Scan barcode
thequiltyreader's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.0
Enjoyable read and good set up novel for the series. I found small sections a little too verbose which sometimes brought the quick pace to a crashing stop but that would be my only complaint and I'm hoping that's just partly down to this being a scene setter first novel in the series. Looking forward to book 2.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Addiction, Violence, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Murder, Suicide, Death, Animal cruelty, Cannibalism, Medical content, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Child death, Blood, Car accident, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Torture, Gore, Racial slurs, and Sexual assault
extrey_extrey's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Blood, Child death, Death, Gore, Violence, Sexual content, and Torture
selimhannah's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Car accident, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, and Murder
Minor: Vomit, Racial slurs, Suicide attempt, Medical content, Gore, Racism, Xenophobia, Sexual assault, Gun violence, Terminal illness, Sexual violence, and Excrement
popsicleplease's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Murder, Death, and Child death
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Racism and Xenophobia
searobin's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
The misogyny, fat-phobia, and horniness was very off-putting. I wanted to DNF this book, but it was for book club so I didn't.
I think the premise had a lot of potential, and I did enjoy some aspects of the storyline, but it was not executed well.
I would absolutely love a book (not by this author) from the perspective of Mother Thames, or one her tributaries, though!
I think the premise had a lot of potential, and I did enjoy some aspects of the storyline, but it was not executed well.
I would absolutely love a book (not by this author) from the perspective of Mother Thames, or one her tributaries, though!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, Medical content, Gun violence, Stalking, Sexual harassment, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Vomit, Murder, Death, Addiction, Misogyny, and Sexual content
gitanita's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Peter Grant is a young copper in modern-day London who is about to be assigned to a unit. He would like to become a detective, but, although he is really intelligent, he is easily distracted. Because of that he also managed only a C in national exams despite having a great understanding of math, physics, chemistry and knowing all sorts of historical and other facts.
One night, Peter and his partner Lesley are assigned to guard the perimeter of a gruesome beheading. While waiting for Lesley to get them coffee, Peter meets a ghost that tells him he has information on the murder. Peter, naturally, thinks he's gone crazy, but still he goes back to the same place to confirm that he actually saw a ghost. While there, he meets a strange detective called Nightingale, and soon Peter is transferred from a boring desk job to a Metropolitan police unit specialised in dealing with the supernatural world that lives in the shadows of London and England. Under Nightingale's guidance, Peter will train to become a magician (yes, in this world you are not necessarily born to magic) and try to solve a string of terrible attacks and murders caused by an unknown supernatural force.
I really liked the world Aaronovitch built. There is mention of known supernatural beings like ghosts and vampires, but there is also something new, England's rivers, those around the "Mother River" Thames (it included) are river gods and goddesses. Thames is divided between Father and Mother Thames, who are by the way, archenemies, and their sons and daughters" who are Thames' tributaries.
All of the main characters are very likable. Peter is intelligent, quick-thinking, a fast learner, and loyal to his friends. On the other hand, he can't help but think "dirty thoughts" about his partner Lesley and Beverly Brook, one of Mama Thames' daughters. That was the only part of the story that bothered me, because it was really unnecessary as it made me roll my eyes at Peter and think less of him. Other than that, the story was really interesting and fast-paced. This is the first book of a series of nine, with lots of short stories, but prequel to the first and in between the main books. I recommend it for a light, funny read.
One night, Peter and his partner Lesley are assigned to guard the perimeter of a gruesome beheading. While waiting for Lesley to get them coffee, Peter meets a ghost that tells him he has information on the murder. Peter, naturally, thinks he's gone crazy, but still he goes back to the same place to confirm that he actually saw a ghost. While there, he meets a strange detective called Nightingale, and soon Peter is transferred from a boring desk job to a Metropolitan police unit specialised in dealing with the supernatural world that lives in the shadows of London and England. Under Nightingale's guidance, Peter will train to become a magician (yes, in this world you are not necessarily born to magic) and try to solve a string of terrible attacks and murders caused by an unknown supernatural force.
I really liked the world Aaronovitch built. There is mention of known supernatural beings like ghosts and vampires, but there is also something new, England's rivers, those around the "Mother River" Thames (it included) are river gods and goddesses. Thames is divided between Father and Mother Thames, who are by the way, archenemies, and their sons and daughters" who are Thames' tributaries.
All of the main characters are very likable. Peter is intelligent, quick-thinking, a fast learner, and loyal to his friends. On the other hand, he can't help but think "dirty thoughts" about his partner Lesley and Beverly Brook, one of Mama Thames' daughters. That was the only part of the story that bothered me, because it was really unnecessary as it made me roll my eyes at Peter and think less of him. Other than that, the story was really interesting and fast-paced. This is the first book of a series of nine, with lots of short stories, but prequel to the first and in between the main books. I recommend it for a light, funny read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Murder, and Blood
Moderate: Cursing and Drug use
Minor: Sexual content
bronzeageholly's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
3.5
In general, the book has a very interesting concept. I went into it with no clue what the plot would be like and I was intrigued and then hooked very quickly by the great pace and immersive scene setting.
The main character isn’t exactly cool or exceptional and I kind of like that everything mystical or brilliant just happens around him and he stumbles through it all. He doesn’t seem too fazed by much of the magic or even his own abilities (which is perhaps a point missed), but despite this he is very inquisitive about the mechanics of it which is great for a main character and I appreciate the effort in that side of the world building.
What I really didn’t like, though, is that the guy is casually creepy all the time about women’s bodies - sexualising and oogling is pretty much always his immediate thought when he meets a woman. Hints that other characters are aware and critical of his creepiness did make it bearable, however. I slowly realised he’s a magical touch-starved idiot, a lover a dreamer a fighter a loser, and I have a soft spot for those kinds of characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Gore, Racism, Sexism, and Addiction
freya163's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Probably a really engaging book to some, it just wasn’t my style.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Death
Moderate: Child death
mayvisin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
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? No
4.0
I really liked this book! The world building was super fun (especially the rivers), I really enjoyed Peter as a protagonist, the supporting characters were really interesting and the audiobook was really well produced.
The fly in the ointment for me (and probably why this was 4 instead of 5 stars) was that I was getting a literary version of "Would this pass the Bechdel test?" because almost all the female characters seemed defined by their sexual relationships/availability/lack of availability to various male characters. Clearly after reading mainly women authors for several months, going back to male portrayals of women is a bit of a shock to the system.
I liked the book enough though that I plan to continue the series and hope it gets better from that standpoint...🤞
The fly in the ointment for me (and probably why this was 4 instead of 5 stars) was that I was getting a literary version of "Would this pass the Bechdel test?" because almost all the female characters seemed defined by their sexual relationships/availability/lack of availability to various male characters. Clearly after reading mainly women authors for several months, going back to male portrayals of women is a bit of a shock to the system.
I liked the book enough though that I plan to continue the series and hope it gets better from that standpoint...🤞
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Gore, Death, and Child death
Moderate: Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, and Racism
Minor: Addiction and Rape
rivikah's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Blood, Murder, Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Body horror