Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Review of Orcs

Orcs
Orcs
Author: Stan Nicholls
Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy
Book Type: Paperback
imbubbasmom avatar reviewed on + 2 more book reviews


The Orc as hero is an intriguing concept, and I wish I could have enjoyed this book more. However, I have to agree with a previous reviewer's comment that none of the characters acted with any degree of consistency. From one scene to another, the supporting characters just seemed to exist to provide arguments against whatever actions the main character, Stryke, wanted to take. Not only that, the supporting characters changed their views on a regular basis.

The Orc queen is the usual stereotypical, incredibly beautiful personification of evil as well.

Also, the author uses passive verbs too much. For instance, instead of saying that an orc held an adversary while another disemboweled him, the author says that the adversary was held by an orc, while another was busy with the disembowelment. I'd much prefer fewer words, with more action verbs. This may be sloppy editing, though.

All in all, not bad, just not great.