Review: The Hanging Tree by Ben Aaronovitch

The Hanging Tree is the sixth novel in the PC Peter Grant series by Ben Aaronovitch. I thought it was the last in the series, but luckily I was wrong.

Plot:

Peter is back in London and finds himself assigned to a case of accidental overdose. There doesn’t seem to be anything ‘Folly’ related about the case, until it becomes clear one of the witnesses is the daughter of Lady Ty. Goddess of River Tyburn. Sister of his girlfriend Beverly Brook. And she’s going to cash in that favour he owes her for saving his life when he was buried alive.

Review: Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch

Broken Homes is book number four in Ben Aaronovitch’s PC Peter Grant series. This book differs from the previous three in structure; Peter is working on several cases at once, and they’re not all related. In fact, there’s only two that are truly related to the magical parts of London.

Plot:

PC Peter Grant is called in when the cops find blood they can’t account for at a traffic accident. Their prime suspect is one Robert Weil, one of the apprentices of the original Faceless Man. There’s blood, but where’s the body? A man jumps in front of a train, but the circumstances are odd. Jaget Kumar shows Peter the footage, and they agree there was magical interference. Meanwhile, a stolen book on magic turns up, but hasn’t been reported stolen. It used to belong to Erik Stomberg, a German architect who happened to design one of the most infamous landmarks in London people have been trying to demolish for years. A grandfather injures himself during his granddaughter’s birthday party, while trying to create a werelight. Very few of these cases seem to be related, yet Peter can’t help but feel the Faceless Man has come back into play.

New Additions #63

Heard many great things about this series. Decided to try it out.

Review: The High King by Lloyd Alexander

The High King is the last book in the Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander. I’ve also ordered The Foundling and other tales of Prydain; a book of short stories that complements the series.

Plot:

Even though Arawn Death-lord of Annuvin has suffered great defeats, this time the entirety of Prydain will feel his wrath. The Sons of Don must come together and put aside their quarrels to unite against the forces of Annuvin. Taran and his companions too will join the fray, but do they have any hope of winning free of Arawn and his foul grasp on Prydain?

New Additions #60

So, apparently The Left Hand of Darkness is part 4 of the Hainish Cycle. I always thought it was a standalone. Oh well, more books to be added to Mount TBR I suppose.

Review: The Castle of Llyr by Lloyd Alexander

The Castle of Llyr is the third book in the Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander.

Plot:

Princess Eilonwy travels to the Isle of Mona, where she will be fostered by the kind king and queen of Mona, with Taran and Gurgi to see her off. She must learn what it means to be a lady, even though she doesn’t want to. But when they get to Mona, it is revealed to Taran that Eilonwy is in danger. For the evil enchantress Achren is after her, and her talents.

Review: The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander

As someone who actually enjoyed the movie The Black Cauldron, I jumped on the opportunity to read the books the movie was based on. The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander is a series of five Fantasy novels for children and a collection of short stories. I got the box set with the five novels for Christmas, and finally had the chance to dive into the first book: The Book of Three.

Plot:

Taran is Assistant Pig-Keeper at Caer Dallben, though he dreams of being a hero and going on adventures. When Hen Wen, the oracular pig he’s in charge of, runs away in a panic because of the Horned King’s presence close by, Taran goes after her, and leaves the one place he calls home.