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pepsimaxx's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
thereadingchip's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
amaruuk's review against another edition
not bad, just not good? I like the writing style and the worldbuilding but the plot just isn’t enough for me to want to keep turning the page. also maybe learn how to write women and/or a man who can have an interaction with a woman without it turning sexual. just an idea.
lastbraincell's review against another edition
4.0
Police magicians, a Japanese snake/spider she-demon for a housekeeper, anthropomorphic rivers (one of which is a outwardly sullen young woman), ghost hobos, suburban vampires, and a series of murders where people's heads are magically being blown up from the inside... Count me in. The narrator hits the right note of not-too-smart but still competent, the common observation about him being he'd be such a better cop/magician if only he weren't too easily distracted. But then maybe it's because he notices these little things, and later is able to pull back and muse about them, and because he isn't stupid, connect the dots, that he comes up with the crazy plans that just might work. There are hints of a latent power that others seem to see in him which he has no idea about, and I look forward to seeing this unfold in the next books. He's also likable and unselfconsciously makes funny-wry observations. Later on when *spoiler* his mentor gets confined to a hospital bed, he does an impressive amount of work at intermediate magical levels, considering his short period of training. It's like watching Watson do the legwork and come to his own not-too-shabby solutions.
If you loved stuff like Jonathan Strange, The Bartimaeus trilogy, and Parasol Protectorate, you'll fall head into this world. I recently stopped watching the TV series Grimm because the plot turned into a mess, and this first Rivers of London book is filling the void of fantasy police procedural. BRB have to binge read the rest of what's available.
If you loved stuff like Jonathan Strange, The Bartimaeus trilogy, and Parasol Protectorate, you'll fall head into this world. I recently stopped watching the TV series Grimm because the plot turned into a mess, and this first Rivers of London book is filling the void of fantasy police procedural. BRB have to binge read the rest of what's available.
gatlingxyz's review against another edition
3.0
This book... I don't know what to say, really. I'll start with the bad because it's simple and easier to talk about the good: some of the book bored me, and the style of writing lost me more times than I can count. To add to this, being an American means that certain descriptions were completely lost on me; I thought watching my fair share of BBC shows would fill in some gaps, but apparently, Doctor Who and Misfits isn't enough. I thought about DNRing the book about two chapters in...
... but Peter and this world he inhabits is FAR TOO INTERESTING. While a lot of the descriptions escaped me, what I did understand was this complex world with science and magic collide. About half-way through the book, things pick up and I refused to put it down. I wanted to solve the mystery and learn more about the magic and inhabitants of the world. I won't rush to read book two, but I will definitely pick it up at some point. My 3 is a solid three, leaning more positive than negative.
... but Peter and this world he inhabits is FAR TOO INTERESTING. While a lot of the descriptions escaped me, what I did understand was this complex world with science and magic collide. About half-way through the book, things pick up and I refused to put it down. I wanted to solve the mystery and learn more about the magic and inhabitants of the world. I won't rush to read book two, but I will definitely pick it up at some point. My 3 is a solid three, leaning more positive than negative.
alisarae's review against another edition
Great characters, magic system, and voice, but the plot was a let down. I actually went and read a spoilered synopsis because I thought I had missed something, but nope, I just didn’t like the resolution.
Overall this reminded me of American Gods, in the way that mythical and supernatural beings interact with modern urban environments. I didn’t particularly like that book, but I would recommend Rivers of London if you did!
Overall this reminded me of American Gods, in the way that mythical and supernatural beings interact with modern urban environments. I didn’t particularly like that book, but I would recommend Rivers of London if you did!
scarlet_pimpernel's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
amyapple's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 because I didn’t particularly like the ending … but otherwise an enjoyable read that was fun and quirky.
janey's review against another edition
4.0
Very cute. I feel like I've heard about this for so long there's no way they should be carrying mobile phones in the story. Anyway, cute and gently funny.
manguar's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
slow-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? Yes
4.0