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Rivers of London

Book 1 in the #1 bestselling Rivers of London series
3.86 goodreads logo

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( 136,596 ratings, 12,683 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
If you enjoy Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch, you'll love following Peter Grant, a rookie police constable in London who discovers he has a knack for magic. His new skills lead him into a hidden world of supernatural creatures and urban sorcery, all while trying to solve a series of mysterious crimes. This blend of magic and police procedural creates an engaging and intriguing story.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you love urban fantasy mixed with police procedurals, witty humour, and rich, magical lore set in modern-day London. The intriguing combination of supernatural elements and detective work makes it a captivating read.

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Rivers of London

The first of the Sunday Times Bestselling Peter Grant series
Discover the million-copy-bestseller series everyone is talking about

CSI London, Urban Fantasy-style!

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch combines gripping police procedural elements with the enchanting world of magic, set against the vivid backdrop of contemporary London.

Our protagonist, Peter Grant, is an ordinary probationary constable in the Metropolitan Police Service until one fateful night changes everything. While investigating a murder, Peter tries to take a witness statement from someone who has already died, yet speaks with unsettling clarity. This bizarre encounter draws the attention of the enigmatic Inspector Nightingale, who happens to be the last wizard in England.

Propelled into a world where magic is real and tangible, Peter becomes a Detective Constable and Nightingale's first apprentice in over fifty years. His initiation into this hidden reality transforms his life, threading him into a tapestry of supernatural occurrences intertwined with everyday policing. As Peter delves deeper, he finds himself dealing with nests of vampires lurking in Purley and negotiating precarious truces between the warring river deities of the Thames.

The stakes heighten when Peter is tasked with investigating a series of macabre events in Covent Garden, where something malevolent seems to be festering beneath the surface. An old and vengeful spirit has risen, warping ordinary Londoners into grotesque mannequins, compelled to reenact brutal scenes of violence and despair. This malevolent force embodies the spirit of riot and rebellion, threatening to plunge the city into chaos.

In a race against time, Peter must use his burgeoning magical skills and detective acumen to unravel the dark mystery and restore order. Facing dangers both mundane and mystical, he stands at the frontlines where modern policing meets ancient sorcery, determined to prevent London from tearing itself apart, even if it means risking his own life.

Enriched with witty dialogue, richly drawn characters, and a brilliantly realised setting, Rivers of London is a captivating start to a series that brings a refreshing twist to the urban fantasy genre.

Series: A Rivers of London novel

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

A darkly comic read with likable characters, funny and wildly inventive, masterfully crafted, and comparable to Terry Pratchett's work. Ben Aaronovitch creates a magical and mysterious world, charming, witty, and exciting, offering a fast-paced joyride. The book combines magic and police procedural elements in an engaging, imaginative, and gripping manner.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780575097582

Publisher: Orion Publishing Co

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 25 August 2011

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Gollancz

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 34.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 300g

Pages: 432

Customer Reviews

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A
Alex M.
Great series

Read this a few years ago and fell in love. It’s such a cool concept for how magic could work, and really helps you imagine what it might feel like to practice magic - what are you actually meant to be thinking about? Also a great way of introducing a “detective/investigation” element into a supernatural world. Very X-files mixed with Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings.

About the Author

Ben Aaronovitch was born and raised in London and all his work has reflected his abiding fascination and love for what he modestly likes to refer to as the 'Capital of the World'. He works as a bookseller when he is not writing novels and TV scripts.

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