Heroes Die

Executive Summary: Dark Fantasy/Sci-Fi that is more gruesome in places than anything I've read from [a:Joe Abercrombie 276660 Joe Abercrombie https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1207149426p2/276660.jpg] or [a:George R.R. Martin 346732 George R.R. Martin https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1351944410p2/346732.jpg].Full ReviewIt's hard to believe this book was published in the late 90's. It would be right at home with all the Dark Fantasy that seems to be abundant these days. This book is way more gruesome in places than most of the so-called “grimdark” fantasy I've read recently. This seems to be a book that has gone under the radar of most fantasy fans.This is definitely one of those man's man kind of books. Caine is a total badass who kills first and doesn't even bother asking questions later. I can imagine a lot of grunting and snarling as I read along.The female characters are rather thin. They are badass too, but they also bombshells. You won't find a Brienne of Tarth, or Arya Stark here.If you don't read the description before starting the book, you'll likely be a little taken aback when an assassin in a fantasy novel starts making references to CRTs and Elmer Fudd. It's not bad writing/editing though.This is really the story of two worlds. A futuristic dystopian Earth, and a fantastical world full of magic called Overworld. Somehow humanity has found a way to send people to Overwold all while allowing the super rich to virtually “ride along”.It is the most popular form of entertainment for the privileged class. Watching lower class “Actors” fight, kill and often times die for their entertainment. This is no simulation. These are real people who are dying. The ultimate in bloodsport experience.This is what makes really made the book for me. The parallels between the two worlds, and how the politics and caste system of Earth's impact on the politics of Overworld.This is no simple revenge story, but one with political undertones. Similarly Caine is no simple thug, but the smart and calculating Hari Michaelson.Overall I really enjoyed it. The story feels pretty self contained, so while there are other books, I don't feel a need to rush out and read the next one.It got a little slow in places though. Mr. Stover doesn't seem to write the politics as well as he does gruesome violence and action sequences. That cost it the extra star, but I will definitely be continuing on the series at some point. I'd highly recommend it to any Dark Fantasy fans who like me had never heard of this series/author.

I recognize that this setting and plot is pretty cool (and it's so much more than its cover would suggest), but unfortunately this never really grabbed me. The first 10% I even considered DNF'ing it, but I ended up liking it a bit more as I pushed through. Caine is alright, but everyone else I couldn't really care less about. I mostly just wanted to be done with it.
Granted, I'm not one for fast-paced action books (which this was), but it also didn't give me much else.

The actual equivalent of 2,5 stars! I literally just finished it now and based on how I'm currently feeling I fear I might have to round down.