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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
An enjoyable series, and we have several threads in this one - following Beverly's pregnancy ("The Bulge") was my favorite. The gaming nerds were amusing as incidental characters.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
Very fun! A cool magic world intersecting with steampunk remnants of work done by early computer science pioneers (such as Ada Lovelace and Charles Babbage) and modern "tech bro" culture as our hero goes undercover. Lots of humor, police procedural elements, international intrigue, and wholesome family life.
There's also a shoutout to the New York Public Library, for those who like that sort of thing (i.e., New Yorkers). The first instance is on p. 42:
(Though I'm not sure Aaronovitch knows about the Brooklyn Public Library, proudly separate from the NYPL, or, for that matter, the Queens Public Library.)
I also liked this passage on p. 288:
There's occasional police-speak acronym overload for my taste (though it's probably familiar to those who've read all the preceding books), and Part One ("The Jacquard") was a little disconcerting at first, till I noticed the chapters oscillate between January and December, parceling out bits of background at a time.
There's also a shoutout to the New York Public Library, for those who like that sort of thing (i.e., New Yorkers). The first instance is on p. 42:
[I]n New York there was only one library with a capital L, and that was the Main Branch on Fifth Avenue, which had been built with a ton of cash donated by Andrew Carnegie, who had a thing about libraries. Given that libraries were the repositories of knowledge it made sense that they were also the home of secret wisdom.
The Librarians took [Stephen] in – he was maddeningly vague on how many of the employees of the New York Public Library system were actually practitioners, although it couldn't be all of them.
(Though I'm not sure Aaronovitch knows about the Brooklyn Public Library, proudly separate from the NYPL, or, for that matter, the Queens Public Library.)
I also liked this passage on p. 288:
The next day [we] escorted [certain detainees] to the airport, where they caught a scheduled flight back to New York. It was our treat, and although we shelled out for premium economy seats, [they] didn't seem at all grateful to be traveling with an FBI agent.
There's occasional police-speak acronym overload for my taste (though it's probably familiar to those who've read all the preceding books), and Part One ("The Jacquard") was a little disconcerting at first, till I noticed the chapters oscillate between January and December, parceling out bits of background at a time.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Perhaps a bit overly complicated but as with a very few other series, I am hooked on the characters and Aaronovitch could write just about anything in this world and I would enjoy it. As usual this was a listen for me and also as usual Kobna is a genius. The way he brings Peter's humor to life is awesome. The way he can add a very subtle flavor to each of the character's voices, making it easy to differentiate is also awesome. I never want to be a writer but I would love to be a narrator like Kobna.
Docking a star because I was thoroughly confused at the beginning and the story felt overly complex even after I got my sea-legs.. And really, although I totally buy the disapproving Librarian, would she really be so intolerant and rude in Peter's backyard?
Book 8, you either like them or you don't at this point
Docking a star because I was thoroughly confused at the beginning and the story felt overly complex even after I got my sea-legs.
Spoiler
The standoff between Mrs Chin and Nightingale was dramatic yet anti-climacticBook 8, you either like them or you don't at this point
Finished the audiobook with the always excellent Kobna Holbrook-Smith as narrator and as a nice bonus there was an interview and AMA with Ben and Kobna at the of the book.
I liked the slower pace of this book. It felt like a breather for Peter between the wrap up of the Faceless Man plot and Operation Jennifer and the coming chaos of whatever magic is on its way next and his new family. We see more of Peter's domestic side and his interactions with Beverley at home and friendships in his work life.
The tech nerd stuff is dead on and the references to Adam's Hitchhiker's guide throughout very cute. I loved Peter explaining to his bosses that yes, playing board games with nerds is actually gathering critical mission information. The subtle satire throughout was a highlight.
And a Nightingale duel! Fun.
I did think Aaronovitch had some interesting things to say in this book about where we are going in a surveillance state where our personal data is controlled by others, but this has been a theme for a while.
Can't wait for the next adventure for Peter!
I liked the slower pace of this book. It felt like a breather for Peter between the wrap up of the Faceless Man plot and Operation Jennifer and the coming chaos of whatever magic is on its way next and his new family. We see more of Peter's domestic side and his interactions with Beverley at home and friendships in his work life.
The tech nerd stuff is dead on and the references to Adam's Hitchhiker's guide throughout very cute. I loved Peter explaining to his bosses that yes, playing board games with nerds is actually gathering critical mission information. The subtle satire throughout was a highlight.
And a Nightingale duel! Fun.
I did think Aaronovitch had some interesting things to say in this book about where we are going in a surveillance state where our personal data is controlled by others, but this has been a theme for a while.
Can't wait for the next adventure for Peter!
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
funny
tense
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