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Thaumatology #3
Legacy
All Ceridwyn Brent wants is a normal life, well, as normal as it gets when you are the only living sorceress in the world, your lover is a half-succubus, and you have a werewolf for a mate. Work is keeping her busy enough; she is trying to capitalise on her research with her boss by building a power generator which uses magic to generate electricity, and she has a PhD thesis interview to get through so she can finally be Doctor Brent.
Then mysterious, dark figures are seen watching the Battersea pack, paying particular attention to Ceri. The Greycoats, the supernatural branch of the Metropolitan Police, turn up to talk to Lily because men have been dying, apparently the result of a succubus feeding on them. To make matters worse, Lily is having dreams about the deaths and is starting to believe that she might be responsible. As Lily’s control over her demon side weakens, and it looks as though her father may have returned to Earth, Ceri must face off against the dark magicians pulling their strings from the shadow world under the bright face of London.
As an added extra, included in this book is an unpublished short story, Black Moonlight. Ceri, Lily, and Michael go to a rock concert where Michael’s half-brother is the base player.
Then mysterious, dark figures are seen watching the Battersea pack, paying particular attention to Ceri. The Greycoats, the supernatural branch of the Metropolitan Police, turn up to talk to Lily because men have been dying, apparently the result of a succubus feeding on them. To make matters worse, Lily is having dreams about the deaths and is starting to believe that she might be responsible. As Lily’s control over her demon side weakens, and it looks as though her father may have returned to Earth, Ceri must face off against the dark magicians pulling their strings from the shadow world under the bright face of London.
As an added extra, included in this book is an unpublished short story, Black Moonlight. Ceri, Lily, and Michael go to a rock concert where Michael’s half-brother is the base player.
176 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 21, 2011
60 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Niall Teasdale
73 books292 followersI was born in the vicinity of Hadrian's Wall so perhaps a bit of history rubbed off. Ancient history obviously, and border history, right on the edge of the Empire. I always preferred the Dark Ages anyway; there’s so much more room for imagination when people aren’t writing down every last detail. So my idea of a good fantasy novel involved dirt and leather, not shining plate armour and Hollywood-medieval manners. The same applies to my sci-fi, really; I prefer gritty over shiny.
Oddly, then, one of the first fantasy novels I remember reading was The Dark Is Rising, by Susan Cooper (later made into a terrible juvenile movie). These days we would call Cooper’s series Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy and looking back on it, it influenced me a lot. It has that mix of modern day life, hidden history, and magic which failed to hit popular culture until the early days of Buffy and Anne Rice. Of course, Cooper’s characters spend their time around places I could actually visit in Cornwall, and South East England, and mid-Wales. In fact, when I went to university in Aberystwyth, it was partially because some of Cooper’s books were set a few miles to the north around Tywyn.
I got into writing through roleplaying, however, so my early work was related to the kind of roleplaying game I was interested in. I wrote “high fantasy” when I was playing Dungeons & Dragons. I wrote a lot of superhero fiction when I was playing City of Heroes. I still loved the idea of a modern world with magic in it and I’ve been trying to write a novel based on this for a long time. As with any form of expression, practice is the key and I can look back on all the aborted attempts at books, and the more successful short stories, as steps along the path to the Thaumatology Series.
As of 2015, I have thrown in my lot with writing. After thirty years of being a computer programmer I am making enough money to quit the day job and write full time. Dreams, occasionally, come true. My favourite authors are Terry Pratchett, Susan Cooper, and (recently) Kim Harrison. Kim’s Hollows books were what finally spurred me to publish something, even if the trail to here came by way of Susan, back in school, several decades ago.
Oddly, then, one of the first fantasy novels I remember reading was The Dark Is Rising, by Susan Cooper (later made into a terrible juvenile movie). These days we would call Cooper’s series Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy and looking back on it, it influenced me a lot. It has that mix of modern day life, hidden history, and magic which failed to hit popular culture until the early days of Buffy and Anne Rice. Of course, Cooper’s characters spend their time around places I could actually visit in Cornwall, and South East England, and mid-Wales. In fact, when I went to university in Aberystwyth, it was partially because some of Cooper’s books were set a few miles to the north around Tywyn.
I got into writing through roleplaying, however, so my early work was related to the kind of roleplaying game I was interested in. I wrote “high fantasy” when I was playing Dungeons & Dragons. I wrote a lot of superhero fiction when I was playing City of Heroes. I still loved the idea of a modern world with magic in it and I’ve been trying to write a novel based on this for a long time. As with any form of expression, practice is the key and I can look back on all the aborted attempts at books, and the more successful short stories, as steps along the path to the Thaumatology Series.
As of 2015, I have thrown in my lot with writing. After thirty years of being a computer programmer I am making enough money to quit the day job and write full time. Dreams, occasionally, come true. My favourite authors are Terry Pratchett, Susan Cooper, and (recently) Kim Harrison. Kim’s Hollows books were what finally spurred me to publish something, even if the trail to here came by way of Susan, back in school, several decades ago.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 21, 2012
Originally posted on my blog: http://ufreview.com/2012/07/20/legacy...
I got a copy of Legacy from the Read2Review program on Goodreads, so once again thanks to the author and mods for making this possible. Legacy is book three in the Thaumatology series and had I realized it was the third book in a series I probably wouldn't have signed up to review it as I haven't read the first two. My bad not the author's, there were a lot of references to things that happened in the previous books that I didn't get, not having read them. So before I can recommend this one I would actually recommend reading the first two. To be honest they sounded far more interesting than Legacy was.
I'm not going to rehash the plot because the blurb is long enough and does that just fine. The book really was just ...meh. It had a lot of potential but it ended up being kinda boring. You have a witch/wizard/ practitioner or whatever Ceri is supposed to be in a realtionship with a half-demon succubus and a werewolf. You have lots of references to sex but very little in the way of actual sex. You have the characters waking up exhausted but yeah not much in they way of a description as to how they got that way. So it wasn't much of an erotic novel or romance either for that matter.
The first half of the book read like "a day in the life of..." and I was about half way through the book before the bad guys showed up. The bad guys weren't even that threatening really, I never really got the feeling that anyone was ever in any actual danger, Lily sort of was but it really didn't feel life or death. The big climax wasn't much of a showdown it was more two parties agreeing not to annoy each other, again no real danger.
I liked the werewolf characters and I read tons of books about werewolves but I never really understood what they transformed into, whether it was wolves or some sort of movie half man half wolf creature, but I think that might have been explained in previous books that I unfortunately didn't read. I liked the characters well enough, but again I missed the backstory that was told in the previous books and other than being perpetually horny they were likable enough.
The magical physics kinda got on my nerves and I mostly skimmed over those parts, there weren't many so really no biggie. All in all it was an easy read, but for me it really lacked action.
2.5/5
I got a copy of Legacy from the Read2Review program on Goodreads, so once again thanks to the author and mods for making this possible. Legacy is book three in the Thaumatology series and had I realized it was the third book in a series I probably wouldn't have signed up to review it as I haven't read the first two. My bad not the author's, there were a lot of references to things that happened in the previous books that I didn't get, not having read them. So before I can recommend this one I would actually recommend reading the first two. To be honest they sounded far more interesting than Legacy was.
I'm not going to rehash the plot because the blurb is long enough and does that just fine. The book really was just ...meh. It had a lot of potential but it ended up being kinda boring. You have a witch/wizard/ practitioner or whatever Ceri is supposed to be in a realtionship with a half-demon succubus and a werewolf. You have lots of references to sex but very little in the way of actual sex. You have the characters waking up exhausted but yeah not much in they way of a description as to how they got that way. So it wasn't much of an erotic novel or romance either for that matter.
The first half of the book read like "a day in the life of..." and I was about half way through the book before the bad guys showed up. The bad guys weren't even that threatening really, I never really got the feeling that anyone was ever in any actual danger, Lily sort of was but it really didn't feel life or death. The big climax wasn't much of a showdown it was more two parties agreeing not to annoy each other, again no real danger.
