Top Dog

If you're tired of fantasy books written for kids and adults (like Harry Potter), I think you'll like this. This book is really different and fun, and is great for a light, refreshing summer read.

A Person from our universe transported to fantasy world. Sounds a bit familiar, right? Well, this is one of these books - with a twist. The twist? Our hero, Bill Ingersol isn't an average person - he's a wall street shark - who's still not sure whether to go with the good guys or the bad guys. And he's also been turned to a dog - no human can understand what he's trying to say. This sounds intriguing, I'm certain - and indeed, the book delivers what's promised! The writing is witty and original, the hero is certainly not the classic hero type, and the book ends before you realize it, it's that good! Now I'm sorry I haven't bought the second book already.. have to wait till I get it! So - go get "Top Dog", you're going to love it!

Starts off running (literally) and doesn't stop 'til the end. I wanted it to continue at the end (always a good sign). The "hero" is continuously challenged as to whether to follow good or evil, and responds in a sensible rather than altruistic fashion. The side story of him as a very intelligent dog trying to guide a "master" away from danger had unique differences from the standard dog tries to help master plot.

This is a book that makes you step back and re-evaluate your priorities, while entertaining you at the same time. I enjoyed the mixture of fantasy and "real-world" settings, though the comparison made me wonder which world is in fact the more fantastic. For anyone who enjoys a little off-beat fantasy or even a morality tale, this is a worthwhile read.

"Top Dog" is an excellent example of what great fiction should be: creative, amusing, completely immersive, yet containing the seeds of some very serious ideas. It makes for some wonderful reading, and in the end, is actually quite thought provoking as well. Our hero, a wall-street raider with a razor mind and a weak set of ethics, wakes up to find himself incarnated as a huge shaggy dog. That's bad enough, but he's apparently been relocated to a new planet as well, complete with talking animals and storybook characters. Good news: he's a valued asset in this new home. Bad news: Satan is the one doing the valuing. In short order, our dog friend must learn his way around this magical world, which is enmeshed in a titanic battle between Good and Evil. Now, if only he could determine which would give him the best return on investment. A very intelligent, playful and ultimately serious read. I recommend it to anyone who is looking for something out of the ordinary this summer.