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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It took me a long time to read. It could not hold my interest.
Interesting theme.
Interesting theme.
This audiobook was an absolute delight, great book made wonderful by the genius narrator Kobna Holdbrook-Smith
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Maybe this book had been too hyped up in my head. I have liked other books written by the same author (i.e., New Adventures of Doctor Who). I didn't connect with this protagonist, Peter Grant. This saddens me.
3.5 stars, but i'll try the next one in the series.
3.5 stars, but i'll try the next one in the series.
funny
informative
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:
No
Rivers of London is a busy book about a busy man called Peter. Peter is a second generation immigrant Londoner and a cop. His work is his life and his best mate is his colleague who he has a crush on. He's nerdy and curious and trying to find his place on the force and in the world. Peter's life gets more complicated when he's investigating a violent murder and meets a ghost on a cold morning in central London.
Following his discovery of the supernatural undercurrents, London is opened up to Peter in new ways. He takes on an apprenticeship with a wizard, moves into a magical house and begins negotiations with river spirits. He learns spells and slowly realises that the world is full of all the things we are told are just stories. He still has to work as a cop, solve murders, interview suspects etc etc
Rivers of London does a lot all at once, Peters blokey narration winds around supernatural battles, flirtations, autopsies, investigations, traffic jams, trips to the countryside and traipsing all across London pointing out all it's essential Londoness.
I loved the personifications of the rivers, the African mothers and the traveller families. I loved Nightingale and Molly and want to more of their stories, they are by far the most interesting characters.I found the meandering murder investigation and the action sequences very boring, I don't care about covert operations and guns and police procedure. It really is a big mash of a novel, so many cool ideas piled in there and London wrapping around each part.
Following his discovery of the supernatural undercurrents, London is opened up to Peter in new ways. He takes on an apprenticeship with a wizard, moves into a magical house and begins negotiations with river spirits. He learns spells and slowly realises that the world is full of all the things we are told are just stories. He still has to work as a cop, solve murders, interview suspects etc etc
Rivers of London does a lot all at once, Peters blokey narration winds around supernatural battles, flirtations, autopsies, investigations, traffic jams, trips to the countryside and traipsing all across London pointing out all it's essential Londoness.
I loved the personifications of the rivers, the African mothers and the traveller families. I loved Nightingale and Molly and want to more of their stories, they are by far the most interesting characters.I found the meandering murder investigation and the action sequences very boring, I don't care about covert operations and guns and police procedure. It really is a big mash of a novel, so many cool ideas piled in there and London wrapping around each part.
Reread because I forgot too much to just go ahead with the sequels. I liked it - which I already knew from my first read through - but it wasn't actually as good as I remembered... The characters could have used a little bit more depth (though I hope that'll come in boks to come! This one had no actual sex scenes and was very low on the romance side of things, but I wonder if I really needed to know how often the main character had a hard on, or if it hurt to sit down due to it... *half eyeroll*
Aside from that it was fluent, and I like the main character who for once isn't overpowered, but rather a newby in the game of mysteries and magic! It was fun and entertaining and a really quick read.
The big reveal didn't hit me really as much as I think it should have - and the fact that I completely forgot it since my first read about 5 years ago shows it didn't leave too big an imprint with me.
I'll keep reading and hope the series gets even better with each book, as so many UF do! 3,5*
Aside from that it was fluent, and I like the main character who for once isn't overpowered, but rather a newby in the game of mysteries and magic! It was fun and entertaining and a really quick read.
The big reveal didn't hit me really as much as I think it should have - and the fact that I completely forgot it since my first read about 5 years ago shows it didn't leave too big an imprint with me.
I'll keep reading and hope the series gets even better with each book, as so many UF do! 3,5*
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
slow-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
Something about the writing was off for me... Too much detail when I didn't need it, and not enough when I found something more interesting. The concept was novel and intriguing, but the author and I weren't aligned. And too many English references that didn't land.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
This book conflicted my very heart and soul. On one hand, it's a fantasy book that makes the idea of Wizards and Witches cool again. Like, I don't even want to speak that shitty book's name, but Ha*ry Pot*er really made the idea of Wizards so uncool and just a pile of shit. Wizards should be cool old men who have joined corrupt organisation such as the Police smoking their pipe driving cars from the 60s like Sure Peter has to learn, but it's not in a shitty School setting, and it's not made by a transphobe HOWEVER I can't gage on whether this book is Copaganda or not. Like one page will be dedicated to the police talking as if it's the best thing on earth god's very own gift to the British Public and the next it will talk about how corrupt and disgusting it is, especially in places like London. Overall, I was very engaged the whole way and might just be really stupid, but I didn't see the twist at the end at all. I mean, it wasn't really a twist, but it was a surprise to me and I nearly threw my book at a bird when I read it. Also, when a page was boot licking the police a giant rat passed my garden, so I'm taking that as a sign from god that the police are nothing but rats.