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theneverqueenreads's review
4.0
Ancient Magic was a fun, quick read. I really enjoyed the originality of the story and Zoe Stark is a very like-able heroine. In her search for a Mayan skull, Zoe meets Juan who is also an enjoyable character.
The writing was very easy to follow and it drew you into the story. My biggest complaint would be that the bad guy felt very generic. But I will continue to read this series! If you enjoy Tomb Raider or stories that involve searching for ancient artifacts, you will love this book!
The writing was very easy to follow and it drew you into the story. My biggest complaint would be that the bad guy felt very generic. But I will continue to read this series! If you enjoy Tomb Raider or stories that involve searching for ancient artifacts, you will love this book!
stephbookshine's review
4.0
*I received free copies in exchange for an honest review.*
The marketing blurb on Amazon says of Ancient Magic: ‘Fans of Lara Croft and Indiana Jones will enjoy this fast-paced urban fantasy adventure series filled with magic, action, and kick-ass characters.’ For once you CAN believe the hype, because this is exactly what you are getting.
Just like Indiana Jones, the main character Zoe Stark is a relic hunter and her mission is to locate and retrieve ancient artefacts to preserve them for posterity, and from the hands of evildoers who will misuse them. The difference is that Zoe Stark is a ‘Magicai’ (she has magical powers), and the artefacts in question are powerfully magical (is that really a difference? Ark of the Covenant anyone?!) Still, Zoe is less bullwhip and pistol, and more magic shields and melting weapons with her mind.
It goes without saying (but I will) that it is great to see a female lead in an action/adventure role, and Zoe really does lead…her male sidekick is along for the ride, but Zoe is the driving force and decision-maker, and he trusts her expertise and judgement. There were hints of James Bond here too, with diplomatic incidents, interrupted beach holidays, and the possibility of more than one conquest falling at her feet (although unlike dear James, Zoe shows a modicum of self-control and focuses on the job at hand rather than diverting into romantic dalliances!).
The focus, as mentioned, being on the action means that the magic is almost incidental, and therefore there is more to uncover about how the Magicai society functions alongside but secret from ‘the Ordinaries’, and how the magic itself operates. We pick up during events that magic can be pulled from leylines and used or stored according to need, but I am interested to find out more about its limitations and inherent rules; information which I expect will develop over the course of the series.
Unfortunately I now need to note a major complaint about Rogue Magic, a short story set in the same world as Ancient Magic and bringing in Zoe as a minor character:
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?!
Rogue Magic would make a great first chapter of another Zoe adventure, with Jamie as a different and more feisty male sidekick, but as a short story it just wasn’t enough; I was left needing more. I was excited by the idea of Pandora’s Box and the potentially devastating problems it could cause in the wrong hands, and the character of Jamie is good fun; I could see how he’d pair nicely with the more businesslike Zoe for a traditional mismatched-buddy adventure. I refuse to accept that there is not more to come from this set up…it’s just too good!
Overall Ancient Magic was a great start to a promising series, and fans of Indie, Lara, magic and Meg Cowley / Victoria DeLuis are all advised to check it out. Watch out though! It ends with a teaser that will have you reaching straight for the next book…!
The marketing blurb on Amazon says of Ancient Magic: ‘Fans of Lara Croft and Indiana Jones will enjoy this fast-paced urban fantasy adventure series filled with magic, action, and kick-ass characters.’ For once you CAN believe the hype, because this is exactly what you are getting.
Just like Indiana Jones, the main character Zoe Stark is a relic hunter and her mission is to locate and retrieve ancient artefacts to preserve them for posterity, and from the hands of evildoers who will misuse them. The difference is that Zoe Stark is a ‘Magicai’ (she has magical powers), and the artefacts in question are powerfully magical (is that really a difference? Ark of the Covenant anyone?!) Still, Zoe is less bullwhip and pistol, and more magic shields and melting weapons with her mind.
It goes without saying (but I will) that it is great to see a female lead in an action/adventure role, and Zoe really does lead…her male sidekick is along for the ride, but Zoe is the driving force and decision-maker, and he trusts her expertise and judgement. There were hints of James Bond here too, with diplomatic incidents, interrupted beach holidays, and the possibility of more than one conquest falling at her feet (although unlike dear James, Zoe shows a modicum of self-control and focuses on the job at hand rather than diverting into romantic dalliances!).
The focus, as mentioned, being on the action means that the magic is almost incidental, and therefore there is more to uncover about how the Magicai society functions alongside but secret from ‘the Ordinaries’, and how the magic itself operates. We pick up during events that magic can be pulled from leylines and used or stored according to need, but I am interested to find out more about its limitations and inherent rules; information which I expect will develop over the course of the series.
Unfortunately I now need to note a major complaint about Rogue Magic, a short story set in the same world as Ancient Magic and bringing in Zoe as a minor character:
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?!
Rogue Magic would make a great first chapter of another Zoe adventure, with Jamie as a different and more feisty male sidekick, but as a short story it just wasn’t enough; I was left needing more. I was excited by the idea of Pandora’s Box and the potentially devastating problems it could cause in the wrong hands, and the character of Jamie is good fun; I could see how he’d pair nicely with the more businesslike Zoe for a traditional mismatched-buddy adventure. I refuse to accept that there is not more to come from this set up…it’s just too good!
Overall Ancient Magic was a great start to a promising series, and fans of Indie, Lara, magic and Meg Cowley / Victoria DeLuis are all advised to check it out. Watch out though! It ends with a teaser that will have you reaching straight for the next book…!
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