Blitz: A Novel (The Rook Files)

Blitz is a return to the wonderfully weird world of the Checquy—filled with supernatural espionage, dry wit, grotesque powers, and all the bureaucratic absurdity you've come to expect from this series. But while the pieces are individually compelling, the structure this time feels a bit... mooshed. The novel is essentially two books sharing a spine: one set in the modern-day Checquy universe, and the other during WWII. O'Malley clearly loves a dual timeline, but here the connection between the two is more thematic than plot-driven. Both narratives feature fabulous, strong female protagonists—each sharp, complex, and more than capable of carrying a novel on her own—but pairing them together in a single volume does them a bit of a disservice. Instead of deepening each other’s stories, the two timelines compete for attention, ultimately making the book feel overlong and a bit disjointed. That said, this is still a fun and engaging read. The supernatural elements continue to be both imaginative and grotesque in all the right ways, the writing is snappy, the expansion of the Checquy mythos (especially its historical roots) adds an intriguing new dimension to the series, and there are plenty of fascinating new characters. O’Malley’s prose remains crisp and sly, and his willingness to go big on the bizarre is still one of the series’ greatest strengths. Blitz may not quite reach the tightness of The Rook or the emotional resonance of Stiletto, but it’s an enjoyable read. If you’re already invested in this world, it’s well worth your time—just be prepared for a split focus and a structure that doesn’t quite give its excellent heroines the full spotlight they deserve.