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A review by rwatkins
The Gutter Prayer by Gareth Ryder-Hanrahan
4.0
4/5 stars - Overall: 19/25
A fantastic read with a slow mystery driving the narrative, grim and unique characters, a dark urban fantasy setting and balanced writing. Perfect for fans of weird urban fantasy and grimdark settings.
Characters 3.5/5: Follows a trio of thieves that includes a young woman developing prophetic powers, a man slowly turning into Marvel's version of The Thing, and a ghoul that feeds on the flesh of the dead. They each receive major external changes through the course of the story, but there isn't much focus on, or execution of, internal change.
Plot 3.5/5: A bit of a meandering mystery plot unfolds around a heist gone wrong and some mystical happenings. There is a b-plot involving a possible rising rebellion.
Setting 4.5/5: While not wide in the scope of world, the city this story is limited to and takes place in is very detailed and developed. From the power factions to religion to history, a lot of things are included to flesh out the worldbuilding without being overwhelming. The magic is kept undefined and mysterious, with some vague connections to alchemy and divine interference. There is a lot of creativity here, from a Candlestick police force to ghouls and worm-sorcerers living in abandoned underground subway tunnels. I got some major Perdido Street Station style vibes/influences.
Style 4/5: There is a healthy blend of short, simple sentences and longer, more descriptive portions that made for an enjoyable balance in prose. There are some stalled sections, that felt a little like side-questing, but chapters are short and pacing is quick. There isn't much time spent on reflection or improvements, as the things do moving forward. Some small parts can be difficult to keep up with, due to some overuse of head-hopping, but most of the story is clear and easy enough to follow.
Themes 3.5/5: Expect darker themes at work here, with betrayal, abuse of power, corruption, lawful brutality and lack of oversight as key players. Disease, death, secret histories, crime and punishment, bounty-hunting and all sorts of ideas get introduced but are mostly left underdeveloped.
A fantastic read with a slow mystery driving the narrative, grim and unique characters, a dark urban fantasy setting and balanced writing. Perfect for fans of weird urban fantasy and grimdark settings.
Characters 3.5/5: Follows a trio of thieves that includes a young woman developing prophetic powers, a man slowly turning into Marvel's version of The Thing, and a ghoul that feeds on the flesh of the dead. They each receive major external changes through the course of the story, but there isn't much focus on, or execution of, internal change.
Plot 3.5/5: A bit of a meandering mystery plot unfolds around a heist gone wrong and some mystical happenings. There is a b-plot involving a possible rising rebellion.
Setting 4.5/5: While not wide in the scope of world, the city this story is limited to and takes place in is very detailed and developed. From the power factions to religion to history, a lot of things are included to flesh out the worldbuilding without being overwhelming. The magic is kept undefined and mysterious, with some vague connections to alchemy and divine interference. There is a lot of creativity here, from a Candlestick police force to ghouls and worm-sorcerers living in abandoned underground subway tunnels. I got some major Perdido Street Station style vibes/influences.
Style 4/5: There is a healthy blend of short, simple sentences and longer, more descriptive portions that made for an enjoyable balance in prose. There are some stalled sections, that felt a little like side-questing, but chapters are short and pacing is quick. There isn't much time spent on reflection or improvements, as the things do moving forward. Some small parts can be difficult to keep up with, due to some overuse of head-hopping, but most of the story is clear and easy enough to follow.
Themes 3.5/5: Expect darker themes at work here, with betrayal, abuse of power, corruption, lawful brutality and lack of oversight as key players. Disease, death, secret histories, crime and punishment, bounty-hunting and all sorts of ideas get introduced but are mostly left underdeveloped.