The Angel of the Crows, by Katherine Addison

[mrissa]

Review copy provided by the publisher. Also the author is a personal friend.

This is an object lesson in the value of filing off serial numbers. Really, I mean that wholeheartedly and so very enthusiastically. Because this both is and is not a Sherlock Holmes story. It is clearly, plainly, not trying to hide it, inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories. And yet it is not a Sherlock Holmes story, it is clearly and firmly not, and the distance between Crow and Holmes, between Watson and Doyle, is enough to pour worlds into. It is not a technicality, it is an opening that lets in an entirely different kind of story.

This story would not be possible if I was comparing, at every turn, to my previously held view of Watson, saying, wait, what? Watson's secrets are what? How does that square with what I previously know of Watson? Which things are alternate and which am I to keep? I am not to keep things, I am to trust what is built, not about Watson about this new character Dr. J. H. Doyle, whose experience in Afghanistan is not the same, because Doyle has been wounded by one of the Fallen, in a world where angels, vampires, werewolves, and hellhounds are part of the daily landscape.

And they are woven deeply into the fabric of this story. Addison knows the Jack the Ripper facts in our world incredibly well, so she knows how to use them deftly in a story that's about so many more things. The fantasy elements go deeply into everything here, with thought and care, and the characters are layered and wonderful. I'm just so glad of this book.

Comments

[themagdalen]

I appreciate that usually when I read one of your reviews, I know for sure if I do want or don’t want (or would read in a train station but not buy) the book. In this case I either really do or really don’t. Do: Holmes, reimagined, differently, supernatural dangers, you liked it. Don’t: Like Jack the Ripper only somehow different.

I *think* you usually warn for the kinds of reasons I would avoid a Ripper story like mad. And you haven’t here. But Ripper?

[mrissa]

The Ripper is one thread but not THE PLOT, and it is not as dark/graphic as Ripper fiction often is. There is not graphic sexual violence, but there are a few gory elements I consider fairly mild.

[themagdalen]

helpful, thank you!

[pameladean]

I can't stand reading about serial killers (horrible AND boring boring boring) and I am especially unwilling to read about Jack the Ripper, but I loved this book so much.

P.

[davidgoldfarb]

Already pre-ordered. I thought the publisher's blurb was quite interesting: "...this is not the book you were expecting..."

[anne]

I thought her next book was going to be the not-sequel to Goblin Emperor, but I'm not complaining!

[arkessian]

Would pre-order but not available in the uk on Kindle yet... Rats.

[larryhammer]

This.

[athenais]

It is good so far, but it's pretty grim cumulatively. I am definitely reminded of the Doctrine of Labyrinths without it being anywhere near that intense. I've gotten to Chapter 9 and I'm putting it down for now in favor of more cheerful stuff. I guess I don't have enough objectivity to read anything relentlessly dark at the moment. I agree with your review, though!

[hawkwing_lb]

It's SO GOOD.