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The Barefoot Healer #1
Death & Magic
When apprentice wizard Adramal moves to a new school to complete her training, she discovers that several ritual murders have been committed by magic, threatening the fabric of the world. The evidence points to the killer being one of Adramal’s teachers, and the City Watch recruit her to go undercover to unmask the murderer. Can she find what she needs before the killer strikes again or - worse - without blowing her cover and putting her own life in danger?
- GenresFantasy
Nook
First published July 1, 2011
2 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Steven J. Pemberton
16 books49 followersSteven was born in England in 1970, the son of a librarian and a teacher. It was probably inevitable, therefore, that he would grow up loving books. For much of his childhood, he and his family lived in New Zealand, returning to England in 1981. He now lives in Lancashire with his partner, where he works as a software developer.
If you'd like to be the first to know about new releases, you can join Steven's mailing list at http://eepurl.com/_5EDX (Subscribers get an exclusive free short story!)
If you'd like to be the first to know about new releases, you can join Steven's mailing list at http://eepurl.com/_5EDX (Subscribers get an exclusive free short story!)
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 2, 2011
Wow!! The world and atmosphere that Steven has created is beyond words. Languages, races, villages, cities and characters all created into a world that is like no other. The bonus material found on Steven’s website is amazing and well worth having a look at. The structures and overall picture helps put everything into place that is detailed within the book.
Adramal is a seventeen year old wizard. She was living with her Father and also being tutored by her Father who is an infamous wizard. Because of his high expectations of Adramal, the council decided to send her to another wizard school 700 miles away. Everything that Adramal had known her entire life is being changed and partly not for the better.
It takes Adramal a month (or two fortnights) to get within 10 miles of this new wizard school, only to be arrested on murder charges. Of course she is wrongly accused as Adramal had just arrived in the City. Once the charges were dropped, she headed off and found herself in a small village where she had healed young man. Once there, Adramal was offered the job of Village Healer, which she accepted. Soon she was overwhelmed with patients and a letter arrived inviting her to the Wizard school for testing. She had to accept, this was her reason for travelling so far. Before leaving, she received a summons from the Investigator of the murders in the City. He has asked for her help and will pay her way at school in return. Adramal was not sure she really wanted to become a spy, but she could not afford to pay her tuition.
Adramal is accepted into the school. She is ridiculed because of her upbringing and called names. She befriends a fifteen year old boy and together they try to solve some of the mysteries that are going on around the school. Perinar also helps her cope and to fit into the daily routine. Adramal cannot confide in him her real reasons for being at the school and she becomes riddled with guilt. The quest that Adramal undertakes is a dangerous one, but she finds courage to do what is necessary. Adramal is determined to get to the bottom of the murders, no matter the cost.
This book is full of action, murder, intrigue, suspense and even young love. It has it all and reminds me of Maria V Snyder’s Study series. It is truly an adventurous and amazing book that everybody should read. Death and Magic is the first in a four part series, the next being Plague and Poison. This book is highly recommended to all.
Adramal is a seventeen year old wizard. She was living with her Father and also being tutored by her Father who is an infamous wizard. Because of his high expectations of Adramal, the council decided to send her to another wizard school 700 miles away. Everything that Adramal had known her entire life is being changed and partly not for the better.
It takes Adramal a month (or two fortnights) to get within 10 miles of this new wizard school, only to be arrested on murder charges. Of course she is wrongly accused as Adramal had just arrived in the City. Once the charges were dropped, she headed off and found herself in a small village where she had healed young man. Once there, Adramal was offered the job of Village Healer, which she accepted. Soon she was overwhelmed with patients and a letter arrived inviting her to the Wizard school for testing. She had to accept, this was her reason for travelling so far. Before leaving, she received a summons from the Investigator of the murders in the City. He has asked for her help and will pay her way at school in return. Adramal was not sure she really wanted to become a spy, but she could not afford to pay her tuition.
Adramal is accepted into the school. She is ridiculed because of her upbringing and called names. She befriends a fifteen year old boy and together they try to solve some of the mysteries that are going on around the school. Perinar also helps her cope and to fit into the daily routine. Adramal cannot confide in him her real reasons for being at the school and she becomes riddled with guilt. The quest that Adramal undertakes is a dangerous one, but she finds courage to do what is necessary. Adramal is determined to get to the bottom of the murders, no matter the cost.
This book is full of action, murder, intrigue, suspense and even young love. It has it all and reminds me of Maria V Snyder’s Study series. It is truly an adventurous and amazing book that everybody should read. Death and Magic is the first in a four part series, the next being Plague and Poison. This book is highly recommended to all.
October 29, 2011
A murder mystery in a set in a magical world, this book does indeed revolve around the elements of its title. But it also focuses on Adramal, a young woman who leaves her home town to escape a difficult relationship with her father, and finds herself embroiled in events far beyond her understanding as she also has to deal with more typical teenage concerns like bullying and first romance. There are hints at a great deal of epic history, and I hope more of this will come out in the sequel. Overall, a great read, and I'm looking forwards to more.
July 26, 2012
Sorry it took so long for my review. But great job. The only reason I can't rate it 5 stars is because some character emotions could be better expressed. The writing you used to convey emotion was, by no means, bad. But I tend to get annoyed when writers say things like "Hope rolled over her like clouds gathering before a storm." Sorry if I messed up the quote--I remembered that one, cause I really like it. I liked your imagery, mind. But a pet peeve of mine is when writers use things like that to describe emotions. What does hope feel like? You know? Just a pet peeve of mine, nothing personal. But, overall, great read. I will continue the series :)
December 3, 2011
I've been a long time in getting to this review, so forgive me if I'm a bit unclear at parts. :)
Death & Magic is a blend between fantasy and mystery - so if you love one or both, this is a great book for you. It follows the story of our easily relatable protagonist Adramal, an apprentice wizard and healer.
Couldn't put it down - I read the whole thing in one sitting! Congratulations to Mr. Pemberton for his great writing. ^_^ I will be awaiting the sequel.
Death & Magic is a blend between fantasy and mystery - so if you love one or both, this is a great book for you. It follows the story of our easily relatable protagonist Adramal, an apprentice wizard and healer.
Couldn't put it down - I read the whole thing in one sitting! Congratulations to Mr. Pemberton for his great writing. ^_^ I will be awaiting the sequel.
February 21, 2012
Apprentice wizard Adramal, daughter of a well-known wizard, is shipped off to a new magic academy, where her father won't hamper her magical growth. On her way, she finds herself involved in a murder investigation. The authorities believe a wizard has committed the murders -- something wizards are sworn against.
Part fantasy, part murder mystery, "Death & Magic" is an enjoyable read.
Part fantasy, part murder mystery, "Death & Magic" is an enjoyable read.
March 19, 2013
Steven manages to convincingly pull you into an intricate world filled with magic, secrets, murders and lies. Within the first few pages I was already immersed into Adramal's world, and dragged into the inner workings of her mind with the help of Lelsarin, a strange girl like creature whose existence is shrouded in even more mystery the further the story goes.
Everything in the story is there for a reason, and Adramal is thrown into the very middle of Kyer Altamar's problems - the murders! After proving her innocence, she is then enlisted to go undercover at her new school - Kyturil, the Wizard's school - in order to find out which of her teachers, if any, may have committed the murders. With the help of Perinar, the quiet, shy librarian dubbed 'Inkstain', Adramal must sneak, lie and bribe her way closer to the answer, only for her world to then be turned quite literally upside down.
This story kept me guessing, and I didn't know the identity of the murderer until the very end. Every other chapter I was second guessing myself and accusing a different character based on the evidence in front of me. The subtle foreshadows and detail is what makes this story, and it's only when re-reading that I noticed subtle little things which before I had overlooked, or some information which back then hadn't clicked in my mind. Each character has its own charm and personality which becomes endearing, and even a few characters that you want to punch :D. I love the fact that this story isn't all 'doom and gloom' and 'super serious' like some stories I have read, but actually has a few funny moments that made me laugh out loud, intended or not. Because of this, the serious bits were emphasized.
The only thing I wanted to see more of was Perinar: - he is such an amazing little character and I often felt like he was holding stuff back, or that he wasn't being completely himself. I wish I could've seen more of him, either blossoming into a full blown individual, or interacting outside of Adramal. The ending was also heartbreaking, and some part of me wishes there had been a different ending, but all in the same sense, I understand why this had to come to pass.
All in all, I loved this book and cannot wait to read the others.
Everything in the story is there for a reason, and Adramal is thrown into the very middle of Kyer Altamar's problems - the murders! After proving her innocence, she is then enlisted to go undercover at her new school - Kyturil, the Wizard's school - in order to find out which of her teachers, if any, may have committed the murders. With the help of Perinar, the quiet, shy librarian dubbed 'Inkstain', Adramal must sneak, lie and bribe her way closer to the answer, only for her world to then be turned quite literally upside down.
This story kept me guessing, and I didn't know the identity of the murderer until the very end. Every other chapter I was second guessing myself and accusing a different character based on the evidence in front of me. The subtle foreshadows and detail is what makes this story, and it's only when re-reading that I noticed subtle little things which before I had overlooked, or some information which back then hadn't clicked in my mind. Each character has its own charm and personality which becomes endearing, and even a few characters that you want to punch :D. I love the fact that this story isn't all 'doom and gloom' and 'super serious' like some stories I have read, but actually has a few funny moments that made me laugh out loud, intended or not. Because of this, the serious bits were emphasized.
The only thing I wanted to see more of was Perinar: - he is such an amazing little character and I often felt like he was holding stuff back, or that he wasn't being completely himself. I wish I could've seen more of him, either blossoming into a full blown individual, or interacting outside of Adramal. The ending was also heartbreaking, and some part of me wishes there had been a different ending, but all in the same sense, I understand why this had to come to pass.
All in all, I loved this book and cannot wait to read the others.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews