Magic and Mayhem...

Super!
Ben Aaronovitch just gets better and better, I have missed Peter Grant with his sarcastic often witty descriptions, analogies, quips etc that never fail to have me laughing to myself, I love the characters, 'The Nightingale', Lesley, Molly and of course how cleverly the magical world is integrated into the very essence of London and it's tributaries.
I found this offering a real delight, pure escapism and was glad to see Grant's nemesis 'The Faceless Man' up to no good and always it appears to be a step ahead.
It's not all light and fun though and is pretty dark, disturbing even as the story unfolds. Our author also throws a hell of a curve ball that had me flummoxed, but in a good way, wanting the next book out already.
Still up there as one of my favourite series to follow..
Not a stand alone best to start with 'Midnight Riot', which is the first in the series, this is book number four.

29 people found this helpful

So, what happens next?

The main thing about this book is that it definitely feels like a bridge between Whispers Undergound and Book 5. There's really no point reading this unless you have read all the others - and I urge you to do that straight away because they are great!

As a story it mainly feels like its getting you from one place to another along the story arc but with enough interesting stuff along the way to keep you interested. There is a HUGE plot development which shocked me but that makes total sense in retrospect. As usual there is lots of information about London geography and history thrown in which, for me, is one of the joys of the books.

One of my favourite things was finally seeing (hearing) Nightingale show what he can do in a full-on magical battle.

Kobna Holdbrook-Smith is excellent as ever, really inhabiting the character of Peter. Sometimes I think Ben Aaronovitch gives characters a particular accent just to see how Kobna handles them!

21 people found this helpful

Brilliantly narrated unputdownable story

These stories are fun and entertaining, but Kobna Holdbrook-Smith's narration makes it for me. He brings the story to life in such a way that even the magic seems believable, and I for one simply cannot stop listening.

13 people found this helpful

The gold standard for audiobook readers.

Kobna Holdbrook-Smith is the sort of reader we should expect for all talking books. He has approached the characters with care and attention. His range of voices and emotions help bring the world to life with out getting in the way of the story. This should be the standard to which we should hold the rest of the talking book world.

The story is good, interesting and very well executed although some might complain about the ending.

12 people found this helpful

It just gets better.

Where does Broken Homes rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I loved this audiobook. Ben Aaronovtich has created a fascinating storyline which in my opinion just keeps on getting better as the seris continues. There is a huge surprise at the end, but I won't spoil it for you. However the characters from previous books reappear and all have a useful part to play in the development of the plot. The seris combines my two favourite themes: magic and crime novels. The whole thing is fey but with enough danger within it to avoid being arch: It just could not be better. I can't wait for the next one!

Which scene did you most enjoy?

I really enjoyed the concept of the Sky Garden estate, I 've been meaning to look it up to check whether it is real (well it should be; the Tricorn estate in Portsmouth won medals!!). The idea of balconies big enough to support grass lawns and trees is inspired. I'd live there, especially if there were tree nymphs in the shared garden.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The story kept me listening with great interest during a long drive to Cumbria. There are some great funny moments, and some times when I felt aghast. I will be listening again over the next week to relive it all.

Any additional comments?

I took a while to get used to Kobe's voice since when I read the first novel his was not the voice I imagined. Now however he is Peter Grant for me and I love his characterisation of the different voices within the novel. He is particularly good at cheeky, not quite legal, chappies.

8 people found this helpful

When is there going to be a film?!

What did you like most about Broken Homes?

Kobna Holdbrook-Smith's narration is excellent

What did you like best about this story?

Though I mean this in the most positive way, this audiobook is lightweight and fun.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Not so much 'scene' as I don't want to give much away, but I LOVE that it's set in London, and that it's easy for me to identify with so many of the descriptions.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It's nor really an emotional book, as always there are some ok jokes, however I did find this one dragged a bit in the middle.

Any additional comments?

Start at the beginning with the set and work your way through, these are great fun, though I'd love to find out more of the WW antics of Nightingale.....

5 people found this helpful

Can we have the next book please

What did you like most about Broken Homes?

I am really enjoying the series and the excellent characters within it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Broken Homes?

Unable to say without potentially spoiling it for someone else, but there are great scenes toward the latter part of the book.

Have you listened to any of Kobna Holdbrook-Smith’s other performances? How does this one compare?

His narration is excellent, and I am sure from what I read from and interview with Ben Aaranovitch he is deliberately trying to make it harder for Kobna Holdbrook-Smith. I'm glad I listed to this rather than an attempt to read the German text and I think some Russian as well.Brilliantly done.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed the book and have been waiting for eagerly for the release, however at the end I kind of felt like I had only listed to the first half of the full book. So I guess the next will start right where we left off and I would like it now please :)

8 people found this helpful

the end was good

What did you like best about Broken Homes? What did you like least?

The ending was unexpected, the rest of it was a rehash of old stories, which if you had not listened to the other 3 would never have understood.

Would you ever listen to anything by Ben Aaronovitch again?

of course if it was as good as book 1 and 2

What does Kobna Holdbrook-Smith bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

he has the most amazing voice and the best intonation

Was Broken Homes worth the listening time?

no

Any additional comments?

this series needs a reboot as the old story has run out of suprises

3 people found this helpful

Excellent

The story continues ....

The narration is as excellent as ever as is the story.

Bring on the next one!

6 people found this helpful

Different but one of the best so far!

Another fun and exciting addition to the Peter Grant series. With some great set pieces and huge revelations you won't be disappointed with this entry!

2 people found this helpful