Reviews

A great big police operation is underway to finally get the Faceless Man (mk 2), Martin Chorley, and since I listen to rather than read these, I'm slightly shocked that Chorley is spelled the way it is, I had convinced myself it must be something like Chondewembulderley or something. The usual magical policing interrupted by magic-police action set-pieces in assorted London locations, including a big cross-history fracas in some sort of dream-space, ensue. These books tend to stay grounded mostly at plod level, however magical, but it does like to nod to the epic when it gets the chance. Holdbrook-Smith's reading is, as usual, superb.

birdyreadsbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

5.0

katymaryreads's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

grogu_djarin's review against another edition

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adventurous dark lighthearted mysterious 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

3.5

Overall Thoughts:
After how strong The Hanging Tree was I had hoped for more from this book. The first two thirds are more or less following a breadcrumb trail of the Faceless Man and always being a few steps behind him. There are some exciting moments but it drags for quite a long time and many of the characters (especially Abigail) feel poorly utilized. The last third more than made up for it though and after a point there is non-stop excitement as everything starts falling into place. This book wraps up the Faceless Man arc but I think The Hanging Tree had a more satisfying confrontation with him and that would have been a better end to his storyline.

Likes:

Peter is even more capable as a practitioner than he already was in The Hanging Tree. I also liked how there wasn't explicit mention of it either, he just starts doing things he previously was incapable of (like popping locks) and does it with ease.
Where Peter is shown as more capable, the same is done for Nightingale and it's rather terrifying just how powerful he is compared to anyone else. You really see why people fear him.
The last third was very intense which made up for the slower start.
There is a really exciting chase scene which was my favorite part of the book.
There are many great scenes with Lesley May and you finally learn why she betrayed the Folly.
Foxglove was a great new character. Equally terrifying and sympathetic.

Dislikes:

Abigail is really under-utilized in this one. Supposedly she's learning magic at this point but she feels more like a prop than a character. There is a lot of "tell" rather than "show" and her big use throughout the story is making notes on books.
The story is quite slow until the last third. Quite a lot of it is being a few steps behind the Faceless Man and trying to find clues so it drags a bit until the end.
I'm not sure if I bought the Faceless Man's motivations. For someone who is presented as so intelligent and capable, it just seemed a bit out of character for him.

Other Notes:

Would Recommend To:

Anyone who has read and enjoyed the earlier books in the series. This book seems to wrap up the Faceless Man arc.

Do Not Recommend To:

Anyone who hasn't read the earlier Rivers of London books. This builds off the earlier ones in substantial ways and you'll be lost without reading them!

patti_pinguin's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

thedisquietedpen's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

4.0

bibliollama's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious 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? No

4.0

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