This second series from Simon Green takes its snarky titles from James Bond movies. Besides SPY, there are also DAEMONS ARE FOREVER and FROM HELL WITH LOVE. Green's hero, Edwin Drood, aka Shaman Bond, takes his name, but nothing else, from Charles Dickens' unfinished novel.
Edwin's secretive family, who used to be the Druids, has spent centuries defending humanity. Their power comes from the golden torcs they wear. When activated, the torcs can shield them from magic, call up a Sight, and beat the crap out of murderous aliens, among other powers. Edwin has distanced himself from his family's manipulations, but he's recalled to retrieve a dying superagent's secrets.
Nearly invincible, when he has to travel to the Nightside, the nightmarish heart of London, he's unsettled, off-balance. He hates the Nightside's miasma of “loud, sleazy, bright color ...like standing on a city street in hell.” “Anything is permitted, everything is for sale,...and no one will stop you or call you to account. Or rescue you when things go bad.” He aches to call up his armor and bring justice and retribution. Of course, that's why Droods are never allowed into the Nightside.
It's that same amoral sleaziness which attracts John Taylor. “Bright neon gleamed everywhere, sharp and gaudy...an endless come-on to suckers and victims and lonely souls. Sex licked its lips and cocked a hip. It was all dangerous as hell and twice as much fun. Damn, it was good to be back.”
Drood is ultimately less interesting than Taylor not just from his tendency to self-righteousness, but because he has fewer tricks and skills. The repetitiveness of “I called up my golden armor” finally lead me to imagine Drood as the Oscar Statuette. I enjoyed Edwin Drood, but I love John Taylor. He is one of the good guys who WILL rescue you from the Nightside.
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