Customer Reviews

Guards of Haven: The Adventures of Hawk and Fisher

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

These are quite enjoyable sword and sorcery cop stories, with a tongue in cheek approach. None of the plot twists are especially surprising, but they're fun to read all the same. Beware if you are planning on buying more of this series though - the three stories in this book are THE SAME STORIES as in "Fear and Loathing in Haven" by the same author. The names of each of the stories was changed. It's a different publisher, which may account for it somehow, though it's very annoying...

My favorite books are the Hawk & Fisher series from Simon R. Green. I have read the entire series and I highly recommend these stories, which are seemingly set in modern-Barbaric times. The continuous action and character description (especially the villains) keeps me going page after page. The plot twists and imagination of Mr. Green takes the reader through a roller coaster ride of thrills! I love the diverse creatures in "The Bones of Haven" jailbreak sequence which include a cursed portrait of a creature that escapes if it locks eyes with someone who would then end up trapped in the portrait in it's place. Another favorite is "Wolf in the Fold" which pits Hawk & Fisher against a castle full of suspects while trying to find which one is a murderer in this "Whodunit" type of story. A great climax at the end. These books should be made to movies. What do you say, Mr. Green?

I discovered Green at Coliseum books in NYC (Now sadly closed) when I just wanted something similar to mental popcorn to pour through on the odd quiet night. Boy was I in for a shock. I'm now a slavish devotee of his work in any setting, but it was Hawk and Fisher that laid the bait. An effortless wordsmith, Green blends humor and turn of phrase in a way that just delights. The plots may not always be convoluted or hard to decipher, but I have never ever cared. It's always been about how we got there. Do yourself a favor and pick up Green.

This series was very enjoyable to read. I first found Simon Green when I picked up Blood and Honor. Later I found out he had written an earlier series, Hawk and Fisher, and looked for them. I already owned all of his other books. Having the series republished was delightful. I could see his progression as an author and how his books tie together. I would recommend these to any fan of his writing because it is nice to see where he got his start, and they are nice reading as well.

Great read, i highly recommend this book to anyone who loved the first 3 books. Great plots, suspence and action. Long live Hawk & Fisher. I can't wait til Mr. Green comes out with his next book.

ANOTHER GREAT BOOK BY SIMON GREEN. THE MAN DOESN'T STOP WITH THE ACTION IN YET ANOTHER HAWK AND FISHER BOOK. TO KEEP FROM GIVING AWAY THE GOOD PLOTS I WILL JUST SAY THERE ARE MORE SORCERERS AND MAGIC THEN YOU CAN SHAKE A STICK AT AND IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER AS HAWK AND FISHER RISK LIFE AND LIMB IN EVERY INSTALLMENT.

Just as fun as Swords of Haven! And all of the Deathstalkers, and Shadows fall, well, I am enjoying all of his books!

I have always injoyed Greens book's. When I read The blue moon, I always wondered what happened to the 2 main heros. Then I read Guards of Haven and found both again.

Reviewed by Vicky Burkholder
on 07/10/2008

This book includes three stories in one book: Wolf in the Fold, Guard Against Dishonor, The Bones of Haven. It is my understanding that all three have been previously published under a different title (Fear and Loathing in Haven) so if you've read that, you've already read this.

Though I'm not usually a sword and sorcery/cop story type of reader, this book surprised me with its wry wit and offbeat humor. I was drawn in from the first line and enjoyed the stories immensely. They are set in a modern medieval world where magic is acceptable, fighting is done with swords (or in the case of Hawk, an axe), and corruption rules the land - or at least, the city of Haven. Hawk and Fisher, husband and wife Guards, are the two best crime fighters in the city. The worst area, the Northeast Corridor, is their beat and nobody crosses them. In a city where crime is the norm, they can't be bought. Together, they attempt to bring order to chaos.

With a plot that is straightforward, a small twist to keep you interested, and characters that are slightly stereotypical but fun, this is a lighthearted book that doesn't take much thought. It's pure entertainment. The only caveat I offer is one of copyediting. There are enough areas where a good grammarian would have been an asset, but it's not enough of a problem to completely detract from the enjoyment of the story. If you like sword and sorcery, cops, wizards, and good vs. evil stories, but don't want to have to work at understanding it, definitely pick this one up.

Simon R. Green has created another engaging set of characters in this novel, which relates the tale of the only two honest City Guards in Haven, a man and wife with a mysterious past that is occasionally hinted at. It will quickly grab you, and you won't want to put it down.
Green's writing has matured since his 'Deathstalker' series; the 'Guards of Haven' characters seem more real and believable than those in 'Deathstalker'.