Customer Reviews

The Naming of the Beasts (Felix Castor)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I agree with the reviewer who can't understand why Carey is not more well known. The Felix Castor series is well crafted, witty, and told in a friendly, accessible narrative.

The Naming of the Beasts is the 5th in the series. Most of the novels in this series are fine stand-alone pieces, up until the 4th (Thicker than Water), which left the story hanging. I was hoping when I picked this book up that he wasn't going to do the same again, trying to keep readers by turning the series into a literary soap opera... and I was not disappointed. This book would probably be enjoyable on its own, to someone who has never read another Castor novel - but where it excels is in tying up the threads that have run through the series and were left blowing in the wind in #4. The Naming of the Beasts wraps things up in a perfect and satisfying ending.

It makes me wonder if Carey is going to retire Castor now. I hope not. These are some of the best Urban Fantasies I've encountered.

I am at a loss as to why Mike Carey is not better known. This book is terrific and the entire series is an amazing read. Engaging characters, superb dialogue and an interesting story line. Carey is head and shoulders above many other more "main stream" writers in this broad genre in terms of talent (e.g., Dean Koonitz to name one). This is probably the best book in the series. If the story is at all interesting to you, I recommend this book. You will not be disappointed.

Mike Carey just out did himself with this book. It's nail-biting, vivid action. The characters are phenomenol. It's so creative -- with unexpected twists and turns. How does he come up with this stuff!

While I thought "Thicker than Water" moved at an awkward pace (sometimes fine, sometimes too fast, sometimes too slow), Carey masterfully balanced the story in "The Naming of the Beasts". All of the usual suspects were there, along with some interesting newcomers, and the plot and payoff was just right. Felix's voice is clear, authentic, and, if not unique (given his Chandler-influenced origin, he shares personality traits with many other detectives of his kind), then at least credible.

I hear there's a sixth book (and that he wants to write a seventh), and I certainly hope so. Without giving spoilers, while one of the series' major plot lines is wrapping up, there's still plenty of questions and plenty of darkness to go around. As far as urban fantasy goes (especially the darker, horror-inspired sort), the Felix Castor novels are among the best.

Most enjoyable series I have read in years. At times creepy, gory, mildly erotic, haunting, with liberal doses of dark humor.

Another great Felix Castor story. I've torn through all 5 of them in the past few weeks. And I am a little sad that there aren't any more. Once again the book was a great read. It doesn't fall back on the "Supernatural" too much but instead uses it as a background reality so there can be a story layered on top of it. Being the last book in the series it ties up most of the plot lines that have emerged throughout the other books and it ties them up nicely. I would love to see these books, or at least a story based on Felix Castor made into a movie (the bonus being whomever they find to play Juliet!). I only just found out that Mike Carey (the writer) wrote the two books that "Constantine" the movie was based on. And that was a great movie despite the over exposed Keanu Reeves being in the starring role. Long story short, great writing, great pace, great characters. Worth every penny.

I love Mike Carey and can't wait for him to continue the series. I was actually getting his books from Amazon before the library had them.

The aftermath of the disastrous events of Thicker Than Water still has Felix Castor reeling. They've left his former best friend (possessed by a rather nasty demon) free, and Felix an emotional mess, drowning himself in alcohol and sorrow. After a pretty nasty binge, Felix shakes off his sorrow in an attempt to get a handle on a mess that deep down, he blames himself for; finding Rafi Ditko and freeing him from the demon Asmodeus once and for all. The demon definitely has his own agenda, and after visiting the crime scene of his first victim, Felix knows he must track him down, at all costs. Unfortunately, he's not the only one working the case. His old nemesis, Dr. Jenna-Jane Mulbridge, is also on his trail, not to mention the Anathemata, who was the cause of the massive mess that set Rafi free. To add to the considerable stress of finding Rafi, Juliet, Fix's sometimes partner and incidentally, also a succubus demon, is acting very, very strangely, to the detriment of her wife, Sue. It's getting worse all the time and Fix is at a total loss as to how he can help, but he's determined to do what he can. Eventually, he'll have to seek the help of Jenna-Jane and her crew, which now includes Trudie Pax, a former Anathemata member, and also the nephew of a man that was killed during an exorcism gone wrong, and he blames Fix for his death. You can imagine that things are a bit strained, but Fix will need everything at his disposal to find Rafi and get rid of Asmodeus for good, before he kills everyone Fix loves, and then heads after Fix himself.

The Naming of the Beasts is the 5th book in the Felix Castor series, and it's just as good as the previous four. No one writes like Mike Carey. He has created an alternate London full of ghosts, zombies (not of the brain eating kind), loup-garous, demons, and other supernaturals that lovers of urban fantasy and noir will want to visit again and again. Fix is tough and smart, but certainly not superhuman, and it's his rumpled charm that will get you every time (at least it does me). We get to wrap up a huge storyline in this one, with explosive results, but I have no doubt that Mike Carey has plenty more in store for Fix and his friends. There are endless possibilities with this series, and I hope Mr. Carey keeps Fix's world alive for some time to come. If you like Jim Butcher's Dresden Files, or Ben Aaronovitch's Peter Grant novels, you'll want to dive into this one head first. Superb writing, fascinating characters, and a haunted London steeped in history make these books a must! Very highly recommended.

Another Felix Castor book that i was reading on my lunch, breaks and during work. I hope there will be more. I am really entertained by these books. Love the premise and what happens with Rafi. Fun!

Ok, I realize that I tend to only comment on the items or literature that I love. I'm not a critic by far, but I know what I like. This is my third time through the Felix Castor series. For me, the better the book is, the more I tend to speed through it. I need a couple of years or so to fully digest a great book (or great character series). I have to tell you that Mike Carey is a jewel of an author for those (like me) that like the supernatural/almost-fantasy/escape my reality fiction. Felix, Asmodeus, Juliet, Penn, Nicky, and Coldwood (Basquait) are what characters should be. If you want to step out on a limb (my fellow Americans), PLEASE TRY THIS SERIES!!! Love Harry Dresden, love Felix Castor. The flawed hero that Gets--It--Done!!!