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a_reader_obsessed's review against another edition
4.0
4 Stars
My only complaint like the others who have reviewed this book is that it was simply not enough. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy myself because I did!
What’s not to love about a happy-go-lucky, always chipper mage, who can bend metal to his will? However, trouble always seems to find Quill, and he’s stuck on a hostile planet desperately needing parts for his broken ship to make it to his professorial job on time. When Quill comes across a cyborg protecting a junkyard of the very parts he needs, Quill tries to bargain and work his charm on the surly Hunter. However, Hunter is obligated to an evil mean witch, and he must guard her stuff, lest he be punished. He wants to help Quill but sadly, can’t.
This had some fun and funny with a good dollop of angsty feels, along with a very nice dose of action adventure. The romance is a burgeoning slow one and smexy is not always needed (albeit always wanted).
I really liked this intergalactic universe and its characters and only wish there were more stories about these two and the world they live in!
My only complaint like the others who have reviewed this book is that it was simply not enough. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy myself because I did!
What’s not to love about a happy-go-lucky, always chipper mage, who can bend metal to his will? However, trouble always seems to find Quill, and he’s stuck on a hostile planet desperately needing parts for his broken ship to make it to his professorial job on time. When Quill comes across a cyborg protecting a junkyard of the very parts he needs, Quill tries to bargain and work his charm on the surly Hunter. However, Hunter is obligated to an evil mean witch, and he must guard her stuff, lest he be punished. He wants to help Quill but sadly, can’t.
This had some fun and funny with a good dollop of angsty feels, along with a very nice dose of action adventure. The romance is a burgeoning slow one and smexy is not always needed (albeit always wanted).
I really liked this intergalactic universe and its characters and only wish there were more stories about these two and the world they live in!
lunarchfey's review against another edition
4.0
3.5/5 stars
My lasting impression of this story was simply, "that was fine." Not great or amazing, but a pleasantly short and enjoyable read. The characters were endearing, the prose and pacing were sharp, and I appreciated the glimpses of intriguing world-building that we were offered.
The characters were the highlight for me: Quill's arc was definitely not new (impulsive, immature guy who tries to manipulate his way out of situations and gets in trouble when he can't keep things in his pants learns what it feels like to actually be nice to and help other people) but, like. It's a good one? And it was well done here. Hunter ran a little flatter for me personally, but I was still rooting for him, and wanted them both to succeed.
However, there were a few issues that impacted my enjoyment: I felt that the writing could have used a bit of a tighter edit, particularly in the beginning, both in word/phrasing choice and flow, and in some of the content that left my suspension of disbelief a little shaky. The worldbuilding just scratched the surface of some of the ideas—a situation where originality and the brevity of a short story felt like it lessened the enjoyment of the work.
Most significantly, the villain/antagonist was unfortunately very one-dimensional—the kind of character that exists to serve the story, but who borders on evil just for the sake of it.
Overall, for what it is, I wouldn't have any hesitations about suggesting this to anybody with a particular fondness for cyborgs and personhood arcs.
My lasting impression of this story was simply, "that was fine." Not great or amazing, but a pleasantly short and enjoyable read. The characters were endearing, the prose and pacing were sharp, and I appreciated the glimpses of intriguing world-building that we were offered.
The characters were the highlight for me: Quill's arc was definitely not new (impulsive, immature guy who tries to manipulate his way out of situations and gets in trouble when he can't keep things in his pants learns what it feels like to actually be nice to and help other people) but, like. It's a good one? And it was well done here. Hunter ran a little flatter for me personally, but I was still rooting for him, and wanted them both to succeed.
However, there were a few issues that impacted my enjoyment: I felt that the writing could have used a bit of a tighter edit, particularly in the beginning, both in word/phrasing choice and flow, and in some of the content that left my suspension of disbelief a little shaky. The worldbuilding just scratched the surface of some of the ideas—a situation where originality and the brevity of a short story felt like it lessened the enjoyment of the work.
Most significantly, the villain/antagonist was unfortunately very one-dimensional—the kind of character that exists to serve the story, but who borders on evil just for the sake of it.
Overall, for what it is, I wouldn't have any hesitations about suggesting this to anybody with a particular fondness for cyborgs and personhood arcs.
myzanm's review against another edition
3.0
A quick read.
Nice characters and a nice world building for such a short story.
I loved Junior. He/it was the best.
Nice characters and a nice world building for such a short story.
I loved Junior. He/it was the best.
intheblackout's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a good novella. I don't know how Elliot Cooper managed to pack so much in ~50 pages. I wish it was a full length novel; I want more.
On the way to a new job as a professor, Quillian Defote crashes on a dangerous planet. Searching for materials to repair his ship, he comes across a junkyard. Guarded by a cyborg named Hunter, the two have great chemistry. I won't say anything else because Junk Mage is a novella and I don't want to spoil anything.
On the way to a new job as a professor, Quillian Defote crashes on a dangerous planet. Searching for materials to repair his ship, he comes across a junkyard. Guarded by a cyborg named Hunter, the two have great chemistry. I won't say anything else because Junk Mage is a novella and I don't want to spoil anything.
scrow1022's review against another edition
4.0
I would happily read more in this world and with these characters, but it was also a perfect moment, wonderfully told.
hartd's review against another edition
5.0
This was a great short read, and the length felt perfect for the story. While I would have enjoyed reading a book twice the length of this one just as much, because the writing is deft and appealing, this book has a good plot, interesting characters, and a satisfying resolution all packed in tightly, without feeling unfinished at all.
The main character, Quillian, is someone who always finds himself in trouble and has to use his wits and abilities to get himself out of it. He does a lot of magic. I've read way too many fantasy & sci-fi books, especially short ones, that have a great concept behind them, but the concept is only barely used, treated sort of like set dressing. That is not the case here at all. The title is completely appropriate. Quillian is a technomancer, and nearly everything in the plot springs from his magic and profession. There's some great worldbuilding, too. This book very much has the feel of Firefly or Farscape - a bit comedic, with strange aliens and original ideas, but the emotional moments make a big impact.
Quillian's love interest has faced a great deal of hardship, which made me really want to see him find happiness. The sex is implied / off-page, but it didn't seem like there was anything missing. The book is written in first person, and the writing style is informal and chatty, as though Quillian is telling you his story. It all works really well.
I am so excited to have discovered this book. I'll be reading the author's other published work asap.
As a sidenote, it was great to read a book that was proofread and edited so well!
The main character, Quillian, is someone who always finds himself in trouble and has to use his wits and abilities to get himself out of it. He does a lot of magic. I've read way too many fantasy & sci-fi books, especially short ones, that have a great concept behind them, but the concept is only barely used, treated sort of like set dressing. That is not the case here at all. The title is completely appropriate. Quillian is a technomancer, and nearly everything in the plot springs from his magic and profession. There's some great worldbuilding, too. This book very much has the feel of Firefly or Farscape - a bit comedic, with strange aliens and original ideas, but the emotional moments make a big impact.
Quillian's love interest has faced a great deal of hardship, which made me really want to see him find happiness. The sex is implied / off-page, but it didn't seem like there was anything missing. The book is written in first person, and the writing style is informal and chatty, as though Quillian is telling you his story. It all works really well.
I am so excited to have discovered this book. I'll be reading the author's other published work asap.
As a sidenote, it was great to read a book that was proofread and edited so well!
kaa's review against another edition
3.0
I've had the same reaction to both of the Elliot Cooper stories I've read so far - I really want to like them more than I actually do. The author has interesting settings, entertaining plot ideas, and cute characters, but they don't quite come together for me. I wanted more development of all aspects of this story, but especially the romantic relationship. I was starting to get a sense of each of the characters as individuals, but I didn't feel the level of chemistry between them that I think the author was hoping to convey. The plot also wasn't as convincing as I would have liked. Part of the problem, I think, is that this is a pretty short story - I feel as though the content would have supported a somewhat longer book that would have allowed more space for elaboration and build-up of both the relationship and the conflict.
michaeljpdx's review against another edition
4.0
You will find my full review of “Junk Mage” at my web site.
alisonalisonalison's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable. Spaceships and magic! I liked this, but I wanted more from it. It was fun, but maybe a little underdeveloped and maybe too short to tell the whole story properly. I loved the blurb and the cover is cool and I love sci-fi/fantasy blends, so I was looking forward to this, but it fell a little short of my expectations. There's great ideas here and lots of potential and nice writing, but something was missing. Quill's a great character and very likeable, but I didn't feel like I really got to know him, and Hunter was even more of a mystery. I liked the world-building and the detail and this is a neat universe. I would love to know more about the magic system, because the surface is barely scratched there. There's lots of room for a sequel as there's a big loose thread at the end. I'd totally read a sequel because I quite liked this despite its shortcomings and I want more.
intheblackout's review
4.0
This was such a good novella. I don't know how Elliot Cooper managed to pack so much in ~50 pages. I wish it was a full length novel; I want more.
On the way to a new job as a professor, Quillian Defote crashes on a dangerous planet. Searching for materials to repair his ship, he comes across a junkyard. Guarded by a cyborg named Hunter, the two have great chemistry. I won't say anything else because Junk Mage is a novella and I don't want to spoil anything.
On the way to a new job as a professor, Quillian Defote crashes on a dangerous planet. Searching for materials to repair his ship, he comes across a junkyard. Guarded by a cyborg named Hunter, the two have great chemistry. I won't say anything else because Junk Mage is a novella and I don't want to spoil anything.