Rivers of London (Rivers of London, #1) in The Folly Irregulars

Jan 01, 2017 Lata rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: x2016-read, bipoc-actor, x2021-read, x2017-read, sf-f-h, favourites, x2018-read

2021-07: I needed something that would make me laugh, give me great characters, and long-running arcs, and this series satisfied all these criteria so well. I was reminded on this reread of some of the little details sprinkled throughout this book that lead to incidents in later books, as I was having fun getting reacquainted with Peter, Nightingale, Lesley, members of the Met, and the lovely Rivers. I caught myself laughing out loud while listening, which happens a lot with this series.

2018-01 2021-07: I needed something that would make me laugh, give me great characters, and long-running arcs, and this series satisfied all these criteria so well. I was reminded on this reread of some of the little details sprinkled throughout this book that lead to incidents in later books, as I was having fun getting reacquainted with Peter, Nightingale, Lesley, members of the Met, and the lovely Rivers. I caught myself laughing out loud while listening, which happens a lot with this series.

2018-01: I love this series. And each time I read through each book, I discover new things, and appreciate the way Ben Aaronovitch drops little pieces of the larger story arc into each book. And I love the way PC "distracted" Peter Grant discovers the wider, magical world around him, and slowly learns how to be a wizard from Nightingale. (When are we going to find out what exactly happened at Ettisburg?) There are several things I like about this series, from our biracial main character and his sarcastic musings on many things (e.g., they still teach us to beat people with phonebooks), Nightingale and his dry delivery, the story arc, and the wonderful female characters: Leslie, Mama Thames, Peter's mother (who we meet in later books), Stephanopolous, Beverly, and creepy Molly.

2017-01: This was my second time through this book, and I enjoyed it even more. The first time, I listened to the talented Kobna Holdbrook-Smith introduce me to Peter Grant, Leslie May, Nightingale, and a variety of other characters. This time, I got a chance to carefully read the text through, and really admire Ben Aaronovitch's way with words.
I had a better grasp of the main mystery, and the little details that make bigger appearances in later instalments, too, this reread. (The benefits of reading, versus listening and driving.)
I'm loving the tour through London in this series, with all of Peter's dry commentary on the city. The characters though, are what really convinced me to put this series on my favourites list. Wonderful Leslie May, who's a damned good copper, silent and creepy Molly, DS Stephanopolous, and Mama Thames and her daughters. You do not want to mess with Mama Thames.
I really enjoyed spending time with the cheeky bugger Peter Grant, and look forward to rereading book 2 now.

2016-11: First thoughts: loved the dry humour, sarcasm, and pop culture references. Peter Grant was fun, and liked Lesley a lot, and the way She seemed to be irritated/amused by him often.
Toby was funny, and enjoyed the comments on police work. ...more

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Apr 22, 2015 Wanda Pedersen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mysteries-thrillers, favourites, read-in-2016, owned, public-library, brit-lit, urban-fantasy, read-in-2021, good-dog, london

2021 Re-Read

***2021 Dog Days of Summer***

It's time for my summer theme and this year I have chosen to read books that include canine companions. It was a marvelous excuse to revisit the Rivers of London series complete with Toby the terrible terrier. I haven't read this first volume since 2016 and I'd forgotten certain details, like exactly how Peter acquired him.

Toby is yappy and curious and determined. He is a strong believer in being fed from the table. He quickly recognizes Molly as the ...more

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Jan 25, 2014 Milda Page Runner rated it it was amazing

Shelves: humor, urban-fantasy, favourites, feature

Wow! What can I say - I just found my favourite urban fantasy writer.
There is no fake bravado. There is no unsensible nearly suicidal notion to attack any bigger dog on sight which seems to be so common for urban fantasy heroes. Main character's voice is polite!, inteligent and sincere. And often funny, hilarious even. The story has just the right amount of action, suspence, humour, romance, horror, sarcasm, science and magic to make it an unbelievably hard to put down book.
There is a lot of bri ...more

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Jan 28, 2014 Caro the Helmet Lady rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2014-reads, favorites, fantasy-urban-fantasy

Loved it. Totally. London baby!!!

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Jan 13, 2017 Stephen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

VERY fun read. Fast paced, colorful characters, snappy dialogue and a wry sense of humor throughout. A special charm for me was Arronovitch's specific street level placing of events. As a frequent visitor to London, I greatly enjoyed being able to map in my mind the movements of Peter and company around greater London.

Rather than write a lengthy review I'll cheat and reference Carol's review which mirrors my thoughts: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show.... I'll also reference Nyssa's review ( ...more

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Aug 02, 2014 ❀⊱RoryReads⊰❀ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, witches-wizards-fiction, fantasy, fantasy-urban-fantasy, 2025-run-away

4 Stars

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Sep 11, 2014 Hank rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: scifi-club-read, owned_audio, scifi-challenge-14

Starts with a bang! Funny in a gritty British sort of way unlike the farcical humour of Terry Pratchett. I enjoyed the, not in your face, type of tutoring Lord Nightingale supplied. No reasons given for Peter's talents which added to the mysteries strewn through the book. Just enough wrap up to leave me satisfied yet wanting more. Thoroughly enjoyable. ...more

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Oct 20, 2017 Colin Forbes rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: sword-and-laser-picks, team-sword

A very promising series debut. I'll definitely be back for book 2.

You could reasonably ask why I need to read yet another book/series set in the supernatural underworld of London, but PC Peter Grant is a suitably unique lead character with a refreshingly upbeat approach to how he has handled his initiation into the world of magic, ghosts, nature spirits and more.

An enjoyable urban fantasy offering. Deals with dark subject matter (murder, violence, crime) without losing a sense of fun.

= = = = = U ...more

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Jul 07, 2014 Danielle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favourites, older-age, fantasy

I really enjoyed this book.

My favourite aspect: it was a very believable view of modern London and modern Britian. In fact, before reading this book I never noticed that some of the other books I've read set in 'modern' times were not really like modern times at all. The differences are very subtle, but trust me when you read it you will suddenly see what I mean. I realise that is not a very good description of a book, but I'm not sure how to put it into words. Everything from the characters, t ...more

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Jan 30, 2018 Corey Nelson rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: challenge-2018

Just found this on a fluke recommendation while browsing. Didn’t know the author and I don’t like stories with ghosts or vampires. I really enjoyed this book due to the clever writing and excellent narration! Often like fun comments cutely, not obnoxiously, discovered throughout out. Heading on to the next in the series. The characters are unique enough with different personalities. I really like the protagonist, Peter Grant. He is smart if inexperienced and keeps his head about him.

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