Review: A Counter Point to the My Little Pony Unicorns
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 9, 2014
Equoid by Charles StrossStross provides a distinctly different look at some fantasy staples or stables as in this case.  The protagonist postulates a rather different Unicorn than that of the run of the mill fantasy portrayal.  This is part of the Laundry series and is a novella.The Laundry series seems to be written with the tongue in cheek, understated Brit or Dr. Who whimsy.  The secret division of government that is tasked with keeping the occult under control is referred to as the Laundry.Bob Howard is the understated protagonist.  He perceives himself as a hard working yeoman in a generally boring branch of government unless he is knee deep in critters trying to do him in!The understated, low key and occassionally verbose style is entertaining.  It is reminiscent of the stereotypical "English Countryside" fiction.  The inclusion of manic unicorns and special ops teams provide an excellent counterpoint to the laid back style.I particularly liked the methodology of bureaucratic nonsense bashing with the periodic government memos.It was suspenseful and entertaining, it was a good read.I recommend the book.