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Giant Thief (2012)

by David Tallerman(Favorite Author)

2.91 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

0857662112 (ISBN13: 9780857662118)

languge

English

genre

Fantasy

publisher

Angry Robot

series

Tales of Easie Damasco

review 1: Giant Thief started out well. The beginning was fast-paced, set up an interesting fantasy world and protagonist, and running off with a giant seemed interesting enough... until it wasn't.It just didn't do it for me, and I think it's because the book ended up being one big long chase sequence, in one way or another.I liked how the story started. I liked the giant. I sort of liked the thief. I found the world-building and the descriptions of the landscapes to be well done, if overdone for me. But then, I know people who really enjoy poetic descriptions of the countryside and I have no doubt that David Tallerman can write - he definitely proves that. I just prefer plot and character over 'storytelling', you know? The ability to spin a yarn is great, and the author's grasp of ... morethe English language is far better than mine. It's just that to me, storytelling is a podium to put a STORY on, and Giant Thief was less of a story and more of a keeping-the-protagonist-and-the-reader-in-the-dark-for-too-long. There was a bigger story there, and we get a summary of it by the end, but honestly I found the main character the least interesting character to follow around in this particular tale. Estrada would have been far, far more interesting. Hell, the giant would've been a more interesting protagonist, as we find out later in the book.So I've given this three stars because even though I didn't particularly like it, I expect others would and it wasn't a chore to finish. Can't recommend it, but I don't feel like it was a waste of my time since I like trying different things.
review 2: Cracking stuff. The comparisons to Scott Lynch may be generous, but there's plenty of elements that elevate this fantasy-thief-caught-up-in-big-events tale. A subtly fresh bit of world-building, likeable leads (thief Easie Damasco is just rogueish enough to balance heart and self-interest, giant Saltlick a noble presence), some obvious steps avoided (love interest? nope) and a sense of peril that never quashes the fun. Most of all though, and God love Tallerman for this, a self-contained story! The characters obviously set up for a return, and why not, I'd come back for more, but no trilogy-opener this. Good stuff. less

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