Title: Spellslinger
Author: Sebastian De Castell
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Publication Date: 26 April 2017
RRP: $19.99
Synopsis:
How do you survive a mage's duel without magic? Kellen's about to risk everything: his family, his home, even his own life...
When you're a Jan'Tep initiate approaching your sixteenth birthday, you'd better be ready to prove your worth as a mage. Either that or have a miracle on the way. And Kellen isn't counting on either. He knows he'll need a few tricks up his sleeve to avoid disgracing his family and becoming a Sha'Tep servant. So when a sassy, straight-talking traveller arrives in town, Kellen is all ears.
Ferius Parfax is jaded but world, an exile who lives by her wits and the three decks of cards she carries. Ferius can't teach him to spark his bands and access the seven magics, but with the hand that Kellen's been dealt, he knows he needs all the help he can get...
The premise for this novel had me so curious; essentially Kellen has no magic and needs to con his way through his mage trials to avoid becoming a servant. The first few chapters had me interested enough to keep going but eventually I had to put it down as I just couldn't get through it. Then one of my highly anticipated releases came out and I read that instead. I didn't want to pick up Spellslinger immediately after as I was too afraid of comparing it with the previous book, so I read a few contemporaries before picking this back up again.
The story started off fairly strong however, for me it just started dropping. I found that Kellen was a very passive character (purposely written I think) and it annoyed me so much that I wasn't as keen to read this anymore - though I kept trooping on. I also wasn't immediately on board with Serious' character, if we'd been given a bit more of an insight to her character in the beginning rather than just what seemed like a facade, she would've kept the story going for me.
I found a little more hope when they introduced the 'squirrel cat' character, though the first meeting was only brief and I had to wait a little while longer for said squirrel cat to come back. That being said, this arrogant and feisty squirrel cat was my favourite character of the lot.
The first half of the story felt quite slow, though just over halfway it developed a lot better and started to become a lot more interesting. Kellen becomes much more assertive and interesting (success!), even if some bad shit had to go down because of it. We got a little more history which was what I was really hoping for. This book opened up a few things to explore which gives it a lot of potential - I am very eager to know more about the Shadowblack and really wish there was a teeny bit more about it in the book.
Overall, I think the author has a really nice writing style however there were many aspects and events that I really didn't like. In saying that, the story definitely improved which actually makes me interested in book two. I would say this book is aimed at a younger audience and I think said audience would really enjoy it. Like I said earlier, I feel this book has a lot of potential and hope to see that played out in book two.
2.75/5
PS - This book has a stunning cover! Also, if you've read this I'd love to know your thoughts in the comments below :)
*This book was sent to me by Allen & Unwin in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ME:
Contact: erenabennett@hotmail.com
Instagram: @erenareads & @erena_b
Goodreads: @erenareads
Twitter: @erenareads
YouTube: Erena Reads or click here
Follow my blog with Bloglovin'!
When you're a Jan'Tep initiate approaching your sixteenth birthday, you'd better be ready to prove your worth as a mage. Either that or have a miracle on the way. And Kellen isn't counting on either. He knows he'll need a few tricks up his sleeve to avoid disgracing his family and becoming a Sha'Tep servant. So when a sassy, straight-talking traveller arrives in town, Kellen is all ears.
Ferius Parfax is jaded but world, an exile who lives by her wits and the three decks of cards she carries. Ferius can't teach him to spark his bands and access the seven magics, but with the hand that Kellen's been dealt, he knows he needs all the help he can get...
The story started off fairly strong however, for me it just started dropping. I found that Kellen was a very passive character (purposely written I think) and it annoyed me so much that I wasn't as keen to read this anymore - though I kept trooping on. I also wasn't immediately on board with Serious' character, if we'd been given a bit more of an insight to her character in the beginning rather than just what seemed like a facade, she would've kept the story going for me.
I found a little more hope when they introduced the 'squirrel cat' character, though the first meeting was only brief and I had to wait a little while longer for said squirrel cat to come back. That being said, this arrogant and feisty squirrel cat was my favourite character of the lot.
Overall, I think the author has a really nice writing style however there were many aspects and events that I really didn't like. In saying that, the story definitely improved which actually makes me interested in book two. I would say this book is aimed at a younger audience and I think said audience would really enjoy it. Like I said earlier, I feel this book has a lot of potential and hope to see that played out in book two.
2.75/5
PS - This book has a stunning cover! Also, if you've read this I'd love to know your thoughts in the comments below :)
*This book was sent to me by Allen & Unwin in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ME:
Contact: erenabennett@hotmail.com
Instagram: @erenareads & @erena_b
Goodreads: @erenareads
Twitter: @erenareads
YouTube: Erena Reads or click here
Follow my blog with Bloglovin'!
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