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The Narrows
Bex belongs to a hidden society of misfits who live in the Narrows, the hidden paths that lie behind even the darkest of alleyways. For years they have lived invisibly alongside ordinary city-dwellers, with their own allegiances, their dreams and deaths, loves and wars. Bur the Narrows are closing, and nobody knows why.
Andy Sumner lives a perfectly conventional life, but a chance encounter with a wounded and pursued Bex leads him into a world where the very laws of space and time are malleable.
What secrets were inscribed in the energy meridians of his own flesh by the dark figure that now hunts them both?
The search for answers takes Andy and Bex far beyond the spheres of reality that either of them have know to a confrontation with evil, upon which hangs the fate of an infinity of possible worlds.
Andy Sumner lives a perfectly conventional life, but a chance encounter with a wounded and pursued Bex leads him into a world where the very laws of space and time are malleable.
What secrets were inscribed in the energy meridians of his own flesh by the dark figure that now hunts them both?
The search for answers takes Andy and Bex far beyond the spheres of reality that either of them have know to a confrontation with evil, upon which hangs the fate of an infinity of possible worlds.
365 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
10 people are currently reading
385 people want to read
About the author
James Brogden
27 books334 followersJames Brogden is a writer of horror and dark fantasy. A part-time Australian who grew up in Tasmania and the Cumbrian Borders, he has since escaped to Birmingham UK and now lives in the Jewellery Quarter. When not writing he can usually be found up a hill, poking around stone circles and burial mounds. A recovering ex-teacher and lego addict, he is owned by two cats who do not approve of this nonsense.
His short stories have appeared in various anthologies and periodicals ranging from The Big Issue to the BFS Award-Winning Alchemy Press. His novel 'The Plague Stones' was shortlisted for the August Derleth Award in 2021 and his most recent novella, ‘The Dwimfolk’ was published by PS Publishing in October 2025. He is currently writing for Warhammer's Black Library.
@jamesbrogden.bsky.social
Insta: jameswbrogden
His short stories have appeared in various anthologies and periodicals ranging from The Big Issue to the BFS Award-Winning Alchemy Press. His novel 'The Plague Stones' was shortlisted for the August Derleth Award in 2021 and his most recent novella, ‘The Dwimfolk’ was published by PS Publishing in October 2025. He is currently writing for Warhammer's Black Library.
@jamesbrogden.bsky.social
Insta: jameswbrogden
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 3, 2015
This book immediately entered my top 5 books of all time, the second I closed the cover.
The story, the pacing, the characters and the setting all summed up perfection and created a world that will always stay in my memory.
James Brogden deserves to be a lot bigger than he currently is. I feel sorry for the people who have yet to experience him but at the same time I feel envious of anyone about to read his work for the first time.
Easily 5/5.
The story, the pacing, the characters and the setting all summed up perfection and created a world that will always stay in my memory.
James Brogden deserves to be a lot bigger than he currently is. I feel sorry for the people who have yet to experience him but at the same time I feel envious of anyone about to read his work for the first time.
Easily 5/5.
June 20, 2020
A fantastic debut book from author James Brogden. The Narrows is a UK based (Birmingham specifically) modern day urban fantasy.
The setting itself is refreshing for urban fantasy. Most books I have experienced in this genre lean into using London as the setting. Having it not be the capital, and not all important things happening in London was great. The city itself is a great setting and is perfectly fleshed out, focusing on the darker and down to earth side of things.
There are a great mixture of styles going on apart from the aforementioned urban fantasy. The magic system reminded me of Marvel’s Doctor Strange in a positive way with the idea of chakras and Ch’i. The ideas also of ancient Britain and ley lines play a key part. Again not usual for urban fantasy to look back at mythology.
Additionally there are some great horror elements with the monsters that make an appearance. There descriptions certainly gave me the chills! Other unexpected influences and elements included Doctor Who and Mad Max. I’ll let you discover how they play a part!
Our characters are another highlight. Swapping between two main characters and having a handful of side characters makes this very focused. Firstly we have Andy Sumner who is living a perfectly ordinary and average life working in retail. His character is easily relatable as we could imagine ourselves in his shoes. We then see the effect the world of The Narrows has on his life and those around him.
The other main character Bex is a homeless, and to use the book description: misfit. Part of a hidden society that know about The Narrows. To me she came across as a rebellious and lovable punk. Doing whatever she can to survive the harsh world.
This is a very character focused and I would say a coming of age story for Andy. Having to discover who he is outside of his mundane life. Tied to that is an evil power. Who that is, is developed well, even if their motivations at points seem a little generic and moustache twirling. Their ties to other characters and what they are after is different to the average.
I highly recommend this urban fantasy. As far as I know it’s a standalone, so multi book commitment. However I would like to see more of this world. It is very fast paced and had me wanting to read more to find out key details or see what happened to the characters. I look forward to reading more books from James Brogden.
The setting itself is refreshing for urban fantasy. Most books I have experienced in this genre lean into using London as the setting. Having it not be the capital, and not all important things happening in London was great. The city itself is a great setting and is perfectly fleshed out, focusing on the darker and down to earth side of things.
There are a great mixture of styles going on apart from the aforementioned urban fantasy. The magic system reminded me of Marvel’s Doctor Strange in a positive way with the idea of chakras and Ch’i. The ideas also of ancient Britain and ley lines play a key part. Again not usual for urban fantasy to look back at mythology.
Additionally there are some great horror elements with the monsters that make an appearance. There descriptions certainly gave me the chills! Other unexpected influences and elements included Doctor Who and Mad Max. I’ll let you discover how they play a part!
Our characters are another highlight. Swapping between two main characters and having a handful of side characters makes this very focused. Firstly we have Andy Sumner who is living a perfectly ordinary and average life working in retail. His character is easily relatable as we could imagine ourselves in his shoes. We then see the effect the world of The Narrows has on his life and those around him.
The other main character Bex is a homeless, and to use the book description: misfit. Part of a hidden society that know about The Narrows. To me she came across as a rebellious and lovable punk. Doing whatever she can to survive the harsh world.
This is a very character focused and I would say a coming of age story for Andy. Having to discover who he is outside of his mundane life. Tied to that is an evil power. Who that is, is developed well, even if their motivations at points seem a little generic and moustache twirling. Their ties to other characters and what they are after is different to the average.
I highly recommend this urban fantasy. As far as I know it’s a standalone, so multi book commitment. However I would like to see more of this world. It is very fast paced and had me wanting to read more to find out key details or see what happened to the characters. I look forward to reading more books from James Brogden.
February 28, 2012
I honestly can't remember the last time I read a book that captivated me so thoroughly. I cared about the characters and loved the settings, both were carefully crafted and the story jogged along at a pace that made it difficult to put the book down. For me Brogden manages to rekindle both childhood fears and wished for adventures; that weird moment of finding yourself in a wild spot in the centre of the city that makes you feel like you're outside both reality and normality he has captured beautifully. There are odd moments in the book where he has managed to create 'almost memories' as though you are reading something that, at some time, you might have glimpsed from the corner of your eye but then ignored, this occasionally made for uneasy but wonderful reading.
The Narrows has already been likened to Gaimen's Neverwhere but I'm inclined to disagree. Although the initial premise is similar I find both Brogden's hero's and his villain more believable, less childish and eminently more likely to react with human emotion. I really hope this isn't going to be his only work.
I'm a huge fan of Urban Fantasy: Gaiman, De Lint, Carey, Black, Holdstock, Butcher and many others, I can honestly say this book will happily sit amidst those authors on my bookshelf and easily hold its own.
The Narrows has already been likened to Gaimen's Neverwhere but I'm inclined to disagree. Although the initial premise is similar I find both Brogden's hero's and his villain more believable, less childish and eminently more likely to react with human emotion. I really hope this isn't going to be his only work.
I'm a huge fan of Urban Fantasy: Gaiman, De Lint, Carey, Black, Holdstock, Butcher and many others, I can honestly say this book will happily sit amidst those authors on my bookshelf and easily hold its own.
October 4, 2017
Loved this book
No great analysis here. This was just a really entertaining read and I would recommend it and will look out for other books by this author.
No great analysis here. This was just a really entertaining read and I would recommend it and will look out for other books by this author.
February 16, 2025
Matrix meets crystals and chakras! Enjoyed reading the Narrows. I forgot that in the first few chapters I wasn't sure if it was a book I could keep up with but a little faith in myself and I was happily lost in reading and following the twisty-turny story of Bex and Andy.
November 21, 2014
When you think of urban fantasy, almost inevitably somewhere like London or New York comes to mind. Despite being a Londoner (a born one at that, so I can look down my nose at all the dick-come-latelys [dick after Dick Whittington of course] that pretend they understand the Great Wen) even I have to admit that leaves a lot of urbanity out of the picture.
So thank you, James Brogden, for bringing a city long overlooked out of the shadows, or the Narrows, and into the enchanted ley light of literature. This is a wonderful book that succeeds in doing something most people - and certain any Londoner - would consider impossible: it casts Birmingham as a believably magical place - although I think it more than appropriate that the Bull Ring should be the putative site of the Apocalypse, as our evil villain seeks to drill down to the core of the worlds and become, well, God, or at least, in Brogden's theological imagination, the usurper of Aristotle's unmoved mover (although presumbably Barber apotheosised would have adopted a more hands-on approach to deity).
Hugely enjoyable and I would be straight on to reading Brogden's next book, Tourmaline, if any borough in the London Libraries Consortium stocked it. Shamefully, none do. I may be forced to actually pay for it myself (yes, Brogden really is that good).
So thank you, James Brogden, for bringing a city long overlooked out of the shadows, or the Narrows, and into the enchanted ley light of literature. This is a wonderful book that succeeds in doing something most people - and certain any Londoner - would consider impossible: it casts Birmingham as a believably magical place - although I think it more than appropriate that the Bull Ring should be the putative site of the Apocalypse, as our evil villain seeks to drill down to the core of the worlds and become, well, God, or at least, in Brogden's theological imagination, the usurper of Aristotle's unmoved mover (although presumbably Barber apotheosised would have adopted a more hands-on approach to deity).
Hugely enjoyable and I would be straight on to reading Brogden's next book, Tourmaline, if any borough in the London Libraries Consortium stocked it. Shamefully, none do. I may be forced to actually pay for it myself (yes, Brogden really is that good).
February 24, 2014
An amazing book. I was completely captivated by the characters from the beginning. It only faltered in a few parts (really - total worlds domination - who's going to be left to rule?) but wow! Loved every minute of it. Well thought out and demands further adventures. Somewhat akin to Pratchett's the long earth but not in any real way. Found this in the general fiction of my local library but I suppose should be a science fiction. Don't care. Everyone should read it - it was that good.
September 9, 2020
Bex is onderdeel van een verborgen samenleving die in ‘The Narrows’ wonen. Jarenlang hebben ze onzichtbaar geleefd naast gewone burgers. Maar op de een of andere manier sluiten The Narrows zich en niemand weet waarom… Andy Summer leidt een normaal leven, maar een toevallige ontmoeting met Bex zorgt ervoor dat hij terechtkomt in een wereld waar de wetten van ruimte en tijd kneedbaar zijn. Welke geheimen zitten in zijn verleden verborgen waardoor hij nu doelwit is geworden van een duister figuur? De zoektocht naar antwoorden leidt Andy en Bex ver buiten de sferen van de werkelijkheid.
Fantasy all the way
The Narrows is een typisch fantasy-boek, met als leeftijdscategorie Young Adult. Het speelt zich af in een magische wereld waarin normale wetten niet gelden, het kent verschillende duistere figureren en ‘monsters’ en er is een held die alle problemen moet oplossen. 🤷🏼♀️ Hoewel deze aspecten allemaal terugkomen, heeft het boek toch iets bijzonders. Wellicht dat dit komt door de manier van schrijven of de verschillende verhaallijnen die langs elkaar lopen.
Sterke personages
De hoofdpersonages zijn echt ontzettend leuk uitgewerkt door Brogden. Het feit dat je vanaf het begin meegenomen wordt in het persoonlijke leven van Andy en Bex geeft je meteen een duidelijk beeld van hoe verschillend de ‘normale wereld’ is ten opzichte van het leven in The Narrows. Maar, daar blijft het niet bij. Ook de ontwikkeling van de personages wordt uitgebreid beschreven. Niet alleen van Bex en Andy, maar ook van de overige personages. Eigenlijk kreeg je bij elk sterfgeval een gevoel van waardevol verlies. Dat betekent dat Brogden waarde heeft kunnen geven aan elk personage, zeer knap. 😁
Ik vond het met name prachtig om te ervaren hoe Bex zich op persoonlijk vlak heeft ontwikkeld: zelfstandigheid en verantwoordelijkheid worden in dat opzicht steeds belangrijkere thema’s naarmate het boek vordert. Bij Andy is juist duidelijk zichtbaar dat hij steeds minder egocentrisch wordt, waardoor ik – als lezer – steeds meer affiniteit met hem kreeg. Normaliter merk je dat het lastig is om ieder personage een eigen ontwikkeling te geven, maar Brogden heeft dat uitstekend gedaan. 👍🏼
Laatste hoofdstukken wijken af
Ik moet wel toegeven dat ik een aantal hoofdstukken richting het einde iets minder interessant en relevant vond. Voor mijn gevoel was de switch tussen deel 2 en deel 3 heel groot. Hierdoor moest ik zelf ook behoorlijk schakelen en vond ik het verhaal af en toe zelfs een beetje ingewikkeld worden. Bij mij begon dat vooral toen Andy en Bex zich in het andere universum bevonden. Dat kwam uit het niets en is uiteindelijk ook niet bijzonder goed verklaard. Jammer, want het deed een beetje teniet aan de rest van de hoofdstukken.
Duidelijk een aanrader
Dit boek is voor mij duidelijk een aanrader voor iedereen die van Young Adult Fantasy houdt. Het is lekker simpel geschreven, de personages zijn echt heel leuk uitgewerkt en het einde is verrassend. Althans, ik had dit in het begin niet zien aankomen. Daarnaast is het ook gewoon een boek dat je even meeneemt naar een andere wereld, en niet elk verhaal weet dat te doen. Daarom kan ik niet anders dan: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!
Fantasy all the way
The Narrows is een typisch fantasy-boek, met als leeftijdscategorie Young Adult. Het speelt zich af in een magische wereld waarin normale wetten niet gelden, het kent verschillende duistere figureren en ‘monsters’ en er is een held die alle problemen moet oplossen. 🤷🏼♀️ Hoewel deze aspecten allemaal terugkomen, heeft het boek toch iets bijzonders. Wellicht dat dit komt door de manier van schrijven of de verschillende verhaallijnen die langs elkaar lopen.
Sterke personages
De hoofdpersonages zijn echt ontzettend leuk uitgewerkt door Brogden. Het feit dat je vanaf het begin meegenomen wordt in het persoonlijke leven van Andy en Bex geeft je meteen een duidelijk beeld van hoe verschillend de ‘normale wereld’ is ten opzichte van het leven in The Narrows. Maar, daar blijft het niet bij. Ook de ontwikkeling van de personages wordt uitgebreid beschreven. Niet alleen van Bex en Andy, maar ook van de overige personages. Eigenlijk kreeg je bij elk sterfgeval een gevoel van waardevol verlies. Dat betekent dat Brogden waarde heeft kunnen geven aan elk personage, zeer knap. 😁
Ik vond het met name prachtig om te ervaren hoe Bex zich op persoonlijk vlak heeft ontwikkeld: zelfstandigheid en verantwoordelijkheid worden in dat opzicht steeds belangrijkere thema’s naarmate het boek vordert. Bij Andy is juist duidelijk zichtbaar dat hij steeds minder egocentrisch wordt, waardoor ik – als lezer – steeds meer affiniteit met hem kreeg. Normaliter merk je dat het lastig is om ieder personage een eigen ontwikkeling te geven, maar Brogden heeft dat uitstekend gedaan. 👍🏼
Laatste hoofdstukken wijken af
Ik moet wel toegeven dat ik een aantal hoofdstukken richting het einde iets minder interessant en relevant vond. Voor mijn gevoel was de switch tussen deel 2 en deel 3 heel groot. Hierdoor moest ik zelf ook behoorlijk schakelen en vond ik het verhaal af en toe zelfs een beetje ingewikkeld worden. Bij mij begon dat vooral toen Andy en Bex zich in het andere universum bevonden. Dat kwam uit het niets en is uiteindelijk ook niet bijzonder goed verklaard. Jammer, want het deed een beetje teniet aan de rest van de hoofdstukken.
Duidelijk een aanrader
Dit boek is voor mij duidelijk een aanrader voor iedereen die van Young Adult Fantasy houdt. Het is lekker simpel geschreven, de personages zijn echt heel leuk uitgewerkt en het einde is verrassend. Althans, ik had dit in het begin niet zien aankomen. Daarnaast is het ook gewoon een boek dat je even meeneemt naar een andere wereld, en niet elk verhaal weet dat te doen. Daarom kan ik niet anders dan: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!
Read
August 7, 2019Have you ever wondered where narrow, dark alleyways in your hometown might lead? James Brogden follows them in his novel ‘The Narrows’. The blurb on the back cover tells us that Andy Sumner lives a perfectly conventional life until a chance encounter with a wounded and pursued Bex, one of a society of misfits who live in the Narrows, leads him into another world. In this world the laws of time and space are malleable.
The Narrows are closing and it’s up to Andy and Bex to find out why. I’m saying no more for fear of spoiling the book. If you want to know what happens then read it. Its twists and turns are fast paced and will grip you to the end. For a first novel this is well crafted with believable characters. A sort of grounded fantasy, if you will.
The Narrows are closing and it’s up to Andy and Bex to find out why. I’m saying no more for fear of spoiling the book. If you want to know what happens then read it. Its twists and turns are fast paced and will grip you to the end. For a first novel this is well crafted with believable characters. A sort of grounded fantasy, if you will.
Read
August 24, 2025Intriguing tale of marginalised people who can slip into a parallel world known as the Narrows. Clearly a political subtext - the people we don't see, all that - but also a story of an edge community and its fight against forces who want to destroy it. It intrigued me even more as it was set in places I know very well - Birmingham, particularly Selly Oak and areas around there - and I've always felt Brum's city centre was non-Euclidean, despite living there for several years I never really figured out my way around all of it, so maybe that sense of disorientation was the spur.
August 13, 2023
Initially I really struggled to get into this book, about half way through I found myself enjoying it a bit more, and then just over 3/4 of the way through I lost it again.
My overall feelings towards this book is… confusion.
I do struggle with many fantasy books, but this one I found especially confusing to wrap my head around what was actually going on.
It’s got great reviews, and so if fantasy books are your thing I’d say give it a go, but it was definitely not for me.
My overall feelings towards this book is… confusion.
I do struggle with many fantasy books, but this one I found especially confusing to wrap my head around what was actually going on.
It’s got great reviews, and so if fantasy books are your thing I’d say give it a go, but it was definitely not for me.
March 24, 2019
Delish and fun! I really enjoyed this author’s ideas and use of ley lines. I would dearly love to travel the narrows. I’m certain that wandering the footpaths during my time in England I strayed onto narrow ways searching for that elusive geocache. Enjoyable read like the rest of his books!
December 13, 2017
Enjoyable
Really enjoyed Chinook until about three quarters of the way through. It then got too fantasy style for my taste. None the less still a good read.
Really enjoyed Chinook until about three quarters of the way through. It then got too fantasy style for my taste. None the less still a good read.
September 20, 2019
Loved, loved this book. Didn't know what to expect, great journey.
September 17, 2021
Started strong but got weird, very weird. Still, props for atmospheric writing and being its own thing.
February 25, 2025
Bloody brilliant mind bending. Hard a hard drought of awful books lately but this was just the tonic I needed
July 6, 2014
The Narrows is the superb debut novel by James Brogden about the titular magical pathways that weave their way through Birmingham.
The novel is driven by two residents of Birmingham. There is Andy who lives in the everyday side of the city and there is Bex, one of the Narrowfolk, who can negotiate the magical alleyways. Their friendship brings the two sides of the city together and they form an alliance to stop the villainous Barber, who intends to exploit the power of the Narrows for his own dark purposes.
The Narrows is urban fantasy at its best, combining the surreal with the everyday. This is a novel where Narrowfolk can cut across the city in minutes, evading the monstrous skavags and living in an invisible shelter at the end of a cul-de-sac. However, this is also a world where people play X-boxes, watch Deal or No Deal and own Spongebob Squarepants DVDs. Brogden relates the fantastical to the everyday, with similes that reference pop culture such as Hogwarts, Reading Festival and Jeff Goldblum's The Fly, all of which ensures the magic remains grounded and believable.
Even better, this is more than just urban fantasy, this is Birmingham urban fantasy. England's second city is packed with potential for a fantasy novel and Brogden clearly enjoys himself weaving Brummie landmarks into his story. The German Christmas Market makes an appearance, lovingly described as "a child's jewellery box crammed to overflowing." The Rotunda, "a visionary landmark and a concrete toilet roll," features in a climatic battle scene. Even the famous Number Eleven bus route plays an important part in the plot. All of this makes The Narrows essential reading for Birmingham residents.
Aside from his witty description and crackling dialogue, Brogden also knows how to keep a story moving. He is a writer that knows when to introduce a curveball. The novel switches from the everyday life of Andy to the fantastical shelter of Moon Grove, so far so routine, but then readers will find themselves taken back to the fifties, or swept away into another world entirely with a nomadic desert clan. With Brogden, you can never tell what will lie waiting on the next page.
I would recommend The Narrows to fans of Stephen King, Neil Gaiman and Charles de Lint, and, of course, anyone living in Birmingham with a taste for the fantastical. This is funny, exciting, terrifying dynamite. Enjoy.
The novel is driven by two residents of Birmingham. There is Andy who lives in the everyday side of the city and there is Bex, one of the Narrowfolk, who can negotiate the magical alleyways. Their friendship brings the two sides of the city together and they form an alliance to stop the villainous Barber, who intends to exploit the power of the Narrows for his own dark purposes.
The Narrows is urban fantasy at its best, combining the surreal with the everyday. This is a novel where Narrowfolk can cut across the city in minutes, evading the monstrous skavags and living in an invisible shelter at the end of a cul-de-sac. However, this is also a world where people play X-boxes, watch Deal or No Deal and own Spongebob Squarepants DVDs. Brogden relates the fantastical to the everyday, with similes that reference pop culture such as Hogwarts, Reading Festival and Jeff Goldblum's The Fly, all of which ensures the magic remains grounded and believable.
Even better, this is more than just urban fantasy, this is Birmingham urban fantasy. England's second city is packed with potential for a fantasy novel and Brogden clearly enjoys himself weaving Brummie landmarks into his story. The German Christmas Market makes an appearance, lovingly described as "a child's jewellery box crammed to overflowing." The Rotunda, "a visionary landmark and a concrete toilet roll," features in a climatic battle scene. Even the famous Number Eleven bus route plays an important part in the plot. All of this makes The Narrows essential reading for Birmingham residents.
Aside from his witty description and crackling dialogue, Brogden also knows how to keep a story moving. He is a writer that knows when to introduce a curveball. The novel switches from the everyday life of Andy to the fantastical shelter of Moon Grove, so far so routine, but then readers will find themselves taken back to the fifties, or swept away into another world entirely with a nomadic desert clan. With Brogden, you can never tell what will lie waiting on the next page.
I would recommend The Narrows to fans of Stephen King, Neil Gaiman and Charles de Lint, and, of course, anyone living in Birmingham with a taste for the fantastical. This is funny, exciting, terrifying dynamite. Enjoy.
May 8, 2012
I really enjoyed this book, I have been on thousands of walks around Brum taking in the canals, back alleys odd cut throughs, hidden parks and forgotten places like the canal junction over the subterranean pedestrian jungle beneath spaghetti junction and I enjoy them. This book simply delights in them and I could relate to that. I laughed out loud at the reference to the no 11 bus route but shall say no more about it. A good first book that improved significantly as I progressed through the story. Thank you to the lady in Pavillions Waterstones who recommended it to me. This will have a close tug on anyone in Brums affections for the old place but anyone living in an urban sprawl will relate to many aspects of it. I also like how it shows the same things in different lights so that depending on your tendancies you could relate it from a spiritual, scientific, historical or fantastical perspective. Good book, read it if you enjoyed Neverwhere, Springheeled Jack or the Shades in the Discworld series. Also if you feel at home in the Shambles in York, the Laines in Brighton, Camden Market or Portmeirion slip into the Narrows!
May 21, 2012
It's rare for me to find a book I really love - but this is 1 of those.....
OK , we are in urban fantasy mode -& , in a 1st for my British urban fantasy , we're in Birmingham ! (A city I know well , as a former resident.). Andy is an ordinary bloke , who finds himself mixed up with Bex & the world of the narrows , which is under threat from the decidedly unpleasant Mr Barber....
The narrows are fractured ley-lines , & can be used to walk between worlds . The book goes from Birmingham to a hidden Cotswold village to ....somewhere else....
Things that are great about this : it's very well-written , & the story flows well . Characterisation is excellent , particularly Andy , who doesn't go into "noble-hero" mode , but who's - well, a bit of an arsehole actually.....The story doesn't flag at all , & goes at a good pace : it encourages you to keep reading . I hope there are more books to come from James Brogden , as I'm sold on this....!
Most definitely worthy of your attention .
OK , we are in urban fantasy mode -& , in a 1st for my British urban fantasy , we're in Birmingham ! (A city I know well , as a former resident.). Andy is an ordinary bloke , who finds himself mixed up with Bex & the world of the narrows , which is under threat from the decidedly unpleasant Mr Barber....
The narrows are fractured ley-lines , & can be used to walk between worlds . The book goes from Birmingham to a hidden Cotswold village to ....somewhere else....
Things that are great about this : it's very well-written , & the story flows well . Characterisation is excellent , particularly Andy , who doesn't go into "noble-hero" mode , but who's - well, a bit of an arsehole actually.....The story doesn't flag at all , & goes at a good pace : it encourages you to keep reading . I hope there are more books to come from James Brogden , as I'm sold on this....!
Most definitely worthy of your attention .
February 28, 2012
Loving it so far.
It is set in my adapted home town and I love rediscovering it with new eyes... :-)
It is set in my adapted home town and I love rediscovering it with new eyes... :-)
February 4, 2013
This book has generally really good reviews but I really did not like it. It was really confusing and I didn't like the way it was wrote.
June 29, 2017
This is remarkably good for a first novel, particularly in the field of urban fantasy, which is a perilous field to enter. Firstly, I love it is set in Birmingham rather than London. The author makes good use of the city's haphazard structure to firmly root the book's conceits in its urban geography. A better planned city would not have the topography for 'The Narrows' to exist.
Violence is suggested but, thankfully, not graphic and there is a delightful absence of badly-written sex.
The author creates a pseudo-science world that is utterly true to itself and where, if you accept the basic ideas, you can enjoy the story without having constant 'extras' thrown at you, designed to extricate the writer from the hole he has realised has been made.
Violence is suggested but, thankfully, not graphic and there is a delightful absence of badly-written sex.
The author creates a pseudo-science world that is utterly true to itself and where, if you accept the basic ideas, you can enjoy the story without having constant 'extras' thrown at you, designed to extricate the writer from the hole he has realised has been made.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews