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Born of Fire #2
A Broken Magic
On a quest for domination, evil sorcerers from another land tore apart the barriers between our worlds, and the release of magical energy burned the Earth. Ten years later, a young woman named Skylar took control of the magic and used it to stop the sorcerers and seal the rift. Earth was saved.
Or so it seemed.
Now a new threat rises. Though the rift was closed, sorcerers from that distant land still lin in our world, and the greatest of them, Embreal, has vowed to open a new rift. Helping him is Cassandra, - a dark reflection of Skylar - who is devoted to him heart and soul. Will Skylar's magic be enough to stop them? And, when she finally comes face to face with Cassandra, will she user her power against someone she so easily could have become?
"Justin Macumber's Born of Fire series follows a very unique storyline and I love that it doesn't feel just like every other book I've read. He has an amazing way of developing a universe that you can see. I am excited for what more is to come from Mr. Macumber." - Amy Dale, author of OFF WITH HER HEART
"Justin Macumber knows how to master both action and character. His writing takes you to places you'll want to go!" Philippa Ballantine, author of WRAYTH, and HUNTER AND FOX
Or so it seemed.
Now a new threat rises. Though the rift was closed, sorcerers from that distant land still lin in our world, and the greatest of them, Embreal, has vowed to open a new rift. Helping him is Cassandra, - a dark reflection of Skylar - who is devoted to him heart and soul. Will Skylar's magic be enough to stop them? And, when she finally comes face to face with Cassandra, will she user her power against someone she so easily could have become?
"Justin Macumber's Born of Fire series follows a very unique storyline and I love that it doesn't feel just like every other book I've read. He has an amazing way of developing a universe that you can see. I am excited for what more is to come from Mr. Macumber." - Amy Dale, author of OFF WITH HER HEART
"Justin Macumber knows how to master both action and character. His writing takes you to places you'll want to go!" Philippa Ballantine, author of WRAYTH, and HUNTER AND FOX
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 13, 2014
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 8, 2015
Another fantastic novel from Justin R. Macumber. I loved the first book in this series, and this one delivered again. Great story, great characters, and two awesome magic systems that clash to make for one awesome story with great action scenes.
The way Justin described the two different kinds of magic, the way they felt when the characters drew them in, and how it affected them was brilliant. I also love how he described the magic hurting characters to use it and how it drained them. It took a lot out of the characters to use magic in this book and that made it seem so much more real and awesome. Yes the characters can do some amazing things with magic but they suffer for it and having that as part of the story enhanced it so much for me. He made abstract fantastical things feel real and alive in the story.
There was a part in the story where there's a magic wielding character in the post-apocalyptic world and they had never seen electricity. That character comes encounters a city with all the street lights up and running. To them the technology was like magic. It was really fun seeing that character interact with the world that would be somewhat familiar to me but had become the stuff of magic to them. Great storytelling and world building.
The imagery described in the fight scenes from magic being used was amazing. Justin did a fantastic job of describing what was happening. I could see the scenes clearly in my mind and they were so cool. I remember stopping just to imagine the moment that was happening in the scene for a few seconds longer just to enjoy it before I moved on. He has a great way of balancing description with action so the scenes move but are described in a way you can picture clearly in your mind.
In the last act of the story Justin utilized all of the characters well. There were a lot of characters and he made all of them important. Even the more minor characters had a major role to play in the final battle and it was awesome to see the battle through all of the different character viewpoints. Another thing I loved about Justin using so many characters in his novel was the dialogue. It always gave each character more depth and personality. The dialogue was also often witty and very funny. I've said this in other reviews before but when an author can make me laugh in a time of intense action where it looks like the characters are doomed I am pretty impressed and it makes reading the story that much more fun and enjoyable.
The way Justin described the two different kinds of magic, the way they felt when the characters drew them in, and how it affected them was brilliant. I also love how he described the magic hurting characters to use it and how it drained them. It took a lot out of the characters to use magic in this book and that made it seem so much more real and awesome. Yes the characters can do some amazing things with magic but they suffer for it and having that as part of the story enhanced it so much for me. He made abstract fantastical things feel real and alive in the story.
There was a part in the story where there's a magic wielding character in the post-apocalyptic world and they had never seen electricity. That character comes encounters a city with all the street lights up and running. To them the technology was like magic. It was really fun seeing that character interact with the world that would be somewhat familiar to me but had become the stuff of magic to them. Great storytelling and world building.
The imagery described in the fight scenes from magic being used was amazing. Justin did a fantastic job of describing what was happening. I could see the scenes clearly in my mind and they were so cool. I remember stopping just to imagine the moment that was happening in the scene for a few seconds longer just to enjoy it before I moved on. He has a great way of balancing description with action so the scenes move but are described in a way you can picture clearly in your mind.
In the last act of the story Justin utilized all of the characters well. There were a lot of characters and he made all of them important. Even the more minor characters had a major role to play in the final battle and it was awesome to see the battle through all of the different character viewpoints. Another thing I loved about Justin using so many characters in his novel was the dialogue. It always gave each character more depth and personality. The dialogue was also often witty and very funny. I've said this in other reviews before but when an author can make me laugh in a time of intense action where it looks like the characters are doomed I am pretty impressed and it makes reading the story that much more fun and enjoyable.
December 25, 2015
What I really found interesting with this second book was how Justin Macumber opened up the universe a little. Bringing in the point of view of Cassandra gave a different element to it and one that was a polar opposite to that of Skyla from the first book.
The story was pretty good and I liked the idea of the magic that didn't belong here and the effect it has on our planet and those here that may have magical powers.
I believe there is a third book in mind and I'm quite looking forward to seeing where Macumber takes it. I am kind of hoping we see more of the Columbia community, that seemed rather interesting.
A quick final note, I listened to the audiobook of this one, and the book before it, A Minor Magic. The narration and the quality of the sound was fantastic. Veronica Giguere, again, did an amazing job.
The story was pretty good and I liked the idea of the magic that didn't belong here and the effect it has on our planet and those here that may have magical powers.
I believe there is a third book in mind and I'm quite looking forward to seeing where Macumber takes it. I am kind of hoping we see more of the Columbia community, that seemed rather interesting.
A quick final note, I listened to the audiobook of this one, and the book before it, A Minor Magic. The narration and the quality of the sound was fantastic. Veronica Giguere, again, did an amazing job.
June 21, 2015
A great follow up to A Minor Magic. More action and a greater understanding of how the world has changed after 'the burning' devastated the planet ten years previously. The author brings the characters to life in a way that makes us care about them so much that it increases the tension when they are in peril. Fantasy and alien elements collide that will please readers of all ages. I highly recommend these books.
November 15, 2015
I was a little underwhelmed with the first book of this series, A Minor Magic, when I first listened to it last year. I gave it 3 stars. I did go back and give it another listen before diving into A Broken Magic, and I liked it much better the second time around. I would definitely give it 4 stars now. With that grounding, I approached this book with a clear palate, avoiding prejudices I originally had against the first book.
It was better than the first. From the get-go. I see a lot of what I call "Second Book Stigma" where the second book of a series (especially trilogies) pales in comparison to the first. Macumber did a spectacular job with A Broken Magic, and I am ready for the next book in the series. There has to be one, after this ending!
Macumber branched out more with the characters in this book, giving us multiple point-of-view characters so we got to get into Cassandra's head as well as a few other characters besides Skylar. It was well done, and each POV character had his or her own distinct ways of seeing the world. Macumber's characterization has always been great (I've read a few of his other books, too), and he just keeps getting better. I look forward to seeing where things take Skylar and Nathan next!
It was better than the first. From the get-go. I see a lot of what I call "Second Book Stigma" where the second book of a series (especially trilogies) pales in comparison to the first. Macumber did a spectacular job with A Broken Magic, and I am ready for the next book in the series. There has to be one, after this ending!
Macumber branched out more with the characters in this book, giving us multiple point-of-view characters so we got to get into Cassandra's head as well as a few other characters besides Skylar. It was well done, and each POV character had his or her own distinct ways of seeing the world. Macumber's characterization has always been great (I've read a few of his other books, too), and he just keeps getting better. I look forward to seeing where things take Skylar and Nathan next!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews