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The Arcanist
Edouard Severin was useless. Happily useless. The third son of Count Argus Severin he would not inherit the title of count nor the reins of House Barris. He was free to do what he liked with his life provided he didn't embarrass his family. And what he liked was to live in his ancient fort in the town of Breakwater, tinker with his machines and play with his magic. Life was good. Then the city of Theria was attacked by a herd of stampeding mammoths, his older brother Marcus turned up on his doorstep in the middle of the night demanding his help, and he suddenly had to put his skills to use in investigating the crime. Little did he know that the attack was merely the first step in a plan to seize control of the Kingdom of Therion, or that the one responsible would be a member of his own family.
504 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 14, 2015
22 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 28, 2015
For some odd reason, this book popped up last Friday as I entered Amazon as I normally do. I was curious so I clicked on it and read the description. It told of a man who could wield magic and was technologically-savvy, who would sooner tinker around in his workshop and read his books than be involved in the politics of his House. And yet this very same man was to be suddenly thrown into a crisis when the city of Theria was attacked, one that was bound to test his mettle and wit. A common enough starting point for a fantasy book to be sure but I was intrigued and a little disappointed I would not be able to benefit from other readers' reviews.
So I postponed my purchase... by a day. After all, I decided, might as well review it myself, for better or worse. I purchased it on a Saturday but did not start reading it until Sunday afternoon. I was not particularly in a hurry to read it. Of course, once I began, however, it was an altogether different matter. I devoured this book (because 'read' would simply fall short) in less than a day, truly even less than half that time. It is simply that good. Why?
It went off to a good start. The beginning of a story, I find, often sets the tone for the read, if that makes any sense at all. Some beginnings seem to overindulge in descriptions making readers wonder what they have gotten themselves into. Luckily for me, "The Arcanist" cuts to the chase, more often than not. Sure, from time to time, characters will describe their surroundings, events, etc., to make us invested but never so much as to bore. Plus, no story I've read begins with an attack by a herd of stampeding mammoths. If anything, the writer has the element of surprise going for him.
Next up is our main protagonist, Edouard Severin of the House of Barris. While the description may insist he's useless and leads a useless life it quickly becomes evident only the latter may be somewhat true. First of all, he's a Spark, meaning he can manipulate an element of magic (Fire) to a moderate degree; certainly not as much as a Flame (closer to your average mage) or a Power (think demi-god but even more powerful) would. Second, he's quite the prolific builder, creating anything from steam carriages to advanced weapons. Also, as a member of the House of Barris, the head of which is the King's Right Hand (or was it Left Hand?), he's swiftly called upon to investigate the source of this attack and we see some of his detective skills at work and, more importantly, the keen mind behind them.
Perhaps even more useful to the reader is the fact that Edouard is a tad cranky, often stubborn, and rather set in his ways, what turns his thoughts into such an entertaining read. Of course, it wouldn't be half as enjoyable if he didn't have someone pushing his buttons and that counterpart are (mostly, but not exclusively) the handmaidens of Tyrel, a Power who is not fond of men in general and assigns a couple of handmaidens to find out who was behind the destruction of the city of Theria. Thus, we are introduced to Kyriel, Edouard's main source of annoyance throughout the story. After all, she's a bit of a riddle to him. She's a handmaiden of Tyrel, so that's enough to make him suspicious, but she's also clever, has magic of her own, and is quite likely a far better sword than he'll ever be. She's also every bit as stubborn as he is, often putting herself in danger, but also placing herself close to him. I suspect you can see where this is going.
Unfortunately, Kyriel doesn't have much of a chance to show her skills with a blade. I thought the writer was setting it up, slowly showing us how much Kyriel knew of the Dance and hinting at a future enemy for her to duel. Ultimately, this comes to nothing as this enemy is defeated almost as quickly as it's revealed and with Kyriel nowhere close to the event. Oh, well, there's always the next book, yes?
The support cast in the story are also enjoyable in their own right, providing levity at times, or simply showing us how each side deals with their own crisis and, as I said before, they never overstay their welcome. For my part, I thought the writer knew exactly when to switch the focus from character to character. At times even I thought the skips were a tad too abrupt. See, usually when reading a fantasy book (or any book for that matter) you expect a certain progression. Say a character is fighting a battle in one chapter and then needs to return home. Often a writer may cram in between something happening with another character, or narrate the long march home. Often you may find it boring. It would seem the writer thought as much, decided to get rid of the middle-man and just keep the good bits. I didn't mind, in fact I welcomed it at times, but I did notice it and do believe some people might find it disconcerting.
What else is there to say? There are battles to be sure, both big and small. People die, lose loved ones, lose their homes, become displaced; in short, what one might expect from a war. However, while characters ponder these matters throughout the story they never let themselves be consumed by despair or anguish instead turning to action, what is good because I can only tolerate so much negativity. In fact, this book is pretty light on negativity and quick to defuse situations with humour, what's a plus for me.
