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aceinit's review against another edition
4.0
Aside from the first installment "A Madness of Angels," this was my favorite of the Matthew Swyft books. There is a side to Matthew here I don't feel that readers have seen before, in the way his brief acquaintance with Meera affects him. There is the devastation caused when the Blue Electric Angels are unleashed in a way they have never been before, thanks to an infusion of a truly horrific drug aimed at sorcerers.
The only thing that really rang false for me is when the third interlude shifts to Penny's perspective and she suddenly becomes flawlessly eloquent and very un-Penny-like. I've never really cared for Swyft's apprentice, but here she is wildly out of character and it shows in such a way that it detracts from the momentum of the narrative.
Nabeela was a wonderful addition to the cast, and another modern twist on a creature of myth. Throughout this series, I have loved reading Griffin's very unique and modern taken on magic. This is one of the few urban fantasy series I've read that takes the "urban" part very, very seriously.
And then there is Kelly....bless her ever-charming, somtimes obnoxious, perpetually-perky wunderPA heart. Kelly could grow on me.
Griffin has crafted an interesting conclusion to this novel, which could serve both as a resolution to the series and a prelude to a future installment. I very much hope it is the latter.
The only thing that really rang false for me is when the third interlude shifts to Penny's perspective and she suddenly becomes flawlessly eloquent and very un-Penny-like. I've never really cared for Swyft's apprentice, but here she is wildly out of character and it shows in such a way that it detracts from the momentum of the narrative.
Nabeela was a wonderful addition to the cast, and another modern twist on a creature of myth. Throughout this series, I have loved reading Griffin's very unique and modern taken on magic. This is one of the few urban fantasy series I've read that takes the "urban" part very, very seriously.
And then there is Kelly....bless her ever-charming, somtimes obnoxious, perpetually-perky wunderPA heart. Kelly could grow on me.
Griffin has crafted an interesting conclusion to this novel, which could serve both as a resolution to the series and a prelude to a future installment. I very much hope it is the latter.
verderebelde's review against another edition
4.0
Like the others... Very powerful first half... And weak second part...
theaurochs's review against another edition
4.0
Kate Griffin's Matthew Swift series continues to impress, to shine with the magic of life in London (magic is life, life is magic) and to sparkle with creativity. She manages to create such convincing creatures and characters that really feel like the logical modernisations of fairy-tales and mythology: the imps that live in basements and chew electrical cables; the Beggar King who haunts the streets and watches over his subjects; fairy dust being used as the hot new drug.
This last is the main plot of the novel, Swift encounters a low-level magician who casts a spell far greater, more powerful and dangerous than she should by any rights be able to cast. After a bit of digging, he discovers that the new-found increase in ability is due to a strange new drug which seems to have some very nasty side affects as well. We follow though a series of investigations as he tries to figure out where its coming from and how to stop it. It's a journey filled with the classic Griffin menagerie of excellent people and monsters (and a lot where the line blurs), her distinctive evocative landscapes of London, and her deep empathy and insight. We also find ourselves entangled in the bureaucracy of the Aldermen of London; the people in suits who run the councils and the meetings; but also have offices keeping tabs on all the magical goings-on in the city. With Swift's somewhat reluctant appointment to the office of Midnight Mayor, he struggles with being tied down and the red-tape that comes with the job. Naturally, things within the Aldermen are not entirely what they seem either.
It's a great fun story, although it doesn't quite reach the heights of earlier books in the series. Absolutely still worth a read, I really do think it's the best urban fantasy series going around.
This last is the main plot of the novel, Swift encounters a low-level magician who casts a spell far greater, more powerful and dangerous than she should by any rights be able to cast. After a bit of digging, he discovers that the new-found increase in ability is due to a strange new drug which seems to have some very nasty side affects as well. We follow though a series of investigations as he tries to figure out where its coming from and how to stop it. It's a journey filled with the classic Griffin menagerie of excellent people and monsters (and a lot where the line blurs), her distinctive evocative landscapes of London, and her deep empathy and insight. We also find ourselves entangled in the bureaucracy of the Aldermen of London; the people in suits who run the councils and the meetings; but also have offices keeping tabs on all the magical goings-on in the city. With Swift's somewhat reluctant appointment to the office of Midnight Mayor, he struggles with being tied down and the red-tape that comes with the job. Naturally, things within the Aldermen are not entirely what they seem either.
It's a great fun story, although it doesn't quite reach the heights of earlier books in the series. Absolutely still worth a read, I really do think it's the best urban fantasy series going around.
kadomi's review against another edition
4.0
I cannot recommend the Matthew Swift series enough. In a world flooded with mediocre urban fantasy it stands out with it's incredibly lush prose, and a complex character in the form of Matthew Swift, formerly deceased sorcerer brought back to life by the blue electric angels living in the telephone lines of London. Like the previous three installments, the book definitely delivers on the 'urban' in the genre, while not skimping on the fantasy part, as he battles a drug called fairy dust that turns its addicts into literal magical dust.
There are betrayals, cool and diverse female characters, plot twists. I don't think it's a series for everyone, as the writing style is very distinct and not always easy to follow, but ultimately worth it. That section at the fairy godmother's HQ? Mindblowing, so good.
All in all I would give the series, now that it has come to its conclusion, 5 stars, it's fantastic, and now I have to read more of Kate Griffin under her other pen names.
There are betrayals, cool and diverse female characters, plot twists. I don't think it's a series for everyone, as the writing style is very distinct and not always easy to follow, but ultimately worth it. That section at the fairy godmother's HQ? Mindblowing, so good.
All in all I would give the series, now that it has come to its conclusion, 5 stars, it's fantastic, and now I have to read more of Kate Griffin under her other pen names.
scruffymorris's review against another edition
4.0
Kate Griffin's Matthew Swift series is one of my favourite urban fantasy series around at the moment. The biggest strength of the series for me is the central character. Matthew Swift is a sorcerer who was resurrected and inhabited by a supernatural force called The Blue Electric Angels. Matthew and the Angels have combined to form a unique personality, one who is not always sure who it is exactly. It's a very unique bit of characterisation which makes Matthew a very interesting character to read.
Matthew Swift is also The Midnight Mayor, the protector of London. In this book there is a new drug on the streets called Fairy Dust which is killing magicians so Matthew has to go up against "The Fairy Godmother". I think the subject matter of this book is a little darker than the others in the series. Kate Griffin has a very descriptive writing style with the nastier parts of the city of London described in vivid detail. As a counterbalance though I thought this time she wrote with a slightly lighter touch. The characters and dialogue seemed wittier to me and made this probably the most enjoyable read of the series so far.
I also think The Minority Council has a faster pace to it. This is the fourth in the series so a lot of the world building has already been done which means here we can just jump straight into the story. I did think there was a little too much retelling events of previous novels but I suppose that it's necessary for new readers. The supporting characters get plenty of attention this time, in particular Matthews apprentice Penny is developing very nicely from book to book. We also get a more in depth look at the Alderman organisation, their uneasy relationship with Matthew really comes to a head here and pays off much of the groundwork laid in previous books.
Towards the end we get some very intriguing hints about where things may be going in the future which has me excited to pick up the next one. Four books in this series is only getting better and it's well worth jumping on board.
For more of my reviews please visit http://www.scruffyfiction.co.uk
Matthew Swift is also The Midnight Mayor, the protector of London. In this book there is a new drug on the streets called Fairy Dust which is killing magicians so Matthew has to go up against "The Fairy Godmother". I think the subject matter of this book is a little darker than the others in the series. Kate Griffin has a very descriptive writing style with the nastier parts of the city of London described in vivid detail. As a counterbalance though I thought this time she wrote with a slightly lighter touch. The characters and dialogue seemed wittier to me and made this probably the most enjoyable read of the series so far.
I also think The Minority Council has a faster pace to it. This is the fourth in the series so a lot of the world building has already been done which means here we can just jump straight into the story. I did think there was a little too much retelling events of previous novels but I suppose that it's necessary for new readers. The supporting characters get plenty of attention this time, in particular Matthews apprentice Penny is developing very nicely from book to book. We also get a more in depth look at the Alderman organisation, their uneasy relationship with Matthew really comes to a head here and pays off much of the groundwork laid in previous books.
Towards the end we get some very intriguing hints about where things may be going in the future which has me excited to pick up the next one. Four books in this series is only getting better and it's well worth jumping on board.
For more of my reviews please visit http://www.scruffyfiction.co.uk
raven_morgan's review against another edition
Reluctantly calling this a did not finish, because it's been sitting on the kindle unfinished for too long. Love a lot about this series, but the lack of actual character development from Matthew over the course of the books is a killer for me. At this stage, though I still love the setting, I don't care about Matthew enough to keep reading.
brassduke's review against another edition
4.0
Still not reaching the heights of "A madness of angels" but it's certainly better than "Neon Court." There's at least more than one plot, it doesn't seem utterly predictable from the very start and by the end you feel that there's at least some evolution in the characters. Also the introduction of Kelly in particular is a spot of brilliance. She's funny and a good contrast to the cynicism of the general cast. The "clever new magic" parts are a little less infrequent than in the earlier books but some of them still pack a punch. Even having guessed the truth behind the fairy dust, it was still a powerful moment when it was confirmed for Matthew.
Overall, certainly very readable. Not ground breaking but enjoyable nevertheless.
Overall, certainly very readable. Not ground breaking but enjoyable nevertheless.
elusivity's review against another edition
3.0
3.25 STARS
Matthew Swift meets a woman Meera one night, who charms him by weaving an immensely powerful sorcery that she should not be able to perform, which takes them bodily into the history of London. They connect and spend a night together. Sometime later, he receives a phone call from her, clearly in trouble.
As usual, Matthew stumbles about, making himself conspicuous and stirring up trouble. In his search, he runs into Templeman, a powerful Alderman who runs the Minority Council, a sub-committee that makes those necessary decisions that the Matthew, as an unusual Midnight Mayor, didn't have the patience for. Meanwhile, Nabeela, a young social worker, petitions the Midnight Mayor to deal with troubled teenagers somehow losing their "badness" and with it their souls.
The plot itself verges on meandering, episodic, massive destruction sequences going nowhere -- ultimately, there seems no point to all the proceedings. The true villain is ... not so villainous, with only the vaguest motivation. Why cause all that havoc? Still can't figure it out.
Recommended for fans of the series, but this is starting to get repetitive.
Matthew Swift meets a woman Meera one night, who charms him by weaving an immensely powerful sorcery that she should not be able to perform, which takes them bodily into the history of London. They connect and spend a night together. Sometime later, he receives a phone call from her, clearly in trouble.
Spoiler
He searches high and low, tracing everything to the Fairy Godmother -- dealer of a mysterious, super-expensive drug, fairy dust, that grants euphoria as well as great sorcerous abilities, and eventual vanishing into the dust houses. There, he discovers the horrific truth: that dust turns its users into dust, who are then carefully gathered and re-sold. As Meera crumples into dust before him, Matthew goes on a rampage and swears vengeance against the Fairy Godmother.As usual, Matthew stumbles about, making himself conspicuous and stirring up trouble. In his search, he runs into Templeman, a powerful Alderman who runs the Minority Council, a sub-committee that makes those necessary decisions that the Matthew, as an unusual Midnight Mayor, didn't have the patience for. Meanwhile, Nabeela, a young social worker, petitions the Midnight Mayor to deal with troubled teenagers somehow losing their "badness" and with it their souls.
Spoiler
The culprit turns out to be the culicidae (mosquito), a golem creation of glass shards & chimney pieces, commissioned by the Minority Council and which was insane because it is being continuously fed incoherent teenage rage. Finally, the Beggar King requests investigation over his numerous vanished subjects. Turns out Templeman was behind it all, using fairy dust to experiment on the beggars -- why? never explained. The Fairy Godmother was blackmailing him, forcing the Aldermen to keep out of the business. He therefore used Matthew in an attempt to cover his tracks and destroy the Fairy Godmother.The plot itself verges on meandering, episodic, massive destruction sequences going nowhere -- ultimately, there seems no point to all the proceedings. The true villain is ... not so villainous, with only the vaguest motivation. Why cause all that havoc? Still can't figure it out.
Recommended for fans of the series, but this is starting to get repetitive.