Helpful Score: 3
Mary Gentles work is usually rather surreal, complex, dealing with cryptic symbolism and occult knowledge and gritty violence, often done by female warriors.
Well, except for the warriors and violence, this is quite a departure.
Its a parody/satire orcs in a Tolkien-esque land raid a dragons hoard of 21st-century weapons and are cursed(?) into acting like Marines.
However, its not just a spoof of Tolkien (though that might be primary) but also skewers military/action fiction, D&D, stuff like Heinleins Starship Troopers, and all those books where someone from our world gets zapped into another and ends up a big hero. And more.
It is pretty funny at times, but I have to admit that as far as humorous fantasy goes, its no Pratchett or Adams. The scope is a little too broad, the plot doesnt really flow like it could, and at over 450 pages, it goes on a little too long.
Not bad, but I have to say I prefer Gentles more serious works.
Well, except for the warriors and violence, this is quite a departure.
Its a parody/satire orcs in a Tolkien-esque land raid a dragons hoard of 21st-century weapons and are cursed(?) into acting like Marines.
However, its not just a spoof of Tolkien (though that might be primary) but also skewers military/action fiction, D&D, stuff like Heinleins Starship Troopers, and all those books where someone from our world gets zapped into another and ends up a big hero. And more.
It is pretty funny at times, but I have to admit that as far as humorous fantasy goes, its no Pratchett or Adams. The scope is a little too broad, the plot doesnt really flow like it could, and at over 450 pages, it goes on a little too long.
Not bad, but I have to say I prefer Gentles more serious works.
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