Title: The Naming of the Beasts
Author: Mike Carey
First published September 3, 2009
463 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781841496559 (ISBN10: 1841496553)
Rating: 4.19
Overview
Felix Sanchez was on top of the world with fame, fortune, and women at his feet. But when his partying and legal troubles start to overshadow his boxing career, he loses everything.
Everyone thinks he got what he deserved, but only his closest confidants know the truth. With his future uncertain, Felix returns to where it all began – the gym.
There he meets the feisty but humble Ella, a self-defense instructor who makes him consider a real relationship again. But just when Felix thinks he’s found happiness, he’s hit with a brutal blow that leaves him shattered.
Can he pick up the pieces and rise above his past to find true love?
About the Author
Meet Mike Carey, a talented writer born in Liverpool in 1959. Before he became a writer, he worked as a teacher for 15 years.
However, his passion for writing comics led him to pursue it as a full-time career. He has since written for major publishing houses, including DC and Marvel Comics, and has created storylines for iconic characters such as X-MEN, FANTASTIC FOUR, LUCIFER and HELLBLAZER.
His original screenplay, FROST FLOWERS, is currently being filmed, and he has even adapted Neil Gaiman’s acclaimed NEVERWHERE into comics.
Despite his busy schedule, Mike still finds time to enjoy life with his wife and children in North London. If you’re interested in keeping up with his latest news, be sure to check out his blog.
Editoral Review
The Naming of the Beasts by Mike Carey is the fifth and final book in the Felix Castor series, first published on September 3, 2009. Mike Carey, an established author of both comics and novels, has created a unique blend of fantasy, noir, and horror in his Castor series.
With The Naming of the Beasts, Carey wraps up his series with all the wit, insight, and intensity that marks the rest of the series. The story takes place in an alternate modern-day London where the supernatural is a part of everyday life.
Felix Castor, an exorcist, is a man with a tortured past and a lot of emotional baggage. As the story unfolds, he confronts his most dangerous adversary yet, Asmodeus, the demon who killed one of Castor’s friends ten years earlier.
In his pursuit of Asmodeus, Castor joins forces with his usual crew of oddball characters. Carey’s writing style is vivid and cinematic, making the book a fun and engaging read.
He has a gift for creating complex, nuanced characters that are a joy to follow. The book doesn’t rely on cheap tricks or easy answers, instead delivering a satisfying conclusion that feels organic and true to the series.
The Naming of the Beasts is the perfect ending to the Felix Castor series. With a fast-paced story, engaging characters, and a vividly imagined London, the book is sure to please fans of the series.
Carey’s writing is sharp and witty, making the book a joy to read. Overall, The Naming of the Beasts is a satisfying conclusion to a great series.
That being said, the book has its flaws. The pacing can be uneven at times, and some plot points feel rushed or underdeveloped.
As a result, some of the emotional beats don’t quite land as they should. However, these flaws don’t detract from the overall quality of the book.
For fans of the series, The Naming of the Beasts is a must-read. It provides a satisfying conclusion to the story of Felix Castor and his crew.
The book is also a great introduction to Carey’s writing style and the world he has created. If you enjoy urban fantasy, horror, or noir, then you’ll find plenty to appreciate in this series.
Overall, I would rate The Naming of the Beasts four out of five stars. While it has its flaws, it is still an excellent book that delivers a satisfying conclusion to the series.