I liked the werewolf characters and I read tons of books about werewolves but I never really understood what they transformed into, whether it was wolves or some sort of movie half man half wolf creature, but I think that might have been explained in previous books that I unfortunately didn't read. I liked the characters well enough, but again I missed the backstory that was told in the previous books and other than being perpetually horny they were likable enough.
The magical physics kinda got on my nerves and I mostly skimmed over those parts, there weren't many so really no biggie. All in all it was an easy read, but for me it really lacked action.
2.5/5
July 24, 2012
Niall Teasdale has a very unique story in his Thaumatology series. He follows a student who is looking to harness magic to generate power for everyday use (electricity type). The story is unique in his scientific explanation of magic and his world where you can get your doctorate in magic studies and practical application.
This story is the third in the series that follows Ceridwyn Brent and her pet demon Lily. In this Ceri finally finishes her doctorate while balancing her pet, her werewolf mate and weird happenings that occur that need her to use her brain and her magic.
These books are well written, they are interesting and they read fast. This book sort of had that filler feeling that wasn't present in the last as not much happened in the way of conflict or resolution (what was present was quickly wrapped up). Mostly, this book, so far, is the most sexual of the three and spent more time on the lesbian relationship behind the two main characters. Again, this type of story line would appeal more to the male reader (more a male fantasy with hot girl on girl action) I believe than the female, although the rest of the story is compelling.
Overall, even though I don't read erotic books (just not my thing), I do like the main story lines and unique magic world Teasdale has created. If it weren't for the endless (and distracting from the main story line) sex, I'd give it 5 stars.
I was given the story for an honest review.
This story is the third in the series that follows Ceridwyn Brent and her pet demon Lily. In this Ceri finally finishes her doctorate while balancing her pet, her werewolf mate and weird happenings that occur that need her to use her brain and her magic.
These books are well written, they are interesting and they read fast. This book sort of had that filler feeling that wasn't present in the last as not much happened in the way of conflict or resolution (what was present was quickly wrapped up). Mostly, this book, so far, is the most sexual of the three and spent more time on the lesbian relationship behind the two main characters. Again, this type of story line would appeal more to the male reader (more a male fantasy with hot girl on girl action) I believe than the female, although the rest of the story is compelling.
Overall, even though I don't read erotic books (just not my thing), I do like the main story lines and unique magic world Teasdale has created. If it weren't for the endless (and distracting from the main story line) sex, I'd give it 5 stars.
I was given the story for an honest review.
April 30, 2014
This one was much better than Demon's Moon. There isn't any action it, but where the story shines is the relationship between Ceri and Lily. Were they bestest of friends before, turning into lovers, turning into a couple that care deeply for eachother and they will go out of their way to keep it that way.
What I liked was the return of the techno babble, which was unfortunatly very absent in Demon's Moon, but I have the feeling Ceri's career in science is taking a backseat as the series will continue.
On the other hand, Ceri's growth as a sorceress is picking up, and it's fun to read that she doesn't rely on her magic skills entirely, she uses her brains too. She reminds me a bit of Meralda Ovis from All the Paths of Shadow, what withh all the science, magic and use of their "Sight" to investigate magic.
The murders were never really resolved, but I'm guessing that and the issue with the Order will still play a role in the next installment.
Indeed, all the references to the sex might get tiresome after a while. And I'm not entirely sure I like all the werewolf stuff, but Ceri and Lily are wonderfull quirky and loveable characters to read about, so I can get past that.
I really like this series.
What I liked was the return of the techno babble, which was unfortunatly very absent in Demon's Moon, but I have the feeling Ceri's career in science is taking a backseat as the series will continue.
On the other hand, Ceri's growth as a sorceress is picking up, and it's fun to read that she doesn't rely on her magic skills entirely, she uses her brains too. She reminds me a bit of Meralda Ovis from All the Paths of Shadow, what withh all the science, magic and use of their "Sight" to investigate magic.
The murders were never really resolved, but I'm guessing that and the issue with the Order will still play a role in the next installment.
Indeed, all the references to the sex might get tiresome after a while. And I'm not entirely sure I like all the werewolf stuff, but Ceri and Lily are wonderfull quirky and loveable characters to read about, so I can get past that.
I really like this series.
August 8, 2012
I was gifted a copy of Legacy through Goodread’s Read to Review (R2R) program. Like another reviewer mentioned, this was the third book in the series. Not having read the first two books, Thaumatology 101 and Demon’s Moon, this book made it difficult to follow. It would have been nice to know this before I agreed to review the material to be fair to the author. I researched the said mentioned books above by clicking on the author’s website link found at the end of the book.
I will say this: I’m not a prude in the least bit, but I did find that the sex scenes deterred from the storyline. I believed the story was more centered around how many different ways and with how many partners the main character, Ceri, could have sex. In my opinion, the character development was lacking because of this. Perhaps had I read the first two, I would have a different opinion.
I will say this: I’m not a prude in the least bit, but I did find that the sex scenes deterred from the storyline. I believed the story was more centered around how many different ways and with how many partners the main character, Ceri, could have sex. In my opinion, the character development was lacking because of this. Perhaps had I read the first two, I would have a different opinion.
November 28, 2020
Back on track and way better than Book# 2.
Life goes on in Hightower house, but things are not quite what they seems. As happy as Lily appears, there is a shadow creeping slowly towards her and her past is revealed. Now Ceri as her friend and lover needs to help her.
Like the first novel in the series this is an awesome novel. This time firmly focused on the relationship between Ceri and Lily and the influence the past can have on someone. For Lily this means dealing with her Demonic half and the effect his has on not only her own life but that of her friends. And for Ciri this means the events of the previous novels as well as her personal history of having her powers locked away and the effect this as on her personality.
In short: More lore, more worldbuilding and character depth in spades.
The Thaumology series on full steam.
(adults only)
Life goes on in Hightower house, but things are not quite what they seems. As happy as Lily appears, there is a shadow creeping slowly towards her and her past is revealed. Now Ceri as her friend and lover needs to help her.
Like the first novel in the series this is an awesome novel. This time firmly focused on the relationship between Ceri and Lily and the influence the past can have on someone. For Lily this means dealing with her Demonic half and the effect his has on not only her own life but that of her friends. And for Ciri this means the events of the previous novels as well as her personal history of having her powers locked away and the effect this as on her personality.
In short: More lore, more worldbuilding and character depth in spades.
The Thaumology series on full steam.
(adults only)
February 10, 2016
Rating - 4.5
I received this book to review and once I realized that it was the third book in the series I bought the other two (I'm kinda anal like that). I have really enjoyed this series and I hope there are more books. I love the characters and would love to "hang" with them some more. Ceri is very powerful but humble and kicks ass, whereas Lily is a half succubus and not so humble but she hates her demon side. Twill is a fairy that takes care of the "Haunted House" that they live in, it's enchanted with an illusion to look haunted and I so want to live there.
I do suggest that you read the first two books before this one just to understand some of the references but it isn't necessary.
I received this book to review and once I realized that it was the third book in the series I bought the other two (I'm kinda anal like that). I have really enjoyed this series and I hope there are more books. I love the characters and would love to "hang" with them some more. Ceri is very powerful but humble and kicks ass, whereas Lily is a half succubus and not so humble but she hates her demon side. Twill is a fairy that takes care of the "Haunted House" that they live in, it's enchanted with an illusion to look haunted and I so want to live there.
I do suggest that you read the first two books before this one just to understand some of the references but it isn't necessary.
February 17, 2014
No climactic battle in this one. Almost a slice of life for Ceri and Lily with a bit of conspiracy thrown in for good measure.
On a personal note,
On a personal note,
October 31, 2014
This is one of the series i re-read every few months or whenever there is a new book. I love the take on the combination of Science and Magic. The real strength of the series is the main characters, and the great supporting characters. I highly suggest you try the series.
Want to read
August 21, 2012I can't seem to get into this book... *sigh* I gotta come back to it soon..
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews