London Grit Meets Mythical Flight: The Angel of King's Cross review

Wings in the Underground: Why This Prequel is the Perfect Entry into the LineFolk Universe

Before you dive headfirst into the Jubilee line shadows with Curious Physiologies, you simply have to stop at King's Cross.

I’ve just finished The Angel of King’s Cross by Jay Neill, a prequel that serves as a visceral, gritty introduction to the LineFolk of London world. If you think urban fantasy is all shimmering wands and sparkles, think again. This is urban fantasy that has spent a night sleeping rough on a London pavement—it’s grounded, it’s raw, and it’s deeply moving.

A Subversive Kind of Magic

The story follows a woman who is navigating the aftermath of a violent, possessive relationship. In an attempt to fix the shattered pieces of her own life, she pours herself into outreach work, focusing her energy on Caden—a young man sleeping rough in the biting cold.

What I truly loved was the clever subversion of the title. I went in expecting our protagonist to be the "Angel," but the reality is much more biting. The "Angel" is a media invention, a sharp reminder from Neill that in the real world (and the mythical one), the people truly deserving of our attention often go unnoticed in the crowd.

Prose with a "Buzz"

Jay Neill’s writing is nothing short of evocative. There is a specific moment where wings unfurl, and the description of the literal "buzz" as they are used was a genuine highlight for me.

But beyond the feathers and the flight, there is a beautiful sense of longing woven through the prose—a desperate, human desire for the freedom to fall and simply know that you are safe. It’s that emotional layer we always look for, isn't it? That "Slow-Burn Shiver" that has nothing to do with heat and everything to do with heart.

The Angel of King's Cross review: The Verdict

This was a fantastic introduction to a world that feels as dangerous as it does magical. Neill has crafted a universe that I am officially obsessed with, and if this prequel is any indication, we are in for a very wild ride in the main series.

The Angel of King's Cross Review Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ A grounded, emotional, and gritty must-read for anyone who likes their fantasy with a side of social commentary.