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A review by krisrid
666 Charing Cross Road by Paul Magrs
3.0
I have read another of this author's books, and he does a good job writing slightly off-center paranormal fiction. I enjoyed most of this book.
The book is a vampire story - that's not a spoiler, it's right in the jacket description - but it's a bit unusual as there's very little of the typical, romantic, gauzy stuff you usually get. In fact, the story plays creepy and disturbing pretty much all the way through. But even so, there is the cheeky, quintessentially British gallows humour that only the British can do well on offer throughout the "end of the world is careening down the road at us at ninety miles an hour" stuff that goes on throughout this book. The humour definitely adds to the enjoyment of the story.
I also really liked the author's pacing. He gets you all whipped up and in a froth about the horrible things that are happening, and then he just shifts into seemingly mundane relationship stuff, or family stuff, or just "stuff" stuff and gives you a moment to catch your breath. But only a moment, because the monsters definitely have the upper hand throughout much of this book . . . or, do they?
The characters, as in other books by this author are VERY unique. They are full of pluck and weirdness and determination, whether they are working for good or for evil, and the cleverness in the way they are written really engages a reader with their story.
The plot is also very creative and I enjoyed it. The tone of this book is definitely more dark than your typical paranormal fiction, and although the ending left open the potential for continuing the story, this book did have a proper ending for this story, a big plus for me.
I would recommend this to readers of paranormal fiction who are more interested in a cleverly-conceived plot and interesting characters doing interesting - if potentially world-ending - things. There is no sex in this book, nor is there anything more than the most mild violence described. Even the small amounts of romance takes a backseat to the plot and the story about the battle between good and evil, and the twists and turns that battle takes.
The book is a vampire story - that's not a spoiler, it's right in the jacket description - but it's a bit unusual as there's very little of the typical, romantic, gauzy stuff you usually get. In fact, the story plays creepy and disturbing pretty much all the way through. But even so, there is the cheeky, quintessentially British gallows humour that only the British can do well on offer throughout the "end of the world is careening down the road at us at ninety miles an hour" stuff that goes on throughout this book. The humour definitely adds to the enjoyment of the story.
I also really liked the author's pacing. He gets you all whipped up and in a froth about the horrible things that are happening, and then he just shifts into seemingly mundane relationship stuff, or family stuff, or just "stuff" stuff and gives you a moment to catch your breath. But only a moment, because the monsters definitely have the upper hand throughout much of this book . . . or, do they?
The characters, as in other books by this author are VERY unique. They are full of pluck and weirdness and determination, whether they are working for good or for evil, and the cleverness in the way they are written really engages a reader with their story.
The plot is also very creative and I enjoyed it. The tone of this book is definitely more dark than your typical paranormal fiction, and although the ending left open the potential for continuing the story, this book did have a proper ending for this story, a big plus for me.
I would recommend this to readers of paranormal fiction who are more interested in a cleverly-conceived plot and interesting characters doing interesting - if potentially world-ending - things. There is no sex in this book, nor is there anything more than the most mild violence described. Even the small amounts of romance takes a backseat to the plot and the story about the battle between good and evil, and the twists and turns that battle takes.