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Card Mage #1
Card Mage: Slumdog Deckbuilder
“This is the kind of card game story I’ve wanted to read for a long time…" Will Wight, author of Cradle
Build your deck. Prepare for battle. Change the world.
Born in the slums of Domstadt, City of Cards, Hick has known only poverty. The only way to make life better for himself and his family is to play the magical card game that is the lifeblood of the city; earn new cards, learn how to use them, build deeper bonds with the folkloric monsters contained within.
Hick’s dreams are shattered, however, when he is targetted by the religious fanatics who run the city, and is forced to compete in the secret, high-stakes world of the underground card circuit. Hick must struggle to keep his identity secret as he builds his deck, unlocks the power of the cards, and takes his first steps toward becoming a legendary card player.
Build your deck. Prepare for battle. Change the world.
Born in the slums of Domstadt, City of Cards, Hick has known only poverty. The only way to make life better for himself and his family is to play the magical card game that is the lifeblood of the city; earn new cards, learn how to use them, build deeper bonds with the folkloric monsters contained within.
Hick’s dreams are shattered, however, when he is targetted by the religious fanatics who run the city, and is forced to compete in the secret, high-stakes world of the underground card circuit. Hick must struggle to keep his identity secret as he builds his deck, unlocks the power of the cards, and takes his first steps toward becoming a legendary card player.
497 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2023
370 people are currently reading
390 people want to read
About the author
Benedict Patrick
20 books386 followersBenedict Patrick is from a small town in Northern Ireland called Banbridge, but has been living and working in Scotland since he moved there at the age of eighteen. Tragically, that was quite a while ago.
He has been writing for most of his life, and has been reading for pretty much all of it (with help from mum and dad at the beginning). Benedict's life changed when a substitute primary school teacher read his class part of The Hobbit and later loaned him the book – he fell in love with the fantasy genre and never looked back.
They Mostly Come Out At Night is his debut novel, and is the first novel in The Yarnsworld series.
Try out some free Yarnsworld stories by signing up to the mailing list: http://eepurl.com/b4UNHj
He has been writing for most of his life, and has been reading for pretty much all of it (with help from mum and dad at the beginning). Benedict's life changed when a substitute primary school teacher read his class part of The Hobbit and later loaned him the book – he fell in love with the fantasy genre and never looked back.
They Mostly Come Out At Night is his debut novel, and is the first novel in The Yarnsworld series.
Try out some free Yarnsworld stories by signing up to the mailing list: http://eepurl.com/b4UNHj
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
July 30, 2023
This review was originally posted on Before We Go Blog
Let me just start this review off by saying that as someone who is not a fan of made-up games in their fantasy stories, I honestly don’t know why I was so drawn to this book. It really should not have worked for me, on so many levels, and yet it did.
Magical card games, folkloric monsters, religious fanatics, hidden identities, inexplicable powers, and semi-reluctant found family vibes… Card Mage: Slumdog Deckbuilder has it all!
In Domstadt, the City of Cards, playing the magical card game and possessing highly coveted cards is the only way to survive. All his life, Hick has been dead-set on becoming a great cardplayer to crawl his way out of the slums and rise into the city proper. But 4 years ago, his mother suddenly disappeared after going to compete in the upper city, leaving his family with only one measly card to make ends meet. And to make matters worse, a couple of religious fanatics have now set their eyes upon him and he ends up losing that very last card.
In order to keep his family alive, he is now forced to go undercover in the criminal underground card circuit armed with nothing but his sharp wit and a peculiar card from a mysterious benefactor. He will do anything to protect those he loves and to find out what happened to his mom, though he quickly realises that he may not have been prepared for the hidden truths that he will discover along the way.
Now, the story opens with Hick watching one of these card games, and I don't think I've ever been hooked faster onto a story than in this case. I could see how some people might find this opening to feel like a bit of an info-dump, but I personally really appreciated that we are immediately introduced to all the ins and outs of the game that becomes such an integral part of the plot later on. Also, the magical card game is just undeniably cool, with all of the creatures/spells on the cards literally coming to life on the board, so I thought it was a great hook to start the book off with.
I’ll admit that Hick’s strong first person narration threw me off a bit at the very start, but I personally warmed up very quickly to his character voice. He’s only 17 years old, but living in the slums and being the sole provider for his family since his mom disappeared has forced him to grow up fast.
There are moments where he acts very level-headed, mature and responsible, and other (slightly frustrating) moments where he acts a bit more juvenile and lets his emotions get the better of him, as is really only natural for a hormonal teenager. Overall, I think Patrick did a really great job of writing a believable and sympathetic younger protagonist who you can root for, even if you want to punch him in the face sometimes.
I was also pleasantly surprised by how well-developed all the side characters were and I loved exploring all the complicated character dynamics. In order to compete in the tournaments, Hick has to assemble a gang of card owners to round out the card deck they can play with. And slowly but surely, there starts to develop an almost reluctant kind of found family dynamic that I was SO here for. Especially the strong bond with his best friend Gunne warmed my heart though, and I just absolutely loved her spunk.
I also really liked the quieter moments that we spend with Hick’s own family, where we get to really understand what he is fighting so hard for. He acts all tough and gritty, but it doesn’t take long to realise that he’s a very loyal and protective guy with an incredibly big heart. I wasn’t expecting to get so emotionally invested in all of these characters, but by the end I was just cheering, crying, laughing and gasping right alongside them all.
It honestly boggles my mind how quickly Patrick managed to pull me into the story and how much he managed to pack into this relatively short fantasy book without anything feeling underdeveloped. His rich and imaginative world building is without a doubt the highlight of the story here and I loved the sense of atmosphere that he established and maintained throughout the entire novel. The grimy, criminal underbelly of the Slums with all its dark alleyways and dilapidated game arenas was weirdly alluring in a way, and I loved being immersed in that dark setting.
This world feels well-established and lived-in, yet there is also still a lot of mystery and intrigue embedded within the world building. The intriguing pieces of lore and tantalising implications about the magic kept me glued to the page and had me theorising all the way through.
And speaking of magic, I absolutely loved all the magical card games that we get to experience (yes, experience!) here. I am not a visual reader at all, but I loved how Patrick managed to make all of the card games completely come to life before my eyes because of his cinematic and vivid writing style. The build-up of tension is very satisfying and the stakes are proven to be very high from the get-go, so that got my heartrate up very quickly in some scenes.
I also loved that the game feels well-developed with its distinct rules and regulations, yet it quickly becomes clear that our characters only know so much and that there is still a lot more to discover. We get surprising displays of power, never before seen cards, mysterious benefactors, and enthralling hints about the wider world that’s just waiting to be explored.
Needless to say, I had a blast reading this book and I absolutely can’t wait for more. This is the very first book by Benedict Patrick that I’ve read, and it most certainly won’t be the last.
Card Mage: Slumdog Deckbuilder is a fast-paced and gripping story filled with vibrant characters, rich and imaginative world building, thrilling action scenes, atmospheric settings, and incredibly captivating layers of intrigue and mystery. If you like unpredictable stories that allow you to theorise and search for hidden breadcrumbs along the way, then I can’t recommend this book highly enough.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Let me just start this review off by saying that as someone who is not a fan of made-up games in their fantasy stories, I honestly don’t know why I was so drawn to this book. It really should not have worked for me, on so many levels, and yet it did.
Magical card games, folkloric monsters, religious fanatics, hidden identities, inexplicable powers, and semi-reluctant found family vibes… Card Mage: Slumdog Deckbuilder has it all!
In Domstadt, the City of Cards, playing the magical card game and possessing highly coveted cards is the only way to survive. All his life, Hick has been dead-set on becoming a great cardplayer to crawl his way out of the slums and rise into the city proper. But 4 years ago, his mother suddenly disappeared after going to compete in the upper city, leaving his family with only one measly card to make ends meet. And to make matters worse, a couple of religious fanatics have now set their eyes upon him and he ends up losing that very last card.
In order to keep his family alive, he is now forced to go undercover in the criminal underground card circuit armed with nothing but his sharp wit and a peculiar card from a mysterious benefactor. He will do anything to protect those he loves and to find out what happened to his mom, though he quickly realises that he may not have been prepared for the hidden truths that he will discover along the way.
Now, the story opens with Hick watching one of these card games, and I don't think I've ever been hooked faster onto a story than in this case. I could see how some people might find this opening to feel like a bit of an info-dump, but I personally really appreciated that we are immediately introduced to all the ins and outs of the game that becomes such an integral part of the plot later on. Also, the magical card game is just undeniably cool, with all of the creatures/spells on the cards literally coming to life on the board, so I thought it was a great hook to start the book off with.
I’ll admit that Hick’s strong first person narration threw me off a bit at the very start, but I personally warmed up very quickly to his character voice. He’s only 17 years old, but living in the slums and being the sole provider for his family since his mom disappeared has forced him to grow up fast.
There are moments where he acts very level-headed, mature and responsible, and other (slightly frustrating) moments where he acts a bit more juvenile and lets his emotions get the better of him, as is really only natural for a hormonal teenager. Overall, I think Patrick did a really great job of writing a believable and sympathetic younger protagonist who you can root for, even if you want to punch him in the face sometimes.
I was also pleasantly surprised by how well-developed all the side characters were and I loved exploring all the complicated character dynamics. In order to compete in the tournaments, Hick has to assemble a gang of card owners to round out the card deck they can play with. And slowly but surely, there starts to develop an almost reluctant kind of found family dynamic that I was SO here for. Especially the strong bond with his best friend Gunne warmed my heart though, and I just absolutely loved her spunk.
I also really liked the quieter moments that we spend with Hick’s own family, where we get to really understand what he is fighting so hard for. He acts all tough and gritty, but it doesn’t take long to realise that he’s a very loyal and protective guy with an incredibly big heart. I wasn’t expecting to get so emotionally invested in all of these characters, but by the end I was just cheering, crying, laughing and gasping right alongside them all.
It honestly boggles my mind how quickly Patrick managed to pull me into the story and how much he managed to pack into this relatively short fantasy book without anything feeling underdeveloped. His rich and imaginative world building is without a doubt the highlight of the story here and I loved the sense of atmosphere that he established and maintained throughout the entire novel. The grimy, criminal underbelly of the Slums with all its dark alleyways and dilapidated game arenas was weirdly alluring in a way, and I loved being immersed in that dark setting.
This world feels well-established and lived-in, yet there is also still a lot of mystery and intrigue embedded within the world building. The intriguing pieces of lore and tantalising implications about the magic kept me glued to the page and had me theorising all the way through.
And speaking of magic, I absolutely loved all the magical card games that we get to experience (yes, experience!) here. I am not a visual reader at all, but I loved how Patrick managed to make all of the card games completely come to life before my eyes because of his cinematic and vivid writing style. The build-up of tension is very satisfying and the stakes are proven to be very high from the get-go, so that got my heartrate up very quickly in some scenes.
I also loved that the game feels well-developed with its distinct rules and regulations, yet it quickly becomes clear that our characters only know so much and that there is still a lot more to discover. We get surprising displays of power, never before seen cards, mysterious benefactors, and enthralling hints about the wider world that’s just waiting to be explored.
Needless to say, I had a blast reading this book and I absolutely can’t wait for more. This is the very first book by Benedict Patrick that I’ve read, and it most certainly won’t be the last.
Card Mage: Slumdog Deckbuilder is a fast-paced and gripping story filled with vibrant characters, rich and imaginative world building, thrilling action scenes, atmospheric settings, and incredibly captivating layers of intrigue and mystery. If you like unpredictable stories that allow you to theorise and search for hidden breadcrumbs along the way, then I can’t recommend this book highly enough.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
August 10, 2023
Review originally on JamReads
Card Mage: Slumdog Deckbuilder is the first book in the progression fantasy series Card Mage, written by Benedict Patrick. Let me start the review by saying that I've played my fair share of card games (mostly Gwent and Magic: The Gathering), so the idea of fantasy revolving around card combats immediately hooked me; and while I'm not a big fan of the progression genre, I found it captivating, as the story was quite interesting and full of emotion.
In Domstadt, City of Cards, playing the card game and possessing a high valued one is a way to survive. Hick has always been fascinated by the game, wanting to become a great card-player, so he can finally abandon the slums and ascend into the city. But after his mother's disappearance four years ago, the only card his family possesses is a mere Will O'Wisp, a weak one that his father uses to get some extra income to maintain the family. And after some religious fanatics target his family and steal them the last card they possess, there aren't many options.
Not all is lost, as a mysterious benefactor gives Hick a new card, a card that nobody has seen in the slums before. With it, he might get enough money to help his family and even information about his mother, who seems to be related to the church; and with the help of some friends, he enters in the underground circuit, forming a gang to play the game, putting himself in risk with the hopes of finally progressing in the card game, and subsequently in the city, winning duels.
