Review – Broken Homes

Posted March 6, 2015 by in Reviews / 4 Comments

Cover of Broken Homes by Ben AaronovitchBroken Homes, Ben Aaronovitch
Review from July 30th, 2013

I think I need a support group to talk about this book. Or at least, the end of this book. If you like your books to kick you in the teeth real hard, go ahead and read this one.

At this point, I’ve stopped comparing these books to the Dresden Files because apparently I care a lot more about them and the characters involved than I ever did about Harry Dresden and crew. I’m still a bit disappointed there aren’t more major female characters, but I’m very definitely emotionally invested.

This would’ve been really amazing if it had all connected up. I mean, all the events are connected with one or the other overarching plot or subplot, but it feels a little bit episodic at times. The last half is pretty much unputdownable: I worry I’m already forgetting the first half in the wake of the gut punch that is the second.

One thing I really appreciate about these books is that it’s very much rooted in actual policing. Yes, it’s policing with the involvement of magic and supernatural creatures, but you still have the support network of a policeman — including superior officers to a) answer to and b) drag you out of trouble. On which note, Nightingale’s big scene was amazing. But you don’t have a freelance detective or a guy who can be a loose cannon (e.g. Ian Rankin’s Rebus). You’ve got your average police officer, with much to learn.

Rating: 4/5

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4 responses to “Review – Broken Homes

  1. I love these books so much, and have become very fond of all the main characters but the end of this one was a real WTF moment. I read the series as it was published so it was agony waiting for Foxglove Summer which I really liked

  2. “I think I need a support group to talk about this book.”

    I KNOOOOW. I was stunned at the end of this book. Probably one of the best moments in this series, but boy it was a kick in the gut.

    I hope you’ll enjoy Foxglove Summer, it’s my favorite Peter Grant book so far!

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