Reviews

They Promised Me the Gun Wasn't Loaded by James Alan Gardner

avesornithes's review against another edition

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adventurous funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

melbatron's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

cait_s's review against another edition

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I intensely dislike Jools as a narrator. She keeps making bad decisions, and somehow that's supposed to be funny? Not to me.

alexis_nel's review against another edition

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adventurous funny tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

xavier_reads181's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

theonionboy's review against another edition

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5.0

I read the first one a year ago, so I can't say accurately if it is better or not. But it felt just as good and just as fun. I really enjoyed this. Just a few complaints: the section in Sherwood Forest felt a little too long and would have benefited from some trimming. Also, the rest of the "team" was really side-lined for the majority of the book. I think that Marvel's MCU proved that even in a solo movie, the story benefits from including others more. Otherwise, a great sequel to a fun book. I sure hope there are more in the series, but only if the author can keep up the level of quality.

I also enjoyed how he dealt with any scientific/suspension of disbelief problems by lampshading them and explaining them away in a way that was both funny and right in line with the universe he created.

SpoilerGiven the title of the book, it was a bit disappointing that no one ever even attempted to actually shoot the gun, much less need to apologize for it being loaded.

jonmhansen's review against another edition

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4.0

I glare at Scythe Dude as he strides from the hearth, tracking soot over the genuine Persian carpet. I say, "Really? Really? Doesn't J. K. Rowling have a patent on that?"

vellichor_vibes's review against another edition

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4.0

It was nice to get the perspective of a new hero from the first book. The constant spiraling off topic/plot and the relentless "I'll do X cause I'm an Olympic level X-doer" was draining, but if you can get past that (which is easier in print than via Audible, but i managed), than you'll experience a great story of self discovery and some dope super hero action scenes. 3.5/5

bibliobabe94's review against another edition

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4.0

LOVE this series!! And in a rare case, the second one was even better than the first!! Such great characters, funny but also thought provoking. Like Sparks, this book is more than what you see!

stlkatiek's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was a fun next installment in the Sparks/Darks series (unfortunately it doesn't look like any others have been published). I really like the premise and world of this story, and the MC was fun to spend time with.

Read it because:
I enjoyed the first book in this series.