What do you think?
Rate this book
Dark Magic Enforcer #1
Black Spark
Full of magic, wizards, gangsters, vampires, imps, and some snappy dressing. All set in Wales. Yes, it's British Urban Fantasy! What's not to like?
I watched in horror as dark magic sprang from my hand faster than an imp after your socks. I didn’t know my name, let alone that I had such power. The man was dead. I panicked. I ran.
How was I to know I was a dark magic enforcer, tasked with keeping magic hidden from the world? Yeah, total noob move, I know.
But my memory is returning, and the Hidden have given me twenty-four hours to make amends. Cover it up. Finish the job I was given, or else. Failure isn’t an option. Well, it is, but I like me, and I like being alive.
The clock is ticking as I battle to make things right and exact revenge on those that took so much from me. Easier said than done as I deal with angry mages, bitey zombies, oversexed imps, creepy necromancers, and grumpy trolls—and those are just my friends!—all while trying to stop myself falling in love with my best friend, Kate, who just so happens to be a hot vampire.
I’m Faz Pound, a.k.a. Black Spark, Dark Magic Enforcer, and time is running out.
At least I have my looks. For now.
Book 1 in a complete urban fantasy series. Perfect for all fans of supernatural suspense, anti-hero wizards, and unique magic systems. Binge-read now!
I watched in horror as dark magic sprang from my hand faster than an imp after your socks. I didn’t know my name, let alone that I had such power. The man was dead. I panicked. I ran.
How was I to know I was a dark magic enforcer, tasked with keeping magic hidden from the world? Yeah, total noob move, I know.
But my memory is returning, and the Hidden have given me twenty-four hours to make amends. Cover it up. Finish the job I was given, or else. Failure isn’t an option. Well, it is, but I like me, and I like being alive.
The clock is ticking as I battle to make things right and exact revenge on those that took so much from me. Easier said than done as I deal with angry mages, bitey zombies, oversexed imps, creepy necromancers, and grumpy trolls—and those are just my friends!—all while trying to stop myself falling in love with my best friend, Kate, who just so happens to be a hot vampire.
I’m Faz Pound, a.k.a. Black Spark, Dark Magic Enforcer, and time is running out.
At least I have my looks. For now.
Book 1 in a complete urban fantasy series. Perfect for all fans of supernatural suspense, anti-hero wizards, and unique magic systems. Binge-read now!
299 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 24, 2016
583 people are currently reading
1324 people want to read
About the author
Al K. Line
84 books185 followersAl K. Line is a British author who lives in rural England with his wife, son, and dogs.
When asked to describe himself for this bio all we got was the following:
"Who am I? Degrees, jobs, living in other countries, fighting squirrels, cuddling monkeys, amused by penguins, all the usual stuff."
When asked to describe himself for this bio all we got was the following:
"Who am I? Degrees, jobs, living in other countries, fighting squirrels, cuddling monkeys, amused by penguins, all the usual stuff."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
March 2, 2018
Black Spark
Dark Magic Enforcer Series, Book 1
By: Al K. Line
Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
This was hard to get through, at least the first third of the way. I almost stopped and quit many times. Once I got half way, it picked up and went much better and was a pretty good book. I am going to get the next book because I am hoping it will be better idea behind the story sounds good.
The narrator has such a thick British accent that it was frustrating at times. It is hard to do humor and I think another narrator might have been a better pick. Some very good lines were not funny when they should have been. It is not easy to do...just saying.
Dark Magic Enforcer Series, Book 1
By: Al K. Line
Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
This was hard to get through, at least the first third of the way. I almost stopped and quit many times. Once I got half way, it picked up and went much better and was a pretty good book. I am going to get the next book because I am hoping it will be better idea behind the story sounds good.
The narrator has such a thick British accent that it was frustrating at times. It is hard to do humor and I think another narrator might have been a better pick. Some very good lines were not funny when they should have been. It is not easy to do...just saying.
January 8, 2017
First, I'd like to state that writing and actually finishing a book is incredibly challenging and exacting. For that, any published author has my profound respect. However, from the very beginning to the last page, I found this book to be a repitative info dump. It ruins the pacing of the book and makes it altogether difficult to get through without rolling your eyes or considering a better use for your time. I realize much of the first book has to set up plots and themes for the next book, but I believe the book could have been 3/4's the length and better for it.
November 20, 2021
I can't finish this. I got to chapter 10 and just couldn't bring myself to read anymore. There's really nothing good for me to say about the book, and I'm not going to make a list here. If you're into writers like Jim Butcher and D.B. Jackson, then this is right up your alley. If you like books with 3d characters, plot, and a reason to care about the story, then I would not recommend this for you.
*ppl seem to think that I am suggesting J. Butcher's books are good. I am not. I find them flat and empty and the characters are one-trick ponies. Hence why I compared this book to them.
*ppl seem to think that I am suggesting J. Butcher's books are good. I am not. I find them flat and empty and the characters are one-trick ponies. Hence why I compared this book to them.
April 28, 2016
Rambling and Redundant
I barely made it through the first 2 chapters. The writing style is horrible! It's very "preachy", like some know it all telling you all about something that makes no sense. There are endless repetitive details in a "let me tell YOU, miss!" way that is extremely off putting. It was all over the place and never got to the point of anything, the story really didn't feel like it was moving in ANY discernible direction, with no promise that it ever would. I gave up and didn't finish.
I barely made it through the first 2 chapters. The writing style is horrible! It's very "preachy", like some know it all telling you all about something that makes no sense. There are endless repetitive details in a "let me tell YOU, miss!" way that is extremely off putting. It was all over the place and never got to the point of anything, the story really didn't feel like it was moving in ANY discernible direction, with no promise that it ever would. I gave up and didn't finish.
May 17, 2016
Snappy Patter, Twisty Plot, Dark Magic, Weird Secondary Characters and an Engaging Sarcastic Hero/Narrator - Yeah, I'm In
I am a loyal and devoted fan of Simon Green's Nightside books and Derek Landy's Skulduggery Pleasant set, and this new series fell right in line with those books, in terms of both strengths and weaknesses.
All of the books feature witty, wisecracking heroes who call upon magic, sometimes dark magic, to fight evil. Green's books feature John Taylor, a private investigator with a special gift, who is based in the Nightside, a dark, hidden part of London. Landy's Skulduggery is an undead, skeletal, sorcerer and detective who fights magical dark villains. Line's Faz Pound, (aka Black Spark), is a dark magic enforcer, tasked with keeping magic users in line and punishing those who break the magical rules.
This book breaks out of the mold a bit in that Faz has a boss, a number of bosses actually, and he's more of a guy caught in the middle than he is a lone wolf enforcer who plays by his own rules. Can you have a dark magic procedural? That's a little bit like what you get here.
But, no quibbles - this book delivers where it's important. Faz is wry, sarcastic, has a bit of a temper, and doesn't take any guff. He alternates between cool competence, bemusement, desperation, depression, ruthlessness, and a certain amount of self-deprecation and restraint. In other words he's a classic comedy/action/suspense magic enforcer/detective. And he has style and personality that shines through even the most bizarre story developments. The book is narrated by Faz and that confessional, first person style suits the material. Faz isn't an unreliable narrator, but he's a cagey one, and reading bwteen the lines adds a bit of mystery and spice to the story.
Faz is surrounded by the three essentials - an antic plot with bizarre sub-plots, an unattainable, dangerous, manic pixie dream girl vampire femme, and a galaxy of colorfully weird, dangerous and differently talented magical weirdos of every color, stripe, form and degree. And when you have all that, well you have something. Every character is there for a reason, and characters are allowed to have bits, set pieces and funny throwaway lines that keep the action briskly paced.
To be fair, and it pains me to write this, Skulduggery's sarcasm and repartee is sharper and edgier. John Taylor's immersion in the Nightside and his command of his world is deeper and more convincing. But, that doesn't take away anything from the appeal of Faz Pound. Are the Dark Magic Enforcer books maybe a bit rougher around the edges and a bit more loosely constructed? Sure. But when you are guaranteed either a chuckle, a thrill, or a clever character or plot development on at least every other page, well, that's a deal I'd take any time.
(Please note that I found this book while browsing kindleunlimited freebies. I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
I am a loyal and devoted fan of Simon Green's Nightside books and Derek Landy's Skulduggery Pleasant set, and this new series fell right in line with those books, in terms of both strengths and weaknesses.
All of the books feature witty, wisecracking heroes who call upon magic, sometimes dark magic, to fight evil. Green's books feature John Taylor, a private investigator with a special gift, who is based in the Nightside, a dark, hidden part of London. Landy's Skulduggery is an undead, skeletal, sorcerer and detective who fights magical dark villains. Line's Faz Pound, (aka Black Spark), is a dark magic enforcer, tasked with keeping magic users in line and punishing those who break the magical rules.
This book breaks out of the mold a bit in that Faz has a boss, a number of bosses actually, and he's more of a guy caught in the middle than he is a lone wolf enforcer who plays by his own rules. Can you have a dark magic procedural? That's a little bit like what you get here.
But, no quibbles - this book delivers where it's important. Faz is wry, sarcastic, has a bit of a temper, and doesn't take any guff. He alternates between cool competence, bemusement, desperation, depression, ruthlessness, and a certain amount of self-deprecation and restraint. In other words he's a classic comedy/action/suspense magic enforcer/detective. And he has style and personality that shines through even the most bizarre story developments. The book is narrated by Faz and that confessional, first person style suits the material. Faz isn't an unreliable narrator, but he's a cagey one, and reading bwteen the lines adds a bit of mystery and spice to the story.
Faz is surrounded by the three essentials - an antic plot with bizarre sub-plots, an unattainable, dangerous, manic pixie dream girl vampire femme, and a galaxy of colorfully weird, dangerous and differently talented magical weirdos of every color, stripe, form and degree. And when you have all that, well you have something. Every character is there for a reason, and characters are allowed to have bits, set pieces and funny throwaway lines that keep the action briskly paced.
To be fair, and it pains me to write this, Skulduggery's sarcasm and repartee is sharper and edgier. John Taylor's immersion in the Nightside and his command of his world is deeper and more convincing. But, that doesn't take away anything from the appeal of Faz Pound. Are the Dark Magic Enforcer books maybe a bit rougher around the edges and a bit more loosely constructed? Sure. But when you are guaranteed either a chuckle, a thrill, or a clever character or plot development on at least every other page, well, that's a deal I'd take any time.
(Please note that I found this book while browsing kindleunlimited freebies. I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
September 28, 2016
I received this book in exchange for an honest review by the Author. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity!
Black Spark has an interesting storyline that keeps you engaged and intrigued. The author’s writing style is not one that I typically read, however it was refreshing and Al K. Line pulled it off nicely.
“Nobody messes with me and gets away with it. Nobody.”
“I was still fizzing like an out-of-date bottle of Pepsi with a slow lead - it seemed I h ad a real aversion to getting wet-“
“He hates him as much as I do - we bond over it and call him names behind his back. Well, to his face, usually.”
The characters are very enjoyable. Faz (aka Black Spark) is a charming and witty magic wielding main character. The supporting cast are, in their own right, also very interesting. (Some of them I would like to know more about!)
In all honesty, it did take a while to capture my interest. The fact that he couldn’t remember much of anything (and that was his goal/mission to figure out) - but instead of jumping right into the action it spent a considerable amount of time on world building. As fascinating as the world is, I typically enjoy a fast-paced action packed story. But all in all, it was a very enjoyable read! Refreshing & Intriguing
Black Spark has an interesting storyline that keeps you engaged and intrigued. The author’s writing style is not one that I typically read, however it was refreshing and Al K. Line pulled it off nicely.
“Nobody messes with me and gets away with it. Nobody.”
“I was still fizzing like an out-of-date bottle of Pepsi with a slow lead - it seemed I h ad a real aversion to getting wet-“
“He hates him as much as I do - we bond over it and call him names behind his back. Well, to his face, usually.”
The characters are very enjoyable. Faz (aka Black Spark) is a charming and witty magic wielding main character. The supporting cast are, in their own right, also very interesting. (Some of them I would like to know more about!)
In all honesty, it did take a while to capture my interest. The fact that he couldn’t remember much of anything (and that was his goal/mission to figure out) - but instead of jumping right into the action it spent a considerable amount of time on world building. As fascinating as the world is, I typically enjoy a fast-paced action packed story. But all in all, it was a very enjoyable read! Refreshing & Intriguing
June 5, 2020
Was not a fan of this book. The main character, when not talking directly to someone, rambled. Constantly. Now, rambling is not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes it can be great (see the Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones). The inner monologue in this book, however, turned into one giant info dump.
And his wish washy, should I shouldn't I with the female vampire was annoying. A character doesnt necessarily have to be confident with women all the time, but they had been friends long enough that he shouldn't still sound like a 13 year old boy with his first crush.
And his wish washy, should I shouldn't I with the female vampire was annoying. A character doesnt necessarily have to be confident with women all the time, but they had been friends long enough that he shouldn't still sound like a 13 year old boy with his first crush.
October 20, 2016
A great read
I don't often leave a review but I have to say I really enjoyed this book . If you like the Harry Dresden books then you will like this - but this is also different enough to stand out in its own right . Wizards, vampires and the fae, trolls and witches - what's not to love . And it all takes place in Cardiff - great to have a UK setting for a change . I'm off to buy the next in the series now......
I don't often leave a review but I have to say I really enjoyed this book . If you like the Harry Dresden books then you will like this - but this is also different enough to stand out in its own right . Wizards, vampires and the fae, trolls and witches - what's not to love . And it all takes place in Cardiff - great to have a UK setting for a change . I'm off to buy the next in the series now......
February 24, 2017
So glad I found this series. it's a dark comedy fantasy, IMO the best kind. Once you get started reading, it's hard to put down until your done. Luckily, I found him a couple months ago, so was able to read them in order, and just in time for his newest one to come out. I bought his series INK based off his writing, I hope they are as good.
April 2, 2018
O.M.G! I thought it will never end. Thank God it did.
Without the repetitive info dump.....this book should've been like a chapter long. Literally. And not a good one.
Without the repetitive info dump.....this book should've been like a chapter long. Literally. And not a good one.
July 17, 2025
eBook + Audio
Fiction / Urban Fantasy / Fantasy / Magic / Vampires / Paranormal / Audiobook / Mystery / Supernatural
⭐⭐⭐ / 5 🎧🎧🎧/5
Using for Challenge or Prompts
Storygraph Read Around the World!!: Whales
Storygraph Rainbow Reads 2025: Black
Hummorous. This was a change of pace for me. It has many laugh-out-loud moments, but it was a hard book to get through. It was very sluggish, and I doubt I will continue the series.
Fiction / Urban Fantasy / Fantasy / Magic / Vampires / Paranormal / Audiobook / Mystery / Supernatural
⭐⭐⭐ / 5 🎧🎧🎧/5
Using for Challenge or Prompts
Storygraph Read Around the World!!: Whales
Storygraph Rainbow Reads 2025: Black
Hummorous. This was a change of pace for me. It has many laugh-out-loud moments, but it was a hard book to get through. It was very sluggish, and I doubt I will continue the series.
March 16, 2021
A fun story!
Faz Pound, AKA Black Spark is a wizard and an enforcer. It's his job to keep the Hidden world and its denizens hidden from ordinary people. This story is a different take on the magic arts. Using magic is part of who Faz is but it comes with a price. Magic doesn't sound like much fun if it makes you feel deathly ill. On the other hand, he doesn't have much choice if he's to do his job. This book was written with just enough snark and had fairly likeable and some unlikeable characters. It's worth a read.
Faz Pound, AKA Black Spark is a wizard and an enforcer. It's his job to keep the Hidden world and its denizens hidden from ordinary people. This story is a different take on the magic arts. Using magic is part of who Faz is but it comes with a price. Magic doesn't sound like much fun if it makes you feel deathly ill. On the other hand, he doesn't have much choice if he's to do his job. This book was written with just enough snark and had fairly likeable and some unlikeable characters. It's worth a read.
