What do you think?
Rate this book
Fat Man's Gift #1
Mark's Magic
Mark was happy enough, working as a mechanic. He didn’t know that he was more than that, until his mother gave him some keepsakes from his grandfather. Those opened his eyes to a whole world that he hadn’t realized he had a place in. Watch him learn to use his new skills.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 11, 2024
613 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
About the author
Jerry Boyd
67 books287 followersI’m a house husband. I keep things together while my wonderful wife makes our living. I’ve worked as a machinist, short order cook, electronics assembly tech, and several other jobs. My hobbies include vehicle maintenance, (I’ve had the transmission out of my truck. Twice) free flight airplanes, electronics, and shooting.
I was born and raised in the Ozarks, and now live in Mid-Missouri.
I was born and raised in the Ozarks, and now live in Mid-Missouri.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews
June 18, 2024
I was amused by how it was supposed to be a big scary thing for anyone to know about Mark's powers and they pretty much tell everyone they met about it. Also, the big secret about his parents, and the illegal magic he did that he was sworn to secrecy about. How can I imagine A threat with that knowledge getting out if none of the characters take it seriously?
There is promise in the world build, but it and the characters need fleshing out. There is more paperwork than emotional depth. That's not an allegory. The MC has a relationship that lasts a few paragraphs, but a page or two for him to complete his apprentice application.
The formatting of ebook was a bit annoying. Actual chapters would help the pacing. So would paragraph indentation or separation. Everything ran together and often made it difficult to follow.
Lastly, throw in some consequences for the 'hero' instead of having him stride right through like it was nothing. Stop telling me every time he eats, sleeps, and gets up every morning. Let me see him struggle against more than a headache or a night of being hungry.
There is promise in the world build, but it and the characters need fleshing out. There is more paperwork than emotional depth. That's not an allegory. The MC has a relationship that lasts a few paragraphs, but a page or two for him to complete his apprentice application.
The formatting of ebook was a bit annoying. Actual chapters would help the pacing. So would paragraph indentation or separation. Everything ran together and often made it difficult to follow.
Lastly, throw in some consequences for the 'hero' instead of having him stride right through like it was nothing. Stop telling me every time he eats, sleeps, and gets up every morning. Let me see him struggle against more than a headache or a night of being hungry.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2024
Not particularly impressed with this. The women are self-sacrificing cooks, there's absolutely nothing about how magic is actually learned other than guys look at books for a bit and get tired, and I never really felt like our hero got anywhere on his own talents because everything was given to him.
The magicians themselves are just odd, the power balance is off and there's absolutely nothing about the cultural impact of magic or how it works with regular people other than the government do permits.
Slice of life, maybe, but too slow for me.
The magicians themselves are just odd, the power balance is off and there's absolutely nothing about the cultural impact of magic or how it works with regular people other than the government do permits.
Slice of life, maybe, but too slow for me.
June 19, 2024
I really wanted to like this book. Unfortunately, the editing leads very much to be desired. it seems like this book was just dictated off the top of someone’s head and it was just a stream of consciousness. I think I got 12% before I couldn’t handle trying to anymore. This was a pass.
June 22, 2024
Compared to the BSR series this one got off to a very, very fast start and nothing went wrong and there were no setbacks.
Mark, the newbie to magic is by the end of the book already stronger (knows more stuff) than most other magicians, so I can only see further books introducing other strong magicians to keep things moving along.
Also there is none to little description of the spells he learns. Perhaps more description of what the spells he was learning and what they did could have expanded this Book 1 into being the first two or three books.
I'll buy book two just to see what happens, but it has a lot to do to get itself up to Bob and Nicki's standard.
Mark, the newbie to magic is by the end of the book already stronger (knows more stuff) than most other magicians, so I can only see further books introducing other strong magicians to keep things moving along.
Also there is none to little description of the spells he learns. Perhaps more description of what the spells he was learning and what they did could have expanded this Book 1 into being the first two or three books.
