Download Foxglove Summer by Ben Aaronovitch as a Free Epub File: A Review of the Urban Fantasy Book
Ben Aaronovitch Foxglove Summer Free Epub 63: A Review
If you are a fan of urban fantasy, mystery, and crime fiction, you might have heard of Ben Aaronovitch, the author of the bestselling Rivers of London series. In this article, we will review one of his books, Foxglove Summer, which is the fifth installment in the series. We will also tell you how you can get it for free as an epub file, which is a popular format for ebooks. But first, let's introduce the author and his work.
ben aaronovitch foxglove summer free epub 63
Introduction
Who is Ben Aaronovitch?
Ben Aaronovitch is a British writer who was born and raised in London. He started his career as a scriptwriter for Doctor Who, and later wrote novels and comics based on the show. He also wrote original novels and graphic novels, such as Remembrance of the Daleks, The Also People, and Rivers of London: Body Work. He is best known for his Rivers of London series, which combines urban fantasy, police procedural, and comedy genres.
What is Foxglove Summer?
Foxglove Summer is the fifth novel in the Rivers of London series, which follows the adventures of Peter Grant, a young police officer and apprentice wizard in London. In this book, Peter is sent to rural Herefordshire to investigate the disappearance of two young girls who might have been kidnapped by fairies. Along the way, he encounters unicorns, faerie queens, retired wizards, and local gods. He also has to deal with his personal issues, such as his broken relationship with his former colleague Lesley May, who betrayed him and joined forces with his archenemy, the Faceless Man.
Why should you read it?
You should read Foxglove Summer if you enjoy:
A fast-paced and witty story that blends fantasy and reality
A diverse and likable cast of characters that includes humans, supernatural beings, and animals
A rich and detailed world-building that explores the history and culture of Britain
A clever and humorous writing style that references pop culture and literature
A thrilling and suspenseful plot that keeps you guessing until the end
Summary of Foxglove Summer
The plot
The plot of Foxglove Summer can be summarized as follows:
Peter Grant is assigned to assist the local police in Herefordshire with their investigation into the disappearance of two girls, Hannah Marstowe and Nicole Lacey.
He meets with Dominic Croft, a local police officer who is also a friend of his boss, Thomas Nightingale, the head of the Folly and the last official wizard in England.
He discovers that there is a magical element to the case, as the girls were last seen near a field of foxgloves, which are known to attract fairies.
He also learns that there is a retired wizard living in the area, Hugh Oswald, who fought in the secret magical battles of World War II and has a granddaughter, Abigail Kamara, who has a special affinity with bees.
He teams up with Beverley Brook, the goddess of a tributary of the Thames and his love interest, to track down the missing girls and find out who is behind their abduction.
He encounters various obstacles and dangers, such as hostile locals, rogue unicorns, changelings, and a mysterious faerie queen who rules over a hidden realm of eternal summer.
He manages to rescue the girls and expose the culprit, who turns out to be Lesley May, who was working for the Faceless Man and had a personal vendetta against Peter.
He narrowly escapes from the faerie realm with the help of Nightingale and Oswald, who use their magic to create a portal through an old Roman road.
He returns to London with Beverley, Abigail, and the girls, and vows to continue his fight against the Faceless Man and his allies.
The characters
The main characters of Foxglove Summer are:
Peter Grant: The protagonist and narrator of the story. He is a young mixed-race police officer and apprentice wizard who works for the Folly, a branch of the Metropolitan Police that deals with supernatural crimes. He is smart, curious, sarcastic, and loyal. He has a knack for technology and science, which he uses to enhance his magic. He is also attracted to rivers and river goddesses.
Beverley Brook: The deuteragonist and love interest of Peter. She is the goddess or genius loci of Beverley Brook, a small river that flows into the Thames. She is beautiful, confident, independent, and adventurous. She has a strong connection to water and nature, which she can manipulate with her magic. She is also fond of cars and motorcycles.
Lesley May: The antagonist and former friend of Peter. She was once a police officer and de facto apprentice to Nightingale, but she betrayed them and joined forces with the Faceless Man, a powerful and mysterious wizard who wants to overthrow the status quo of magic. She wears a mask to hide her face, which was horribly disfigured by magic in a previous case. She is cunning, ruthless, bitter, and vengeful.
Thomas Nightingale: The mentor and boss of Peter. He is the head of the Folly and the last officially sanctioned English wizard. He is old-fashioned, elegant, reserved, and authoritative. He has a vast knowledge of magic and history, which he teaches to Peter. He also has a dark past that involves fighting in the secret magical wars of the 20th century.
Hugh Oswald: The ally and friend of Nightingale. He is a retired wizard who lives in Herefordshire with his bees. He is elderly, frail, eccentric, and kind. He also fought in the secret magical wars of World War II, but he was traumatized by his experiences and decided to withdraw from society. He has a special bond with his granddaughter Abigail Kamara.
Abigail Kamara: The sidekick and friend of Peter. She is Hugh Oswald's granddaughter and an aspiring wizard. She is young, clever, brave, and curious. She has a talent for communicating with animals, especially bees. She helps Peter with his investigation and shows him around the countryside.
Dominic Croft: The colleague and friend of Peter. He is a local police officer in Herefordshire who works on the missing children case. He is friendly, helpful, pragmatic, and skeptical. He knows about magic but prefers to avoid it as much as possible. He is also an old acquaintance of Nightingale.
Hannah Marstowe and Nicole Lacey: The victims and friends of each other. They are two eleven-year-old girls who live in Rushpool, a small village in Herefordshire. They are innocent, playful, adventurous, and imaginative. They love fairy tales and pretend to be princesses. They are kidnapped by Lesley May who wants to use them as leverage against Peter.
The setting
The setting of Foxglove Summer is mostly rural Herefordshire, a county in the west of England that borders Wales. It is a contrast to the urban and cosmopolitan London that Peter is used to. Herefordshire is described as a place of rolling hills, green fields, ancient forests, and quaint villages. It is also a place of folklore, legends, and magic, where fairies and other supernatural creatures dwell. The author uses the setting to explore the themes of nature, culture, and identity in relation to magic.
Analysis of Foxglove Summer
The themes
Some of the themes that Foxglove Summer explores are:
Identity: The book examines how Peter's identity as a mixed-race Londoner and a wizard affects his interactions with others and his sense of belonging. He faces prejudice and suspicion from some of the locals who see him as an outsider and a threat. He also struggles with his loyalty and feelings for Lesley, who has betrayed him and his values. He questions his role and purpose as a police officer and a magician in a changing world.
Nature: The book contrasts the natural and the artificial, the rural and the urban, the organic and the technological aspects of magic. Peter discovers that magic is not only found in concrete and steel, but also in plants and animals. He learns to appreciate the beauty and power of nature, as well as its dangers and mysteries. He also realizes that nature has its own rules and logic that are not always compatible with human laws and expectations.
Culture: The book explores the diversity and complexity of British culture, history, and mythology. Peter encounters different aspects of British culture, such as rural traditions, folklore, dialects, cuisine, and music. He also learns about the history and politics of Britain, especially its relationship with Wales and the Roman Empire. He also meets various mythical beings and figures from British mythology, such as fairies, unicorns, faerie queens, and Roman gods.
The style
The style of Foxglove Summer is characterized by:
A first-person narrative: The story is told from Peter's point of view, which gives the reader an insight into his thoughts, feelings, opinions, and humor. It also creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy between the reader and the narrator.
A conversational tone: The language is informal, colloquial, witty, and engaging. The author uses slang, idioms, jokes, references, and metaphors to make the story more lively and relatable. The author also breaks the fourth wall by addressing the reader directly or indirectly.
A descriptive detail: The author uses vivid and precise descriptions to create a realistic and immersive picture of the setting, the characters, and the action. The author uses sensory details to appeal to the reader's senses of sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.
and comedy genres. The author uses fantasy elements to create a sense of wonder and imagination, mystery elements to create a sense of suspense and intrigue, crime fiction elements to create a sense of realism and relevance, and comedy elements to create a sense of humor and relief.
The magic
The magic system of Foxglove Summer is based on:
The concept of genius loci: The idea that every place has a spirit or a personality that can manifest as a supernatural being or a force. In the book, Peter encounters various genii locorum, such as rivers, forests, roads, and fields. He also learns that some humans can become genii locorum by merging with a place or an element.
The concept of vestigia: The idea that every living thing leaves behind a trace or an impression of its essence or emotion that can be sensed by magic users. In the book, Peter uses his ability to sense vestigia to track down clues and suspects. He also learns that vestigia can be manipulated or erased by magic users.
The concept of Newtonian magic: The idea that magic is governed by natural laws and principles that can be discovered and explained by science and mathematics. In the book, Peter uses his knowledge of physics and engineering to enhance his magic and to understand how it works. He also learns that magic can be affected by technology and vice versa.
Comparison of Foxglove Summer with other books in the series
How does it fit in the Rivers of London series?
Foxglove Summer is the fifth book in the Rivers of London series, which consists of eight novels, two novellas, and several graphic novels. The series follows the adventures of Peter Grant and his colleagues as they deal with various supernatural cases and threats in London and beyond. The series is set in a contemporary world where magic exists but is hidden from most people.
Foxglove Summer fits in the series as:
A continuation of the main storyline: The book advances the plot arc that involves the conflict between Peter and his allies and the Faceless Man and his followers. The book reveals more information about the Faceless Man's plans and motives, as well as Lesley's role and reasons for joining him. The book also sets up the stage for the next book, The Hanging Tree, where Peter and Nightingale confront the Faceless Man in a final showdown.
A deviation from the usual setting: The book takes Peter out of his comfort zone of London and into the countryside of Herefordshire. The book explores a different aspect of British culture and magic that is not often seen in urban fantasy. The book also introduces new characters and settings that expand the scope and diversity of the series.
A development of the main character: The book shows how Peter grows and changes as a person and as a magician. The book challenges Peter's identity, values, beliefs, and relationships. The book also shows how Peter deals with his emotions, such as grief, guilt, anger, fear, and love.
What are the differences and similarities?
Some of the differences between Foxglove Summer and other books in the series are:
The setting: As mentioned above, Foxglove Summer is set mostly in rural Herefordshire, while most of the other books are set in urban London. This creates a contrast in terms of atmosphere, culture, landscape, and magic.
The tone: Foxglove Summer has a lighter and more humorous tone than some of the other books in the series, especially Broken Homes, which was darker and more tragic. This is partly because Foxglove Summer is less violent and more whimsical than some of the other books in the series.
his friendship with Abigail Kamara, and his family background. It also shows his personal growth and development as a person and as a magician.
Some of the similarities between Foxglove Summer and other books in the series are:
The genre: Foxglove Summer is still an urban fantasy novel that combines elements of mystery, crime fiction, and comedy. It still follows the conventions and tropes of the genre, such as having a protagonist who is a detective and a magician, having a plot that involves a supernatural case and a hidden world, and having a style that is witty and humorous.
The characters: Foxglove Summer still features some of the recurring characters from the series, such as Nightingale, Lesley May, the Faceless Man, Molly, Toby, and various river gods and goddesses. It also introduces some new characters who are related or connected to the existing ones, such as Hugh Oswald, Abigail Kamara, Dominic Croft, and the faerie queen.
The magic: Foxglove Summer still uses the same magic system that is based on the concepts of genius loci, vestigia, and Newtonian magic. It also shows how magic works differently in different places and contexts, such as in rural areas versus urban areas, or in faerie realms versus human realms.
Which one is the best?
The answer to this question depends on personal preference and taste. Some readers might prefer Foxglove Summer over other books in the series because of its lighter tone, its different setting, or its focus on Peter's personal life. Some readers might prefer other books in the series over Foxglove Summer because of their darker tone, their familiar setting, or their focus on the main plot arc. Some readers might like all of them equally or for different reasons.
In my opinion, Foxglove Summer is one of the best books in the series because it offers a refreshing change of pace and scenery from the previous books. It also shows a different side of Peter and his character development. It also has a fun and engaging story that mixes fantasy and reality in a creative way.
How to get Foxglove Summer for free as an epub file
What is an epub file?
An epub file is a type of file format that is designed for ebooks. It stands for electronic publication. It is compatible with most ebook readers and devices, such as Kindle, Nook, Kobo, iPad, iPhone, Android phones and tablets, etc. It is also supported by most ebook apps and software, such as Calibre, Adobe Digital Editions, iBooks, etc. It has some advantages over other file formats for ebooks, such as:
It is flexible and adaptable: It can adjust to different screen sizes and resolutions. It can also allow users to customize their reading experience by changing fonts, sizes, colors, layouts, etc.
hyperlinks, etc. It can also support features such as bookmarks, annotations, highlights, etc.
It is open and standard: It is based on web standards such as HTML, CSS, XML, etc. It is also free and not controlled by any single company or organization. It can be created and edited by anyone using various tools and software.
What are the benefits of reading ebooks?
Some of the benefits of reading ebooks are:
They are convenient and portable: You can store thousands of ebooks in a single device or app. You can also access them anytime and anywhere with an internet connection. You don't have to worry about carrying or losing physical books.
They are cheaper and eco-friendly: You can often find ebooks at lower prices than physical books. You can also get them for free from various sources. You don't have to pay for shipping or taxes. You also don't have to use paper or ink, which saves trees and energy.
They are diverse and customizable: You can find ebooks in different genres, languages, formats, and styles. You can also choose how you want to read them by adjusting the settings and options. You can also create your own ebooks or modify existing ones.
Where can you find free epub files of Foxglove Summer and other books by Ben Aaronovitch?
There are many ways to find free epub files of Foxglove Summer and other books by Ben Aaronovitch. Some of them are:
Online libraries: There are many online libraries that offer free ebooks in various formats, including epub. Some examples are Project Gutenberg, Open Library, Internet Archive, etc. You can search for the books you want by title, author, genre, etc. You can also browse through their collections and categories. You can download the books directly or borrow them for a limited time.
Online bookstores: There are some online bookstores that offer free ebooks in various formats, including epub. Some examples are Amazon Kindle Store, Google Play Books, Apple Books, etc. You can search for the books you want by title, author, genre, etc. You can also browse through their deals and promotions. You can download the books directly or read them online.
Online forums and communities: There are some online forums and communities that share and exchange free ebooks in various formats, including epub. Some examples are Reddit, Mobilism, Library Genesis, etc. You can search for the books you want by title, author, genre, etc. You can also request or offer books to other members. You can download the books from links or attachments.
However, you should be careful when downloading free ebooks from these sources. Some of them might be illegal or unsafe. They might violate the copyright or privacy of the authors or publishers. They might also contain viruses or malware that could harm your device or data. You should always check the credibility and reputation of the sources before downloading anything from them.
Conclusion
Summary of the main points
summarized the plot, the characters, and the setting of the book, analyzed the themes, the style, and the magic of the book, compared the book with other books in the series, and explained how to get the book for free as an epub file. We have also discussed some of the benefits of reading ebooks and some of the sources where you can find free epub files of Foxglove Summer and other books by Ben Aaronovitch.
Recommendation and rating
We highly recommend Foxglove Summer to anyone who enjoys urban fantasy,