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timinbc's review against another edition
4.0
This book needed to be written. Mo has been dragged along the whole way, and Stross has held back telling us much about her despite her obvious importance and capability.
Bob's a nebbish who drifts along going "oh, look, a horribly horrible thing, isn't that interesting", and Mo isn't wired that way. And Mo has been in charge of a nasty, nasty thing for a very long time. I think she does well under the circumstances, and as she's on her way to falling apart from stress, overwork and the monstrous violin, I for one am not going to get on her for not being all gooey with Bob, who wasn't there to be gooey with anyway. He couldn't be, because the business of the book had to be got on with, and he HAD to be offstage for it.
Stross has done a nice job over the 6-and-a-bit books of carrying on the assumption that a world full or supernatural stuff should not be exempt from bureaucracy.
I was reading along with not very many pages left go go, and began to wonder if we were in for either a disappointing cop-out ending or a "to be continued," not least because there were about eight clearly important clues to be tied together. But we got a real ending that actually did consider all the loose threads.
Also glad that Freudstein didn't turn out to be
And good that Stross recognizes the long-established tradition that you mustn't tell us much about the Horrible Things, just tell us repeatedly how unimaginably horrible they are. Let US fill in the blanks. You want tentacles? You got 'em. Whatever.
It's suggested that #7 will go sideways again and #8 will bring Bob back. I wonder if there's going to be much left to say on the theme after that. I'm certainly going to read them to find out, though.
Bob's a nebbish who drifts along going "oh, look, a horribly horrible thing, isn't that interesting", and Mo isn't wired that way. And Mo has been in charge of a nasty, nasty thing for a very long time. I think she does well under the circumstances, and as she's on her way to falling apart from stress, overwork and the monstrous violin, I for one am not going to get on her for not being all gooey with Bob, who wasn't there to be gooey with anyway. He couldn't be, because the business of the book had to be got on with, and he HAD to be offstage for it.
Stross has done a nice job over the 6-and-a-bit books of carrying on the assumption that a world full or supernatural stuff should not be exempt from bureaucracy.
I was reading along with not very many pages left go go, and began to wonder if we were in for either a disappointing cop-out ending or a "to be continued," not least because there were about eight clearly important clues to be tied together. But we got a real ending that actually did consider all the loose threads.
Also glad that Freudstein didn't turn out to be
Spoiler
a Moriarty, to be brought back in other books.And good that Stross recognizes the long-established tradition that you mustn't tell us much about the Horrible Things, just tell us repeatedly how unimaginably horrible they are. Let US fill in the blanks. You want tentacles? You got 'em. Whatever.
It's suggested that #7 will go sideways again and #8 will bring Bob back. I wonder if there's going to be much left to say on the theme after that. I'm certainly going to read them to find out, though.
finestgreen's review against another edition
3.0
The Laundry Files is getting better as it goes - gradually cleaning up the excess whimsy from the beginning and getting deeper and richer. They've always been page-turners for me, and this one was no different in that.
But... the change of voice to Mo (while not terrible) wasn't quite nailed. Tacking "as Bob would say" to the end of every reddit reference just made it more obvious that they weren't in character, and the (admittedly very light) bits of feminist social commentary felt slightly crowbarred in.
Enjoyed it, though!
But... the change of voice to Mo (while not terrible) wasn't quite nailed. Tacking "as Bob would say" to the end of every reddit reference just made it more obvious that they weren't in character, and the (admittedly very light) bits of feminist social commentary felt slightly crowbarred in.
Enjoyed it, though!
jayraams's review against another edition
I love how the author uses his own mix of sci-fi, horror and the paranormal to tell different stories. Enjoyed hearing from Moe's voice. Definitely recommend, if you like Sir Terry Pratchett you will like this series.
radbear76's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
My least favorite book in the series thus far. The plot was weak and the protagonist whined too much about problems they didn't actually try to solve. It was the equivalent of e filler episode in a TV series.
beautifuldissonance's review against another edition
4.0
I had high hopes for this book but it fell short. I'd go so far as to say it is the weakest book in the series so far. I was really looking forward to meeting Mo properly, but she was difficult to relate to as a protagonist. It felt like she lacked agency and was for the most part just pushed around by the narrative. Her "superpower" fell flat, both as a plot point and as social commentary. And there was no real growth of her as a character.
I also really didn't enjoy the romance/relationship plot lines. That's not something that Stross does well. There's rarely any genuine connection between the people involved (with the possible exception of some aspects of Bob and Ramona's relationship in The Jennifer Morgue) so it ends up making no emotional sense and feeling plot-driven and empty.
Still, it was worth reading for the world, the humour, and the references.
I also really didn't enjoy the romance/relationship plot lines. That's not something that Stross does well. There's rarely any genuine connection between the people involved (with the possible exception of some aspects of Bob and Ramona's relationship in The Jennifer Morgue) so it ends up making no emotional sense and feeling plot-driven and empty.
Still, it was worth reading for the world, the humour, and the references.
spitzig's review against another edition
4.0
Great book, like the rest of the series. The protagonist here is the earlier main character's wife.
kayteeem's review against another edition
Still one of my most favorite series, this time with music!
whiskyrob's review against another edition
2.0
This one was a lot harder to get through than the previous books in the series. Possibly due to the change in viewpoint, the larger amount of politics/less action, and the semi-romance bits. Follows the standard Laundry-plot "Small problems turn to larger problems turn to nightmare creature trying to take over the world and thwarted at the last minute, plus bureaucracy, paperwork and betrayal".
misterjay's review against another edition
5.0
It can be a challenge to set appropriate stakes when the end of the world is a given. In The Annihilation Score, Stross keeps the coming of the Great Old Ones (mostly) offstage in favor of more personal torments for new POV protagonist, Doctor Dominique O'Brien.
Mo has appeared as a side player in more than Laundry story, but this is the first time she has taken center stage as the main story teller. It's a refreshing change, bringing a new perspective on the Cthlu meets James Bond world Stross has created.
One thing that hasn't changed: life in the Laundry is not easy. Especially now that there are bona fide superheroes and supervillains in the mix. Suddenly it's Mo's job to keep tabs on the former and to keep the latter under wraps. All while still carrying her nightmarish instruments (the White Violin) and dealing with severe marriage problems brought on by both her and Bob's jobs.
It all makes for another fantastic laundry novel; while it may not be as over-the-top as some of the other novels, the more intimate personal dramas add a fresh touch to a fun story.
Highly recommended.
Mo has appeared as a side player in more than Laundry story, but this is the first time she has taken center stage as the main story teller. It's a refreshing change, bringing a new perspective on the Cthlu meets James Bond world Stross has created.
One thing that hasn't changed: life in the Laundry is not easy. Especially now that there are bona fide superheroes and supervillains in the mix. Suddenly it's Mo's job to keep tabs on the former and to keep the latter under wraps. All while still carrying her nightmarish instruments (the White Violin) and dealing with severe marriage problems brought on by both her and Bob's jobs.
It all makes for another fantastic laundry novel; while it may not be as over-the-top as some of the other novels, the more intimate personal dramas add a fresh touch to a fun story.
Highly recommended.
wetdryvac's review against another edition
4.0
Really liked it, but an odd departure from the feel of the prior books. Probably unavoidable, given the character shift, but... *shrugs* Still fun.