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The Iron Teeth #2
City of Daggers
The lawless North is changing. The strongest bandits have begun claiming territory for themselves, and there is only so much to go around. The spectre of violence hangs heavy over the land.
Daggerpoint is a hive of villainy and evil, ruled by no one. Thugs and murderers roam the streets, where anything is available for the right price, even the darkest of secrets and most dangerous of magics. It is here that Herad the Black Snake travels in order to meet with the other chiefs. However, her enemies have set a trap for her. Assassins gather in the shadows as gangs unite against her. The entire city prepares to tear her down.
Yet, Herad is not alone. Alongside her are several of her most skilled subordinates, and also Blacknail the hobgoblin. He wasn’t invited, but no one said he couldn’t come either. Daggerpoint has never seen anyone like him, and Herad’s usually loyal servant knows what he has to do. He is going to kill everyone who gets in his way, eat everything he wants, and have a lot of fun doing it.
Daggerpoint is a hive of villainy and evil, ruled by no one. Thugs and murderers roam the streets, where anything is available for the right price, even the darkest of secrets and most dangerous of magics. It is here that Herad the Black Snake travels in order to meet with the other chiefs. However, her enemies have set a trap for her. Assassins gather in the shadows as gangs unite against her. The entire city prepares to tear her down.
Yet, Herad is not alone. Alongside her are several of her most skilled subordinates, and also Blacknail the hobgoblin. He wasn’t invited, but no one said he couldn’t come either. Daggerpoint has never seen anyone like him, and Herad’s usually loyal servant knows what he has to do. He is going to kill everyone who gets in his way, eat everything he wants, and have a lot of fun doing it.
- GenresFantasy
404 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 12, 2017
142 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 17, 2017
Delightful
A very fun read. Blacknail is a very interesting and different character. Very few authorship can pull off the nonhuman angle and it was done right. Having a completely different set of instincts changes how one view the world just as much as the environment we grow up in. Great storyline, shows characters growth as they experience new things. The fact that Blacknail shows that he cares for Saeter by saving his life is a huge step for him.
A very fun read. Blacknail is a very interesting and different character. Very few authorship can pull off the nonhuman angle and it was done right. Having a completely different set of instincts changes how one view the world just as much as the environment we grow up in. Great storyline, shows characters growth as they experience new things. The fact that Blacknail shows that he cares for Saeter by saving his life is a huge step for him.
May 4, 2025
This was a fun book and I enjoyed it even more than the first one.
In the first volume, Blacknail didn't have a lot of agency (understandably), and was mostly pulled along by his circumstances. The worldbuilding did a lot of the heavy lifting during this time to maintain my interest as the story introduced various bandit characters as well as how magic worked with crystals or elixers.
Blacknail started to hit his stride in this part of the story and it was fun to follow his perspective as he puts his unique skillset to use and begins to gain recognition for his competence. I also really enjoyed the various perspectives Blacknail has as a hobgoblin when he navigates an urban environment and has to interact with human society.
There's also a bit of additional character complexity as Blacknail begins to recognize that spending time with humans has rubbed off on him and he's no longer like his more simple goblin brethren. There's a bit of dissonance as he both embraces and rejects many elements of human living. The story wouldn't be nearly as fun without being filtered through Blacknail's ego.
I'm curious to see where this series goes, whether book three is the finale and what kind of ending the author has in mind for this story.
In the first volume, Blacknail didn't have a lot of agency (understandably), and was mostly pulled along by his circumstances. The worldbuilding did a lot of the heavy lifting during this time to maintain my interest as the story introduced various bandit characters as well as how magic worked with crystals or elixers.
Blacknail started to hit his stride in this part of the story and it was fun to follow his perspective as he puts his unique skillset to use and begins to gain recognition for his competence. I also really enjoyed the various perspectives Blacknail has as a hobgoblin when he navigates an urban environment and has to interact with human society.
