Getting hired to be a personal wizard for a billionaire may just become a death sentence.
Colin Fisher is a young man with a lot of problems on his plate: a dying father, a dead car doubling as a home, and a mysteriously disappeared fiancée. You’d think with a magical inclination, he’d be able to turn it all around, but not so much.
Yet, his bad luck appears to be on the way out when the CEO of a multinational corporation offers him a job. It’s a sweet gig as a personal wizard with a fat paycheck. The catch? The paranoid CEO isn’t a mere hypochondriac, he’s been hexed with an authentic ancient curse.
Now Colin is the only thing standing between his new boss and a frozen bundle of fangs, claws, and rage. If he can’t stop the cannibal ice demon in time to save his new boss, it’ll be back to living out of his dead car. That is, if he even survives the battle.
Delivery boy, psychologist, retired vagabond wizard, and father of three. I read and write all manner of speculative fiction, but have an especially deep love of urban fantasy.
This was another big surprise, all the bigger for its being a very pleasant surprise. This was one of those books I regretted requesting almost as soon as it was too late, partly because I had (as always) such a backlog, and partly, quite honestly, because it was not apparently traditionally published.
It didn't take long, though, to discover that (despite a scattering of typos and editorial errors which hopefully got picked up) the writing was good. (I sincerely hope the homonym problems and so on got fixed, because the story deserves better.) This is another example of how storytelling ought to be done. Colin Fisher has a dark cloud of bad luck hovering over his head, but the details are not divulged all at once – they're doled out effectively over the course of the book, as he decides to stop running from the cloud and take advantage of a dubious (but very lucrative) opportunity. The danger in the story feels very real; with a first-person narrator there's obviously a 99.7% chance that that character at least is going to survive a book, but there's a whole lot of pain between fine and dead, and it seems consistently probably that Colin is going to suffer. Terrible things happen - and it is very much in doubt whether or not Colin will be able to stop them. He's good at what he does, his own unique brand of magic – but he's outnumbered.
Not only terrible things happen – funny things do too, and, happily, they actually are funny. There's a good balance of humor and terror – similar, as others have pointed out, to Jim Butcher's Dresden Files – but it doesn't try to be a carbon copy of Butcher or anyone else. It's a well-realized world that Colin inhabits, beautifully detailed and absolutely believable, with a terrific cast of characters, human and otherwise. This is the beginning of a series – and I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes.
The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.
With a missing fiancee in his mind, Harvard college dropout Colin Fisher wanted to get to his dying father as soon as possible. However, a dead car battery led him to stop at a gas station. But he was surprised to see the ice-cold body of the dead employer with a missing heart inside the store. Soon he was questioned by the police and was suspected of murder.
A high-profile lawyer got him out of his troubles, but not without getting something in return. Valente hired his services to find out who had been killing his employees.. Why did this magnate choose Colin, you ask?
Because Colin Fisher wasn’t the person you thought he was. Because inside him lurked another creature that contradicted his thoughts and sometimes manipulated his mind. Because Colin Fisher was a wizard extraordinaire.
I didn’t dare close my eyes after reading this book. I was wide awake, imagining those nasty monsters and wendigos that I’ve read about. I got shivers down my spine just thinking about the demon that lurked inside Colin.
I like the supernatural world that Joshua Bader created. I love the banter between the characters. I love the nastiness and grit of Colin and Yog Shoggoth, the pull of the Necronomicon, and lastly, the phone call to Miss Veruca Wakefield, confirming her identity to the Dutchess bitch by speaking in five languages, all laden in profanity. Man, that was wickedly awesome! You should get this book. It’s terrific and exhilarating!
What a fun read! While it did remind me a bit of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files, it has it's own unique voice that quickly draws you in and holds your attention. The characters are well written and the storyline is very compelling. If you are a fan of this type of read, you will love this book. This honest review was in exchange for a free copy of the book.
