I liked the first book but I really liked this one. The book didn't seem to get away from him at the end (I thought the last one did). I really like the style, it feels like a modern gothic. I can't wait to see what he does next. ( )

Changed this now that I read the Somnambulist. I'm glad I read them out of order, or I would never have picked this one up. This is much more interesting than the Somnambulist and the groundwork laid in the first book is pointless. I personally wouldn't waste my time with either of them if I had the choice again.

Anyhoo, entertaining enough and I'll be picking up the Somnambulist soon. The title characters, or "Prefects," felt like weak sauce versions of Gaiman's Mr. Croup and Vandemar from the book Neverwhere. Supposed to be creepy, but were just a little too silly. I wanted more sinister elements, I guess, if we're talking about the end of the world as we know it. ( )

Changed this now that I read the Somnambulist. I'm glad I read them out of order, or I would never have picked this one up. This is much more interesting than the Somnambulist and the groundwork laid in the first book is pointless. I personally wouldn't waste my time with either of them if I had the choice again.

Anyhoo, entertaining enough and I'll be picking up the Somnambulist soon. The title characters, or "Prefects," felt like weak sauce versions of Gaiman's Mr. Croup and Vandemar from the book Neverwhere. Supposed to be creepy, but were just a little too silly. I wanted more sinister elements, I guess, if we're talking about the end of the world as we know it. ( )

A better read that one might expect, and while its sometime unclear if its a peon or a paradody of the genre, its well written in either form. ( )

A worthy follow-up to Barnes' The Somnambulist by my estimation. If you liked the crazed victoriana of the earlier book, you should like this stand alone story set in the same world, but in modern day this time. The same major ingredients apply here: a cup of Terry Pratchett/Douglas Adams style fantastical humor, a couple tablespoons of Tim Burton/Terry Gilliam imagery, a chunk Alan Moore's subversive comic book adventure, and of course a sprinkling of H.P. Lovecraft to make it just right. Maybe he added a dash of James Bond this time around? Smart, witty, fast paced fun for fans of the dark and creepy. ( )