False Value
(Rivers of London #8)
by Ben Aaronovitch
fantasy
copyright 2020
read in March 2023
rated 6/10: read to pass the time
a couple of chapters in and I'm wondering if those chapters have been printed out of order.
Then I notice that chapter titles include a month. okay, so that indicates relative time.
except that the months are January and December. two months apart? Or the start and end of one year? It doesn't really matter but... I realise that by now I am not interested enough to care.
The cover blurb days charming, witty, exciting.
referring to his heavily pregnant girlfriend as the bulge is not charming. somewhat demeaning, perhaps. at best it's twee.
there are plenty of likeable characters who are not developed enough to be charming.
witty? not very. Snide comments on history, architecture, people go straight past witty into not very pleasant sarcasm.
The Hitchhiker's-themed business brings a smile or two but quickly palls. Sarcasm rather than humour, there is no sense of fun.
Finally, however, there is excitement. and that works.
a complex plot, well laid out and developed. plenty of danger and magic enough for enjoyable action. leftover characters from previous books are well used.
the denouement fits. the climax is ridiculous, believable and satisfying.
except that the book ends with more loose ends than... well, the end is satisfying but really... absolutely nothing is finished.
it's an enjoyable book. could probably be enjoyed by itself. but for full enjoyment... read it as one chapter in an as yet nowhere near complete soap opera.
Nick Lethbridge
consulting Dexitroboper
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