Monster Hunter Memoirs: Saints

Publisher's Summary

The no-holds-barred final entry in the Monster Hunter Memoirs series from New York Times best-selling authors Larry Correia and John Ringo. 

"This is New Orleans." That mantra had rung in Chad Gadenier's ears since his first day working in the Big Easy. Everything was different in New Orleans. The food. The climate. The monsters. Even the shadowy and reprehensible MCB was different. But that's just the beginning. 

The real reason New Orleans is so different is a larval Great Old One growing day by day in power and just about ready to pop. If Chad can't convince "the powers that be" to get involved, not only New Orleans, but the entire world, is going to fall under the power of the nastiest of nasties. 

Now on the outs with the US government and in exile from his usual job of saving the world, Chad must rally the forces of light against the coming darkness. The problem is one guy with a sword and a sub-gun isn't going to solve this one. 

Fortunately, Chad's made a few friends over the years - and the Fey hate Old Ones as much as God's people, and they're not about to give up this world without a fight. 

If the saints don't come marching in on this one...there won't be a final battle; there will be a final massacre. Now, where'd he put that number for the ditzy Fey princess?

©2018 Larry Correia and John Ringo (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Pleasantly Surprised

I've listened to all the Monster Hunter books, including all those in the Memoirs vein. The first two Memoirs books didn't impress. I found the stories mediocre, the monsters unimaginative (giant frogs, giant crocodiles, and giant shrimp, among other giant animals (yawn)), and, frankly, the protagonist, Chadwick Gardenier, to be hard to like. Saints, though, was a cut above the rest. I believe you need to read/listen to the first two Memoirs books to fully appreciate the third (and, really, you should read/listen to *all* the Monster Hunter books to really, fully appreciate it). I don't know what caused the improvement, but it was noticeable. Pacing was more deliberate and character development more fleshed out., but it still packed in plenty of action. One gripe I had is that one whole chapter from this book was used in the collection of short stories compiled in The Monster Hunter Files book, which I thought was rather lazy. In any case, while I consider the Memoirs books to -- as a whole -- be relatively inferior to the main MHI books written solely by Larry Correia, I found this last Memoirs book to be superior to some specific core MHI books (most notably the last one, which I had to power through just to finish). It will be interesting to see if the Memoirs books are incorporated as canon into the MHI universe going forward, assuming there are more MHI books in the offing by Correia. If there are, I sure hope he writes a better one than his last full novel. I've loved hearing the exploits of the characters of the MHI universe -- Owen, Earl, Milo, Franks, Julie, Chad, etc. -- and have looked forward to every new installment, but the last (Monster Hunter Siege) is making me wonder if the magic is over and this series is played out. I sincerely hope it is not. BTW, as always, I found Oliver Wyman's various characters' voices to greatly add to the story and my enjoyment of it.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great part of the series, but nothing more.

Is it magnificent? No, but, it is good for what this series offers. It's a great, detailed story about Chad Gadenier's history as a monster hunter. As such, it really is worth reading for anyone invested in this series. Is it great as a stand alone novel? Probably not so much. It's still really well written, it still is quite dependent on being part of the bigger Monster Hunter series.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Not my favourite of the series

Given the average rating so far, my opinion is an outlier, but here we go anyway.

I did like the previous two instalments in this new Monster Hunter series. The series as a whole brings an interesting perspective on the earlier days of monster hunting.
My problem with this book doesn’t lie there. Rather, what really annoyed me was that this books is padded with a lot of unnecessary philosophising on the benefits of arming everybody and then letting people shoot it out to figure out whose way of life is the best. I’m not really a pacifist, but this is way over the top. I know Correia is a gun nut in a way, but I’d much rather have him post his rants in a blog or something, rather than muddle up an otherwise perfectly good story.

So that’s why I’m only giving it three stars and that’s bit generous given my level of annoyance. Of course, not everybody will be bothered by this and the story otherwise is fairly decent and a good followup to the previous two books. Your mileage may vary.

6 of 9 people found this review helpful

hope this collaboration continues...

I'm not normally a fan of any author writing about a world created by another. This collaboration is truly the exception. Together Larry Correia and John Ringo have created a hero that belongs with MHI. And Oliver Wyman continues to narrate these stories with incredible skill. Well done gentleman, looking forward to many more books.

6 of 9 people found this review helpful

Enjoyable!!

Sadly in the latter part of this book anyone who's listened/read the prior two books will either start to think that something is wrong with the recording or that they started listening to a previous book. As far as I can tell from memory, the part where Chad is in England gets copied more or less verbatim from the earlier story. I got a "LashUp" kind of feeling from this third book. I do not know if its just due to the editing or something else but its present and the repeat of the European Gnole story didn't help this in the slightest.. On the whole thou I must say that I love these books and find myself saddened that its only a trilogy collaboration.

9 of 15 people found this review helpful

YES....!

If you liked any of the other HMI story arcs, you will DEFINITELY like this one, too. This is easily the best of the series and Chad Gadenier is and may always be my favorite character from the series. I was rapt with attention at listening to these (on my headphones and often busting out laughing to neighbor's amusement). The only thing I didn't like about this series was that it had to come to an end... But what a very satisfying end it was. You feel like if you were in this universe you and Chad would be best friends. Oliver Wyman brought Chad Gadenier to life and to him and, of course, Larry Correia and John Ringo, I say thank you for the adventure.

Great ending to a great series!

John Ringo adds another dimension to Larry Correia's Monster Hunter worls. These books really rock.

satisfying conclusion

but why in the hell would you make a cardinal error of ending on a cliff hanger not knowing when you will follow up on it??

good book, left me obviously frustrated for the stated reason....
doesn't affect my score though...

to those who read monster Hunter files, yes one of the stories in files are reused in this book which is off putting to say the least...

Fantastic book

Great story. Great narrator. I loved this book. I can’t wait for more mhi novels.

Iron hand!

Having been following this whole series, this just continues to give me goosebumps. Both the story and narraration.

Excellent!!!!!

as fantastic as the others, highly recommend to any sci-fi/fantasy fan.

Thank you Larry Correia and Oliver Wyman.