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adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The TSG summary is pretty fair. This is a Victorian London-set fantasy Sherlock retelling, including BBC version vibes, but also the diverse power of Addison's imagination. I personally found it a bit of a mixed bag. I loved the relationship of angels to public buildings, and could have read a LOT more about that aspect. Sherlock and Doyle's friendship develops beautifully over the book, and is everything I could have wanted. However, the story is structured as canon-based short stories, with an overarching Jack the Ripper plot. I found the individual tales a little too close to the originals to be as exciting as I wanted them to be, and I am so very done with that particular serial killer too.
Recommended to people who loved BBC Sherlock, and can imagine him as a Victorian-set angel -- but perhaps haven't read A. C. Doyle's original stories, so this will be both novel and familiar. Not really a spoiler, but something the author only mentions at the end,this started life as a Sherlock wingfic, which I am delighted by, because I thought that tiny subgenre of fanfic had died out years ago. And yes, Cumberbatch's swishy coat can indeed pass for a pair of wings with a little imagination.
Recommended to people who loved BBC Sherlock, and can imagine him as a Victorian-set angel -- but perhaps haven't read A. C. Doyle's original stories, so this will be both novel and familiar. Not really a spoiler, but something the author only mentions at the end,
dark
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Painfully drawn out bi-awakening, with internalised and externalised homophobia. The "oh, actually we love each other" inciting event was over-powered for the story, and too quickly shrugged off in places. (see content warnings)
The writing overall is pretty solid, so I think this really just needed a stern beta-reader to make it great.
The writing overall is pretty solid, so I think this really just needed a stern beta-reader to make it great.
Graphic: Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Mass/school shootings, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Blood, Alcohol