It's said that if the ravens ever leave the Tower of London, then the Tower will crumble and the kingdom will fall. Resurrected sorcerer Matthew Swift is about to discover that this isn't so far from the truth... One by one, the protective magical wards that guard the city are falling. This is not good news. This array of supernatural defenses - a mix of international tourist attractions and forgotten urban legends - formed a formidable shield that protects the city of London from threats that are known to no one. But what could be so dangerous as to threaten an entire city? Matthew Swift is about to find out. And if he's lucky, he might just live long enough to do something about it...
To be honest, I didn't think that I could possibly like this book as much as I did the first one. Second books in a series -- particularly genre novels -- are usually a drag. You don't have the novelty of a new environment/system and you already feel that you know the characters. This is an exception to that rule. Matthew - originally not the sharpest sorcerer in the pencil box - is a great anti-hero. There are certainly characters (at least briefly) from the first book. There are also a whole group of new, morally-ambiguous characters in the Aldermen. I also particularly like the way that Griffin describes London - it reads like a love letter to the history, grit, and depth of that city. I eagerly await her next novel in this series.
She outdid herself, it is even better then "A Madness of Angels"
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 14 years ago
and that was terrific. Think J. K. Rowland, William Gibson, Charles de Lint and Charles Dickens.
Fantastic, Even Better Than the First, Great Character
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 14 years ago
This book should not be overlooked. I have no idea why there aren't more reviews and more fanfare about it. I really liked the first book--the Madness of Angels--and loved the Mathew Swift character and the amazingly well thought out, real feeling magic of the London sorcerers the first book introducted. The Midnight Mayor, the sequel to The Madness of Angels, is even better. The continued evolution of Swift and his allies, enemies, world,and magic is captivating, fun, and really believable. The antagonist in this one--the Death of Cities--is also very entertaining, and the story behind the Death of Cities arrival was not only a nice twist, but also presented Swift with an interesting morale dilemna. Great book, great character, great series. Well worth picking up.
"Come be me and be free"
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 14 years ago
I finished reading the Midnight Mayor at 1:30 in the morning one day (knew I had to be up at 5:30 but I didn't care). I absolutely loved it. The descriptions of London are so gloriously vivid and poor Matthew, our urban sorceror. He just can't get a break, can he? I love him and his snarky humor (at one point he claims that it's his only redeeming quality) and the very interesting dynamic between him and Oda (the conversation about things Oda likes to denounce!). The characters are all so beautifully fleshed out and real. The beginning scene with the spectres was really interesting and a great way to reintroduce us to the world that the author brought us in A Madness of Angels. I absolutely cannot wait until the next installment.
London at its weirdest!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 14 years ago
A fun and funky romp with Matthew Swift through the upsides and downunders of London and its spooks. Great hopes for another adventure with Mr. Swift.
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