24 replies to this topic

[Darth Arya]

Has anyone else read this yet?, I was really happy when I saw it on display at the book shop, I hadnt realized it was out, Im only on page 50 but really enjoying a lighter read having just finished ADWD.

[BigFatCoward]

its on pre order for my kindle.  i think it comes out on the 21st.  can't wait, loved the first 2, and you are right, he is a very easy author to read.

[williamjm]

I'll probably get it sometime soon, I enjoyed the first two books a lot.

Incidentally, I see he's doing various book signings over the next month or so, I might possibly go to one of the London ones.

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its on pre order for my kindle.  i think it comes out on the 21st.  can't wait, loved the first 2, and you are right, he is a very easy author to read.

I'm curious how a London policeman finds the non-magical police bits of the books? Has Aaronovitch done his research well?

[Darth Arya]

Im curious about that too, I certianly enjoy Peters POV about events and his thoughts on Police work.

Edited by Katherine Of House Sith, 17 June 2012 - 11:41 AM.

[Maltaran]

I read this last night. Some interesting stuff going on (although the most surprising bit for me was when I realised Dr Walid was a white guy who converted - I'd been under the impression he was a second or third generation Asian Scot). I can see an arc beginning to push through with the Faceless Man, and a few characters (Agent Reynolds, Kumar) who will no doubt return (although this did IMO cause one flaw in the book - Madam Teng's appearance didn't affect the main plot at all and seemed to have no point other than a) telling the readers there are foreign magicians around and setting her up for a future appearance).

On a side note, I think this is the first book I've read where the contents page made me laugh, although you'll have to be familiar with a certain Radio 4 comedy show to get the joke.

[BigFatCoward]

williamjm, on 17 June 2012 - 08:26 AM, said:

I'm curious how a London policeman finds the non-magical police bits of the books? Has Aaronovitch done his research well?

very well researched, he has clearly had a lot of help.  the vernacular in particular is perfect.

[Datepalm]

Maltaran, on 23 June 2012 - 08:29 AM, said:

.On a side note, I think this is the first book I've read where the contents page made me laugh, although you'll have to be familiar with a certain Radio 4 comedy show to get the joke.

I don't get it.(Predictably enough, not being familiar with any Radio 4 show.) explain? I don't want to miss a joke, especially since the contents is all place names!

(First thing that cracked me up? The reference to Albert Speer. Yeah.)

[Maltaran]

It's a list of underground stations, and the last one is Mornington Crescent.

[Datepalm]

...still don't really get it, but whatever.

Good book, but I feel a bit cheated that it was very much a single 'episode', so to speak, with very little progress on the big arc and some of the big questions, like Nightingale's background. Characters got rather short shrift too, since the pace was so hectic (except Lesley, just a bit.) Am I misremembering, or did the first two take place over several weeks/months, as opposed to days in this instance? Felt a bit like a Matthew Swift book that way, with the accompanying frustrations.(Was there a shout-out there, with that bit about the telephone gods?) Oh well, still a really fun read with some great lines. It's nice to finish something in one go - it feels like I never do that anymore.

[ljkeane]

I pretty much agree with Datepalm, very enjoyable read but I am getting a little impatient for the bigger story of evil magicians/nazis/what's going on with Molly/Nightingale appearing not to age to be more the focus of a book rather than going on in the background. Still one of the more enjoyable books I've read this year though despite that frustration. I agree with Malt that the FBI agent and the references to American magic does seem to be setting up something for future books as well.

Edited by ljkeane, 24 June 2012 - 05:51 AM.

[john]

Aha!  This is out.  I think I'll abandon Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall for a bit and read this instead.

The Mornington Crescent thing - I don't even get it while listening to I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue.  Or rather I do get it but I don't think it's very funny.  The rest of the show can be quite good though.

[BigFatCoward]

when i think of some of the shite that has 20 topics and this struggles to get 20 posts, it makes me feel a bit sad.

[kcf]

I'l hopefully get a copy soon. I've enjolyed the first two books quite a bit (reviews), so this will be a must read when I'm in the mood for some lighter fare.

[Darth Arya]

I found the fake houses to conceal the Underground tracks really interesting, there is one real set of them, I'm not sure if there is any more though.

[Chaldanya]

I didn't realise the third one was out. Must try and get it and read it ASAP.

N

[Darth Arya]

Chaldanya, on 30 June 2012 - 03:53 PM, said:

I didn't realise the third one was out. Must try and get it and read it ASAP.

N

If you liked the other two, you will definately enjoy it, well worth reading in my opinion.

[williamjm]

I finished it yesterday, it was another entertaining read and I'd probably rate it similar to Moon Over Soho, although I think Rivers of London is still the best in the series.

Datepalm, on 23 June 2012 - 07:05 PM, said:

Good book, but I feel a bit cheated that it was very much a single 'episode', so to speak, with very little progress on the big arc and some of the big questions, like Nightingale's background. Characters got rather short shrift too, since the pace was so hectic (except Lesley, just a bit.) Am I misremembering, or did the first two take place over several weeks/months, as opposed to days in this instance?

I can't remember exactly but think RoL does take place over a longer period of time, since Peter does have time to manage to learn some magic during the book. I think MoS might just be a few days, though. I agree WU did feel a bit rushed towards the end, Peter did seem to recover very quickly from being hospitalised and almost immediately seemed ready to go back underground again. Also, the scene with the murderer confessing seemed a bit contrived, it felt more like the author really wanted to put the explanation in there, but I don't see why the character would want to confess so quickly. Overall the murder investigation was maybe a bit weak as a plot since we never really seemed to get to know much about the murder victim or the murderer to really make us care about the case, although the underground explorations were more interesting.

I wonder if the next book might feature the 'Faceless Man' plot more prominently, it does seem to be set up so that it could be the main plot of the next book.

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I agree with Malt that the FBI agent and the references to American magic does seem to be setting up something for future books as well.

I wonder if Peter might end having to travel to America for some future case, and therefore meet Agent Reynolds again? I'm sure she'll reappear at some point, I did think she was an interesting character and Peter's increasingly lame attempt to conceal the fact he was using magic from her were amusing.

[Datepalm]

I remember Moon over Soho as being the long one (time wise) because he dates whats-her-name for like ages.

[Lupigis]

I read it the other day and loved it. All the books in the series have been a delight to read, and I agree that it's a pity that not more people on the forum have tried them.

williamjm, on 14 July 2012 - 09:25 AM, said:

I wonder if the next book might feature the 'Faceless Man' plot more prominently, it does seem to be set up so that it could be the main plot of the next book.

I remember Werthead writing somewhere (here or on the blog) that book four was actually written before book three and that book three was conceived and inserted afterwards. Maybe he'll chime in and confirm that.

[williamjm]

Datepalm, on 14 July 2012 - 12:10 PM, said:

I remember Moon over Soho as being the long one (time wise) because he dates whats-her-name for like ages.

I vaguely remembered that it was a bit of a whirlwind romance that didn't last for too long, although it did feel like ages. You might be right, though.