Game of Thrones: Official Series Trailer as epic saga closes
A new fantasy series is in the works based on a saga of bestselling novels which could rival Game of Thrones, The Lord of the Rings and even Harry Potter.
Sky Studios has boarded the adaptation of the series, which so far includes nine novels and several novellas and graphic novels.
Written by Ben Aaronovitch, the Rivers of London series has been a staple in British bookshops since 2011 and has been praised for its inventive mixture of the supernatural and gripping police procedurals.
The series follows young London police officer Peter Grant who is enrolled in a secret branch of the Met that tackles fantastical cases.
He soon becomes the first apprentice wizard in over seventy years and is tasked with investigating two separate supernatural mysteries which eventually become entangled.
Aaronovitch’s series have been bestsellers for well over a decade, and his legions of fans will undoubtedly be thrilled to see Grant’s adventures brought to live-action.
Lisa Tuttle of The Guardian recently had high praise for the latest book in the series, Amongst Our Weapons, writing: “Aaronovitch has no peers when it comes to successfully combining the appeal of a down-to-earth police procedural with all-out fantasy.
“Here are real places, real history and real problems complicated by the existence of magic, ancient spirits, fairies, ghosts and talking foxes, all dwelling alongside ordinary, clueless humans.
“His plotting is still satisfyingly inventive and the continuing characters maintain their charm in the ninth novel of a series that began in 2011.”
Fellow fantasy author VE Schwab has said of the series: “The Peter Grant/Rivers of London books by Ben Aaronovitch are delightful. Police procedural with supernatural criminals and wizard cops.”
Someone on Reddit also had high praise, writing: “This is my most recommended series. I find it to be one of the best series to recommend to people who like TV shows like Grimm and Supernatural and want to make the jump to reading more frequently.”
“I loved Rivers of London,” one enthusiastic reader penned on Goodreads.
“Well-written, cleverly-constructed, imaginative, original and thoroughly entertaining, I heartily recommend it to one and all but especially to fans of Terry Pratchett’s City Watch books and Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere.”
Another gushed: “I may love bits and pieces of [other books], but then you come across writing that is a breeze to fall into and enjoy throughout, and then you know you've got a real winner on your hands. That's this one.
“It's a great read! Some of the best [urban fantasy] created, in fact. I can't wait to delve into the rest!”
A final fan surmised: “An urban fantasy set in London with a really brilliant sense of place.
“Aaronovitch does an incredible job of immersing you in the locations. Nice, snarky sense of humour and lots of action.”
Sky’s TV adaptation is still a few years away, so will you be diving into the novels until then?
