Brent Michael Kelley

The only problem I see with this book, is that since it just came out, there will likely be a significant wait until the next one, and I want to read the next one now. The first Chuggie book amazed me with how great a character Chuggie is. This one improves upon that by expanding his greatness as a character and by elevating all the characters around him. What Kelly has done with Chuggie and the ghosts haunting him… I haven’t laughed that hard reading a fantasy novel since some of the Cosca chapters in Joe Abercrombie’s Best Served Cold. Meanwhile Olin provides some of the creepiest pages I’ve ever read. And the cliff hanger at the end of this… I want to read the next book.

I said in my review of Stagwater that I wished it had a map or even series of maps. Having read Bleeding Gateways, I’m not sure if a map is necessary, but I’d still like it. Actually I’d really like to see an atlas, series of Tolkienesque appendices, timelines, books about this universe’s history… but I know I’m just really looking forward to the next book.… (mehr)

I have a new favorite character and it’s Chuggie. He’s got that great sense of humor and the perfectly fugged up outlook on life. He’s got his problems, but he’s doing the best that he can, and striving to do better. The only problem with Chuggie being such a great character is initially some of the scenes he’s not in made me miss him. It’s not so severe as a George RR Martin “how many chapters do I have to wait for Arya” deal, because the book is much less dense, but his absence was felt, at least until later chapters when the other characters really came into their own. But from the beginning Chuggie made me an instant fan.

The setting is rich and original. It’s sort of low fantasy by way of a dive bar. The types of people that populate this setting are interesting. So much so that I think the setting would make for a great game or tv series setting. I’m thrilled to see that there is another book, hopefully more to come, to further explore this world. I kind of wish that there were maps at the front of the book. Maybe a big overview world map. Definitely a map of the area around Stagwater. It’s such an interesting world, that it would be nice to stare at a big map and just wonder what sort of characters are in the other places, and what stories are happening there.

The best review I can give this book, is that after finishing it I immediately felt compelled to start reading the next one, so I’m beginning Chuggie and the Bleeding Gateways now. More Chuggie!… (mehr)