February 10, 2020
By AL K. LINE
Narrated by Gildart Jackson
I finally finished this book! I'm so used to hearing Gildart Jackson as Alex Verus and I just couldn't get passed it in the beginning. But I finally got to the point where I could imagine these new characters and not see my favorite Diviner. (Benedict Jacka series)
Now as for Black Spark. It was decent. You jump head first into the story (Which I liked). Unfortunately, All the world building was done through the characters inner thoughts so it turned into these extremely long explanations about stuff.
I'm not a big fan of breaking all the classic rules. A couple here and there, I can deal with. But this author re-made vampires. In this series they aren't affected by the sun, they aren't blood driven, and the older vampires sleep during the day while the young ones walk around. It all required even more extra-long explanations that still don't sit right with me. The same was done for other fantasy creatures.
With all these explanations, I still didn't find out what I really wanted to know by the end. How did those Emps make the babies??? 😂 And which one is the girl???
After listening to this book, those are the two things most important about it.
Also, the guy-talk will make you ladies roll your eyes a bit. I'm ok with male leads thinking about "male" things. But when this dude was dying, he starts thinking about a girl wearing pink underwear. Really??? The rest is ok. I have a feeling the series gets better. Some of the hints that are dropped seem to be leading to bigger plots. I'm willing to give it one more try.
What came across as diversity to me is one more reason I'll try Book 2.
Narrated by Gildart Jackson
I finally finished this book! I'm so used to hearing Gildart Jackson as Alex Verus and I just couldn't get passed it in the beginning. But I finally got to the point where I could imagine these new characters and not see my favorite Diviner. (Benedict Jacka series)
Now as for Black Spark. It was decent. You jump head first into the story (Which I liked). Unfortunately, All the world building was done through the characters inner thoughts so it turned into these extremely long explanations about stuff.
I'm not a big fan of breaking all the classic rules. A couple here and there, I can deal with. But this author re-made vampires. In this series they aren't affected by the sun, they aren't blood driven, and the older vampires sleep during the day while the young ones walk around. It all required even more extra-long explanations that still don't sit right with me. The same was done for other fantasy creatures.
With all these explanations, I still didn't find out what I really wanted to know by the end. How did those Emps make the babies??? 😂 And which one is the girl???
After listening to this book, those are the two things most important about it.
Also, the guy-talk will make you ladies roll your eyes a bit. I'm ok with male leads thinking about "male" things. But when this dude was dying, he starts thinking about a girl wearing pink underwear. Really??? The rest is ok. I have a feeling the series gets better. Some of the hints that are dropped seem to be leading to bigger plots. I'm willing to give it one more try.
What came across as diversity to me is one more reason I'll try Book 2.
July 6, 2016
I want to give this book a better score I really do. The concept is really enjoyable and there could be great stories written within the framework. What really annoyed me however is that none of the resolutions that the main character accomplishes feel earned in any way. Oh I needed someone that has this skill of course my friend is world class or the end to the whole thing is just rushed and could have easily been somewhat hinted at before hand instead of just springing a new rule of magic on the reader last minute.
It felt super cheap like the author knew he needed 300 pages and then at page 275 said fuck it let's just finish it here.
It is the first book of the series and I will continue reading since I think it has great potential to be something I enjoy. I am just sad to see a good premise so squandered.
It felt super cheap like the author knew he needed 300 pages and then at page 275 said fuck it let's just finish it here.
It is the first book of the series and I will continue reading since I think it has great potential to be something I enjoy. I am just sad to see a good premise so squandered.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2018
This is the first self published book I have truly enjoyed. All previous self published books I have read have convinced me that writers need an editor to produce good work, or at least an editor to act as gatekeeper from all the drivel that gets written - A filter catching all the utter crap, and letting only the at-least passable through.
This book is not just passable, it's actually good. Its not great, not a masterpiece, not (ugh) "literary", but its good. I can forgive the info-dumping, since its not TOO long, often, or dry - but that would be my only true complaint about the book.
This book is not just passable, it's actually good. Its not great, not a masterpiece, not (ugh) "literary", but its good. I can forgive the info-dumping, since its not TOO long, often, or dry - but that would be my only true complaint about the book.
February 6, 2017
Black Spark, the first novel of the Dark Magic Enforcer by Al K. Line is a decent urban fantasy novel that moves at a breakneck pace. I may eventually continue the series, but I wasn't blown away here. Plus, it felt like I missed something important right off the bat.
September 4, 2017
Waaaay below mediocre, bland as chopped oats on water and leaves bad aftertaste. Another of those "oh look I can write urban fastasy and maybe earn truckload of cash doing crappy job?" or "collect random 5 tickets from wheel of plot twists and write something = profit?"
June 1, 2016
DNF - though I think it could have just been a bad day. I only tried 1 chapter. I'll try again another time
August 29, 2016
Bad wizard noir.
September 17, 2016
Not something I was able to warm-up to. Not horribly written but still a bit too sophomoric for my tastes.
February 13, 2017
If half of what the MC said was deleted it would still get the point across and the story wouldn't drag so.
February 28, 2017
Just couldn't finished it...it just didn't hook me it just kept putting me to sleep or was one of those books that you have to pull teeth just to read it.
May 14, 2017
Maybe it's me but I didn't like it...AT ALL. felt like i wasted my time, nothing new, nothing imaginative, nothing intriging.
March 20, 2025
I wish for the millionth time that GR let us give half stars. I really probably should give this one a 3.5 or 3.75, but I will round up.
Faz Pound is the Black Spark. He is called Spark, most of the book except by his best friend Kate (a newly turned vampire). Faz is an enforcer who takes the magic of anyone who is out of control enough to reveal magic to normal humans.
Humans are unaware of magic and must remain so. However, any human can learn magic, which is just dipping into the Empty. There are also creatures from the Hidden, like Fae, Imps, etc. Other creature have some of the Hidden in them, like Vampires & Shifters, Mages & Wizards. But if you use magic, it extracts a price, which usually makes you sick to your stomach, and you'll vomit if you use too much.
The plot here is really twisty and maybe not the best, but then it reminds me a bit of the first Harry Dresden book, and it's not the best either. This one has a lot of info dumps that mess up the pacing and draw you out of the story. But it's funny, snarky, and entertaining. I may read the next one.
Faz Pound is the Black Spark. He is called Spark, most of the book except by his best friend Kate (a newly turned vampire). Faz is an enforcer who takes the magic of anyone who is out of control enough to reveal magic to normal humans.
Humans are unaware of magic and must remain so. However, any human can learn magic, which is just dipping into the Empty. There are also creatures from the Hidden, like Fae, Imps, etc. Other creature have some of the Hidden in them, like Vampires & Shifters, Mages & Wizards. But if you use magic, it extracts a price, which usually makes you sick to your stomach, and you'll vomit if you use too much.
The plot here is really twisty and maybe not the best, but then it reminds me a bit of the first Harry Dresden book, and it's not the best either. This one has a lot of info dumps that mess up the pacing and draw you out of the story. But it's funny, snarky, and entertaining. I may read the next one.
March 1, 2018
The worst
He reuses paragraphs a number of times and for descriptions that are unnecessary after the first. It felt like seeing a first semester freshman trying to pad the word count on a paper.
The role, power, hierarchy and source of this magic is contradictory from one page to another. The effects of magic used by different users is contradictory at times and unclear all the time. The writer doesn't have a solid universe in his mind and just throws out the word magic to explain what happens next.
Magical creatures appear out of nowhere to magically solve a plot problem, several times. The characters are for the most part empty and without any attachment to real emotions. The main character is not engaging nor much of a character. He's a vessel for wisecracks which aren't very good and a convenient focus for action scenes that are weirdly bad.
The writer's name gives the prank away. Alkaline. Really. I understand because I wouldn't want my name on this either.
He reuses paragraphs a number of times and for descriptions that are unnecessary after the first. It felt like seeing a first semester freshman trying to pad the word count on a paper.
The role, power, hierarchy and source of this magic is contradictory from one page to another. The effects of magic used by different users is contradictory at times and unclear all the time. The writer doesn't have a solid universe in his mind and just throws out the word magic to explain what happens next.
