Sunday 12 August 2018

Book Review: A Mage's Power by Casey Wolfe

Title:  A Mage's Power
Series: The Inquisition Trilogy, Book One
Author: Casey Wolfe
Publisher:  NineStar Press
Release Date: July 16, 2018
Heat Level: 2 - Fade to Black Sex
Pairing: Male/Male
Length: 70800

Genre: Paranormal, mages, witches, shifters, dark, magic




Synopsis

Built on the bones of an ancient city, modern-day Everstrand is where master mage, Rowan, has set up his enchantment shop. When not hanging out with his werewolf best friend, Caleb, or studying, he dabbles in herbology and the controversial practice of blood magic. A prodigy who has already earned two masters, Rowan’s bound and determined to reach the distinction of grandmaster, a mage who obtains a masters in all five Schools of Magic.

Shaw works for the Inquisition, the organization charged with policing the magical races collectively known as magicae. Recently, it has come under scrutiny as magicae begin to disappear and reports of violence increase. With secrets of his own on the line, Shaw is willing to risk everything to find out just what is going on behind all the locked doors.

When Rowan and Shaw are entangled in each other’s worlds, it becomes evident that their hearts are as much at risk as their lives. They must find the truth and stop a conspiracy before it’s too late.

My Review:

A Mage's Power is a fun, quick read with a lot going on. Rowan, the main character, is studying to become a grandmaster - a mage who holds a masters degree in all five schools of magic. There is also a dark mage running amok. Caleb, his best friend, is an incorrigible werewolf who is utterly delightful and perhaps more animal than human - I quite liked Caleb.  And then there's Shaw. A mysterious fellow, who works for the bad guys and who is not what he seems at first.

These three end up on a whirlwind adventure to stop a subversive element within the Inquisition.

The magic system in this world is well thought out, and while I found it to be fairly standard and acceptable within the parameters of most fantasy/urban fantasy novels, there were enough quirks and spins to make it interesting. Some of the best writing in the story for me were the depictions of spells, enchantments, and battles with magic. It felt like the author enjoyed writing those scenes as the imagery easily transported me away, filling my vision with swirling faeries lights, bursts of power, and wisps of odd herbological aromas. To the author, I say, "Well done!"

I was also surprised at the world building. In the first few pages of the book the story had the feel of a fantasy world something akin to Lord of the Rings, where we knew there were different species of sentient life, but every now and then Wolfe would drop the use of modern-day technology into the tale.  Use of cell phones, computers, cars, and weapons took the fantasy and overlapped it with the modern day.  So how is that different from any other urban fantasy novel? Well, I find most Urban Fantasy is very much set in the here and now. The city life that we are all well versed in is the backdrop, and slowly, elements of magic and fae are dropped into the story. A Mage's Power seemed to do the exact opposite. A fantasy world, made up and built well, with modern day elements dropped into it. I have to say, an interesting spin!

As the author takes you on the story's journey, there are breaks in the timeline which the author expects you to fill in. At times I found those leaps took me a minute to put together, and the story starts off very sweet and fantastical, but at the end, it takes a sudden and dramatic violent twist.

Now I'm not squeamish about a little blood n guts, but I was actually shocked at the sudden change. Granted, given the scenario, and the characters involved (No, I can't say much more than that, otherwise we get spoilery and I won't do that - so you'll just have to read it for yourself to understand! ;o) ), this abrupt one-eighty in the book's style and flavor was, at first, really out of place. But upon further reflection, made sense. Just fair warning for others who pick this up - expect a little of the unexpected!

One a side note - loved the individual charms - I want one! And I loved the Merfolk. I want one too.

Great tale, and I'll be picking up the next in the series when it comes out.

Rating:


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Meet the Author:

Author of gay romantic fiction, from contemporary to paranormal and everything in between.
For Casey, existence equals writing. History nerd, film enthusiast, music lover, avid gamer, and just an all-around geek. Add in an unapologetic addiction to loose-leaf tea and you get the general picture. Married, with furry four-legged children, Casey lives happily in the middle of nowhere Ohio.





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