Review: Stars above!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 29, 2013
I found this book while searching for something that I hoped would be well written even if it was under $5.00.  All I can say is I scored on this one!  This book is so well written that I so hope the author decided to ditch the idea of becoming a doctor and (fingers crossed) continues writing!  To all those fans of Rothfuss' "The Name of the Wind," I order you to pick up this book.  The books are different but both contain the same mature discussions about magic --  so this means this is nothing like the Harry Potter series (thank goodness) and the YA label does not even remotely apply. This book treats magic as a science -- there are rules and principles, which the author does a great job of explaining.  And you don't walk away with words like, "It happens because magic is so mysterious...so says Puff the Magic Dragon.....blah...blah" floating through your head.The main character is witty -- you will find yourself laughing out loud at times!  The best part about this author is he anticipates questions by the reader -- there are some scenes where you start to question the motives or decisions .... and then 3 sentences later it's addressed.  And I love the fact that it is clear the author is no dummy!  How many self-published books have you purchased and fell into a depression after reading because it was clear the author a) did not own a dictionary or thesaurus (or refused to use one provided by Word); b) tried to write about a mature subject but the words/actions of the character clearly demonstrated the author was emotionally stunted; and c) had no freaking storyline and the plot was riddled with inconsistencies and WTF moments (I see this more often than not).  THIS BOOK DOES NOT SUFFER from any of these flaws.  If you want a good read (and you love well written fantasy), take a chance with this book.My only quip (and aside from some minor spellcheck errors, there is just one) is: How unfair is it for the author to describe some characters' looks (which I truly appreciate!) while letting us "guess" about other characters based on their names?  Never described "Tyrone" -- but let me guess -- he's black?  I hate when authors use names to describe people --  making all Marias Hispanic; all Tryones black; all Lees Asian.... you get the picture.  This is where the author's creativity/imagination faltered just a little.