Magical creatures appear out of nowhere to magically solve a plot problem, several times. The characters are for the most part empty and without any attachment to real emotions. The main character is not engaging nor much of a character. He's a vessel for wisecracks which aren't very good and a convenient focus for action scenes that are weirdly bad.
The writer's name gives the prank away. Alkaline. Really. I understand because I wouldn't want my name on this either.
April 16, 2022
Dear oh dear! I didn’t have high expectations for this one—I’d read enough reviews to know about the gross info dumps, shallow characters, and cringy moments. And yet, I was still let down. I understand that the author does get better and that it might be worth sticking with the series. Truthfully, I probably will read more, because I love the genre, and yet…this was not good.
I was constantly yanked out of the book by terrible descriptions and actual “ha ha ha” moments. The last straw was the MC (I don’t actual remember his name…yikes) tells us that he was going to say something clever...I don’t remember this character making a single even slightly clever remark.
And yet, I’ll try to trudge on. Momma didn’t raise a quitter.
I was constantly yanked out of the book by terrible descriptions and actual “ha ha ha” moments. The last straw was the MC (I don’t actual remember his name…yikes) tells us that he was going to say something clever...I don’t remember this character making a single even slightly clever remark.
And yet, I’ll try to trudge on. Momma didn’t raise a quitter.
April 17, 2022
So I heard this series gets better, and I really hope it does because while the premise itself is solid, the execution however ..😩👀👀😒😒😒
https://media2.giphy.com/media/3o7qDD...
It was repetitive, every woman he met was a sex object, the story was choppy, and just ehh. I’m reading the Montague and Strong series by Orlando Sanchez and this book seems to be set in a similar world (Dark Council, etc) but where Sanchez’s series punched you in the senses from the get go with action, humor, witty dialogue, fun characters, secondary character who enhanced not detracted from the plot, this book, however, just didn’t get there out of the gate.
2.5 stars because he tried.
https://media2.giphy.com/media/3o7qDD...
It was repetitive, every woman he met was a sex object, the story was choppy, and just ehh. I’m reading the Montague and Strong series by Orlando Sanchez and this book seems to be set in a similar world (Dark Council, etc) but where Sanchez’s series punched you in the senses from the get go with action, humor, witty dialogue, fun characters, secondary character who enhanced not detracted from the plot, this book, however, just didn’t get there out of the gate.
2.5 stars because he tried.
August 31, 2021
I struggled a bit at the beginning of the book and wasn't sure it was going to be one that held my interest, but it picked up about a third of the way in and got much more interesting and fast paced after that. Line has created a very interesting world, and Spark is an interesting character, as are the people he interacts with. It's not your usual urban fantasy. It's grittier and darker and has an fascinating magic system. When I started I didn't think I'd be reading more than this book, but now I have to admit that it's gotten into my head and I am curious to see more of this strange and interesting world. Will definitely look for book 2.
January 23, 2023
unsettled
This book left me all kinds of confused. The story did come across and I did enjoy the characters. On page 11 he takes his jacket off and is surprised to see all these tattoos on his arm and moving. Then we get to page 175 or so, Spark tells us that they he have always been a part of him. That’s where I got confused. When I read I see a movie picture in my head and when the flow is interrupted like this it makes it difficult to get back into that mode. The story idea is a good one and like I stated before I enjoyed the characters but I don’t think I will be continuing this series.
This book left me all kinds of confused. The story did come across and I did enjoy the characters. On page 11 he takes his jacket off and is surprised to see all these tattoos on his arm and moving. Then we get to page 175 or so, Spark tells us that they he have always been a part of him. That’s where I got confused. When I read I see a movie picture in my head and when the flow is interrupted like this it makes it difficult to get back into that mode. The story idea is a good one and like I stated before I enjoyed the characters but I don’t think I will be continuing this series.
March 20, 2018
As others have mentioned, there is so much potential with this book, so much story to tell. But the writing left so much to be desired. In the same paragraph, on at least three occasions, the author repeated information. Also did we seriously need to be introduced to everu magical creature in this first book? Leave some learning, some mystery for future books! I might give the author another chance but only because I enjoy the world so much
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews