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Angel of the Crows
Angel of the Crows | Katherine Addison
40 posts | 28 read | 40 to read
Katherine Addison, author of The Goblin Emperor, returns with The Angel of the Crows, a fantasy novel of alternate 1880s London, where killers stalk the night and the ultimate power is naming.This is not the story you think it is. These are not the characters you think they are. This is not the book you are expecting.In an alternate 1880s London, angels inhabit every public building, and vampires and werewolves walk the streets with human beings in a well-regulated truce. A fantastic utopia, except for a few things: Angels can Fall, and that Fall is like a nuclear bomb in both the physical and metaphysical worlds. And human beings remain human, with all their kindness and greed and passions and murderous intent. Jack the Ripper stalks the streets of this London too. But this London has an Angel. The Angel of the Crows.
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TheReadingReceptionist
Angel of the Crows | Katherine Addison

I WANT TO BUY MORE BOOKS BUT ADULTING BRUUUUUHHHHH

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TheReadingReceptionist
Angel of the Crows | Katherine Addison

i can't finish a book for the life of me 😭

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OutsmartYourShelf
The Angel of the Crows | KATHERINE. ADDISON
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Pickpick

London, England in 1888 - the year that Jack the Ripper murdered five women. This is an alternate London though, one where angels, werewolves, vampires, & hellhounds live amongst humans.

An ingenious read with some great characters. Crow and Dr Doyle are obviously the alternate Sherlock Holmes & Dr Watson. The world-building is good, and the MCs make the reader root for them to succeed. I'd read a sequel. 5🌟

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Kryckett
The Angel of the Crows | KATHERINE. ADDISON
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Pickpick

I saw a lot of reviews hating on this one, but I thought it was delightful. To be fair, I am a sucker for a Sherlock Holmes adaptation.

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Kryckett
The Angel of the Crows | KATHERINE. ADDISON
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This is the current dog walking listen, and it keeps making me smile. High hopes for the remaining 88 percent!

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khooliha
The Angel of the Crows | KATHERINE. ADDISON
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Pickpick

I didn't find this novel nearly as engrossing as The Goblin Emperor, but that may be because I'm a Holmes idiot, in that I've read very little Holmes. Still, it's a fun enough time, even if it occasionally feels a little loose thread-y.

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PickwickPlockPlock
Angel of the Crows | Katherine Addison
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Pickpick

I love it. It's like this has been written just for me, Sherlock Holmes stories with a supernatural bent. Only Watson is called Doyle, and Holmes is an angel called Crow. You will get the most out of this if you have a firm grip on the canon and recognize the differences. Justice for Tonga! A Holmes version that is not a rude, sociopathic egotist is also a plus.

DrexEdit I quite liked this too. I hope the author is writing more of them! 3y
PickwickPlockPlock @DrexEdit I hope so, too! First thing I did was checking if there was a sequel. 3y
52 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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shanaqui
Angel of the Crows | Katherine Addison
Pickpick

I finished it yesterday and I am bereft. Clearly The Goblin Emperor wasn't a one-hit wonder with me. Good thing I have an ARC of The Witness for the Dead...

10 likes1 stack add
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shanaqui
Angel of the Crows | Katherine Addison

I'm finding myself wishing I remembered my Sherlock Holmes canon better, so I could get all the references...

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DrexEdit
The Angel of the Crows | KATHERINE. ADDISON
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Pickpick

Set in an alternate Victorian London with protector angels in every public building, Crow, the Angel of London, takes the Sherlock role. Dr. Doyle, in the Watson role, occasionally turns into a hellhound. That's not the only secret that Dr. Doyle holds though. These two “outsider buddies“ proceed to solve several London mysteries including some famous Sherlock ones with a twist. The author note says the book started as a Sherlock fanfic story.

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shanaqui
Angel of the Crows | Katherine Addison

I had this as an ARC, but didn't read it yet. I really love Katherine Addison's The Goblin Emperor, and I had to pick a moment where this book won't be overshadowed by not being Goblin Emperor.

That moment suddenly arrived now! Inconveniently, since I am VERY busy, but now I just wanna devour it.

First note: I wonder if the landlady being Mrs Climpson could be a reference to Dorothy L. Sayers? Since the whole thing is a Conan Doyle reference.

