Review: An Entertaining Read
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 10 6, 2012
This was overall an entertaining read, it had many items that I like; first person narrative, solid main character , good characterization, and a couple of support characters (I dislike books that you have to draw diagrams to keep track of the everyone).I have to say that at the beginning I wasn't sure if I was going to like the book because right off the start the main character (Sumto) was not likeable, he a drunken slob that mooched off his family.  However as you read on you find him intelligent, witty, and yes insufferable at times. The book is solid and keeps you entertained throughout.  However there were a couple of negatives:-I liked the philosophical conundrums (internal debates on what is the best type of government) that goes through Sumto's mind because it shows growth and intelligence. However these internal debates get too lengthy a couple of times and it became a distraction.  Readers who like things to be happening might find this to be a negative.-I liked how the character was starting to take on responsibilities and showing that he was not the drunken slob he was before, but right towards the middle or 2/3rds of the way everything falls apart and he starts making a lot of mistakes.  I think the author was trying to show Sumto is not perfect but Sumto just can't catch a break after 2/3rds of the book and when it rains it pours.Over all this book was a solid 3.5-4 stars.  There might be some readers that will be turned off by Sumto's personality but I think it's great that the author has given readers a chance to read his first book for free so I recommend everyone read the book to see if you'd like it or not.  Now that I think about it the characterization of Sumto is similar to Sir Apropos of Nothing by David Drake in that the character is not quite likable at first but grows on you.  I like this book enough that I'll purchase the second book, I only hope that it will be as likable as this one.  Happy reading to all!