Gollancz Rivers of London: Book 1 in the #1 bestselling Rivers of London series

Enjoyable read. Looking forward to reading the whole series

What started off on a high with a really intriguing premise and displays of the sarcastic, witty humour that I love to read, I'm disappointed to say I really didn't enjoy it all that much in the end. It was described as a mix between police detective work and magic but there wasn't enough magic in it and what magic there was didn't seem very relevant to the story, more like an add-on.The main character just went along with things far too easily making the whole story unbelievable - yes fantasy is supposed to be made up, but the story should feel as if it could be real and I really didn't get that with this book. I didn't think much of the main character, Peter Grant, either for he seemed far too preoccupied with the shape of a woman's hips or breasts than anything else; there was too much unnecessary mentioning of breasts brushing against him and it was so annoying to read again and again and again.I feel as though the story got lost and a bit too off-topic with lots of different characters involved that in the end, I lost where we were and what was happening. But by then I didn't really care much so I just went along with it. There was lots of detail about London and random facts interwoven into the story but unfortunately it didn't feel as though much attention was given to creating a page-turning plot and I just carried on in the hope it would pick up.This book wasn't for me and I won't be continuing with the series.

Peter Grant is just an ordinary police officer in the Met or so he thinks. He's in the process of trying to avoid being sent to a division where all he would be doing is paper pushing. One night he is out waiting for a witness statement from a a ghost !! In comes Inspector Nightingale a respected officer and also the last Wizard in England he's very interested in the fact that Peter can see dead people. All of a sudden Peter is a Detective Constable and trainee wizard.
They face vampires , Mother and Father Thames and their children who are rivers too. A revenant who takes other people's bodies. Will Peter be able to solve this case or will he die trying ....... ? 
I absolutely loves this book it had me hooked from the off and laughing out loud as well. 
The characters in the story all blend well and Peter is hilarious as a trainee wizard. However this book has dark parts and also gruesome descriptions when murders are committed but this all adds to the atmospherics of the story. 
I loved the historical references the author made especially about the River Thames and how the other rivers were used as children of mother and father Thames. Being a frequent visitor to London and Covent Garden I knew some of the streets referenced in the story and some of the shops and theatres too which all added to the story too.
I'm a big fan of Jim Butcher and the Dresden Files series but I loved this book far more than some of the Dresden series I would say Ben Aaronovitch is England's answer to Jim Butcher!
I tried reading this book nine years ago when it first came out and sadly I gave up 3 chapters in.
A couple of weeks ago I was in Waterstones and the new book The October Man part of the Peter Grant series was in the shelves so I took the plunge got the Rivers of London book and haven't looked back since so much so I've ordered the rest of the paperbacks in the series.


I will definitely be reading the other books in the series and look forward to the October Man coming out in paperback next year so I can add it to the rest of the series and I was thrilled to find out that another Peter Grant book is out next February.
This book got a well deserved 5 out 5 stars from me.

I cannot understand why so many people have given such a high rating for this laboured novel.It's poorly written with much of the dialogue basic, lacking in quality and naive.I stuck it for 160 pages and couldn't take any more.Dreary storyline with me wondering whether the author had sat down one evening, bored, and decided to write a book.Awful. I shan't be buying another in this series.

Probationary cop Peter Grant longs for an interesting transfer in the Metropolitan Police Service, but after a strange encounter with Nicholas Wallpenny (who happens to be a ghost), what he gets is something unexpected. Learning that his new inspector is also a bit of a wizard, Grant finds himself talking to dead people, casting spells and tracking down a villain who can blow your face off.One of the things I loved about this book is the author’s apparently comprehensive knowledge of London, not least including the fascinating history if its rivers. The details of the city’s lesser-known streets, theatres and historical figures are seamlessly interlaced with its vampires, apparitions and gods and goddesses. Aaronovitch’s humour had me cackling, too, and I liked his wit (though it does have a particularly British flavour).My only gripe is that the main character comes over as a bit limp and doesn’t seem as clever as he should be (given what he’s dealing with). He also has a rather sexist view of women which, in my opinion, leaves him a bit lacking in the hero stakes.A clever and witty book that takes policing London to a new level.

Better late than never. I have read all 8 books in this series, this being the first, plus the novellas and short stories and I can honestly say, they are brilliant. Can’t pick out the best as they are all of a consistently high standard. The books are funny, entertaining, easy to read - I could go on. Just read ‘em, you’ll love ‘em! I recently introduced them to my husband, whose whole working life was about books and he is hooked. He’s on book 5 already and he’s a tough nut to crack. Just read the book.