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kwmg40
Angel of the Crows | Katherine Addison
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Pickpick

This is a very different take on the Sherlock Holmes stories with Crow (Holmes) as an angel and Dr. Doyle (Watson) as a human who sometimes transforms into a hellhound. I was skeptical at first but enjoyed the retelling more and more as I progressed through the book.

I didn't quite make 20 hours in the #20in4 readathon but I did manage a respectable (for me, anyhow) 17 hours and 10 minutes. Thanks @Andrew65 for hosting!

Andrew65 This is brilliant, well done 👏👏👏🙌🙌🍾🥂🍾🥂🥳🚀😊 3y
29 likes1 comment
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wisherwishinguponastar
The Angel of the Crows | KATHERINE. ADDISON
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Mehso-so

While I thought the idea was fun (supernatural elements added to Sherlock Holmes stories), I was confused why the best plot points of Doyle‘s stories were removed. In a lot of the mysteries the mystery is solved either due to a shift in perspective or the absence of a character (the ‘Holmes‘ is not in two of the last three stories). Not my cup of tea, but I did enjoy drawing my crow! #bookjournal

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BarbaraJean
Angel of the Crows | Katherine Addison
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Pickpick

Such a great Sherlock Holmes retelling—a fascinating combo of fantasy & Sherlockian mystery. In a London where werewolves, angels, and vampires all have unique places in society, we meet Crow & his sidekick Doyle (neither of whom quite fit into their societally-assigned categories) as they pursue various cases, with the mystery of Jack the Ripper looming in the background. I thoroughly enjoyed this—thank you @Laughterhp for putting it on my radar!

Laughterhp I‘m glad you liked it!! I just finished it too and really liked it. I meant tag you in my post thanking you for it, but I forgot 🤦‍♀️ 3y
BookishMarginalia I‘m intrigued. Stacked! 3y
BarbaraJean @Laughterhp No worries! I‘m glad you liked it and glad you led me to find it as well! 3y
43 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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Laughterhp
The Angel of the Crows | KATHERINE. ADDISON
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Pickpick

Hi friends! Have been busy with my new job, so I haven‘t been on Litsy much this week.

Finished this book last night. The author called it Sherlock wingfic, which I just love. It started as fanfic and she then made it into a book.

The Sherlock character is an Angel named Crow. The Watson character is named Doyle who has their own secrets. You‘ll see some familiar stories but with a fantasy twist. Also, Jack the Ripper is roaming the streets.

Andrew65 Looks interesting. 😊 3y
Laughterhp #TBRDeckofCards - King ♦️ 3y
68 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Angeles
The Angel of the Crows | KATHERINE. ADDISON
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Pickpick

Awesome! The narrator is great, and the world building is imaginative and fun.The only complaint is that the mysteries are mostly a rewrite of the original more famous stories. If you don‘t mind that, you get to enjoy the story with a Sherlock that is charming and lovable and weird, unlike the jackass genius Sherlocks so popular in newer adaptations for film, tv and print. Also, a Watson that is smart and competent, not a slow-witted fool

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Laughterhp
The Angel of the Crows | KATHERINE. ADDISON
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Ahh @BarbaraJean ! I‘m so excited! I was finally able to open my package today! I‘m so excited to read this book and I hope you like it too!

Ghiradelli chocolate squares are my favorite! I can‘t wait to dive in. I unfortunately can‘t eat the Lindt chocolate but it won‘t go to waste!

#jolabokaflodswap

BarbaraJean Yaaaay! So glad you and the package were finally in the same place at the same time!! I'm bummed you can't enjoy the Lindt chocolates (I thought I checked the ingredients, but I guess not carefully enough!), but I'm glad they won't go to waste. Enjoy diving in to both the book and the Ghirardelli! 🍫 📚 3y
Laughterhp @BarbaraJean There is no gluten listed on the package, so you did good! but I think the truffles contain possible gluten like barley, so I‘d rather not risk it. 3y
63 likes2 comments
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Mogoeg
Angel of the Crows | Katherine Addison
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Mehso-so

It pains me to give this a meh review, as The Goblin Emperor is a favorite of mine & this has many similar elements - an immersive atmosphere, likable characters, & an overall sense of gentle comfort. But while Addison does put her stamp on the Holmesian universe, this is well-trodden ground & in the end following Doyle's style & stories a little too closely felt a bit repetitive & not quite as fresh as I was hoping. Fun, but sadly not a pick.

