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annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
I must have encountered these books somewhere and somewhen on social media. And ever since then I was trying to find them in second hand bookstores and the like. Half a year ago I ran into them in a bargain store in Amsterdam and got myself the entire series, but as always it took me a while to finally get to them. And about a week ago these books started looking at me and winking at me, so yesterday evening I decided to just give in.
And I was really excited about the world and hidden London I discovered in this book! And it's clear that the door is wide open for everything and anything anyone can imagine. Gods, monsters, ghosts, vampires, werewolves, I'm pretty sure there is a time and place for all of them in future books. Since our main character is dipping his toes into this world for the first time it seemed no one tried to overwhelm him, but I'm sure that will change soon.
I also really love how vivid the city of London was and how the history of London and the different corners, stores and locations really had an active impact on the story. Sometimes stories take place in a place, but could have easily taken place somewhere else without changing anything, but that's for sure not the case here. If the story had not taken place in London it would have been a completely different story for sure.
The one thing I struggled with is the writing style. It was simple and easy to read, so no complaints on that part, but it felt so emotionless. It's hard to explain exactly, but I didn't really feel anything while reading and therefore, especially during lengthy historical descriptions or detailed accounts of fight scenes, I had sometimes a hard time focussing. It felt like the story and book kept me at a distance. I didn't feel part of it. And that could have made this a five star read.
However, I will surely read the rest, because I fell in love with the world and I can't wait to discover what will appear and happen next!
And I was really excited about the world and hidden London I discovered in this book! And it's clear that the door is wide open for everything and anything anyone can imagine. Gods, monsters, ghosts, vampires, werewolves, I'm pretty sure there is a time and place for all of them in future books. Since our main character is dipping his toes into this world for the first time it seemed no one tried to overwhelm him, but I'm sure that will change soon.
I also really love how vivid the city of London was and how the history of London and the different corners, stores and locations really had an active impact on the story. Sometimes stories take place in a place, but could have easily taken place somewhere else without changing anything, but that's for sure not the case here. If the story had not taken place in London it would have been a completely different story for sure.
The one thing I struggled with is the writing style. It was simple and easy to read, so no complaints on that part, but it felt so emotionless. It's hard to explain exactly, but I didn't really feel anything while reading and therefore, especially during lengthy historical descriptions or detailed accounts of fight scenes, I had sometimes a hard time focussing. It felt like the story and book kept me at a distance. I didn't feel part of it. And that could have made this a five star read.
However, I will surely read the rest, because I fell in love with the world and I can't wait to discover what will appear and happen next!
katieinca's review against another edition
5.0
If you've been thinking about picking this up but never quite got around to it, especially if you don't find the cover appealing, just read the first page of Chapter 1. Amazon will let you do it for free. I finally picked it up and read it in three days, even though I was on vacation and had better things to do. And now I'm forcing myself to wait before starting the next one, so I don't run out too fast. We'll see if the way Aaronovitch writes women improves, or eventually becomes a deal breaker.
thecurseofchris's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted so badly to like this book because the series sounded so engaging, and I was really loving the narrator. But the author let me down by the time the second act was ending and going into the third. Just sloppy writing with over the top characters and a flimsy plot.
flo_rence's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
saritaroth's review against another edition
4.0
This book is in a genre all its own. It is a crime novel . . . but it's not. It is a supernatural fantasy . . . but it's not. In my opinion, it is an amalgamation of both, kind of a confusing, overwhelming, awe-inspiring combination of both genres.
The book centers around Peter Grant, a constable just starting out on the London police force. When beginning to investigate a murder, however, he finds that not everything is as it seems. He encounters such beings as ghosts, vampires, wizards, and river goddesses that he'd never known existed. In so doing, he also releases his inner wizard lurking below the surface.
At first, I was not only impressed by the range of genre that the author is endeavoring to cover but also the humor with which the author tells the story. In parts, I couldn't keep from laughing out loud. Aaronovitch's views on the human condition are quite humorous. For example, at one point, the author writes, "nothing builds character like being abused, spat at, and vomited on by members of the public." When Peter Grant is on the trail of a ghost, he muses, "Equipment for ghost-hunters: thermal underwear, very important; warm coat; thermos flask; patience; ghost." And, early on in his relationship with Nightingale, when he realizes that Nightingale is in fact a wizard, there is the following interesting exchange:
"'So magic is real [. . .] which makes you a . . . what?'
'A wizard.'
'Like Harry Potter?'
Nightingale sighed, 'No,' he said, 'Not like Harry Potter.'
'In what way?'
'I'm not a fictional character,' said Nightingale."
Although the book is comedic in parts and kept my interest to the very end, I decided to give it only four stars, because parts of it confused me and because the author seemed to be attempting to cram in as many supernatural elements into one book. Usually, a fantasy or supernatural book has one supernatural element, be it wizards, ghosts, or vampires. This book has all of the aforementioned elements and throws in river goddesses as well. Sometimes, I just wanted to scream, "Pick a lane!"
The book centers around Peter Grant, a constable just starting out on the London police force. When beginning to investigate a murder, however, he finds that not everything is as it seems. He encounters such beings as ghosts, vampires, wizards, and river goddesses that he'd never known existed. In so doing, he also releases his inner wizard lurking below the surface.
At first, I was not only impressed by the range of genre that the author is endeavoring to cover but also the humor with which the author tells the story. In parts, I couldn't keep from laughing out loud. Aaronovitch's views on the human condition are quite humorous. For example, at one point, the author writes, "nothing builds character like being abused, spat at, and vomited on by members of the public." When Peter Grant is on the trail of a ghost, he muses, "Equipment for ghost-hunters: thermal underwear, very important; warm coat; thermos flask; patience; ghost." And, early on in his relationship with Nightingale, when he realizes that Nightingale is in fact a wizard, there is the following interesting exchange:
"'So magic is real [. . .] which makes you a . . . what?'
'A wizard.'
'Like Harry Potter?'
Nightingale sighed, 'No,' he said, 'Not like Harry Potter.'
'In what way?'
'I'm not a fictional character,' said Nightingale."
Although the book is comedic in parts and kept my interest to the very end, I decided to give it only four stars, because parts of it confused me and because the author seemed to be attempting to cram in as many supernatural elements into one book. Usually, a fantasy or supernatural book has one supernatural element, be it wizards, ghosts, or vampires. This book has all of the aforementioned elements and throws in river goddesses as well. Sometimes, I just wanted to scream, "Pick a lane!"
winesharksea's review against another edition
Several mistakes in editing/grammar, vindication of my general dislike of the classic detective novdl
sephy1105's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
really interesting premise and plot spoiled by the almost constant objectification of women :(
actual quote: ‘put my face between her breasts and go blubby, blubby, blubby’ (not my emphasis)
devilscopper's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25