Publishers Weekly
In debut author Pollock’s alternately glittering and gritty urban fantasy, first in the Skyscraper Throne trilogy, London is a secret battleground between the forces of the god Reach, “the Crane King,” who would devastate the city with soulless and sterile urban development, and Mater Viae, “Our Lady of the Streets,” goddess of London’s teeming vermin—not just rats and feral cats, but also creatures made from masonry, electricity, and garbage. With the goddess mysteriously absent, her son, Filius, “a skinny boy wearing only a pair of filthy ripped jeans,” must oppose Reach, aided by his faithful trash monster, Gutterglass, and Beth Bradley, a delinquent teenager with a genius for graffiti and the courage to stand up to an angry, sentient locomotive. While there can be an overabundance of detail regarding the inner workings of Pollock’s modern-day London, the overall effect is that of a city transformed by ephemeral, incandescent magic. Gorgeously written and brimming with bizarre urban creatures, this darkly imagined and sometimes painful tale should delight fans of Neil Gaiman, China Miéville, and Holly Black. Ages 12–up. Agent: Amy Boggs, Donald Maass Literary Agency. (Sept.)
From the Publisher
"Gorgeously written and brimming with bizarre urban creatures, this darkly imagined and sometimes painful tale should delight fans of Neil Gaiman, China Miéville, and Holly Black"—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review"
An impeccably dark parable, endlessly inventive and utterly compelling"—Mike Carey, author of The Unwritten, Lucifer and X-Men"
I cannot say enough times that you need to read this book. Intelligent, true to its genre, and the most fun thing I've read this fall"—San Francisco Book Review"
Vivid, inventive and truly weird"—Daily Mail"
Gritty, dynamic, and beautiful - I can't wait for more"—Tessa Gratton, author of Blood Magic"
One of the most imaginative pieces of genre fiction I've ever read"—Fantasy-faction.com"
He nails that spot between utterly normal and blood-curdlingly weird perfectly"—Jon Courtenay Grimwood, author of the Assassini novels"
A delicious and truly urban fantasy which makes wonderful use of its setting and explores what cities really are. If you like urban fantasy, you should definitely check this book out!"—Jellyfish Reads"
There's something here for everyone; excitement, adventure, innovation and also depth of narrative, depth of world and, most important, depth of personality and emotion"—Adventures With Words"
The world building and imagination are first class"—Birmingham SF Group"
[Pollock's] a fine stylist who can tell a good yarn. There's an urban energy and feel to this book that is so appropriate to the story it tells."—Fed on Peaches
Kirkus Reviews
A graffiti artist finds purpose in this most urban of urban fantasies. Beth, 16, flees expulsion, a broken friendship and a dysfunctionally grieving father straight into the arms of a ragged warrior. Filius Viae is the Son of the Streets, the only child of the goddess London. Filius was born into an eternal battle between the spirits of the city and their nemesis, the god of ceaseless growth. Beth joins the battle out of restlessness, but she stays for herself and her growing love for this strange other London of weevils and cockroaches, Pylon Spiders and feuding Lampfolk. The richly drawn setting evokes China Miéville's Un Lun Dun (2007); though Beth isn't as richly drawn as UnLondon's Deeba, she has her own scruffy charm. Her victories come through cocksure bravado, boldfaced cheek and the assurance that she's got nothing to lose. Beth's coming-of-age is presented in uneven, symbolic prose that sometimes overreaches, littering her tale with overwrought metaphor, but it also rises to poetry in its loving affection for London's filth and scars. A slow and dragging buildup is redeemed not just by the well-paced climax, but by the emerging heroism of the most unexpected characters. Ultimately, the density of this series opener pays off; the countless little details culminate in a satisfying resolution with no destined heroes, only individuals struggling along the best they can. (Fantasy. 13-16)
