And the first few pages, with a seemingly-senile dark lord, seemed to back this up. But it all too quickly devolved into just being plain unpleasant. And way, way too long for what it tried to do. Shame, that. I tried my best to finish this book on several occasions.
I just couldn't get into the story. The writing isn't bad but the story just annoyed the crap out of me. Jan 01, Sid Nuncius rated it liked it. Grunts is not my usual sort of reading but friend recommended it. I liked some of it very much, but I found it was over-long and it all got a bit much. Mary Gentle subverts the genre very amusingly in places, having a pair of hobbits as murderous, thieving con-men con-hobbits?
She also depicts very graphic violence and sex, both of which are, of course, only coyly hinted at in high language in Tolkien, throwing a rather scathing light on the High Deeds usually depicted in the genre. There was enough to keep me going here for a couple of hundred pages, but it did begin to pall a bit and I thought the book could have done with some firm trimming.
For me, Grunts is good but not brilliant. Roger If you think this was overlong you might struggle with Ash! Sid Nuncius Yes Mar 27, Dave rated it it was amazing Shelves: weird-fantasy , all-time-favourites. Imagine the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, a copy of Full Metal Jacket and some really potent psychotropic drugs being placed in a blender and pureed. It's thirty to forty thousand times better than it sounds.
Oct 21, Stavros Tsiakalos rated it really liked it. I believe it is important to say one thing right at the beginning of this review: This is a Mary Gentle book. What this means is that it is graphic in its depiction of violence and sex.
The book includes very explicit language. Most importantly, not all sexual encounters described in it are consensual or heterosexual. These things might offend some readers and for those people not just this, but most books by the author would be a waste of time. That said, personally I enjoyed Mrs. We are used to modern fantasy that has magic and fantasy creatures appear in the mundane world, in Grunts!
The opposite happens. The author knows what she is writing about and thus both the world and the characters inhabiting it are very much alive and believably so. I have read reviews commenting on the lack of a story. Perhaps these reviews are right and the story is not as strong as it could be. What these reviews fail to point out though is that, this book is following a different way of writing and thus storytelling. This is not a book that really follows a set plot, but more of an experiment: take a closed system, in this case a fantasy world, which by definition has heavily outnumbered heroes that will win the day, and add a new agent to the mix, for example 20th century weaponry, tactics and military training.
What the book does is sit back and observe. This is what for me made this an amazing read. The book contains fabulous black humour and over the top black humour. It includes scenes that really do border on tasteless and could have been left out. But what it really provides is what Mary Gentle is best at: an alternate history, just this time to a fiction reality.
Will made me read it. Jun 09, Althea Ann rated it it was ok. Mary Gentle's work is usually rather surreal, complex, dealing with cryptic symbolism and occult knowledge — and gritty violence, often done by female warriors. Well, except for the warriors and violence, this is quite a departure.
And more. It is pretty funny at times, but I have to admit that as far as humorous fantasy goes, it's no Pratchett or Adams.
The scope is a little too broad, the plot doesn't really flow like it could, and at over pages, it goes on a little too long. As I try to plow through the oldest books on my "to-read" shelf, I realize that whatever intuition it was that kept me away from these books for so long, it was a sound one.
This story seems to be driven entirely by the author's premise as described in her introduction of orcs in a fantasy setting wielding Vietnam-era firepower and talking like characters from "Full Metal Jacket," and she fleshes the story out beyond that using a series of buffoonish fantasy characters and familiar-sounding co As I try to plow through the oldest books on my "to-read" shelf, I realize that whatever intuition it was that kept me away from these books for so long, it was a sound one.
This story seems to be driven entirely by the author's premise as described in her introduction of orcs in a fantasy setting wielding Vietnam-era firepower and talking like characters from "Full Metal Jacket," and she fleshes the story out beyond that using a series of buffoonish fantasy characters and familiar-sounding conflicts seen from the orcs' perspective.
Don't ask me how the orcs learned to talk like that or came to identify themselves as "Orc Marines," that happens outside the narrative and no explanation is given. Maybe that's for a future book, but I could only manage a quarter of the way through this one, even skimming. Feb 20, Dom rated it did not like it. I dont remember a book I've enjoyed less, it was such a chore to finish it. I can not rate it any lower, if you like fantasy, orcs, war, comedy, then read any other book than this one.
Seriously its painful reading it. I've never given up reading a book no matter how long it takes me, but I kept on leaving this book places hoping it might get stolen, alas no so I had to finish it. Good points I liked the idea of orcs with modern weapons but she didnt pull that off, it was clunky, cliched and po I dont remember a book I've enjoyed less, it was such a chore to finish it.
I liked the idea of orcs with modern weapons but she didnt pull that off, it was clunky, cliched and poorly written. Which does I suppose give me some optimism, if this pap is published then I have a chance for my books to be published too! Dont bother with this book.
Sep 05, Steve rated it did not like it. I gave this a one star review only because there isn't a lower one. Poorly written, with no likable characters, with no sense of continuity. I picked it up by accident because it was next to the book I wanted, so I decided to read it because the plot synopsis on the back interested me. Big mistake on my part. I will never again read anything by this person.
I can't bring my self to call someone who produced such drek an author. Feb 07, D. Morrese rated it did not like it. This is not a review because I could not force myself to finish it. It was not funny. The characters had zero appeal, and there wasn't much plot. I found the thing so distasteful I threw it in the trash rather than risk some other poor sod who I never met and have nothing against picking it up at a used book store.
I have seen a lot more negative reviews about this book than I expected since I totally loved it. If you are looking for Hemmingway or Shakespeare class prose then you are in the wrong place.
However if you want a high fantasy story with plenty of black humor that doesn't take itself seriously at all this is a must-read.
Despite the plot holes I really enjoyed every minute of reading this book. The reader must suspend disbelief multiple times but really, the whole book is outrageous so is that s I have seen a lot more negative reviews about this book than I expected since I totally loved it. The reader must suspend disbelief multiple times but really, the whole book is outrageous so is that so much to ask? I have the red cover with an orc holding the muzzle of an M to his face so that kind of gives away some of the plot but there is a lot more to it than orcs with modern firearms.
The halfing "entrepreneurs" to be kind were very interesting characters and I was glad to see they weren't just throwaways. Where there some disjointed passages? Sure, however they were not so jarring that they broke my immersion.
That is one of my biggest tests for a book, if there are so many structural, spelling or grammar errors that my immersion is broken by my annoyance with basic errors that should be caught by a decent proofreader then I will reduce my rating of the book.
This one didn't have that problem at all. I would recommend this to anyone who likes high fantasy with a sense of humor. Sep 27, Martin rated it it was amazing Shelves: g-fantasy , g-humor , g-sword-and-sorcery , g-techno , favorites , tbr. This is one of my favorite books, and the best parody I've read. The story is told from the perspective of a gang of Orchs, which are the canon-fodder of evil and are usually just there for the blonde and bright eyed hero to slay on his way conquer evil.
Ever considered h This is one of my favorite books, and the best parody I've read. Ever considered how life must look from their perspective? Well here's you chance to find out! For a hint read the title again. Jan 18, Christopher rated it it was amazing. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Truly funny book from begining to end. Basically the whole book is told from the orc perspective.
A dragon geis takes over a group of Orcs and basically starts turning them into marines. As with all marines they go on a recruitment drive spreading this geis to their races as well creating a fighting force that is marine in nature but with a hint of orc still in it! Their leader Ashnak's comments about emergency rations and not leaving anyone behind will definetely produce a big laugh!
The books is full of hilarious one liners and scenes that are simoly way out there and hilarious. The Elf diplomat sent to ask the orks surrender is simply one of these!
Amazing stuff :D Feb 11, John rated it did not like it Shelves: disappointment. I admit, I didn't make it all the way through this. But the thought of returning to it to soldier on fills me with dismay, so I'm dumping it. It's not really a book about orcs, it's a book about Americans, as if there weren't enough of those. I don't find it funny, I find it tacky. Finally, the story seemed to be wandering in many directions, none of which were interesting, and many of which I expect would vanish without a trace.
I don't need to find out. Oct 25, Robert rated it it was ok. Loved the concept but the execution was really poor. By the end it was sheer willpower that kept me turning the pages, refusing to be defeated. Disjointed narrative with some interesting characters and episodes. Home Downloads Free Downloads Grunts pdf.
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