It's rare that I read an entire series of books back to back; I spread them out to savour them, to keep from getting overwhelmed by too much of the same thing, and to make sure that I don't neglect the rest of my extensive reading list. But, the more that I read of Matthew Swift's London, the more I wanted of it - and now I'm finished the entire series (totalling around 1.5k pages) in less than 6 months. Griffin's magic-filled city is exactly the kind of urban fantasy that the world needs more of, since she constantly expands her characters' views of the world to pace the readers' exploration without varying from the central themes of the story. Matthew has grown a lot since the seminal book in this series - from rising from the dead to learning to live alongside the Electric Blue Angels, all while battling foes and forging new alliances. What astounds me about Matthew (and is not really surprising considering the author's penchant for wayward characters) is that even at the height of his power (both as the Midnight Mayor wielding the magics of the City of London and as the Angels set free to carry out a bloody vengeance) Matthew is still a very conflicted, but doing his best, kind of sorcerer. In my opinion, his story could go on for ages, but he seems to have come to terms with his greater responsibilities at the finale of this book, so we'll let him be for now! Come be we and be free; we be blue electric angels! ( )

From a slowish start (for Ms Griffin - it didn't really grab me like her others have) this built itself up into something huge and deeply involving. Matthew Swift never gets to sit pretty, but I think she's done a particularly magnificent and touching job of putting him through the wringer this time, and his supporting cast of awesome women is extra-special varied and delightful this time around. All the usual snigger-out-loud moments, and all the expected poignant and desperate notes.

But I am so sad that now I have no more Matthew Swift to read. ( )

Matthew Swift was one of many mediocre city sorcerers living in London until he was murdered.
Then, of course, he was a dead mediocre city sorcerer.

And then he came back.

And with him came the blue electric angels, magical beings created by all the emotional energy and power we pour into the telephone lines. Matthew Swift, now a "we" instead of a "me", is charged with protecting the city of London. He's stopped the Death of Cities, he's stopped Blackout, he's stopped the Neon army (the modern version of fairy) from tearing London apart. But now, it seems someone doesn't trust him to do his job. London's hoodlums are getting murdered and brainwashed, and Matthew doesn't know why.

I absolutely loved this book, so rife with energy and emotion and great dialog. Buuut then there's a whole section near the end where Penny (Matthew's foul-mouthed apprentice) relays a story of what she's been up to lately, and it takes about 15 pages and it's told in the most self-consciously colloquial style, and in revenge I have to take one star off this book and merely give it a "it was great!" rating instead of "it was transcendently perfect!" ( )

I could feel all the shadows here, taste the power in the streets, deep and dark and waiting, feel it move beneath my feet, a well of time and magic that had no bottom, waiting to be tapped. The old stone city walls may have been mostly demolished centuries ago, but there were other barriers, unseen, wrapped around this part of the city, designed as much for keeping secrets in as enemies out. On street corners or embedded in coats of arms on grand municipal buildings, we could feel the watching mad eyes of the silver-skinned dragons of London.

In which Matthew gets a PA and discovers that the Aldermen are keeping things from him. A great improvement on the third book in the series.

Moving slowly, they circled the fire, basking in its heat. And when they raised their heads, it was briefly possible to see … … that they had no faces. Nothing at all, nothing but darkness and vacancy inside their hoods, nothing but what they were: spectres, walking shadows drawn to the summoning circle of burning alcohol and petrol, shattered glass and melting cans. Like life, magic too has its parasites. Nabeela said, “Are they … safe?” “Totally!” lied Penny. “Not really,” I admitted. “But are they going to try and hurt us?” demanded Nabeela, keeping her voice steady through an exercise of will. “Probably not.” “And if they did, we’ve got, like, the Midnight fucking Mayor to fucking defend us!” Penny declared, gesturing at me like a circus master presenting its lion. ( )

This series just gets better and better with each book! I love Matthew Swift and Penny, his apprentice is a hoot! In fact, the humour in this book was wonderful and a great offset to the horrible things that the characters have to undergo. Matthew has always had an uneasy relationship with the Aldermen and this book certainly takes that to another level as Swift firmly refuses to be anyone but himself and clearly shows them all why he is not only the Midnight Mayor, but also the Boss, with a capital B. He gets out and gets his feet and hands dirty, willing to not only make the hard decisions, but to feel the sorrow and awe and regret that is involved in so many of them. His compassion, even when facing what others see only as a monster, is what makes him such a special and wonderful character. Kate Griffin really brings the London and all the characters to life with her vivid descriptions and sharp, witty dialogue. The characters are so real. She makes you feel their pain and their fear and their wonder. And I love Kelly. She is such a breath of fresh air. This has become my favourite series ...I can't wait until the next installment!! ( )