This book is so completely awesome. Erudite was a word another reviewer used, which is the one word I would use to describe the book if I couldn't use "awesome."

It's not for purists. Firstly, Watson's barely in it. Secondly, the subject matter is a little bit more uh... edgy? than what I assume would be traditional. Witchcraft, a little bit of sex (though not explicit, I think), drugs, religious discussion. I mean, it does have Aleister Crowley in it as the Watson subsitute, ha. This novel shakes up beliefs about Sherlock Holmes... which makes it sound "merely clever" but I assure you it is not. It reads like the work of an intelligent person passionate about sharing a story with you, as opposed to a person passionate about showing you how clever they are. Which sucks if they are not as clever as they think they are. heh. Still, if you are a purist this novel is probably blasphemous. I personally find it sacrilicious :p