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Menaced by Magic
The last thing former soldier Mark Armstrong knew, he’d been on his way home from work. He certainly wasn’t expecting to wake up in a totally different world!
In the Duchy of Palma chaos has struck – the duke is dead and his heir, Marcus, missing. Without them the duchy has lost its means to defend itself with the Gift, although that hasn’t been used in centuries. So when the search for Marcus turns up a complete stranger in his stead, at first army commander Rufus and his friend Elias, the spy, are more worried about keeping the news quiet to avoid a diplomatic incident. Mark must pose as Marcus to keep the peace. Only when the stone mythical beasts around the palace of Al-dushara start moving is the truth of the Gift gradually revealed – and it’s bad news, because now no-one can control them!
Alongside Rufus and Elias, Mark begins a desperate attempt to save the people on the island of Dushan, but they are facing unknown enemies with powers of a kind they don’t begin to comprehend. Which of the neighbouring countries is behind these attacks? Or is it none of them? Yet who else has a motive for trying to bring the duchy to ruin? Even the motive is shrouded in mystery, and things only begin to be revealed when they also tackle the traitor in their midst.
With assassins on the loose, and an unseen enemy who seems to be able to control even the wind, the dangers just keep rising!
In the Duchy of Palma chaos has struck – the duke is dead and his heir, Marcus, missing. Without them the duchy has lost its means to defend itself with the Gift, although that hasn’t been used in centuries. So when the search for Marcus turns up a complete stranger in his stead, at first army commander Rufus and his friend Elias, the spy, are more worried about keeping the news quiet to avoid a diplomatic incident. Mark must pose as Marcus to keep the peace. Only when the stone mythical beasts around the palace of Al-dushara start moving is the truth of the Gift gradually revealed – and it’s bad news, because now no-one can control them!
Alongside Rufus and Elias, Mark begins a desperate attempt to save the people on the island of Dushan, but they are facing unknown enemies with powers of a kind they don’t begin to comprehend. Which of the neighbouring countries is behind these attacks? Or is it none of them? Yet who else has a motive for trying to bring the duchy to ruin? Even the motive is shrouded in mystery, and things only begin to be revealed when they also tackle the traitor in their midst.
With assassins on the loose, and an unseen enemy who seems to be able to control even the wind, the dangers just keep rising!
349 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 21, 2014
27 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 14, 2014
Menaced By Magic’ starts what promises to be another brilliant fantasy series by this author.
Fans of the amazing Islands Quartet (starting with Chasing Sorcery) will already be familiar with how LJ Hutton effectively combines the best features of other fantasy writers. In this first instalment the same high standards are on display; the political intrigue of GRR Martin; the creation of a world with its own history, language and philosophy of Tolkien's Middle Earth; the immediacy of pace and action of Brent Weeks; and the warmth, humour and depth of characters like those created by Robin Hobb and Terry Goodkind.
However, there is no need to have read any of LJ Hutton’s other books at all to fully enjoy ‘Menaced By Magic’.
The action takes place in a world in turmoil, from a chilling opening we are then thrown into the chaos taking place in the Duchy of Palma, where the line of succession is in dire straights and the commanders there are dealing with a missing heir, an assassin on the loose, a peace conference that is anything but and a mad leader - not to mention murderous winds, a drowned city and moving statues!
Into this mix comes Mark, and LJ Hutton cleverly handles how he balances using his knowledge and skills from our modern world in the new world of the Duchy. Mark is a real hero you can get behind and root for, plus he can handle a gryphon or two rather well too!
There are lots of exciting action sequences (with phenomenal strategic thinking), some hilariously funny as well as extremely touching moments; you’ll want to laugh, cry and cheer as Mark sets about trying to help his new friends and outwit the mysterious and seriously creepy enemies.
Roll on the next installment!
Fans of the amazing Islands Quartet (starting with Chasing Sorcery) will already be familiar with how LJ Hutton effectively combines the best features of other fantasy writers. In this first instalment the same high standards are on display; the political intrigue of GRR Martin; the creation of a world with its own history, language and philosophy of Tolkien's Middle Earth; the immediacy of pace and action of Brent Weeks; and the warmth, humour and depth of characters like those created by Robin Hobb and Terry Goodkind.
However, there is no need to have read any of LJ Hutton’s other books at all to fully enjoy ‘Menaced By Magic’.
The action takes place in a world in turmoil, from a chilling opening we are then thrown into the chaos taking place in the Duchy of Palma, where the line of succession is in dire straights and the commanders there are dealing with a missing heir, an assassin on the loose, a peace conference that is anything but and a mad leader - not to mention murderous winds, a drowned city and moving statues!
Into this mix comes Mark, and LJ Hutton cleverly handles how he balances using his knowledge and skills from our modern world in the new world of the Duchy. Mark is a real hero you can get behind and root for, plus he can handle a gryphon or two rather well too!
There are lots of exciting action sequences (with phenomenal strategic thinking), some hilariously funny as well as extremely touching moments; you’ll want to laugh, cry and cheer as Mark sets about trying to help his new friends and outwit the mysterious and seriously creepy enemies.
Roll on the next installment!
June 12, 2021
Okay I Guess
This story of a Sergeant going to another world and taking the place of a spoilt rotten duke heir was one weird story. I have no idea where it’s going.
This story of a Sergeant going to another world and taking the place of a spoilt rotten duke heir was one weird story. I have no idea where it’s going.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews