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songwind's review
3.0
Bob Howard and the rest of the crew at the laundry are back again.
It was difficult to decide what to rate this book.
On the one hand, I enjoyed the basic story as much as ever. It's been interesting to watch Bob's progress from mostly-clueless newbie in [b:Atrocity Archives|101869|The Atrocity Archives (Laundry Files, #1)|Charles Stross|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1440461724s/101869.jpg|322252] to the person he is in the latest novel. His relationship with Mo continues to evolve and to be interesting.
The story focuses around vampirism. Bob's self directed project to use anomalous NHS information to to give forewarning of magical contagions stumbles across more than he bargained for, and he has to deal with the fall out along with the usual suspects.
What I Liked
Bob's sense of dry humor was on point as always. It was informative to see what life as a middle manager/trainee Eater of Souls was like. There are also a few new characters that I quite liked. They ranged from the despicable to the (tentatively) sympathetic, with some stops in between.
There are some major plot developments that I found really agreeable. Not always pleasant, but important, appropriate, and setting things up for more important things to come.
I enjoyed the digression from issues directly associated with CASE NIGHTMARE GREEN, though its specter was present as was appropriate.
What Disappointed Me
I have always found Stross' prose to be functional but not particularly noteworthy. Unfortunately, a few of his habits which make for lighthearted, amusing narratives were overused in this book which made it feel clunky and unfinished. In particular, Stross leans very heavily on pop culture references rather than actual description - and many of those are already outdated. This may be in keeping with the main character's age and culture, but it didn't make for a very impressive text.
The pacing seemed a bit off, with the run up to the climax being rushed after a long drawn-out build up.
Before now, the Laundry novels have been more action oriented, with more dramatic tension/conflict throughout the story. I found this one to be sort of flat and pedestrian for much of the book. Bob's position puts him in a sort of no-man's-land between active operative, and mover-and-shaker. With him remaining the focus of the book, this left things feeling quite bland in many places.
Finally, some of the important developments (one, in particular) mentioned in the "like" section took place outside the main flow of the narrative and were reported in a dry, detached way that didn't really suit the significance of the material. This was particularly true in light of the fact that other events earlier in the story, which had no way of coming to direct light, were still covered in the normal 3rd person manner.
Summary
An enjoyable book in a very enjoyable series, but one of the weaker entries. Coming on the heels of [b:Apocalypse Codex|12393566|The Apocalypse Codex (Laundry Files, #4)|Charles Stross|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1318285337s/12393566.jpg|17374689] made it particularly obvious.
It was difficult to decide what to rate this book.
On the one hand, I enjoyed the basic story as much as ever. It's been interesting to watch Bob's progress from mostly-clueless newbie in [b:Atrocity Archives|101869|The Atrocity Archives (Laundry Files, #1)|Charles Stross|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1440461724s/101869.jpg|322252] to the person he is in the latest novel. His relationship with Mo continues to evolve and to be interesting.
The story focuses around vampirism. Bob's self directed project to use anomalous NHS information to to give forewarning of magical contagions stumbles across more than he bargained for, and he has to deal with the fall out along with the usual suspects.
What I Liked
Bob's sense of dry humor was on point as always. It was informative to see what life as a middle manager/trainee Eater of Souls was like. There are also a few new characters that I quite liked. They ranged from the despicable to the (tentatively) sympathetic, with some stops in between.
There are some major plot developments that I found really agreeable. Not always pleasant, but important, appropriate, and setting things up for more important things to come.
I enjoyed the digression from issues directly associated with CASE NIGHTMARE GREEN, though its specter was present as was appropriate.
What Disappointed Me
I have always found Stross' prose to be functional but not particularly noteworthy. Unfortunately, a few of his habits which make for lighthearted, amusing narratives were overused in this book which made it feel clunky and unfinished. In particular, Stross leans very heavily on pop culture references rather than actual description - and many of those are already outdated. This may be in keeping with the main character's age and culture, but it didn't make for a very impressive text.
The pacing seemed a bit off, with the run up to the climax being rushed after a long drawn-out build up.
Before now, the Laundry novels have been more action oriented, with more dramatic tension/conflict throughout the story. I found this one to be sort of flat and pedestrian for much of the book. Bob's position puts him in a sort of no-man's-land between active operative, and mover-and-shaker. With him remaining the focus of the book, this left things feeling quite bland in many places.
Finally, some of the important developments (one, in particular) mentioned in the "like" section took place outside the main flow of the narrative and were reported in a dry, detached way that didn't really suit the significance of the material. This was particularly true in light of the fact that other events earlier in the story, which had no way of coming to direct light, were still covered in the normal 3rd person manner.
Summary
An enjoyable book in a very enjoyable series, but one of the weaker entries. Coming on the heels of [b:Apocalypse Codex|12393566|The Apocalypse Codex (Laundry Files, #4)|Charles Stross|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1318285337s/12393566.jpg|17374689] made it particularly obvious.
spitzig's review against another edition
3.0
Weak. Very good character development. But, vampires are kind of done to death. While thins was a unique take on them, it wasn't THAT unique. And, the plot was ok, but not great. I'm glad he isn't always going with the "destroy the world plot" that is becoming so standard, though.
kayteeem's review against another edition
The one with the vampires.
Pretty well stands alone, but you'll have a better handle on the characters and what they're dealing with if you've read the previous books. And if you liked the previous books, you'll probably like this one too.
Pretty well stands alone, but you'll have a better handle on the characters and what they're dealing with if you've read the previous books. And if you liked the previous books, you'll probably like this one too.
Spoiler
Things were pretty well status quo through the first 90% of the book. And then I felt sorry for Angleton. Then I felt sorry for Bob&Mo. :-(misterjay's review
5.0
Add to the list of things I shouldn’t admit to in public: I learn more economic and mathematical theory from Charles Stross’ books, in general, and the Bob Howard Laundry books in particular, than I did in all my years of schooling, much less the scattershot education I’ve taken on since walking away from university, surfeit of diplomas in hand.
In this latest volume of the Laundry Files, Bob Howard is on the search for vampires. The thing is, everyone knows vampires don't exist. Which is troubling, because Bob has found a whole string of victims that fit the profile. Kind of, anyway. Because, like all the Laundry books, the plot is twisty, the math arcane, and the slang obscure, the three of which taken together are very good reasons to read the book.
The stakes (ahem) are bigger than ever and Bob is shaping up to be quite the badass. Highly recommended.
In this latest volume of the Laundry Files, Bob Howard is on the search for vampires. The thing is, everyone knows vampires don't exist. Which is troubling, because Bob has found a whole string of victims that fit the profile. Kind of, anyway. Because, like all the Laundry books, the plot is twisty, the math arcane, and the slang obscure, the three of which taken together are very good reasons to read the book.
The stakes (ahem) are bigger than ever and Bob is shaping up to be quite the badass. Highly recommended.
manzabar's review against another edition
3.0
Many parts of this book are great but I felt more than a little let down by the ending.
jmkemp's review
4.0
The Laundry series is moving on, and this was a thoroughly enjoyable instalment. The canon was well added to and the universe expanded darkly. However what currently loses it the fifth star is the rather abrupt end and the feeling that there is more that is as yet untold. I know this forum certain having read the spoiler thread on Charlie Stross's website. He's already written the next in the series and it comes out next year.
adamchalmers's review
4.0
Much smarter and better-written than The Atrocity Archives. It's not particularly great, but it's a lot of fun. If you like urban fantasy, Lovecraft, programming or bureaucracy-thriller you'll have a good time.
jlummelehto's review
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
danielwestheide's review against another edition
4.0
In this latest novel in the Laundry series, Stross brings together agile startup culture, category theory, and vampires (not quite the pop culture variety, though). This is as hilarious as it sounds, especially if you are in IT.
davidsandilands's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5