Review of The Magician's Secret
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Laxmi D 1
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Review of The Magician's Secret
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Magician's Secret" by Charles Townsend.]
Magician’s Secret is a great, magical, mystery and adventure mix-up that is a dead interesting, engaging experience. The story takes place against the backdrop of two kingdoms on the cusp of war and follows Delvin, an illusionist keeping his furnace from war, himself, and a murder accusation, trying to uncover the secrets behind his magician’s stone, a cool, fascinatingly dangerous artifact capable of manipulating thoughts. From the very first page, the narrative's strings suck the reader into a world where it does not seem as it appears, a world involving deceit, bravery, and self-discovery.
The book has a great pace as well. Delvin’s struggle to be a street magician in the bustling kingdom of Hengel is all the more beautiful when compared to high-stakes moments such as his daring escape from prison or his infiltrating a heavily guarded fortress. With their characters and motivations each experiencing shifts in tempo, these tempo changes keep the reader fully engrossed without overwhelming them, giving just enough time to delight and connect.
The magic system in the book is also a very integral part of the plot. This may not be a customer relations program, but it’s certainly a tool for tricks as well as a device that forces Delvin to connect with the moral burden of his powers. One memorable scene sees Delvin show an audience that he can sway their perception of them—a sign of his growing confidence, but a potentially dangerous sign of unbridled power too. This dynamic breathes life into the story, and Delvin’s is surely as much of a personal story as a story that focuses on external conflict.
Another strong point in Townsend’s worldbuilding. The markets buzz alive in the shadowy halls of Hengel's kingdom, or Argent's. There’s a good deal of detail in the settings, and the characters—from whether they’re allies, like the quick-witted tinkerer, to whether they’re foes, like the mysterious assassin—make every scene worthwhile.
But the book has its flaws. The dialogue is sharp and often funny, but the side characters aren't fleshed out enough, and the reader can't figure out what their backstory is. But, in addition, the editing is tight, and I saw no grammatical or typographical errors.
The Magician’s Secret is a must-read, suspenseful, funny, and heartfelt read with a near-perfect balance. Its layered plot offers a fairly relatable protagonist and is great for people who appreciate a bit of sci-fi and fantasy. Minor problems aside, it’s a journey worth taking. I would rate this book at 4 out of 5 stars.
******
The Magician's Secret
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes | on Smashwords
Magician’s Secret is a great, magical, mystery and adventure mix-up that is a dead interesting, engaging experience. The story takes place against the backdrop of two kingdoms on the cusp of war and follows Delvin, an illusionist keeping his furnace from war, himself, and a murder accusation, trying to uncover the secrets behind his magician’s stone, a cool, fascinatingly dangerous artifact capable of manipulating thoughts. From the very first page, the narrative's strings suck the reader into a world where it does not seem as it appears, a world involving deceit, bravery, and self-discovery.
The book has a great pace as well. Delvin’s struggle to be a street magician in the bustling kingdom of Hengel is all the more beautiful when compared to high-stakes moments such as his daring escape from prison or his infiltrating a heavily guarded fortress. With their characters and motivations each experiencing shifts in tempo, these tempo changes keep the reader fully engrossed without overwhelming them, giving just enough time to delight and connect.
The magic system in the book is also a very integral part of the plot. This may not be a customer relations program, but it’s certainly a tool for tricks as well as a device that forces Delvin to connect with the moral burden of his powers. One memorable scene sees Delvin show an audience that he can sway their perception of them—a sign of his growing confidence, but a potentially dangerous sign of unbridled power too. This dynamic breathes life into the story, and Delvin’s is surely as much of a personal story as a story that focuses on external conflict.
Another strong point in Townsend’s worldbuilding. The markets buzz alive in the shadowy halls of Hengel's kingdom, or Argent's. There’s a good deal of detail in the settings, and the characters—from whether they’re allies, like the quick-witted tinkerer, to whether they’re foes, like the mysterious assassin—make every scene worthwhile.
But the book has its flaws. The dialogue is sharp and often funny, but the side characters aren't fleshed out enough, and the reader can't figure out what their backstory is. But, in addition, the editing is tight, and I saw no grammatical or typographical errors.
The Magician’s Secret is a must-read, suspenseful, funny, and heartfelt read with a near-perfect balance. Its layered plot offers a fairly relatable protagonist and is great for people who appreciate a bit of sci-fi and fantasy. Minor problems aside, it’s a journey worth taking. I would rate this book at 4 out of 5 stars.
******
The Magician's Secret
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes | on Smashwords
Latest Review: Backcomb & Tattoo by Shea R Embry
