All Things Huge and Hideous - Review
Link to the author's (G. Huggins) personal website
Genre: Fantasy
Publication Type: Book
Tags:
- Average Age of Main Characters (30)
- Length (4 / 10)
Link to Goodreads
Blurb: Everyone says it was better in the Good Old Days. Before the Dark Lord subjugated us. Before he gave all the good land to his ogres, orcs and trolls, reducing the civilized races to serfdom and the dirty work: pig farming, sewer cleaning, veterinary medicine.
But even before that happened, things weren’t that much different for the veterinarians. Everyone cheered the heroes who rode their unicorn chargers into combat against the Dark Lord’s dragons, but no one ever remembered who treated the unicorns’ phosphine burns afterward. The only real difference is that now I’m treating the dragons. Today I have to save one’s life. Know what fewmets are? No? Then make a sacrifice of thanks right now to whatever gods you worship, because I have only a few hours to figure a way to get them flowing back out of the Dark Lord’s favorite dragon. Yeah, from the other end. And that’s just my most illustrious client.
I’ve got orcs and trolls who might eat me and dark elf barons who might sue me if their bloodhawks and chimeras don’t pull through. And that doesn’t even consider the possibility that the old hag with the basilisk might show up.
The only thing that’s gone right this evening is finding Harriet to be my veterinary assistant. She’s almost a witch, which just might save us both. If we don’t kill each other first.
Review: Inventive setting. Following a veterinarian that works for the Dark Lord through a collection of cases is funny and enjoyable.
I liked the characters, and thought that each of the cases made for great short stories. I found the romance aspect somewhat forced, but ultimately it didn't detract from my enjoyment. This is a big recommend if you're looking for something to read in-between larger stories, or would like something short-ish with a bit of comedy.