Publishers Weekly's starred review of Frostbite: Debut author Bader introduces readers to the Modern Knights series with an extremely impressive first novel of delicious urban fantasy with just a hint of romance. Colin Fisher, wizard, is a Harvard dropout who’s become a wanderer, searching for answers regarding his fiancée’s disappearance years ago. He and his car, Dorothy, have been traversing the present-day United States, but now he feels obligated to head home to Colorado to see his dying, estranged father one last time. His plans, however, have a way of abruptly changing, and Colin’s agenda is disrupted when he finds a body in Oklahoma that’s missing its heart. This fantastical thrill ride is filled with perfectly timed pop-culture references, stunning plot twists, and the snarky (and sometimes offensive) stylings of Colin’s inner voice. Along the way he finds a job as the personal wizard for a man who embodies the sneaky evil of corporate homogeneity, and he begins dating Veruca, his boss’s pink-wearing personal assassin. Readers who have wearied of depictions of religion clashing with magic will be delighted that Colin is a devoutly Catholic wizard who’s as comfortable attending Mass as reading from The Necronomicon. Well-researched and creatively presented humor and action perfectly blend with moral quandaries in this outstanding debut. (July)
I got this book from net gallery for an honest review.
Absolutely loved this book: it was innovative, and captivating.
Colin is s loner and a drifter: his girlfriend's mysterious disappearance, leaves him seeking answers. His father is dying and he sets off on the road to see him. He parks up near a lake to stretch his legs and comes back to find his battery has died. He remembers a garage and walks towards it however, when he reaches his destination, he finds that he has stumbled upon a murder. The body Colin finds is frozen and the deceased's heart has been removed. He calls the murder in but unfortunately becomes a suspect.
Colin is released but is recruited as a Wizard by Valente International. The dead victims are all employees of Valente International and Colin must solve the mystery and eradicate the curse.
Absolutely loved the book: it was creative, and full of mystery. I found the lake spirit, and the troll to be very intriguing characters. My favourite part was when Miss Deluce asks Colin to use the troll designed phone, to call Veruca. The conversation he had with Veruca was definitely funny and entertaining. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.
I enjoyed this book, and found it to be a fast and fun read. I'm interested in the rest of the series, for certain. When you have the fae and the Necronomicon in the same world, you know things are going to get interesting.
The good: An easy read, with enjoyable, well-rounded characters, and an intriguing plot. Very interesting worldbuilding, and lots of shades of gray. Action and introspection are well-balanced.
The not-so-good: Skips and glosses over time in a slightly clumsy fashion at times, and the ending seems to just trail off in mid-paragraph.
I LOVED THIS BOOK. Did you see those caps? Yes, I'm that excited about it! Bader has written a great addition to the urban fantasy genre. His writing style has resulted in relatable characters who aren't all powerful (just like you and me). The resulting novel takes the reader on a wild ride from start to finish as you learn about Colin Fisher and his powers. Great stuff and can't wait for the second book!
My first thought when starting this book was, "Damn." There is a reason this book got a starred review from Publisher's Weekly. It isn't just Urban Fantasy, this is Literary Urban Fantasy. The writing is so strong and beautiful it will make your heart hurt.
Now, onto the story. You have Colin Fischer, a man whose fiancee is missing and our good 'ol boy, Colin, just happens think it has something to do with a special book. Namely, The Necronomicon. Start the chills there.
Add in a murder, and poor Colin being the suspect. His father dying. Then, he gets hired to work as a professional wizard for a big company, things are just insane. But, that pesky body count keeps rising and Colin needs to stop it-- and fast.
Literally, this is not one to put down. I am getting ready to re-read as we speak. Can't wait to see what's next from Joshua Bader.
Excellent debut. Bader obviously owes a lot to Jim Butcher, among other urban fantasists, which he gratefully acknowledges, at the end of the book. Colin Fisher is somewhat similar to Harry Dresden, in that he's a wizard. He wasn't born to his powers, however. He came about them under mysterious circumstances, that he can't quite remember, except that it cost him the love of his life. He also carries on internal conversations with either his subconscious, or he's possessed. The answer to that question is revealed at the end of this book. This book is only 240 pages, yet was packed with thrills, chills, and interesting characters, most human, some Fae. It sets up for what could be a very good series, which I am looking forward to, eagerly.
I got this book from Netgalley, and it really was a good one. Amazing pace, excellent world building and quite a different story. I totally enjoyed it. My only problem with the novel was that there were characters which could have been better utilized in the story, but probably author has plans for them in future.
I really like this book. It's quite different from other witch/wizard stories, it's funny, and it really keeps up the interest of the reader. There are enough mysteries surrounding our protagonist to make this a 4-5 book series. To top it off Bader's writing seems truly effortless. Looking forward to the second book.
Definitely not my usual book purchase but the author crafted the narrative and developed the characters well enough to let me finish the book much quicker than I had expected. An intriguing storyline that kept my attention from start to finish and I thank the author for several hours of pleasant reading
the rules of wizardry are coming to light from the darkest realms. Joshua Nader has created a very interesting world and a believable character to survive in it while paying homage to the Masters of Magic. I'm ready for more.
Very creative. Characters are well developed and interesting. Best integration of Christian spirituality i have read. Looking forward to the next book.
A big Thank you to NetGalley and City Owl Press for the ARC for my honest review.
Wow-I haven't read a book like this one ever. It was engaging yet confusing. I couldn't put it down...I thought why am I reading this...but it was compelling...I kept reading. It ended oddly but I did enjoy the book. Several times I felt like it was number 2 in a series-but then I got it. I am not sure it is for everyone but give it a go. For me reading is all about enjoyment-and hopefully this one would do that for you.
I originally gave this 2 stars, but I came back and finished it. Maybe I wasn’t ready to read it, or maybe the beginning is too indulgent. The latter part of the book starts ticking along nicely.
Proofreading is not optional. Too many times the wrong word cluttered an otherwise good sentence. Synonyms are the bane of good writing, and spellcheck will not save you.
I liked where the book ended far more than where it started. Dresden-y with more of a subtle horror thing.
I found the writing style hard to follow, it jumped all over the place. I've read all the Harry Dresden books, and naturally compared this book to them. The main character seems to just luck into everything, he himself doesn't bring anything to the situation. It felt like it ended mid sentence and is not self contained at all. It pretty much requires that you read the next book.
I really love this novel. I selected this book because I saw all the great reviews. I wasn't disappointed. Bader has done a lot of work to set up a suspenseful, enticing, thrilling novel with great characters you'll love. I was glued to the pages, laughed, bit my nails and found myself glued to the page.
So, I read through this in a day and it didn't lose my interest. The story is interesting and I think the magic has the potential to be interesting as well. A lot of the plot made me think, "Well, that was handy, wasn't it?" It is also made easier by having access to unlimited funding. I have bought the next book in the series.
I would read another book. Not bad as urban wizards go,. But please find a decent proof-reader. It’s not a “Nero-collar shirt”, it’s “Nehru-collar”. Look it up. Please.
Ever since his fiancee, Sarai, went missing, Colin Fisher has been wandering around, at a loss. He wants to find out what happened to her, and all he knows is it has something to do with his copy of The Necronomicon, the voice in his head, and a locked room. Now his father is dying and Colin is headed to see him one last time. But, on the way there, he gets involved in the aftermath of a murder. As a drifter, he is of course the one the police suspect. But, things take a turn for the bizarre when he is hired as a corporate wizard by Valente International, to find out who or what is murdering the company's employees. He is quickly drawn into the mystery and wonders if his wizarding skills will be up to par to find and take care of the killer. Will he find out before it's too late? Or will he be another casualty in the war?
I must say upfront, this book exceeded my expectations! It was a thrill from beginning to end. Excellent writing, a wonderful plot, and a wonderful cast of characters kept me up longer at night than I wanted to see what was going to happen to Colin. The way little bits of information about Colin's past and the mystery of his fiancee were woven into the plot was masterful, and the way the stories wove together made a very interesting read, one, like I said, that was hard to put down. The only thing that bothered me a little, and it was just a little, was how the mystery of the killings was solved a little early and there was still part of the book to go. But that was quickly put aside when I realized why. If this series continues on this same greatness, this author will quickly become an auto-buy while I'm waiting for Jim Butcher, Jim C. Hines, Kelley Armstrong, etc. and probably take his side by the others. This is an author to watch, and I'm glad I'll have been there from the beginning. Very highly recommend!
Thanks to NetGalley and City Owl Press for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review. This exact review posted on both Amazon and Goodreads.
Ever since his fiancee, Sarai, went missing, Colin Fisher has been wandering around, at a loss. He wants to find out what happened to her, and all he knows is it has something to do with his copy of The Necronomicon, the voice in his head, and a locked room. Now his father is dying and Colin is headed to see him one last time. But, on the way there, he gets involved in the aftermath of a murder. As a drifter, he is of course the one the police suspect. But, things take a turn for the bizarre when he is hired as a corporate wizard by Valente International, to find out who or what is murdering the company's employees. He is quickly drawn into the mystery and wonders if his wizarding skills will be up to par to find and take care of the killer. Will he find out before it's too late? Or will he be another casualty in the war?
I must say upfront, this book exceeded my expectations! It was a thrill from beginning to end. Excellent writing, a wonderful plot, and a wonderful cast of characters kept me up longer at night than I wanted to see what was going to happen to Colin. The way little bits of information about Colin's past and the mystery of his fiancee were woven into the plot was masterful, and the way the stories wove together made a very interesting read, one, like I said, that was hard to put down. The only thing that bothered me a little, and it was just a little, was how the mystery of the killings was solved a little early and there was still part of the book to go. But that was quickly put aside when I realized why. If this series continues on this same greatness, this author will quickly become an auto-buy while I'm waiting for Jim Butcher, Jim C. Hines, Kelley Armstrong, etc. and probably take his side by the others. This is an author to watch, and I'm glad I'll have been there from the beginning. Very highly recommend!
Thanks to NetGalley and City Owl Press for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review. This exact review posted on both Amazon and Goodreads.
This is my first book by Joshua Bader and I was pleasantly surprised as this is not the typical type of reading that I enjoy. He has managed to write a story that tickles mind by introducing the likes of wizards, assassin's, witches, ancient evil, the Fae and trolls.
The book is set in the here and now but let's you know about things that go bump in the day and night.
I started reading in the afternoon and took a break for a nap and finished it before bed. It was interesting enough to read in a day and makes me want to know what going to happen next.
I will admit that some of the writing confused me when the interludes were introduced before the chapters. These are like introduction to a side story to the main story. Just think of them as behind the scene gems.
I did not finish this book. I got to page 66 and although it was a great book about Wizards and magic and extremely well-written in a contemporary way, my have to in reading revolves around romance. This book had little to none that I had to read into at the point I decided to move on. I have a lot of books on my to-be-read list and like I said although I enjoyed this book I need to read something with romance in it to keep me interested. However I would totally recommend frostbite by Joshua Bader to anyone that enjoys Wizards or magic or anything having to do with mystery and unexplained paranormal events. I could see this book going over extremely well with teen boys and or the gothic girl group. lol thanks to net Galley for the arc and exchange for an honest review.
I was given a copy by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved the world that this author describe for us, the description was really great. I could actually see it in my mind as I was reading. I loved all the characters and the banter was phenomenal. This was an awesome story and I would definitely recommend this one to everyone. The author's style of writing isn't like any thing I've ever read, it is just brilliant.
Review done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews, please visit our fansite at http://www.facebook.com/nerdgirl.ng
I was hooked on this book from the moment I read the description. The premise of the story sounds oddly familiar - modern day wizard playing detective, with hints of a larger story (mysteriously disappeared fiancée) thrown in. Yummy!
With tantalizing bits of Colin's history creeping in every once in a while, the book itself was oh so hard to put down once I started. A must read for fans of urban fantasy (think Harry Dresden)!
Thank you NetGalley for the early preview of the book.
Best urban fantasy I've read in awhile. Decent characters, good storyline, action, intrigue, all the things you expect from this genre but done right. This is definitely a notch above most of what you'll come across. Looking forward to the next one.
Colin Fisher, Harvard dropout and wizard, must defeat the ancient Wendigo, a monster who threatens the world with evil. A good choice for fans of Butcher's Dresden Files.