I had been toying with the idea of publishing an ebook. I thought it might be easier. Really though it's just as hard, the hard work just happens at a different stage. Anyway, I want to talk about what I might refer to as an Indie fantasy book. Indie, because you won't find A Hard Day's Knight anywhere in any physical bookstore. Its cool already to be reading something so exclusive.
Now A Hard Day's Knight is pretty screw ball. It is exactly what I needed to read amidst the heartwrenching dramas of the two books I've already reviewed. This was a nice humourous and silly break from that. I enjoyed this book in the same way I enjoy an old 90s or 80s action movie. It was pure fun and it did make me laugh. The writing is at times a little bit clunky and sometimes the similes are a bit much. For the most part though it can all be overlooked.
The two main characters of the book Jimmy Black and Greg Knight are respectively your wisecracking detective and bumbling, yet surprisingly intelligent sidekick. The twist they are both vampires. Both in fact remain very unsuccessful with ladies as well despite their vampirism. It's fun how Hartness uses Jimmy Black's very bitter and cynical first person perspective to talk about how popular culture tells a lot of lies about the charmed existence of the vampire. In a lot of ways they seem like teens and by what we're told poor old Greg is still as fat as he ever was, because that's how he was when he was turned. So we don't have any sexy Edward Cullen's here. So again Hard Day's Knight is another interesting book which is very much aware that it does not exist in a vaccum, I always appreciate books that are aware that they are but one of many vampire/fantasy/cop books.
The plot itself, is a very strange snaking beast. It starts with a pain in the arse kid tries to get Jimmy (James) to turn him into a vampire to protect his family, from a goth chick in his class. The plot only becomes more ridiculous and funny from their. There's something so silly and fun about this book. Even when we see James and Greg literally fighting 12 possessed little girls to the moment where James is describing how uncomfortable he feels in the local strip club, the book at its core never deviates from what it is. Good clean fun.
The other characters on the side are also nifty in their own way. We have Phil a fallen angel and massive badass and the newest (reluctant) member of his harem Lilith (apprently the first woman before Eve) also a fallen angel. It's funny hearing James talk about drinking her blood, can anyone say Vampgasm? It's fun to see how Hartness deals with a dark gritty scene in such an amusing way and ultimately, it is through his ability to completely flip on its head the idea of the wisened and brooding vampire. James and Greg feel more like little clueless kids dealing with forces they can't possibly comprehend and it is funny to watch them stumble through the motions of being private investigators.
The main human members of the cast, Mike and Sabrina provide another interesting dimension. Yes, there is an amusing little love story. It's also intriguing reading about a Priest working with two vampires...of course we learn why a little later on. At its heart though I'd say this is really James and Greg's story, but as this is a series it will be interesting to watch the other characters evolution as the series goes on.
I'll admit that at times I questioned the way the plot turned and at times certain characters and threads were completely dropped. Even so, I think Hartness can get away with it because of the nature of the book we're dealing with. Nothing in here is meant to be taken seriously. We have zombies, fallen angels, demons and evil possessed little girls.
Yes this is definately something you need to check out. If you need some more help or encouragement to go out and give this book a try, there's a great view at the Motherloade, which provides a more eloquent overview of the tale. Hey I can admit when I'm beat. Just click here.
Happy reading everyone.
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