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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
Broken Homes builds up on previous novels in the Rivers of London series, which I'm currently binging on.
What to Expect
Aaronovitch's excellent police-procedural crime drama, with the detective constable dealing with (and dealing out) magic. This volume delves deep into the author (and protagonist's) love of London architecture, something that was evident from the start. The novels starts with the usual, somewhat disconnected murders that have a supernatural whiff about them, and leads up to a conclusion that encompasses them all and ties them with repeating characters and villains from previous novels.
Expect more of Peter Grant's *almost*-true-copper attitudes to law and order and realistic police work, some wonderful supernatural folkloristic world-building, and the sprinkling of historical and architectural trivia that London is steeped in and makes Aaronovitch's style so unique. This novel also reveals more of other magical triditions, German and Russian in particular. It makes for a wonderfully complex world, that still feels real.
What I liked
Loved the wit and the vibe, how Grant takes a modern policeman's and semi-scientific attitudes towards the magic he learns and deals with and the "monster in the sewers" folklore build-up. There's also plenty of pop-culture references which make for an entertaining read. The characters are mostly realistic and approachable, the writing style maturing, and the series is chugging along beautifully.
What to be aware of
Several key events and characters from the previous novel are referenced and they impact the cast of characters. While you can jump in and makes sense of the short recaps, the series is best read in order.
Be aware that the series is a love-affair with London, on all it's myriad neighborhoods and idiosyncrasies, and the plethora of trivia references can be distracting (at least for me, who loves chasing such down rabbit holes).
Summary
An excellent continuation of the series. Read the series in order, but if you liked the previous volumes you should definitely continue with this book.
--
[a:Assaph Mehr|14422472|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1518065419p2/14422472.jpg], author of [b:Murder In Absentia|29500700|Murder In Absentia (Felix the Fox, #1)|Assaph Mehr|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1457914061l/29500700._SY75_.jpg|46845657]: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
What to Expect
Aaronovitch's excellent police-procedural crime drama, with the detective constable dealing with (and dealing out) magic. This volume delves deep into the author (and protagonist's) love of London architecture, something that was evident from the start. The novels starts with the usual, somewhat disconnected murders that have a supernatural whiff about them, and leads up to a conclusion that encompasses them all and ties them with repeating characters and villains from previous novels.
Expect more of Peter Grant's *almost*-true-copper attitudes to law and order and realistic police work, some wonderful supernatural folkloristic world-building, and the sprinkling of historical and architectural trivia that London is steeped in and makes Aaronovitch's style so unique. This novel also reveals more of other magical triditions, German and Russian in particular. It makes for a wonderfully complex world, that still feels real.
What I liked
Loved the wit and the vibe, how Grant takes a modern policeman's and semi-scientific attitudes towards the magic he learns and deals with and the "monster in the sewers" folklore build-up. There's also plenty of pop-culture references which make for an entertaining read. The characters are mostly realistic and approachable, the writing style maturing, and the series is chugging along beautifully.
What to be aware of
Several key events and characters from the previous novel are referenced and they impact the cast of characters. While you can jump in and makes sense of the short recaps, the series is best read in order.
Be aware that the series is a love-affair with London, on all it's myriad neighborhoods and idiosyncrasies, and the plethora of trivia references can be distracting (at least for me, who loves chasing such down rabbit holes).
Summary
An excellent continuation of the series. Read the series in order, but if you liked the previous volumes you should definitely continue with this book.
--
[a:Assaph Mehr|14422472|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1518065419p2/14422472.jpg], author of [b:Murder In Absentia|29500700|Murder In Absentia (Felix the Fox, #1)|Assaph Mehr|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1457914061l/29500700._SY75_.jpg|46845657]: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
This was an interesting addition to the Peter Grant/Rivers of London series - a bit of a different direction into more Grant-centred solo plot. Grant is now much more capable, more of a junior rather than an apprentice in police work if not magic. He's much more independent and starts his own investigations into architecture and how it relates to magic happenings in London.
The architecture and tie-in with the history of the town itself (rather than just the wizards' histories) was a strong point of this book. It was a good change to think of the magic being drawn off the city almost like the Force in Star Wars, and then the increased focus on other magical creatures played off that nicely. Not all of it made any sort of sense, of course, but you can overlook that with the fun British references and dry humour.
I read through it relatively quickly, given some travel, but I wouldn't say the series is drawing me in any more than normal. Probably won't read it again, but will definitely continue the series.
The architecture and tie-in with the history of the town itself (rather than just the wizards' histories) was a strong point of this book. It was a good change to think of the magic being drawn off the city almost like the Force in Star Wars, and then the increased focus on other magical creatures played off that nicely. Not all of it made any sort of sense, of course, but you can overlook that with the fun British references and dry humour.
I read through it relatively quickly, given some travel, but I wouldn't say the series is drawing me in any more than normal. Probably won't read it again, but will definitely continue the series.
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As usual, I enjoyed this audiobook in the Rivers of London series. I admit that this one was not my favourite so far. In Broken Homes, there are no ghosts in this one, and the river spirits and Quiet People only make a couple of “guest” appearances, though we are introduced to some tree spirits.
Instead, Broken Homes focuses largely on the ongoing battle between Peter & the Folly and the nefarious doings of the Faceless Man. Much of it centres in a strangely designed housing estate block/tower where something shadier than usual is going on, and Peter & Leslie have to go undercover.
As usual, it is full of dry British humour. Some British writers, including Ben Aaronovitch, just have a way with words that makes the mundane murderously hilarious. I do think the first half was funnier than the second half, as I found myself laughing out loud with headphones on (not awkward at all!) at lot more at the start, whereas past the halfway/two-thirds point, the humour felt more sparse.
The ending was frustrating, and clearly setting up a lot for the next book. I admit, I was sad when Leslie betrayed Peter and tasered him, revealing that she was an agent of the Faceless Man, though I was intrigued when it was hinted that there were perhaps others working with him (or even above him?) too. I understand it if he promised her a new face, but STILL. Gah! I hope more is revealed in the next book.
This series may have a dark undertone, but it is a great option if you need a reason to laugh. Dark British comedy at its best!
Instead, Broken Homes focuses largely on the ongoing battle between Peter & the Folly and the nefarious doings of the Faceless Man. Much of it centres in a strangely designed housing estate block/tower where something shadier than usual is going on, and Peter & Leslie have to go undercover.
As usual, it is full of dry British humour. Some British writers, including Ben Aaronovitch, just have a way with words that makes the mundane murderously hilarious. I do think the first half was funnier than the second half, as I found myself laughing out loud with headphones on (not awkward at all!) at lot more at the start, whereas past the halfway/two-thirds point, the humour felt more sparse.
The ending was frustrating, and clearly setting up a lot for the next book. I admit, I was sad when
This series may have a dark undertone, but it is a great option if you need a reason to laugh. Dark British comedy at its best!
Aaronovitch’s storytelling always amazes me! Broken Homes is now my second favorite book in the Peter Grant series. Much of the book is centered around a fictional council estate in Elephant and Castle. It carries forward the case of the Faceless Man that has been building for the last three books, and develops some of the River characters that were previously introduced. There are a bunch of twists and turns that are creepy and satisfying. The council estate and its architecture are the things I enjoyed the most. Although it is all fictional, it blends into the real historical details that are in every Peter grant book seamlessly. I cannot wait for the next one!
I just adore this series. I'm doing a re-read as I eagerly await the new book this winter.
The ideas are enjoyable and the vibe is cozy British. Pacing is choppy but otherwise it's a nice summer read, which is what I'd recommend it for.
I have an irrational negative reaction to long series of books, i.e. more than a trilogy, and especially if they're still ongoing. I think I might just be commitment-phobic. But I really like this series. I guess I'll gradually work my way through all of them overtime. They're very fun, clever, and well written.
3.5 estrellas. Claramente Ben Aaronovitch está enamorado de Londres, y eso es lo que más me gustó de la cuarta parte de esta serie. Much architecture, such history! Y ver (finalmente) a Nightingale siendo un badass es tan satisfactorio como lo pensé.
Tres estrellas porque la trama se demoró bastante en empezar, y durante la mitad del libro teníamos puros hilos que no iban a ningún lado y no veía cómo tantos casos estaban unidos. Tres estrellas y media porque el último cuarto del libro fue excelente, y NO. VI. VENIR. ESE. CLIFF. HANGER.
Tres estrellas porque la trama se demoró bastante en empezar, y durante la mitad del libro teníamos puros hilos que no iban a ningún lado y no veía cómo tantos casos estaban unidos. Tres estrellas y media porque el último cuarto del libro fue excelente, y NO. VI. VENIR. ESE. CLIFF. HANGER.
adventurous
lighthearted
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
Love him, love these books, that's all there is to it.