One of Simon Hawke's weaknesses is exposition. In every story he feels a compulsion to give the complete history of all that has gone before, usually at great length. In the Time Wars series this was a minor annoyance, but it is too much in most of this series. It may be necessary for new readers in the other books, but is not necessary, in this book especially. Just a brief background of why there are thaumaturgical pets would have been enough.
Conversations often go on for no good reason, either to advance the plot, or reveal character.
The next book, however, was The Wizard of Camelot. This went back to describe the coming of Merlin to modern times. It is, in fact, the prologue to the series. And it is quite well done. There is minimal exposition, because nothing else has happened yet, and he resists the temptation to tell history which is not relevant.