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aceinit's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely one of my favorite series out there at the moment. The third installment definitely didn't disappoint. Can't wait to get started on "The Minority Council," but it's going to have to wait for a bit.
tacita's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
theaurochs's review against another edition
5.0
Kate Griffin goes from strength to strength, and continues to prove that Matthew Swift is the coolest urban fantasy series around. In this third outing of the series, her vision of London is just as beautiful and dripping in magical life as previously, and here we get even greater glimpses of some of the sub-cultures that exist within it. A large part of the plot revolves around the conflict between the Neon Court; some more classic faeries who are doing their best to adapt to modern life in the city and are obsessed with beauty; and The Tribe, an aggregate term for those who really find no place in any society, who reject any and all forms of social pressure. It's a clever dichotomy, well used to explore relevant themes for the modern Londoner, and both sides are presented with nuance and are elevated beyond what could have been tropey characters.
What really makes this book a step up compared to the previous entry is the character work- there are much greater emotional stakes this time around, and it really gives us a fantastic chance to see Griffin(/North/Webb)'s real strength which (in my opinion) is empathy. She has such a keen insight into the human condition and presents deeply believable characters as a result; even when those characters are more (or less) than human. Everyone here is great; Swift himself and the struggle he has with his resident Blue Electric Angels; Penny his new apprentice is a real joy; Robert Bakker, the recently-deceased sorceror and former tutor of Swift; even Oda herself, the infamous psycho are all brilliantly rounded people. We have a whole host of great side-characters too, from the slightly too cheery doctor to the unflappable informant Mr Sinclair; and they all make the world feel entirely real and lived-in.
We've also still got the brilliant fantasy imagination that makes this series such a joy; London becomes trapped in an endless night, as the places at the edges of the tube map slowly fade out of existence. Along the way to figuring out the cause, plus the whole Tribe-Neon Court war business, we encounter several more of London's mythical beasts, who are a joy to discover. And all described in Griffin's beautiful prose; which is undoubtedly more refined here than in book 1 of the series; more restrained but still luscious enough to set incredibly vivid scenes. It's been almost a decade since I first read this, and when I got to a particular scene on a dockside, I found I could still picture it perfectly from the first time around.
Just overall brilliant, joyous stuff.
What really makes this book a step up compared to the previous entry is the character work- there are much greater emotional stakes this time around, and it really gives us a fantastic chance to see Griffin(/North/Webb)'s real strength which (in my opinion) is empathy. She has such a keen insight into the human condition and presents deeply believable characters as a result; even when those characters are more (or less) than human. Everyone here is great; Swift himself and the struggle he has with his resident Blue Electric Angels; Penny his new apprentice is a real joy; Robert Bakker, the recently-deceased sorceror and former tutor of Swift; even Oda herself, the infamous psycho are all brilliantly rounded people. We have a whole host of great side-characters too, from the slightly too cheery doctor to the unflappable informant Mr Sinclair; and they all make the world feel entirely real and lived-in.
We've also still got the brilliant fantasy imagination that makes this series such a joy; London becomes trapped in an endless night, as the places at the edges of the tube map slowly fade out of existence. Along the way to figuring out the cause, plus the whole Tribe-Neon Court war business, we encounter several more of London's mythical beasts, who are a joy to discover. And all described in Griffin's beautiful prose; which is undoubtedly more refined here than in book 1 of the series; more restrained but still luscious enough to set incredibly vivid scenes. It's been almost a decade since I first read this, and when I got to a particular scene on a dockside, I found I could still picture it perfectly from the first time around.
Just overall brilliant, joyous stuff.
claire_loves_books's review against another edition
3.0
This was okay but I just didn't enjoy it as much as the previous books- it felt more disjointed and Matthew seemed to be deliberatively making bad decisions and ignoring things. I still enjoy the world but the plot was a bit annoying.
kadomi's review against another edition
4.0
Things don't get easier for Matthew Swift in this relatively heavy, non-light urban fantasy. As is the habit for each Matthew Swift book so far, it starts confusingly without any exhibition. This time Matthew gets summoned into a burning tower, by his sort-of ally, sort-of enemy Oda the psycho bitch of the religious Order.
The atmosphere is oppresive, as this time it really looks for sure that Matthew cannot turn the tide, that London is doomed. No other urban fantasy I know weaves their city so deftly into the story as this series does, not even the Rivers of London. It lives and breathes and oozes London.
I did enjoy Penny, Matthew's plucky apprentice, and wish we got to know her better.
All in all, high quality reading again, if you enjoyed the previous books.
The atmosphere is oppresive, as this time it really looks for sure that Matthew cannot turn the tide, that London is doomed. No other urban fantasy I know weaves their city so deftly into the story as this series does, not even the Rivers of London. It lives and breathes and oozes London.
I did enjoy Penny, Matthew's plucky apprentice, and wish we got to know her better.
All in all, high quality reading again, if you enjoyed the previous books.
scruffymorris's review against another edition
5.0
Mathew Swift is a dead sourceror who has been inhabited by the supernatural force of the Blue Electric Angels. So in concept he is similar to other urban fantasy characters like Felix Castor and Preacher's Jessie Custer. However the way Kate Griffin has handled the character is quite different. Mathew Swift and the Angels are not two separate personalities they have merged to form one new personality. Some one who is not quite sure if he is one or many, I or we. It's quite a unique piece of characterisation that helps to set this series aside from other urban fantasy novels.
Another unique element of this series is it's approach to magic. Mathew does not have a single set of magical abilities. Instead different parts of the city have various magics that Mathew is able to access. It really embraces the urban part of urban fantasy and makes the story much more unpredictable.
The story of this novel involves two factions of supernatuals going to war over a "chosen one". Mathew Swift is the Midnight Mayor the magical protector of the city of London and it is his job to stop the war to protect the city.
This is the third book in the series but I think it reads well enough as a standalone novel. The back story is told in a way that won't make you feel like you have missed something. The supporting characters have been developed very well over the three books and are integrated very well in to this story.
The Neon Court is exactly what urban fantasy should be. It exist's in a unique fantasy world and it's biggest strength is it's characterisation. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Another unique element of this series is it's approach to magic. Mathew does not have a single set of magical abilities. Instead different parts of the city have various magics that Mathew is able to access. It really embraces the urban part of urban fantasy and makes the story much more unpredictable.
The story of this novel involves two factions of supernatuals going to war over a "chosen one". Mathew Swift is the Midnight Mayor the magical protector of the city of London and it is his job to stop the war to protect the city.
This is the third book in the series but I think it reads well enough as a standalone novel. The back story is told in a way that won't make you feel like you have missed something. The supporting characters have been developed very well over the three books and are integrated very well in to this story.
The Neon Court is exactly what urban fantasy should be. It exist's in a unique fantasy world and it's biggest strength is it's characterisation. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
brassduke's review against another edition
3.0
It's a good read but when you try to compare it to A Madness of Angels it becomes apparent that the themes are being repeated and everything is getting a little repetitive. I would still pick up another Matthew Swift story but maybe not with as much anticipation as I might have previously done.
elusivity's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 STARS
A third installment in the same dark, intense, urban-fantasy style of grime and grit. If you liked the first 2, you will like this third.
However, reading three iterations of this series, the flaws are becoming more obvious through repetition. There is little to no character growth. Individual lives are rather worthless -- potentially fascinating characters drop like flies through out. Breathless, driving-ahead action without a chance to rest; no rhythm and flow, but one head-long rush. Anti-climactic climax.
However, London continues to be a fascinating, grimy place full of hidden magic made of smoke and concrete and the black myths and nightmares born of millions of people living in one place for centuries. Creative. Action-packed. And some insights into Matthew's typically enigmatic mind courtesy of a figment of his imagination.
A great addition to the series. Highly recommended!
A third installment in the same dark, intense, urban-fantasy style of grime and grit. If you liked the first 2, you will like this third.
However, reading three iterations of this series, the flaws are becoming more obvious through repetition. There is little to no character growth. Individual lives are rather worthless -- potentially fascinating characters drop like flies through out. Breathless, driving-ahead action without a chance to rest; no rhythm and flow, but one head-long rush. Anti-climactic climax.
However, London continues to be a fascinating, grimy place full of hidden magic made of smoke and concrete and the black myths and nightmares born of millions of people living in one place for centuries. Creative. Action-packed. And some insights into Matthew's typically enigmatic mind courtesy of a figment of his imagination.
A great addition to the series. Highly recommended!
texaswolfman's review against another edition
5.0
Great addition to a fanatistic series. Its like a grown up up Harry Potter with more grit.