Negative Positive
Title: Better than the Count of Monte Christo
Review: Jack Vance is regarded by his fans, of who I am certainly one, as a genius whose art far transcends the genres of science fiction and fantasy in which he has usually (though not always) written. His lapidary use of language is the touchstone of his writing, together with a tone which is often inadequately spoken of as ironic.These qualities are here coupled with a revenge plot which rivals the Count of Monte Christo, the grandfather of all such tales. Over the years, I have read the Demon Princes series more times than I can count; far more times than I have ever reread any other book or books.If you haven't read Vance, you must. It's as simple as that. And this imperative applies to all who have never picked up a so-called "science fiction" book. You will not become hooked on SF: you will become hooked on Jack Vance; and your world will expand.
Is the review positive or negative? 