love Tom holt excellent narration

I love everything about the book and narration. ending unexpected and really funny. on to my next Tom holt book now.

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2 people found this helpful

Loved the story

I very much enjoyed the Pratchett's style of story writing, but I found the narration a little stilted, disjointed and distracting.

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Very Entertaining!

Enjoyed this book. Great listen, plenty of humour and a fun story. Tom Holt is hilarious

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Wearing the mantle of Pratchetts crown

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you have ever enjoyed any of Terry Pratchetts stories and have not encountered Tom Holt yet, you are in for a surprising treat. His writing style is similar and he also has that light touch of multi-level comedy that enables many people to find humour across is tales without bombarding you with 'jokes'

Who was your favorite character and why?

Without spoiling the tale, 'The little man' plays the other characters like a Stradivarius violin. he is a master of manipulation, which is kinda the point really.

What does Ray Sawyer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Ray Sawyers characterisation is subtle and yet simultaneously brilliant, he slips seamlessly into the accents that he has chosen for the protagonists. His relaxed and unhurried pace of narration is exactly right for this tale and due to this you are drawn into the story in a way that I haven't experienced since I was at primary school in the seventies. Mr Sawyer actually tells you the story, rather than reading a book, that is the true magic of a beautifully crafted audiobook.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

At 13 hours and change in length, you need a good excuse to be able to listen to this tale in one sitting, however it is most definitely something that I would make the effort to plan. I took it night fishing, and as there is nothing more boring than night fishing when your not catching much I was astounded to look up an notice that the first light of day was creeping over the sea on the horizon. I was enjoying it so much that I actually delayed going for breakfast so that I could finish. Seriously, if you are delayed at the airport, or stuck in a hospital bed (although these are most certainly not eh only conditions that may apply) and you have the time to spare, This is one story that will certainly make the time passing feel a lot less 'geological'.

Any additional comments?

Tom Sawyer narrates another fantastically fantastic tall tale from Tom Holt. If you enjoyed previous rambles through the mind of Mr Holt like 'The Portable Door' and Doughnut then you will will love this. Not so much 'more of the same' as a favourite uncle telling tall tales, this the very same knack that may well see Mr Holt becoming as successful as Sir Terry. Tom copies no one, and indeed has is own voice, but wait.. pause in your frenetic step.. and have a listen. I really enjoyed it, and hope that you will too.

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5 people found this helpful

Good, although shorter than recent Tom Holt books

Would you listen to The Good, the Bad and the Smug again? Why?

No I wouldn't listen again because there's so many great audiobooks to listen to that I haven't heard before

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mordak the goblin king is an interesting character being a likeable villain.

Have you listened to any of Ray Sawyer’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Ray Sawyers narration is as always perfect for Tom Holt.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Goblins, elves, dark lords & hedge fund managers

Any additional comments?

This audiobook seemed shorter than the usual Tom Holt & for some strange reason launched into Tom Holt's previous youspace novel immediately after although I suspect this was a just an error in my download from audible.

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1 person found this helpful

always a good laugh

can always guarantee a good laugh with Tom Holt's books. fantasy mixed with fairy tales and modern world

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tom holt on form

this is a funny twist on fantasy and fairy tale staples.

i look forward to reading more of his work.

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Probably Tom Holt's Best Book

I've often enjoyed books by Tom Holt, but the quality of his work can be wildly variable. This is probably his best to date. It's far more complex in terms of both the background and the plot than many of his books. It also has some hilariously funny moments (I really did find myself laughing out loud at some points).

The reading is also excellent, with brilliant characterisation.

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14 people found this helpful

Worst Tom Holt book I’ve read.

Tom Holt usually has imaginative stories with a great sense of humour. This book I can only describe as boring.

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Too silly and badly edited

This book was not enjoyable, the plot and charecters are just too silly, and the frequent parralels woth Lord of the Rings come accross as a poor rip off rather than clever parody.

The editing was awful with repeated senteces faded out words and paragraphs running directly into each other which can become confusing.

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