Really enjoyed the latest installment in the Rivers of London series. This one expands the universe a bit, we meet the Sons of Wayland and find out moReally enjoyed the latest installment in the Rivers of London series. This one expands the universe a bit, we meet the Sons of Wayland and find out more about pre-newtonian magic as well as other traditions. We even get out of London briefly for part of it.
All the old friends are in there, including the Foxes, Abigail, Guleed, Beverley and her entire family with a b plot around her giving birth to the twins that were expected in the previous book....more
Really enjoyed it, fell into the world by accident with some short stories and found Joe Abercrombie to have a gripping style, with lots of relatable Really enjoyed it, fell into the world by accident with some short stories and found Joe Abercrombie to have a gripping style, with lots of relatable characters that I just wanted to know more of.
It's an excellent ensemble cast with multiple points of view that thread together really well. Definitely one of the best books I've read in a long time....more
Slightly conflicted with this. There's a lot of interesting take on it, but also a lot more annoying language that breaks me out of my suspension of dSlightly conflicted with this. There's a lot of interesting take on it, but also a lot more annoying language that breaks me out of my suspension of disbelief. So much so that even though I've got a two book volume and I read this really easily I didn't read the second book.
For example, all through it talks of firing bows. None of the examples involved flaming arrows. There was also the business of rank by tattoo, but the description of the tattoos doesn't work if you promote someone.
Overall there's a brilliant five star story in the making, but it needs a good development edit to get it there. No idea why the publisher didn't bother with that.
NB if anyone ever has a go at why self-published books lack quality I'd suggest referring them to this as a counterpoint that traditional publishing sometimes also lacks quality....more
A nice diversion from Rivers of London to see things from Abigail's perspective and get to know the Foxes. There were also hints at other powers at plA nice diversion from Rivers of London to see things from Abigail's perspective and get to know the Foxes. There were also hints at other powers at play in the UK government. More than just those at the Folly having an interest in magic......more
Fireheart Tiger is a fabulous novella set in a Vietnam-like fantasy world with a matriarchal culture. I started reading the beginning on the Tor websiFireheart Tiger is a fabulous novella set in a Vietnam-like fantasy world with a matriarchal culture. I started reading the beginning on the Tor website and was so hooked by the writing and the main character that I wanted to read more....more
A good collection of short stories from the Rivers of London universe, half of which are not from Peter Grant's perspective.
I'd read a couple of thesA good collection of short stories from the Rivers of London universe, half of which are not from Peter Grant's perspective.
I'd read a couple of these before on the web, or possibly tucked into another book. However they were just as enjoyable the second time round. Also most of the stories were new to me, even though I've read all the graphic novels, novellas and main series novels. I'm a sucker for the world building in Rivers of London, and all of these stories teased out a little bit more of that. It was like cat nip to me, and I read the whole set in less than 24 hours. (In context the previous book I read took me 40 days!)
Definitely recommend this to anyone who likes Rivers of London, or even just urban fantasy set in a contemporary UK....more