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RainyDayReading
Angel of the Crows | Katherine Addison
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Pickpick

I really loved this book! Went into it totally blind and was excited to discover it‘s a fantasy/alternate history retelling of Sherlock Holmes. I loved the characters and the overall cozy feeling this gave me. Some of the world building was a little confusing because you were expected to learn as you go with no explanation and there were a few storylines that were just kind of forgotten but I really loved it. (Read back in September)

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RainyDayReading
Angel of the Crows | Katherine Addison
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Got a windstorm wreaking havoc outside at the moment. Going to try to finish this one up before we lose power. It‘s already pulled the lattice out of the ground and knocked over some of the plants so we‘ll see how much longer we get lights for.

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FantasyChick
The Angel of the Crows | KATHERINE. ADDISON
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Bailedbailed

Well, I made it as far in this as I'm going to.

It sounds interesting. I am obsessed with this cover. Sherlock fanfiction with vampires, angels and a little Jack the Ripper seemed like something I needed in my life. It's not. I'm bored. That's enough for me.

I made the attempt so on the board it goes!

#bookspinbingo
@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Sometimes a book just isn't the right fit! 4y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I've contemplated picking this up. Maybe I'll check my local library instead of a bookstore. 4y
30 likes1 stack add2 comments
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RainyDayReading
Angel of the Crows | Katherine Addison
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Very stressful and anxiety inducing day 😪 Boyfriend is gone fishing for the weekend so it‘s just me and the dogs. Hoping to relax a bit and start to make a dent in my currently reading/novella stack before he comes home. Probably try to finish off the tagged book and continue on from there! Also if anyone has any tips on how to relax and lower anxiety they would be greatly appreciated at the moment. Can‘t remember the last time I relaxed 😅

AkashaVampie For stress and anxiety I would suggest multiple things. U could do guided meditation (find some on youtube), any kind of exercise, art therapy (coloring, painting, etc.), journaling to get things off ur chest, vitamin supplements (check my page for a post I did a few hours ago... I just got my prescribed meds in and found a supplement for an alternative. I got mine at walmart), etc. Maybe even try googling how to relieve stress. Hope this helps. 4y
AkashaVampie Oh and I forgot there is some teas that may help u with stress and calming. 4y
TheAromaofBooks Sometimes taking a very brisk walk helps me a lot - it burns off some of the nervous adrenaline. Also love burning a candle with a soothing scent (like lavender) nearby where I am reading. Hope you feel better!! 4y
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Avanders Aww ... I know this doesn‘t work for everyone, but a bath with lavender Epsom salts is great for me. 💙 Also, you have a great stack of books! Funny they all have the same color spines 😁😁 4y
LiteraryinLawrence Sending hugs! I find that talking with an old friend or one of my sisters often helps me relax. Someone who will be sympathetic and validate your feelings but also make you laugh! 4y
RainyDayReading @AkashaVampie Thank you for all your suggestions! I‘ve only recently gotten somewhat back into the habit of taking vitamin supplements so I‘m hoping those start helping soon. I totally forgot about teas! Totally going to raid our tea collection and see what I can find. I quite like the idea of art therapy too 🤔 You‘ve given me lots of things to try, thank you! 4y
RainyDayReading @TheAromaofBooks Thank you! You mentioning burning a candle helped me remember the huge stash of fall candles I have tucked away. It‘s 90 here this week but it‘s fall in my mind 🤣 I‘ve had one going all weekend and it‘s been really helpful. 4y
RainyDayReading @Avanders Haha you know I hadn‘t noticed until you mentioned it but they do! Wish I could say I had coordinated my reading choices but it‘s a complete fluke 🤣 I don‘t remember the last time I had a relaxing bath but that does sound lovely. May have to make time for one this week 😊 4y
RainyDayReading @LiteraryinLititz I appreciate the hugs! Managed to chat with my mom for a bit and if there‘s anyone that can make me laugh it‘s her much to her chagrin 🤣 People that are able to make you laugh are some of the best people in the world! 4y
AkashaVampie @RainyDayReading u are so welcome. I hope they all help!!! 4y
TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Glad you're feeling a bit better. And I discovered my huge candle stash this weekend as well... still hot outside but I think it's time to break them out!!! 4y
28 likes11 comments
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RainyDayReading
The Angel of the Crows | KATHERINE. ADDISON
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Settled in to read this with a furry companion and a track of a thunderstorm and a crackling fire playing in the background. Only 26% in and I am pleasantly surprised at how much I‘m enjoying this! (I went into this blind) Sherlock, Watson and Lestrade if they were in a alternate historical/fantasy-ish realm with all manner of supernatural creatures and Jack the Ripper. What could go wrong? 🤪

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FantasyChick
Angel of the Crows | Katherine Addison
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This is the first weekend all month that I should have mostly to myself and I plan to take advantage!

I'm hoping 🤞🤞 to get these 3 books read and returned by the end of the weekend.

Happy reading all!

#24B4Monday
@SumisBooks @jb72 @Andrew65

Literary_Siren I absolutely love Gleason‘s Stoker and Holm‘s series! Enjoy! 4y
Andrew65 Good luck 😊👍 4y
FantasyChick @Literary_Siren I found this series completely by accident. I'm really enjoying it so far! 4y
33 likes3 comments
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Littlewolf1
Angel of the Crows | Katherine Addison
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Pickpick

I get it, I really do, it‘s just like a rewrite of Sherlock Holmes. With that being said, I loved it. It had me intrigued, it kept me guessing and it had surprises that I didn‘t see coming. I love the paranormal twist to the story that came with a small glimpse into historical London. Furthermore, there was such an honest sincerity and struggle with finding acceptance in yourself that I found beautiful.

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Roary47
Angel of the Crows | Katherine Addison
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Panpan

I think the main problem with this book is i listen to it. There were seemingly a lot of small plots within the larger one. I enjoyed the supernatural ideas the author presented, and the similarities to Sherlock Holmes. I may try to read this again with it as a physical book to see if my rating would change.

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deirdrebeecher
Angel of the Crows | Katherine Addison
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Pickpick

Plenty of people are going to enjoy this book. A reimagining of Victorian London with magic, angels, vampires etc. It is well written and engaging. I really like both Crow and Doyle. But do we really need another Sherlock/Ripper reimagining? What about a book where T Hardy is forced to live as a woman in one of his own books? Or where W Morris does a Dexter on evil industrialists with arsenic wallpaper? Still a pick, but a weak one.

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IndyHannaJones
The Angel of the Crows | KATHERINE. ADDISON
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Mehso-so

This was just Sherlock Holmes with occasional mentions of magical creatures and the Sherlock character had wings. While charmingly written, there was no major tension other than the Ripper case which had an unsatisfying ending. Maybe there's going to be a sequel because there were A LOT of loose ends and things mentioned that never came up again. If you love Sherlock, give this a try. If you are looking for an original work of fantasy...pass.

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NotCool
Angel of the Crows | Katherine Addison
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Pickpick

Set in a well developed magical/steam punk London, this book presents a smart, though Watson and a Sherlock that‘s a cinnamon roll of a consulting detective. A welcome palate cleanser for anyone sick of the insufferable genius trope.

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SassenachTheBookWizard
The Angel of the Crows | KATHERINE. ADDISON
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Pickpick

This is an ACTUAL spin on Sherlock Holmes. Not a regurgitation with just one character gender swapped. That made me want to keep reading to see who would be incorporated and what they would be! (Moriarty being a vampire *chefs kiss*) I thoroughly enjoyed this! She made the iconic characters her own and messed with the world a lot!

PickwickPlockPlock Why haven't I heard of this before? It sounds right up my alley! 4y
SassenachTheBookWizard @PickwickPlockPlock it totally flew under the radar! 4y
71 likes9 stack adds2 comments
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SassenachTheBookWizard
The Angel of the Crows | KATHERINE. ADDISON
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Time for another Sherlock Holmes retelling!

SiameseCatsRead @SassenachTheBookWizard Have you read A Study in Charlotte? It's YA mystery that involves descendants of Holmes and Watson meeting at a boarding school and solving crimes together. It's a fun, quick read. 4y
SassenachTheBookWizard @kelly_anne I have! Really enjoyed that series 4y
70 likes1 stack add2 comments
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danibel
Angel of the Crows | Katherine Addison
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Currently reading

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Foragingfantasy
The Angel of the Crows | KATHERINE. ADDISON
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I‘m very much enjoying this one. All things I love. Sherlock Holmes. Fantasy. Murder mystery. Bits of A Study in Scarlet, but with a twist. Completely entertaining.

revenge4porgy If you like Sherlock Holmes, have you read A Study in Charlotte? A story about the relatives of Sherlock and Watson(great niece and nephew I think) 4y
Foragingfantasy @revenge4porgy it‘s on my list! 4y
revenge4porgy Cool! Is The once and future king also on your list? And The Mists of Avalon? 4y
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Foragingfantasy @revenge4porgy once and future king is on my list! I read and loved Mists of Avalon, tho unfortunately, after finding out more about the author, I can‘t keep reading her books. (edited) 4y
revenge4porgy What about the author? 4y
Foragingfantasy @revenge4porgy you can google her for the full story, but she was accused of molesting children, including her daughter. I just couldn‘t read more of her books once I knew that. 4y
20 likes1 stack add6 comments
review
xicanti
Angel of the Crows | Katherine Addison
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Pickpick

I loved this Sherlock Holmes remix set in a Victorian London full of guardian angels, hell-hounds, vampires, and other sundry supernaturals. There are tons of familiar elements—names, crimes, locations—but Addison twists everything just far enough out of sync with the original stories that there‘re plenty of surprises even for readers who know the source material pretty well.

The episodic structure did hold me at a slight distance at first, ⬇️

xicanti but it pays off in a big way as each new adventure reveals more layers of worldbuilding and characterization. I had a great time piecing things together, and I genuinely miss both Crow and Doyle now I‘ve said goodbye to them. (Crow is especially delightful; a nice surprise, given how many Holmes-equivalents tend to be jerks.) Recommended to anyone who yearns for more fantasy mysteries on their reading list. 4y
TobeyTheScavengerMonk Oh I am totally going to read this! 4y
xicanti @TobeyTheScavengerMonk I think this book is gonna do a lot for you. 4y
TobeyTheScavengerMonk Starting! Stoked! 2y
xicanti @TobeyTheScavengerMonk hurray! I hope you love it too! 2y
31 likes1 stack add5 comments
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xicanti
Angel of the Crows | Katherine Addison
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#bookreport time!

I finished SKIRMISH in print, along with THE KING OF CROWS by Libba Bray and COME TUMBLING DOWN by Seanan McGuire on audio.

I‘ll finish THE ANGEL OF THE CROWS (as represented by this small plush crow) tonight.

I didn‘t get to ATHYRA, but it always was a long shot with Michelle West in the mix.

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xicanti
Angel of the Crows | Katherine Addison
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Yesterday‘s outdoor reading involved tea and a hoodie, because it got COLD. 😭

At first, I figured THE ANGEL OF CROWS was one of those books I‘d click with intellectually, not emotionally, but I‘m getting more and more into it. Addison layers her worldbuilding and characterization so there‘s always some new angle to discover. I had myself a good up-til-1 binge last night and I‘m hoping to finish it today.

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xicanti
Angel of the Crows | Katherine Addison
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Lunch + new book. I‘m only 6% in, but I‘m very much enjoying the narrative voice and the familiar unfamiliarity of it all.

reading_rainbow you have the best food pics😭 4y
xicanti @reading_rainbow I do my best to eat lots and lots of tasty things. 🤤 4y
39 likes2 comments
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esurient
Angel of the Crows | Katherine Addison
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Provisionally interesting, but not an autobuy for me. I'll wait a few months until the reviews trickle in. And honestly, this quoted blurb that's in all the advertisements seems extremely high-handed and is turning me off.

esurient While I wait, I'll reread 4y
15 likes1 stack add1 comment
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esurient
Angel of the Crows | Katherine Addison
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I'm so glad they posted an excerpt (which I haven't read it yet) because on one hand this is by the same author who's written several books that I loved, but on the other this could be described as a steampunk Sherlock Holmes wingfic, and those are very divergent feelings for me.

https://www.torforgeblog.com/2020/05/05/excerpt-the-angel-of-the-crows-by-kather...

esurient Publication date: June 2020. 4y
16 likes1 comment
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xicanti
Angel of the Crows | Katherine Addison
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Moderation‘s good and all, but when your favourite author‘s next book shows up on NetGalley it‘s time to quit worrying about the size of your TBR and request yourself an ARC. #galleybrag

39 likes2 stack adds