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The Night Sheriff
From the turreted castle and Main Street to Monte Cristo Island and Kukuanaland,
Bartholomew Zenon’s Zenonland is protected by the Night Sheriff. Day and night, he is burdened by a witch’s curse to be aware of all that live and play within the massive fantasy theme park.
Now an attack on the park by a monster hunter, who knows far too much, threatens guests, staff, and fellow supernaturals taking refuge in the park. The Night Sheriff must scramble to uncover not only the source of the threat, but secrets of the park of which even he was not aware.
If he doesn’t, he may be doomed, the park may be doomed, and even the world may be doomed.
… And that’s a lot of doom.
Buy The Night Sherriff to jump into a new action-packed fantasy from the creator of Girl Genius
Bartholomew Zenon’s Zenonland is protected by the Night Sheriff. Day and night, he is burdened by a witch’s curse to be aware of all that live and play within the massive fantasy theme park.
Now an attack on the park by a monster hunter, who knows far too much, threatens guests, staff, and fellow supernaturals taking refuge in the park. The Night Sheriff must scramble to uncover not only the source of the threat, but secrets of the park of which even he was not aware.
If he doesn’t, he may be doomed, the park may be doomed, and even the world may be doomed.
… And that’s a lot of doom.
Buy The Night Sherriff to jump into a new action-packed fantasy from the creator of Girl Genius
294 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 8, 2021
25 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Phil Foglio
167 books356 followersA popular science fiction fan artist in the 1970s, Phil Foglio began writing and drawing cartoons and comics professionally in the 1980s. His work includes Magic: The Gathering, Buck Godot, and the popular series of comics and novels, Girl Genius, co-written with his wife, Kaja Foglio.
Awards:
Hugo Award for Best Fan Artist (1977 and 1978)
Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story (2009, 2010, 2011)
Awards:
Hugo Award for Best Fan Artist (1977 and 1978)
Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story (2009, 2010, 2011)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 26, 2022
I'm not quite a Phil Foglio completist, but definitely a fan. I've been looking for his work and enjoying his brand of absurdist humor since I discovered Phil & Dixie in them step-brothers' old Dragon magazines. My daughter has grown up with Girl Genius and is rapidly coming to look like Agatha herself with her proclivity for building robots and wearing swoopy vintage clothing.
And yet this book didn't quite hit the mark I wanted it to.
I think I would have enjoyed it more is I was a Disney super-fan, but I have never been to any of the Mouse's theme parks and have no desire to do so.
I enjoyed the Hellboy-esqe aspects to our nameless main character's backstory, but like those stories, I find myself more interested in the characters' adventures during that pulp-ridden time-frame than the modern consequences and reflections period.
Or maybe a I just have a bad taste in my mouth by coming across Nazi atrocities yet again I put a book on the history of Prague on hold as the invasion of Ukraine kicked off as it just resonated too much.
Finally, maybe I'm just having trouble with Phil's 1970's - 1980's mores in a more recent world. Phil definitely makes an effort to dig deeper into complex history (the story of the abandoned Yokai jumps to mind), but the fact that he had Vandy be naked while damseled in the climax just seems reminiscent of his his big-boobed heroines and characters from Phil & Dixie or XXXenophile. I appreciate those works, but maybe I'm just too old to enjoy gratuitous cheesecake now without feeling the bitter taste of misogyny in it.
And yet this book didn't quite hit the mark I wanted it to.
I think I would have enjoyed it more is I was a Disney super-fan, but I have never been to any of the Mouse's theme parks and have no desire to do so.
I enjoyed the Hellboy-esqe aspects to our nameless main character's backstory, but like those stories, I find myself more interested in the characters' adventures during that pulp-ridden time-frame than the modern consequences and reflections period.
Or maybe a I just have a bad taste in my mouth by coming across Nazi atrocities yet again I put a book on the history of Prague on hold as the invasion of Ukraine kicked off as it just resonated too much.
Finally, maybe I'm just having trouble with Phil's 1970's - 1980's mores in a more recent world. Phil definitely makes an effort to dig deeper into complex history (the story of the abandoned Yokai jumps to mind), but the fact that he had Vandy be naked while damseled in the climax just seems reminiscent of his his big-boobed heroines and characters from Phil & Dixie or XXXenophile. I appreciate those works, but maybe I'm just too old to enjoy gratuitous cheesecake now without feeling the bitter taste of misogyny in it.
January 14, 2022
What fun! I will freely admit to being a full-fledged Girl Genius fangirl, so of COURSE I wanted to read this - but fortunately, Professor Foglio hasn't let me down. The Night Sheriff is a delightful romp, full of Foglio's tongue-in-cheek humor, puns, sly asides, and an homage to Disney such as you've never seen (if you're a Disneyland fan, the asides will definitely either tickle you or annoy you... I fell on the side of the former).
The Night Sheriff is a monster of some sort (he's not even sure what exactly he is), who is trapped by geas to guard the park created by the brother of his former best friend. While he serves his duties unfailingly, he wants to know why he's trapped and if he can escape -- but then the Company is sold and a new CEO seems to be gunning for him, and this mystery person knows more about the Sheriff than even he does... can he stop him before it's too late?
The Night Sheriff is a monster of some sort (he's not even sure what exactly he is), who is trapped by geas to guard the park created by the brother of his former best friend. While he serves his duties unfailingly, he wants to know why he's trapped and if he can escape -- but then the Company is sold and a new CEO seems to be gunning for him, and this mystery person knows more about the Sheriff than even he does... can he stop him before it's too late?
January 11, 2022
Good fun.
