I enjoyed it and was wavering between 3 and 4 stars.
All in all, it was a solid and straight forward urban fantasy story but there was little originality to be found.
Here and there a few pretty outlandish explanations have been used to steer the plot but none of them were particularly immersion-breaking to me BUT there are a few glaring contradictions/plot holes regarding the abilities characters could've used but didn't (magic system) which was why I ultimately just gave 3 stars. ( )

"Neverwhere's faster, smarter brother has arrived."

I haven't read this. It resides on my to-read list. However, I want to just say this: one-upping Gaiman with a relatively unknown author is both unfair to the author and to the book, because it comes off sounding pretentious. It makes me want to remove this book from my to-read list. And so, to whoever wrote that in the blurb? Kindly knock it the fuck off. You're doing a disservice to authors everywhere.

For me, the highlight of Sixty-One Nails was the way Mike Shevdon linked the plot line with an ancient ceremony that is still taking place in current day London. I found this to be quite interesting. Although I found it a bit slow at times and a little repetitive, the story was fantastic!!! As Niall is supposed to be the main focus of the story and readers are viewing the whole story through his eyes, he seemed to be a bit too laid back. His reactions to the events that are happening to him and the changes around him came across as indifferent. He understood and came to grips with his power a little too quickly for my liking. This may be a result of the fact that I found Blackbird's character to be more interesting then Niall. Maybe the author intended it to be so... I am looking forward to the trials Rabbit and Blackbird will face in The Road to Bedlam. ( )

A book in need of a good editor. Far too long and mostly comprised of endless dialogue explaining what's going on instead of actually showing the reader what's going on. It's a decent fantasy story once you actually get to it but there's far too much ponderous exposition to slog through before that happens. And the major focal point of the plot - the Quit Rents Ceremony - is a major letdown when it finally occurs. Needless to say I doubt I'll be picking up any more books in the series. ( )

"A book a friend recommended" ( )