Cover Image: The Long Game

The Long Game

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Member Reviews

There’s a lot of humor in this short little fantasy piece about an unnamed magical cleric (?) and the demon he’s sworn to fight, but instead is pretty buddy-buddy with. I liked the pacing and the dialogue a lot. The cover - not so much - it reminds me a lot of The Royal Diaries series that I read in middle school, like [book:Nzingha: Warrior Queen of Matamba, Angola, Africa, 1595|440125].

I voluntarily obtained a digital version of this book free from Netgalley and Subterranean Press in exchange for an honest review.

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K. J. Parker does it again! He takes an unnamed Adapt in an ecclesiastical order (think something on the order of the Jesuits) who are tasked with controlling "demons" that are infesting people. The Long Game is set in the same world as Prosper's Demon and Inside Man. The adapt is just traveling through a small town when he gets involved in solving why a murder takes place Of course there is a demon involved, an old acquaintance of the adapt's, a strange lady, temptation, and a very complicated "long game" being run by the demons. The fun of a Parker book is the character interactions and the devious ways the author makes the reader consider what they would do. Another fun read!

Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to read this title!

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This was my first time reading K J Parker, and I enjoyed this book. There are great characters, and a great story. I do like short books as an introduction. Gives me a good idea of their writing, and whether I'd like to read more. I will read more of K J Parker. #TheLongGame #NetGalley

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This is my first time reading K.J. Parker and it certainly won't be the last.

The writing style took a while to get used to - I loved it but sometimes it was hard to figure out what was the "Present Time" and what were the "Flashbacks", especially in the beginning, and at some point the usage of present tense and past tense on a page clashed for me in a confusing "Do I not know English?" manner.
It certainly made me look up a few words/terms. It deals with politics, religion, philosophical discussion and secret plots to overthrow the present state of society, and all of that is fascinating to me, and if any of the Parker's other books are like that, I will make sure to pick them up as soon as possible.

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thank you NetGalley for allowing me to review this e-arc!

this is only my second KJ Parker work I've read, but I already know he's becoming one of my favorite authors. the way he forms his stories and includes both serious philosophical discussions and humorous dialogue is such a skill, and both balance each other perfectly.

the idea of the long game, constantly doing your part in the world because that's just what you're meant to do, and no matter the outcome you still trudge on. it's a very interesting way of thinking. this book will definitely be stuck in my mind for a while

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Another splendid KJ Parker short novel, characterized by droll wit and intelligence. Many familiar elements abound: a flawed narrator; personable demons; and, convoluted plot twists. The book stands alone and drives to an effective conclusion using elegant but accessible language and perfect pacing. Parker (aka Tom Holt) is a great writer and Subterranean Press does a wonderful service publishing his work.

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