There's also a bit of additional character complexity as Blacknail begins to recognize that spending time with humans has rubbed off on him and he's no longer like his more simple goblin brethren. There's a bit of dissonance as he both embraces and rejects many elements of human living. The story wouldn't be nearly as fun without being filtered through Blacknail's ego.
I'm curious to see where this series goes, whether book three is the finale and what kind of ending the author has in mind for this story.
December 30, 2017
Outstanding
Everything here is professional. From the illustrations to the story, the characters, the dialogue, and to the editing. Book one introduced the characters, and a bit of the world. Book two polishes the characters a bit while introducing us more to the world. We find some new and interesting characters in a very new and interesting environment. We get a ton of action and politics, and of course we get to experience it all through the eyes of one (usually) self-assured, amoral, and humorous hobgoblin.
This is an excellent series, with fresh and engaging characters, environments, magic, and stories. Definitely worth the admission price. Highly recommended.
Everything here is professional. From the illustrations to the story, the characters, the dialogue, and to the editing. Book one introduced the characters, and a bit of the world. Book two polishes the characters a bit while introducing us more to the world. We find some new and interesting characters in a very new and interesting environment. We get a ton of action and politics, and of course we get to experience it all through the eyes of one (usually) self-assured, amoral, and humorous hobgoblin.
This is an excellent series, with fresh and engaging characters, environments, magic, and stories. Definitely worth the admission price. Highly recommended.
November 4, 2017
Even better than the first!
It's sometimes hard for series to keep up their pace after their "coming of age" beginnings, but this one got even better! Seeing things though Blacknail's evil little eyes keeps things fresh. Straughan avoids introducing too many new characters, and having a protagonist with an attention deficit ensures that we never get bogged down in exposition. Loved it!
It's sometimes hard for series to keep up their pace after their "coming of age" beginnings, but this one got even better! Seeing things though Blacknail's evil little eyes keeps things fresh. Straughan avoids introducing too many new characters, and having a protagonist with an attention deficit ensures that we never get bogged down in exposition. Loved it!
November 13, 2018
Like
I'm sure people may not like how this book sticks almost fully with one character but I really like that effect; it's actually very helpful for purposes of getting into Blacknail's head, which is pretty miraculous and fun once you do! Weird innocence in the cunning green killer adds intriguing layers also. This idea is working well IMO
I'm sure people may not like how this book sticks almost fully with one character but I really like that effect; it's actually very helpful for purposes of getting into Blacknail's head, which is pretty miraculous and fun once you do! Weird innocence in the cunning green killer adds intriguing layers also. This idea is working well IMO
March 9, 2022
I've just finished the first 3 books in this series The Iron Teeth. I really enjoyed them, reading a book from an imagined non-human perspective was very interesting, it made me think about what would actually motivate a goblin and how or why a goblin would do certain things. These books were also rather funny and clever. Thank you Scott Straughan.
November 6, 2022
I was giving the first book some leeway since it's just beginning so there are bound to be some bumps but nothing really improves. Everything still takes way too long. The characters are one-dimensional and not even in an interesting direction. Blacknail is selfish and hungry. That's basically the main character.
November 26, 2024
I really enjoyed the book
The concept of making the hero of the book a 'monster' makes reading the book extremely fun. I would have a hard time believing the hero ego and thought process as a human, this allows a childish, funny, party sociopathic personality to shine, and makes the book fun to read.
The concept of making the hero of the book a 'monster' makes reading the book extremely fun. I would have a hard time believing the hero ego and thought process as a human, this allows a childish, funny, party sociopathic personality to shine, and makes the book fun to read.
December 15, 2025
Good continuing of the story and characters
This was a good continuation of the story and characters in book 1. It had rounding of the area of the conflict from micro with many characters to overall for the next book.
Definitely will keep reading since I have the next book and look forward to how the story will progress and characters.
