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Nightside #4
Hex and the City
John Taylor is the name. I work the Nightside. Only in that dark heart of London where it's always three A.M., where human and inhuman can feed their darkest desires, do I feel at home. Probably because I was born there. What I do is find things--people, objects--and in this case, the truth about the origins of the Nightside. That's what Lady Luck has hired me to investigate. But the more I dig, the more I discover, not about the Nightside but about the great question in my life: exactly who--and what--was my long-vanished mother. Paying jobs are one thing. Personal quests are another. And I've been warned that uncovering the facts about dear old mum could be a very bad thing, not just for the Nightside but for all of existence. Still I can't stop . . . I'm John Taylor. Finding things is who I am. It's what I do. Whatever the consequences . . .
246 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published February 22, 2005
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About the author
Simon R. Green
328books3,168followersSimon Richard Green is a British science fiction and fantasy-author. He holds a degree in Modern English and American Literature from the University of Leicester. His first publication was in 1979.
His Deathstalker series is partly a parody of the usual space-opera of the 1950s, told with sovereign disregard of the rules of probability, while being at the same time extremely bloodthirsty.
Excerpted from .
His Deathstalker series is partly a parody of the usual space-opera of the 1950s, told with sovereign disregard of the rules of probability, while being at the same time extremely bloodthirsty.
Excerpted from .
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March 10, 2019
Hex and the City (Nightside, #4), Simon R. Green
Lady Luck wants to hire John Taylor to investigate the Nightside itself . . . this case is going to get personal.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز هفتم ماه ژانویه سال 2015 میلادی
عنوان: نایت ساید جلد چهارم: جادوگری در شهر؛ نویسنده: سیمون آر. گرین؛ مترجم: علی مصلح حیدرزاده؛ مشخصات نشر: تهران، ویدا، چاپ نخست 1390، در 282 ص، اندازه 14 در 21 س.م، فروست: مجموعه نایت ساید، شابک جلد 4: 9789646807792؛ شابک دوره: 9789646807914؛ موضوع: داستانهای نویسندگان انگلیسی سده 21 م
ا. شربیانی
Lady Luck wants to hire John Taylor to investigate the Nightside itself . . . this case is going to get personal.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز هفتم ماه ژانویه سال 2015 میلادی
عنوان: نایت ساید جلد چهارم: جادوگری در شهر؛ نویسنده: سیمون آر. گرین؛ مترجم: علی مصلح حیدرزاده؛ مشخصات نشر: تهران، ویدا، چاپ نخست 1390، در 282 ص، اندازه 14 در 21 س.م، فروست: مجموعه نایت ساید، شابک جلد 4: 9789646807792؛ شابک دوره: 9789646807914؛ موضوع: داستانهای نویسندگان انگلیسی سده 21 م
ا. شربیانی
November 12, 2020
En serio. Sabía desde el primer libro que no era una saga decente, pero como me gusta mucho este género me dije a mi misma : Léetela para practicar tu inglés. No es tan difícil... pero... ya no puedo más.
Cogí el libro con fuerzas porque por fin me iban a contar algo relacionado con la historia principal. ¿Qué me encuentro? Más morralla. El protagonista me saca de mis casillas. Se cree como Harry Dresden el centro del universo y superior al resto cuando en realidad no deja de ser un bastardo impresentable. Además, ya no soporté algunas perlitas que soltaba sobre el género femenino.
Por otro lado, su forma de escribir, no tiene sentido y cada libro que pasa es peor mientras que los personajes secundarios siguen igual de planos y cada vez más estúpidos.
A pesar de todo, lo que más rabia me da de esto no es el hecho que abandone esta serie en sí, sino que ya van tachadas tres series este género y me pregunto si voy a encontrar otras que merezcan la pena leer sin poner los ojos en blanco cada veinte páginas.
Cogí el libro con fuerzas porque por fin me iban a contar algo relacionado con la historia principal. ¿Qué me encuentro? Más morralla. El protagonista me saca de mis casillas. Se cree como Harry Dresden el centro del universo y superior al resto cuando en realidad no deja de ser un bastardo impresentable. Además, ya no soporté algunas perlitas que soltaba sobre el género femenino.
Por otro lado, su forma de escribir, no tiene sentido y cada libro que pasa es peor mientras que los personajes secundarios siguen igual de planos y cada vez más estúpidos.
A pesar de todo, lo que más rabia me da de esto no es el hecho que abandone esta serie en sí, sino que ya van tachadas tres series este género y me pregunto si voy a encontrar otras que merezcan la pena leer sin poner los ojos en blanco cada veinte páginas.
October 10, 2010
I'm writing this review like a letter from a huge fan to the author who wrote this book I loved.
Dear Mr. Green:
Can I be honest and say that you have a very twisted imagination, and I love you for it? Yet again, I found myself horrified, creeped out, laughing like crazy, and going "Aww, that's so sweet," all in the same book. How do you do it?
I love the way you put interesting legends of all sorts, and folklore in your stories. If I wasn't afraid for my life, I think the Nightside would be on interesting place to visit. Since I'm too cowardly to actually go there for real, I am glad I can read your books.
I do love John Taylor. What a rascal. His sense of humor is fantastic. I like that he is able to bluff his way out of some nasty situations. I like that he's a decent person, although he hardly sees himself that way. I feel bad for the guy, in light of who his mother is, and the fact that people want him dead because of his mother. I admit, I'm crushing on him.
As for Mommy Dearest, I can't say I like her too much. I did think it was fantastic what her true origin was. Very cool. I worry for the future when she comes back. I forsee some family feuding. By the way, I loved the flashback about how her and John's dad met.
I have to admit that I missed Shotgun Suzie and Razor Eddie, although Madman, Sinner, and Pretty Poison made some very interesting companions to John. They came in handy. I loved the romance between Sinner and Pretty Poison. It was kind of sweet, and profound, in a way that always gets to me. True Love, and all that. Mr. Green, I think you must be a very sweet guy in real life. Okay, I won't get too mushy here.
There's too much to go into for this letter. There was a lot going on. And I loved it all. Each scene was intensely visual, rich, and interesting as I read. Sometimes, I did wince a bit, since you're not afraid to go for the grue. But, your humor makes up for it.
Mr. Green, I want to thank you for writing the Nightside series. It's so very good. Just the right mix of lore and legend, humor, and scary moments, with a hero I just adore. I will be very sad when this series ends. Until then, I will eat these books up, and your other novels, as well.
Your devoted fan,
Danielle
Dear Mr. Green:
Can I be honest and say that you have a very twisted imagination, and I love you for it? Yet again, I found myself horrified, creeped out, laughing like crazy, and going "Aww, that's so sweet," all in the same book. How do you do it?
I love the way you put interesting legends of all sorts, and folklore in your stories. If I wasn't afraid for my life, I think the Nightside would be on interesting place to visit. Since I'm too cowardly to actually go there for real, I am glad I can read your books.
I do love John Taylor. What a rascal. His sense of humor is fantastic. I like that he is able to bluff his way out of some nasty situations. I like that he's a decent person, although he hardly sees himself that way. I feel bad for the guy, in light of who his mother is, and the fact that people want him dead because of his mother. I admit, I'm crushing on him.
As for Mommy Dearest, I can't say I like her too much. I did think it was fantastic what her true origin was. Very cool. I worry for the future when she comes back. I forsee some family feuding. By the way, I loved the flashback about how her and John's dad met.
I have to admit that I missed Shotgun Suzie and Razor Eddie, although Madman, Sinner, and Pretty Poison made some very interesting companions to John. They came in handy. I loved the romance between Sinner and Pretty Poison. It was kind of sweet, and profound, in a way that always gets to me. True Love, and all that. Mr. Green, I think you must be a very sweet guy in real life. Okay, I won't get too mushy here.
There's too much to go into for this letter. There was a lot going on. And I loved it all. Each scene was intensely visual, rich, and interesting as I read. Sometimes, I did wince a bit, since you're not afraid to go for the grue. But, your humor makes up for it.
Mr. Green, I want to thank you for writing the Nightside series. It's so very good. Just the right mix of lore and legend, humor, and scary moments, with a hero I just adore. I will be very sad when this series ends. Until then, I will eat these books up, and your other novels, as well.
Your devoted fan,
Danielle
May 31, 2021
I admit I WANT to like these much more than I do. I mean, I love Nightside itself. I'm enjoying the revolving-door supernatural characters with almost larger-than-life backstories more interesting than our MC.
So what's my problem? I guess it's just how formulaic this is getting. We moved away from the more traditional noir and have jumped headlong into a late-seasons Supernatural gimmick without the fundamental humor and heart that makes that kind of thing works.
Hell, I even started looking at the writing with all its supremely overpowered peeps and keep saying to myself, "Hey, that would have been a great opportunity to pull a Pratchett, make it all humorous and droll," or "we need one hell of a huge reversal here, like some absolutely powerless pipsqueak being able to overcome our MC." Something. Otherwise, it's all just big baddies against bigger baddies and they're all so SERIOUS. And maybe that would work in some books, but this is a UF. The balance is off. There ought to be at least a little humor, even if it's a completely unfunny snark.
Fortunately, these are short and I still want to see what happens, so here we go...
So what's my problem? I guess it's just how formulaic this is getting. We moved away from the more traditional noir and have jumped headlong into a late-seasons Supernatural gimmick without the fundamental humor and heart that makes that kind of thing works.
Hell, I even started looking at the writing with all its supremely overpowered peeps and keep saying to myself, "Hey, that would have been a great opportunity to pull a Pratchett, make it all humorous and droll," or "we need one hell of a huge reversal here, like some absolutely powerless pipsqueak being able to overcome our MC." Something. Otherwise, it's all just big baddies against bigger baddies and they're all so SERIOUS. And maybe that would work in some books, but this is a UF. The balance is off. There ought to be at least a little humor, even if it's a completely unfunny snark.
Fortunately, these are short and I still want to see what happens, so here we go...
October 1, 2010
John Taylor gets hired by Lady Luck to find the origins of the Nightside. Along with the insane Madman, undead Sinner, and his lover, the succubus Pretty Poison, Taylor goes looking for answers, bringing him face to face with the most powerful denizens of the Nightside. But what does the origin of the Nightside have to do with his missing mother?
Hex and the City was a good way to wrap up the first part of the Nightside saga. We learn who's been hounding John all of his life, the origin of the Nightside, and the identity of John's mother, as well as the connection between Walker, the Collector, and John's father. As always, there's a good amount of gore and dark humor.
All is not perfect in the Nightside, however. After reading four of them in relatively rapid succession, I reallize how formulaic they can be. Also, the dialog is a little repetitive between volumes. Much like the Dresden Files, the Nightside saga probably shouldn't be devoured one right after another.
All in all, Hex and the City is a good light read. I'll be picking up the next one sooner or later.
Hex and the City was a good way to wrap up the first part of the Nightside saga. We learn who's been hounding John all of his life, the origin of the Nightside, and the identity of John's mother, as well as the connection between Walker, the Collector, and John's father. As always, there's a good amount of gore and dark humor.
All is not perfect in the Nightside, however. After reading four of them in relatively rapid succession, I reallize how formulaic they can be. Also, the dialog is a little repetitive between volumes. Much like the Dresden Files, the Nightside saga probably shouldn't be devoured one right after another.
All in all, Hex and the City is a good light read. I'll be picking up the next one sooner or later.
November 17, 2017
Mini-Review:
Best one of the books thus far! What a fun ride in Nightside. I love Sinner and Mad Man. Loved the zig-zag path that the gang took in order to find out the origin of Nightside. I think I'm more enamored with some of the potential identities of Taylor's mother more than who she ended up being. I've been looking forward to this particular encounter and it wasn't a load of fireworks but it was good and leaves more to come.
Best one of the books thus far! What a fun ride in Nightside. I love Sinner and Mad Man. Loved the zig-zag path that the gang took in order to find out the origin of Nightside. I think I'm more enamored with some of the potential identities of Taylor's mother more than who she ended up being. I've been looking forward to this particular encounter and it wasn't a load of fireworks but it was good and leaves more to come.
October 23, 2016
5 Stars
Hex and the City by Simon R. Green is the fourth book in the Nightside series. These stories are classic noir like private eye mysteries in an urban fantasy setting. They are perfect for my interests today. I have been reading a lot of urban fantasy lately. Combine my new favorite genre with a detective noir like story and you have made me something special. I loved this book. I loved the writing of Green. I loved the world of Nightside. And I especially loved our main character (can't call him the good guy), John Taylor.
Hex and the City is a tight urban fantasy story that is just plain fun to read. This is my favorite book of the series so far. This one explores the darkest depths of Nightside with an emphasis on the darker magical. The whole main plot and story line center on the mystical place. John Taylor gets his new case, and it is all about Nightside itself. What is it's origin? Who started it? Why was it made? Does anyone one know the answers? As our dark hero finds out quickly, some mysteries are best left alone. Status quo can be better than knowing the truth.
These marvelous urban fantasies have worked because of the amazing place, the scary and relatable hero John Taylor, and his equally interesting friends and associates. We get them all in this one and are introduced to several amazing new ones. I loved Madman, Sinner, and Pretty Poison.
I loved the humor and the action...
""Let's," said Alex, unexpectedly. "No-one gets to come into my bar and mess with my customers. It's bad for business. Betty, Lucy, time to earn your pay." He came out from behind the bar hefting his enchanted baseball bat, while Betty and Lucy advanced on the Harrowing, cracking their knuckles noisily. I grinned. It's good to have friends. I turned my gaze on the Harrowing, and it seemed to me that they actually hesitated. "You're going down," I said. "All the way down.""
Hex and the City explores the dark city. It opens up the past of our hero John Taylor. It answers some questions that we have had since book one. I loved it. These are really well written books that are fun and imaginative and I cannot wait to read more.
I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. I look forward to reading more from John Taylor and the Nightside series.
Hex and the City by Simon R. Green is the fourth book in the Nightside series. These stories are classic noir like private eye mysteries in an urban fantasy setting. They are perfect for my interests today. I have been reading a lot of urban fantasy lately. Combine my new favorite genre with a detective noir like story and you have made me something special. I loved this book. I loved the writing of Green. I loved the world of Nightside. And I especially loved our main character (can't call him the good guy), John Taylor.
Hex and the City is a tight urban fantasy story that is just plain fun to read. This is my favorite book of the series so far. This one explores the darkest depths of Nightside with an emphasis on the darker magical. The whole main plot and story line center on the mystical place. John Taylor gets his new case, and it is all about Nightside itself. What is it's origin? Who started it? Why was it made? Does anyone one know the answers? As our dark hero finds out quickly, some mysteries are best left alone. Status quo can be better than knowing the truth.
These marvelous urban fantasies have worked because of the amazing place, the scary and relatable hero John Taylor, and his equally interesting friends and associates. We get them all in this one and are introduced to several amazing new ones. I loved Madman, Sinner, and Pretty Poison.
I loved the humor and the action...
""Let's," said Alex, unexpectedly. "No-one gets to come into my bar and mess with my customers. It's bad for business. Betty, Lucy, time to earn your pay." He came out from behind the bar hefting his enchanted baseball bat, while Betty and Lucy advanced on the Harrowing, cracking their knuckles noisily. I grinned. It's good to have friends. I turned my gaze on the Harrowing, and it seemed to me that they actually hesitated. "You're going down," I said. "All the way down.""
Hex and the City explores the dark city. It opens up the past of our hero John Taylor. It answers some questions that we have had since book one. I loved it. These are really well written books that are fun and imaginative and I cannot wait to read more.
I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. I look forward to reading more from John Taylor and the Nightside series.
May 8, 2018
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
Full review with personal notes can be read here as usual:
John Taylor in this book is hired to investigate the origins of the Nightside in exchange of information about his lost mother - those who are familiar with the series know, that John has a mommy issue, trying to figure out who and where she is. Knowing he will upset a handful of powerful men - Walker and the Authorities included - John can't refuse the chance and dives in head first. As usual. This time he requires the help of Madman and Sinner and Pretty Poision who is attached to him. Not exactly the most sane and rational companion, but somehow it works out. They encounter several Powers and Dominations and beings fallen from their glorious days during their investigation and John finally learns who sends the Harrowing after him every time he uses his gift. As well as what was her mother up to during the lost years.
The story is a bit more interesting than the one in the previous book, hence the better rating: 3.5 stars. The strongest point of this series is its side characters. They are unique, interesting and more engaging than John Taylor. Let's take Madman. Sure, he is a total nutjob, but he has his own soundtrack! I wish that was a thing and I could project my mood anytime to people so they would know not to bother me or something. Sinner is a being exiled from Hell, because he never gave up his love for Pretty Poision and banned from Haven, because, well, he was supposed to be in Hell afterall.
The biggest problem is that while the side characters are amusing, the writing never improved. The book is full of repetitive lines and passages we've read countless times in the previous books and honestly, if someone got to this point then he/she is fully aware of John's gift, his mommy issue, and how the Nightside works. No need to remind us every damn time. It's also hard to understand why John talks to his companions like they just arrived to the Nightside and have no idea how it works or what being is what famous for. I get it that the author wanted to give us some insight and some info dumping, but come on, did he has to do it through conversations? Asolutely makes no sense. And somehow what I found so amusing in the first book, was totally lost on me by book 4. Feels like these books are only having some plot so the author could play and show off the different parts of the Nightside and dump a different set of characters on us in every book. Also, John Taylor is not a strong enough MC to carry such a series on his shoulders. Aside from his mommy issues he is not that interesting, his voice is not that unique or witty or interesting. The only thing he knows is how to get allies for his cases to hide behind when he needs it and get into action in the last minute to save the day, thus making himself a "hero". But is he? Getting himself talked out of situations and using his own, mostly false fame to get on doesn't seem like a treat a hero should have. Besides, he ends up having the perfect solution in the perfect time against anyone, even the strongest, most badass villains. Totally believable.
All in all, the Nightside series couldn't live up to my expectations, which is a pity. I wanted to love this series, but couldn't. When the only thing that keeps you reading is duty then you know you have to abandon it. There are much better books out there waiting for my attention.
Full review with personal notes can be read here as usual:
John Taylor in this book is hired to investigate the origins of the Nightside in exchange of information about his lost mother - those who are familiar with the series know, that John has a mommy issue, trying to figure out who and where she is. Knowing he will upset a handful of powerful men - Walker and the Authorities included - John can't refuse the chance and dives in head first. As usual. This time he requires the help of Madman and Sinner and Pretty Poision who is attached to him. Not exactly the most sane and rational companion, but somehow it works out. They encounter several Powers and Dominations and beings fallen from their glorious days during their investigation and John finally learns who sends the Harrowing after him every time he uses his gift. As well as what was her mother up to during the lost years.
The story is a bit more interesting than the one in the previous book, hence the better rating: 3.5 stars. The strongest point of this series is its side characters. They are unique, interesting and more engaging than John Taylor. Let's take Madman. Sure, he is a total nutjob, but he has his own soundtrack! I wish that was a thing and I could project my mood anytime to people so they would know not to bother me or something. Sinner is a being exiled from Hell, because he never gave up his love for Pretty Poision and banned from Haven, because, well, he was supposed to be in Hell afterall.
The biggest problem is that while the side characters are amusing, the writing never improved. The book is full of repetitive lines and passages we've read countless times in the previous books and honestly, if someone got to this point then he/she is fully aware of John's gift, his mommy issue, and how the Nightside works. No need to remind us every damn time. It's also hard to understand why John talks to his companions like they just arrived to the Nightside and have no idea how it works or what being is what famous for. I get it that the author wanted to give us some insight and some info dumping, but come on, did he has to do it through conversations? Asolutely makes no sense. And somehow what I found so amusing in the first book, was totally lost on me by book 4. Feels like these books are only having some plot so the author could play and show off the different parts of the Nightside and dump a different set of characters on us in every book. Also, John Taylor is not a strong enough MC to carry such a series on his shoulders. Aside from his mommy issues he is not that interesting, his voice is not that unique or witty or interesting. The only thing he knows is how to get allies for his cases to hide behind when he needs it and get into action in the last minute to save the day, thus making himself a "hero". But is he? Getting himself talked out of situations and using his own, mostly false fame to get on doesn't seem like a treat a hero should have. Besides, he ends up having the perfect solution in the perfect time against anyone, even the strongest, most badass villains. Totally believable.
All in all, the Nightside series couldn't live up to my expectations, which is a pity. I wanted to love this series, but couldn't. When the only thing that keeps you reading is duty then you know you have to abandon it. There are much better books out there waiting for my attention.
June 7, 2017
3.5 Stars
This is my kinda book!
Even though I started out of order; I never felt lost.
Story about the Nightside; an alternate world in between Heaven and Hell. A place where the sick, twisted, evil, fetish-fiends, and those seeking... an alternative to the normal. The main character, John Taylor is a private investigator, of sorts, sent on (quest?) task to find the origins of the Nightside. There are many who don't want him to find the truth, and many who do; and not for the good of all.
Nothing to change your life; but good pacing, different storyline. Like Dresden on heroin, with a twist.
A "good read" for October..... hhmmm, now where is book 1??? :/
This is my kinda book!
Even though I started out of order; I never felt lost.
Story about the Nightside; an alternate world in between Heaven and Hell. A place where the sick, twisted, evil, fetish-fiends, and those seeking... an alternative to the normal. The main character, John Taylor is a private investigator, of sorts, sent on (quest?) task to find the origins of the Nightside. There are many who don't want him to find the truth, and many who do; and not for the good of all.
Nothing to change your life; but good pacing, different storyline. Like Dresden on heroin, with a twist.
A "good read" for October..... hhmmm, now where is book 1??? :/
October 17, 2024
I know I'm doing more audiobooks now, but that's because by the time I get around to picking up a tablet or paperback at home I'm nodding off from getting up at 3 a.m. And, the nice thing about the Nightside books is how much shorter they are than Southern Man (I'm six hours in to a 46 hour book).
This time John Taylor is hired to find out who created the Nightside, that place in London where it is always 3 a.m. (personally I find that a little depressing today), and all sorts of creatures, times and dimensions seem able to reach. The fee John is offered?
The true identity of his mother. Whom John doesn't remember.
Along with the usual Easter Eggs, Green gives us colorful characters. Madman, the man who mastered math, and arguably drugs, to the point where he can alter reality with his mind. Sinner the man who for love got damned to Hell, but even after his love's true demon identity was shown to him he retained his love for her, led to Sinner being expelled from Heaven and Hell. Pretty Poison, Sinner's love.
This is a quick paced. My issue being ending the book on what amounted to a cliffhanger.
This time John Taylor is hired to find out who created the Nightside, that place in London where it is always 3 a.m. (personally I find that a little depressing today), and all sorts of creatures, times and dimensions seem able to reach. The fee John is offered?
The true identity of his mother. Whom John doesn't remember.
Along with the usual Easter Eggs, Green gives us colorful characters. Madman, the man who mastered math, and arguably drugs, to the point where he can alter reality with his mind. Sinner the man who for love got damned to Hell, but even after his love's true demon identity was shown to him he retained his love for her, led to Sinner being expelled from Heaven and Hell. Pretty Poison, Sinner's love.
This is a quick paced. My issue being ending the book on what amounted to a cliffhanger.
July 19, 2019
It isnt as crisply written as the earlier books. The humor stumbles at times, and some of the action is lazy. However, at the same time, when the book is on target it shines. And we finally solve the mystery regarding John Taylor and Nightside. An overall fun read
July 16, 2011
While this book is in some ways the best of the Nightside books so far, it is in other ways clearly the worst.
When a writer decides to use time-travel as a plot device, he better use a couple of minutes considering the mechanics of changing time.
