Queerplatonic Supernatural Holmes & Watson!
Angel of Crows
Katherine Addison
Many thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
First things first, it is important to know that The Angel of Crows started life as a Sherlock Holmes fanfic, specifically wingfic (fanfiction where characters are reimagined with wings)(thank you, author note for explaining this to me).
Second, it is important to know that I loved it!
I am not a die-hard Holmes fan, but have encountered many a Holmes retelling, and have enjoyed them all. This, though, is my favorite of the bunch!
For this re-imagining, Holmes is Crow, an angel, who is deeply kind and full of wonder, and has given himself the mission of solving mystery's in London, as a way to watch over his flock. (All angels in this world need a place/people to watch over, to give them their name and purpose, and keep them from falling). Watson is Doyle, a doctor, and former military person, who has come home from the wars with mobility challenges and a mysterious condition. They begin rooming together, and develop a tender and heartwarming friendship as they solve a series of mysteries alongside the London police. An overarching mystery that spans the book is that of Jack the Ripper.
Things to know
-This book feels a bit like a series of short stories, with each section focusing on a reimagining of on of the classic Holmes stories.
- In many ways, the re-imaginings stick very closely to the original stories, just with supernatural elements mixed in. If you are a deep Holmes nerd, you may love this! If, like me, you have a passing familiarity and fondness for Holmes, you might find it delightful when you can recognize the parallels! If you want an original mystery plot, you may be disappointed.
Things I loved
-Crow, Crow, Crow. I could not love a character more! I am a very enthusiastic human, who often falls for characters in books, but I cannot remember the last time one stole my heart so hard! I want to wrap him up in hugs, except he doesn't like to be touched, so instead I want to have tea with him and ask him lots of nerdy crime questions!
- The LGBTQIA rep: Reviewers have different opinions on whether or not this book has queer content, which I totally get! I think it does, it's just platonic queer content!
(SMALL SPOILER in next paragraph)
Crow was a female angel when he was created/born, and is now a man (for metaphysical reasons related to naming). Crow is also ace, explaining that he doesn't experience sexual desire. Doyle lives as a man, and uses he/him pronouns, but was born his "father's only daughter", & refers to himself as a woman several times. Later, toward the end of the book, he says he is not really man or woman. I really appreciated these descriptions of genderfluidity, especially in a world that seemed deeply & rigidly heteronormative.
(END SPOILER)
-The worldbuilding: Though we don't get to dive deep into the specifics of this world, where angels, vampires, demons, and other supernatural beasties openly roam, we get glimpses as our heroes solve mysteries, and I adored every moment! In particular, the way the author addressed angels and vampires were really unique! One thing that really stood out was the importance of names to angels- without a name, and a place to be tethered to, Angels have no purpose or identity, and exist in a sort of hive mind. Something about naming, and Crow's queering of the naming system, really melted my heart.
-Crow and Doyle's friendship: Both are complicated people, who live just a little outside the norms of their world, and watching them make a home together and learn to care for each other was just the sweetest thing! I am here for more depictions of queer, platonic life partners!
- The Hounds of the Baskervilles section: hellhounds on the Moor- need I say more?
Things I less-than-loved
- I will admit that this lovely book was a slow start for me; something about the pacing or the period language made it so I kept picking it up and putting it down. Once I sat down and dedicated time to reading it, though, I devoured it in a day. I don't read a ton of historical fiction, though, so other readers may not have the same trouble I did.
Overall, The Angel of Crows is a deeply nerdy, supernatural Sherlock retelling with the best pair of best friends solving mysteries in London's paranormal underworld. Cozy mystery + fantasy = what's not to love?
