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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
caramisha's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
This is a modified Sherlock Holmes wingfic. Nowhere else have I heard the word “mantled” so often.
Now, with that understanding… The Angel of the Crows retells a number of Sherlock Holmes stories, interspersed with the investigation into the Jack the Ripper killings. It’s told from the perspective of Dr. J. H. Doyle who has returned to England after being wounded in Afghanistan. I’m not familiar enough with the original Holmes stories to know how similar Addison’s retellings are. Crow, our angelic detective, cannot leave London, which changes how a few of the stories go.
There are angels, demons, vampires, werewolves, hell-hounds. It makes for a very interesting setting: Industrial Revolution Urban Fantasy. I really liked how Addison wrote the otherworldly beings; they each have their own unique cultures. I almost wish that the book had been more about the otherworldly creatures though. I kept expecting Crow would come close to Falling, given how often it was brought up.
I liked Doyle and Crow. They looked at each other and went “you’re the only person who can stand me” and I appreciate that.
Overall, I enjoyed it! If you’re in the mood for a unique Sherlock Holmes retelling, check it out.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and War
obviousthings's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.0
Well... it was okay. As someone who's VERY familiar with the Holmes stories, this book stuck too close to the plot of the originals for my taste, particularly with A Study in Scarlet and The Sign of the Four in the first half. I liked how Addison treated women and characters of colour from the Holmes canon with much more respect than they get in the original books, and I liked the supernatural elements that were added (especially the hellhounds and cerberi), but this feels more like Sherlock Holmes with some fantasy set dressing than an original novel.
It's worth noting that there are three Holmes novels, multiple short stories, and the Jack the Ripper case compressed into one book here. I can see why that was done - does anyone actually like the part of A Study in Scarlet that's just about the mormons? - but I feel like some of the themes were lost in the abridgement, and there wasn't enough added to replace them. I would have liked to see a stronger character arc for Dr. Doyle, with fantasy elements more thoroughly incorporated into the plot. The setting has a ton of potential, but it wasn't explored as much as it could have been in this book.
It's worth noting that there are three Holmes novels, multiple short stories, and the Jack the Ripper case compressed into one book here. I can see why that was done - does anyone actually like the part of A Study in Scarlet that's just about the mormons? - but I feel like some of the themes were lost in the abridgement, and there wasn't enough added to replace them. I would have liked to see a stronger character arc for Dr. Doyle, with fantasy elements more thoroughly incorporated into the plot. The setting has a ton of potential, but it wasn't explored as much as it could have been in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Blood, Death, Gore, Hate crime, Misogyny, and Murder
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia, Confinement, Homophobia, Medical content, Racism, and Violence
Minor: Abortion, Racial slurs, Rape, and Suicide
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