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.

4 of 4 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.

2 of 2 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

Ironhand's Story comes to a Thrilling Conclusion!

Part 3 of Larry Correia and John Ringo's Monster Hunter Memoirs trilogy does not disappoint. Chad is up to his usual antics, New Orleans is more dangerous than ever, and Team Smiley Face makes an appearance.
Great story.
Great narration.
I laughed.
I may have shed a tear (a man tear, dammit!).
Well worth your time and money

2 of 3 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

best memoir yet!

If you flet the First book was a bit lack luster and the second book fixed a lot of the probelms then this book will be a joy for you. Chad is back and his character never been stronger. His final adventure is a wild ride and worth a read. hope to be reading more!

love the whole series!!

Larry Correia created a world in depth and well thought out. Oliver Wyman is perfect.

Love the memoirs

Not to give away any spoilers, but I hope there will be a book about Chad's daughter. It will be interesting to see if she is fully human and if her story will overlap with Owen's.

Best box ever makes me happy and sad. Amazing.

Best main character ever. Best way to end a book series. Made me happy to know Chad was the best human hunter and still is.

What an ending

This book is amazing, bringing the end to one hunters story and maybe the start to anothers. Well done!

Excellent!!!!!

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

Thank you Larry Correia and Oliver Wyman.