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jenmcvay's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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? It's complicated
5.0
hannah_gunn's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
3.5
el_viral's review against another edition
5.0
This series always seems to be able to draw me in, and let me get lost in the story. I'm looking forward to the next one!
el_viral's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
Re-reading the series so I can move on to later books.
Peter is outside of London!
Though it seems a little out of place in this series to take a London police officer out of London, it actually works really well! Getting Peter away from the usual crowd gives us an insight into how he works without the usual crowd. His relationship with Beverley finally starts up properly, and the hunt for Lesley is ongoing while Peter is out of town.
I enjoyed the setting, the new characters who felt pretty well fleshed out, and the multiple threads of the storyline. The central storyline about the changeling is compelling.
My one complaint is that Peter's rescue from the fae just feels too quick and easy, but otherwise a very enjoyable book.
Re-reading the series so I can move on to later books.
Peter is outside of London!
Though it seems a little out of place in this series to take a London police officer out of London, it actually works really well! Getting Peter away from the usual crowd gives us an insight into how he works without the usual crowd. His relationship with Beverley finally starts up properly, and the hunt for Lesley is ongoing while Peter is out of town.
I enjoyed the setting, the new characters who felt pretty well fleshed out, and the multiple threads of the storyline. The central storyline about the changeling is compelling.
My one complaint is that Peter's rescue from the fae just feels too quick and easy, but otherwise a very enjoyable book.
mary_soon_lee's review against another edition
4.0
This is the fifth book in the Rivers of London urban fantasy/mystery series. I recommend the series very highly. The narration is crisp, dry, often humorous. The principal character, Peter Grant, is thoroughly likable. Successive books build on earlier ones, so I would strongly suggest beginning with book one, which is titled "Midnight Riot" in the USA, but "Rivers of London" in England. As it happens, I liked the opening book a little less than the later ones, but I still think it's best to begin there.... As for this fifth installment, I liked it very much, if not quite as much as the previous book. Possibly this is because the story moves out of London (I am a former Londoner, and especially fond of that setting), or possibly it's because the story features less of Peter's boss, Nightingale, a secondary character that I especially like. There also seemed to be an increased number of minor errors, the type that a copyeditor should have caught. Quibbles aside, I enjoyed this very much, and will be speeding ahead to book six.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
pamela22's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Not my favourite so far in the Rivers series but still engaging. Love, love, love the audio narrator.
patti_pinguin's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
thedisquietedpen's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
emlo's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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? No
3.0
I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the previous books in the series. Apart from the Leslie interlude there wasn't much plot continuation - this felt quite separate. Funny and dryly observed as always but I was left with lots of questions at the end, mainly why? The who and how felt neatly wrapped up but I just missed something about the motivation I guess.
kayteeem's review against another edition
Didn't like this quite as well as some of the earlier books. A few too many threads not completely explained at the end (or perhaps not well-enough explained for me). I also think I enjoy the potential for destroying major landmarks that happens when the books are set in London proper...