[caladanbrood]

Yes, I have it! Hibernation begins.

[caladanbrood]

Generally I enjoyed Foxglove Summer. It wasn't what I expected it to be at all, but I did enjoy the story.

That said...
All books spoilers

Spoiler

How the hell can there be so little development of the Lesley story?!?!?! A cryptic comment about stuff building to something in a year (possibly not even the next book, the way he writes) and nothing else? That is cruel and unusual punishment for your readers!!

[Starling]

Noooooooooo, Amazon is telling me I can't get it till January

[Chance]

caladanbrood, on 19 November 2014 - 09:43 PM, said:

All books spoilers

Spoiler

How the hell can there be so little development of the Lesley story?!?!?! A cryptic comment about stuff building to something in a year (possibly not even the next book, the way he writes) and nothing else? That is cruel and unusual punishment for your readers!!

Really? It seems to be how Butcher and many other urban fantasy writers seem to draw out some story elements over a couple of books, doing little or nothing with the most important part of the story to the reader. It's nearly part of the genre.

[caladanbrood]

True, but after the clusterfuck at the end of Broken Homes I wanted much more development. I find Aaronovitch much more gripping than Butcher, personally.

[Chance]

Actually I agree some extra realism gives Aaronovitch's series a lot to like, which more kitchensink urban fantasy of Butcher occationally lacks. Also I found Foxglove Summer is a lot stronger then anything Butchers written since Changes at least.

Kinda found the situation at end of Broken Homes more or less mirrored one or two large dramatic stuff Butcher introduced and didn't take care of for a good while.

This post has been edited by Chance: 20 November 2014 - 01:41 PM

[caladanbrood]

You're not wrong. But for some reason with Butcher I am happy to see him meander about not getting to the point, but with Aaronovitch I'm impatient for the main plot to develop. Possibly because the supporting characters like Nightingale and Lesley are more fleshed out than Dresden's? If that makes any sense, I care more what happens to them.

[Chance]

Makes total sense.

[Tiste Simeon]

Just finished Whispers Under Ground. Good story and I love th idea of a species living under London. However I just felt this book was the weweakest of the 3 I've read so far. I dunno it seemed like a pretty underwhelming finish. I did like the last line though and it was good enough that I'm gonna keep reading.

[Obdigore]

So I finished the first four books, and while I don't think (for me) it's quite as good as Dresden or Garrett, I'm certainly enjoying the series.

I, also, can't get book 5 until January, and I absolutely loved the end of book 4.

[caladanbrood]

Tiste Simeon, on 03 December 2014 - 10:22 AM, said:

Just finished Whispers Under Ground. Good story and I love th idea of a species living under London. However I just felt this book was the weweakest of the 3 I've read so far. I dunno it seemed like a pretty underwhelming finish. I did like the last line though and it was good enough that I'm gonna keep reading.

3 is maybe the weakest... or at least a bit different to the others. Worry not, 4 will blow your face off!

[Abyss]

Obdigore, on 03 December 2014 - 05:04 PM, said:

So I finished the first four books, and while I don't think (for me) it's quite as good as Dresden or Garrett, I'm certainly enjoying the series.

I, also, can't get book 5 until January, and I absolutely loved the end of book 4.

Kindle it, no?

caladanbrood, on 03 December 2014 - 10:04 PM, said:

Tiste Simeon, on 03 December 2014 - 10:22 AM, said:

Just finished Whispers Under Ground. Good story and I love th idea of a species living under London. However I just felt this book was the weweakest of the 3 I've read so far. I dunno it seemed like a pretty underwhelming finish. I did like the last line though and it was good enough that I'm gonna keep reading.

3 is maybe the weakest... or at least a bit different to the others. Worry not, 4 will blow your face off!

Agreed on both points. 3 was weak, 4 more than compensated.

[Obdigore]

Kindle in the US doesn't release until January 6, apparently.

[Tiste Simeon]

Still if that was the weakest, it's still a pretty good read...

[Abyss]

Finished FOXGLOVE SUMMER. very solid addition to the series. Peter shines, Beverly gets some great scenes, I enjoyed the change of scene from London and the story worked very nicely. Low on action again but when it happened it was pretty awesome, and that sense of wonder that I so enjoy from this series was firmly in place....the magic felt important when it happened.

[amphibian]

What happened to the magical mojo at the top of the tower post Broken Homes? They did the para ride off and then nothing else was mentioned.

PG got no power up and neither did the Faceless Man.

[Abyss]

amphibian, on 05 January 2015 - 02:05 PM, said:

What happened to the magical mojo at the top of the tower post Broken Homes? They did the para ride off and then nothing else was mentioned.

PG got no power up and neither did the Faceless Man.

Well... my take...

Spoiler

By messing up some of the explosives and evacuating the tower, then confronting Faceless directly, Peter screwed up Faceless' whole ritual thing.... as far as he could tell. The energy discharged harmlessly and faceless couldn't harness it.

It's hinted there was more going on tho', and whether 'more' included subverting Lesley is also a question.

[Starling]

I really enjoyed Foxglove Summer.

Spoiler

It felt a bit anti-climactic, and I would have liked an epilogue of some kind just to wrap it all up nicely, but the change in scenery was nice and I like the development of the Peter and Beverley relationship. Also, all the new supporting characters, especially Dominic. I think Aaronovitch creates really good relationships with really strong characterisation. None of it feels forced, and you never question why two characters are friends. I also like the hints about Nightingale, especially about how strong he really is.

In fact, I like this series better than Dresden. There aren't any of the problematic aspects that bother me so much about Dresden (Yes! Please, tell us more about your apprentice's training bra!), it's less repetitive, and the characterisation is better. Peter feels like a real person, Harry is basically a collection of cliché and male power fantasy.

I like Dresden, but I love Peter Grant.

[Obdigore]

I finished this last night at 4am, and although I really enjoyed it, I have a couple questions...

Spoiler

1) Was there any resolution for what is being done with the two girls?
2) WTH is with bee-girl? (strange opinions welcome)
3) I find it odd that Officer Grant could just 'use' the other wizards staff like that
4) I'd love to hear some crazy theories on what is going to really 'kick off' in a year?

My crazy theory. Molly is the queen-in-exile of one of the Fae, and if she leaves the folly those Fae will kill her to cement their rule. Also, the Nightengale is half Fae, and that is why he is so strong, because he is mixing the 'im more a part of the planet so it is easier for me' (that beverly and those like her use) and Newtonian magic. Thoughts?

This post has been edited by Obdigore: 07 January 2015 - 06:59 PM

[amphibian]

I think the Nightingale is fully human. The Russian having the same un-aging process most likely means that it's not a Fae thing.

One of the reasons why I think that is because we saw the Fae in Foxglove Summer and honestly, they weren't much more powerful than Grant himself and he's kind of a baby compared to Nightingale, the Russian or the Faceless Man.

I think Molly is a princess and not a queen because if it were the latter, the Fae would have been looking non-stop for her. Future books could see a Queen die and Molly get bumped up to Queen-Unconfirmed.

As for what's being done with the two girls, I don't think Grant cares - and therefor Aaronovitch won't really tell us. He's stuck quite rigidly to limiting this series to Grant's observations and viewpoint.