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Title: Last Call by Tim Powers ISBN: 0-380-72846-X Publisher: Avon Pub. Date: 01 December, 1996 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.72 (32 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Fantasy noir?
Comment: OK, I'll admit that I'm biased. I went to school with Tim: truly! Hey, every celebrity was a kid, once, and went to school and had friends :-) That being said, I've read most of Tim's books, but haven't enjoyed them all. This is one that I *did* like, a lot. It grabbed me almost from the beginning, in much the same way that "On Stranger Tides" did; that's my favorite of Tim's books, BTW. While it definitely helps to know something of the legends of King Arthur and the Fisher King, of Percival/Parsifal and Taliesin, of the Tarot and the Holy Grail, it isn't necessary. This story holds together very well as a modern fantasy-thriller, of something we might call "fantasy noir", perhaps, although not of the same sort that Glen Cook (another favorite author of mine) writes. Still, there is something of a 40s detective story in here: who really *is* the hero, and who the villian? What are their motivations? As with all of Tim's books, though, the layers are much thicker than that, and if you can take the time to re-read some passages, you'll come away with a greater appreciation for how much care he has put into weaving all the threads together. This is *not* a casual "summer read"! If you are not willing or able to take the time to read this book word for word, do yourself a favor and don't buy it! But if you savor well-written stories, whether you like fantasy or not, you should give this, and all of Tim Powers' books, a read; you are not likely to be disappointed.
Rating: 2
Summary: Not for non-sci-fi fans
Comment: I can't stand most science fiction, but I tried this because it seemed more literary than sci-fi, and I'm a poker player. It's an interesting book, but the literary part does not outweigh the sci-fi, and there really isn't much said about poker.
Rating: 5
Summary: An Amazing Tale
Comment: Whenever I read a novel I can tell from the first few sentences whether or not I will enjoy the book by judging the author's writing style. From the first few words of Tim Powers' "Last Call" I was drawn in to this captivating story. Tim Powers is a fantasy author but what makes Mr. Powers' novels different from others is that his fantasy novels take place in our world and seem that what goes on really could happen.
Scott Crane was involved in a dangerous card game called Assumption many years ago and he is dreaming of the game. In this game his soul was stolen by the man that started the game. 20 years from when the game took place Scott decides that he wants to get back into playing Poker and Crane has no clue for what is going to happen to him. Scott is biologically the next Fisher King, the mythological king of the tarot card world. When Scott enter Las Vegas the cards are showing that he is in the city and people want him dead. From Vegas to Los Angeles to the Hoover Dam this novel is a tour de force that will keep you riveted from page one.
Tim Powers is a very different type of fantasy author. His fantasies take place in our world and deal with real people just like you and me. The whole fantasy premise of "Last Call" is based on tarot cards and Powers makes you believe that these cards really have meaning and are much more than bogus. Other myths are also used in this book such as some things from King Arthur.
Powers is an amazing author. From the first page of this novel you are grabbed and you will read and read and read until you have come to the ending. All of the characters are three dimensional people that you will care for and will either love or hate. There was just one thing about this novel that I didn't like. In fact, another reviewer brought something up along the lines of what I am going to say. I felt that the book's ending was a bit rushed and that Powers didn't let the ending work itself out. This minor wualm, however, did not make my reading of this book bad and therefore the book will keep five stars despite this.
This is my first Tim Powers novel and it defintely will not be my last. I will never look at tarot cards or regular playing cards the same way since I have read this book. This is the perfect fantasy for somebody that wants an original read.
Happy Reading!
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Title: Expiration Date : A Novel by Tim Powers ISBN: 0812555171 Publisher: Tor Fantasy Pub. Date: 15 December, 1996 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers ISBN: 0441004016 Publisher: Ace Books Pub. Date: January, 1997 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: Earthquake Weather by Tim Powers ISBN: 0812555198 Publisher: Tor Fantasy Pub. Date: 15 November, 1998 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Declare by Tim Powers ISBN: 0380798360 Publisher: HarperTorch Pub. Date: 01 June, 2002 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: The Drawing of the Dark by Tim Powers ISBN: 0345430816 Publisher: Del Rey Pub. Date: 16 November, 1999 List Price(USD): $11.95 |
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