I don't know what to say about it for some reason... For now, see my highlighted quotes for a sense of the book
I don't know what to say about it for some reason... For now, see my highlighted quotes for a sense of the book
January 8, 2022
A very enjoyable read
I enjoy reading this. Mister Foglio has a gift for telling stories and this book did not disappoint. There is a point where it felt a little exposition heavy and I debated subtracting a star for it, but the exposition was necessary for the latter parts of the book.
I'm a little sad at the ending of the book but explaining why involves spoilers.
I enjoy reading this. Mister Foglio has a gift for telling stories and this book did not disappoint. There is a point where it felt a little exposition heavy and I debated subtracting a star for it, but the exposition was necessary for the latter parts of the book.
I'm a little sad at the ending of the book but explaining why involves spoilers.
January 3, 2022
A very good start
This is a great start, with world and character building that should make for a very entertaining series. Now, now, Mr Foglio, don't think you're gonna get away with just a taste? I and any others fortunate to read this will be very dissatisfied if there is not more to be told about Bonecat, Vandy, and the original Night Sherriff. I know you have artwork to do but this needs work too. Thanks and looking forward to more.
This is a great start, with world and character building that should make for a very entertaining series. Now, now, Mr Foglio, don't think you're gonna get away with just a taste? I and any others fortunate to read this will be very dissatisfied if there is not more to be told about Bonecat, Vandy, and the original Night Sherriff. I know you have artwork to do but this needs work too. Thanks and looking forward to more.
December 8, 2021
The Sheriff of Zenonland
The Night Sheriff isn't sure *what* he is – other than terrifying to normal mortals – but he became It over a millinium ago. But he's been a reluctant resident of Zenonland since Bartholomew Zenon built his jolly Kingdom and his brother Mortimer convinced the Sheriff to move from darkest Europe to sunny California … & then trapped him there with a powerful geas. But Zenonland now faces a terrible threat: New Management that knows about the Night Sheriff … & how to kill him… !
The Night Sheriff isn't sure *what* he is – other than terrifying to normal mortals – but he became It over a millinium ago. But he's been a reluctant resident of Zenonland since Bartholomew Zenon built his jolly Kingdom and his brother Mortimer convinced the Sheriff to move from darkest Europe to sunny California … & then trapped him there with a powerful geas. But Zenonland now faces a terrible threat: New Management that knows about the Night Sheriff … & how to kill him… !
December 9, 2021
A surprising and great novel! Not surprising that it was good, I knew Phil could spin a great story. But it was an ongoing surprise as this inventive world slowly took shape throughout the book. I guess it is urban fantasy, with a touch of horror? Not my usual fare, but I'm so happy I picked it up. Definitely recommended, even if you aren't already reading Girl Genius (which you should).
November 30, 2021
Excellent
Girl Genious fans will recognize the humor, though much more thoughtful and in a completely different universe. Fun from start to finish.
Girl Genious fans will recognize the humor, though much more thoughtful and in a completely different universe. Fun from start to finish.
March 9, 2022
Delightful cross of Disneyland and urban fantasy
Full of character and interesting details about a park very similar to Disneyland, and horrors of the night in the modern world, a plot that unfolds slowly with twists and turns, and a denouement that makes sense. Fans of Girl Genius will love this.
Full of character and interesting details about a park very similar to Disneyland, and horrors of the night in the modern world, a plot that unfolds slowly with twists and turns, and a denouement that makes sense. Fans of Girl Genius will love this.
March 16, 2022
Great story
I really enjoyed this book. The story was intricate, and the characters well developed. Along with the action was a good dose of humor. The main character's backstory was deftly interwoven with the main plot, which had a satisfying twist at the end. I highly recommend it.
I really enjoyed this book. The story was intricate, and the characters well developed. Along with the action was a good dose of humor. The main character's backstory was deftly interwoven with the main plot, which had a satisfying twist at the end. I highly recommend it.
August 12, 2022
I didn’t know what to expect from The Night Sheriff as I try to not read reviews before any book. I thought the beginning was a lead-in to the main storyline but, the more I read the more I was sucked into the action. By the time I finished the book I was wanting more and sincerely hope Mr. Foglio is hard at work on book 2 ;-)
I highly recommend it and hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
I highly recommend it and hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
July 24, 2022
Refreshing
Monster story? Love story? Hans fables? An enjoyable romp filed with silliness, nobility, ass kicking, and joy...which if you ever read "Illegal Aliens", would be just what you would expect from PF.
Monster story? Love story? Hans fables? An enjoyable romp filed with silliness, nobility, ass kicking, and joy...which if you ever read "Illegal Aliens", would be just what you would expect from PF.
May 10, 2023
Enjoyed this greatly
Just a happy book. And how could it not be, what with a happiness machine and a plan for total world destruction. Good thing the Night Sheriff is still on duty.
Thanks Mr. Foglio, it is a wonderful story.
Just a happy book. And how could it not be, what with a happiness machine and a plan for total world destruction. Good thing the Night Sheriff is still on duty.
Thanks Mr. Foglio, it is a wonderful story.
March 13, 2022
Phil has, once again, gifted us with a well written, entertaining and memorable novel. Loved it and the characters that are uniquely Foglio! Buy it! Read it!
April 15, 2022
Never really got into this one, it was a grind.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2022
I get the feeling I'm missing a lot of in jokes by not knowing much about Disney world.... ... But thoroughly enjoyable never the less.
June 1, 2022
A Great Deal of Fun
This was a fun story with neat twists and turns, all leading to a very satisfying end. Great job, Mr. Foglio!
This was a fun story with neat twists and turns, all leading to a very satisfying end. Great job, Mr. Foglio!
August 20, 2024
This book was just amazing! A great read with mystery, adventure, and wonder.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews