The Hanging Tree
(Peter Grant #6)
by Ben Aaronovitch
fantasy, young adult
copyright 2016
read in June 2017
rated 6/10: read to pass the time
or possibly ... 7/10: well worth reading ? noooo...
This book is "well worth reading" because it continues the very enjoyable Peter Grant series. Grant develops his skills, new characters are introduced. There are plenty of digs at society which make me chuckle.
The book is "read to pass the time" because it's just a continuation of the still enjoyable Peter Grant series. Grant gets a little bit better with his skills, yet more new characters are introduced. The digs at society are plentiful but tending towards the sarcastic.
What I mean is, this book is the latest in a great series. The central plot for this book is okay. The long-term series plot is showing signs that it will never wrap up. The cast of characters is getting crowded, with new people introduced and old ones still hanging on. And the "social commentary" is less tolerant, more biting.
I enjoyed the book but was just a little disappointed. I'll stay with the rating of six.
But if I were reading this as my *first* Peter Grant book: I would be glad to have found the series, I would rush out to look for more :-) Really, it is disappointing only in comparison to earlier books in this series. The series continues but at the expense of the book.
Still, I look forward to the next book in the series. In the hope that the series continues to develop -- but that the book is more enjoyable by itself.
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Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper
Agamedes Consulting / Problems? Solved.
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"There's always one more imbecile than you counted on." … per Ginger Meggs
Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper
Agamedes Consulting / Problems? Solved.
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"There's always one more imbecile than you counted on." … per Ginger Meggs
1 comment:
28 July 2017: update
Aha! I have just read Moon over Soho, the *second* Peter Grant book. And I know why Hanging Tree was a bit flat. Moon is still a strong combination of apprentice wizard with police procedural. Throw in lots of side comments on history, London, people -- and Moon is an excellent book. As good as my memories of the first Peter Grant book.
Hanging Tree has lost a lot of that contrast: magic versus everyday policing. It has also run out of the interesting, snide, humorous, clever, possibly even true, comments on the general environment of the story.
Hanging is a fun story. Just lacking the earlier depth. And cleverness.
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