With this premise, we have a compelling story that touches themes such as found family, the tension of playing with big stakes, and the intolerance and racism between social classes, reflected on how the slum people are treated.
The story is told from Hick's perspective, who has a really strong voice, but making you oscillate between the cheering and the frustration, as while he's a brilliant player, he also takes decisions that can be perceived as stupid; in reality, it's what you can expect from a 17 years-old.
The secondary characters play an excellent role complement Hick's actions, and sometimes, representing certain extremes, and forcing the plot to advance, outside of the card games.
Talking about the magic system, it plays an important role, and I have to say that Patrick has pretty much nailed two aspects: the tension of playing with big stakes, and the card game itself is really smart in design terms. It's difficult to portray how a player can feel when a stake is there, and Patrick was quite good at reflecting how that tension, that pressure can influence in your decisions.
The card game itself, at least what is seen in this first book, has a quite smart design, balancing well the advantage of going first/second, bringing creatures to life, something that makes the duels really vivid. Personally, the lack of cards that allow you to draw other cards is brilliant, as these kind of cards (cantrips) tend to end being problematic, and I cannot imagine how valuable those would have been. I hope that in the next books we get other players that, like Hick, can potentiate certain cards. Even if the set of cards we have seen in this book is quite vanilla, it is well crafted.
Card Mage: Slumdog Deckbuilder is a great progression novel, perfect for people that like this genre, and also I would recommend it to card players, because it makes an excellent job at portraying duels. Patrick has written an excellent book, and I can't wait to see more adventures of Hick around Domstadt.
Card Mage: Slumdog Deckbuilder is the first book in the progression fantasy series Card Mage, written by Benedict Patrick. Let me start the review by saying that I've played my fair share of card games (mostly Gwent and Magic: The Gathering), so the idea of fantasy revolving around card combats immediately hooked me; and while I'm not a big fan of the progression genre, I found it captivating, as the story was quite interesting and full of emotion.
In Domstadt, City of Cards, playing the card game and possessing a high valued one is a way to survive. Hick has always been fascinated by the game, wanting to become a great card-player, so he can finally abandon the slums and ascend into the city. But after his mother's disappearance four years ago, the only card his family possesses is a mere Will O'Wisp, a weak one that his father uses to get some extra income to maintain the family. And after some religious fanatics target his family and steal them the last card they possess, there aren't many options.
Not all is lost, as a mysterious benefactor gives Hick a new card, a card that nobody has seen in the slums before. With it, he might get enough money to help his family and even information about his mother, who seems to be related to the church; and with the help of some friends, he enters in the underground circuit, forming a gang to play the game, putting himself in risk with the hopes of finally progressing in the card game, and subsequently in the city, winning duels.
With this premise, we have a compelling story that touches themes such as found family, the tension of playing with big stakes, and the intolerance and racism between social classes, reflected on how the slum people are treated.
The story is told from Hick's perspective, who has a really strong voice, but making you oscillate between the cheering and the frustration, as while he's a brilliant player, he also takes decisions that can be perceived as stupid; in reality, it's what you can expect from a 17 years-old.
The secondary characters play an excellent role complement Hick's actions, and sometimes, representing certain extremes, and forcing the plot to advance, outside of the card games.
Talking about the magic system, it plays an important role, and I have to say that Patrick has pretty much nailed two aspects: the tension of playing with big stakes, and the card game itself is really smart in design terms. It's difficult to portray how a player can feel when a stake is there, and Patrick was quite good at reflecting how that tension, that pressure can influence in your decisions.
The card game itself, at least what is seen in this first book, has a quite smart design, balancing well the advantage of going first/second, bringing creatures to life, something that makes the duels really vivid. Personally, the lack of cards that allow you to draw other cards is brilliant, as these kind of cards (cantrips) tend to end being problematic, and I cannot imagine how valuable those would have been. I hope that in the next books we get other players that, like Hick, can potentiate certain cards. Even if the set of cards we have seen in this book is quite vanilla, it is well crafted.
Card Mage: Slumdog Deckbuilder is a great progression novel, perfect for people that like this genre, and also I would recommend it to card players, because it makes an excellent job at portraying duels. Patrick has written an excellent book, and I can't wait to see more adventures of Hick around Domstadt.
November 18, 2023
The Domstadt slums are a dismal place to live. There aren't many options for work and most people are desperate. The hope that most people have to get out however are cards. These aren't everyday playing cards, they are magical and powerful. Win enough games, earn enough money, build a full deck, and a person can escape the slums forever. That's the dream Hick and his family had, until his Mom did just that and never returned. Now Hick's Dad is left with one mediocre card to earn money for the family. Hick wants more for himself and his family though. When he and his father run a foul of a Magefinder, she warns them to never play cards again. Shortly afterwards, Hick finds himself in an unexpected situation where he is forced to play in underground card games to earn money for his family.
Card Mage was an ok story. It started off solidly. We meet Hick, learn about his family, and the Slums where they all live. Their family is poor and Hick helps out by caring for his siblings while his Dad plays card games. I kept expecting more. I hoped for more characterization or explanation of the magical events taking place. I would've been happy with better descriptions of the characters looks, but that was sparse at best. Instead the story provided more poverty and more cards. We get brief glimpses into how Domstadt was formed, but that was largely unsatisfying.
Personally I have no love for card games of any sort so the cards aspects weren't particularly appealing to me. Perhaps a passionate card player would enjoy this more. I get the impression it is somewhat like Magic the Gathering, but I've honestly never played that so I can only speculate.
Card Mage felt like it could have been more interesting, but that promise went unfulfilled in my eyes. I'm not intrigued enough to read the next book in the series whenever it continues.
2.5 out of 5 stars
Card Mage was an ok story. It started off solidly. We meet Hick, learn about his family, and the Slums where they all live. Their family is poor and Hick helps out by caring for his siblings while his Dad plays card games. I kept expecting more. I hoped for more characterization or explanation of the magical events taking place. I would've been happy with better descriptions of the characters looks, but that was sparse at best. Instead the story provided more poverty and more cards. We get brief glimpses into how Domstadt was formed, but that was largely unsatisfying.
Personally I have no love for card games of any sort so the cards aspects weren't particularly appealing to me. Perhaps a passionate card player would enjoy this more. I get the impression it is somewhat like Magic the Gathering, but I've honestly never played that so I can only speculate.
Card Mage felt like it could have been more interesting, but that promise went unfulfilled in my eyes. I'm not intrigued enough to read the next book in the series whenever it continues.
2.5 out of 5 stars
August 11, 2023
2.75/5
DNF at 50%
Intriguing characters with depth, clear writing but sadly the magic system / Deckbuilding didn't hold my attention enough to continue with the story
I was hooked right away at the beginning. Not only MC, all the characters were well rounded and unique which is pretty rare in this genre, world building was fine and the writing was well done too.
But...
The Magic system, it just threw me off. Its just... There's nothing unique about it or anything. The monsters/spell in the decks are very common and everybody has the same set and it's just that how they play the games... It's just not IT (Maybe All the Skills and Summoner Awakens spoiled me a bit). There's no tension or surprises or strategic thinking. It was pretty bland for me.
And Hey.... It's just my personal preference, if you want to read a fantasy book with fleshed characters and good World building and not care about the magic system then you might enjoy it a lot more than I did.
DNF at 50%
Intriguing characters with depth, clear writing but sadly the magic system / Deckbuilding didn't hold my attention enough to continue with the story
I was hooked right away at the beginning. Not only MC, all the characters were well rounded and unique which is pretty rare in this genre, world building was fine and the writing was well done too.
But...
The Magic system, it just threw me off. Its just... There's nothing unique about it or anything. The monsters/spell in the decks are very common and everybody has the same set and it's just that how they play the games... It's just not IT (Maybe All the Skills and Summoner Awakens spoiled me a bit). There's no tension or surprises or strategic thinking. It was pretty bland for me.
And Hey.... It's just my personal preference, if you want to read a fantasy book with fleshed characters and good World building and not care about the magic system then you might enjoy it a lot more than I did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
August 1, 2023As usual, since this is my own actual book, I'm not going to include any ratings, but I wanted to let people know that Card Mage hit Amazon's shelves today.
It felt like a career peak to get to combine my loves of folklore and card games in this story, and can't wait to hear what readers think of Hick and his friends' adventures in the City of Cards!
It felt like a career peak to get to combine my loves of folklore and card games in this story, and can't wait to hear what readers think of Hick and his friends' adventures in the City of Cards!
March 9, 2024
Review to come closer to the publication date (or after).
May 1, 2024
What an amazing book! The best of his books so far, and I've read and loved them all... All the stars, cannot wait for the second book!
August 3, 2023
Book one
Even though this isn't listed as part of a series, enough threads are left to dangle at the end that it can be.
I found what might or might not be two mistakes in this book. Could just be the characters way of talking. Either way I will list them on Goodreads.
If I must pick something to complain about with the book I would have to go with the MC being to nice.
It's an interesting story and I look forward to coming back to this world for a book two.
9/10
Even though this isn't listed as part of a series, enough threads are left to dangle at the end that it can be.
I found what might or might not be two mistakes in this book. Could just be the characters way of talking. Either way I will list them on Goodreads.
If I must pick something to complain about with the book I would have to go with the MC being to nice.
It's an interesting story and I look forward to coming back to this world for a book two.
9/10
May 18, 2024
I struggled to get into this from the jump and ended up dropping at the 30% mark.
I think this might be a good story for the right reader. Amazon doesn't show a demographic for reading age on the book details, but it felt targeted to middle grades. The characters were a bit too simple for my tastes, and there were a few too many suspensions of disbelief required. I tried to wave it away because it's a magic world, but it just didn't work (especially a particular altercation in an alley).
The large amount of info dumping during early chapters combined with my pet peeve of a character who calls the other person by name every other sentence just made this a losing proposition.
On the positive side, I thought the actual card battling was interesting and well-done. I've never been really huge into Trading Card Games, but I played some Magic: The Gathering for maybe a year or so. I was impressed with how the card game mechanics were incorporated into a fantasy world, and the play-by-play of the card battles was fantastic.
Ultimately, the battles were too few and far between relative to spending time with the characters who annoyed me. Pretty much every decision the MC made in the story made me question his intelligence. So I had to call it quits.
I guess if you know what you're getting into, a fun YA with solid card battler mechanics, you might enjoy this more than I did.
I think this might be a good story for the right reader. Amazon doesn't show a demographic for reading age on the book details, but it felt targeted to middle grades. The characters were a bit too simple for my tastes, and there were a few too many suspensions of disbelief required. I tried to wave it away because it's a magic world, but it just didn't work (especially a particular altercation in an alley).
The large amount of info dumping during early chapters combined with my pet peeve of a character who calls the other person by name every other sentence just made this a losing proposition.
On the positive side, I thought the actual card battling was interesting and well-done. I've never been really huge into Trading Card Games, but I played some Magic: The Gathering for maybe a year or so. I was impressed with how the card game mechanics were incorporated into a fantasy world, and the play-by-play of the card battles was fantastic.
Ultimately, the battles were too few and far between relative to spending time with the characters who annoyed me. Pretty much every decision the MC made in the story made me question his intelligence. So I had to call it quits.
I guess if you know what you're getting into, a fun YA with solid card battler mechanics, you might enjoy this more than I did.
July 24, 2023
I know the author of this book and do some proofreading for him. My review is still 100% honest and not biased. (TBH, I would probably not proofread books I don't enjoy, so there is that as well.)
A book about a card game. That sounds pretty light-hearted, yes? We play, it's fun times. Yes, well, no. In this, playing some monster summoning card game is one of the few ways the inhabitants of the city-sized slums have a chance of making a better life for themselves. Owning a card, even a weak one, is a giant thing. But here people need to team up to have a full deck and be able to play.
Hick dreams of doing exactly that; slowly buying cards, winning games, eventually helping his dad and his younger siblings move on from poverty.
And that is pretty much what I can say without spoiling half the book.
The thing about Benedict Patrick is that he will wreck you. When something bad happens, it actually happens. When the characters have to make hard decisions, there won't be some convenient way out. So even if you feel this book can't be THAT serious... yes, well, it is.
Don't get me wrong, the book is dynamic, it has action, it has so much suspense it's unreal, but you will be constantly reminded of the weight of the things.
The lore of this is insane too. I don't know how many books there will be, but there are so many interesting things about the world we have to learn. (Trust me, I have made a whole list of questions and theories I have. I wonder how right I will be about things.)
At this point, a lot of the story was the personal struggle of Hick, his first steps on the road he chose for himself. Or the one he was given. But there are hints, some more subtle than others, about a lot of other people with agendas that are far more sinister.
But trust me. Nothing about this is a coincidence. You know how some books have this undefined lore about them, just so the world feels deeper, but we never actually find out anything real? Just namedropping. This one will not be like that. I guarantee it.
Very specific thing I have to say; if you like the pure child sidekick character, you will love one of Hick's friends. We get some really precious children like that and that is why I am always extra nervous about his books. Because we need to protect them.
All in all, an unusual premise, impeccable mood and setting, action all the way, you just know it will get even better. I definitely recommend it to everyone, eeven if you don't play any of those monster card games. The rules are explained well and the story is chef's kiss.
A book about a card game. That sounds pretty light-hearted, yes? We play, it's fun times. Yes, well, no. In this, playing some monster summoning card game is one of the few ways the inhabitants of the city-sized slums have a chance of making a better life for themselves. Owning a card, even a weak one, is a giant thing. But here people need to team up to have a full deck and be able to play.
Hick dreams of doing exactly that; slowly buying cards, winning games, eventually helping his dad and his younger siblings move on from poverty.
And that is pretty much what I can say without spoiling half the book.
The thing about Benedict Patrick is that he will wreck you. When something bad happens, it actually happens. When the characters have to make hard decisions, there won't be some convenient way out. So even if you feel this book can't be THAT serious... yes, well, it is.
Don't get me wrong, the book is dynamic, it has action, it has so much suspense it's unreal, but you will be constantly reminded of the weight of the things.
The lore of this is insane too. I don't know how many books there will be, but there are so many interesting things about the world we have to learn. (Trust me, I have made a whole list of questions and theories I have. I wonder how right I will be about things.)
At this point, a lot of the story was the personal struggle of Hick, his first steps on the road he chose for himself. Or the one he was given. But there are hints, some more subtle than others, about a lot of other people with agendas that are far more sinister.
But trust me. Nothing about this is a coincidence. You know how some books have this undefined lore about them, just so the world feels deeper, but we never actually find out anything real? Just namedropping. This one will not be like that. I guarantee it.
Very specific thing I have to say; if you like the pure child sidekick character, you will love one of Hick's friends. We get some really precious children like that and that is why I am always extra nervous about his books. Because we need to protect them.
All in all, an unusual premise, impeccable mood and setting, action all the way, you just know it will get even better. I definitely recommend it to everyone, eeven if you don't play any of those monster card games. The rules are explained well and the story is chef's kiss.
August 7, 2023
There are writer that I follow. Ones that I literally plan my reading list around. Benedict Patrick happens to be one of those authors. When he has a novel coming out, I’ll arrange all my other books around the release date.
Books like Card Mage are the reason I do that. I’ve been a fan of his novels since his first, I’ve loved many of them, but Card Mage is his best so far.
The book opens, “We are a card family.” Within a few paragraphs, the meaning was clear. By the end of the first chapter, I was part of that family. Utterly engrossed, I couldn’t finish fast enough.
Hick’s story was incredible and this world is amazing. I can’t wait to see what else is in store for the cards in Domstadt.
Books like Card Mage are the reason I do that. I’ve been a fan of his novels since his first, I’ve loved many of them, but Card Mage is his best so far.
The book opens, “We are a card family.” Within a few paragraphs, the meaning was clear. By the end of the first chapter, I was part of that family. Utterly engrossed, I couldn’t finish fast enough.
Hick’s story was incredible and this world is amazing. I can’t wait to see what else is in store for the cards in Domstadt.
July 3, 2023
Benedict Patrick is known for his Yarnsworld-stories and more recently two Darkstar-novels (both of which I still need to finish). In Card Mage: Slumdog Deckbuilder, he turns his passion for gaming into a novel. And it not only works, but it’s flippin’ fantastic!
Games are featured in quite a lot of fantasy and SciFi-books (What would Harry Potter have been without Quidditch? There are Gwent, Tak, Cyvasse, …you get the idea), but apart from Jumanji I can’t think of too many books where they are the focus of the story. In Card Mage there are card tournaments held with – you might have guessed it – magical cards. These tournaments are played in teams in an arena, the creatures/spells on the cards coming to life during the game. In the slums of Domstadt, these cards are a way to survive, and each card is worth a fortune. They are not only a way of making a living, but sometimes even a way out of the slums and into the city proper – basically into a new life.
Hick Durchdenwald’s mother is one card player that had the opportunity to play tournaments outside of the slums – and she never returned. Hick is the eldest of three kids and now he is helping his father – who is also a cardplayer – raising the family, dreaming of one day playing tournaments, too. In the course of the story he comes into possession of a card that has never been seen before. But using it is not only a chance for him, it’s also an even bigger risk.
This is a fantastic story that hooked me right from the beginning to the very end. I knew that I would like the writing style since I’ve read some of Benedict Patrick’s stories before and his storytelling is also great. Just the right amount of fast and slower scenes. But what I enjoyed most here was the worldbuilding, that was just incredible. For some weird reason that includes language and especially cussing: I love it when a fantasy world has its own swearwords that are connected to the worldbuilding somehow. Check. Hick is a very likeable main character and there are some great side-characters that also get some stage-time. Card Mage has a very strong family motif, the blood-type and the found type, which was very well executed and added to my enjoyment.
There is no brutal action and no sex scenes, it actually has a slight YA-feel (and to make this clear: this is not a bad thing in my book).
Hopefully, this will be the first book in a series, I would really like to continue straight away. So, if you like fast-paced fantasy with great worldbuilding, a touch of Jumanji-magic and a Magic – The Gathering-feel to it, you really want this book!
Games are featured in quite a lot of fantasy and SciFi-books (What would Harry Potter have been without Quidditch? There are Gwent, Tak, Cyvasse, …you get the idea), but apart from Jumanji I can’t think of too many books where they are the focus of the story. In Card Mage there are card tournaments held with – you might have guessed it – magical cards. These tournaments are played in teams in an arena, the creatures/spells on the cards coming to life during the game. In the slums of Domstadt, these cards are a way to survive, and each card is worth a fortune. They are not only a way of making a living, but sometimes even a way out of the slums and into the city proper – basically into a new life.
Hick Durchdenwald’s mother is one card player that had the opportunity to play tournaments outside of the slums – and she never returned. Hick is the eldest of three kids and now he is helping his father – who is also a cardplayer – raising the family, dreaming of one day playing tournaments, too. In the course of the story he comes into possession of a card that has never been seen before. But using it is not only a chance for him, it’s also an even bigger risk.
This is a fantastic story that hooked me right from the beginning to the very end. I knew that I would like the writing style since I’ve read some of Benedict Patrick’s stories before and his storytelling is also great. Just the right amount of fast and slower scenes. But what I enjoyed most here was the worldbuilding, that was just incredible. For some weird reason that includes language and especially cussing: I love it when a fantasy world has its own swearwords that are connected to the worldbuilding somehow. Check. Hick is a very likeable main character and there are some great side-characters that also get some stage-time. Card Mage has a very strong family motif, the blood-type and the found type, which was very well executed and added to my enjoyment.
There is no brutal action and no sex scenes, it actually has a slight YA-feel (and to make this clear: this is not a bad thing in my book).
Hopefully, this will be the first book in a series, I would really like to continue straight away. So, if you like fast-paced fantasy with great worldbuilding, a touch of Jumanji-magic and a Magic – The Gathering-feel to it, you really want this book!
July 12, 2023
While the association of cards and magic is an old one, Benedict Patrick has put a new spin on it with Card Mage: Slumdog Deckbuilder.
Just as boxing, bullfighting, and football have long been avenues for social ascension in the societies in which they operate, gladiatorial-type team matches using entities pulled at random from a pack of magically-charged cards enable Hick, the slumdog of the title, to indulge his dreams of rising from the slums of Domstadt and, along the way, of discovering the fate of his long-absent mother.
The world-building is excellent - the gold standard for that is Brandon Sanderson, and Patrick's creation of the city, its legends and theocratic organisation, with the world outside Domstadt's walls holding promise of further revelation, certainly would not look out of place in Sanderson's oeuvre.
Hick and the other main characters, both protagonists and antagonists, are strongly realised and convincing within their milieu and, again, I was strongly reminded of another fantasy writer at the top of their game: Sebastien de Castell, his Spellslinger series in particular.
These comparisons perhaps indicate that Card Mage: Slumdog Deckbuilder lies more in the fantasy mainstream than Patrick's Yarnsworld or Darkstar series and it's true that it seems less experimental in format than those (which, by the way, are excellent and well worth reading).
However, I see greater avenues for plot expansion and development proceeding from the structures laid down herein, and the world Patrick builds here is very much a thing in itself that doesn't have the reader scurrying to Wikipedia to look for its roots (as I did with Yarnsworld - although I thoroughly enjoyed the experience!).
As with all Benedict Patrick's work to date, the prose is well-written and eminently readable. Its potential readership? Stylistically, I'd say it seems aimed at the older YA audience and beyond that. I have to say that, at 72 years of age, I enjoy a lot of fantasy recommended to me by the (much) younger members of my extended family. There's a certain freshness and vigour to the writing that appeals to me, while still managing to explore deeper issues pertaining to loyalty, family, belief, and exactly what constitutes a hero. This book covers all those bases, and I look forward to reading its sequels - something tells me there will be a fair number of those!
PS To the author: I much prefer the cover without the guy in the hoodie - maybe it's just over-exposure to Kindle Unlimited, but I find my appetite for hoodies thoroughly satiated these days.
Just as boxing, bullfighting, and football have long been avenues for social ascension in the societies in which they operate, gladiatorial-type team matches using entities pulled at random from a pack of magically-charged cards enable Hick, the slumdog of the title, to indulge his dreams of rising from the slums of Domstadt and, along the way, of discovering the fate of his long-absent mother.
The world-building is excellent - the gold standard for that is Brandon Sanderson, and Patrick's creation of the city, its legends and theocratic organisation, with the world outside Domstadt's walls holding promise of further revelation, certainly would not look out of place in Sanderson's oeuvre.
Hick and the other main characters, both protagonists and antagonists, are strongly realised and convincing within their milieu and, again, I was strongly reminded of another fantasy writer at the top of their game: Sebastien de Castell, his Spellslinger series in particular.
These comparisons perhaps indicate that Card Mage: Slumdog Deckbuilder lies more in the fantasy mainstream than Patrick's Yarnsworld or Darkstar series and it's true that it seems less experimental in format than those (which, by the way, are excellent and well worth reading).
However, I see greater avenues for plot expansion and development proceeding from the structures laid down herein, and the world Patrick builds here is very much a thing in itself that doesn't have the reader scurrying to Wikipedia to look for its roots (as I did with Yarnsworld - although I thoroughly enjoyed the experience!).
As with all Benedict Patrick's work to date, the prose is well-written and eminently readable. Its potential readership? Stylistically, I'd say it seems aimed at the older YA audience and beyond that. I have to say that, at 72 years of age, I enjoy a lot of fantasy recommended to me by the (much) younger members of my extended family. There's a certain freshness and vigour to the writing that appeals to me, while still managing to explore deeper issues pertaining to loyalty, family, belief, and exactly what constitutes a hero. This book covers all those bases, and I look forward to reading its sequels - something tells me there will be a fair number of those!
PS To the author: I much prefer the cover without the guy in the hoodie - maybe it's just over-exposure to Kindle Unlimited, but I find my appetite for hoodies thoroughly satiated these days.
July 12, 2023
As a long-time follower of Benedict's work, I jumped at the chance to read Card Mage. I only wish I'd finished it sooner.
It was an incredible read that made me not want to put it down, especially in the latter half of the book. I'd intended to read a couple of chapters but then before I knew it I'd steamrolled through the rest of the story.
Every story of Benedict's has made me rethink what I believe will happen next, and I'm still wrong. It's incredibly refreshing to have an author completely subvert what you think will happen, and I can certainly say none of his work is predictable.
Benedict also has a Knack for incredible world-building. We see where the main character, Hick, starts off and we are given tidbits of lore from the world at the start of each chapter, setting the stage for something even grander down the line. I already want to know more about the Luciomancer, Hick's family, and many more little teases that he's left. There are so many theories bouncing around in my head about what certain things could mean.
As for the story itself I won't post much due to spoilers, but I can't wait for what happens next. It leaves a lot of options open if we are to ever see Hick again, and I truly hope we do.
It was an incredible read that made me not want to put it down, especially in the latter half of the book. I'd intended to read a couple of chapters but then before I knew it I'd steamrolled through the rest of the story.
Every story of Benedict's has made me rethink what I believe will happen next, and I'm still wrong. It's incredibly refreshing to have an author completely subvert what you think will happen, and I can certainly say none of his work is predictable.
Benedict also has a Knack for incredible world-building. We see where the main character, Hick, starts off and we are given tidbits of lore from the world at the start of each chapter, setting the stage for something even grander down the line. I already want to know more about the Luciomancer, Hick's family, and many more little teases that he's left. There are so many theories bouncing around in my head about what certain things could mean.
As for the story itself I won't post much due to spoilers, but I can't wait for what happens next. It leaves a lot of options open if we are to ever see Hick again, and I truly hope we do.
October 7, 2024
What a delightful surprise! I've always been a fan of collectible card games so this sounded right up my alley when this book showed up in my recommendations.