"The Arcanist" is a great read from start to finish with endearing characters you can only hope we'll read more of in future titles. Edouard remains the hero of this story, however, and reading about the problems he faces and the solutions he comes up with remains the main appeal (let's face it, I'm looking forward to him solving more problems down the road) as well as the banter between Edouard and Kyriel. But maybe we'll be off to the land of the Tenarri next time, and explore more of Kyriel's origins with a reluctant Edouard in tow?
For a gamble, my little purchase seems to have paid off and then some. Then again, maybe I was favoured by Virius.
So I postponed my purchase... by a day. After all, I decided, might as well review it myself, for better or worse. I purchased it on a Saturday but did not start reading it until Sunday afternoon. I was not particularly in a hurry to read it. Of course, once I began, however, it was an altogether different matter. I devoured this book (because 'read' would simply fall short) in less than a day, truly even less than half that time. It is simply that good. Why?
It went off to a good start. The beginning of a story, I find, often sets the tone for the read, if that makes any sense at all. Some beginnings seem to overindulge in descriptions making readers wonder what they have gotten themselves into. Luckily for me, "The Arcanist" cuts to the chase, more often than not. Sure, from time to time, characters will describe their surroundings, events, etc., to make us invested but never so much as to bore. Plus, no story I've read begins with an attack by a herd of stampeding mammoths. If anything, the writer has the element of surprise going for him.
Next up is our main protagonist, Edouard Severin of the House of Barris. While the description may insist he's useless and leads a useless life it quickly becomes evident only the latter may be somewhat true. First of all, he's a Spark, meaning he can manipulate an element of magic (Fire) to a moderate degree; certainly not as much as a Flame (closer to your average mage) or a Power (think demi-god but even more powerful) would. Second, he's quite the prolific builder, creating anything from steam carriages to advanced weapons. Also, as a member of the House of Barris, the head of which is the King's Right Hand (or was it Left Hand?), he's swiftly called upon to investigate the source of this attack and we see some of his detective skills at work and, more importantly, the keen mind behind them.
Perhaps even more useful to the reader is the fact that Edouard is a tad cranky, often stubborn, and rather set in his ways, what turns his thoughts into such an entertaining read. Of course, it wouldn't be half as enjoyable if he didn't have someone pushing his buttons and that counterpart are (mostly, but not exclusively) the handmaidens of Tyrel, a Power who is not fond of men in general and assigns a couple of handmaidens to find out who was behind the destruction of the city of Theria. Thus, we are introduced to Kyriel, Edouard's main source of annoyance throughout the story. After all, she's a bit of a riddle to him. She's a handmaiden of Tyrel, so that's enough to make him suspicious, but she's also clever, has magic of her own, and is quite likely a far better sword than he'll ever be. She's also every bit as stubborn as he is, often putting herself in danger, but also placing herself close to him. I suspect you can see where this is going.
Unfortunately, Kyriel doesn't have much of a chance to show her skills with a blade. I thought the writer was setting it up, slowly showing us how much Kyriel knew of the Dance and hinting at a future enemy for her to duel. Ultimately, this comes to nothing as this enemy is defeated almost as quickly as it's revealed and with Kyriel nowhere close to the event. Oh, well, there's always the next book, yes?
The support cast in the story are also enjoyable in their own right, providing levity at times, or simply showing us how each side deals with their own crisis and, as I said before, they never overstay their welcome. For my part, I thought the writer knew exactly when to switch the focus from character to character. At times even I thought the skips were a tad too abrupt. See, usually when reading a fantasy book (or any book for that matter) you expect a certain progression. Say a character is fighting a battle in one chapter and then needs to return home. Often a writer may cram in between something happening with another character, or narrate the long march home. Often you may find it boring. It would seem the writer thought as much, decided to get rid of the middle-man and just keep the good bits. I didn't mind, in fact I welcomed it at times, but I did notice it and do believe some people might find it disconcerting.
What else is there to say? There are battles to be sure, both big and small. People die, lose loved ones, lose their homes, become displaced; in short, what one might expect from a war. However, while characters ponder these matters throughout the story they never let themselves be consumed by despair or anguish instead turning to action, what is good because I can only tolerate so much negativity. In fact, this book is pretty light on negativity and quick to defuse situations with humour, what's a plus for me.
"The Arcanist" is a great read from start to finish with endearing characters you can only hope we'll read more of in future titles. Edouard remains the hero of this story, however, and reading about the problems he faces and the solutions he comes up with remains the main appeal (let's face it, I'm looking forward to him solving more problems down the road) as well as the banter between Edouard and Kyriel. But maybe we'll be off to the land of the Tenarri next time, and explore more of Kyriel's origins with a reluctant Edouard in tow?
For a gamble, my little purchase seems to have paid off and then some. Then again, maybe I was favoured by Virius.
August 24, 2015
Nice!
Books more like 3.5 but I feel it's worth a bump up, essentially the enemy is good, the characters interesting and plot relatively good overall, the steampunk additions are good so overall a pretty enjoyable read.
Only problems are the main characters emotions aren't all that relateable, and there's a few plot points that make you groan.
Books more like 3.5 but I feel it's worth a bump up, essentially the enemy is good, the characters interesting and plot relatively good overall, the steampunk additions are good so overall a pretty enjoyable read.
Only problems are the main characters emotions aren't all that relateable, and there's a few plot points that make you groan.
February 7, 2016
When I was looking through amazon for the latest fantasy for my kindle. I saw the cover for this book, I'm a sucker for guns and magic. Like The Powdermage trilogy and warmachine/ Iron kingdoms RPG.
The story involves Edouard the third son of the count of house Barris who was free to tinker with his machines and use his magic in peace. Provided that he didn't embarrass his family... too much. But after a herd of mammoths trampled the kings ball and destroys his castle. Edouard's brother Marcus drags him along due to the kings orders to get to the bottom of this attack on Theria.
I will say this the beginning starts off very strongly. But the middle has a tendency to drag on more then it needed to but toward the end it picked right back up to the original pace but the climax did fell a tad rushed.
Greg Curtis definitely knows how to write, it shows in the characters.
Edouard is a pretty decent. Starting of as a useless noble to a hero in his own right.
The main antagonist Simon the weasel, Edouard's older brother (Edouard's full title is Edouard the Owl). Is just a complete bastard and he steals the show for me. And what happens to him in the end well... you'll just have to read to find out. The other characters like Marcus and Kyriel were very well done. But the other minor characters actions seem to exist just to move the story along. There is some good battles and some creative monsters that are in this book. If he continues this series or wants to revisit this world again, I will gladly pick up the next instalment.
The story involves Edouard the third son of the count of house Barris who was free to tinker with his machines and use his magic in peace. Provided that he didn't embarrass his family... too much. But after a herd of mammoths trampled the kings ball and destroys his castle. Edouard's brother Marcus drags him along due to the kings orders to get to the bottom of this attack on Theria.
I will say this the beginning starts off very strongly. But the middle has a tendency to drag on more then it needed to but toward the end it picked right back up to the original pace but the climax did fell a tad rushed.
Greg Curtis definitely knows how to write, it shows in the characters.
Edouard is a pretty decent. Starting of as a useless noble to a hero in his own right.
The main antagonist Simon the weasel, Edouard's older brother (Edouard's full title is Edouard the Owl). Is just a complete bastard and he steals the show for me. And what happens to him in the end well... you'll just have to read to find out. The other characters like Marcus and Kyriel were very well done. But the other minor characters actions seem to exist just to move the story along. There is some good battles and some creative monsters that are in this book. If he continues this series or wants to revisit this world again, I will gladly pick up the next instalment.
August 10, 2015
Excellent story
I wasn't sure at first, but by the second chapter I was hooked. Great mix of technology and magic and an interesting world mythos. I would like to see a sequel or at least another story in this world.
I wasn't sure at first, but by the second chapter I was hooked. Great mix of technology and magic and an interesting world mythos. I would like to see a sequel or at least another story in this world.
August 2, 2015
Excellent
Rated a 4 instead of a 5. Solely because the ending though good seemed rushed. This book is worth the time to read.
Rated a 4 instead of a 5. Solely because the ending though good seemed rushed. This book is worth the time to read.
August 24, 2015
Good read. 9/10. Would have been slightly better if there were a couple more chapters. They weren't necessary but I would have loved to know what happens next.
September 17, 2018
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 because the story was very engaging at times. There were a few chapters that just seemed rushed and didn't fit in with the rest of the book. I adored the MC and was sad there were so many POV'S besides his. I honestly wished that Simon, the usurping king, was never given voice. His thoughts actually brought the story down. If you like magic mixed with steam punk technology, plenty of fighting, plot twists, endearing loyalty, heroic acts and rising to the highest potential, then this is the book for you.
July 19, 2023
Above average fantasy novel. Pretty much a one and done with a vaguely renaissance era setting, magic, likable but stock characters, and a decent plot that's entirely wrapped up by the end.
August 8, 2015
30% was all I could read
So wordy. I was skipping whole pages to see if the story would move along. To me it was uninteresting.
So wordy. I was skipping whole pages to see if the story would move along. To me it was uninteresting.
September 21, 2015
Clever and enjoyable but uneven, with engaging characters and interesting plot and situations but rather clunky writing.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews