You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
In the sea of urban fantasy novels I stumbled upon this one. First of all I have to note that, while other novels in this genre I’ve read were located in USA, this one is located in London and it works very well. You can tell that the author lives there, because not only the depictions of the streets and places are very detailed, but also of the customs and kirks of the Londoners, giving this novel another dimension in terms of atmosphere. One thing I’ve really enjoyed about this novel in that aspect, was the dry and sarcastic British humor that I think elevates the narration (especially given that it’s written in first person, a pet peeve of mine; this way I could let that fact slide more easily).
There was a great attempt to create a well-constructed magic society, and I think that the author is going the right way with it; in a few novels I’m sure he will have enough lore to create as many adventures as he wants. The magic system was also interesting and it made sense; I just wished we could have seen more of it in the hands of Nightingale (pun intended).
This novel also had many interesting characters. Peter was so likable that it wasn’t hard rooting for him, Nightingale and Molly had enough air of mystery surrounding them that I wanted to know more, and the river deities were original and interesting (I think that the author did a great job integrating the rivers of London into the magic of the novel).
I’ve also enjoyed how scraps of the culture and history of England were integrated into the story, especially the plot conductor that was “Punch and Judy”. I feel like I have learnt something while being entertained.
It was also great how the police work and the magic craft were combined.
With its kind of humor and the madness of a policeman slash wizard apprentice main character I expected a somehow cheesy story, but the crimes ended being brutal and that is another positive point.
If I have to say something negative about this novel it’s, first of all, that I wish there have been a bit more of wonder from Peter’s side. He is the reader’s eye and mind, and how easily he accepted all the magic and craziness of the underworld of magic left me a bit cold.
Continuing with the critic, I’m aware that certain “random” cases and subplots were necessary to show the reader how the world of the novel works, its rules, but I feel that the pace or maybe the balance between them wasn’t right and they distracted from the main plot. At least that’s how I felt, because as much as the whole conflict between rivers was interesting, I couldn’t wait to finish those fragments to go back to the story; and as much as the rivers helped in the end with the case, it didn’t feel enough to make up for those passages that I had trouble with. Maybe it also had to do with how abrupt some changes from main plot to subplot felt.
All in all I’m quite conflicted about this novel, because while I recognize it is a good one and a promising start for a new series, I’ve have to admit that it took a lot of effort on my side to finish it; so I guess it’s a novel I would recommend but also a series that’s it’s not for me.
There was a great attempt to create a well-constructed magic society, and I think that the author is going the right way with it; in a few novels I’m sure he will have enough lore to create as many adventures as he wants. The magic system was also interesting and it made sense; I just wished we could have seen more of it in the hands of Nightingale (pun intended).
This novel also had many interesting characters. Peter was so likable that it wasn’t hard rooting for him, Nightingale and Molly had enough air of mystery surrounding them that I wanted to know more, and the river deities were original and interesting (I think that the author did a great job integrating the rivers of London into the magic of the novel).
I’ve also enjoyed how scraps of the culture and history of England were integrated into the story, especially the plot conductor that was “Punch and Judy”. I feel like I have learnt something while being entertained.
It was also great how the police work and the magic craft were combined.
With its kind of humor and the madness of a policeman slash wizard apprentice main character I expected a somehow cheesy story, but the crimes ended being brutal and that is another positive point.
If I have to say something negative about this novel it’s, first of all, that I wish there have been a bit more of wonder from Peter’s side. He is the reader’s eye and mind, and how easily he accepted all the magic and craziness of the underworld of magic left me a bit cold.
Continuing with the critic, I’m aware that certain “random” cases and subplots were necessary to show the reader how the world of the novel works, its rules, but I feel that the pace or maybe the balance between them wasn’t right and they distracted from the main plot. At least that’s how I felt, because as much as the whole conflict between rivers was interesting, I couldn’t wait to finish those fragments to go back to the story; and as much as the rivers helped in the end with the case, it didn’t feel enough to make up for those passages that I had trouble with. Maybe it also had to do with how abrupt some changes from main plot to subplot felt.
All in all I’m quite conflicted about this novel, because while I recognize it is a good one and a promising start for a new series, I’ve have to admit that it took a lot of effort on my side to finish it; so I guess it’s a novel I would recommend but also a series that’s it’s not for me.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
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:
Complicated
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
medium-paced
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
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:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
This book was recommended to me by the librarian at my former secondary school, who is still recommending books to me even though I left ten years ago. I am very, very glad that she is, because she knows exactly the type of books I'm going to love.
Honestly this book is utterly ridiculous. It tells the story of Peter Grant, an ordinary police officer in London who suddenly finds himself recruited to the magical branch of the police force.
It's like Harry Potter, with a lot more swearing, violence, thoughts of sex, and actual meaningful diversity.
Obviously I love it. Peter is easily distracted and always tries to understand the science behind the magic. You can tell the book was written by a complete nerd.
I know some people don't like this book because of the way Peter always thinks about women, and I get it. But honestly, it was so fun and I don't feel like it's supposed to be taken even remotely seriously.
The plot is totally unpredictable and I'm still slightly baffled by the whole thing, but I'll definitely be picking up the second book in the series.
Honestly this book is utterly ridiculous. It tells the story of Peter Grant, an ordinary police officer in London who suddenly finds himself recruited to the magical branch of the police force.
It's like Harry Potter, with a lot more swearing, violence, thoughts of sex, and actual meaningful diversity.
Obviously I love it. Peter is easily distracted and always tries to understand the science behind the magic. You can tell the book was written by a complete nerd.
I know some people don't like this book because of the way Peter always thinks about women, and I get it. But honestly, it was so fun and I don't feel like it's supposed to be taken even remotely seriously.
The plot is totally unpredictable and I'm still slightly baffled by the whole thing, but I'll definitely be picking up the second book in the series.