This was a good continuation of the story and characters in book 1. It had rounding of the area of the conflict from micro with many characters to overall for the next book.
Definitely will keep reading since I have the next book and look forward to how the story will progress and characters.
September 25, 2017
Just as good if not better than book one
Great story, interesting character,
Can't wait to see what happens to the sick horses, our assassin will probably be right in the next book, horses are evil, wink wink.
Great story, interesting character,
Can't wait to see what happens to the sick horses, our assassin will probably be right in the next book, horses are evil, wink wink.
October 2, 2017
Awesome Non Human Adventure
This story about a sewer goblin slave turned into a hobgoblin with ranger hunter skills. It shows how stupid it is for us humans to think other intelligent would think and value the same as us. This story is a good break from human drama.
This story about a sewer goblin slave turned into a hobgoblin with ranger hunter skills. It shows how stupid it is for us humans to think other intelligent would think and value the same as us. This story is a good break from human drama.
February 21, 2018
Amazing
Blacknail is an amazing character. He is evil (he doesn't consider himself evil though) and so innocent at the same time.
Really funny and an entertaining book!
Watch out for his cheese tho... No touching.
Blacknail is an amazing character. He is evil (he doesn't consider himself evil though) and so innocent at the same time.
Really funny and an entertaining book!
Watch out for his cheese tho... No touching.
January 27, 2021
While the first book was somewhat fresh, the second installment of goblin assassin Mary Sue gets boring really fast. It is sometimes funny but follows the same pattern over and over again: Blacknail is awesome and picks up new things really fast (and doesn't pay for his mistakes). Most of the other characters don't show any development and are cardboard decorations for the main hero. When the first book showed great promise, the second one feels like wasted potential.
It is still enjoyable but it contains nothing new and shows no development of the world or main characters.
It is still enjoyable but it contains nothing new and shows no development of the world or main characters.
September 28, 2017
Fantastic
Something unique and fun! I truly enjoyed the amoral monster of a main character and eagerly await the next book!
Something unique and fun! I truly enjoyed the amoral monster of a main character and eagerly await the next book!
October 2, 2017
Good stuff
A lot of funny parts. Fun read.
Can't wait for next book.
I don't have much to say, but it was good.
A lot of funny parts. Fun read.
Can't wait for next book.
I don't have much to say, but it was good.
October 31, 2017
Yeah
Pretty good. Adorable murder and whatnot. The little green monster grows on me with every book. Hopefully the next book will have even more murder.
Pretty good. Adorable murder and whatnot. The little green monster grows on me with every book. Hopefully the next book will have even more murder.
October 31, 2017
Woah
This is phenomenal, the point of view is interesting, pacing is practically perfect. Highly recommend to everyone and I am extremely excited for the next book
This is phenomenal, the point of view is interesting, pacing is practically perfect. Highly recommend to everyone and I am extremely excited for the next book
November 8, 2017
Generally Good fun
It can be rather silly at times but I do enjoy the fact that it is hard to guess where the plot is going. Some novels like this tend to over do the foreshadowing.
It can be rather silly at times but I do enjoy the fact that it is hard to guess where the plot is going. Some novels like this tend to over do the foreshadowing.
November 16, 2017
Very entertaining
There are some great and unusual characters in this book. It's funny and highly enjoyable with an unusual perspective. If you read the fist book then read this
There are some great and unusual characters in this book. It's funny and highly enjoyable with an unusual perspective. If you read the fist book then read this
December 27, 2017
A masterpiece
City of daggers is amazing. This book has retained all the charm, mystery and humour from the last book and multiplied it by ten.
City of daggers is amazing. This book has retained all the charm, mystery and humour from the last book and multiplied it by ten.
September 5, 2018
great book great story
ok ok ok. enough with the reviews. I want to read the next on. so y all should buy this book
ok ok ok. enough with the reviews. I want to read the next on. so y all should buy this book
April 21, 2022
this is a good book. it's fun to read
May 2, 2023
A most excellent sequal! The evolution of our favourite little goblin is creative and innovative. And i find that I rather love rooting for the bad guy!
