Haunting the Nightside

Nightside Omnibus #2

by Simon R. Green

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery

519 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2008

About the author

Simon 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 Wikipedia.

Reviews

[GiGi]

Yooo, I never expected this series to pick up like this. This started as a palate cleanser, but now I'm genuinely invested. The whole "my mother" plotline is too close to Dresden Files, which had me confused at times. PI with magical powers who takes on jobs no one else would take and has a strained relationship with their mother? Yea, both series check that box. The MCs (Dresden vs Taylor) are very different and the worlds (modern day Chicago vs London's hidden Nightside) are even less alike. But like others have pointed out, they could be the same individual on different timelines.

Anyway,
Book 3 - Nightingale's Lament: ⭐⭐⭐ (⭐)
Book 4 - Hex and the City: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Andrew]

I will admit that it took me a little longer to read these two books in one than I anticipated - partly I suspect from me reading all the other books in-between - oops - anyway once started and I had my momentum (am I the only one who struggles to start some books but once you connect with them you cannot put them down) anyway once I found my momentum I really started to enjoy this book. Yes I know in many a story you have troubles and challenges and impossible situations heaped on top of each other till you cannot see your way out - well I must admit the conclusion to this book really came close to that - and I was impressed.

Yes the two stories stuck in one book did for a while at least feel like they were following a formula - minor case which is resolved in a chapter leading to the main story which involves as many locations and characters as you can fit in often with interesting interpretations of their names. But This book has one MASSIVE redeeming feature, it is of London, ok a twisted travesty of London but London none the less. Ok I will admit I have a sort of love/hate relationship with that city, its history and geography fascinates me while living there and working there has come close to killing me, I still enjoy books which refer or make use of it, Christopher Fowlers Bryant and May books hold as much appeal for their connection as well.

So the book, fun and fast paced with lots of wise cracks and comments without seeming strained or snide, the series has many more books to go and I must admit I am eager to see what corners Mr Taylor can find himself in.

[Steve]

Sure it's light and almost pulpy, but there are times that is exactly what you want from your fiction.
Simon R Green is rapidly becoming my go-to author for a quick healing ride from start to finish. Both the Nightside novels, and the kindred Secret Histories see a riot to read. Don't take them too seriously and you'll have a great time.

[Mireille]

Omnibus of books 3 & 4 of "Nightside" series.
Nightingale's Lament (Book 3)
Hex and the City (Book 4)

[Ala]

Unbelievably amazing!