Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dark and inventive, 13 May 2008
This is a great book. It blends the two essentials seamlessly, excellent writing and original and gripping plot.
As a sequel this book expands the original world, through an array of new and interesting characters, my favourite of which was John Anchor, hugely likeable; he reminded me of John Coffey from 'The Green Mile.' But he was not the only great newcommer - Hasp, Mina Green, Alice Harper, Cospinol, all add new depth to Campbell's world, whilst still moving the story forward.
There is a dark, black humour underpinning Iron Angel, which, while not wrenching the laugh out loud moments that Abercrombie manages, still leaves you smiling. the scene with the Soft Men is stand out.
This guy's immagination is right out there - hugely original and hugely entertaining.
Part of what i like about the book is that it gives nods to past fantasy - there seems to be more Pullman than Tolkien in his vision, and also a considerable debt i suspect is owed to Dante's 'Inferno.' - his vision of Hell is detailed and mind blowing.
Whilst the fantasy is complex and 'out there' the story is wonderfully rooted in character - particularly Dill, Rachel and newcommer Alice Harper.
If the story ever made it to Hollywood I'd imagine it in the hands of someone like Tim Burton - artistic, twisted, entertaining.
If i was to grumble, it would be about the limited appearance of Carnival - such a great character from Scar Night; her lack of page time is really dissapointing, and also Devon, who, even worse, was a complete no-show. One of the finest, darkest 'bad-guys' that i have loved to hate in a long while, and there is no sight of him at all. Hugely dissapointing. In fact, i would have detracted half a star and rated the book 4 1/2 for this ommitance, but Amazon doesn't do half stars, and the book doesn't deserve a four, so it has stayed at five.
Anyway, needless to say, i loved the book - a complete page turner, sucking you in with that 'just one more page' feel. And what a cliffhanger of an ending.
Can't wait for part three.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Sequel Triumph, 28 Dec 2008
If you are a regular reader of these types of book as I am you'll be well familiar with the "Second Book" pitfall many such trilogies fall into. We see originally teasing and twisting storylines straighten out and become predictable and mundane as well as sparkling and intriguing characters that begin to tarnish and fade back into the same old same old that we've read time and time again.
Thankfully, with this the second book of the Deepgate Codex Alan Campbell continues to ignore the rule book that took a flying leap out the window with Scar Night. (PS. As other reviews have mentioned, if you have not read Scar Night, the opening book of the Deepgate Codex then you will find this all rather difficult to run with).
Iron Angel somehow manages to be all the book that Scar Night was with a pile of new characters and evocative imagery thrown in for good measure. If like me you were concerned with how well a second book would stand up away from the dark and hauntingly described chains of Deepgate then dont be. Iron Angel introduces us to far more of Campbells world than we saw in Scar Night and thankfully the level of imagination and description remains firmly off the scale. This book deals with the unforseen ramifications of the death of Ulcis and as the scope of the storyline expands we learn the roles that he and the other exiled sons of Ayen play in the much wider conflict with the self proclaimed King of The Maze, Menoa. Souls are lost by the thousand, the dead walk the land nourished by a mist of spilt blood and we have the many facets of The Maze described to us in intricate detail.
A truly entertaining installment of the Deepgate Codex and a worthy successor to Scar Night. If you like your fantasy dark, edgy and very original then these books are a must read.
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3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
a flawed jewel, 3 May 2008
The first book "Scar Night" is one of my all time favrites so this book was on top of my wish list.
It doesnt disappoint and delivers a fantastic story, however it introduces too many new mechanics to the story too fast.
The story still follows the misfortune of Dill and Rachel as the young angel trys to come to terms with what and who he is, alot more really strange but brilliantly realised new people join him and the scene is as vividly painted as the chained city was in scar night.
The first book was excellent and had a real sense of character, you cared what happened to Dill and Rachel and even Carnival, and the story was easy enough to follow but left the important questions hanging leaving you salivating for more, this second book just doesnt quite capture the same feel as the first and the ending doesnt quite end as well as the first.
New gods and new chacters flood the book and although revealing alot more background on what the books are all about it all just overwhelms the detail and the main characters you follow dont get the attention they deserve.
Dont get me wrong this book is excellent and i would advise buying it if you liked scar night but new things are introduced in such a rush that you dont get time to take it in, saying that though im now waiting desperatly for the next installment.
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