My name is Gideon Tau, but most people just call me London. Three years ago, someone killed my daughter. I sacrificed everything (the human race included) to learn his name – and then had to allow that knowledge to be erased from my mind in order to save the world I’d doomed. Fantastic. Now I have to start over from scratch, and who do I have to help me find my daughter’s killer? The reanimated corpse of my boss, a low-rent P.I. who’s heavily into conspiracy theories, and my alcoholic, foul-mouthed demonic sidekick dog.
Our journey will take us from Durban, South Africa to London, England, where we’ll have to contend with Fae gangs fighting for territory, the murder-suicide of two Delphic agents and the seven deadly sins. Oh, and did I mention planning a heist to break into the most secure bank in Faerie? Because that’s on the agenda too. And if we fail? An ancient horned god will destroy London. (The city, not me. Although, to be fair, I don’t think I’ll survive either)
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Clockwork City
Paul Crilley
After reading Poison City last year I knew I had to request Clockwork City as well. We’re thrown straight back into the life of Gideon Tau. The same witty dialogue, and wonderful relationship between man and (talking) dog are abundant. Although the book is dark at times, it’s got an edge of very British humour to make the characters a bit more real. Most of the dialogue sounds like what real people say, and the relationships between characters are developed.
This book was great as we got to visit London. I love books set in England (and in a modern era!). Most books that I read are usually made up worlds or American based so this was a nice change of scenery. The world building is further expanded on. We get some myth/lore brought in around magic and the UK which is wonderfully written. Plus there’s a different set of Fae over in Europe than the ones in Durban! There’s also Mother London and the gang’s of fae that roam the streets which were great additions to the plot-line and world.
I only really had two issues with the book. One was that there were a couple of predictable routes that Crilley could have taken London to, and he did end up taking them. Fortunately, these were written so well that even though you knew it was coming, it still felt like a shock to our characters and it didn’t pull you away from the story. The second was that the ending was so fast paced that it felt a bit rushed. We just jumped from one issue to the next with quick solutions and action. This wasn’t too bad, as it made me want to read faster and faster, but it did feel like it ended very abruptly afterwards.
I’m excited to be able to read the next book as we did get a bit of a cliffhanger ending. However, I don’t think I can wait that long? But it’s a great series for those who like darker urban fantasy. With so many different magical creatures, lore and myth included it’s fantastic for fantasy lovers who love world building too!
POSITIVES
+ Same witty dialogue as first installment
+ London’s world building with fae and magic
+ Fast paced throughout
NEGATIVES
– Ending felt rushed
– Sometimes predictable
I received Clockwork City by Paul Crilley from the publisher via Netgalley. This is an unbiased and honest review