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My dear childhood friend, David, calls me every now and then to gush about the continuing saga of the The Rivers Of London, an urban fantasy book series I introduced him to and which he now much prefers to his beloved Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. In my opinion, It is better — Aaronovitch has created a rich supernatural world underlying a truly cosmopolitan, ethnically diverse London. His books are peopled with fascinating characters and written with great wit and style.
We start with the mixed-race police constable, Peter Grant, who is the voice of the Rivers Of London stories. By a series of very odd events, he becomes an apprentice wizard in the very tiny section of the Metropolitan Police tasked with handling supernatural events. In this London, the rivers are represented by powerful spirits. Mother Thames, the goddess of the river (who, you may be surprised to learn, is Nigerian), has a bevy of lovely daughters (tributaries of the Thames), one of whom later becomes Peter’s sweetheart, Beverley Brook. Another riverine daughter, Lady Tyburn, is a very mean business woman who you do not want to cross. So of course, Peter manages to cross her.
The books are also peopled with an assortment of other types of supernatural beings including but not limited to ghosts, revenants, Pale Ladies, Fae, talking foxes, and vampires (who aren’t like the usual stereotypes at all), among others. As for villains, there is an “ethically challenged” rogue magician on the loose known as the Faceless Man — and a very dangerous spirit who breaks faces when he manifests. But I don’t want to give you any spoilers about the bad guys...
Peter’s DCI boss and teacher, Thomas Nightingale, is a most intriguing and mysterious figure. He is the last classically trained wizard left in Britain that we know about, carrying on a tradition that began with Isaac Newton. His contemporary wizards were all killed in an epic WWII battle which Nightingale barely survived, the memory of which haunts him to this day. He is an old-school, Oxbridge type of gentleman with handmade shoes and a silver topped cane. Nightingale drives a classic Jaguar, has extremely powerful magic, and is much, much older than he looks. In fact, Nightingale appears to be aging backwards...
Aaronovitch is a damned fine author — I am confirming this opinion by returning to the series for the third time, this time listening to the audiobooks together with my sister. Not only are the books thumping good tales, they are sprinkled with details that, upon rereading, tie into a much bigger story. I have also now read three of the six graphic novels (a seventh is coming soon) that accompany the seven novels and two novellas that comprise the series, each of them adding their own details relating to the bigger story, details that are later referenced in the novels. Everything comes together elegantly to paint a growing mystery that leaves the reader wanting more. My friend, David, is convinced that Nightingale is going to turn out to be Merlin, but I don’t think so. That’s just too easy. This puzzle is surely more complicated than that. But it is awfully fun to speculate!
I have just discovered there is an third novella or story that is only in audio format. Here is something about that — a video that is also a good introduction to the man who performs the audio books and who, to my mind is Peter Grant, the main character, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith. I could listen to him read this stuff all day. He brilliantly brings each and every character to life so that you can see them in your mind’s eye.
“Rivers Of London “ has just been optioned for television by the company headed by Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, they of Shaun of the Dead fame. Will it be the next Game of Thrones? That is the hope. The books certainly have a cinematic feel — which isn’t surprising given that Aaronovitch used to write for Doctor Who. Me? I look forward to the tv series but am so very happy with the books, especially the audiobooks, and can’t wait for volume 8, False Value, due out soon.
Here is something about the author and his process — with solid advice for aspiring authors!
And here is a short music video about the stories:
If you are looking for some great entertainment this weekend, I highly recommend diving into the rivers. Even if you have read the novels in print, try the audiobooks! There is no better amusement on a chilly autumn day. Plus, audiobooks leave your hands free for doing something else — maybe cooking dinner?
The first book of The Rivers Of London series is titled Midnight Riot in the U.S.
The weekend begins now. Please come in, make yourself comfortable, and share your day, your weekend plans, your menus! Do you like urban Fantasy? What’s your favorite? This is an open thread.