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extrey_extrey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
selimhannah's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Car accident, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gore, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Xenophobia, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, and Suicide attempt
popsicleplease's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Racism and Xenophobia
searobin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
I think the premise had a lot of potential, and I did enjoy some aspects of the storyline, but it was not executed well.
I would absolutely love a book (not by this author) from the perspective of Mother Thames, or one her tributaries, though!
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
gitanita's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
One night, Peter and his partner Lesley are assigned to guard the perimeter of a gruesome beheading. While waiting for Lesley to get them coffee, Peter meets a ghost that tells him he has information on the murder. Peter, naturally, thinks he's gone crazy, but still he goes back to the same place to confirm that he actually saw a ghost. While there, he meets a strange detective called Nightingale, and soon Peter is transferred from a boring desk job to a Metropolitan police unit specialised in dealing with the supernatural world that lives in the shadows of London and England. Under Nightingale's guidance, Peter will train to become a magician (yes, in this world you are not necessarily born to magic) and try to solve a string of terrible attacks and murders caused by an unknown supernatural force.
I really liked the world Aaronovitch built. There is mention of known supernatural beings like ghosts and vampires, but there is also something new, England's rivers, those around the "Mother River" Thames (it included) are river gods and goddesses. Thames is divided between Father and Mother Thames, who are by the way, archenemies, and their sons and daughters" who are Thames' tributaries.
All of the main characters are very likable. Peter is intelligent, quick-thinking, a fast learner, and loyal to his friends. On the other hand, he can't help but think "dirty thoughts" about his partner Lesley and Beverly Brook, one of Mama Thames' daughters. That was the only part of the story that bothered me, because it was really unnecessary as it made me roll my eyes at Peter and think less of him. Other than that, the story was really interesting and fast-paced. This is the first book of a series of nine, with lots of short stories, but prequel to the first and in between the main books. I recommend it for a light, funny read.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Cursing and Drug use
Minor: Sexual content
bronzeageholly's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Gore, Racism, Sexism, and Violence
freya163's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Graphic: Death and Blood
Moderate: Child death
mayvisin's review against another edition
- 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
The fly in the ointment for me (and probably why this was 4 instead of 5 stars) was that I was getting a literary version of "Would this pass the Bechdel test?" because almost all the female characters seemed defined by their sexual relationships/availability/lack of availability to various male characters. Clearly after reading mainly women authors for several months, going back to male portrayals of women is a bit of a shock to the system.
I liked the book enough though that I plan to continue the series and hope it gets better from that standpoint...🤞
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racism, Medical content, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Addiction and Rape
rivikah's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Sexism, Blood, Murder, and Sexual harassment
aseel_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Minor: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Racism, Rape, Violence, Blood, Islamophobia, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism