The Folly Irregulars discussion

At Miriam's request. :) Care to elaborate?

Sure. :-)

The idea came up, wenn I was searching for new reading stuff. I love fantasy books and urban fantasy in particular, but there are many books and series out there and sadly many there aren't worth the reading time.

I randomly picked some books from my shelves and started reading them. There was Magic Bites which I found wonderfull and made me dive right into the series. Then there was Storm Front, which was okay. Nice to kill some time while on my way to work and back. Then there was Guilty Pleasures which was also okay, but the following books slowly but surely declined. I'm only one fifth into book three and having a really hard time finishing it.

And since I guess I'm not alone with this I thought that maybe we should open this thread. Not for general reading recommendations but for discussing and recommending books and series similar to Rivers of London - which is quite unique, but still.

So therefore my question is: Do you happen to know and/or have read (urban fantasy) books or series, that are similar to Rivers of London, be it either on accounts of it's humor or setting or depiction of diversity, or whatever else.

I'm the same, always looking for books similar to Rivers of London, but not finding many good ones.

Have you tried the The Matthew Swift series by Kate Griffin?

It's the most like Rivers of London that I've read with London being heavily featured as more than just a setting, and I really enjoyed the writing and overall atmosphere of urban magical London.

I started reading urban fantasy with The Borribles (the first novel that I think of as urban fantasy, which predated the term describing a genre) (and I'll recommend it, too). I don't read a lot of urban fantasy, other than the Peter Grant novels, something around dozen novels over the past four or five years.

I'll recommend the following novels that I like and I think of when I think of the Rivers of London series are: The Case of the Toxic Spell Dump and Indexing.

I'd second Matthew Swift series, and it's more lighthearted companion series.

Mimi wrote: "I'm the same, always looking for books similar to Rivers of London, but not finding many good ones.

Have you tried the The Matthew Swift series by Kate Griffin?

It's the most like Rivers of Lond..."

I had my eyes on that series for some time now, but somehow I was a bit reluctant to try afer I found out the author was only in her early twenties when she wrote it. Maybe I feared to be disappointed. But since you and Carol vote for it, I think I gonna try it as soon as I've finished the Kate Daniels Series. Thanks.

Has anyone of you tried the Vampire Huntress Series, beginning with Minion? Or the Negotiator Series, Heart of Stone being the first book? I've heard they both feature a non-white heroine.

I think I tried a L.A. Banks book. It was very... mundane. I remember thinking the writing style was too simple. I think I gave it up as a bad job, but didn't want to trash it outright because I think there needs to be more works out there with people of color.

I read some of CE Murphy's Walker Papers series, but ultimately dropped it. Not badly written as much as format (dream sequences) issue, I think.

Miriam wrote: "I had my eyes on that series for some time now, but somehow I was a bit reluctant to try afer I found out the author was only in her early twenties when she wrote it. Maybe I feared to be disappointed. But since you and Carol vote for it, I think I gonna try it as soon as I've finished the Kate Daniels Series. Thanks."

I went into A Madness of Angels without knowing much about the series or the author, so I was pleasantly surprised to find such an enjoyable, adventurous book. It was everything I was looking for at the moment I picked it up, and I liked the second book just as much, if not a little bit more. Will have to pick up the third one soon.

Kate Griffin/Claire North/Catherine Webb has a great way with words, and she makes London come to life (literally) like no urban fantasy author I've ever read before.

Matthew Swift is a great series, and I hope it works out for you.

This is a little bit of a stretch, but I think The Rook by Daniel O'Malley is pretty similar to Rivers of London in tone and atmosphere. Wouldn't you say, Carol? It's a bit zanier, but the narration and humor is right up there with RoL.

I'd support that. There's an interesting narrative style that bugged some people, but I thought was done well. The second didn't hold up though.

I would also support the Rook and agree with the second book being not as good (although not terrible).

O'Malley seems completely unplugged from the internet so it is hard to tell if he is going for a third book or not.

Mimi wrote: "This is a little bit of a stretch, but I think The Rook by Daniel O'Malley is pretty similar to Rivers of London in tone and atmosphere. Wouldn't you say, Carol? It's a bit zanier, ..."

I looked it up on Amazon and tried the audio version. That one will definetly go to my to read pile. Including the audio. The snippet I heard on Audible sounded great.

Somehow I get the feeling my to read pile grows to immesurable proportions.

Somehow I get the feeling my to read pile grows to immesurable proportions. ."

Well, you know. Read faster ;) And feed the kids canned soup.

Oh, FYI everyone--if you use 'add book/author,' GR will keep a running list of the titles mentioned up near the top of the thread, on the right side of the page. For easy TBR adding :)

Carol. wrote: "Oh, FYI everyone--if you use 'add book/author,' GR will keep a running list of the titles mentioned up near the top of the thread, on the right side of the page. For easy TBR adding :)"

Ha ha ha! You're not helping keeping our TBRs at a manageable level, Carol.!

mmm urban fantasy recommendations in a similar tone of the PC Peter Grant series.

off the top of my head i can't quite think of any that have the some English humour. in terms of setting i.e. contemporary London it's a little easier

London Falling (Shadow Police) by Paul Cornell Modern police procedural but somewhat more grim - lacks the giggles and idle segues of a walking daydreamer

Fated (Alex Verus) by Benedict Jacka is another contemporary urban fantasy set in London. The difference here is that magic is more open heading towards the Storm Front (Dresden Files) and Hounded (Iron Druid) style universes.

The audio book version of The Rook is fantastic. Somewhat disappointingly the voice actor for the sequel, Stiletto, was changed.

Charles Stross Laundry Files series. Instead of the police, it's spies.

Interesting about The Rook audio, John. I really enjoyed the story quite a bit. So the back-and-forth with the letters came through with the reader?

Too bad they changed the reader for the second... although honestly, I didn't care for Stiletto nearly as much.

Carol. wrote: " So the back-and-forth with the letters came through with the reader?"

Yes. Myffanwy's (reader) voice is just a little more assertive and inflects the character's sarcasm quite well.

Thomas' tone and voice (writer) is softer, diffident and less knarky.

no dissonant notes between the audio and text when i read / listened to it...worth a ten hour break between Hanging Tree and restarting Rivers of London again :)

oh and it's an absolute delight when Susan Duerdan pronounces
Wetenschappelijk Broederschap van Natuurkundigen ("The Scientific Brotherhood of Scientists" aka grafters)

pretty much worth it just to hear it roll off the tongue

John wrote: "pretty much worth it just to hear it roll off the tongue"

Haha!

John wrote: "oh and it's an absolute delight when Susan Duerdan pronounces
Wetenschappelijk Broederschap van Natuurkundigen ("The Scientific Brotherhood of Scientists" aka grafters)

pretty much worth it just ..."

Lol!

Carol. wrote: "Interesting about The Rook audio, John. I really enjoyed the story quite a bit. So the back-and-forth with the letters came through with the reader?

Too bad they changed the reader..."

What is really irritating is, that there are two audio version of each book. At least on Audible Germany.

The Rook is read by Katy Carmichael in one version - which was the one I got and found absolutly brilliant - and by Susan Duerden in a second version. And this second one I found rather horrible from the 5 minutes try I got from Audible. Just too over the top in pronounciation.

Same with Stiletto: One version narrated by Moira Quirk and one narrated by Maggie Mash. From the trials I think I preferr Mash because I know Quirk from narrating Gail Carriger young adult series Finishing School and Custard Protocol and now I always have a 14 year old girl in mind, when I hear her voice.

London Falling and Fated have been sitting on my TBR pile fore quite some time now, but somehow they always get moved back.

I'll be curious to see what you think of those two, Miriam. London Falling is definitely interesting but there were a few problems that kept me from loving it. Fated felt like a Harry Dresden knockoff, and there are things I definitely don't like about Dresden.

Not that it matters all that much but I think your Fated link should point here Fated.

I haven't finished Fated yet because it is too much like Dresden and I like Dresden but don't need more of it.

Miriam wrote: "Carol. wrote: "Interesting about The Rook audio, John. I really enjoyed the story quite a bit. So the back-and-forth with the letters came through with the reader?

Too bad they cha..."

London Falling I enjoyed, and the second one, The Severed Streets. But I felt the author lost his way in the third book.

Okay. I'm hooked. Read Fated yesterday.

Loved it. Reveiw to follow.

I know you all know about these series already, but I just came across a post written by Charles Stross for people looking for books similar to his Laundry Files series (which I've never read): https://www.tor.com/2017/07/11/five-b...

Well he's buggered that up for a start. Peter is NOT from the East End. He's from north London, Peckwater Estate in Kentish Town, which is part of Camden.

I didn't read the article yet, so I had no idea Stross goofed on Peter. I was just so surprised and pleased to see the series mentioned.

Lata wrote: "I know you all know about these series already, but I just came across a post written by Charles Stross for people looking for books similar to his Laundry Files series (which I've never read): htt..."

A bit late, but still...

An interesting, if rather weird mix Stross presents there. I've read three of them (RoL, Invisible Library, St. Mary's) and strongly considered the other two. I just wonder what they have in common.

My guess RE: what these series have in common would be a general sense of British-ness and secret government groups tasked with managing the supernatural. Other than that, I don't really see what they have in common.

I suppose what I find interesting in this whole post is Charles Stross taking issue with The Checquy Files by Daniel O'Malley. In the comments, in response to someone's suggestion of The Rook, Stross says "I omitted the Checquy Files series for reasons I’m not going to go into ex cathedra." Very interesting.

M. wrote: ""I omitted the Checquy Files series for reasons I’m not going to go into ex cathedra." Very interesting. "

intriguing and annoying in the someone hints at something without elaborating. basically "i have know a secret dot dot dot"

i've read both series...not to much in common iirc so not plagiarism? (wild baseless speculation by me)

started Invisible Library. just couldn't get into it

Maybe because I'm a library worker IRL, I would recommend The Invisible Library. I've read the first 3 books in the series and have really enjoyed all of them. I've also been really impressed with the YA series that starts with Ink and Bone.

M. wrote: ""I omitted the Checquy Files series for reasons I’m not going to go into ex cathedra."

That makes no sense to me. I had to look up 'ex cathedra' and it means 'from the chair,' ie. infallible Pope announcements. Confusing, and I'm inclined to like Stross less.

Like John, I took Stross' comment to mean he's accusing O'Malley of plagiarism or at the very least guilty of copying his style, but I couldn't be sure since I haven't read the Laundry Files. Ex cathedra doesn't make sense to me either because I can't see how Catholicism comes into play in this context. It doesn't apply to The Rook, so it's more of a Laundry Files reference?

I just thought the comment was interesting because it sounded catty, and Stross letting everyone know he's got an issue with The Rook while not going further into it says more about him as an author.

Wanda wrote: "Maybe because I'm a library worker IRL, I would recommend The Invisible Library. I've read the first 3 books in the series and have really enjoyed all of them. I've also been really..."

Not a library employee myself, but I love all books about libraries and other book lovers. Couldn't get into The Invisible Library though. There's something about it that didn't click with me. Maybe it was the overall youthful tone of the writing that didn't make sense (to me) in the context of the immortal librarians.

Ink and Bone is on my short list to be read soon this season. The YA billing is making me weary, but I've heard to many good things about it that I just have to give it a try.

Wanda wrote: "Maybe because I'm a library worker IRL, I would recommend The Invisible Library. I've read the first 3 books in the series and have really enjoyed all of them. I've also been really..."

Agreed! I'm enjoying both of these library series. I was going to read the second in the Great Library series soonish.

M. wrote: "Like John, I took Stross' comment to mean he's accusing O'Malley of plagiarism or at the very least guilty of copying his style, but I couldn't be sure since I haven't read the Laundry Files. Ex ca..."

Stross' comment did sound catty, re the Checquy stories. And not elaborating was irritating. I haven't read any of the Laundry Files stories, so I can't comment about them.

Lata wrote: "M. wrote: "Like John, I took Stross' comment to mean he's accusing O'Malley of plagiarism or at the very least guilty of copying his style, but I couldn't be sure since I haven't read the Laundry F..."

Huh. I suppose there are some similarities, but the whole style and outlook, not to mention series/plot is so different between the two, one might equally say that The Laundry Files is a copy of The X-Files.

I'm actually a little afraid Daniel O'Malley might be a one-hit wonder, as his second book in the series was seriously meandering and had trouble maintaining the daffy tone of the first.

I didn't continue with Stross because they seemed kind of... I don't know, work-man like? And I felt like Stross was kind of sexist, quitting about the time he wrote a book in his female main POV.

Carol. wrote: "I'm actually a little afraid Daniel O'Malley might be a one-hit wonder,."

me too :(

after googling ex cathedra myself, i took it in the context of Stross having received accusations or "proof" in confidence i.e. under seal of confession. not a great fit but nothing else makes much sense

Carol. wrote: "Lata wrote: "M. wrote: "Like John, I took Stross' comment to mean he's accusing O'Malley of plagiarism or at the very least guilty of copying his style, but I couldn't be sure since I haven't read ..."

I have difficulties with Stross. I read and enjoyed The Rhesus Chart but have not been able to get into any of the others.

Have just started a series that others might like. https://www.goodreads.com/series/9994...

Now the US military has a supernatural combat unit.

Never heard of this series before. Let us know what it's like.

I picked up the second book at a book fair a few months ago and have just got around to starting it. It's pretty good so far.

Kind of surprised no one's mentioned the "Arthur Wallace and MI-37" series by Jonathan Wood.

Best described as Torchwood meets the Cthulhu mythos with just a dash of Douglas Adams-esque humour.

Interesting. I've ever heard of it!

There only seem to be four books in the series, so perhaps the publisher didn't think they were successful enough.

Kevin Hearne's Iron Druid series is also fun

Howling Mad by Peter David.

A wolf is bitten by a werewolf and turns into a human during the full moon.

Hilarity ensues...