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A review by its_justine
The City Screams by Phil Williams
4.0
The City Screams is my initiation into Williams' work, and what an incredible introduction it has been! An urban fantasy set in Japan that pulls in a healthy dose of lore from the area, this story perfectly portrays the concepts of courageousness and resolve, that not everything of consequence need be witnessed only through sight, and that there is always more to be discovered beneath the surface. Conspiracies, strange organizations, mysterious ongoings, peril, and hope, it's a genuinely fun read that keeps you guessing until the very end - and that twist! Excellently realized characters and a plot where nothing is at it seems, there's no shortage of surprises along the way. It's length smartly strips all the fluff, resulting in a fast-paced adventure where every word matters, and honestly, I finished this book craving more of the Ordshaw world.
Being a story of this size, there are a few concepts that, while possessing excellent backbones, lack just a bit of fleshing out. I know The City Screams can be read as a completely independent standalone within the series, but I feel reading Under Ordshaw and Blue Angel prior to diving into this one could've been beneficial, and most likely would've answered all of my lingering questions. The story itself ties up nicely, however, everything is left open-ended, so I'm really hoping this isn't the last we see of Tova. I'm excited to experience the events that paved the way for this great story, and also see where Williams takes us in the future.
Being a story of this size, there are a few concepts that, while possessing excellent backbones, lack just a bit of fleshing out. I know The City Screams can be read as a completely independent standalone within the series, but I feel reading Under Ordshaw and Blue Angel prior to diving into this one could've been beneficial, and most likely would've answered all of my lingering questions. The story itself ties up nicely, however, everything is left open-ended, so I'm really hoping this isn't the last we see of Tova. I'm excited to experience the events that paved the way for this great story, and also see where Williams takes us in the future.