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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
Tell Me More: Maybe I built things up too much in my head. After the throw-my-copy-across-the-room ending in The Madness Underneath, the next Shades of London book set itself a high hurdle to jump. Unfortunately, I didn't feel that The Shadow Cabinet managed to scale that hurdle very well, even as it continues to set up for the final novel in the series.
Where the first two books were centred around Rory's discovery of MI5/the spooks, Shadow Cabinet finally expands upon the ghost mythology, the connection between Jane's group and the paranormal events dogging Rory's steps, and why it's so important for Rory to stay safe. Readers get a flashback to Jane's beginnings, and the people who have influenced her for almost her entire life. These characters are truly chilling, and they heighten the sense of danger in the series. That said, their appearances basically bookend the story, and I would have loved to see more of them to really cement the stakes that Rory has to face.
Unlike the first two books, however, pacing was more of an issue in The Shadow Cabinet. While there were chapters that felt almost breakneck in speed, there were others that moved much more slowly, enough that I'd have to reread some parts to make sure I hadn't forgotten a crucial piece of information. I'll also admit that the years between The Madness Underneath and Shadow Cabinet didn't help with the confusion I experienced. It was also harder to get a sense of where any of the events were happening--I found myself wondering more than once if I'd missed a sentence telling me which part of London the characters were in, because there wasn't a whole lot of description to set the scenes.
This might not sound like a big thing to consider, but it becomes an important point in regards to backstory that we gain in this novel. The titular Shadow Cabinet is dependent on geography for very specific and life-threatening reasons, and as a reader who's never been to London, I needed more reinforcement of where events were occurring so I could understand how they affected the plot.
The Final Say: Sophomore syndrome may have skipped right over onto The Shadow Cabinet, as this third installment of the Shades of London series doesn't manage to carry the momentum of the first two books forward.
Where the first two books were centred around Rory's discovery of MI5/the spooks, Shadow Cabinet finally expands upon the ghost mythology, the connection between Jane's group and the paranormal events dogging Rory's steps, and why it's so important for Rory to stay safe. Readers get a flashback to Jane's beginnings, and the people who have influenced her for almost her entire life. These characters are truly chilling, and they heighten the sense of danger in the series. That said, their appearances basically bookend the story, and I would have loved to see more of them to really cement the stakes that Rory has to face.
Unlike the first two books, however, pacing was more of an issue in The Shadow Cabinet. While there were chapters that felt almost breakneck in speed, there were others that moved much more slowly, enough that I'd have to reread some parts to make sure I hadn't forgotten a crucial piece of information. I'll also admit that the years between The Madness Underneath and Shadow Cabinet didn't help with the confusion I experienced. It was also harder to get a sense of where any of the events were happening--I found myself wondering more than once if I'd missed a sentence telling me which part of London the characters were in, because there wasn't a whole lot of description to set the scenes.
This might not sound like a big thing to consider, but it becomes an important point in regards to backstory that we gain in this novel. The titular Shadow Cabinet is dependent on geography for very specific and life-threatening reasons, and as a reader who's never been to London, I needed more reinforcement of where events were occurring so I could understand how they affected the plot.
The Final Say: Sophomore syndrome may have skipped right over onto The Shadow Cabinet, as this third installment of the Shades of London series doesn't manage to carry the momentum of the first two books forward.
Maureen Johnson is such a gem. I can't wait for the next book! I'm also hoping that her health continues to improve. 😊
This one was better than the second one. It was a little bit predictable but the ending was good.
V. Happy I read this in 2019 so I didn’t have to screech for four years about how she needs to write the fourth book. I love Rory x Stephen with my whole heart
Well, this was really great too, but where’s #4? Hello? Maureen? Don’t leave us hanging!
I THOUGHT THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A TRILOGY!! But I'm guessing there will be at least one more book. I waited a long time for this conclusion and I didn't even get it! hmphmm. (But I'm not bitter or anything)
This was the third book I have read in this series. It was ok, I found it a little drawn out.
My favorite of the three in this trilogy. Some really beautiful writing here.
I forgot how much I loved this series and I think this book was the best yet. So much happened in this book that I was gripped all the way through. I enjoyed the new characters as well as the fleshing out of old ones. Can wait to see where this series goes next.
Wow, just wow.
This was truly a work of art. I almost didn't make it here but I'm glad I did because, oh man, was it worth it! Absolutely everything led up to this point and Maureen Johnson finally delivered! Was it perfect? Absolutely not. Was I just as wrapped up in the story as if it had been? Absolutely yes! Maureen Johnson has this way of transporting you to London and isn't that why we read? To escape? Thank you, Maureen Johnson!
This was truly a work of art. I almost didn't make it here but I'm glad I did because, oh man, was it worth it! Absolutely everything led up to this point and Maureen Johnson finally delivered! Was it perfect? Absolutely not. Was I just as wrapped up in the story as if it had been? Absolutely yes! Maureen Johnson has this way of transporting you to London and isn't that why we read? To escape? Thank you, Maureen Johnson!