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adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Definitely willing to see where this is going to go. This is definitely a first book in a longer line of stories; takes it's time to build up the world and the players, which I like. The main plot and resolution weren't as strong as I prefer tho, and then end was almost less of 'The End' and more 'I had to stop here otherwise this book would be far too long'. Which I get, and don't mind, it's just not my favorite.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Violence, Kidnapping, Classism
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty
Moderate: Violence
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Urban fantasy/progression book that centers around the use of magic items intersecting with capitalism. Has interesting broad themes and interested in how this series advances.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Violence, Kidnapping
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Audio version: This is the first book in a new series by the author. The main character is a young adult who gets a crash course in magic and the egotiscal major players in his extended family.
Narrator Will Watt did a good job with differentiating the characters voices.
Narrator Will Watt did a good job with differentiating the characters voices.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Violence
Moderate: Abandonment
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was surprised to learn that Benedict Jacka was not a new writer, and that this was written after he had already had success with another series.
This book is a mess. And only partly because the protagonist Stephen's life is mess too. The worldbuilding, while interesting, often comes across as dense and leaves chapters bogged down. Occasionally it also goes into tangents on science/logistics or philosophy that do become plot relevant but are far deeper than they need to be. Meanwhile the action and Stephen's thoughts read like an itinerary where he thinks or says something will happen and then it immediately does, with little buildup or tension, which also creates a sense of repetitiveness.
That said, the plot threads are enough to keep you hanging on and routing for relatable Stephen and loyal Hobbes, even though you know they're underdogs (undercats?) that are vastly outclassed by their opponents.
I probably won't continue the series when the next book comes out, but if you like a deeply built magic system and a fish out of water and just trying to live his life, this might be for you.
This book is a mess. And only partly because the protagonist Stephen's life is mess too. The worldbuilding, while interesting, often comes across as dense and leaves chapters bogged down. Occasionally it also goes into tangents on science/logistics or philosophy that do become plot relevant but are far deeper than they need to be. Meanwhile the action and Stephen's thoughts read like an itinerary where he thinks or says something will happen and then it immediately does, with little buildup or tension, which also creates a sense of repetitiveness.
That said, the plot threads are enough to keep you hanging on and routing for relatable Stephen and loyal Hobbes, even though you know they're underdogs (undercats?) that are vastly outclassed by their opponents.
I probably won't continue the series when the next book comes out, but if you like a deeply built magic system and a fish out of water and just trying to live his life, this might be for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Violence, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Eating disorder, Gun violence, Stalking, Gaslighting, Alcohol
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Violence, Kidnapping
Set in modern-day London in a world with semi-secret crafting-based magic, all Stephen has is a minimum wage job and a cat. He's getting by, more or less, since his father disappeared, but happily for the plot of this book, is plunged into mystery, violence and intrigue by the machinations of House Ashford, a super-rich, super-magical family.
This is an extremely introductory book, and nearly doesn't have a plot at all in places. Stephen spends a lot of time grinding for magical power, money for rent, and information. Still, he's an interesting character to follow, and yes there is a lot of info to dump but it is spread evenly through the book. The action sequences are solid and show how his levelling up is going.
I wish I'd left this book to nearer the release of the second book (?October '24?), because I think it'd be great to get this overview and then crack on straightaway with the plot. I think this'll work for people who've enjoyed the Alex Verus series, since we (largely,let us never speak of that awful epilogue novella ) trust the author, but not so sure I'd recommend it to newcomers unless they're in the market for a detailed hard magic system, connecting to land-rights and general richness. Or a cat called Hobbes.
This is an extremely introductory book, and nearly doesn't have a plot at all in places. Stephen spends a lot of time grinding for magical power, money for rent, and information. Still, he's an interesting character to follow, and yes there is a lot of info to dump but it is spread evenly through the book. The action sequences are solid and show how his levelling up is going.
I wish I'd left this book to nearer the release of the second book (?October '24?), because I think it'd be great to get this overview and then crack on straightaway with the plot. I think this'll work for people who've enjoyed the Alex Verus series, since we (largely,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Violence, Kidnapping
Moderate: Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is the kind of book that does not have a "blurbable" plot. However, if you like London, magic-as-science, economic and social commentary on privilege and use of natural resources, this is for you. Also, there's an amazing cat in it.
This book feels like one of these excellent BBC dramas : it doesn't need a big budget, only a very good writer to pack a bang. The whole book feels like an excellent introduction to the main story. Usually, this makes me sigh and roll my eyes but this was written in a way that makes us so close to Stephen that it just felt amazingly real. This is indeed not escapist fantasy : one of Stephen's main troubles throughout the book is buying food, and paying rent. Which is unbelievably real. Magic is not something ethereal and legendary but a marketable commodity hoarded by the elites. Feels real already ?
The pacing was very good despite being centred on character development. There was no info dumping anywhere and even how we got the few information about drucraft served to show how power and money played a role into it.
So, why the .75 stars down to 5 ? Because most of the characters feel not under developed but are just not known enough to bring depth to them, besides Stephen. However, they're all very well sketched out from their actions and I can't wait to read book two.
This book feels like one of these excellent BBC dramas : it doesn't need a big budget, only a very good writer to pack a bang. The whole book feels like an excellent introduction to the main story. Usually, this makes me sigh and roll my eyes but this was written in a way that makes us so close to Stephen that it just felt amazingly real. This is indeed not escapist fantasy : one of Stephen's main troubles throughout the book is buying food, and paying rent. Which is unbelievably real. Magic is not something ethereal and legendary but a marketable commodity hoarded by the elites. Feels real already ?
The pacing was very good despite being centred on character development. There was no info dumping anywhere and even how we got the few information about drucraft served to show how power and money played a role into it.
So, why the .75 stars down to 5 ? Because most of the characters feel not under developed but are just not known enough to bring depth to them, besides Stephen. However, they're all very well sketched out from their actions and I can't wait to read book two.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Violence, Kidnapping
Moderate: Violence, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Violence, Blood