Scan barcode
adliteracy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
5.0
This was my second read of this book, and I can confirm my earlier suspicion: it's better to read in physical (digital) format rather than audio because there is a lot of detail, and a certain amount of focus is required to catch everything. In fact, having finished reading it again (pretty attentively, I might add), I still got the sense I could benefit from even a third read for the amount of mysterious content.
This book tells an interesting, complex story with a rich diversity of themes. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it as a stand-alone novel; definitely read the series in order.
As always with this series, I enjoyed the humor so much. For example, the descriptions of magic by the jaded police chief including "weird bollocks" and "magic wank" are very funny. I had to write down some especially good quotes (no spoilers)
- "The Victorian divided neatly into those who regarded ghosts as souls to be saved and those who thought them a form of spiritual pollution."
-"We gave it some careful thought, but not for too long since the religiously nonobservant among us were freezing our ears off."
- "Are you coming down with us, sir?" "I'm [too] senior to go down there. It's strictly constables, sergeants, and lunatics."
- "He idly picked a paper clip off his desk and began to methodically torture it" ...
"Seawoll dropped the mangled paper clip back into a little Perspex box where it served, presumably, as an awful warning to the rest of the stationary."
I'm looking forward to proceeding finally to book 4, having now read each of the first 3 books twice: I'm confident that I know generally what's going on, and that I'm really enjoying reading this series overall!
This book tells an interesting, complex story with a rich diversity of themes. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it as a stand-alone novel; definitely read the series in order.
As always with this series, I enjoyed the humor so much. For example, the descriptions of magic by the jaded police chief including "weird bollocks" and "magic wank" are very funny. I had to write down some especially good quotes (no spoilers)
- "The Victorian divided neatly into those who regarded ghosts as souls to be saved and those who thought them a form of spiritual pollution."
-"We gave it some careful thought, but not for too long since the religiously nonobservant among us were freezing our ears off."
- "Are you coming down with us, sir?" "I'm [too] senior to go down there. It's strictly constables, sergeants, and lunatics."
- "He idly picked a paper clip off his desk and began to methodically torture it" ...
"Seawoll dropped the mangled paper clip back into a little Perspex box where it served, presumably, as an awful warning to the rest of the stationary."
I'm looking forward to proceeding finally to book 4, having now read each of the first 3 books twice: I'm confident that I know generally what's going on, and that I'm really enjoying reading this series overall!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement
purplepenning's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Gun violence
madmilliner's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is the first of the "River's" series that passes the Bechdel test, which it does in the first few pages, and through the story with great aplomb. I have enjoyed this the most so far, and, am greatly looking forward to my next copies arrival.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Terminal illness, and Violence
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Antisemitism, Colonisation, and Excrement
More...