October 16, 2017
Great
I really like books that do a non human perspective, and this one does it very well. I can't wait for the next one.
I really like books that do a non human perspective, and this one does it very well. I can't wait for the next one.
January 30, 2018
This book is good too. It is different from the first though, the first is about getting stronger and smarter and this one is about stabbing people. The main character is still fun to read about though, and things progress nicely.
And now for something completely different.
I choose to mention this here because Scott Straughan does this a lot. What does he do? He misunderstands the purpose of a chapter. Chapters in books are there so when you reach one you can put down your book and go do the laundry (or whatever). But many authors treat them as oppotunities for cliffhangers and this is a serious misunderstanding. You don't need cliffhangers in the middle of a book, we have already bought the book! So long as it is interesting we are gonna keep reading regardless of whether we stopped on a cliffhanger. On TV you often need cliffhangers to ensure that people tune in for the next episode of something, but that is not the case with books. In books you need a place where you can put it down. If an author likes (and Scott does this too, but actually quite well) they can make a cliffhanger for the next book, and this is more acceptable, so long as there is still a good ending to the book.
EDIT: Let me just give you some made up examples to illustrate my point:
Good:
"And after the battle was over he went to bed bone tired and slept through the night. [End chapter]"
Bad:
"And he charged at his bitter rival, sword raised high, as arrows flew and his friends were hit. [End chapter]"
And now for something completely different.
I choose to mention this here because Scott Straughan does this a lot. What does he do? He misunderstands the purpose of a chapter. Chapters in books are there so when you reach one you can put down your book and go do the laundry (or whatever). But many authors treat them as oppotunities for cliffhangers and this is a serious misunderstanding. You don't need cliffhangers in the middle of a book, we have already bought the book! So long as it is interesting we are gonna keep reading regardless of whether we stopped on a cliffhanger. On TV you often need cliffhangers to ensure that people tune in for the next episode of something, but that is not the case with books. In books you need a place where you can put it down. If an author likes (and Scott does this too, but actually quite well) they can make a cliffhanger for the next book, and this is more acceptable, so long as there is still a good ending to the book.
EDIT: Let me just give you some made up examples to illustrate my point:
Good:
"And after the battle was over he went to bed bone tired and slept through the night. [End chapter]"
Bad:
"And he charged at his bitter rival, sword raised high, as arrows flew and his friends were hit. [End chapter]"
February 20, 2018
This was a great sequel. Blacknail is now a hobgoblin and must deal with the good and bad of that transformation. He comes into his powers and gets to have a lot more fun in this book. If you enjoyed the first book, this was just about everything you wanted it to be. No conclusion though. There will apparently be a book 3. This is a good thing, but there will probably be a wait. Also, as much as I tried to drag my feet, this book was over before I wanted it to be. It's great that the author does not beat around the bush or have pages of descriptions of the landscape, but it does make the book short.
October 11, 2017
Absolutely fantastic! Enjoyed every bit. Only thing that stuck out though was the point where Blacknail saw a picture of Fang while trying to assassinate him. A "picture" seems too much like advanced tech in a time when horses, swords and the like are the rave. A painting would have been more appropriate. Nonetheless, it's 5 stars for me!
October 20, 2017
I really enjoyed reading it, even though I was sceptical before reading the first book.
In fact the second book was in no way behind the first one. The characters showed a lot of development (mb. except of Herad).
Furthermore the book is around 200 pages, therefor you have a nice weekend of reading.
In fact the second book was in no way behind the first one. The characters showed a lot of development (mb. except of Herad).
Furthermore the book is around 200 pages, therefor you have a nice weekend of reading.
November 10, 2017
Good book. Curious to see what happens next.
June 18, 2019
Even better than the first.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews