Rivers Of London by Ben Aaronovitch

My name is Peter Grant. Until January I was just another probationary constable in that mighty army for justice known to all right-thinking people as the Metropolitan Police Service, and to everyone else as the Filth. My only concerns in life were how to avoid a transfer to the Case Progression Unit - We do paperwork so real coppers don't have to - and finding a way to climb into the panties of the outrageously perky WPC Lesley May. Then one night, in pursuance of a murder inquiry, I tried to take a witness statement from a man who was dead, but disturbingly voluble, and that brought me to the attention of Chief inspector Nightingale, the last wizard in England. And that, as they say, is where the story begins.

-

Now I'm a Detective Constable and a trainee wizard, the first apprentice in fifty years, and my world has become somewhat more complicated. I'm dealing with nests of vampires in Purley, negotiating a truce between the warring god and godess of the Thames, and digging up graves in Covent Garden - and that's just routine. There's something festering at the heart of the city I love, a malicious, vengeful spirit that takes ordinary Londoners and twists them into grotesque mannequins to act out its drama of violence and despair.

-

The spirit of riot and rebellion has awakened in the city, and it's falling to me to bring order out of chaos - or die trying. Which, I don't mind telling you, would involve a hell of a lot of paperwork.

-

I had been noticing this book everytime I walked into a bookshop, so much so it was as if it was stalking me. A quote from author Diana Gabaldon described it as what would happen if Harry Potter grew up and joined the Fuzz. Immediately this made me skeptical but also highly interested, so when I spotted it in my local library I finally picked it up. After reading it I can definitely agree with Diana Gabaldon!

-

Peter Grant is your average police officer. He is anxiously waiting to hear what area of the police force he will progress to and unluckily he is promoted to the Case Progression Unit, the one he was dreading. Well that is until he ends up taking a witness statement from a 'ghost' and is then transferred to a new area that he didn't even know existed. Now under the supervision of Chief Inspector Nightingale he is learning magic and has become the first trainee wizard in ages. Not only does he have to come with terms with the fact that London has a magical underbelly he has to deal with a menacing spirit taking hold of the city and turning normal people into murderous criminals.

-

The first thing I noticed whilst reading is how funny this book is. It's full of wit and sarcasm that made me laugh out loud. It also really captured the essence of the dark and gritty setting of London and portrayed it as the diverse and chaotic city it is. I really enjoyed the magic and supernatural side of the story and only wish there was more of it. The magic aspect isn't complex at all and has a very practical approach that you are eased into gently and you definitely get the feeling that you are learning it along with Peter Grant, but have also only just scraped the surface of what is possible.

-

I really liked the main character, Peter Grant. He was funny, friendly and a little naive and goofy at the same time. He is very eager to do well in his work but just like all us British, he has a penchant to grumble and moan about it. I also really enjoyed the detective parts of the story and the suspensful actions scenes where Peter and Lesley are either fighting off possessed murderers or are racing to stop a murder being comitted. There was some grusome and gory scenes that left you shocked at the severity of the crime scenes.

-

Lesley was another interesting and likable character with a sarcastic streak. However, I did feel how it ended left Lesley's character out of the loop a bit. She was sort of cast off to the side like she hadn't been a crucial part of the story which she did. Also, the ending did feel a bit anti-climatic to me and a little bit muddled, maybe a little too fast paced. The actual revelation of the malicious spirit wasn't something I would have ever guessed, and while unique and very creepy, it wasn't something that felt especially exciting or interesting to me but I suppose that could have been a personal preference.

-

This was a great urban fantasy. A fast, fun, easy read and while it wasn't something I was totally immersed in I did enjoy the ride. I'm definitely interested to see what's in store for Detective Constable Peter Grant in the sequel, Moon Over Soho.

-

.5

-

Random Passage: It started at one thirty on a cold Tuesday morning in January when Martin Turner, street performer and, in his own words, apprentice gigolo, tripped over a body in front of the West Portico of St Paul's at Covent Garden. Martin, who was none too sober himself, at first thought the body was that of one of the many celebrants who had chosen the Piazza as a convenient outdoor toilet and dormitory. Being a seasoned Londoner, Martin gave the body the 'London once-over' - a quick glance to determine whether this was a drunk, a crazy or a human being in distress. The fact that is was entirely possible for someone to be all three simultaneously is why good-Samaritanism in London is considered an extreme sport - like base-jumping or crocodile-wrestling. Martin, noting the good-quality coat and shoes, had just pegged the body as a drunk when he noticed that it was in fact missing its head.