I'll buy book two just to see what happens, but it has a lot to do to get itself up to Bob and Nicki's standard.
June 15, 2024
A fun magical read
This was a fun read in a new style. I have enjoyed everything that I have read of Jerry's and he has a fun and no nonsense style of writing. Looks like I'm going to have to dig and hopefully find some other titles by him. Keep them coming.
This was a fun read in a new style. I have enjoyed everything that I have read of Jerry's and he has a fun and no nonsense style of writing. Looks like I'm going to have to dig and hopefully find some other titles by him. Keep them coming.
July 8, 2024
Couldn't finish it. The lack of formatting made it impossible for me to read. No inventing paragraphs, no spacing paragraphs, no mid chapter breaks, and no chapters all make it feel like one long run on sentence. Very hard to keep track of who is talking and time passing. Decent story idea, but a very unpleasant read.
June 22, 2024
great story
I think this is a good change of pace for you and I’m looking forward to the next book. I think I’ll purchase it because I enjoyed it.
I think this is a good change of pace for you and I’m looking forward to the next book. I think I’ll purchase it because I enjoyed it.
June 28, 2024
Meh
Started out well - but it has no excitement - all the so call fight are safe- book is really boring -
Started out well - but it has no excitement - all the so call fight are safe- book is really boring -
June 13, 2024
Interesting start of a new series. It didn’t grab me as strongly as Bob's Saucer Repair by the same author, but I care about the characters and want to see what happens next. The series name is a reference to the atomic bomb, not to a character being fat.
October 9, 2024
Kind of flat
This book is Basically a book of dialog. There are no descriptors You don't know what the people look like And most of importantly The magic system doesn't exist. It's difficult to visualize the magic system when Every spell Is ended with it produced the desired effect The the fire spell at the very beginning was the only real spell everything else was inanimate objects telling the main character what they thought he should do to repair them no real spells.. If that was the magic . Was the magic system Then the book would go up a not a notch However The main character Literally literally went over hundred of Literally went over hundreds of spells And the audience or the readers have no idea what the spells were or what they did. What did the truck look like ? What did Roy's Chevy look like ? How pretty was Charlene who the main character was so smitten with after 2 1⁄2 days based on the book's timeline? Everything seems so easy. There was no conflict or the conflict that there was resolved itself quickly. Like next sentence quickly. there was no internal angst or struggle. This is a very lean book that needs a healthy dose of fat.
This book is Basically a book of dialog. There are no descriptors You don't know what the people look like And most of importantly The magic system doesn't exist. It's difficult to visualize the magic system when Every spell Is ended with it produced the desired effect The the fire spell at the very beginning was the only real spell everything else was inanimate objects telling the main character what they thought he should do to repair them no real spells.. If that was the magic . Was the magic system Then the book would go up a not a notch However The main character Literally literally went over hundred of Literally went over hundreds of spells And the audience or the readers have no idea what the spells were or what they did. What did the truck look like ? What did Roy's Chevy look like ? How pretty was Charlene who the main character was so smitten with after 2 1⁄2 days based on the book's timeline? Everything seems so easy. There was no conflict or the conflict that there was resolved itself quickly. Like next sentence quickly. there was no internal angst or struggle. This is a very lean book that needs a healthy dose of fat.
September 24, 2024
3.5 Stars
June 20, 2024
Enjoyable, fun, fast paced, similar style to Bob and Nikki
I’m a huge fan of the author’s Bob and Nikki series, and picked this one up with some trepidation because I’ve seen a number of authors who fail horribly outside of their one “good” series. That isn’t the case here. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.
The style is similar to the Bob and Nikki books—a stream of consciousness narration from the protagonist, with events happening quickly and those events being extraordinary. There’s also the common sense type of thinking that we see in Bob and Nikki.
In this story, anyone who was at Nagasaki shortly after the atomic bomb detonation somehow gained magical powers. The protagonist, Mark, unexpectedly uses magic as an adult, when most people find it during puberty. From there he goes on to become an apprentice and learns that his magic had actually been locked away by his grandfather. It turns out that all four of Mark’s grandparents were at Nagasaki within a week or two after the bomb, and his potential magical ability is extremely high. This novel covers him learning about his heritage, his abilities, how to use magic, and the legalities governing magic use in modern society. He also has to deal with a master magician who’s sabotaging other magic users in the area for his personal gain.
I think anyone who likes the Bob and Nikki series will also like this one. Recommended. I give it 5/5 stars.
I’m a huge fan of the author’s Bob and Nikki series, and picked this one up with some trepidation because I’ve seen a number of authors who fail horribly outside of their one “good” series. That isn’t the case here. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.
The style is similar to the Bob and Nikki books—a stream of consciousness narration from the protagonist, with events happening quickly and those events being extraordinary. There’s also the common sense type of thinking that we see in Bob and Nikki.
In this story, anyone who was at Nagasaki shortly after the atomic bomb detonation somehow gained magical powers. The protagonist, Mark, unexpectedly uses magic as an adult, when most people find it during puberty. From there he goes on to become an apprentice and learns that his magic had actually been locked away by his grandfather. It turns out that all four of Mark’s grandparents were at Nagasaki within a week or two after the bomb, and his potential magical ability is extremely high. This novel covers him learning about his heritage, his abilities, how to use magic, and the legalities governing magic use in modern society. He also has to deal with a master magician who’s sabotaging other magic users in the area for his personal gain.
I think anyone who likes the Bob and Nikki series will also like this one. Recommended. I give it 5/5 stars.
July 27, 2024
dull and plodding
After the atomic bombs were dropped on Japan, some people now have magic abilities. The government closely regulates the magicians…yeah, it’s odd, but that’s the premise.
Like his Bob & Nikki books, Boyd’s stories are wholesome and occasionally kinda fun. I guess I’ve gotten too used to his style, and it’s starting to grate. The story unfolds mostly thru the dialogue, so there’s a whole lotta words. Boyd still doesn’t believe in chapter breaks, or even in paragraph breaks, so there’s never a place to “breathe”, so to speak. He also still uses way too many commas, which is just annoying. He should let his editor do a bit more editing - the pace would improve.
But I probably won’t be back…I just don’t have any ithis set of characters.
After the atomic bombs were dropped on Japan, some people now have magic abilities. The government closely regulates the magicians…yeah, it’s odd, but that’s the premise.
Like his Bob & Nikki books, Boyd’s stories are wholesome and occasionally kinda fun. I guess I’ve gotten too used to his style, and it’s starting to grate. The story unfolds mostly thru the dialogue, so there’s a whole lotta words. Boyd still doesn’t believe in chapter breaks, or even in paragraph breaks, so there’s never a place to “breathe”, so to speak. He also still uses way too many commas, which is just annoying. He should let his editor do a bit more editing - the pace would improve.
But I probably won’t be back…I just don’t have any ithis set of characters.
abandoned
August 17, 2024the writer has no talent .
there was a scene where a grown man is told his dead father has been cuckolded into raising another man bastard ,in the presence of that man .he is told the truth.instantly ,he calls the man Dad and the dead man who raised him by his first name.fucking instantly
there was a scene where a grown man is told his dead father has been cuckolded into raising another man bastard ,in the presence of that man .he is told the truth.instantly ,he calls the man Dad and the dead man who raised him by his first name.fucking instantly
July 3, 2024
more in the magic
I enjoyed the read a fun story only it just seamed to gloss over what the magic was he was learning. I’d also like more on his description etc
I enjoyed the read a fun story only it just seamed to gloss over what the magic was he was learning. I’d also like more on his description etc
July 10, 2024
To trite
Very formalised writing it is so I am the best so I am the greatest type of book that I will not read any more storys.
Very formalised writing it is so I am the best so I am the greatest type of book that I will not read any more storys.
December 22, 2024
It sounded like it was written in the 1920s and everyone acted like it was the 1950s. Extremely dry and rather dull, unfortunately.
November 29, 2024
A good read!
It’s a 3 or 4 star book, but it hooked me, kept me interested, and was enjoyable.
My main complaint is that there is no chapter breaks. It’s a formatting thing and really threw me for a loop. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a book without chapters or something similar. I didn’t like it at all. It should be a simple easy fix too. Even if the author doesn’t want to make it too complicated, he can just have the last line of the previous chapter restated to flow into the next. Not ideal but it would be better than no chapters at all.
The other minor grip is with some of the repetitive lines, jokes, and routines that get restated a lot. The characters feel the same to many or most of the characters in his other books too, aside from the main character. All the older people feel like they could be his male old person character, or female variant. I read quite a few of his Science fiction series, but eventually it started feeling repetitive with how things would go and the dialogue. This book was good as a stand alone/new series, but this is a trend I’ve noticed and something the author might want to work on fixing/improving.
It’s still well into the recommended category though. Most of this review was my notes for the author. I knocked a star off for the lack of any chapter breaks, and would probably have knocked one off for some of the repetitive things and shallow feeling dialogue (if felt shallow only due to feeling the same to your other series, with the character similarities and dialogue and jokes. They don’t hit bed, but they all hit the same and it gets stall after a while.)
It’s a 3 or 4 star book, but it hooked me, kept me interested, and was enjoyable.
My main complaint is that there is no chapter breaks. It’s a formatting thing and really threw me for a loop. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a book without chapters or something similar. I didn’t like it at all. It should be a simple easy fix too. Even if the author doesn’t want to make it too complicated, he can just have the last line of the previous chapter restated to flow into the next. Not ideal but it would be better than no chapters at all.
The other minor grip is with some of the repetitive lines, jokes, and routines that get restated a lot. The characters feel the same to many or most of the characters in his other books too, aside from the main character. All the older people feel like they could be his male old person character, or female variant. I read quite a few of his Science fiction series, but eventually it started feeling repetitive with how things would go and the dialogue. This book was good as a stand alone/new series, but this is a trend I’ve noticed and something the author might want to work on fixing/improving.
It’s still well into the recommended category though. Most of this review was my notes for the author. I knocked a star off for the lack of any chapter breaks, and would probably have knocked one off for some of the repetitive things and shallow feeling dialogue (if felt shallow only due to feeling the same to your other series, with the character similarities and dialogue and jokes. They don’t hit bed, but they all hit the same and it gets stall after a while.)
July 23, 2024
Hello
I want start off by saying I did not really dislike this book but can't actually feel any emotion or attachment to it either. I don't want to come off as hating this book nor the author, and I don't want to be a jerk but I do want to tell you what this book made me feel. Nothing.
This feels like it was written by one of the neutral people from Futurama. Literally just "tell my wife I said..hello." If books are meant to convey something, the only thing I learned after this is that time has passed since I started this book.
Again it isn't bad per se, it is just like that feeling when you are dissociating and then jerk back to full consciousness after a little while.
The main character has power quite literally show up overnight with no real effort while maintaining absolutely no real emotions. I don't even hate overpowered MCs, I actually quite like them but he has no flaws to develop, no trials to overcome, and quite frankly he talks to the Spirit of his truck for half a page and it actually has just as much if not more personality than he does.
Instead of cardboard cutouts of tropes every character feels like a slab of concrete with a trope (maybe) drawn on them in chalk. You can see an image there but you can feel it is rigid, dull, gray, and slightly cool to the touch.
This kinda felt like how I felt reading a question in a math textbook. "If Mary has 5 apples, and Tom has 3 apples..." -> "Mark has magic now, he does magic good, Mark sleeps, he does magic gooder." I think I've felt more emotions from antidepressants.
I want start off by saying I did not really dislike this book but can't actually feel any emotion or attachment to it either. I don't want to come off as hating this book nor the author, and I don't want to be a jerk but I do want to tell you what this book made me feel. Nothing.
This feels like it was written by one of the neutral people from Futurama. Literally just "tell my wife I said..hello." If books are meant to convey something, the only thing I learned after this is that time has passed since I started this book.
Again it isn't bad per se, it is just like that feeling when you are dissociating and then jerk back to full consciousness after a little while.
The main character has power quite literally show up overnight with no real effort while maintaining absolutely no real emotions. I don't even hate overpowered MCs, I actually quite like them but he has no flaws to develop, no trials to overcome, and quite frankly he talks to the Spirit of his truck for half a page and it actually has just as much if not more personality than he does.
Instead of cardboard cutouts of tropes every character feels like a slab of concrete with a trope (maybe) drawn on them in chalk. You can see an image there but you can feel it is rigid, dull, gray, and slightly cool to the touch.
This kinda felt like how I felt reading a question in a math textbook. "If Mary has 5 apples, and Tom has 3 apples..." -> "Mark has magic now, he does magic good, Mark sleeps, he does magic gooder." I think I've felt more emotions from antidepressants.
November 27, 2024
Great read
I must say this is one of the best "magical" books I've read in a long time. I've been into sci-fi a lot lately and felt the need for something lighter and fun to read.
That being said, there is one thing I didn't like. Sorry. But I was not happy with there being no "chapters" or other breaks in the story. Made for a longer read to me. Even if the breaks were just an extra blank line I think it would have been easier to read. Maybe because that's what I've had all my reading life.
I loved reading so much my first grade teacher gave me a book to take home and read over the summer.
Back in the dark ages (70+years ago) there was no book mobile from the library that came by ever 2 weeks or so. And we did not go into town often. I was probably 9 or 10 years old before I even knew there was a library in town and I could pester my Mom to take me to it.
Then when the book mobile started making the rounds during the summer they could always count on me being the first there. They even broke their own rule about only allowing 5 books to be checked out at a time. I usually had 10 or 12 books, AND would have read each one more than once.
Thank you Jerry Boyd for making an OLD woman happy to read again.
I must say this is one of the best "magical" books I've read in a long time. I've been into sci-fi a lot lately and felt the need for something lighter and fun to read.
That being said, there is one thing I didn't like. Sorry. But I was not happy with there being no "chapters" or other breaks in the story. Made for a longer read to me. Even if the breaks were just an extra blank line I think it would have been easier to read. Maybe because that's what I've had all my reading life.
I loved reading so much my first grade teacher gave me a book to take home and read over the summer.
Back in the dark ages (70+years ago) there was no book mobile from the library that came by ever 2 weeks or so. And we did not go into town often. I was probably 9 or 10 years old before I even knew there was a library in town and I could pester my Mom to take me to it.
Then when the book mobile started making the rounds during the summer they could always count on me being the first there. They even broke their own rule about only allowing 5 books to be checked out at a time. I usually had 10 or 12 books, AND would have read each one more than once.
Thank you Jerry Boyd for making an OLD woman happy to read again.
November 29, 2024
I am a fan of Jerry Boyd's books. Been listening to saucer repair for years. I listen over and over waiting for the audio books to come out. I'm addicted to the narrator's voice.
One thing about his books that I have been wanting to write about, is the family dynamics are awkward. If not sometimes disturbing. He seems to want little girls to be a woman in a little girl's body. I wouldn't be surprised if he is a (fill in the blank). have to choose to overlook this in order to enjoy the books.
I am definitely enjoying this new series , fat man's gift . But like salsa repair, I have to choose to overlook the mother son relationship. With the mother and her new boyfriend, the son who is the main character, wants to mention about them having sex. I've often wondered if either Mr Boyd did not have proper boundaries his parents. Or maybe just didn't have the right upbringing which a lot of us are in that boat.
Nevertheless, like I said, I am definitely a fan of his audiobooks. It's comforting to me just to have it on in the background and hearing Chris's voice narrating.
One thing about his books that I have been wanting to write about, is the family dynamics are awkward. If not sometimes disturbing. He seems to want little girls to be a woman in a little girl's body. I wouldn't be surprised if he is a (fill in the blank). have to choose to overlook this in order to enjoy the books.
I am definitely enjoying this new series , fat man's gift . But like salsa repair, I have to choose to overlook the mother son relationship. With the mother and her new boyfriend, the son who is the main character, wants to mention about them having sex. I've often wondered if either Mr Boyd did not have proper boundaries his parents. Or maybe just didn't have the right upbringing which a lot of us are in that boat.
Nevertheless, like I said, I am definitely a fan of his audiobooks. It's comforting to me just to have it on in the background and hearing Chris's voice narrating.
June 28, 2024
Great new adventure
If you read the Bob and Niki series then you can tell Jerry wrote this story without having to see the author's name.
Jerry's distinct way of telling great stories lends itself to making this story another entertaining success.
He doesn't have the main character dominate the narrative, but allows for the development of other characters. If this story is like his others then the characters and the world around them will continue to grow filling in breadth and depth.
As the story builds Mark, the main character, encounters one mystery after another. As his magic grows he is able to solve some of these mysteries, but just like an onion when he peels off one layer he finds more underneath.
Mark is joined by family alive and dead to help him grow his magic and deal with hostile magicians, a paranoid government, and the scariest of all -- bureaucrats and politics😁.
If you read the Bob and Niki series then you can tell Jerry wrote this story without having to see the author's name.
Jerry's distinct way of telling great stories lends itself to making this story another entertaining success.
He doesn't have the main character dominate the narrative, but allows for the development of other characters. If this story is like his others then the characters and the world around them will continue to grow filling in breadth and depth.
As the story builds Mark, the main character, encounters one mystery after another. As his magic grows he is able to solve some of these mysteries, but just like an onion when he peels off one layer he finds more underneath.
Mark is joined by family alive and dead to help him grow his magic and deal with hostile magicians, a paranoid government, and the scariest of all -- bureaucrats and politics😁.
August 1, 2024
A Good Start
This is the first Jerry Boyd book I’ve read that is not a Bob and Nikki story.
I think it was a good start for a new series, but it needs some work. Too much of the language (phraseology and expression) sounds a great deal like a character straight out of the Bob and Nikki stories, and as a result, this novel doesn’t have its own voice and character.
I like the protagonists, and the antagonist is a good foil for them. The world and storyline are entertaining as well, however, like the language, there are too many commonalities with the Bob and Nikki stories.
I get the feeling that this is the first book Mr. Boyd has written outside of the Bob and Nikki series, and he doesn’t yet have a good feel for how to establish a separate world. If he is able to get there, this new series will turn out to be as fun to read as the Bob and Nikki series was.
This is the first Jerry Boyd book I’ve read that is not a Bob and Nikki story.
I think it was a good start for a new series, but it needs some work. Too much of the language (phraseology and expression) sounds a great deal like a character straight out of the Bob and Nikki stories, and as a result, this novel doesn’t have its own voice and character.
I like the protagonists, and the antagonist is a good foil for them. The world and storyline are entertaining as well, however, like the language, there are too many commonalities with the Bob and Nikki stories.
I get the feeling that this is the first book Mr. Boyd has written outside of the Bob and Nikki series, and he doesn’t yet have a good feel for how to establish a separate world. If he is able to get there, this new series will turn out to be as fun to read as the Bob and Nikki series was.
August 14, 2024
If you enjoy fantasy-genre books about magic, give this one a try
This is an alternate-history book is set in today's time-frame, but due to something that happened when the a-bomb detonated over Nagasaki, some people in the world are now able to exercise varying degrees of magical powers.
I greatly enjoy the author's "Bob & Nikki" series, and not to disparage those excellent books, but this book is a more highly "polished" book than those, demonstrating how the author's skills have grown.
