The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
booksandlemonsquash's review against another edition
4.0
It’s really interesting to see a world away from the Folly, and to see how the Germans do things. BUT it’s just not as funny or clever feeling as the main stories. I get that Aaronovitch has written this because he has a huge following in Germany, and I love that he’s giving them something just for them. I just wanted a bit more (bearing in mind my ridiculously high standards for this series). The second half was better actually, because it moved away from the necessary info dump at the start. It’s a short story, set in a familiar but different universe - the information is needed, but there’s not a lot of space to put it in.
All this said, I liked Tobias and loved Vanessa. And I really liked their Rivers, and how they deal with things within the Police compared to the Met. The story is good fun too, it manages to be fairly complex, despite the length, and yet is still easy to follow.
A good novella, but not a patch on the main books. Still 4 stars, because it’s still brilliant and I did really enjoy it. I just have high standards now ;)
All this said, I liked Tobias and loved Vanessa. And I really liked their Rivers, and how they deal with things within the Police compared to the Met. The story is good fun too, it manages to be fairly complex, despite the length, and yet is still easy to follow.
A good novella, but not a patch on the main books. Still 4 stars, because it’s still brilliant and I did really enjoy it. I just have high standards now ;)
jbpenn21's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
hilse's review against another edition
3.0
Kind of redundant to the rest of the series, but competently written
katy_bee's review against another edition
4.0
As always, I enjoy Aaronovitch's writing. I'd seen a bit online about how this isn't as strong as his other works. I probably agree that it's not his best- but I don't think it's his worst either!
To my mind, Tobias Winter has a similar voice to Peter Grant and I think much of the story would sit just as happily in London. Vanessa's burgeoning interest in magical policing mirrored Leslie's in the first book, in some ways. As it's a novella, there's not quite as much space for development and I could have followed along for a few more murders before the whole thing was wrapped up.
However, there was fun to be had in Tobias' following of the Folly by rumour and reputation at a distance and I enjoy the style, mystery, characters and mythology as much as ever.
To my mind, Tobias Winter has a similar voice to Peter Grant and I think much of the story would sit just as happily in London. Vanessa's burgeoning interest in magical policing mirrored Leslie's in the first book, in some ways. As it's a novella, there's not quite as much space for development and I could have followed along for a few more murders before the whole thing was wrapped up.
However, there was fun to be had in Tobias' following of the Folly by rumour and reputation at a distance and I enjoy the style, mystery, characters and mythology as much as ever.
upturnedroots's review against another edition
4.0
I liked how the world expanded beyond London in this one, like in False Value too.
valodniece's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Loved seeing magical policing in a new place! This narrator was perfect for Tobias, and I hope to see Peter and Tobias working together in a joint European operation at some point.Â
calcitestar's review against another edition
3.0
I have listened to all of the Rivers of London main books and was really looking forward to this one but am feeling a bit disappointed. The magic was there but the twists weren't. I also spent most of the book trying to decipher which German named person was who as these names didn't stick at all. I also missed the places in London which I know from visiting throughout my life. For an audible monthly purchase there wasn't much book for my money. I hope his next book is really something to get my teeth into as this one really fell short.
deaconist's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
feoh's review against another edition
5.0
Ben Aaronovitch is one of my favorite urban fantasy authors. His Rivers of London series is a delight, and this novella is no different!
This time we get to ride along with the German equivalent of Peter Grant (if there should be said to be such a thing :) and their genus loci on another grand adventure.
The stories are very well crafted for the genre and are written with a quirky sense of humor that really does it for me. The magic system is fascinating and deep, and the whole idea of the river pantheon and the magical universe they inhabit is super compelling.
So now I will go back to eagerly awaiting his next book and recommend that anyone who even vaguely likes urban fantasy read the entire series, of which this title is a fine example despite the different setting.
This time we get to ride along with the German equivalent of Peter Grant (if there should be said to be such a thing :) and their genus loci on another grand adventure.
The stories are very well crafted for the genre and are written with a quirky sense of humor that really does it for me. The magic system is fascinating and deep, and the whole idea of the river pantheon and the magical universe they inhabit is super compelling.
So now I will go back to eagerly awaiting his next book and recommend that anyone who even vaguely likes urban fantasy read the entire series, of which this title is a fine example despite the different setting.