The best thing about the book is definitely Queenie herself, I didn't particularly like her character at the beginning because she is so much in deniaThe best thing about the book is definitely Queenie herself, I didn't particularly like her character at the beginning because she is so much in denial about her situation and I felt like she kept getting herself into the same situation over and over, which made things feel a little episodic, but in the end that worked well, when she began to see what a toxic pattern she was in. The arc that she has is brilliantly done. I like the fact that everything isn't tied up completely at the end, although she has faced her demons and come out a better person, she is still a bit wobbly in some ways, and her family and friends are not perfect either, and this felt really natural and true to life. It is a really accomplished first novel, and I'm looking forward to reading what Candice does next. ...more
Of all the Rivers of London books, I think this story was one of my favourites so far, because of the kidnapping plot and the way it takes the story iOf all the Rivers of London books, I think this story was one of my favourites so far, because of the kidnapping plot and the way it takes the story in a markedly different direction. I listened to the audiobook read by Kobna Holbrook Smith, which is excellent....more
I’m a massive fan of Orangeboy - it was probably my favourite YA book of last year. I loved the relationship between Marlon and Tish in that book, andI’m a massive fan of Orangeboy - it was probably my favourite YA book of last year. I loved the relationship between Marlon and Tish in that book, and I feel like Bailey and Indigo have something similar. They’re really believable living, breathing characters - Bailey is sweet and sometimes goofy, Indigo is a little more spikey and that creates an interesting dynamic between them. Just like Orangeboy, Indigo Donut also has a lot music-nerdery and a love of London that shines through in the details and setting, local humour and banter that feels distinctly teenage-London. And as Bailey and Indigos friendship blossoms into something more a mysterious outsider from Indigo’s past brings a secret that threatens to mess up the developing romance. The strongest things about the book for me though was the sweet and sincere and loving relationship that Bailey and Indigo develop. Despite the delicate nature of it, its one that you hope with all your heart will last well beyond the last page....more
**spoiler alert** The third book in the series of the Sally Lockhart Quartet is the longest and also by far the most interesting. Sally now has a two **spoiler alert** The third book in the series of the Sally Lockhart Quartet is the longest and also by far the most interesting. Sally now has a two year old daughter named Harriet, whose father was the late Frederick Garland. Her financial business is successful and she live in a house in Richmond with old friends, Jim and Webster Garland, who are away in South America on a photographic assignment. But Sally's idyllic and unconventional middle-class life is shattered when she receives legal papers from a Mr Parrish, a man she's never heard of, who claims to be her husband. He is requesting custody of Harriet and he aims to ruin Sally and take her daughter and all her assets for himself. All of Victorian male society is against Sally and she is gradually stripped of everything she holds dear. Without her old friends to help her, she must once more use her wits and bravery to defend herself against the mysterious Mr Parrish as she sets out to discover the purpose of his plot and to right the injustice that he has brought upon her.
It all sounds a bit melodramatic, but as usual the writing is brilliant, suspenseful and character driven. The plot is really a chance for Phillip Pullman to explore in detail the issues of Victorian London, from women's lack of marital rights to the suffering and lack of rights of the East End poor and the Toynbee-esque charities trying to help them. We meet dockers, London gangs, Jewish refugees fleeing the pogroms and the socialist radicals among them – here represented by Dan Goldberg, the stories other hero. All of these social-historical issues are subtly woven into a dramatic and action packed edge-of-the seat story, and you never feel like Phillip Pullman is crowbarring in his research. Instead the characters who represent these issues become friends and allies of Sally in her fight against the evil Mr Parrish, his shadowy employer (whose identity is pretty obvious if you read the first two books in the series), and the patriarchal Victorian Law. As the story goes on Sally gets to witness and assist her friends in their own struggles, which, as it unsurprisingly turns out, are connected with her own.
Interestingly, there are little ideas and themes that link with His Dark Materials. The villainous Tzadick and his pet monkey that people claim is an evil spirit or a part of his soul, and that feeds him and defends him from those who would do him harm. The child kidnapping plot - albeit here seen from Sally, the Tiger-mother's, point of view. At one point, Sally and Dan Goldberg have a glass of Tokay, which is apparently a Hungarian Wine and is also a favourite tipple in His Dark Materials – I always wondered what it was.
The London detail has got more believable as the Sally Lockhart series has gone on, there was alway a quality of description but the social and historical detail seems to be much better and subtler in this book. Altogether my favourite in the series so far....more
One of my favourite books I have read this year, magic, ghosts, evil spirits, mystery, and cop-procedural action - such an intriguing start to a serieOne of my favourite books I have read this year, magic, ghosts, evil spirits, mystery, and cop-procedural action - such an intriguing start to a series, I really really want to read the rest of these if I ever get through my TBR pile, and find the time!...more
The writing as usual with Phillip Pullman is elegant and engaging with superb pace that keeps the story bubbling along all the time. I thought it was The writing as usual with Phillip Pullman is elegant and engaging with superb pace that keeps the story bubbling along all the time. I thought it was actually marginally better than Ruby in the Smoke. It's still not quite five stars for me as it does have one of those James Bond endings where the villain explains his whole plot to the heroine (Sally) and then stands around while she thwarts it. I didn't mind the bitter sweet nature of the end either, but there were a few scenes where I felt people acted out of character to further the story. That said it kept me gripped to the very last page and the last third really ups the ante on the action. Looking forward to reading the next in the series...more
I'm a big fan of 'His Dark Materials' and 'Ruby in the Smoke' is set in a similar Victorian world, but without the steampunk or magical elements. It'sI'm a big fan of 'His Dark Materials' and 'Ruby in the Smoke' is set in a similar Victorian world, but without the steampunk or magical elements. It's a murder mystery where teenage orphan Sally Lockhart searches for her father's killer and tries to discover his connection to the Ruby of the title and the significance of his last warning to her - 'Beware the seven blessings.'
At around 200 pages it was a quick read. The writing is not quite as sophisticated as 'His Dark Materials', but is still really good and captures the Victorian turn of phrase very well. I can see some Dickensian influence and I imagine a bit from Wilkie Collins and Conan Doyle too. Occasionally there were a few last minute liberties written into the story to make things work - suddenly discovering Frederick is an expert climber is one that springs to mind and there was another one that was to do with the ruby. The villain Mrs Holland is a great character, but unlike Mrs Coulter, I didn't quite buy the web of influence and power she seemed to have accrued. There were also lots of good London locations and secondary characters. I will definitely read the next one in the series....more
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