Peter Grant heads up to Aberdeenshire for a holiday, and maybe a little light investigation of cryptid rumours, with a somewhat implausible proportion of the supporting cast in tow. Except, wouldn't you know it, he's soon entangled in more local mysteries, involving a missing geophysicist and a dead body with gills. My first assumption was that moving the action so far afield was a way of reining things in a little; Peter faces institutional scepticism that doesn't really make sense in London anymore, while Bev, so far from her home river, is noticeably depowered. But really this is more a dash of flavour than a wholesale ratcheting back; you still wouldn't mess with either of them if you had any sense, though handily for the plot, plenty of people don't. And any suspicion that Aaronovitch might be wanting to work with a clearer canvas proves similarly short-lived; for all the reminders that this isn't London, Aberdeen turns out to have plenty of the same mystical factions, and then some, and we still get plenty of hints about some ominous bigger story building in the background. Whether the local colour and oil industry specifics are as recognisable to those who know them as the series' London, I'm not in a position to say, though they certainly felt more solid than the slightly sketchy overseas settings in some of the recent run of shorter books. But, as ever, the big attraction is the voice, or rather, voices, Peter and Abigail fully sharing the narration here to an extent which I don't think we've had before, but which works beautifully, particularly once she finds her own points of local interest.

(Netgalley ARC)

I am a big fan of this series, and have been waiting quite a while to read this next installment. Massive relief- I really liked it. At first, I was unsure about the story taking place so far away from London, London is almost a character in this series. The Rivers of London are definitely characters, hence the name of the series. Once I got over the strangeness of the locale, I really enjoyed it.
Most of the gang has come along for the ride, so if you have a favorite minor character, you will meet up with them again. My only criticism is that we probably did not need Mum and Dad and the Irregulars, they contribute little to the plot, and made the narrative feel a bit overstuffed character-wise. I have to admit, however, that it was really nice to see them again… like I said, a minor criticism.
The plotting and pacing are both really good, with Ben’s distinctive and pitch-perfect blend of real and fantastic; you totally believe that there is a magical police force headquartered in London. The writing is as witty as ever, I laughed out loud quite a few times.
All of the characters have matured and grown into their roles, the story takes place approximately two years after last installment. It is told in both Peter’s and Abigail’s voices, using a sort of parallel narrative structure, which worked really well.
Lots of nice surprises, genuine stakes, bad guys a perfect mix of banal and evil. It is everything I love about Ben Aaronovitch’s writing.
One caution, do not start reading the series with this one-it is not going to work as a stand-alone for you. Go to the beginning, if you like it, then you can look forward to this one.

Stone and Sky is the latest installment in Ben Aaronovitch's The Rivers of London series, bringing back Peter Grant (with his whole family) and Abigail Kamara (with Indigo in tow too) as the main characters. For those who have enjoyed Aaronovitch's recent novellas and short stories, Stone and Sky continues to build out more of this fantastical version of the world. For those who have enjoyed the earlier characters from the series, the newest book marks a comfortable return. Highly enjoyed!

Peter Grant is back again, and this time he’s headed to sunny Scotland…Aberdeen specifically. What is meant to be a nice holiday with the family turns into a collection of weird bollocks happenings—a magical black panther hunt (the animal, not the organization), a murdered merman, and shifty local “fishermen” abound. But the real villain may truly be Big Oil, a mundane but insidious culprit that even normal policing can’t bring to heel. Luckily, Peter’s brought along a host of help, including Nightingale’s newest apprentice, the canny Abigail-who-talks-to-foxes.

Stone & Sky is rather evenly split between Peter and Abigail’s perspectives, which was a smart move because so much was happening throughout Aberdeenshire. I attended university in Aberdeen, so it was a true pleasure seeing it so well-represented in one of my favorite urban fantasy series! The mystery is twisty, the characters colorful, and there’s even some romance in Abigail’s future! But as Peter is often reminded, they do things differently in Scotland, so be prepared for all sorts of hijinks and obstacles in pursuit of keeping the Queen’s peace.

Thanks to DAW for providing me an ARC of Stone & Sky through Netgalley. I will be posting my review on Goodreads about two weeks before the release date. My review is, as always, truthful and unbiased, and I hope it helps introduce readers to new books they will love!

Stone and Sky by Ben Aaronovitch is exactly the kind of book that makes me wish there were more hours in the day so I could devour it in one sitting. If you’re a fan of urban fantasy, wit, and well-crafted world-building, this one has it all—and then some.

Set in Aaronovitch’s ever-expanding world, the story continues to deliver that unique blend of sharp dialogue, magical intrigue, and just the right amount of humor. The main character’s voice is as fresh and self-aware as ever, and the way he navigates the increasingly complicated layers of magic and mystery is just as compelling as the first time I picked up one of his books.

What I love most about Aaronovitch’s writing is how effortlessly he blends the fantastical with the everyday. There’s something both grounded and thrilling about his characters—ordinary people, in extraordinary circumstances, trying to figure it all out while cracking jokes and making bad decisions. It feels real, even when the magic gets absolutely bonkers.

In Stone and Sky, the stakes are high, but the tension is never overwhelming. It’s a fun read that pulls you in with ease, and before you know it, you’re fully invested in the mystery, the characters, and the little twists that Aaronovitch throws your way. The plot moves at a great pace, with plenty of surprises, and the magical system continues to be one of the most creative parts of the series.

I won’t spoil too much, but I will say that the ending left me wanting more—though in the best possible way. This series isn’t just about magic or mysteries; it’s about characters that you come to care about, flaws and all. And I can’t wait to see where Aaronovitch takes us next.