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The Skyscraper Throne #3
Our Lady of the Streets
"I couldn't have asked for a more satisfying finale" --
Tor.com
In this thrilling conclusion to the Skyscraper Throne trilogy, Beth will come face-to-face with the goddess of the streets . . . Perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere.
Ever since Beth and Pen found their way into the hidden corners of London, the presence of its ruthless goddess, Mater Viae, has haunted its twisting streets. Now Mater Viae has returned with deadly consequences.
The streets are wracked by convulsions as wires and pipe go into spasm, bunching the city into a crippled new geography; pavements flare to thousand-degree fevers, incinerating pedestrians; and towers fall, their foundations decayed. It seems there is nothing Beth and Pen can do to stop this insane goddess.
As the city sickens, so does Beth - her essence now part of this secret London. But when it is revealed that Mater Viae's plans for dominion stretch far beyond the borders of the city, Beth must make a choice: flee, or sacrifice her city in order to save it.
Our Lady of the Streets is the third book and thrilling conclusion in The Skyscraper Throne trilogy.
In this thrilling conclusion to the Skyscraper Throne trilogy, Beth will come face-to-face with the goddess of the streets . . . Perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere.
Ever since Beth and Pen found their way into the hidden corners of London, the presence of its ruthless goddess, Mater Viae, has haunted its twisting streets. Now Mater Viae has returned with deadly consequences.
The streets are wracked by convulsions as wires and pipe go into spasm, bunching the city into a crippled new geography; pavements flare to thousand-degree fevers, incinerating pedestrians; and towers fall, their foundations decayed. It seems there is nothing Beth and Pen can do to stop this insane goddess.
As the city sickens, so does Beth - her essence now part of this secret London. But when it is revealed that Mater Viae's plans for dominion stretch far beyond the borders of the city, Beth must make a choice: flee, or sacrifice her city in order to save it.
Our Lady of the Streets is the third book and thrilling conclusion in The Skyscraper Throne trilogy.
356 pages, Paperback
First published August 7, 2014
5 people are currently reading
650 people want to read
About the author
Tom Pollock
16 books274 followersTom is a long-time fan of science fiction and fantasy, and has failed spectacularly to grow out of his obsession with things that don’t, in the strictest sense of the word, exist. He studied Philosophy and Economics at Edinburgh University. He now lives and works in London helping to build very big ships. The City’s Son is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
June 27, 2017
I'm so glad I got around to reading the last volume of this trilogy after having read the first two as they came out. What an amazing climax to a brilliant trilogy!
It's difficult to talk about the third volume in a series without spoiling the first two. I will attempt to do so no further than the blurb already spoils them.
After the events of the first two books in the series our London is much changed. The Mater Viae from London-Under-Glass has entered our world and devastated it magically. The remaining population who haven't evacuated are partially being protected by the very-changed Beth and the newly-returned Pen who together lead a resistance of Lampies, Pavement Priests, Gutterglass, Oscar the Sewermander and some surviving humans. But they're up against the power of a Goddess and they'll need more than that to survive, let alone win, and the allies that they will need to seek are far from their first choices.
The hidden London of The City's Son and London-Under-Glass of The Glass Republic were beautifully realized and peopled with fascinating creatures and engaging characters. The London of the Mirror Mater feels like a new world again with fever streets, blind streets, tideways and the horrific claylings all adding an atmosphere of looming disaster. Another strength of the writing of the first two books continues in force here with some absolutely cracking action sequences that don't neglect the depth of these characters or the sacrifices they need to make.
A triumphant conclusion to this series. It's beyond me why it doesn't seem to be widely read.
It's difficult to talk about the third volume in a series without spoiling the first two. I will attempt to do so no further than the blurb already spoils them.
After the events of the first two books in the series our London is much changed. The Mater Viae from London-Under-Glass has entered our world and devastated it magically. The remaining population who haven't evacuated are partially being protected by the very-changed Beth and the newly-returned Pen who together lead a resistance of Lampies, Pavement Priests, Gutterglass, Oscar the Sewermander and some surviving humans. But they're up against the power of a Goddess and they'll need more than that to survive, let alone win, and the allies that they will need to seek are far from their first choices.
The hidden London of The City's Son and London-Under-Glass of The Glass Republic were beautifully realized and peopled with fascinating creatures and engaging characters. The London of the Mirror Mater feels like a new world again with fever streets, blind streets, tideways and the horrific claylings all adding an atmosphere of looming disaster. Another strength of the writing of the first two books continues in force here with some absolutely cracking action sequences that don't neglect the depth of these characters or the sacrifices they need to make.
A triumphant conclusion to this series. It's beyond me why it doesn't seem to be widely read.
July 2, 2017
This was a fantastic ending to what turned out to be a really fun enjoyable series. I think this is my favorite of the 3 but it's just a great series as a whole.
July 21, 2017
This Review Was Published on The Fictional Hangout: http://thefictionalhangout.blogspot.c...
IMPORTANT: This is a review copy from Jo Fletcher Books and would normally go live on The Founding Fields. However, seeing as the backend of TFF is currently down, all book reviews will be posted on The Fictional Hangout for the foreseeable future. When the problem with TFF is eventually fixed, they will be reposted on The Founding Fields. Apologies for any inconveniences.
Four months ago, Mater Viae, the Goddess of London, returned from London-Under- Glass to reclaim her throne. And ever since then, London has been dying.
Streets are wracked by convulsions as muscles of wire and pipe go into spasm, bunching the city into a crippled new geography; pavements flare to thousand-degree fevers, incinerating anyone and anything touching them. Towers crash to the ground, their foundations decayed.
As the streets sicken, so does Beth, drawn ever deeper into the heart of the city, while Pen fights desperately for a way to save her. But when they discover that Mater Viae’s plans for dominion stretch far beyond London’s borders, they must make a choice: Beth has it within her to unleash the city’s oldest and greatest powers – powers that could challenge the vengeful goddess, or destroy the city itself.
I’ve been writing a lot of positive reviews for books lately, be they Koko Takes a Holiday by Kieran Shea or The Girl with All the Gifts by MR Carey, and it looks like Our Lady of the Streets is going to be another addition to that line of awesome books that I’ve been reading. It’s the final act in what has been a fantastic young adult trilogy, with The Skyscraper Throne really being a must read for anyone who loves reading the fiction that this genre has given us in the past. It certainly stands up with my favourite YA books, and provides a wonderful closing act that fans will certainly enjoy.
Whilst the last book was focused mainly on Pen, Our Lady of the Streets puts Beth Bradley back in the spotlight and it shows just how much she’s developed as a character over the course of the book. She needs to take lead and stop a London under siege, as Master Viae has returned to the Capital. In order to emerge victorious she has to discover more about her transformation and whether she’s gained any new powers from it or not. In weaker hands, this would simply make Beth boring by putting her in what could easily have fallen into the trap of being yet another ‘Chosen One’ type story, but Pollock is confident enough to keep things original and in the right place, given Beth both strengths and weaknesses as a character, and keeps the book feeling fresh. At her core though, she’s still the Beth Bradley that readers are familiar with, and there are as ever some good lines that she delivers over the course of the book.
However, that doesn’t mean to say the book is all about Beth. We get to learn more about Pen as well, who has also gone from strength to strength as a character. Both Beth and Pen are fantastic leads, and her role in this book is fleshed out enough to prevent Beth from overshadowing her character. Pollock handles both girls well, and draw their storylines to satisfying conclusions.
Our Lady of the Streets expands on the worlds that both Pen and Beth have discovered. Pen’s London-Under-Glass and Beth’s world that she discovered are merged so well that you won’t even notice the difference, as Pollock manages to continue to flesh out what has been one of the most unique takes on Urban Fantasy set in London that I’ve seen. The only title that I’ve read that comes close to this sort of originality in this type of setting is Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere, and as that is my favourite novel, that’s certainly saying something.
The pacing is pulled off pretty well. There aren’t any moments that feel out of place and the narrative switch between Beth and Pen is handled well. Both are given plenty of page time so their stories can come to a conclusion and as a result, this trilogy is fantastic to read indeed. The quality remains so consistent that it’s hard to pick a standout book in the entire trilogy, with each title going from strength to strength.
With Our Lady of the Streets, Tom Pollock concludes what has been a superb trilogy. All three novels have shined and this one deals with the final act very well. Fans should really enjoy this book and I’ll be eagerly looking forward to seeing what Pollock can come up with next, if this is anything to go by then he’s certainly earned the status of a must read author in my book, and he should be one in your eyes too.
VERDICT: 9.5/10
IMPORTANT: This is a review copy from Jo Fletcher Books and would normally go live on The Founding Fields. However, seeing as the backend of TFF is currently down, all book reviews will be posted on The Fictional Hangout for the foreseeable future. When the problem with TFF is eventually fixed, they will be reposted on The Founding Fields. Apologies for any inconveniences.
Four months ago, Mater Viae, the Goddess of London, returned from London-Under- Glass to reclaim her throne. And ever since then, London has been dying.
Streets are wracked by convulsions as muscles of wire and pipe go into spasm, bunching the city into a crippled new geography; pavements flare to thousand-degree fevers, incinerating anyone and anything touching them. Towers crash to the ground, their foundations decayed.
As the streets sicken, so does Beth, drawn ever deeper into the heart of the city, while Pen fights desperately for a way to save her. But when they discover that Mater Viae’s plans for dominion stretch far beyond London’s borders, they must make a choice: Beth has it within her to unleash the city’s oldest and greatest powers – powers that could challenge the vengeful goddess, or destroy the city itself.
I’ve been writing a lot of positive reviews for books lately, be they Koko Takes a Holiday by Kieran Shea or The Girl with All the Gifts by MR Carey, and it looks like Our Lady of the Streets is going to be another addition to that line of awesome books that I’ve been reading. It’s the final act in what has been a fantastic young adult trilogy, with The Skyscraper Throne really being a must read for anyone who loves reading the fiction that this genre has given us in the past. It certainly stands up with my favourite YA books, and provides a wonderful closing act that fans will certainly enjoy.
Whilst the last book was focused mainly on Pen, Our Lady of the Streets puts Beth Bradley back in the spotlight and it shows just how much she’s developed as a character over the course of the book. She needs to take lead and stop a London under siege, as Master Viae has returned to the Capital. In order to emerge victorious she has to discover more about her transformation and whether she’s gained any new powers from it or not. In weaker hands, this would simply make Beth boring by putting her in what could easily have fallen into the trap of being yet another ‘Chosen One’ type story, but Pollock is confident enough to keep things original and in the right place, given Beth both strengths and weaknesses as a character, and keeps the book feeling fresh. At her core though, she’s still the Beth Bradley that readers are familiar with, and there are as ever some good lines that she delivers over the course of the book.
However, that doesn’t mean to say the book is all about Beth. We get to learn more about Pen as well, who has also gone from strength to strength as a character. Both Beth and Pen are fantastic leads, and her role in this book is fleshed out enough to prevent Beth from overshadowing her character. Pollock handles both girls well, and draw their storylines to satisfying conclusions.
Our Lady of the Streets expands on the worlds that both Pen and Beth have discovered. Pen’s London-Under-Glass and Beth’s world that she discovered are merged so well that you won’t even notice the difference, as Pollock manages to continue to flesh out what has been one of the most unique takes on Urban Fantasy set in London that I’ve seen. The only title that I’ve read that comes close to this sort of originality in this type of setting is Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere, and as that is my favourite novel, that’s certainly saying something.
The pacing is pulled off pretty well. There aren’t any moments that feel out of place and the narrative switch between Beth and Pen is handled well. Both are given plenty of page time so their stories can come to a conclusion and as a result, this trilogy is fantastic to read indeed. The quality remains so consistent that it’s hard to pick a standout book in the entire trilogy, with each title going from strength to strength.
With Our Lady of the Streets, Tom Pollock concludes what has been a superb trilogy. All three novels have shined and this one deals with the final act very well. Fans should really enjoy this book and I’ll be eagerly looking forward to seeing what Pollock can come up with next, if this is anything to go by then he’s certainly earned the status of a must read author in my book, and he should be one in your eyes too.
VERDICT: 9.5/10
January 4, 2015
It’s been four months since Mater Viae passed through from London-Under-Glass and claimed her throne. In those four months, the city has sickened and its occupants divided. London is on the brink of a civil war like no other.
If you’ve not experienced Tom Pollock’s London yet, go and get yourself a copy of The City’s Son right this minute. The third book does not disappoint at all and I can’t remember the last time a trilogy has delivered so well in every single book.
From the opening pages, the streets are closing in, literally as windows and doors are disappearing, leaving nothing but brickwork and the fading screams of those trapped inside. The outlook seems bleak for both the city and Beth, who now must feed off sickly streets. Loyalties are divided and refugees are camping out in Selfridges, one of the last safe havens from a city that is slowly consuming itself.
Tom’s characters don’t come out of their adventures unscathed. It’s not just their inner selves that are transformed, but when bad things happen in this world, they also have physical impact. Pen still holds her scars from the Wire Mistress (who you can expect to see more from in this book) and has another chance to address her internal scars. Beth’s transformation is more fantastical, but comes with many new challenges.
And there’s loss. Not just of the city they call home, the streets lost to a malignance, but also to those they hold dear. Beth visits the baby Pavement Priest that is all that is physically left of Fil and she carries his stolen memories in a flask. Pen learns how her parents, who no longer remember her, think they are going insane. This is a world of tough decisions, unknowns and living with the consequences.
There’s a nod to some of the creatures from the past, some who side with them and others that see the Mirror Mater as their true Goddess. Alliances are shifting, and not always in the direction that you expect. It feels a much more familiar world by now, less of a learning curve getting to know Tom’s stunning world-building.
The ending is dramatic and emotional. I was so thrown by one bit with the cats, where I was thinking aww, isn’t that lovely, only for the scene to pan out and be something else. It really manages to play with your heartstrings if you’ve come to love this world and the characters.
I’m not sure I was ready for it to end. Pitched as a trilogy, Our Lady of the Streets does feel like a conclusion but this world is so multi-layered and creative, it’s going to be hard to let go. Despite the hardships, I was left with a feeling of hope; that something will live on beyond the pages. Beth and Pen, the Railwraiths, London-Under-Glass, the Pavement Priests and Gutterglass are so real to me that they can’t stop existing, in the corners of our imaginations and in the bricks of London Town…
Review copy provided by publishe
If you’ve not experienced Tom Pollock’s London yet, go and get yourself a copy of The City’s Son right this minute. The third book does not disappoint at all and I can’t remember the last time a trilogy has delivered so well in every single book.
From the opening pages, the streets are closing in, literally as windows and doors are disappearing, leaving nothing but brickwork and the fading screams of those trapped inside. The outlook seems bleak for both the city and Beth, who now must feed off sickly streets. Loyalties are divided and refugees are camping out in Selfridges, one of the last safe havens from a city that is slowly consuming itself.
Tom’s characters don’t come out of their adventures unscathed. It’s not just their inner selves that are transformed, but when bad things happen in this world, they also have physical impact. Pen still holds her scars from the Wire Mistress (who you can expect to see more from in this book) and has another chance to address her internal scars. Beth’s transformation is more fantastical, but comes with many new challenges.
And there’s loss. Not just of the city they call home, the streets lost to a malignance, but also to those they hold dear. Beth visits the baby Pavement Priest that is all that is physically left of Fil and she carries his stolen memories in a flask. Pen learns how her parents, who no longer remember her, think they are going insane. This is a world of tough decisions, unknowns and living with the consequences.
There’s a nod to some of the creatures from the past, some who side with them and others that see the Mirror Mater as their true Goddess. Alliances are shifting, and not always in the direction that you expect. It feels a much more familiar world by now, less of a learning curve getting to know Tom’s stunning world-building.
The ending is dramatic and emotional. I was so thrown by one bit with the cats, where I was thinking aww, isn’t that lovely, only for the scene to pan out and be something else. It really manages to play with your heartstrings if you’ve come to love this world and the characters.
I’m not sure I was ready for it to end. Pitched as a trilogy, Our Lady of the Streets does feel like a conclusion but this world is so multi-layered and creative, it’s going to be hard to let go. Despite the hardships, I was left with a feeling of hope; that something will live on beyond the pages. Beth and Pen, the Railwraiths, London-Under-Glass, the Pavement Priests and Gutterglass are so real to me that they can’t stop existing, in the corners of our imaginations and in the bricks of London Town…
Review copy provided by publishe
July 27, 2017
such a different and unique story. loved it!
January 31, 2023
Oh, wow, this was an amazing read, I loved watching everything go down, and how everything wrapped up!
December 27, 2017
Looking back, I think this was my favorite of the three books in the series because the city is at its most fantastical. We finally see the two best friends back together again and their friendship is as strong as ever even though they've both grown up so much. And I adore this series for that. Both the first book and the second introduce romantic partners to the two girls, but it never takes the place of their friendship with each other. We really need more books that do this because the prevailing message that our partners in life will somehow fill all our needs is just so wrong. It puts way too much pressure on SO and de-values friendships that keep us sane and more open to new things.
So I love this series. The world-building is amazing. The cast is diverse. The urban magic is utterly cool and different from anything I've read before. I actually read the first two books twice because it is all written so densely that a moment of inattention means you will miss something. Read two emphasized how much Pen changed because I'd forgotten how much time she put into her appearance. So, yeah. Love, love, love. I'll probably want to read these books again in a decade and see what else I missed. :)
So I love this series. The world-building is amazing. The cast is diverse. The urban magic is utterly cool and different from anything I've read before. I actually read the first two books twice because it is all written so densely that a moment of inattention means you will miss something. Read two emphasized how much Pen changed because I'd forgotten how much time she put into her appearance. So, yeah. Love, love, love. I'll probably want to read these books again in a decade and see what else I missed. :)
August 12, 2014
Oh wow - hard to find words to describe how much I loved this book and indeed the whole trilogy. Couldn't stop reading but didn't want it to end either. The first two books were full of imagination and action but this one is the best of the three in my opinion. Such a glorious description of the power of love, both romantic & for your family and friends and an epic fight between good, evil & something in between! Don't mind admitting this one had me in tears a couple of times and on the edge of my seat at others. Believe me you must read these books!
January 3, 2018
This is a superb series (read all three this week back to back) and The Lady of the Streets provides the perfect conclusion - as thrilling and powerful and imaginative as the previous two and with a thoroughly satisfying ending. Do read this trilogy!
September 9, 2014
originally posted at: http://thebookplank.blogspot.com/2014...
Last year I started reading The Skyscraper Throne of Tom Pollock with the first book in the series The City's Son. Being a long time fan of Urban Fantasy I intimidatingly liked the premise of the series. What I like to see in every Urban Fantasy is a unique concept, there are many tropes that have become standard in this genre and that frankly are quite boring to read about. With his first book and series Tom Pollock showed that he didn't fall in this category, he showed a lot of creativity in imagining his world and how he interprets Urban Fantasy. The storyline went from action packed in the first book to an emotional rollercoaster in the second book, with transforming his story in this way it was nigh on impossible to think about what would be in store for the conclusion but that it would be one grand finale. And it is!
A lot of things have already transpired in the first two books. Here is brief recapture. The first book focused on Beth and Filius Viae, they met up with a freak accident and felt oddly drawn to each other. Beth a rebellious teenager and Filius the son of a Godess, together they marched against the God of Cranes, they won but somethings were lost as well... The second book in the series introduced us to Pen Parva and the magnificent city of London-Under-Glass, the mirror image of our own London. This alone will leave you agape, but the story that Tom Pollock writes around this mirror image of London is very powerful and readily transformed the whole premise of the series. It will make you look different towards a lot of things, this mirrorstocracy that was introduced was on many fronts beautiful but also sinister and very dark.
The first thing that fall to note when you start reading Our Lady of the Street is the self assurance with which Tom Pollock writes his conclusion. He has delivered two already stunning books but when you compare The City's Son with Our Lady of the Streets you can clearly see that this last book is written with a lot more confidence, Tom Pollock is definitely in control. I was a fan from the first book but with Our Lady of the Streets and reflecting on the whole series as well, Tom Pollock hasn't only let his story continue to grow but also let him as an author grow. From the first pages you feel the book is already gearing up to many unavoidable confrontations between several mighty players that we have gotten to learn about in the first two books. It's really cool stuff and there aren't and expanses saved in letting everything go down the way it does.
And now the EPIC conclusion of The Skyscraper Throne in Our Lady of the Streets. The story picks up a few months after the events of The Glass Republic. Mater Viae has returned from the mirror city of London-Under-Glass and is determined to get back what belongs to her. Her city of London. She doesn't do this in a subtle way but by force making parts of London die and get lost in the progress. Beth, who inherited some powers of Fil is the only person able to connect with London in a special kind of way to stop Mater Viae plans from succeeding. Our Lady of the Streets isn't only about Beth, Pen also makes an important appearance. This is a prime example of letting two stories collide to create a much bigger one. Where the first two books showed more off either of the two characters the first book on Beth and the second on Pen, in this final one they get equal stage time. This really is the premise of the story both girls work together to stop Mater Viae from succeeding in taking over London and expanding her power even further, yes this is the ultimate goal of Mater Viae, if she is able to reach into other cities what kind of havoc could that cause. But will both Beth and Pen be able to succeed? Because a lot of things have happened and with Beth's new powers, her connection to the city and being able to draw strength from the city also draws in the corruption that Mater Viae is spreading. Yes, Beth is dying, and cannot be cured... There is only one option left and that is to round-up every other force available to fight of Mater Viae, Beth even has to go so far as to awaken some enemies...
I am very impressed with the story that Tom Pollock once again has put unto paper. The first two books put a smile on my face but Our Lady of the Streets does it twice over and I am still recalling every scene in the book, there are some pretty great displays of the strength that is inhabited in many of the different powers of the city. Furthermore what really suprised me was the ending of the story. You all hope that everything turns out for the better for everyone, well it doesn't. This isn't a all ends well kind of story. Giving this reality that some people just can't be saved creates a very emotional, powerful and beautiful ending, that I think no one had dared to dream about.
One thing that I do have to keep stressing with Tom Pollock's books is the world building. It really is one-of-a-kind. Of course we have seen gods in Urban Fantasy before but nothing in the way that Tom Pollock interprets this trope. Gods that inhabit machine or that are embodied in the Thames for example and lets not forget Mater Viae herself. The descriptions that are used in showing just what the world of The Skyscraper Throne is about paints a very beautiful and vivid picture but you are also reminded that not everything shines as brilliant, there is also a very dark tone to the story that comes to the front mainly in the weird creatures that inhabit the streets of London. Like the Blankeits, Railwraits, Bahngeists, The Chemical Synods, Pavement Priests and Sodiumites and many many more. But do not automatically that everyone is against Beth and Pen, they have alleys amongst these as well. I am a big fan of these creatures that Tom Pollock has created, they really add a great view upon his world. They aren't names to name a creature but in describing them they live and breath the urban London surrounding, Pavement Priests "melt" into the pavements and move about Blankeits live in the city's lights and Bahngheits are trains that walk. This also counts for the transformations of Pen and Beth. They are no longer human and in stead of using the human references, Beth is described as part of the city with her concrete skin, leaking oil and many more references, this really inspires a very cool setting to the story.
Our Lady of the Streets is a pitch perfect ending to a brilliant series. The third book lets everything that was proposed in the first two books collide in a heavy way. Giving this time not a strong focus on either Beth or Pen but putting both in the spotlight. THere is only one thing left for them and that is stopping Mater Viae from ripping apart London and if she succeeds the rest of the world. Bam! Who would have dared to guess this would be the ending of the story? When I read the first book I hadn't dared to think that the story would end this way. Tom Pollock's vision of an Urban Fantasy London is a unique setting and not many authors have managed to grip with their series as The Skyscraper Throne has. The wide imagination that Tom Pollock has comes back in the creatures that he uses to inhabit his world and though they are far from normal, their are weird and not at all mainstream, you won't put them off as a simple imaginary beings, you will be taking these creatures deadly serious, Tom Pollock's writing style will make sure you do this from the first introduction. With The Skyscraper Throne Tom Pollock has created an exceptional and remarkable, action-packed series and it turned out to be quite the emotional rollercoaster as well. I will be definitely be keeping a close eye on the next project that Tom Pollock will write about next. If this is his debut series, I wanna see what else he can do!
Last year I started reading The Skyscraper Throne of Tom Pollock with the first book in the series The City's Son. Being a long time fan of Urban Fantasy I intimidatingly liked the premise of the series. What I like to see in every Urban Fantasy is a unique concept, there are many tropes that have become standard in this genre and that frankly are quite boring to read about. With his first book and series Tom Pollock showed that he didn't fall in this category, he showed a lot of creativity in imagining his world and how he interprets Urban Fantasy. The storyline went from action packed in the first book to an emotional rollercoaster in the second book, with transforming his story in this way it was nigh on impossible to think about what would be in store for the conclusion but that it would be one grand finale. And it is!
A lot of things have already transpired in the first two books. Here is brief recapture. The first book focused on Beth and Filius Viae, they met up with a freak accident and felt oddly drawn to each other. Beth a rebellious teenager and Filius the son of a Godess, together they marched against the God of Cranes, they won but somethings were lost as well... The second book in the series introduced us to Pen Parva and the magnificent city of London-Under-Glass, the mirror image of our own London. This alone will leave you agape, but the story that Tom Pollock writes around this mirror image of London is very powerful and readily transformed the whole premise of the series. It will make you look different towards a lot of things, this mirrorstocracy that was introduced was on many fronts beautiful but also sinister and very dark.
The first thing that fall to note when you start reading Our Lady of the Street is the self assurance with which Tom Pollock writes his conclusion. He has delivered two already stunning books but when you compare The City's Son with Our Lady of the Streets you can clearly see that this last book is written with a lot more confidence, Tom Pollock is definitely in control. I was a fan from the first book but with Our Lady of the Streets and reflecting on the whole series as well, Tom Pollock hasn't only let his story continue to grow but also let him as an author grow. From the first pages you feel the book is already gearing up to many unavoidable confrontations between several mighty players that we have gotten to learn about in the first two books. It's really cool stuff and there aren't and expanses saved in letting everything go down the way it does.
And now the EPIC conclusion of The Skyscraper Throne in Our Lady of the Streets. The story picks up a few months after the events of The Glass Republic. Mater Viae has returned from the mirror city of London-Under-Glass and is determined to get back what belongs to her. Her city of London. She doesn't do this in a subtle way but by force making parts of London die and get lost in the progress. Beth, who inherited some powers of Fil is the only person able to connect with London in a special kind of way to stop Mater Viae plans from succeeding. Our Lady of the Streets isn't only about Beth, Pen also makes an important appearance. This is a prime example of letting two stories collide to create a much bigger one. Where the first two books showed more off either of the two characters the first book on Beth and the second on Pen, in this final one they get equal stage time. This really is the premise of the story both girls work together to stop Mater Viae from succeeding in taking over London and expanding her power even further, yes this is the ultimate goal of Mater Viae, if she is able to reach into other cities what kind of havoc could that cause. But will both Beth and Pen be able to succeed? Because a lot of things have happened and with Beth's new powers, her connection to the city and being able to draw strength from the city also draws in the corruption that Mater Viae is spreading. Yes, Beth is dying, and cannot be cured... There is only one option left and that is to round-up every other force available to fight of Mater Viae, Beth even has to go so far as to awaken some enemies...
I am very impressed with the story that Tom Pollock once again has put unto paper. The first two books put a smile on my face but Our Lady of the Streets does it twice over and I am still recalling every scene in the book, there are some pretty great displays of the strength that is inhabited in many of the different powers of the city. Furthermore what really suprised me was the ending of the story. You all hope that everything turns out for the better for everyone, well it doesn't. This isn't a all ends well kind of story. Giving this reality that some people just can't be saved creates a very emotional, powerful and beautiful ending, that I think no one had dared to dream about.
One thing that I do have to keep stressing with Tom Pollock's books is the world building. It really is one-of-a-kind. Of course we have seen gods in Urban Fantasy before but nothing in the way that Tom Pollock interprets this trope. Gods that inhabit machine or that are embodied in the Thames for example and lets not forget Mater Viae herself. The descriptions that are used in showing just what the world of The Skyscraper Throne is about paints a very beautiful and vivid picture but you are also reminded that not everything shines as brilliant, there is also a very dark tone to the story that comes to the front mainly in the weird creatures that inhabit the streets of London. Like the Blankeits, Railwraits, Bahngeists, The Chemical Synods, Pavement Priests and Sodiumites and many many more. But do not automatically that everyone is against Beth and Pen, they have alleys amongst these as well. I am a big fan of these creatures that Tom Pollock has created, they really add a great view upon his world. They aren't names to name a creature but in describing them they live and breath the urban London surrounding, Pavement Priests "melt" into the pavements and move about Blankeits live in the city's lights and Bahngheits are trains that walk. This also counts for the transformations of Pen and Beth. They are no longer human and in stead of using the human references, Beth is described as part of the city with her concrete skin, leaking oil and many more references, this really inspires a very cool setting to the story.
Our Lady of the Streets is a pitch perfect ending to a brilliant series. The third book lets everything that was proposed in the first two books collide in a heavy way. Giving this time not a strong focus on either Beth or Pen but putting both in the spotlight. THere is only one thing left for them and that is stopping Mater Viae from ripping apart London and if she succeeds the rest of the world. Bam! Who would have dared to guess this would be the ending of the story? When I read the first book I hadn't dared to think that the story would end this way. Tom Pollock's vision of an Urban Fantasy London is a unique setting and not many authors have managed to grip with their series as The Skyscraper Throne has. The wide imagination that Tom Pollock has comes back in the creatures that he uses to inhabit his world and though they are far from normal, their are weird and not at all mainstream, you won't put them off as a simple imaginary beings, you will be taking these creatures deadly serious, Tom Pollock's writing style will make sure you do this from the first introduction. With The Skyscraper Throne Tom Pollock has created an exceptional and remarkable, action-packed series and it turned out to be quite the emotional rollercoaster as well. I will be definitely be keeping a close eye on the next project that Tom Pollock will write about next. If this is his debut series, I wanna see what else he can do!
August 6, 2014
All good things must come to an end, so it was inevitable that Tom Pollock’s debut series would end too. After the fantastic
The City’s Son
and the equally wonderful
The Glass Republic
, this final instalment in the trilogy Our Lady of the Streets came with high expectations and had to meet a high standard to equal its predecessors. Happily, Our Lady of the Streets is even better than the previous books. It takes Beth, Pen, and all their allies on a wild ride trying to save the city they love and their own lives in the process. Since this is book three in a series it’s hard to review it without giving any spoilers for the previous books. I’m keeping them to a minimum, but you have been warned.
Where the previous books were mostly about Beth and Pen separately, Our Lady of the Streets is definitely their story together. I loved the interplay between Beth and Pen in The City’s Son and always felt somehow cheated we didn’t get more of it. In this book Pollock gives it to the reader in spades. Their friendship is really the heart of the series. In fact, I’d argue this series is about their friendship more than anything. I love that in Beth and Pen we have two best friends who are there for each other through everything and even if they argue, they find their way back to each other. There is not cattiness, no bitchiness, and no going after the other’s romantic prospects. It’s rare to find this sort of friendship between girls in books and I wish we’d get more of them.
With the return of the Mirror Mater to London, Beth needs to step up and lead. London is under siege and only Beth will be able to stop Mater Viae from taking power. To do this she needs to learn what exactly her transformation means and what powers, if any, come with it. Pollock not only gives Beth new strengths, he also adds new weaknesses and shows just how painful being a leader in what is essentially war time is. He shows how hard Beth takes her losses and how much she just wants to protect her loved ones by keeping them out of the line of fire. Yet in the end, Beth learns you can’t control people’s choices and they have the right to choose to be part of the fight. In Our Lady of the Streets Beth becomes somewhat of a tragic hero, albeit in true Beth Bradley-style, with the expected amount of snark and humour. There are also clear echoes to The City’s Son in the book, sometimes mirroring the events and in some cases using it as a contrast. It’s an elegant use of foreshadowing and one that is entirely fitting, yet unexpected.
Pen meanwhile is back down the rabbit hole and trying to survive and reconnect with Espel. While it would have been easy for Pen to have slipped into just a sidekick role to Beth, she because anything but. Her choices are her own and she has to make some hard decisions. From the previous books we knew Pen was brave, but just how courageous she is, becomes clear from the choices she makes and the allies she manages to recruit to their cause at great personal cost. I loved Pen’s arc in this novel, perhaps even more than Beth’s. Pollock not only addresses Pen’s fear of coming out to her parents, he also returns to the trauma of her sexual assault and what sort of effect having to keep that secret had on her. I really liked how Pollock handled it and the resolution to this storyline.
After having built two equally fascinating but very different worlds in the first two books with Beth’s magical London and London-Under-Glass, in Our Lady of the Streets Pollock not only merges those two, but also adds another layer. With Mirror Mater’s return a number of new and destructive phenomena have arisen. She induces Fever streets, Tideways, Blank Streets and pretty much wrecks the city as we know it at will. The presence of this other, magical London is far more invasive than in previous books where the strange and magical was pushed to the fringes of mundane awareness or to a different realm altogether. Yet in this last book it is present front and centre and even the mundane citizens of London – and the rest of the world for that matter – can no longer ignore the other side of London. I loved the illness metaphor for the Mirrored Goddess’ campaign to retake London and how Pollock incorporated this into the plot.
As I told the author on Twitter, after I finished the book: "my heart is in a thousand pieces and yet you left me with hope." Our Lady of the Streets is a fantastic conclusion to an extraordinary series. Tom Pollock has proven he’s incredibly talented and I’m really excited to see where he’ll go next, even if I’m sad to be saying goodbye to Beth and Pen. If you haven’t yet read this conclusion to The Skyscraper Throne, what are you waiting for? If you’ve not yet picked up this series, I highly recommend that you do. It’s one of my favourite series of the last few years and one you shouldn’t miss.
This book was provided for review by the publisher.
Where the previous books were mostly about Beth and Pen separately, Our Lady of the Streets is definitely their story together. I loved the interplay between Beth and Pen in The City’s Son and always felt somehow cheated we didn’t get more of it. In this book Pollock gives it to the reader in spades. Their friendship is really the heart of the series. In fact, I’d argue this series is about their friendship more than anything. I love that in Beth and Pen we have two best friends who are there for each other through everything and even if they argue, they find their way back to each other. There is not cattiness, no bitchiness, and no going after the other’s romantic prospects. It’s rare to find this sort of friendship between girls in books and I wish we’d get more of them.
With the return of the Mirror Mater to London, Beth needs to step up and lead. London is under siege and only Beth will be able to stop Mater Viae from taking power. To do this she needs to learn what exactly her transformation means and what powers, if any, come with it. Pollock not only gives Beth new strengths, he also adds new weaknesses and shows just how painful being a leader in what is essentially war time is. He shows how hard Beth takes her losses and how much she just wants to protect her loved ones by keeping them out of the line of fire. Yet in the end, Beth learns you can’t control people’s choices and they have the right to choose to be part of the fight. In Our Lady of the Streets Beth becomes somewhat of a tragic hero, albeit in true Beth Bradley-style, with the expected amount of snark and humour. There are also clear echoes to The City’s Son in the book, sometimes mirroring the events and in some cases using it as a contrast. It’s an elegant use of foreshadowing and one that is entirely fitting, yet unexpected.
Pen meanwhile is back down the rabbit hole and trying to survive and reconnect with Espel. While it would have been easy for Pen to have slipped into just a sidekick role to Beth, she because anything but. Her choices are her own and she has to make some hard decisions. From the previous books we knew Pen was brave, but just how courageous she is, becomes clear from the choices she makes and the allies she manages to recruit to their cause at great personal cost. I loved Pen’s arc in this novel, perhaps even more than Beth’s. Pollock not only addresses Pen’s fear of coming out to her parents, he also returns to the trauma of her sexual assault and what sort of effect having to keep that secret had on her. I really liked how Pollock handled it and the resolution to this storyline.
After having built two equally fascinating but very different worlds in the first two books with Beth’s magical London and London-Under-Glass, in Our Lady of the Streets Pollock not only merges those two, but also adds another layer. With Mirror Mater’s return a number of new and destructive phenomena have arisen. She induces Fever streets, Tideways, Blank Streets and pretty much wrecks the city as we know it at will. The presence of this other, magical London is far more invasive than in previous books where the strange and magical was pushed to the fringes of mundane awareness or to a different realm altogether. Yet in this last book it is present front and centre and even the mundane citizens of London – and the rest of the world for that matter – can no longer ignore the other side of London. I loved the illness metaphor for the Mirrored Goddess’ campaign to retake London and how Pollock incorporated this into the plot.
As I told the author on Twitter, after I finished the book: "my heart is in a thousand pieces and yet you left me with hope." Our Lady of the Streets is a fantastic conclusion to an extraordinary series. Tom Pollock has proven he’s incredibly talented and I’m really excited to see where he’ll go next, even if I’m sad to be saying goodbye to Beth and Pen. If you haven’t yet read this conclusion to The Skyscraper Throne, what are you waiting for? If you’ve not yet picked up this series, I highly recommend that you do. It’s one of my favourite series of the last few years and one you shouldn’t miss.
This book was provided for review by the publisher.
January 26, 2019
A perfect ending to an outstanding trilogy
May 23, 2019
It was a wonderful book, and I understood everything that was going on despite not having read the first two books.
November 5, 2019
As usual, if you want an actual review, you'll have to read the ones already posted here.
I just want to say what an exultantly joyful tragedy the trilogy turned out to be!
I just want to say what an exultantly joyful tragedy the trilogy turned out to be!
January 12, 2022
I need another
February 28, 2024
finished with you wanting more to find out what happened to a main character.
September 17, 2014
This is the last book of the Skyscraper Throne trilogy and with every last book in a series I go in with heaps of questions. Will I like the ending the author has come up with? Will it be a happy ending, sad, satisfying, disappointing? I’m always excited and anxious to find out, especially if it’s the end to a series I really liked, like this one.
We've been on quite a journey with Beth and Pen, seen so many magnificent and unimaginable things through their eyes and we've learned so much along the way, about friendship, about equality and about the fact that appearance isn’t important at all. With Our Lady of the Streets I honestly couldn't have wished for a more perfect end to this trilogy.
Pollock has packed his last book in the trilogy full of action, new aspects of his imaginative London and gut-wrenching emotions. I was glad to see many of the interesting characters we met in the previous two books making an appearance in this one, though there might be a few surprises when it becomes clear who’s siding with who.
Mater Viae’s mirror sister has broken free from London-Under-Glass and has placed herself on the throne in London. This obviously hasn’t gone by unnoticed. The city is sick, and with the city so is Beth. I was fascinated by how Pollock transformed this sickness to the city. Fever streets that reach scorching temperatures, the earth beneath the city moving, wrecking most of the buildings, whole areas flooded with molten stone. Sewermanders are serving as Mater Viae’s attack force and even more terrifying creatures hunt the people of the city. Everyone looks up to Beth as their leader, as the one who will make this all go away, but she doesn’t see it that way. She feels weak and doesn’t know what to do to help.
More so than in the previous books, the people of London are very aware of everything extraordinary happening in their city (how can they not?) and they are just as much victims of Mater Viae’s reign as the city creatures.
The pacing is yet again spot on, never is there a dull moment. There are always new aspects waiting to challenge Beth and her friends, or another crazy idea to try and overthrow Mirror Mater. You won’t be bored, not even for a second, and it will be damned hard to put down the book once you’ve started it.
As in the previous books, the writing is strong. Over the three books in this trilogy there has been this same quality of writing, which is what makes this such an amazing series of book. The books are all on par with each other, not one is a disappointment when compared to the others, and they all are a very strong addition to the story as a whole.
The one aspect that delivers again and again in the Skyscraper Throne trilogy is the character of Pen. She's one of the main reasons I absolutely adored The Glass Republic and she's just as great in this book. Pen tops my list of favourite characters and leaves her competition way behind. It's so easy to love her, to care for her and everything she's been through. Her character has grown immensely and she has become such a strong woman.
I didn’t exactly click with Beth in the first book, but I felt more connected to her character in this book. Beth is really struggling. She’s sick, but she feels it’s her responsibility to do something about Mater Viae’s reign of terror, because of her transformation. The decisions she makes and the way she deals with the consequences are admirable and brave. It shows how much Beth has grown as well since the first book.
The ending was both beautiful and heart-rending. I would never have expected an ending like this, but it was perfect. It leaves the reader with a feeling of sadness, but also hope and the feeling that this was the right thing to happen.
The Skyscraper Throne trilogy is one of the best Urban Fantasy series that’s out there, with a fascinating take on London and strong characters that will make you fall in love with the story right away. If you haven’t picked up ‘The City’s Son’ yet, I would definitely recommend you do. You’re in for an amazing ride through a London that will look familiar, but is full of unexpected, wonderful new things to discover.
We've been on quite a journey with Beth and Pen, seen so many magnificent and unimaginable things through their eyes and we've learned so much along the way, about friendship, about equality and about the fact that appearance isn’t important at all. With Our Lady of the Streets I honestly couldn't have wished for a more perfect end to this trilogy.
Pollock has packed his last book in the trilogy full of action, new aspects of his imaginative London and gut-wrenching emotions. I was glad to see many of the interesting characters we met in the previous two books making an appearance in this one, though there might be a few surprises when it becomes clear who’s siding with who.
Mater Viae’s mirror sister has broken free from London-Under-Glass and has placed herself on the throne in London. This obviously hasn’t gone by unnoticed. The city is sick, and with the city so is Beth. I was fascinated by how Pollock transformed this sickness to the city. Fever streets that reach scorching temperatures, the earth beneath the city moving, wrecking most of the buildings, whole areas flooded with molten stone. Sewermanders are serving as Mater Viae’s attack force and even more terrifying creatures hunt the people of the city. Everyone looks up to Beth as their leader, as the one who will make this all go away, but she doesn’t see it that way. She feels weak and doesn’t know what to do to help.
More so than in the previous books, the people of London are very aware of everything extraordinary happening in their city (how can they not?) and they are just as much victims of Mater Viae’s reign as the city creatures.
The pacing is yet again spot on, never is there a dull moment. There are always new aspects waiting to challenge Beth and her friends, or another crazy idea to try and overthrow Mirror Mater. You won’t be bored, not even for a second, and it will be damned hard to put down the book once you’ve started it.
As in the previous books, the writing is strong. Over the three books in this trilogy there has been this same quality of writing, which is what makes this such an amazing series of book. The books are all on par with each other, not one is a disappointment when compared to the others, and they all are a very strong addition to the story as a whole.
The one aspect that delivers again and again in the Skyscraper Throne trilogy is the character of Pen. She's one of the main reasons I absolutely adored The Glass Republic and she's just as great in this book. Pen tops my list of favourite characters and leaves her competition way behind. It's so easy to love her, to care for her and everything she's been through. Her character has grown immensely and she has become such a strong woman.
I didn’t exactly click with Beth in the first book, but I felt more connected to her character in this book. Beth is really struggling. She’s sick, but she feels it’s her responsibility to do something about Mater Viae’s reign of terror, because of her transformation. The decisions she makes and the way she deals with the consequences are admirable and brave. It shows how much Beth has grown as well since the first book.
The ending was both beautiful and heart-rending. I would never have expected an ending like this, but it was perfect. It leaves the reader with a feeling of sadness, but also hope and the feeling that this was the right thing to happen.
The Skyscraper Throne trilogy is one of the best Urban Fantasy series that’s out there, with a fascinating take on London and strong characters that will make you fall in love with the story right away. If you haven’t picked up ‘The City’s Son’ yet, I would definitely recommend you do. You’re in for an amazing ride through a London that will look familiar, but is full of unexpected, wonderful new things to discover.
September 5, 2014
So here we are at the finale then and thank HEAVENS it doesnt suffer from what I like to call “lost the plot scenario” which sometimes happens (with one VERY well known trilogy for sure) where the writer seems to lose energy and have no real idea what they intended in the first place. Not in this case, I found it to be a highly satisfying end, although I am still a little sad that it is all over.
Tom Pollock weaves his magic once again, pulling together the various strands and offshoots that have appeared over the course of the story and setting up a thrilling and really quite haunting final confrontation in the style we have come to expect, by using stunning descriptive prose then letting his characters speak. As the streets shatter and the world tilts on its axis, Pen and Beth are right at the heart of it all, fighting for survival and to make London safe again.
An age old tale in a way – a true battle between good and evil – this is a fresh new take on the Urban Fantasy genre and one that will stay with me for a long time. Beth and Pen, like old friends who have moved away, will be missed as will the rich, imaginative environments they have inhabited. Whilst the story IS complete there is so much depth and emotion to this world that it feels like there are many more stories to be told – one might hope that the author will revisit it one day, perhaps with a new inhabitant or a new hidden layer.
To use the same analogy again, I danced through this book as I did through the others – it was a glorious, fascinating, magical rollercoaster ride of reading joy from the very first words of “The Citys Son” to the very last words of “Our Lady of the Streets”. A most amazing accomplishment where the standard never dips, the reader is never cheated and the whole thing is a magnificent, I cannot recommend this series highly enough. To ANY avid reader. And lucky LUCKY you, you can get all three and never have to wait…
Tom Pollock weaves his magic once again, pulling together the various strands and offshoots that have appeared over the course of the story and setting up a thrilling and really quite haunting final confrontation in the style we have come to expect, by using stunning descriptive prose then letting his characters speak. As the streets shatter and the world tilts on its axis, Pen and Beth are right at the heart of it all, fighting for survival and to make London safe again.
An age old tale in a way – a true battle between good and evil – this is a fresh new take on the Urban Fantasy genre and one that will stay with me for a long time. Beth and Pen, like old friends who have moved away, will be missed as will the rich, imaginative environments they have inhabited. Whilst the story IS complete there is so much depth and emotion to this world that it feels like there are many more stories to be told – one might hope that the author will revisit it one day, perhaps with a new inhabitant or a new hidden layer.
To use the same analogy again, I danced through this book as I did through the others – it was a glorious, fascinating, magical rollercoaster ride of reading joy from the very first words of “The Citys Son” to the very last words of “Our Lady of the Streets”. A most amazing accomplishment where the standard never dips, the reader is never cheated and the whole thing is a magnificent, I cannot recommend this series highly enough. To ANY avid reader. And lucky LUCKY you, you can get all three and never have to wait…
August 18, 2014
There was always something special about Beth Bradley; something which went beyond her quick wit, her evident intelligence. Wasn't so long ago she was one among many—a badly-behaved teenager suffering through school, as exceptional individuals like Beth tend to—yet even then she was set apart by her street art; by graffiti which came to life because of her partnership with Pen, who'd append poetry to her pictures, turning still images into stories. Stories of the city.
Stories such as those Tom Pollock has told over the course of The Skyscraper Throne: an inventive and affecting urban fantasy saga which comes full circle with the release of Our Lady of the Streets. Be prepared to bid a bittersweet goodbye to Beth and her best friend, then... but not before they've had one last adventure together. An adventure as incredible as it is desperate; as tragical as it is magical.
Why? Because Beth Bradley is dying.
Read the rest at The Speculative Scotsman.
Stories such as those Tom Pollock has told over the course of The Skyscraper Throne: an inventive and affecting urban fantasy saga which comes full circle with the release of Our Lady of the Streets. Be prepared to bid a bittersweet goodbye to Beth and her best friend, then... but not before they've had one last adventure together. An adventure as incredible as it is desperate; as tragical as it is magical.
Why? Because Beth Bradley is dying.
Read the rest at The Speculative Scotsman.
July 14, 2015
How can I sum up this book? An amazing conclusion to an amazing series.
I have loved every page of 'The Skyscraper Throne' from beginning to end, and 'Our Lady of the Streets' is a worthy end to the series. Tom Pollock handles a winning blend of distinctive, sympathetic characters with an intriguing setting that gripped me from start to finish.
Which is annoying, because it's now past two o clock in the morning, and I could really do with some sleep.
The book isn't perfect , but it certainly come close. Five stars for pure awesomeness, and for that hilarious 'The Lord of the Rings' reference.
I have loved every page of 'The Skyscraper Throne' from beginning to end, and 'Our Lady of the Streets' is a worthy end to the series. Tom Pollock handles a winning blend of distinctive, sympathetic characters with an intriguing setting that gripped me from start to finish.
Which is annoying, because it's now past two o clock in the morning, and I could really do with some sleep.
The book isn't perfect , but it certainly come close. Five stars for pure awesomeness, and for that hilarious 'The Lord of the Rings' reference.
January 26, 2017
What an ending! I've just finished reading and I have this terrible book hangover that you got after you finish reading a really good story and you don't want to say goodbye to the characters. I've translated the first two volumes to Czech language, so the City and all it's inhabitants are under my skin almost as a crown tatoo. Our publisher is not interested in publishing translation of the third book so I waited a long time before I finally had the opportunity to buy the third volume - and there is no disappointment: It is everything that it should be. There's a lot of action, almost no new answers but a loads of questions. You meet with all old familiar faces, there is an epic battle in the end and a spark of hope in a final scene. Love it! (Still hoping that publisher will change his mind - I want to spend with this book more than a reading-week :-)
July 16, 2015
Didn't post any reviews for the first two books in this trilogy and it ended on a good note this trilogy would be best described as a urban fantasy based in a modern day London and well our characters are Pen and Beth I won't spoil anything but yeah I enjoyed these books and it just adds to London's mystery and kudos to Tom Pollock for writing these books as I was itching to learn what would happen to Pen and Beth in each book as the trilogy went on and you what the wait was worth it. Considering the fact that picked up the first book because it sounded interesting I had no idea that I would be swept away with the concept but I was.
I just wish this author would release a new book soon because I loved this trilogy.
I just wish this author would release a new book soon because I loved this trilogy.
September 14, 2014
As a series this has been as imaginative a YA series as i've come across. The detail created throughout all the books has simply been stunning. The creatures and city produced is realised so well its impossible not to get drawn in. The characters themselves have been fantastic , Pen becoming my personal favourite. Tom Pollock has skillfully written both male an female teenage leads without any awkwardness .
While each if the three books stands out in their own unique way, each altering its approach , the finale has carried it all brilliantly to its end.
It will be interesting to see where the author takes his imagination next.
While each if the three books stands out in their own unique way, each altering its approach , the finale has carried it all brilliantly to its end.
It will be interesting to see where the author takes his imagination next.
November 1, 2014
Have not read previous books it took me a while to get into this book and its fantasy of bizarre creatures. Beth and her friend pen have other creatures who are helping them to reclaim london from mater vie the goddess of london. Beth is not your normal girl she is part of the city and as it grows sick so does she but it is up to her to beat mater viae can. She unleash the cities oldest and greatest powers. Pen joins with the wire mistress to help Beth and to help people stuck in this London with no escape . It's a story really of passion friendship and good versus evil enjoyable for most ages.
December 3, 2014
The City's Son excited me with inventive new ideas that just felt so RIGHT
The Glass Republic raised the stakes and threw in enormous character development.
Our Lady of the Streets, against the odds, managed to raise the inventive ideas again, gave heroes that were imperfect and didn't necessarily have the highly noble motivations that are so very common in fantasy. It also put me through the emotional wringer. I love it when a book does that!
...I need more of this world. I don't want it, I swear I need it. There were things left to the imagination or not visible through the frame this story was seen through and I hope that someday there might be a chance to learn more.
The Glass Republic raised the stakes and threw in enormous character development.
Our Lady of the Streets, against the odds, managed to raise the inventive ideas again, gave heroes that were imperfect and didn't necessarily have the highly noble motivations that are so very common in fantasy. It also put me through the emotional wringer. I love it when a book does that!
...I need more of this world. I don't want it, I swear I need it. There were things left to the imagination or not visible through the frame this story was seen through and I hope that someday there might be a chance to learn more.
dropped
December 2, 2016Dropped - 65 pages in
I don't like to leave a book unfinished but unfortunately I just couldn't get into this one. I struggled with the whole series and it's left me a bit sad and unsatisfied.
The world is fantastic but the story-line left me wanting and I really did not like the characters. I feel like this series is either all or nothing - so either nothing is happening or a lot is and you can't keep up. The first few pages of this book just got to be a bit too much for me I'm afraid.
I do want to try finish it one day but other books call to me and I can only procrastinate for so long :(
I don't like to leave a book unfinished but unfortunately I just couldn't get into this one. I struggled with the whole series and it's left me a bit sad and unsatisfied.
The world is fantastic but the story-line left me wanting and I really did not like the characters. I feel like this series is either all or nothing - so either nothing is happening or a lot is and you can't keep up. The first few pages of this book just got to be a bit too much for me I'm afraid.
I do want to try finish it one day but other books call to me and I can only procrastinate for so long :(
September 25, 2014
Much more back to the form of the first book, very enjoyable. I felt the big finale was perhaps a little too close to the end; I began to wonder if I would run out of pages before the crisis was resolved! But everything was rounded off well, with just a touch of 'make up your own mind' at the end, not too many neat little ribbons to tie all the ends.
April 9, 2015
That was a really great ending to the series, which managed the unusual trick of being a trilogy where each book stands as a novel in its own right, not just a super long book split up into three parts.
Any review will inevitably spoil something from the first books -- or this one. Instead I'll tell everyone to pick up The City's Son.
Any review will inevitably spoil something from the first books -- or this one. Instead I'll tell everyone to pick up The City's Son.
September 15, 2016
Book one of the series was rather conventional, book two took a left field turn and raised a victim, a surviver, into the hero of her own story. With book three, the finale, all of what came before crashes together.
It is hard these days to read a book and not know what happens next. Kudos to Mr Pollock for surprising me to the very end.
It is hard these days to read a book and not know what happens next. Kudos to Mr Pollock for surprising me to the very end.
January 1, 2015
I was pleased to have won this book in the Goodreads Giveaway a couple of month's ago. Perhaps because I hadn't read the first two books, it did take me a while to get into the story. Enjoyed and will at some stage, read the first two books.
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