Rivers of London: PC Grant 1 (Rivers of London 1)
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Review
"Witty, well plotted, vividly written and addictively readable." (Lisa Tuttle THE TIMES )
"An engaging mix of magic and police procedural, this is a great kick off to a very promising series as well as the most satisfying fantasy thriller to hit bookshelves in quite some time. Witty, imaginative and gripping." (Saxon Bullock SFX )
Rivers of London is highly recommended for anyone looking for some urban fantasy fun with a real life spin, the sights and smells of London just ooze out from between the pages. This book should be essential reading for anyone who has ever seen anything inexplicable or strange on the streets of London - which would be just about everybody who's ever been there, really. (LOVEVAMPIRES.COM )
"Anyone who has enjoyed Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere, Kate Griffin's Matthew Swift novels, Mike Carey's Felix Castor series - anyone in those shoes will adore Rivers of London. Assured, witty and great fun to read." (Amanda Rutter FLOOR TO CEILING BOOKS )
"Rivers of London comfortably fills out its engaging premise." (Sophia McDougall )
"Ben Aaronovitch has put together an enjoyable and exciting story that is easy to read. " (BOOK MONKEYS )
"This is a terrific urban fantasy police procedural in which the two cops make the unbelievable believable; especially the inexperienced Grant. The fast-paced yet meandering story line is loaded with action from the onset as the mentor and mentee work a challenging investigation in which an ancient has arisen to stir the troubled waters. Sub-genre fans will enjoy Ben Aaronovitch's view of London in this witty well written riot." (ALTERNATIVE-WORLDS )
"Aaronovitch gives us a glimpse of a fascinating and fantastical underbelly to the capital that feels entirely believable. Those familiar with the city will enjoy picturing the chaotic events unfold, while those less familiar will receive an accurate and entertaining geography lesson. Magical, mysterious and mesmerising, Rivers of London will have you spellbound." (Alice Wybrew TOTAL SCI FI )
"This is a fun book, with enough wry humour without descending into slapstick. Recommended." (British Fantasy Society )
"An engaging mix of magic and police procedural, this is a great kick off to a very promising series as well as the most satisfying fantasy thriller to hit bookshelves in quite some time. Witty, imaginative and gripping." (Saxon Bullock SFX )
Rivers of London is highly recommended for anyone looking for some urban fantasy fun with a real life spin, the sights and smells of London just ooze out from between the pages. This book should be essential reading for anyone who has ever seen anything inexplicable or strange on the streets of London - which would be just about everybody who's ever been there, really. (LOVEVAMPIRES.COM )
"Anyone who has enjoyed Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere, Kate Griffin's Matthew Swift novels, Mike Carey's Felix Castor series - anyone in those shoes will adore Rivers of London. Assured, witty and great fun to read." (Amanda Rutter FLOOR TO CEILING BOOKS )
"Rivers of London comfortably fills out its engaging premise." (Sophia McDougall )
"Ben Aaronovitch has put together an enjoyable and exciting story that is easy to read. " (BOOK MONKEYS )
"This is a terrific urban fantasy police procedural in which the two cops make the unbelievable believable; especially the inexperienced Grant. The fast-paced yet meandering story line is loaded with action from the onset as the mentor and mentee work a challenging investigation in which an ancient has arisen to stir the troubled waters. Sub-genre fans will enjoy Ben Aaronovitch's view of London in this witty well written riot." (ALTERNATIVE-WORLDS )
"Aaronovitch gives us a glimpse of a fascinating and fantastical underbelly to the capital that feels entirely believable. Those familiar with the city will enjoy picturing the chaotic events unfold, while those less familiar will receive an accurate and entertaining geography lesson. Magical, mysterious and mesmerising, Rivers of London will have you spellbound." (Alice Wybrew TOTAL SCI FI )
"This is a fun book, with enough wry humour without descending into slapstick. Recommended." (British Fantasy Society )
Book Description
CSI London, Urban Fantasy-style!
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
39 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
For once an urban fantasy that actually is an urban fantasy, with not a poxy Doc Martened elf in sight, thank god: part very well researched police procedural, part Sorcerer's Apprentice - and this is a real apprenticeship, where results come from sheer slog and perseverance, not from waving a magic wand - part gruesome murder hunt, part otherworldly politicking, and part - and this is my favourite part by far - a carefully detailed map of Central London, written by one who knows and loves the place as it should be loved, all of it narrated by likeable Everyman Peter Grant, an adequate enough probationary constable who's just a bit too curious for his own good (while his colleagues are breaking up a riot in Trafalgar Square, he stops to check what's written on the lions' bums). Peter crosses the line between one world and another and, in the process, is saved from a future of data entry in the Case Progression Unit, one cold morning in Covent Garden, when he's left guarding a crime scene and a witness steps forward from St Paul's Church - a witness who has been dead for considerably longer than the body under investigation.
Rivers of London isn't perfect - there are a lot of open questions left hanging, and some of the plot resolutions don't entirely make sense - but it is bloody good, and one of the best things I've read in many years. Good enough that I went straight out and bought the sequel. In hardback.
Ignore Diana Gabaldon's stupid cover blurb, by the way. I'll do her the credit of believing she was misquoted.
Don't expect to learn too much about the actual lost rivers of London, though. That's a fascinating topic in itself, but one for another book entirely.
Rivers of London isn't perfect - there are a lot of open questions left hanging, and some of the plot resolutions don't entirely make sense - but it is bloody good, and one of the best things I've read in many years. Good enough that I went straight out and bought the sequel. In hardback.
Ignore Diana Gabaldon's stupid cover blurb, by the way. I'll do her the credit of believing she was misquoted.
Don't expect to learn too much about the actual lost rivers of London, though. That's a fascinating topic in itself, but one for another book entirely.
49 of 52 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
It is always such a pleasure for me to find an author who manages to write a book that piques my interest and holds my attention. Both are true here because Ben Aaronovitch created something new for me. Normally when I read an urban fantasy book the plot requires that all those involved in that world are aware of the magic components active all around them. In this book that is not the case. Probationary PC Peter Grant had been left to guard a crime scene when he met a ghost. Not just any ghost either, no, this one was a witness to the crime. In very short order PC Grant finds himself assigned to a unit of the Metropolitan Police which up until he joined it had only one other member, a wizard. Peter is now on his way to becoming an apprentice wizard, learning magic and trying to help solve the crimes of completely unexplained violence which are breaking out all over London. Peter's best answer is to use his interest in scientific knowledge and experimentation in conjunction with the magic to explain some of the things that are happening.
I really enjoyed this book for its humor and the unusual combination of scientific investigation paired with utilizing magic. It put a different spin on the plot for me by having the entire London scene be so solidly in the present time, with the citizens of that great city completely unaware of the magic or the horrors within their city. I also enjoyed the great amount of research this author has obviously done regarding the many rivers around London. And to have each of them portrayed as an individual character was quite a successful undertaking. I also want to compliment those responsible for the artwork map on the cover of this book. No matter how many times I look at it I keep finding names of areas or a street that I recognize. I have to admit that, as an American, there were just a few times when I felt a little lost because I didn't understand some of the English slang or references, but it was certainly not anything that kept me from enjoying the novel. Book two, Moon Over Soho, is next in the series and if this one is anything to go by it should be another fascinating reading experience.
I really enjoyed this book for its humor and the unusual combination of scientific investigation paired with utilizing magic. It put a different spin on the plot for me by having the entire London scene be so solidly in the present time, with the citizens of that great city completely unaware of the magic or the horrors within their city. I also enjoyed the great amount of research this author has obviously done regarding the many rivers around London. And to have each of them portrayed as an individual character was quite a successful undertaking. I also want to compliment those responsible for the artwork map on the cover of this book. No matter how many times I look at it I keep finding names of areas or a street that I recognize. I have to admit that, as an American, there were just a few times when I felt a little lost because I didn't understand some of the English slang or references, but it was certainly not anything that kept me from enjoying the novel. Book two, Moon Over Soho, is next in the series and if this one is anything to go by it should be another fascinating reading experience.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I would never have read this book if I had not heard it reviewed on radio 2 then read the first chapter on BBC website.
I have a squeamish disposition so avoid horror and murder, but this story was so engrossing I could not put it down.
The main characters were fascinating, the plot unusual. I could picture it as a tv drama done in the way that "Sherlock"was made.
I will certainly be reading the next book by this author..
I have a squeamish disposition so avoid horror and murder, but this story was so engrossing I could not put it down.
The main characters were fascinating, the plot unusual. I could picture it as a tv drama done in the way that "Sherlock"was made.
I will certainly be reading the next book by this author..
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Gripping, inventive, personable and damn well written!
I love this book! I happened to pick it up in WHSmith, which is usually an ominous beginning, but it's turned out brilliantly. Read more
Published 13 days ago by Spellmeister
Surprisingly excellent
I was given this for Christmas, and only just got around to reading it 5 months later. The back sleeve blurb put me off and I had no idea how good this was going to be. Read more
Published 24 days ago by A. Dunlop
great fun
highly readable romp through central London that is an interesting mix of genres.
I'm not sure what some of the negative reviewers disliked really. Read more
I'm not sure what some of the negative reviewers disliked really. Read more
Published 1 month ago by paul
A struggle
I bought this in a bit of a rush and had little idea of its genre. I am pretty disinterested In all this ghost and magic stuff so perhaps I was never going to enjoy the book. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Putneybiker
Brilliant!
I just love this book (and his second book). It has become one of my favourite curl-up books. It is intelligent, funny, thrilling, scary and good natured. When's the 3rd book out?
Published 1 month ago by Skippy
Surprisingly good.
Well-written, funny, clever, original and deserves a prize for one character differentiating himself from Harry Potter on the basis that he's "not a literary character". Read more
Published 1 month ago by Bouquiniste
Fresh writing + compelling plot = great read
I loved this book, the story grabs you from page 1 and the twists and turns of the plot keep you guessing right up to the last page. Read more
Published 2 months ago by life_is_for_reading
Dreadful Pap
Just finished the book and can honestly say I have never read such a pile of drivel in my life. The plot resembles a collander and is driven by boring police-derived in jokes. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mr. G. Roberts
Rivers of London
'Rivers of London' by Ben Aaronovitch is a fantasy set in contemporary London. The hero, Peter Grant, is a rookie officer with the Metropolitan Police. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Carroty Nell
Should I stay or should I go?
I'm about halfway through this book. Should I continue?
If I stopped now I don't think I would ever give the book another moment's thought. Read more
If I stopped now I don't think I would ever give the book another moment's thought. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mr. Kw Johnson
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