If you like books about the use of magic in the real world, this is a must-read.
Jerry Boyd has earned a place in my Top Ten favorite sci-fi authors, up there with: Herbert, Currie, Card, Weber, and other greats. My mind is able to completely immerse in their narratives, and leave life's troubles behind for a few hours.
This is an alternate-history book is set in today's time-frame, but due to something that happened when the a-bomb detonated over Nagasaki, some people in the world are now able to exercise varying degrees of magical powers.
I greatly enjoy the author's "Bob & Nikki" series, and not to disparage those excellent books, but this book is a more highly "polished" book than those, demonstrating how the author's skills have grown.
If you like books about the use of magic in the real world, this is a must-read.
Jerry Boyd has earned a place in my Top Ten favorite sci-fi authors, up there with: Herbert, Currie, Card, Weber, and other greats. My mind is able to completely immerse in their narratives, and leave life's troubles behind for a few hours.
July 14, 2024
Nice shift
I've been a fan of saucer repaor for a long time and I'm glad to see another series. I loved it. I can possibly see how some might see it as slow or boring. Anyone in for a chill read or familiar with Mr. Boyd's books should really enjoy this book.
I saw small way's that J. Boyd seem to have improved as an author. Nothing radical but I never read his books to be surprised anyway (though it HAS happened a time or two). I am stoked for the continuation of the series. I'm especially looking forward to the family he builds up. It's already has a good start and foundation.
That's what I really read his books for, to get to actually read about the happily ever after. (Not that I'd begrudge a bit more adventure when he feels like it). Good luck and happy reading!
I've been a fan of saucer repaor for a long time and I'm glad to see another series. I loved it. I can possibly see how some might see it as slow or boring. Anyone in for a chill read or familiar with Mr. Boyd's books should really enjoy this book.
I saw small way's that J. Boyd seem to have improved as an author. Nothing radical but I never read his books to be surprised anyway (though it HAS happened a time or two). I am stoked for the continuation of the series. I'm especially looking forward to the family he builds up. It's already has a good start and foundation.
That's what I really read his books for, to get to actually read about the happily ever after. (Not that I'd begrudge a bit more adventure when he feels like it). Good luck and happy reading!
July 16, 2024
A unique magical story...
in many ways.
MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD!
Mark is a regular dude who works at a machine shop, keeping all the equipment in good repair as a mechanic. Unbeknownst to him, his family situation is much more complicated than he ever thought possible. He has directly inherited magic from his maternal grandparents. He has access to the journals of his paternal grandparents, as well. His very clever morfar cast spells on Mark, which allowed his magic to be hidden, even as he practiced it while asleep. So he's basically a badass, even though he still feels like one of the guys.
This is a fun story, with good characters, and an expanding world. No typos!!!
I'm looking forward to future installments. Recommend to borrow or buy, 9/10 Unicorns . 🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄
in many ways.
MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD!
Mark is a regular dude who works at a machine shop, keeping all the equipment in good repair as a mechanic. Unbeknownst to him, his family situation is much more complicated than he ever thought possible. He has directly inherited magic from his maternal grandparents. He has access to the journals of his paternal grandparents, as well. His very clever morfar cast spells on Mark, which allowed his magic to be hidden, even as he practiced it while asleep. So he's basically a badass, even though he still feels like one of the guys.
This is a fun story, with good characters, and an expanding world. No typos!!!
I'm looking forward to future installments. Recommend to borrow or buy, 9/10 Unicorns . 🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄
August 22, 2024
has Amazing potential
Its a straight and simple book. Refreshing for me because I usually avoid and have a distaste for short books. But it had its claws on me from the start. What I wish for this book or whatever future incarnation of it or from the author is a more shelled out work with more of the world building and a few more internal monologue from our MC. Since the second book is also out, I am continuing on that immediately. Also, i liked this book so much that I leaved a review and hope this helps along for anyone who wants to give this a go. I wish it went more into the detail of the grandparents and how the shit hit the fan in Nagasaki. Its a great plot and I was so invested from the first chapter with our MC helping his coworkerz and discovering his magic.
