Good Guys

Steven Brust

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'Good Guys' by Steven Brust is a departure from his usual style, presenting a detective novel set in a hidden magical world in the present day. The story follows a self-contained private investigator named Donovan who works for one of the two magical societies, the Foundation. The plot revolves around Donovan chasing a killer of bad people, blurring the lines between good and bad as the story unfolds in a morally ambiguous space. The narrative flows chronologically with multiple points of view, creating a captivating tale that keeps readers engaged without the need to skip chapters.

Characters:

Characters in the story are well-defined, with Donovan as a morally complex investigator whose relationships and motivations are intricately portrayed, adding depth to the narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by witty and engaging prose, marked by strong character development and a natural flow of exposition that combines humor with depth.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot intricately combines elements of mystery with magical realism, revolving around a private investigator navigating moral dilemmas and the dynamics between rival magical societies.

Setting:

The setting is a contemporary world infused with hidden magical elements, creating a unique backdrop where magic subtly influences everyday life.

Pacing:

The pacing effectively engages readers from the start, maintaining interest with a chronological structure interspersed with various viewpoints that keep the narrative dynamic.

Notes:

Steven Brust is known for his Vlad Taltos series, which has been running since 1987 with 15 novels.

Good Guys marks a departure from Brust's usual characters, introducing a new voice in the protagonist Donovan.

Donovan is a private investigator with a hard-boiled personality, but he lacks the warmth found in Vlad Taltos.

Readers love Vlad Taltos for his humanity, humor, and relationships, contrasting with Donovan's professionalism.

Brust's writing features tight, witty prose and consistent world-building, making his books enjoyable to readers.

Good Guys is set in a modern world with magical elements, a fresh setting for Brust's storytelling.

The book explores moral ambiguity, questioning the definition of 'good' in its narrative.

Brust's ability to weave complex plots and characters draws readers in quickly and keeps them engaged.

Many fans hope Brust will continue to develop the world of Good Guys while also returning to the Taltos storyline.

Readers suggest that newcomers to Brust’s work may enjoy Good Guys even more than long-term fans who compare it to his earlier works.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains moderate content that might warrant caution, including themes of violence and moral complexity.

From The Publisher:

A snarky, irreverent tale of secret magic in the modern world, the first solo standalone novel in two decades from Steven Brust, the New York Times bestselling author of the Vlad Taltos series

Donovan was shot by a cop. For jaywalking, supposedly. Actually, for arguing with a cop while black. Four of the nine shots were lethal-or would have been, if their target had been anybody else. The Foundation picked him up, brought him back, and trained him further. "Lethal" turns out to be a relative term when magic is involved.

When Marci was fifteen, she levitated a paperweight and threw it at a guy she didn't like. The Foundation scooped her up for training too.

"Hippie chick" Susan got well into her Foundation training before they told her about the magic, but she's as powerful as Donovan and Marci now.

They can teleport themselves thousands of miles, conjure shields that will stop bullets, and read information from the remnants of spells cast by others days before.

They all work for the secretive Foundation…for minimum wage.

Which is okay, because the Foundation are the good guys. Aren't they?

Reader Stats (3):

Want To Read (3)

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Good Guys?

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