Another fun Rivers of London graphic novel. It does feel a bit like these are going too high fantasy, but this one nonetheless gains emotional depth aAnother fun Rivers of London graphic novel. It does feel a bit like these are going too high fantasy, but this one nonetheless gains emotional depth as it goes. The finale with Hendrix and the menaces finally revealed is quite well done....more
Oh, it's good to have another proper Laundry book, even if it's a teeny novella. Part of this is getting Bob, rather than the less pleasant charactersOh, it's good to have another proper Laundry book, even if it's a teeny novella. Part of this is getting Bob, rather than the less pleasant characters of recent novels. But Bob also understands how magic and the world works, and that's such a change!
The story of magic and horror in Japan really goes back to the Laundry's roots, which is both good (it's what we've been missing) and bad (it's what we've seen before), but overall, this was a breath of fresh air, reminding us of how good the series used to be....more
Nice to give some attention to the Brook twins and a good foe who is reminiscent of the tropes of a few previous volumes. However without Peter and foNice to give some attention to the Brook twins and a good foe who is reminiscent of the tropes of a few previous volumes. However without Peter and for the most part Bev, this feels like a pretty minor story, just a little side quest that gives a tiny bit of texture to the world....more
I feel like I'm torturing myself with these latter-day Laundry Files, because they've gone *soooo* far off the rails. We've lost our protagonist. We'vI feel like I'm torturing myself with these latter-day Laundry Files, because they've gone *soooo* far off the rails. We've lost our protagonist. We've lost our setting. We instead have a bunch of characters I don't like very much, and this story of theirs was so very, very slow.
I mean it did come together in the end. The way it dovetailed in the last few sections was quite clever. But it literally took me two months to get there because I just wasn't that excited.
Sigh. I really liked the Laundry in its early days....more
A nicely layered mystery that offers a big contrast to the small-town hijinks of the previous volume. The biggeAnother excellent Twenty Palaces novel.
A nicely layered mystery that offers a big contrast to the small-town hijinks of the previous volume. The bigger it gets, the scarier it gets, and that doesn't let up straight through to the end.
In some ways, the finale didn't quite feel sufficiently earned, but the way it ends definitely has me wanting more....more
So great to have another Twenty Palaces novel from Harry Connolly.
This one is entirely unique. Rather than falling into any MacGuffiny patterns conceSo great to have another Twenty Palaces novel from Harry Connolly.
This one is entirely unique. Rather than falling into any MacGuffiny patterns concerning the spellbooks and the Predators it instead offers an almost absurd setup as we start in media res, one that's entirely delightful.
However, for once it's not Ray that I love most, but Annalise. Viewpoint chapters for her characterize her wonderfully. I hope we get more of those in the next book (which I'm likely to hoard rather than spending both volumes of this series in quick succession)....more
A charming new volume of the Rivers of London series, making up for the out-of-tune False Value. It's got a great procedural at its heart that's reallA charming new volume of the Rivers of London series, making up for the out-of-tune False Value. It's got a great procedural at its heart that's really examined over the course of the story. But, we also get a pivotal moment in Peter and Beverly's life, the return of an old foe, intriguing history, an evocative new opponent, a great supporting cast, and the promise of an evolving future. I do wish we'd get a stronger arc like we had in the early part of the series, but this was still terrific. 4.5 stars, which is a full star up from False Value....more
A charming urban-fantasy police procedural. The core story of thieves and a werewolf is almost beside the point. It's the characters who are the focusA charming urban-fantasy police procedural. The core story of thieves and a werewolf is almost beside the point. It's the characters who are the focus here, as well as two unusual storytelling techniques: first, telling four intersecting stories, and second telling half an issue without dialogue. The techniques both keep the comic interesting and sometimes detract from the plot, so call it a somewhat successful experiment. Still, a fun read....more
Jacka seems to be bringing the Alex Verus books to a strong conclusion (as sad as I am to know the conclusion is coming!).
This volume really presents Jacka seems to be bringing the Alex Verus books to a strong conclusion (as sad as I am to know the conclusion is coming!).
This volume really presents Alex in an interesting light, as he's moved a bit over to the dark side, and so you have to ask, what's good, what's evil, what's a fair reaction to murderous intents? Alex is definitely walking the line, and it's not clear which side he will fall on, though increasingly the company he keeps speaks volumes.
We also get some nice resolution to one of the most long-standing plotlines in the series.
This is very much a continuation of an episodic series. It wouldn't make any sense on its own, and it doesn't necessarily have as strong beginning, middle, and end, but I'm enthused with the story it's continuing to tell....more
Legion. An interesting character concept, with personas holding extensive knowledge, and the promise of an interesting character arc. The mystery at tLegion. An interesting character concept, with personas holding extensive knowledge, and the promise of an interesting character arc. The mystery at the heart of the story is also intriguing. Sanderson's language is always somewhat spare, and I think that's more obvious here in this shorter work, but it's still a fun read [3+/5].
Skin Deep. The mystery in this second story isn't quite as good as the first. Oh, it's weird science once more, but perhaps it's a bit too serious this time. However, the story of Leeds himself is growing even more interesting, so that definitely pulls the story up and makes me want to read the last one [3+/5].
Lies of the Beholder. The third and final story nicely dovetails elements from the first two, but is overall a great look at Stephen's central issues that nicely closes out the story. [4/5]
Overall, a pretty unique story from Sanderson that really shows off his breadth....more
I approached this volume with extreme wariness, because it seemed obvious that there was no way that the author could match both the horror and wonderI approached this volume with extreme wariness, because it seemed obvious that there was no way that the author could match both the horror and wonder of the original Magicians and the sense of discovery. I also wondered how they could make characters as wonderful as Quentin and the others.
And, this new Classs of Magicians doesn't do any of those things, but it was still an enjoyable read that gains weight as it goes. The characters are strong and the overall plot is interesting. There's good use of the existing setting, but it's starting to move in interesting ways.
In no way does this match the wonder of the original, but it's still a worthwhile read, at 3.5 stars or so....more
A nice short novella focused on Sonder. It's a fun little mystery, it reveals quite a lot about Sonder's character, and it reveals more about the moraA nice short novella focused on Sonder. It's a fun little mystery, it reveals quite a lot about Sonder's character, and it reveals more about the morality of the Light Mages. A lot of work for a short little story! ...more
One of Aaronovitch's stronger shorts because of its focus on both Abigail and an intriguing mystery. There are also some great subsidiary characters (One of Aaronovitch's stronger shorts because of its focus on both Abigail and an intriguing mystery. There are also some great subsidiary characters (including foxes!). It drags a bit when we get the reveal of the big bad, but once it recovers from that, it's again a very enjoyable book....more
This novella certainly reminded me why I liked the Twenty Palaces stories.
As with many of the others, this one is revelatory: it makes the world biggeThis novella certainly reminded me why I liked the Twenty Palaces stories.
As with many of the others, this one is revelatory: it makes the world bigger by revealing the headquarters of the Twenty Palaces and introducing us to more of its members.
But it's also got terrific action that's written to create great excitement here.
Finally, we've got an intriguing new mystery that I want to know more about.
Overall, thrilled that Connolly is working on new Twenty Palaces stories, as this definitely makes me want more!...more
Based on this collection, short stories aren't really Aaronovitch's strong point. I'm happy to have the new Tales, but they're not particularly memoraBased on this collection, short stories aren't really Aaronovitch's strong point. I'm happy to have the new Tales, but they're not particularly memorable.
Home Crowd Advantage (Peter). A delightful bit of magical history and Peter being clever, all wrapped up in just a few thousands words [4+/5].
The Domestic (Peter). Domestic as in "domestic abuse". This is a nice story of Peter taking on a fairly normative police case but one that, of course, has supernatural connections [4/5].
The Cockpit (Peter & Leslie). It's charming to have a classic story with Leslie, but Aaronovitch spends too much time on technical details (namely, the design of a Waterstones that he used to work at and the creation of genius loci) for it to be a particularly exciting story [3/5].
The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Grannie (Peter & Beverly). A short, simple story, but it nicely combines police work and magic in an unexpected way and has a lonely melancholy to it [4/5].
King of the Rats (Peter & Jaget). A short bit about the problems genius loci can cause that feels like it stops just when it's starting [3/5].
A Rare Book of Curious Design (Peter & Postmartin). A cute story about a trouble in the British Library that unfortunately goes on too long. [3/5].
A Dedicated Follower of Fashion (The Follower). A very peculiar tale about a new river in London. Unfortunately, I'm not sure I would have understood what was going on without the introduction. Still, it's original and different [3+/5].
Favourite Uncle (Abigail). If there's a character that Aaronovitch writes brilliantly, I think it's Abigail. This is a wonderful look at the trials and tribulations of her young life, a great bit of moxie, and also a nice confrontation with something very old. Overall, the best story in the collection [5/5].
Vanessa Sommer's Other Christmas List (Vanessa). Basically, a shaggy-dog tale, which is a story that goes on too long for a singular punch line [2/5].
Three Rivers, Two Husbands, and a Baby (Dominic & Victory). Yet another River is born. Unfortunately, another one-note story [3/5].
The Moments. Three vignettes; mostly harmless [2/5]. ...more
The latest Rivers of London comic is a mash-up of street racing and the fey.
The street-racing aspect of the comic is beautifully illustrated, but otheThe latest Rivers of London comic is a mash-up of street racing and the fey.
The street-racing aspect of the comic is beautifully illustrated, but otherwise dull, which is a shame because it takes up an entire issue (#2) and then some.
The fey aspect is a neat extension of the series' world, but it gets pretty shallow attention here.
Overall, one of the less-important books in the series: a quick and forgettable read....more
Unfortunately, it's become increasingly obvious that Butcher just had one book worth of material before he broke it up to form Peace Talks and Battle Unfortunately, it's become increasingly obvious that Butcher just had one book worth of material before he broke it up to form Peace Talks and Battle Ground. Which is a crying shame for one (two) of the most pivotal books in the series to date.
So this is the big battle against the forces that have been forming in the aftermath of Changes. The first two-thirds of that ar clear padding, because they're a picaresque fight, where Dresden and friends spend a few chapters fighting against one foe who's never been seen before and thus has no emotional resonance, and then move on the next. Huntsmen, Jotun, blahblahblah. There's just no hook in any of this, and it gets quickly tedious.
There's one exception in the early chapters, when an old foe suddenly returns, but the worst part is that it feels out of place, like a part of some other novel.
Battle Ground dramatically picks up in the last third, when we get past all the filler, and to the actual big fights promised in this book, and here it's great to finally see the old Jim Butcher back, for pretty much the first time since he released Skin Game back in 2014. We get epic fights that are personal and meaningful. Then we get about 60 pages of codas, which deliver all the characterization and interpersonal relationships that were otherwise missing from a book that was just one fight after another.
Battle Ground was definitely better than Peace Talks, a 3.5 to its 3, and a solid story rather than just a tease. But the heavily padding of the first 250 pages or so still made it slow going. The back end was good enough, though, (great enough, really) that I'm hoping this was a one-time anomaly resulting from Butcher's troubles in organizing this particular book(s)....more
Sadly, five years away doesn't seem to have done Butcher any favors, as this is the most problematic Dresden book since ... well, the first couple.
TheSadly, five years away doesn't seem to have done Butcher any favors, as this is the most problematic Dresden book since ... well, the first couple.
The big problem is plot, as in this book never really has one. Oh, there's a bit involving the eponymous Peace Talks, but given that we never get past a few receptions, it feels like a big bait-and-switch. And, there's a plot involving Thomas that's probably mean to be the "Case File" of this volume, but it feels really underrepresented. Like it's almost an afterthought.
Instead, we only get what feels like a plot in the last several chapters, and it turns out to be the plot of the next book.
I was thrilled to see Dresden and his friends, family, and foes again, after so long away. But somehow the setup for the next book really ate the heart out of this one, so that after reading through it all we just felt like we'd read the setup for the real story....more
Aaronovitch and Cartmel take a step back and tell a story of Nightingale mostly set in the '50s. It's a fun little story of friendship and a Ripper-esAaronovitch and Cartmel take a step back and tell a story of Nightingale mostly set in the '50s. It's a fun little story of friendship and a Ripper-esque foe. Perhaps not quite as good as our modern-day stories, which their more robust supporting casts (and Beverly), but a good change of pace and a good look back.
My favorite parts actually aren't the main story but the few pages we get set during WWII and the couple of funny strips at the end. A bit sad that the main story isn't the best part, but some of those strips are drop-dead-funny.
In any case, unlike most of the licensed spinoffs I've read lately, the Rivers of London ones are 100% worth reading, and this one is noe xception....more
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