After a true highlight in the last book, this one fell a little flat for me. The plot was… thin and I didn’t really enjoy the constant references to other sci-fi/fantasy franchises. Before, these “nerdy” snippets had always felt like an insight into Peter’s hobbies and character, but in this book they were invasive into all aspects of the plot. It was dull at best and cringe at worst, taking away from Aaronovitch’s own world-building for me.

As always though, I loved hearing more about the magical world and new spells. (The goddess of the Regent’s Canal is my new favourite character and that whole sequence was the best thing in this book by far! 🍞)

There was some good action peppered throughout, but I was disappointed in the final scenes

the villain is not as villainous as previous ones have been by half and it was so fast-paced I felt it was over before it had even begun. I was quite invested in the plot and what was happening with all the drones and engines until the end when it didn’t come to the peak I was expecting.