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bergha1998's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
This is such an interesting plot idea. A fantasy world with angels and fallen angels, but it’s Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson with different names. Also, they’re trying to solve Jack the Ripper, along with several other mysteries. Not to mention the surprising diversity.
Fantasy/Mystery, LGBTQIA+
Fantasy/Mystery, LGBTQIA+
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Body horror, Gun violence, Animal death, Gore, Colonisation, Cursing, Death, and Murder
pvbobrien's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Murder, Misogyny, Blood, Antisemitism, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Kidnapping, Medical content, Racism, Racial slurs, and Violence
Minor: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Incest, Rape, War, Acephobia/Arophobia, Body horror, Cannibalism, Infertility, Misogyny, and Suicidal thoughts
ehmannky's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I have no idea why the book summary is so dramatic when this book would draw twice the readers if it just shouted from the rooftops that it's a Sherlock wingfic. I had a lot of fun reading this, even if the mysteries themselves have the same beats as the originals with little tweaks here and there. But I also am dumb and can't remember plot points from the original Doyle stories so that was fun for me. I think the weakest part of this book is the Jack the Ripper stuff, and I do think that Addison could have achieved the narrative if she had come up with her own murder mystery to be in the background of the story. But other than that, it's a good time.
For the closest example of what this book reminds me of, it's reminiscent of a MUCH better-written Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, and even though it mentions the BBC Sherlock, the character of Crow is much more kind and true to the original character of Sherlock Holmes than most adaptations are and I just found myself loving him. I also thought that the fantasy element was delightful and molded so well into the stories. Like, even the minor mentions of Jenny Greenteeth in the Hounds of the Baskervilles story was fun.
It was also queer in a way most queer retellings of Sherlock aren't. Like,how has not a single reviewer on her not mentioned that Doyle (the Watson character) is nonbinary and that they explicitly say that they are neither a man or a woman, but living as a man just happens to suit them .
For the closest example of what this book reminds me of, it's reminiscent of a MUCH better-written Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, and even though it mentions the BBC Sherlock, the character of Crow is much more kind and true to the original character of Sherlock Holmes than most adaptations are and I just found myself loving him. I also thought that the fantasy element was delightful and molded so well into the stories. Like, even the minor mentions of Jenny Greenteeth in the Hounds of the Baskervilles story was fun.
It was also queer in a way most queer retellings of Sherlock aren't. Like,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Murder, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Animal death
Minor: Homophobia
outsmartyourshelf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
London, England in 1888 - the year that Jack the Ripper murdered five women. This is an alternate London though, one where angels, werewolves, vampires, and hellhounds live amongst humans. Dr Doyle is injured during war and upon returning to England agrees to share accommodations with Crow, an angel. Crow helps the police with their cases and Doyle becomes embroiled in several of them, including the most famous one of all.
This was such an ingenious read with some great characters. Crow and Dr Doyle are obviously the alternate Sherlock Holmes & Dr Watson - the Hound of the Baskervilles makes an appearance. The fantasy angle though took it one step further with steampunk and magic woven into the story. The world-building is good, and the main characters make the reader root for them to succeed. It looks like it is probably a stand-alone book but I would be interested in reading a sequel.
This was such an ingenious read with some great characters. Crow and Dr Doyle are obviously the alternate Sherlock Holmes & Dr Watson - the Hound of the Baskervilles makes an appearance. The fantasy angle though took it one step further with steampunk and magic woven into the story. The world-building is good, and the main characters make the reader root for them to succeed. It looks like it is probably a stand-alone book but I would be interested in reading a sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death
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