entertaining complex story

I don't always like books that constantly build almost impossible situations to get out of but then the heroes somehow do, but this is one that does it well along with a rich complex magical world layered into the background

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So good

Was not expecting to love this as much as I did. Could not stop listening to the audiobook.
Very much looking forward to Book 2

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Amazing new Series!

Honestly I absolutely loved this book, it has such a unique Brian McClellan magic system and setting with interesting yet discernible characters. What impressed me most about this book is how similar the setting is to Powder Mage but how different and distinguishable the series are.

The book is essentially set in a world around the 18th - 19th century, with flintlock fantasy and an industrialised magic system available to any as long as you have the means (Means = cash). This industrial magic takes the form of God Glass, different types of this Glass provides different abilities which I will not spoil for you.

Much of the worldbuilding revolves around a colossal global Empire reminiscent in size to the British empire at their absolute height and they maintain this supremacy by being the greatest creator and exporter of GodGlass resulting in economic and military dominance. Instead of being governed by a monarch however a handful of cutthroat Medici/Italian renaissance style or Roman republic era guild families head the empire.

Our hero the scion of a minor guild family, Demir, who was a child prodigy and rose quickly to prominence as a political and military commander during a rebellion, suffering a mental breakdown due to the events of his final day on campaign he resigned and fled into the provinces for 9 years. Our story really starts when our disgraced hero is recalled after he learns of the murder of his mother and he returns to retake control of his minor guild house and avenge her murder.

Plagued with finding his mothers murderers he stumbles upon a conspiracy and discovers the magic is running out. Political intrigue, war, conspiracies, secret organisations and other shenanigans predictably follow as the world is upended.

I thought this book was great, there were a few twists and turns I predicted rather easily but honestly this is the best fantasy book I've read in a while. If you enjoyed Powder mage and a solidly unique magic system this is right up your alley.

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Excellent!

Another promising start to epic fantasy series, with compelling characters and fantastical elements that are unique to Brian McClellan.

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1 person found this helpful

Incredible!

McClellan's best novel by and considering how high he set the bar, that's an astounding feat. The only bad thing is that that the next in the series won't be out for a while!

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Great story

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story has idiosyncrasies in abundance but this works with rather than against the various plots. It is full of incidence and has a great cast of characters. I am really looking forward to the next instalment.

I have read all of his Powder Mage books and am a big fan. No disappointment from me with his new venture, fingers crossed we don't have to wait to long to delve back in this intriguing new world.

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awsome

this is awesome! I have read it 4 x now, can't wait for the next one. ps narrator does a brilliant job also

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Great world building

A very easy listen with great story telling and world building. An interesting magic system and filled with charismatic characters

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just as good as Powder mage

loved every minute of this one.Already a big fan of McClellans work and knew I would miss the cast of the Powder mage books and wasn't sure how I'd feel about the new series. I should never have doubted, as from the first chapter I was hooked and immersed in this world full of intrigue, backstabbing and excitement. Loved the new characters, Baby and Demir in particular and cannot wait for the next instalment.

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Mixed Feelings

The prologue had my immediate interest and my thoughts were that I was going to really enjoy this book, it then started to lose my attention I was not listening to it attentively. Not the narrator’s fault whose performance was fine it just felt predictable and I thought that the magic system copied a lot from Sanderson’s Mistborn series.
The last half grabbed my attention again, I started relating to the characters and the story.
In the end I decided that I enjoyed it and I will continue with the series. Give it a go.

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