Hink is a poor kid growing up in the slums of Domstadt and the past time of the populace is to watch and participate in the card games where monsters and spells were once binded by the Lusiomancer. Think Yu-Gi-Oh mixed with Hearthstone.
Owning a single card is a fortune to any family in the slums and owning a full deck of 30 cards is an impossible dream. So folks pool their treasured cards together into a deck gang to compete with others.
By chance, Hink was given his first card and participates in underground card games while hunted by an agent of the church. Luckily he has a special connection that gives him an advantage inside and outside of the games.
Patrick writes a thrilling story that captures the emotions a card player goes through when gambling with high stakes. The card effects are both similar yet different enough to other TCG to keep the game interesting. The rapport system adds a nice random effect to the game and it's something I can see work really well in a digital TCG.
The story, lore and setting had me gripped and I can't wait to start the next book.
Hink is a poor kid growing up in the slums of Domstadt and the past time of the populace is to watch and participate in the card games where monsters and spells were once binded by the Lusiomancer. Think Yu-Gi-Oh mixed with Hearthstone.
Owning a single card is a fortune to any family in the slums and owning a full deck of 30 cards is an impossible dream. So folks pool their treasured cards together into a deck gang to compete with others.
By chance, Hink was given his first card and participates in underground card games while hunted by an agent of the church. Luckily he has a special connection that gives him an advantage inside and outside of the games.
Patrick writes a thrilling story that captures the emotions a card player goes through when gambling with high stakes. The card effects are both similar yet different enough to other TCG to keep the game interesting. The rapport system adds a nice random effect to the game and it's something I can see work really well in a digital TCG.
The story, lore and setting had me gripped and I can't wait to start the next book.
November 10, 2024
An absolute underground BANGER in the making.
Have you ever wanted to read a card game story that is similar to the ones we grew up with? A story that makes the chosen one trope feel actually fresh? A story that makes you interested in the cards with simple imagery and the rest is up to your imagination?
A sleeper hit that I read this year. At first I was hesitant about the premise: young boy in the slums who’s watched his parents play a card game and gets sucked into the world, but has no card of his own. Then Patrick introduced a crazy cool concept, group battles where the battles are 3 v 3 with a deck made up of up to 30 people’s individual cards. That’s how you survive in the slums. I found that so dope. I could explain whole system but that’s for a different medium.
The story is much deeper than that and there’s a plot brewing that I hope takes us into a card battle academy trope. idk if it will but I’m HOPING (don’t spoil it for me).
Big recommendation for my card battlers in the world.
Have you ever wanted to read a card game story that is similar to the ones we grew up with? A story that makes the chosen one trope feel actually fresh? A story that makes you interested in the cards with simple imagery and the rest is up to your imagination?
A sleeper hit that I read this year. At first I was hesitant about the premise: young boy in the slums who’s watched his parents play a card game and gets sucked into the world, but has no card of his own. Then Patrick introduced a crazy cool concept, group battles where the battles are 3 v 3 with a deck made up of up to 30 people’s individual cards. That’s how you survive in the slums. I found that so dope. I could explain whole system but that’s for a different medium.
The story is much deeper than that and there’s a plot brewing that I hope takes us into a card battle academy trope. idk if it will but I’m HOPING (don’t spoil it for me).
Big recommendation for my card battlers in the world.
August 13, 2023
This was a compelling read right from the start. A gripping dark tale, set in a world with magical cards that are used both as entertainment and real world magical feats. Naturally, they play a big role in economy too. The story was told from main character's POV, and we get worldbuilding in the form of epigraphs as well.
There were plenty of twists and nasty surprises to keep you hooked to the story. The writing was easy to follow. I don't have any experience with such playing cards, but I could still follow the story easily (though I found it difficult to keep track of all the rules and stuff).
If this had been a lighthearted story instead of a gritty tale, I would've enjoyed it lot more. I think I'll give the sequels a shot as long as I could bear the stakes - the magic system being so interesting made it easier for this one. Overall, I'd highly recommend this book for those who prefer their fantasy on the darker side.
There were plenty of twists and nasty surprises to keep you hooked to the story. The writing was easy to follow. I don't have any experience with such playing cards, but I could still follow the story easily (though I found it difficult to keep track of all the rules and stuff).
If this had been a lighthearted story instead of a gritty tale, I would've enjoyed it lot more. I think I'll give the sequels a shot as long as I could bear the stakes - the magic system being so interesting made it easier for this one. Overall, I'd highly recommend this book for those who prefer their fantasy on the darker side.
September 3, 2024
Ohhhh yeah man! This book is soooooooo super. As I'm now making a concerted effort to find and read every deckbuilding litRPG out there, even making some headway too. I feel that I'm basking in litRPG love. 'Cause I'm definitely happy as the deckbuilding maniac that I seemingly am...
Hick finds himself at the brutal mercy of the church that controls the lands. And the only way to get something back from the threat looming is for Hick and friends, Gunne, and Pep to go underground and fight in the highly illegal deck fights with a gang to receive both notoriety and to learn to play smarter and yes there's a steep penalty if they lose. I love Gunne she's just so gung ho about life, Pep is a bit too wishy-washy for my taste, but he does come through in the end, and Hick well he's the chance taker and also the ring leader, ready to think outta the box the moment they need to!
So grab the book to see where this intrepid 3 take us!
Hick finds himself at the brutal mercy of the church that controls the lands. And the only way to get something back from the threat looming is for Hick and friends, Gunne, and Pep to go underground and fight in the highly illegal deck fights with a gang to receive both notoriety and to learn to play smarter and yes there's a steep penalty if they lose. I love Gunne she's just so gung ho about life, Pep is a bit too wishy-washy for my taste, but he does come through in the end, and Hick well he's the chance taker and also the ring leader, ready to think outta the box the moment they need to!
So grab the book to see where this intrepid 3 take us!
August 2, 2023
Another amazing book by Benedict Patrick.
We follow Hick as he tries to make his way in the Slums for him and his family, looking after the children as his dad struggles to make ends meet taking part in magical card battles.
I loved this book. It's a well paced story that keeps you guessing and also invites you to try and figure out what the powers of the cards are (especially when a player gets a Rapport with a card to give them magical abilities) and how they all work together.
As ever, Benedict Patrick's writing is top notch. The characters, the world, the prose. All of it pulls you in and has you begging for more.
I could have dived straight into the next book, only it's not been written yet! I'll be waiting eagerly for it
We follow Hick as he tries to make his way in the Slums for him and his family, looking after the children as his dad struggles to make ends meet taking part in magical card battles.
