I really didn’t enjoy this book to a point, then I really enjoyed the book from that point. That is what is weirdest to me, and probably sours my opinion on the novel. With Owen and Tosh gone you think that the author will have some more time to explore these characters! Well no. What she does is introduce a really interesting character in the form of DI Cutler, who is a ‘Maltese Falcon’-esque cop, and use him so sporadically, ignoring Ianto, using Jack to a degree, and wasting half the book on the worst Torchwood member, Gwen!
She does nothing apart from contribute her bullshit morals, almost being responsible for screwing up a sort of happy ending, and I really hope that the writer intended for it to be seem as Gwen was wrong, not, ‘Jack was wrong any normal person would do what she does’, because even that thought pisses me off. I like the theme of singing that sticks through the story and I even learned a thing or two along the way, which was nice! The thing that annoys me is that the synopsis lies, Ianto joins no mens singing choir, and he only really sings for about 2 ‘scenes’ in the entire book. Obviously as all the bits with him which are actually interesting have to be cut in favour of Gwen acting like she is Jack, even though she couldn’t even come close.
I loved the monster, the design of the cover, the description, the way it kills, that was brilliant and I really loved all the moments with it in the story. Obviously giving it a sappy ending was a bit phoned in, but with the impressive moments that came before of it dissecting singers, I had no complaint. The sub-plot was stupid however, with the mother unable to look after her child, given she has no relevance to the plot and adds nothing in the form of emotionally attachment, we waste about three chapters reading into her maternal feelings. Really?!? Was that in any way necessary?!?
Honestly the main reason I can say I didn’t hate this book is because the scenes with Jack and Cutler are brilliant, and I love Jack having someone who feels like he does to talk to, and the monster and the singers were great. I just wish by now that Torchwood writers would realise that Gwen stories always have the worst reception, and are the ones that people don’t recommend. Don’t put a self-righteous, yet bland, character in the spotlight for the whole book.