The Nimble Man: The Menagerie #1 [Paperback]

Christopher Golden (Author), Thomas E. Sniegoski (Author)

Book Description

Series: Menagerie | Publication Date: September 28, 2004

Behind the façade of a stately Boston brownstone, The Menagerie marshals their last defenses. Together, they will confront the minions of utter darkness, who have already begun their quest to resurrect the most malevolent of the fallen angels--whose wrath against mankind knows no bounds.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

This is the first book in a new series featuring "the Menagerie," a group of supernatural do-gooders led by Mr. Doyle, a powerful sorcerer who happens to be none other than the legendary Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He has just learned that his mentor, Lorenzo Sanguedolce, is about to be snatched from his resting place by an evil force. Along with Eve, the first woman, who is now a vampire, he goes to retrieve Lorenzo, only to be defeated by the Night People. Doyle must then call on the Seelie court and an old lover, as the Night People threaten their world as well. But it's far worse than even Doyle imagines, for the Night People are aiding Morrigan, a disgruntled Seelie who hopes to release the Nimble Man, an angel trapped between heaven and hell. The colorful cast of characters also includes a mournful ghost, a sprightly goblin, and a demon child wrestling with his new form. An exciting first adventure; Golden and Sniegoski's new series is definitely one to watch. Kristine Huntley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

Christopher Golden is an imaginative storyteller whose writing is both chilling and suspenseful.(Philip Nutman, author of Wet Work)

Product Details

• Paperback: 344 pages
• Publisher: Ace (September 28, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0441012159
• ISBN-13: 978-0441012152
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,222,157 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Boston Be "Nimble", August 21, 2005

By 

Little Willow (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Nimble Man: The Menagerie #1 (Paperback)

Bad guys, beware - The good guys (and girls) have gathered in Boston, and they will defeat you swiftly and nimbly.

The Menagerie is made up of legendary characters, each with his or her own powers and mystical, mythical origins. Christopher Golden and Thomas E. Sniegoski have taken various characters well-known from literature and mythology and made them their own. Eve is not only what readers assume she is, but also a vampire. She is a ferocious female who takes no prisoners - and happens to have a keen fashion sense. Ceridwen is elemental and strong, but vastly different from Eve in her speech and in her approach to situations. Doyle, the leader, is intelligent and powerful but also has human traits and flaws, making him more believable and likable than the foreman of other series.

The Nimble Man is a great introduction. It blends many genres together, sure to please fans of fantasy, action, science fiction, and mystery alike. The writing is rich in description, placing the reader right in the middle of the action sequences. The third person narrative permits the reader to get into the heads of these widely different characters, ranging from the immortal shapeshifter Clay to the confused changeling teenager Danny, from the specter of Dr. Graves to the shadowy hobgoblin (and chauffeur) Squire.

The Nimble Man starts The Menagerie series off with a bang. Fans of X-Men and The League of Extraordinary Gentleman will certainly love this team. Highly recommended.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Never Meddle In The Wizards Of Affairs, December 4, 2004

By 

Marc Ruby™ "The Noh Hare™" (Warren, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Nimble Man: The Menagerie #1 (Paperback)

Chris Golden has become a 'presence' on the horror scene. He has been a prolific writer of stories for the Buffy and Angel series, as well as having many successful efforts of his own. Tom Sniegoski is best known for his comic books work, where he has frequently collaborated with Golden. Now they have joined together to write the first volume a new series, The Menagerie: The Nimble Man.

The basic premise isn't particularly original - wizard and friends join up to save the world books have been around since Lord of The Rings. But the group that make up what is to become The Menagerie are unique in every way. Something one should expect from authors who have the temerity to make Arthur Conan Doyle the magic worker. Then there's Eve, whose second husband made her a vampire (after she proved that gardening wasn't her strong point.

Then there is Clay, the world's oldest shape changer, Len Graves, adventurer and ghost, Squire, the hobgoblin chauffer, Ceridwin, a princess of Faerie and Doyle's one time lover. And last, but not least, is Danny, a demon in the offing with a worried mother. All of these unite when Doyle's attempts to prevent Lorenzo Sanguedolce (Sweetblood) from being extracted from a living tomb backfire, and a deranged Queen of the Fay sets about trying to end the world.

What makes the book is the reality the writers bring to the characters. These aren't cut-and-paste heroes speaking overblown prose, but people who, if you didn't know who they were would seem like ordinary folks with both good points and issues. Or as ordinary as a 16 year old with horns is ever likely to be.

As much as I like him, Chris Golden is an erratic writer, who often falls short of his full potential. Teaming with Sniegoski seems to have done the trick, though, and The Nimble Man is that great rarity, an intelligent action story rich in both character and context. I was much delighted, and am looking forward to the next volume.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Where oh where to begin, November 16, 2006

By 

James D. May "Freak" (out of this world) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Nimble Man: The Menagerie #1 (Paperback)

At first I was a little hesitant to pick this up, there is, in my mind, a ling line of collaborations with but a few shining starts among them, but Goldens prior work got the better of me. I am so glad I got this.

At first it was your run of the mill supra-natural super powered thriller, the end is known but in these it all about the journey. And then the writing came shining through. I meant to read a single chapter the night I finished this book! But alas I could not.

The chapters leave off like cliff hangers forcing you to read the next one and then the next and you have no choice but to keep plowing through and then Bam! You are done.

The characters could have used a little more, Clay would be a phenomenal stand alone as well as Doyle's love life. But all in all the mix is perfect, a perfect fit to eat a night of your life and leave you wishing and begging for the second, and a third and with luck a whole complimentary for many years.