I loved this book. It's a well paced story that keeps you guessing and also invites you to try and figure out what the powers of the cards are (especially when a player gets a Rapport with a card to give them magical abilities) and how they all work together.
As ever, Benedict Patrick's writing is top notch. The characters, the world, the prose. All of it pulls you in and has you begging for more.
I could have dived straight into the next book, only it's not been written yet! I'll be waiting eagerly for it
August 1, 2023
Arc
This story grabbed me from the beginning and didn’t let go. Based on cards that each has its own unique purpose and are used to battle the opposing team. The description of the cards and the rules of the game, were easy to follow for me ( a non-gamer in every sense of the word). The battles were nail bitting. Who has what cards, who is going to win? The main character is a like able chap, as are his companions. The world building is excellent. Through the entire story, it was easy for me to envision what was going on. Not once did I feel things were dragging along and just having words added to make the book longer. Great read, great fun.
This story grabbed me from the beginning and didn’t let go. Based on cards that each has its own unique purpose and are used to battle the opposing team. The description of the cards and the rules of the game, were easy to follow for me ( a non-gamer in every sense of the word). The battles were nail bitting. Who has what cards, who is going to win? The main character is a like able chap, as are his companions. The world building is excellent. Through the entire story, it was easy for me to envision what was going on. Not once did I feel things were dragging along and just having words added to make the book longer. Great read, great fun.
August 6, 2023
This is a very well written book, one you're unable to put down. This would easily be a five-star book for me if I was a dungeons & dragons fan. And that is with this is about. There is cards that people play but in real life activate those cards to fight contests against each other. The story gets deeper and you understand that these monsters appear to be real but yet aren't. And that is the question. The world building is excellent and the character development is outstanding. I was given advanced reading copy of this book for my review, but now have a new favorite author that I will be purchasing his books directly. Highly recommend!
January 6, 2024
Readable but nothing happens
I made it a third of the way through the book and I was just kind of bored out of my mind. I liked the protagonist but the world building was really weak and unclear, at a third way to the book, there's absolutely no growth whatsoever, The book seems to be trying to purposely asking lots of questions that there aren't answers to which has its place but you can't have all bread and no meat and call it a sandwich. There was other issues as well but those were the main ones. At at third of the way to the book I just have no interest in continuing.
I made it a third of the way through the book and I was just kind of bored out of my mind. I liked the protagonist but the world building was really weak and unclear, at a third way to the book, there's absolutely no growth whatsoever, The book seems to be trying to purposely asking lots of questions that there aren't answers to which has its place but you can't have all bread and no meat and call it a sandwich. There was other issues as well but those were the main ones. At at third of the way to the book I just have no interest in continuing.
May 13, 2024
Card games, but with a slower, fantasy feel, a lot less 'progression' than many might like but with realistic characters and an interesting series of mechanics; some of which are social driven rather than game driven.
For example, having 3 players who have to hold cards in their hands and can be knocked out individually, because no individual 'gang' has enough money / cards to own a deck themselves. Not in the slums.
It's really well done and readers who like slower litrpg works will love this. Those looking for a fast read though might get frustrated.
For example, having 3 players who have to hold cards in their hands and can be knocked out individually, because no individual 'gang' has enough money / cards to own a deck themselves. Not in the slums.
It's really well done and readers who like slower litrpg works will love this. Those looking for a fast read though might get frustrated.
June 19, 2024
sorta LitRPG magic the gathering
This wasn’t bad. A solid CardLit book that was fun to read. Nothing amazing or new but still enjoyable.
I’ll be honest. I enjoy stories that focus on the MC’s character progression and how their stats and skills grow over time. That wasn’t the case here. It was more so about the arena battles and the storyline.
Still a good book. Just not my preferred type.
This wasn’t bad. A solid CardLit book that was fun to read. Nothing amazing or new but still enjoyable.
I’ll be honest. I enjoy stories that focus on the MC’s character progression and how their stats and skills grow over time. That wasn’t the case here. It was more so about the arena battles and the storyline.
Still a good book. Just not my preferred type.
July 5, 2024
Like a much less cool Yu-Gi-Oh
This one was really uninteresting from page one. Watching someone okay with a deck of cards is really boring. The pages on pages describing how someone was faring in a match were still vague and there's not really stakes inside the matches or danger. The main character is poor but is also arrogant and annoying. I prefer deck building that enhances a person with stats and weapons that interact outside of a match. This is not that..
This one was really uninteresting from page one. Watching someone okay with a deck of cards is really boring. The pages on pages describing how someone was faring in a match were still vague and there's not really stakes inside the matches or danger. The main character is poor but is also arrogant and annoying. I prefer deck building that enhances a person with stats and weapons that interact outside of a match. This is not that..
February 6, 2025
I was surprised by how much this book gripped me, I was always wanting to know what was going to happen next and excited the see the plays for each card game. The magic system was really cool and intriguing and the characters were all lovable and made me root for them all the time. I’m very excited to read the next book and find out what will unfold next because I have a feeling it’s going to have me on the edge of my seat
June 30, 2023
Having played similar card games before I was drawn into this magic system and the struggles to gather enough cards for a deck to be able to play. I loved the details of how everything worked and their relationships. There are hints to what else is happening and I can't wait to read more and find out what else is going on in the city.
August 23, 2023
How to do a first book of a series
I really enjoyed this.
I think Hick might be a prodigy in the making, I enjoyed the card games/duels. I respected the stories that mixed in with the others and I liked how the story was told along the way.
Very strong start for a first book of a series.
I really enjoyed this.
I think Hick might be a prodigy in the making, I enjoyed the card games/duels. I respected the stories that mixed in with the others and I liked how the story was told along the way.
Very strong start for a first book of a series.
August 29, 2023
An interesting you take of the fantasy genre. The story and characters are quite unique. The plot isn’t that much, and I feel that it uses several tropes also used by Sanderson, but in a different and interesting way. I would definitely recommend this book anyone that likes Sanderson style and I’m expecting the next book of the saga.
September 10, 2023
Boring. I quit after the first third.
This has a weak setup and a very slow start. It took a third of the book and the story was just starting. A miserable excuse for a main character kills this for me. He is desperate and cowardly with no plan or ability to make one. He ruins any attempt at a story.
This has a weak setup and a very slow start. It took a third of the book and the story was just starting. A miserable excuse for a main character kills this for me. He is desperate and cowardly with no plan or ability to make one. He ruins any attempt at a story.
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