Review Day: Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch

There are no major spoilers in this review.

Rivers of London is the first book in an extended series (up to 15 books so far) by Ben Aaronovitch. I enjoyed the light tone of the narration and its dry, observational humour but was less enthralled by the plot and the overall sum of the book's parts.

In modern London, Constable Peter Grant's forgettable police career pivots after a chance conversation with a murder witness who also happens to be a ghost. This circumstance plunges him into a world where magic is real and ancient gods that personify the rivers of London walk amongst us. Grant's newfound understanding of magic helps him investigate a series of particularly violent random attacks around the city.

I loved the wry narration from the main character which offers hints of both Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett in the way it surfaces absurdity in everyday modern life. The charm of the narration wore off as the book progressed, because the two major plots weren't quite enough to sustain my momentum. Events start out in a disjointed, episodic manner until the midpoint where a larger framework is revealed. Yet even as the pace of action accelerated in the back half, I felt like the plot was bogging down into a confusing muddle.

The flatness of the characters and shaky plots don't compel me to pick up the next book immediately. However, I might read at least 1 more book into the series just out of appreciation for the creative setting and the author's style.

Final Grade: B-