looking for work. He has a tough time holding down jobs. He gets an interview at Terrifitemps . They seem very eager to have him on board. But his first day with the agency things seem to be falling apart... again. This time his workmates let him onto a secret. The weird things that always seem to happen to him, are part of his special abilities. His teammates are made up of a psychic, a vampire, and a ghost hunter.
Seems like a normal group to work with right. If that wasn't strange enough his ex-girlfriends father is an evil villain looking to take over the world. But in order for his master plan to succeed, he must kill Lenny. With the team assemble in an epic battle of good vs evil the Terrifitemps look to save the world.
This is the first book of the of the Temporary Magic series. We meet Lenny Hodge, Lenny is looking for work. He has a tough time holding down jobs. He gets an interview at Terrifitemps . They seem very eager to have him on board. But his first day with the agency things seem to be falling apart... again. This time his workmates let him onto a secret. The weird things that always seem to happen to him, are part of his special abilities. His teammates are made up of a psychic, a vampire, and a ghost hunter.
Seems like a normal group to work with right. If that wasn't strange enough his ex-girlfriends father is an evil villain looking to take over the world. But in order for his master plan to succeed, he must kill Lenny. With the team assemble in an epic battle of good vs evil the Terrifitemps look to save the world.
May 31, 2018
This book was very interesting, from the cover I expected it to be more geared towards young adults, but I think any love of the Harry Potter World or even the perpetual puns of the Xanth series, will find this book very entertaining and surprisingly refreshing. Our main character is a sort of bumbling oaf who could have had murphy as his middle name. Out of desperation for a job, he finds himself at a delipidated looking temp agency and is hired on the spot after a rather weird interview. Turns out, this temp agency employs the supernatural and Mr. Lenny Hodges has some abilities himself which would explain all his bad luck he has experienced in his life.
Entertaining and hilarious at times, there were puns and gags, along with the mystery of working with Vampires, Ghost hunters, Were Voles and Psychics to save the world from evil villains. This is the first in a series of three books and I rushed through this one, thoroughly engaged and delightfully humored at the antics in this book. This is definitely a book for some light hearted fun and a great read for the summer.
Entertaining and hilarious at times, there were puns and gags, along with the mystery of working with Vampires, Ghost hunters, Were Voles and Psychics to save the world from evil villains. This is the first in a series of three books and I rushed through this one, thoroughly engaged and delightfully humored at the antics in this book. This is definitely a book for some light hearted fun and a great read for the summer.
June 14, 2018
I read this book on a recommendation and didn’t have super-high hopes for it; the premise seemed dubious, the cover-art offputting, and the general feel a little too childish.
However! It turned out to be great fun, and very much in an absurdist yet somehow grounding style akin to that of Douglas Adams. Note that a lot of authors try for this, but their work ends up reading like a game of consequences that someone bound into a book and didn’t edit. Here, instead, an overarching plot keeps things together, characters have actual motivations and thus continuity and a feeling of realness of their own (it’s not just one main character and an absurd lot of extras along the way), and in true Douglas Adams style, the occasional “brick joke” thrown in.
When it comes to a band of comedic superpowered misfits, I cannot help but also think of the recent popularity of Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies; fans of those films will definitely enjoy this book also.
All in all, if you like silly humour but insist on it being well-written, you’ll enjoy this book as I did.
However! It turned out to be great fun, and very much in an absurdist yet somehow grounding style akin to that of Douglas Adams. Note that a lot of authors try for this, but their work ends up reading like a game of consequences that someone bound into a book and didn’t edit. Here, instead, an overarching plot keeps things together, characters have actual motivations and thus continuity and a feeling of realness of their own (it’s not just one main character and an absurd lot of extras along the way), and in true Douglas Adams style, the occasional “brick joke” thrown in.
When it comes to a band of comedic superpowered misfits, I cannot help but also think of the recent popularity of Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies; fans of those films will definitely enjoy this book also.
All in all, if you like silly humour but insist on it being well-written, you’ll enjoy this book as I did.
June 1, 2018
“Temporary Monsters (The Temporary Magic Series Book 1)” is Craig Shaw Gardner’s creative first novel that introduces a wide variety of characters that span over quite a bit of mythology and ancient lore. I love books that incorporate multiple types of creatures and bring them all together in one big universe. The novel is centralized around Lenny who has special abilities that he isn’t fully capable of understanding, but his recruitment into the Terrifitemps offers a chance for him to better manage himself, as well as his team that encompasses the wide variety of creatures that interact well with one another. The development of the team is natural and cohesive, instead of just being thrown together and being forced into that teamwork mentality that some other plots will have, but somewhat fall through because they can’t get it together. I love the way the team interacts with one another and think it’s a staple to this series, so I’m excited for future novels.
September 2, 2018
Temporary Monsters (The Temporary Magic Series Book 1) by Craig Shaw Gardner is the first book of The Temporary Magic Series. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request back in June of 2017 and have voluntarily left this review now that I’ve gotten around to listening to it. I’d read a number of enjoyable Craig Shaw Gardner books in the past and had high hopes for this book. However this proved to be a rather disappointing work. I found it dull & boring with few moments of inspiration. The only reason I finished it was because the book was relatively short and I almost always finish the books I start. The high point of the book was the narration by Thomas Machin. I found myself looking for other works narrated by him as I slogged to the finish but only found a couple of other Craig Shaw Gardner works and based on this one I won’t be investing in any of his new/current stuff.
May 30, 2018
Temporary Monsters (Temporary Magic, #1) by Craig Shaw Gardner is a fun book with a unique premise. Our improbable hero Lenny, needs a job, he is desperate and will take just about anything. Lenny walks into an unorthodox temp agency, dull and dingy, he knows something is off, but from there everything changes. This employment agency employs all different kinds of monsters from vampires to werevoles and everything in between. This book is so funny, so irreverent, that you will be laughing from the very beginning. Lenny gets a job that he never dreamed of, he must join forces with this talented team of monsters and save the world. This is science fiction fantasy with a heavy dose of satire, Gardner is wildly talented in a hit your over the head kind of way. Highly recommend for a fun and entertaining read.
June 2, 2018
This was a pleasant surprise to read! There is enough charm in this book that I haven’t seen in a while, and that enough is worth to buy this book.
This felt like a blending of worlds coming together in an unique way, like Harry Potter mixed with the wild and gritty mind of Tim Burton, there is a company ‘off-screen’ of the world that controls it all, there are other creatures inhabiting Earth and there are evils trying to take it down. On the center of all that mess we have Lenny, who recently will find out even he have mysterious abilities that could explain why so many bad things had happen in his life.
The story is amazingly entertaining, there are constant surprises and twists along the way that it would keep you on your toes all the time, I have a blast with this book and despite the cover, I certainly believes all ages can enjoy this book, so look for it.
This felt like a blending of worlds coming together in an unique way, like Harry Potter mixed with the wild and gritty mind of Tim Burton, there is a company ‘off-screen’ of the world that controls it all, there are other creatures inhabiting Earth and there are evils trying to take it down. On the center of all that mess we have Lenny, who recently will find out even he have mysterious abilities that could explain why so many bad things had happen in his life.
The story is amazingly entertaining, there are constant surprises and twists along the way that it would keep you on your toes all the time, I have a blast with this book and despite the cover, I certainly believes all ages can enjoy this book, so look for it.
June 11, 2018
Just looking at the cover of the book, I was expecting to read a cheesy teenage novel about monsters, which I would have totally been okay with. However, this book was so much more than a monster novel. The world the author creates is pretty weird, which is right up my alley. It goes beyond that though, but I can’t really put my finger on the description I’m looking for. More or less, it’s fun. The author’s talented voice definitely shines here and helped me to grow attached to the book straight away. I couldn’t get enough of the quirky people that I was introduced to or the way the plot formed to create such an interesting and refreshing story. I plan on following this series closely because it was such a light read that really impressed me, which doesn’t happen often. I hope quality and general weirdness don’t diminish in the next book in the series.
June 16, 2018
Crazy and unpredictable, in a good way. I had no idea what to expect with this story, and even at the end of it, it was full of a nonsensical adventure that defies any prediction. Lenny seeks to have a series of bad luck, but he is actually more special than he realizes. He finally gets a job that seems to be the right fit, since all of his other employment opportunities seemed to crash and burn. His ex-girlfriend wants to get back together again. People keep telling him that he has great potential, but he begins to see it more in himself to discover it during the adventure of a lifetime. It took me a while to understand what was going on, but that mirrors how Lenny felt in his new job with unique co-workers. Bob is my favorite character, and I hope there is more of him as Lenny's story continues in the series.
July 5, 2018
This book by Craig Shaw Gardner tells the tale of Lenny Hodge, a man who has some special superpowers. Hodge joins a group called the Terrifitemps which consists of various types of characters like a vampire, ghost hunter, and werevole. However, after joining the group, he finds that his talents might be causing him more harm than good. He must decide whether to continue with the group.
As the first book in Gardner’s The Temporary Magic Series, Temporary Monsters does a great job at introducing the reader to this unique series. It’s filled with interesting characters and Gardner writes with a fun writing style which not only makes it easy to read, but will make you laugh as well. The book is about 180 pages, so it isn’t that long of a read. If you’re looking for a humorous book to add to your reading list, definitely consider this one.
As the first book in Gardner’s The Temporary Magic Series, Temporary Monsters does a great job at introducing the reader to this unique series. It’s filled with interesting characters and Gardner writes with a fun writing style which not only makes it easy to read, but will make you laugh as well. The book is about 180 pages, so it isn’t that long of a read. If you’re looking for a humorous book to add to your reading list, definitely consider this one.
July 24, 2018
I want to work for Terrifitemps!
Temporary Monsters (The Temporary Magic Series Book 1) by Craig Shaw Gardner is the first book of The Temporary Magic Series. It is a fun and refreshing change from the typical fantasy genre. Lenny is a special kind of guy with some interesting talents but one of those talents is not an ability to hold down a good job, so he finds himself hired by a temporary agency that secretly rules the world and finds himself teamed up with a psychic, a werevole, a vampire and a ghost hunter in a crazy story filled with bad jokes (that I found to be hilarious) going after the strangest bunch of villains I have ever imagined!
I have really never read anything like this book before and I have to admit that I loved it! The humor was on point and kept me entertained. I can’t wait to read the rest of The Temporary Magic series!
Temporary Monsters (The Temporary Magic Series Book 1) by Craig Shaw Gardner is the first book of The Temporary Magic Series. It is a fun and refreshing change from the typical fantasy genre. Lenny is a special kind of guy with some interesting talents but one of those talents is not an ability to hold down a good job, so he finds himself hired by a temporary agency that secretly rules the world and finds himself teamed up with a psychic, a werevole, a vampire and a ghost hunter in a crazy story filled with bad jokes (that I found to be hilarious) going after the strangest bunch of villains I have ever imagined!
I have really never read anything like this book before and I have to admit that I loved it! The humor was on point and kept me entertained. I can’t wait to read the rest of The Temporary Magic series!
May 25, 2018
Such a brilliant book. Written in an incredibly funny and friendly manner it’s actually impossible to stop reading once you start.
Be ready for constant intrigue and never knowing what the hells going to happen next. There’s constant twists and turns, constant mysteries and always new things coming up.
Lenny, a young man, gets thrust into a situation way out of his depth and way out of what he ever would have imagined would happen. What goes on in there had me constantly laughing, the werevole especially is hilarious.
Lenny life is filled with odd events and happenings and I’m definitely happy I don’t have to go through what he does, but it does make a great read.
Would highly recommend to anyone who wants a light-hearted fun read that makes you forget about this world.
Be ready for constant intrigue and never knowing what the hells going to happen next. There’s constant twists and turns, constant mysteries and always new things coming up.
Lenny, a young man, gets thrust into a situation way out of his depth and way out of what he ever would have imagined would happen. What goes on in there had me constantly laughing, the werevole especially is hilarious.
Lenny life is filled with odd events and happenings and I’m definitely happy I don’t have to go through what he does, but it does make a great read.
Would highly recommend to anyone who wants a light-hearted fun read that makes you forget about this world.
May 30, 2018
A fun comedy meets mystery meets fantasy.
This was a very enjoyable read that has a lot of action along with the right amount of mystery. The first is the series of three and this is an adventure. What could possibly go wrong when you put a psychic , a vampire, and a few other special ability members of the team and the desire to save the world. This team is dedicated to fighting supernatural and the fun is just starting. Follow this crazy team as they race to stop evil from taking over the world. Filled with humor and excitement, this is a great story with good characters and just the right amount of comic relief to make this a great read for all. Check it out. You will not be disappointed.
This was a very enjoyable read that has a lot of action along with the right amount of mystery. The first is the series of three and this is an adventure. What could possibly go wrong when you put a psychic , a vampire, and a few other special ability members of the team and the desire to save the world. This team is dedicated to fighting supernatural and the fun is just starting. Follow this crazy team as they race to stop evil from taking over the world. Filled with humor and excitement, this is a great story with good characters and just the right amount of comic relief to make this a great read for all. Check it out. You will not be disappointed.
June 27, 2017
My review is based on the Audiobook. What a fun story this was to listen to. I am sure I would have enjoyed reading it but I think that Thomas Machin's narration was spot on and truly brought these crazy characters to life better than my imagination could. The off the wall humor in this book had me LOL'ing quite often. The singing Buffalo and Bob are my absolute faves. I hope that the rest of the series will be made into Audiobooks. I will be looking for more from this Author as well as from the narrator. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
June 2, 2018
An Entertaining book
A fun, entertaining book that makes you laugh, good for any age group from kids to adults. Everyone can get a smile on their face. Well, this is the story about a team of vampires, werewolves and all in between is joining forces to save the world. Our hero Lenny, unaware about his talent end up joining them with not knowing how much trouble it is. Monsters, saving the world sounds interesting too. A good comedy and humor throughout, making it light hearted!
A fun, entertaining book that makes you laugh, good for any age group from kids to adults. Everyone can get a smile on their face. Well, this is the story about a team of vampires, werewolves and all in between is joining forces to save the world. Our hero Lenny, unaware about his talent end up joining them with not knowing how much trouble it is. Monsters, saving the world sounds interesting too. A good comedy and humor throughout, making it light hearted!
June 23, 2018
If you like comedy and fantasy this book is for you! I'm not a huge fan of fantasy-type books, but this one was pretty humorous and did manage to keep my attention. Lenny is an odd fellow who has had some odd things happen to him all his life. He finds himself employed by a temp agency who hires werewolves, vampires, you-name-it. The plot was good and the entire book is silly, funny, unbelievable, and has Tim Burton-like vibes. It was a good break from reality and one entertaining book.
July 11, 2018
Storylines containing monsters can often be cheesy and stereotypical, but not this one. This story makes you very curious, you often find yourself thinking, what's going on? What is that? and every outcome of a situation is often the total opposite of what you expected. There's no doubt that the author has a fantastic talent for building suspense and curiosity.
October 14, 2020
I used to enjoy Craig Shaw Gardner’s brand of humour (the Ebenezer and Wuntvor series springs to mind) but it seems I have outgrown it. I listened to the audio version of the book and my mind drifted many times. I didn’t enjoy the book. I didn’t find it funny or even entertaining. I will not be reading the next book in this series.
August 26, 2020
3.5 stars, but I'm a long-time fan of Craig Shaw Gardner comic fantasy, so more than happy to round up :)
January 7, 2014
Rather disappointing journey of a colorful cast of characters in a quest to find out what the special mysterious power is of the newest recruit. I found it dull with a few moments of inspiration. I kept trudging along because the book was relatively short.
August 5, 2016
Not a lot of brain power needed to read this but it was very cute. Can see it making a 'wacky' ScFi comedy series on TV.
March 6, 2014
Meh
Not a bad start to a soon-to-be Pratchettish series, if that is what it turns out to be. Short read anyways.
Not a bad start to a soon-to-be Pratchettish series, if that is what it turns out to be. Short read anyways.
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