Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Relics

Top positive review

Much going on, better than I anticipated and enthralling.

Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2017

Tim Lebbon is an excellent writer. Everything that I have read, written by him, has held my attention and enthralled me. He is the author of the 3 books about Predators joining with Humans to go after Aliens and I really like those books.

Relics has one of the single most interesting plots. And half of the fun of this book is discovering what the plot is about. Literally. It seems, at first, to be a plot about a missing boy friend and from there you enter, literally, into worlds and societies and relationships that will surprise and engage you.

You will be enthralled with the characters, I was totally immersed in Angela's voyage of discovery and as Angela uncovers information about her missing "boyfriend" you too are uncovering the same sense of wonder and confusion that has Angela so confused, fearful and enthralled.

Telling you about the plot beyond "someone goes missing in London" will spoil so much of the story. I read the blurbs on the "back of the book" and thank heavens the blurbs do not even scratch the story line.

This is a book I will read again and again and recommend to everyone as well as give as a gift.

Kudos to Mr. Lebbon, he now joins my list of must read authors.

15 people found this helpful

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Bizwiz Quasar

Good read but not very scary or original. Also, very short story for seven bucks!

Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2019

I liked the readability of the book, and it was presented in a mystery-format, so it kept my attention throughout but it represents the very time-worn, heavily covered subject of fairytale and fantasy characters, for example, fairies, nephilim, cyclops, and the like. This story would have been far more intriguing and would have compelled me to buy the next book in the series if the “creatures” were truly unique in fantasy or sci-fi. Also, seven dollars is a lot to pay for a short story.

To the Author: If you want to read a book/series that takes an incredibly far leap away from the vampire subject (and the origins of vampires) while still retaining what makes the idea of vampires so horrifying, read Brian Lumley’s Necroscope series.

3 people found this helpful

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From the United States

lara

Much going on, better than I anticipated and enthralling.

Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2017

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15 people found this helpful

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Bizwiz Quasar

Good read but not very scary or original. Also, very short story for seven bucks!

Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2019

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3 people found this helpful

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Ginger Nuts

We all have secrets that we keep from our loved ones, it's just human nature

Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2017

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We all have secrets that we keep from our loved ones, it's just human nature, but when Angela Gough's fiance Vince's secret life threatens their idyllic life together Vince has to go into hiding, leaving only an enigmatic note as the only clue as to what has happened to him. Angela embarks on a quest to find her lover. A quest that will bring her into contact with the secret world that stands in the sun sheltered place, where she will see the face behind the face of a London far removed from the one we know.
While Relics by Tim Lebbon may sound like a typical Urban Fantasy, with secret worlds existing side by side with our mundane world, a world where the denizens of the Fae cross our paths unbeknownst to the general populace. It may even share the same setting as the Rivers of London or the London Falling series, but Lebbon's unusual mix of a love story, mythical creatures and the seedy underworld of human crime syndicates marks this book as something rather special.

In many cases, prologues can be annoying or serve little purpose, hover the prologue to Relics, with its wink to a well-known genre writer, is a wonderful hardboiled way to start this novel, despite the fact that it gives away the fact that Angela survives the following story.

One of the strengths of the Relics lies in the opening segment of the novel. Lebbon's description of the relationship between Angela and Vince is powerful scene setter that lays the foundation for the non-stop thriller that ensues as Angela hunts for her lover. One of the problems that a lot of Urban fantasies have is the lack of a driving force for why the protagonist continues to do what they do when they come face to face with mind shattering reality of realising that there is a secret world. Most people would just give up without an overriding desire. Lebbon gets around this by the convincing the reader that the love between Angela and Vince is all powerful. While some may find this opening segment unnecessary, its inclusion serves to lay a solid basis for what comes later.

Angela's journey of discovery into the secret world of "relics" and the Fae is delivered with perfect pitch and pacing. Lebbon keeps the story flowing by drip feeding the reader with insights into the secret world, never fully playing his hand until a glorious final third act.

Lebbon's gift of world building is exceptional, the London we all know lives and breaths between the pages of this novel. And as we are introduced to the myriad of characters, Lebbon layers on a high-octane tension-filled narrative that hooks the reader with ease.

While Angela may be the story's main protagonist, it is Fredrick "Fat Freddy" Meloy who will probably become a fan favourite. A no-nonsense, London "businessman" whose mythology is almost as epic as the creatures he so desires to own a part of, is the real stand out character of the novel. Meloy is an uncompromising complex character, yes he is evil and has done a lot of nasty things, however despite this, Lebbon's sensitive handling of him, means that you might not like Freddy, but you cannot help but feel for him and his obsession. Lebbon also ensures that Freddy doesn't just come across as a cliched version of one of the Kray twins.

Relics' rich cast of mythical beasts, monsters and the Fae folk is truly wondrous, from Faries, nymphs, fox gods, witches, Nephilim, and even a satyr, the sense of wonder and dead that is elicited as we to them is spectacular. The journey to the other side in Relics elicits the same sense of wonder and dread as that scene in the Nightbreed film where Booth travels through Midean.

The feeling of building dread that Lebbon brings to the narrative, is exceptional and when it explodes into a thrilling final act, it is clear that Lebbon had a lot of fun writing the book. In true cinematic style the final battle between the two factions, I would hesitate to say good and evil, as Lebbon masterfully blurs the lines between them on both sides of the fight, is an over the top action packed blood-soaked battle for survival and retribution.

If you are looking for a fast-paced, thrilling story that mixes James Ellroy gritty crime fiction, with an early Clive Barker sense of wonder, then Tim Lebbon's Relics is a perfect book for you.

7 people found this helpful

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Loretta

Loved this book

Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2021

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I was surprised by this book. I thought it would be a good distraction, about to read while I waited for the next James Rollins book to come out. Relics is wonderfully written and the characters have depth you don't find in most books thanks Tom I found another great author to read.

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ZZSTAKE

Great story!

Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2019

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If you love fantasy then this book is a must read! Lebbon brings to life the characters from our childhood fairy tales in ways hard to imagine unless you read the book. From the enchanting nympth Lilou to the omnipotent fallen angel Mallian, these characters will captivate both your imagination as well as your heart.

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Zach Tibbett

The world is much more interesting than the main characters

Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2021

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Kinda boring. The basic premise - that the mythological folklore creatures exist is interesting but the main character is annoying, her motivations are weak (because she loves this guy? the only reason that i know this is because i’m constantly told that she loves him), and in general the book is just boring. I finished it but only just barely.

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Patrick Lechner

I read this in one sitting...

Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2018

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So, as today was meant to be rainy and dull; I decided to take the time to read one of my new purchases on my Kindle. I chose Relics and found myself whisked away on a fun adventure that kept me entertained all the way through. I recommend this book.

3 people found this helpful

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Michael Miller

Entertaining fantasy, a little dark.

Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2021

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This was a pretty good story, though it was a little slow getting started. It ended with lots of action, and too soon. I just may have to continue the series.

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