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ruth_rb's review
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I rate this 4.5/5.
Personally, I think this book is slightly more enjoyable than the first and makes The Borribles better in retrospect. The world feels more fleshed-out, the characters are deepened and feel more distinct, there are some great twists and reveals, and the ending is more joyful. Seeing the consequences of the first book play out was very engaging, and the theming was just as strong as it was in the first. As a character, Spiff was a particular standout.
On the other hand, I found the new adult characters lacking. Inspector Sussworth and Sergeant Hanks weren't very intimidating as villains—especially compared to Dewdrop and the Rumbles—and I felt like Ben solved some of the Borribles issues too easily. This took a bit of the tension out of some scenes. Also, like the first book, Sydney and Charlotte are still the only female characters (though I guess I could count the lady at the RSPCA, who I believe was nameless), which is so odd given we've met over twenty characters now. Having such a huge gender disparity takes me out of the book at times.
This was a great sequel and I strongly recommend it if you enjoyed the first book.
Personally, I think this book is slightly more enjoyable than the first and makes The Borribles better in retrospect. The world feels more fleshed-out, the characters are deepened and feel more distinct, there are some great twists and reveals, and the ending is more joyful. Seeing the consequences of the first book play out was very engaging, and the theming was just as strong as it was in the first. As a character, Spiff was a particular standout.
On the other hand, I found the new adult characters lacking. Inspector Sussworth and Sergeant Hanks weren't very intimidating as villains—especially compared to Dewdrop and the Rumbles—and I felt like Ben solved some of the Borribles issues too easily. This took a bit of the tension out of some scenes. Also, like the first book, Sydney and Charlotte are still the only female characters (though I guess I could count the lady at the RSPCA, who I believe was nameless), which is so odd given we've met over twenty characters now. Having such a huge gender disparity takes me out of the book at times.
This was a great sequel and I strongly recommend it if you enjoyed the first book.
capellan's review
2.0
The first Borrible book had some world-building implausibilities, which I was willing to overlook given the gonzo concept. The second book is more heavily engaged with the 'real' world though, which makes the absurdities and grotesqueries a bit more hard to swallow. More of a flaw though, at least for me, is how much the main cast are side-lined in what is supposed to be their own adventure, left more or less adrift while the plot happens to and around them, due mostly to the machinations of fate and the secondary characters.
On the plus side, de Larrabeiti certainly has a gift for descriptive text, creating memorable word pictures at numerous points in the narrative.
On the plus side, de Larrabeiti certainly has a gift for descriptive text, creating memorable word pictures at numerous points in the narrative.
popestig's review
5.0
Delightfully subversive, even now.
I don't think there would be a London Below or an Un-Lun-Dun without this book.
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