This book starts of at an auction auctioning away THE butterfly of the butterfly effect.. (which of course is absurd, even for the nightside)
The butterfly effect is a popular name for the Chaos theory, a theory that states that even the smallest actions sends ripples through the entire world, making the present chaotic occurrences of coincidences.. That means that predicting the future is an impossibility, because even the smallest reaction to that "known future" will change it. The chaos theory and time travel is therefor contradictory concepts..
If you can grip you mind around that, then let me continue..
Later in the book John is again attacked from the future, any interference from the future in the past should change that future.. E.g should the future send back one butterfly, that alone should change the future (Chaos theory), and hence delete the future scenario where the timetravel took place in the first place..
Simon R. Green uses a concept he calls a "possible future" but if there a more than one future, there should be Billions upon Billions of possible futures, each making the past swarm with attacks and attempts to change catalysators for their present.. Why is only one possible future able to interfere in johns life ?
It annoys me endlessly when an Author doesnt think things through. Fantasy is a genre where it is allowed, encouraged even, to change the rules of the real world, it is the charm of the genre, and the main reason why i love it. But the new rules should make some sort of sense, and not be contradictory.
There are a lot of other times when Simon R. Green shoots himself in the foot in this series. I HATE the idea of the Unbeliever and Madman, the concept of their power is not thought through and is self-contradictory..
Simon R. Green also keeps repeating himself over and over again..
Other than that, this book isn't that bad a read, it's an adventure and it can be entertaining.
But it is the most unintelligent fantasy i've ever read..
When a writer decides to use time-travel as a plot device, he better use a couple of minutes considering the mechanics of changing time.
This book starts of at an auction auctioning away THE butterfly of the butterfly effect.. (which of course is absurd, even for the nightside)
The butterfly effect is a popular name for the Chaos theory, a theory that states that even the smallest actions sends ripples through the entire world, making the present chaotic occurrences of coincidences.. That means that predicting the future is an impossibility, because even the smallest reaction to that "known future" will change it. The chaos theory and time travel is therefor contradictory concepts..
If you can grip you mind around that, then let me continue..
Later in the book John is again attacked from the future, any interference from the future in the past should change that future.. E.g should the future send back one butterfly, that alone should change the future (Chaos theory), and hence delete the future scenario where the timetravel took place in the first place..
Simon R. Green uses a concept he calls a "possible future" but if there a more than one future, there should be Billions upon Billions of possible futures, each making the past swarm with attacks and attempts to change catalysators for their present.. Why is only one possible future able to interfere in johns life ?
It annoys me endlessly when an Author doesnt think things through. Fantasy is a genre where it is allowed, encouraged even, to change the rules of the real world, it is the charm of the genre, and the main reason why i love it. But the new rules should make some sort of sense, and not be contradictory.
There are a lot of other times when Simon R. Green shoots himself in the foot in this series. I HATE the idea of the Unbeliever and Madman, the concept of their power is not thought through and is self-contradictory..
Simon R. Green also keeps repeating himself over and over again..
Other than that, this book isn't that bad a read, it's an adventure and it can be entertaining.
But it is the most unintelligent fantasy i've ever read..
July 15, 2009
As John Taylor continues to work on cases in the Nightside, a bustling city located somewhere under London where all sorts of supernatural legends and creatures come to live, play, and drink, he finds himself working to solve two mysteries. Lady Luck wants him to learn the truth about the strange city's origins, and in return he'll finally find out who his mother is.
There's only one problem. Well, several. To begin with, no one wants John to find out and several people have been hired to get rid of him before he does. In addition, if he does find out, the future will change forever and ruin the lives of everyone in the Nightside. And John Taylor should know seeing as he's been there to the future and seen it all.
If that wasn't bad enough, there's the fact that the answer he will receive may be far worse than he ever imagined.
This series so far has been very enjoyable and entertaining for the summer. Sometimes I wish there were somewhat more in the way of details, but Green has an amazing ability to create relatable and creepy characters in otherworldly settings.
If you like Jim Butcher or Patricia Briggs, you'll probably like these Nightside books too.
There's only one problem. Well, several. To begin with, no one wants John to find out and several people have been hired to get rid of him before he does. In addition, if he does find out, the future will change forever and ruin the lives of everyone in the Nightside. And John Taylor should know seeing as he's been there to the future and seen it all.
If that wasn't bad enough, there's the fact that the answer he will receive may be far worse than he ever imagined.
This series so far has been very enjoyable and entertaining for the summer. Sometimes I wish there were somewhat more in the way of details, but Green has an amazing ability to create relatable and creepy characters in otherworldly settings.
If you like Jim Butcher or Patricia Briggs, you'll probably like these Nightside books too.
January 19, 2016
همونطور ک بارها تاکید میشه ، هیچ چیز در نایت ساید ، اونطور ک ب نظر میاد نیست .
در کمال ناباوری زنی ک این بار جان تیلور رو استخدام کرد تا راجه به ابتدای نایت ساید تحقیق کنه ، لیدی لاک نبود بلکه مادر جان تیلور بود . اما جان تیلور در آخر کتاب از سر پریشانی و عدم عشق ب این موجود قدرتمند اهریمنی میگه : اون هیچ وقت مادر من نبوده .
در کمال ناباوری زنی ک این بار جان تیلور رو استخدام کرد تا راجه به ابتدای نایت ساید تحقیق کنه ، لیدی لاک نبود بلکه مادر جان تیلور بود . اما جان تیلور در آخر کتاب از سر پریشانی و عدم عشق ب این موجود قدرتمند اهریمنی میگه : اون هیچ وقت مادر من نبوده .
October 5, 2016
Full of inconsistencies, scattered characterization and anticlimaxes yet a really enjoyable piece of work.
May 13, 2018
3.5 stars, rounded down. This is a series that I started ages ago, and haven't made much progress on. While the books have been amusing, the series has failed to truly capture my attention. Something about the sarcastic humor and the dark mythology falls just a bit flat for me, and I haven't quite latched on to John Taylor as a character.
