Finished 'Whispers Underground'

[flemmings]

One thing I did like about Happy Beaver was the random and frequent pop culture shout-outs, most of which I didn't get, I grant you. But Carey referenced Leonard Cohen at least twice, so go him. Aaronovitch turns out to do it too, and for me better, by working in the Low King of the Dwarfs at a very appropriate place.

Synchronicity also gets a look-in with that talking fox line. On account of the first 100 Demons story in the new volume is all about the fox spirit mother and daughter, the ones who study flower arrangement and tea ceremony

Comments

[incandescens]

Alas that we now have to wait for the next one, but Whispers Underground was very satisfying. The growing spectrum of Weird Stuff leaves me wanting more.

I am a little worried that Peter might be getting just a bit smug, but hopefully that will not bring too much trouble on his head.

And I'm also now sure that Nightingale would sympathise with Seimei's teachers. Gifted inventive kids these days . . .

[flemmings.livejournal.com]

Oh, I don't think Peter's getting smug, just more competent in what he does. Which is nice-- having him the eternal klutz while Lesley is Awesome would get old fast. This feels like character development; it's also a breath of fresh air in light of the other stuff I've been reading lately. I do hope his author doesn't cut him down to size too badly.

[incandescens]

True. And he and Lesley are different types of magician, I think: Peter is definitely the Cunning Man (to quote Oxley).

I do find it cheering that despite some of his attitudes, Nightingale seems to have no race or gender issues with the people he's tutoring.

[flemmings.livejournal.com]

I should reread Moon Over Soho, but my impression was that Nightingale had some of the stuffing knocked out of him in the last war. Also that at this point he can't afford to have race and gender issues-- or, as it's shaping up, age issues either-- but kudos to him for registering the fact.