readabilitea's Reviews (427)

This was my second time reading ADSOM and I think I enjoyed it even more than the first time around. It was such easy reading; I had forgotten how quickly you become swept up in this world of different Londons, dark magic, and a man with a very peculiar coat. Given what I vaguely remember/know about the plot of the rest of the trilogy, I think this is a really good example of the way to get the first book in a fantasy series right: no giant cliffhangers, but a few threads left loose in order to be explored further in later books. The plot of book 1 is pretty much self-contained and the desire to read on doesn't come from wanting to know what happens next for the sake of resolution, but wanting to continue existing in this exciting world with these funny, charming, brilliantly vivid characters. I can't wait to continue my reread of the series and spend some more time with Kell, Lila, and Rhy.

A lot of food for thought packed into such a small book. I found the writing quite academic but each chapter was very interesting. I thought the conclusion in particularly was very strong, striking the hopeful tone of progress and change that some political texts struggle to achieve.