Anyway, I tried this one on audiobook, and it ended up being a pretty good choice. Although it did take me a little bit to adjust, I enjoyed the narration by Marc Vietor a lot by the end. He is definitely the voice of John Taylor for me now. He brings the perfect touch to it, deadpan, wry, and sarcastic by turns. The books are also a really good length for me, I was able to listen to this without really struggling through the middle, which is a problem I often have with listening to books rather than reading them.
Happily, this book also furthers our understanding of John as a character and his place within the Nightside, which was nice. I felt like the earlier books were a little too light on the overarching story for my tastes, but this one finally dives right in, addressing the question of where the Nightside came from and John's mysterious mother in one fell swoop.
Not to mention that I think the side characters were my favorites so far. I really enjoyed the story of Sinner and Pretty Poison, and thought that they were a great addition to the cast for this story. They gave us a window into the past, and spurred John to take greater risks than he might have on his own. Madman was also a real hoot for me.
I'm looking forward to listening to the next installment in the series, and learning more about both Nightside and John's quest to save it all.
Anyway, I tried this one on audiobook, and it ended up being a pretty good choice. Although it did take me a little bit to adjust, I enjoyed the narration by Marc Vietor a lot by the end. He is definitely the voice of John Taylor for me now. He brings the perfect touch to it, deadpan, wry, and sarcastic by turns. The books are also a really good length for me, I was able to listen to this without really struggling through the middle, which is a problem I often have with listening to books rather than reading them.
Happily, this book also furthers our understanding of John as a character and his place within the Nightside, which was nice. I felt like the earlier books were a little too light on the overarching story for my tastes, but this one finally dives right in, addressing the question of where the Nightside came from and John's mysterious mother in one fell swoop.
Not to mention that I think the side characters were my favorites so far. I really enjoyed the story of Sinner and Pretty Poison, and thought that they were a great addition to the cast for this story. They gave us a window into the past, and spurred John to take greater risks than he might have on his own. Madman was also a real hoot for me.
I'm looking forward to listening to the next installment in the series, and learning more about both Nightside and John's quest to save it all.
December 14, 2021
Hear me out. I read this 4th book in the series as a stand alone over ten years ago. It was magical. Like a Dr. Who episode that never quiet made sense but was thrilling the whole time. The Man that could alter reality has staid with me for all these years. The part where he's just standing over some guys and is suddenly a samurai was oddly formative and lives rent free in my mind. I don't think I will ever read the series proper, it was just kind of an experience. maybe I have invented a secret version that only lives in my head. I'll never know.
January 18, 2018
More of the same things I've liked so far, but the repetition of phrases isn't letting up any...
December 1, 2022
The creativity of Green's Nightside stories plows unflaggingly forward in this fourth entry, with some especially delightful cosmic horror bits. The irrational "soft magic" dimensions of the world are really what power these books and make them fun, and it's important not to take anything about them very seriously if you are to enjoy them. That said, some overarching plot themes begin to find form in this entry that feel a bit trite to me, and I wasn't entirely satisfied with the ending. That loses a half star or so from my rating, but this is still a very entertaining novel, further enriching a very entertaining series that has proven far more amusing and captivating than I anticipated from the first novel. I will surely read on, and I do not hesitate to recommend these books to fans of urban fantasy.
February 2, 2023
Read this series immediately. Brilliant!!
March 21, 2025
3.75⭐️
August 6, 2024
Have the characters improved? ...No. Has the setting? Also no.
This has only gone up a star because it's growing on me.
Like a wart. 😂
This has only gone up a star because it's growing on me.
Like a wart. 😂
January 8, 2016
It's been a couple years since I read “Nightgale's Lament� the third book in Simon R. Green's ‘Nightside� series, and that is the only factor I can think of to explain disconnected from this universe I felt picking up “Hex and the City�.
I cannot imagine that the first three books were as poorly written as this one. They couldn't have been. I wouldn't have continued reading them. Would I? Ok, 'poorly written' may be unfair, but at the very least, this book was awkwardly written.
Was I struggling to get back into the world of John Taylor and the ‘Nightside�, or was Green struggling to remember how to write these characters himself?
Hex and the City Simon R. GreenHalfway through the book, I glanced at the cover and saw that ‘Dresden Files� author Jim Butcher had offered a quote. If that had been on the cover of the first book in this series, I'm not sure I would have started it. “Hex and the City� read very much like “Storm Front� so if you love Jim Butcher, by all means.
Paragraph long stretches of John Taylor speaking should have adapted into descriptive expositional paragraphs. And perhaps they originally had been internal monologue in earlier drafts because multiple times Taylor would repeat something he had said half a chapter before to the complete surprise of the very characters he had spoken it to initially.
Too often, Taylor was supposed to be speaking to characters around him and interacting with them, but instead was stiff and spoke at them (or at the reader or just at anyone who had wandered by and might be listening). He wasn’t a part of the scene and he wasn't moving it forward.
Detective fiction thrives on the smug, smartass private dick, but here, Taylor takes it to a level that brought to mind the fanboy writing style that turned me off the ‘Dresden Files� after just one book.
The story picked up a bit towards the end and gave us a great answer to the question that's been building since the first book. But ultimately, I found myself turning the page, not to find out what would happen next, but just to finish the thing.
“Hex and the City� is the fourth book into this series, so I won't give up on the whole thing just because this one disappointed. There is an end to the ‘Nightside� series, as Green finished it off with the 12th book, “The Bride Wore Black Leather�. I'd love for him to get back to the page-turning, exciting, supernatural detective fiction that sucked me into this hidden world in the first place so I can see this series through to the end.
I cannot imagine that the first three books were as poorly written as this one. They couldn't have been. I wouldn't have continued reading them. Would I? Ok, 'poorly written' may be unfair, but at the very least, this book was awkwardly written.
Was I struggling to get back into the world of John Taylor and the ‘Nightside�, or was Green struggling to remember how to write these characters himself?
Hex and the City Simon R. GreenHalfway through the book, I glanced at the cover and saw that ‘Dresden Files� author Jim Butcher had offered a quote. If that had been on the cover of the first book in this series, I'm not sure I would have started it. “Hex and the City� read very much like “Storm Front� so if you love Jim Butcher, by all means.
Paragraph long stretches of John Taylor speaking should have adapted into descriptive expositional paragraphs. And perhaps they originally had been internal monologue in earlier drafts because multiple times Taylor would repeat something he had said half a chapter before to the complete surprise of the very characters he had spoken it to initially.
Too often, Taylor was supposed to be speaking to characters around him and interacting with them, but instead was stiff and spoke at them (or at the reader or just at anyone who had wandered by and might be listening). He wasn’t a part of the scene and he wasn't moving it forward.
Detective fiction thrives on the smug, smartass private dick, but here, Taylor takes it to a level that brought to mind the fanboy writing style that turned me off the ‘Dresden Files� after just one book.
The story picked up a bit towards the end and gave us a great answer to the question that's been building since the first book. But ultimately, I found myself turning the page, not to find out what would happen next, but just to finish the thing.
“Hex and the City� is the fourth book into this series, so I won't give up on the whole thing just because this one disappointed. There is an end to the ‘Nightside� series, as Green finished it off with the 12th book, “The Bride Wore Black Leather�. I'd love for him to get back to the page-turning, exciting, supernatural detective fiction that sucked me into this hidden world in the first place so I can see this series through to the end.
December 30, 2010
This is the 4th book in the Nightside series by Simon Green.
John Taylor is commissioned by the Lady Luck herself to find something near and dear to John's own heart. Lady Luck wishes to know the origins of the Nightside, John suspects that his own mother is linked to the Nightside's origins. John joins up with Madman (who has seen things no human should and, as such, randomly changes the reality around himself) and Sinner (who has been rejected by both heaven and hell and as such cannot be killed) to venture into deeper and darker places beneath the Nightside than have ever been breached; at least ever been breached by people who later lived to tell about.
This book was fast-paced, fun, and very creative. I loved Madman, Sinner, and Pretty Poison. They are wonderful characters with a lot of depth and creativity in their personas.
This book answers some questions about Walker, the Authorities, the Nightside, and John's mother. It was nice to get come closure around these questions. That being said this was a departure from the previous stories in that it is not a self-contained story and adventure. The end of this book leaves you desperately waiting for the next book to find out what happens.
On one hand I kind of liked the transition of this series to something that is larger than one book; on the other hand I miss the self-contained detective story with a mysterious over-arcing storyline. This story was just structured differently from previous ones and whether that is good or bad...well, only the next book will tell.
That being said I really liked this book. I found it extremely amusing, as well as extremely disturbing. I can't wait to get my hands on the next one.
John Taylor is commissioned by the Lady Luck herself to find something near and dear to John's own heart. Lady Luck wishes to know the origins of the Nightside, John suspects that his own mother is linked to the Nightside's origins. John joins up with Madman (who has seen things no human should and, as such, randomly changes the reality around himself) and Sinner (who has been rejected by both heaven and hell and as such cannot be killed) to venture into deeper and darker places beneath the Nightside than have ever been breached; at least ever been breached by people who later lived to tell about.
This book was fast-paced, fun, and very creative. I loved Madman, Sinner, and Pretty Poison. They are wonderful characters with a lot of depth and creativity in their personas.
This book answers some questions about Walker, the Authorities, the Nightside, and John's mother. It was nice to get come closure around these questions. That being said this was a departure from the previous stories in that it is not a self-contained story and adventure. The end of this book leaves you desperately waiting for the next book to find out what happens.
On one hand I kind of liked the transition of this series to something that is larger than one book; on the other hand I miss the self-contained detective story with a mysterious over-arcing storyline. This story was just structured differently from previous ones and whether that is good or bad...well, only the next book will tell.
That being said I really liked this book. I found it extremely amusing, as well as extremely disturbing. I can't wait to get my hands on the next one.
February 9, 2008
This is the fourth book in the Nightside series, and it's the one where things actually start rolling. The books before this were fun, but they were setup for what finally transpired in this book.
The Nightside. As we are reminded in the first chapter of every book, in case our puny mortal minds have suppressed the knowledge, is a strange and unknowable place in the heart of London. Everything you never wanted to meet was there. Magic, terror, true love and all manner of fear and fantasy could be found, bought and sold in the Nightside, and as far as anyone knew, it had been there forever.
Or had it?
John Taylor is given the most dangerous case yet - to investigate the true origins of the Nightside. To do this, he must face beings of greater and greater power and malice, and risk the undoing of the entire world.
So yeah, it's a bit of a faster pace than people-eating houses and half-dead goth singers. It also gives another look at the breadth of Green's imagination. These books aren't exactly literary masterpieces, but they do have a ton of memorable characters. You remember The Lamentation, and exactly what it looked like, even though you only saw it for a few pages. The Lord of Thorns is well-defined and interesting, and You do kind of feel bad for Herne the Hunted, despite his brief role.
From here, I expect the story will pick up a bit. Taylor's been shown one of the greatest secrets of his own existence, so I can't imagine the rest of the series bringing him back to ordinary gumshoe cases.
The Nightside. As we are reminded in the first chapter of every book, in case our puny mortal minds have suppressed the knowledge, is a strange and unknowable place in the heart of London. Everything you never wanted to meet was there. Magic, terror, true love and all manner of fear and fantasy could be found, bought and sold in the Nightside, and as far as anyone knew, it had been there forever.
Or had it?
John Taylor is given the most dangerous case yet - to investigate the true origins of the Nightside. To do this, he must face beings of greater and greater power and malice, and risk the undoing of the entire world.
So yeah, it's a bit of a faster pace than people-eating houses and half-dead goth singers. It also gives another look at the breadth of Green's imagination. These books aren't exactly literary masterpieces, but they do have a ton of memorable characters. You remember The Lamentation, and exactly what it looked like, even though you only saw it for a few pages. The Lord of Thorns is well-defined and interesting, and You do kind of feel bad for Herne the Hunted, despite his brief role.
From here, I expect the story will pick up a bit. Taylor's been shown one of the greatest secrets of his own existence, so I can't imagine the rest of the series bringing him back to ordinary gumshoe cases.
September 3, 2007
HEX AND THE CITY (Fantasy) � G+
Green, Simon R. � 4th in series
Ace, 2005- Paperback
Investigator John Taylor has been hired by Lady Luck to find out the origin and purpose of Nightside, that part of London where it is always 3 a.m. In his hunt, he teams with Madman, who had been driven mad by seeing reality, Sinner, who gave up his soul to know true love, and Pretty Poison, the demon succubus object of his heart.
*** Although clearly fantasy, I always think of these as mystery as there are always cases for John to solve but with clients and enemies beyond the norm. I do wish Green would do more with the supporting characters and the endings were not quite as abrupt—maybe the books need to be a bit longer, which would be fine by me. But he does manage to include ideas that make me stop and think a bit. These books are not for the weak of stomach, but it's a series I very much enjoy this series, and this is another good addition.
Green, Simon R. � 4th in series
Ace, 2005- Paperback
Investigator John Taylor has been hired by Lady Luck to find out the origin and purpose of Nightside, that part of London where it is always 3 a.m. In his hunt, he teams with Madman, who had been driven mad by seeing reality, Sinner, who gave up his soul to know true love, and Pretty Poison, the demon succubus object of his heart.
*** Although clearly fantasy, I always think of these as mystery as there are always cases for John to solve but with clients and enemies beyond the norm. I do wish Green would do more with the supporting characters and the endings were not quite as abrupt—maybe the books need to be a bit longer, which would be fine by me. But he does manage to include ideas that make me stop and think a bit. These books are not for the weak of stomach, but it's a series I very much enjoy this series, and this is another good addition.
May 9, 2010
The overarching plot arc starts in the fourth book in the Nightside series. By the end of the novel, everything has changed. From the first, we have had hints that there is something awful about John Taylor's mother and that if he finds out who she is, then the world might be destroyed. Somehow, a horrible group called the Harrowing is connected to this mystery and has been chasing him his entire life.
Lady Luck hires him to find out the origins of the Nightside, and John accepts, even though it means he needs to look into his mother. Reckless as he is with the future of the planet, he is not quite so reckless with himself, and finds some of the Nightside's most dangerous companions. The story behind Sinner is moving, and I am curious to read more about Madman.
The theme, though, in the ending of the Nightside novels is still continues with this installation. We also learned that John Taylor has creepy tastes in women.
Lady Luck hires him to find out the origins of the Nightside, and John accepts, even though it means he needs to look into his mother. Reckless as he is with the future of the planet, he is not quite so reckless with himself, and finds some of the Nightside's most dangerous companions. The story behind Sinner is moving, and I am curious to read more about Madman.
The theme, though, in the ending of the Nightside novels is still continues with this installation. We also learned that John Taylor has creepy tastes in women.
January 31, 2012
Once again I delve into a Simon R. Green Nightside book. I still find the series readable, but nothing spectacular. There has been a noticeable improvement in the writing, and some of Taylor's imaginings are amusing. He maintains a healthy pace in this book, it rarely drags too much. However, I found the chapter of plot exposition near the climax a bit jarring to the pace, a little too slow. Then the climax of the plot hit, and it almost felt too confused as several plot threads all tried to fit into the pages at the same time. Perhaps if there was more afterwards to smooth things out I'd not complain as much, but instead this book in the series ends rather abruptly. For the first time in this series, I've felt Green has ended his novel too quickly for my taste.
February 7, 2017
خب، این آخرین قسمتی بود که از این مجموعه میخونم و احتمالا آخرین کتابی که از این نویسنده.
این نویسنده عادت خیلی بدی به اغراق داره، همش این قوی ترینه و حرف نداره بعد دوباره دو صفحه میری جلوتر میگه این قوی ترینه، انگار خودش هم نمیدونه با خودش چند چنده، نه فقط تو این ۴ جلدی که از نایت ساید خوندم بلکه تو دو مجموعه دیگش یعنی شکارچی اشباح و مردی با طوق طلا هم اینو دیدم.
بعد از یه مدت خیلی لوس میشه که همش بهت بگن مرلین قویه، بعد بگن نه خدای خودکشی قدی ترینه، نه پادشاه خار ها قوی ترینه؛ و حقیقتا همشونم با یکی دوتا حرکت ساده میوفتن زمین!
متاسفم سایمون آر گرین، ولی خیلی حوصله سر بره قلمت چون خودت تو صفحه بعد حرفایی که یه صفحه قبل زدی رو نقض میکنی
No Offense! ;)
این نویسنده عادت خیلی بدی به اغراق داره، همش این قوی ترینه و حرف نداره بعد دوباره دو صفحه میری جلوتر میگه این قوی ترینه، انگار خودش هم نمیدونه با خودش چند چنده، نه فقط تو این ۴ جلدی که از نایت ساید خوندم بلکه تو دو مجموعه دیگش یعنی شکارچی اشباح و مردی با طوق طلا هم اینو دیدم.
بعد از یه مدت خیلی لوس میشه که همش بهت بگن مرلین قویه، بعد بگن نه خدای خودکشی قدی ترینه، نه پادشاه خار ها قوی ترینه؛ و حقیقتا همشونم با یکی دوتا حرکت ساده میوفتن زمین!
متاسفم سایمون آر گرین، ولی خیلی حوصله سر بره قلمت چون خودت تو صفحه بعد حرفایی که یه صفحه قبل زدی رو نقض میکنی
No Offense! ;)
February 4, 2017
Wenn man glaubt es geht nicht abstruser, dann setzt Simon R. Green ein Fünkchen obendrauf. Nun wurde die Geschichte um John Taylors Herkunft und die Identität seiner Mutter also endlich gelüftet (Freud hätte seine Freud daran), natürlich mit jeder Menge Karacho und Blutvergießen � mehr noch als in den Vorgängerbänden. Ich bin gespannt, wie der Autor das weiter toppen will, und sich der, teilweise doch sehr changierende, Hauptcharakter wandeln wird.
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