Goethe (Got) Luck is a private detective in Miami who always had a touch with the fantastical elements that most people never know about. He is telling his story about how he finds out more about who, and what he is. Got Luck is not fan fiction of someone else's world. Even though there are similarities to other books (Jim Butcher's Dresden series) Michael Darling creates his own setting and characters. A fun read that left me wanting to know what is going to happen next. I decided to pick up Got Luck after sitting in on a panel discussion about poetry at a writing convention where Michael Darling was one of the panelists. It was because he mentioned how he used the Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's poem "Der Erklonig" with the story. Upon reading the title I knew there was going to be a mixture of light heartedness to go along with the detective story. Seriously, with a title of Got Luck who didn't think of the milk ad campaign.
Early in the story I felt like things were moving along a little quickly and too easily accepted by our hero, but I came to understand that even though this is a fantastical twist in his life, it isn't as radical as it would be for us normal humans. Got's backstory is presented in a slow release in a past paced storyline. The slow release of information works well because Got doesn't take himself too seriously. If he did he would either consider himself crazy, or would go that route. What I was thinking would make me crazy was another layer of what he had grown up with. I know some readers are going to have a hard time with how this part of the story unfolds.
There are hints into the other character's histories. But, they can only be revealed as Got finds out about them. This unwinding of information presents kept me looking for the details.
The timeline of the story is quick. In true detective fashion we start when Got takes on a new case and the twists start dropping in. A major event is going to take place soon and Got finds out he is a major player in keeping the mortal realm safe. We know he succeeds because he is telling the story, but how he does it is the crux of the narrative.
I am not a fan of most first person narrative stories. For me they remove an element of risk of what could happen. I know that is one of my own failings because the story isn't about the success, but the how the success is accomplished. Darling does a wonderful job in building the details through his lead character. Got's personality is constantly intermixed, and he never breaks from his reality.
The architecture of the world provides a solid basis for the story. There is a reason for what is happening and how it is happening. Again, this stays consistent throughout. I liked the description of the realms because it gave a reasoning I could go with instead of the just because scenario I have seen used so many times. The use of old world mythologies fits well and ties the story together. It was fun to see how the Goethe poem was used to create a solid backbone.
Got Luck is a good read. It is something you can have your younger readers dig into without concern.
If you have a comment, suggestion, or critique please leave a comment here or send an email to guildmastergaming@gmail.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment