Custard Rock reviewed Winter's Gifts by Ben Aaronovitch
New Perspectives: Exploring 'Winter's Gifts' in the Rivers of London Universe
3 stars
"Winter's Gifts" by Ben Aaronovitch transports readers into the Rivers of London universe through the eyes of FBI Special Agent Kimberley Reynolds. When retired FBI Agent Patrick Henderson reports an ‘X-Ray Sierra India’ incident, confusion reigns until the call reaches Reynolds. Her investigation takes her from Quantico to the snowbound reaches of Northern Wisconsin, where she discovers a tornado has ravaged half the town and Henderson is mysteriously missing.
This novella marks the first time Reynolds steps into the spotlight as the main character, having previously collaborated with Peter Grant in "Whispers Under Ground." While the shift away from Peter Grant offers a fresh perspective, I found that non-Peter entries don't quite capture the magic of the main series for me. The absence of Peter's humour, a hallmark of the Rivers of London books, made this story feel less vibrant by comparison.
The plot of "Winter's Gifts" felt somewhat thin, …
"Winter's Gifts" by Ben Aaronovitch transports readers into the Rivers of London universe through the eyes of FBI Special Agent Kimberley Reynolds. When retired FBI Agent Patrick Henderson reports an ‘X-Ray Sierra India’ incident, confusion reigns until the call reaches Reynolds. Her investigation takes her from Quantico to the snowbound reaches of Northern Wisconsin, where she discovers a tornado has ravaged half the town and Henderson is mysteriously missing.
This novella marks the first time Reynolds steps into the spotlight as the main character, having previously collaborated with Peter Grant in "Whispers Under Ground." While the shift away from Peter Grant offers a fresh perspective, I found that non-Peter entries don't quite capture the magic of the main series for me. The absence of Peter's humour, a hallmark of the Rivers of London books, made this story feel less vibrant by comparison.
The plot of "Winter's Gifts" felt somewhat thin, reminiscent of a pilot episode brimming with potential yet not fully realised. Although the narrative introduces intriguing elements, it lacks the depth and complexity characterising Aaronovitch's full-length novels.
One of the challenges is Kimberley Reynolds herself. Without magical abilities to rely on, her character struggles to elevate the story to the same heights as Peter or even Abigail might. We get glimpses into her personality—she avoids swearing and is a devout Christian—but we don’t see how she reconciles her faith with the magical phenomena she encounters. This lack of deeper character exploration left me wanting more.
Overall, "Winter's Gifts" stands as a respectable addition to the Rivers of London series, offering a unique perspective but lacking the full charm and depth of the main books. For dedicated fans of the series, it’s an enjoyable read that broadens the universe, though it may not reach the same heights as Peter Grant-centric stories.
Rating as a Rivers of London book: 3.5 stars. As a standalone story: 4 stars.
