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mscezik's review against another edition
dark
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
cecesloth's review against another edition
4.0
I love being proven wrong. Well, technically speaking I like being proven wrong if there's a positive outcome for me. Like I'm not going to be happy if I get a question incorrect at a quiz, but if at that quiz they bring out food that I think I won't like, and then I love it, well that's great!
My feelings towards fantasy are something I seem to have gotten wrong. I've always thought that I'm a sci-fi person because I prefer thought out concepts and realism and the depth that anywhere in time and space can offer. I've been saying for years that I hate fantasy because of flimsy "rules" for magic, and overreliance on European medieval aesthetics and general lack of space battles. Then I read A Song of Ice and Fire and loved the gritty realism, I played Breath of the Wild and adored the Japanese flair and now I've read Rivers of London and found that rioting Londoners are a great replacement for spaceships.
Actually I think I just hate Harry Potter. Fantasy is great! And I can't believe how much I like the Urban Fantasy on display in Rivers of London. I'll happily admit I was wrong! The cool rules of the magic system and the constant reference to real geography really won me over, as did the witty prose and diverse characters. Some of the male gaze stuff really drew me out of it at times, but it doesn't feel as problematic as from other male authors.
But yeah, I haven't been this excited about getting into a new series for a while. I actually want to move to London even though it's a disaster for trans people there. This is a great way to start exploring fantasy again! And goddamn do I love Mama Thames!
My feelings towards fantasy are something I seem to have gotten wrong. I've always thought that I'm a sci-fi person because I prefer thought out concepts and realism and the depth that anywhere in time and space can offer. I've been saying for years that I hate fantasy because of flimsy "rules" for magic, and overreliance on European medieval aesthetics and general lack of space battles. Then I read A Song of Ice and Fire and loved the gritty realism, I played Breath of the Wild and adored the Japanese flair and now I've read Rivers of London and found that rioting Londoners are a great replacement for spaceships.
Actually I think I just hate Harry Potter. Fantasy is great! And I can't believe how much I like the Urban Fantasy on display in Rivers of London. I'll happily admit I was wrong! The cool rules of the magic system and the constant reference to real geography really won me over, as did the witty prose and diverse characters. Some of the male gaze stuff really drew me out of it at times, but it doesn't feel as problematic as from other male authors.
But yeah, I haven't been this excited about getting into a new series for a while. I actually want to move to London even though it's a disaster for trans people there. This is a great way to start exploring fantasy again! And goddamn do I love Mama Thames!
punkinmuffin's review against another edition
4.0
Have read the book twice, and husband and I are currently working our way through the audiobooks on Audible, read by Kobna Holbrook-Smith, who is excellent.
jenbereadin's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I was really digging this in the beginning, then felt a little bit lost during the second half of the book. The end wrapped everything up in this plotline pretty nicely, and I think I'll definitely keep reading this series, but I did feel like the book lost some of the humor along the way.
mkhare's review against another edition
DNF page 90 - 1/11/16. I may go back to this at some point, but I found it more annoying than amusing overall, and I feel no attachments to any of the characters. Maybe urban fantasy is just not my thing.
katykelly's review against another edition
3.0
Wanted to like it more than I did. A great idea, and I did laugh aloud a few times, but expected more.
blackcatlouise's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I really enjoyed most of this book, I loved the premise; a police constable is investigating a murder and is drawn into a world of magic and intrigue. The characterisation was great, I loved Peter Grant, his boss, and all of the River characters. I just didn't really love the mystery, it felt too complicated and I felt the whole riot scene was overdone and unnecessary.
I would love to spend more time with Peter and the River characters so I might carry on with the series.
I would love to spend more time with Peter and the River characters so I might carry on with the series.
aconite's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
k_shanahan's review against another edition
2.0
2.5?
I don't know how long it would have taken if I wasn't listening to it as an audio book. It was pretty slow most of the way through. I liked the side-story of the Thames dispute, but the main plot line was difficult to concentrate on. The descriptions were often good and the information about the police force in London was interesting, but it was so clear that a man wrote this; every young and/or available female character was described by her breasts and butt within the first few sentences of meeting her. Something that the main male character acknowledged every time he saw her. I'm not giving up hope of continuing the series, but it won't be an immediate thing.
I don't know how long it would have taken if I wasn't listening to it as an audio book. It was pretty slow most of the way through. I liked the side-story of the Thames dispute, but the main plot line was difficult to concentrate on. The descriptions were often good and the information about the police force in London was interesting, but it was so clear that a man wrote this; every young and/or available female character was described by her breasts and butt within the first few sentences of meeting her. Something that the main male character acknowledged every time he saw her. I'm not giving up hope of continuing the series, but it won't be an immediate thing.
mooseycrafts's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0