Its a straight and simple book. Refreshing for me because I usually avoid and have a distaste for short books. But it had its claws on me from the start. What I wish for this book or whatever future incarnation of it or from the author is a more shelled out work with more of the world building and a few more internal monologue from our MC. Since the second book is also out, I am continuing on that immediately. Also, i liked this book so much that I leaved a review and hope this helps along for anyone who wants to give this a go. I wish it went more into the detail of the grandparents and how the shit hit the fan in Nagasaki. Its a great plot and I was so invested from the first chapter with our MC helping his coworkerz and discovering his magic.
June 23, 2024
A lot like Bob & Nikki, maybe better?
Jerry Boyd has written over 40 books featuring Bob and Nikki. Bob, a mechanic, comes home to find Nikki trying to fix her flying saucer. All of these are light space opera and fun to read. In Mark's Magic, we have Mark, a mechanic, discovering he has magic. In a world a lot like ours except after the atomic bomb over Nagasaki, magic entered the world. Magic is regulated and licensed by the government. Mark learns to use magic very fast and is very powerful. I am sure the Fat Man's Gift series will continue to entertain. It is well worth reading.
Jerry Boyd has written over 40 books featuring Bob and Nikki. Bob, a mechanic, comes home to find Nikki trying to fix her flying saucer. All of these are light space opera and fun to read. In Mark's Magic, we have Mark, a mechanic, discovering he has magic. In a world a lot like ours except after the atomic bomb over Nagasaki, magic entered the world. Magic is regulated and licensed by the government. Mark learns to use magic very fast and is very powerful. I am sure the Fat Man's Gift series will continue to entertain. It is well worth reading.
June 26, 2024
A New Series by 'Bob's Saucer Repair' Author Jerry Boyd
The fact that Jerry Boyd wrote this book got me to start reading 'Mark's Magic' but the unfolding plot got me to read it to the end. Like all good series, the first book is slowed down a little bit by background, but in this instance, the cause and effect of magic appearing, is interesting all by itself. I think both YAs and adults will appreciate it. Sorry, no spoilers. But it's Good!
I highly recommend giving 'Marks Magic' a try and if you are anxiously awaiting on the next book in the series, read the 'Bob's Saucer Repair' series in between! Search Amazon for "Bob and Nikki"
The fact that Jerry Boyd wrote this book got me to start reading 'Mark's Magic' but the unfolding plot got me to read it to the end. Like all good series, the first book is slowed down a little bit by background, but in this instance, the cause and effect of magic appearing, is interesting all by itself. I think both YAs and adults will appreciate it. Sorry, no spoilers. But it's Good!
I highly recommend giving 'Marks Magic' a try and if you are anxiously awaiting on the next book in the series, read the 'Bob's Saucer Repair' series in between! Search Amazon for "Bob and Nikki"
July 24, 2024
Good start to a new series with a truly intriguing magical system
Interesting start to a potentially great new series. While details on spells are non existent, Mr Boyd has done a great job of detailing more obscure facets that are truly intriguing. Hopefully as he starts to fill out the magic system we can enjoy more humor and twists that his (Bob and Nikki) series bring. As always, Mr. Boyd, please think about making chapters, as it will help your readers but possibly take your great stories and tie them up as neatly as that mystery mage in this hopefully excellent series.
Interesting start to a potentially great new series. While details on spells are non existent, Mr Boyd has done a great job of detailing more obscure facets that are truly intriguing. Hopefully as he starts to fill out the magic system we can enjoy more humor and twists that his (Bob and Nikki) series bring. As always, Mr. Boyd, please think about making chapters, as it will help your readers but possibly take your great stories and tie them up as neatly as that mystery mage in this hopefully excellent series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews