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Witte & Co. Investigations #4
The River Throne
Cian Shea and Irene Lovell have battled sorcerers, snakes, lizard-men, and lost gods. Until now, they have managed to avert disaster for St. Louis and for the rest of the world. When they come face to face with prophecy, though, they face a threat beyond anything they have seen before. Especially this prophecy, for it speaks of a the unborn child that Irene carries.
Now, with Harry, Sam, Pearl, and Freddy, they must do their best to save Irene and her child, but they find themselves facing more than supernatural threats. Anarchists, corrupt police, and old everyone has a stake in the River Throne, and time is running out.
Now, with Harry, Sam, Pearl, and Freddy, they must do their best to save Irene and her child, but they find themselves facing more than supernatural threats. Anarchists, corrupt police, and old everyone has a stake in the River Throne, and time is running out.
- GenresHistorical
ebook
First published January 9, 2017
3 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Gregory Ashe
135 books1,794 followersI'm a long-time Midwesterner. I've lived in Chicago, Bloomington (IN), and Saint Louis, my current home. Aside from reading and writing (which take up a lot of my time), I'm an educator.
While I enjoy reading across many genres, my two main loves are mystery and speculative fiction. I used to keep a list of favorite books, but it changes so frequently that I've given up. I'm always looking for recommendations, though, so please drop me a line if you have something in mind!
My big goal right now is one day to be responsible enough to get a dog.
While I enjoy reading across many genres, my two main loves are mystery and speculative fiction. I used to keep a list of favorite books, but it changes so frequently that I've given up. I'm always looking for recommendations, though, so please drop me a line if you have something in mind!
My big goal right now is one day to be responsible enough to get a dog.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
June 13, 2023
[3.4~3.5] i did it.
the last book unread from Gregory Ashe's entire backlist, now conquered.
*ultra dramatic sigh as though GA isn't a literal printer with new books waiting for us right around the corner* what do i do with my life now?
as if planned by the fates themselves, this also marks my 200th book of the year, and the timing is rather fitting given i've just finished Where All Paths Meet, like the end of one arc meeting another.
this genre is nowhere near my standard fare, and with noir-style stories known for their bleakness and despair, i was pleasantly surprised with the final HFN - hopeful, albeit with some unresolved bits and just enough details to scratch the surface. i could've done with more of a follow-up with everyone after the Big Battle, but that's my usual feedback with GA books because i'm a greedy reader 😆
to be fully transparent, i confess that the series plot threads and successive prophecies were lost on me here and there. if you aren't reading these books back-to-back or jotting down notes as you go, don't be surprised if you find yourself lost in the same woods as me. in fact, you might stumble across me (failingly) crawling through some thick bushes even now.
this was an improvement from the previous book, but i would still give the crown to the first two books to share. i say this lovingly, but with the more plot-heavy focus, GA may have juggled too much of otherworldly beings, magical items, and mystical prophecies at once, and as a result, skimped out on what i love most about his writing: the way he delicately weaves character/relationship arcs and intertwines their personal development with the conflict at-hand. i didn't quite get that here.
it was also a shame that as much as i adored Pearl and Freddy (and gravy man too), their stories were either skipped over or notably neglected for the mainstays Cian and Irene who, once again, had to rely on a ghost's interference to reveal hidden truths because communication is their poison 🤡 at least Harry and Oliver get some more deserved screen time, if that's any consolation.
adjusting to the time period, the writing style isn't quite like anything else he's written, but the quality that remains unchanged is the heights to which his creative mind takes him. i'm speechless at how he's able to describe the world's greatest banalities in the most evocative manner. i'll always imagine early 1900s St. Louis like a sultry lady parading long legs on the streets. the similes / metaphors / personification may have been applied with a heavy hand, but it's phenomenal to witness how quickly and effectively he's learned to utilize this language with measured precision for maximal impact. i also get the feeling that his writing is more conducive to modern-day, smaller-scale stories (to his slew of crazy small towns' delight!), so forever grateful he found his niche and much respect to him for never ceasing to sharpen his skills.
it's a reluctant goodbye for now, but i'm sure i'll be visiting more places conjured up by his incredible mind in no time.
ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ
the last book unread from Gregory Ashe's entire backlist, now conquered.
*ultra dramatic sigh as though GA isn't a literal printer with new books waiting for us right around the corner* what do i do with my life now?
as if planned by the fates themselves, this also marks my 200th book of the year, and the timing is rather fitting given i've just finished Where All Paths Meet, like the end of one arc meeting another.
this genre is nowhere near my standard fare, and with noir-style stories known for their bleakness and despair, i was pleasantly surprised with the final HFN - hopeful, albeit with some unresolved bits and just enough details to scratch the surface. i could've done with more of a follow-up with everyone after the Big Battle, but that's my usual feedback with GA books because i'm a greedy reader 😆
to be fully transparent, i confess that the series plot threads and successive prophecies were lost on me here and there. if you aren't reading these books back-to-back or jotting down notes as you go, don't be surprised if you find yourself lost in the same woods as me. in fact, you might stumble across me (failingly) crawling through some thick bushes even now.
this was an improvement from the previous book, but i would still give the crown to the first two books to share. i say this lovingly, but with the more plot-heavy focus, GA may have juggled too much of otherworldly beings, magical items, and mystical prophecies at once, and as a result, skimped out on what i love most about his writing: the way he delicately weaves character/relationship arcs and intertwines their personal development with the conflict at-hand. i didn't quite get that here.
it was also a shame that as much as i adored Pearl and Freddy (and gravy man too), their stories were either skipped over or notably neglected for the mainstays Cian and Irene who, once again, had to rely on a ghost's interference to reveal hidden truths because communication is their poison 🤡 at least Harry and Oliver get some more deserved screen time, if that's any consolation.
adjusting to the time period, the writing style isn't quite like anything else he's written, but the quality that remains unchanged is the heights to which his creative mind takes him. i'm speechless at how he's able to describe the world's greatest banalities in the most evocative manner. i'll always imagine early 1900s St. Louis like a sultry lady parading long legs on the streets. the similes / metaphors / personification may have been applied with a heavy hand, but it's phenomenal to witness how quickly and effectively he's learned to utilize this language with measured precision for maximal impact. i also get the feeling that his writing is more conducive to modern-day, smaller-scale stories (to his slew of crazy small towns' delight!), so forever grateful he found his niche and much respect to him for never ceasing to sharpen his skills.
it's a reluctant goodbye for now, but i'm sure i'll be visiting more places conjured up by his incredible mind in no time.
ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ
The Weeping Lore - 3.75⭐
The Drowning Mask -4.25⭐
The Brittened Crown - 3⭐
The River Throne - 3.4~3.5 ⭐
Displaying 1 of 1 review