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The Federal Witch #1
Conjuring Quantico
How do you cope with magic that goes its own way?
As a second year FBI academy witch, Agatha Blackmore has a curtain reputation. After nearly blowing up the school, an untended mid-air incident involving the FBI Director, and declaring war with the US Marines, she has to wonder if she will even see graduation.
But when a rash of mysterious disappearances catches the attention of local authorities Agatha finds herself asked to lend a hand to the investigation. Determined to offer protection where it is needed the most, Agatha and her quirky roommate Cat along with her mini- unicorn familiar Fergus, attempt to unravel the mysteries of the four distinctly magical disappearances before time runs out.
Does Agatha have what it takes to be an agent? Or will everyone that crosses her end up eating chicken feed for the rest of their lives?
As a second year FBI academy witch, Agatha Blackmore has a curtain reputation. After nearly blowing up the school, an untended mid-air incident involving the FBI Director, and declaring war with the US Marines, she has to wonder if she will even see graduation.
But when a rash of mysterious disappearances catches the attention of local authorities Agatha finds herself asked to lend a hand to the investigation. Determined to offer protection where it is needed the most, Agatha and her quirky roommate Cat along with her mini- unicorn familiar Fergus, attempt to unravel the mysteries of the four distinctly magical disappearances before time runs out.
Does Agatha have what it takes to be an agent? Or will everyone that crosses her end up eating chicken feed for the rest of their lives?
274 pages, ebook
First published September 30, 2016
762 people are currently reading
477 people want to read
About the author
T.S. Paul
112 books347 followersI was born in 1968 in Mineral Wells, Tx. I have lived all across the country:Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Alaska, and finally Missouri. I have worked as a Disc Jockey, Bookstore manager, Cook, and bowling alley attendant. I have a Telecommunication degree and a Culinary degree. I was a history major before I discovered multimedia. Gardening and cooking is my passion. My wife and I live outside of St Louis, Missouri. I have always been a Huge fan of Science Fiction and fantasy I bring my love of the genre to my writing. I'm a first time writer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
October 24, 2016
Weak weak writing
The story is not bad - the obligatory fight scene near the end kept my attention - but the writing is awful. Editing sucks too. I think the author has the potential to be a decent writer but she's got a LOT of hard work ahead of her.
The story is not bad - the obligatory fight scene near the end kept my attention - but the writing is awful. Editing sucks too. I think the author has the potential to be a decent writer but she's got a LOT of hard work ahead of her.
September 10, 2021
*sigh*
Still trying to figure out what happened with this one.
Ok, so yes, it was boring. What else...
The MC was annoying most of the time and a bit of an idiot the rest of the time. You can always blame that on age or something, but frankly, I have more hope in the younger generation. I know way too many teens to feel ok saying that they're idiots (most of them are sooo much better than adults, you know?).
Anyway!
This book was pretty bad overall. Annoying MC, meh plot, meh writing (not bad, but not good either), and boring!
So, this book is lucky I'm in a good mood and giving it 2 stars.
Still trying to figure out what happened with this one.
Ok, so yes, it was boring. What else...
The MC was annoying most of the time and a bit of an idiot the rest of the time. You can always blame that on age or something, but frankly, I have more hope in the younger generation. I know way too many teens to feel ok saying that they're idiots (most of them are sooo much better than adults, you know?).
Anyway!
This book was pretty bad overall. Annoying MC, meh plot, meh writing (not bad, but not good either), and boring!
So, this book is lucky I'm in a good mood and giving it 2 stars.
Read
March 26, 2019 Good plot, poor editing
Please, please find a new editor who actually edits. I like the plot, despite the poor grasp of police procedure and the FBI, but the misplaced apostrophes are killing my enjoyment. The lack of contractions in speech sounds stilted. I want to love this series, but I just can't.
Please, please find a new editor who actually edits. I like the plot, despite the poor grasp of police procedure and the FBI, but the misplaced apostrophes are killing my enjoyment. The lack of contractions in speech sounds stilted. I want to love this series, but I just can't.
October 17, 2016
Needs a content editor
It feels stream-of-consciousness. Maybe it's a pacing issue. Everything happens in a babble of words. Useful exposition, but high volume.
Also, the historical bits were poorly researched. Stalin wouldn't have been in a position to take power if a theocracy was running Russia until 1940. You can't simply slap new history on top of old history without making it work.
Finally, just because it's amusing doesn't mean it should be in the book.
It feels stream-of-consciousness. Maybe it's a pacing issue. Everything happens in a babble of words. Useful exposition, but high volume.
Also, the historical bits were poorly researched. Stalin wouldn't have been in a position to take power if a theocracy was running Russia until 1940. You can't simply slap new history on top of old history without making it work.
Finally, just because it's amusing doesn't mean it should be in the book.
February 5, 2017
Terrible writing, terrible story
This was a dreadful book that thoroughly managed to disengage me with it's terrible writing.
Characters aren't so much as introduced as thrown into the frame, with nary a moment spent to describe their physical appearance. Locations receive the same lack of care. It creates this surreal experience where it feels this book was not meant to be read, it's meant to be a tv show where these things will be filled out by actors and sets.
Speaking of characters, our lead here is a Mary Sue. Her friends don't have any life of their own and disappear off the page when not directly interacting with the main character. And the other characters? This book could be the poster child for the sort of story where every person who meets the main character is immediately hostile to the character, even after they continuously prove that the hostility is unfounded. This is just a tired, lazy writing trope that takes the place of any attempt to write an antagonist with any depth or of any interest.
The plot doesn't fair much better. The first half of the book spends it's time constantly referring to events from the previous year, often enough that I had to check twice that this in fact is the first book in a series. I don't know why we didn't start with those stories, it's clear that they would explain the settings and characters rather than the ham fisted exposition we get to establish things. The second half of the book is where the actual plot begins and it's filled with those hostile characters and the same plot point being used over and over again by supposedly smart characters just so our main character can show off.
As an example of how bad the writing gets, two thirds of the way through the book the main character pulls out a magical artefact given to her by her gran with instruction to 'use it when ready' and puts it on. Our main character decides she's ready because it's the point in the book where she needs to put it on. A competent author would have set this up at the start of the book to create an arc for the character. This item should have been established at the start of the book, used as symbol for the hopes her gran has for our character and we could then have our main character agonise over whether she is worthy and can live up to the legacy. Something she is only able to answer herself after going through a trial by fire through the events of the book. That's more characterisation then she receives in the entire book in just two sentences.
That's just one example of the attitude of this book and it is not worth your time in the slightest.
This was a dreadful book that thoroughly managed to disengage me with it's terrible writing.
Characters aren't so much as introduced as thrown into the frame, with nary a moment spent to describe their physical appearance. Locations receive the same lack of care. It creates this surreal experience where it feels this book was not meant to be read, it's meant to be a tv show where these things will be filled out by actors and sets.
Speaking of characters, our lead here is a Mary Sue. Her friends don't have any life of their own and disappear off the page when not directly interacting with the main character. And the other characters? This book could be the poster child for the sort of story where every person who meets the main character is immediately hostile to the character, even after they continuously prove that the hostility is unfounded. This is just a tired, lazy writing trope that takes the place of any attempt to write an antagonist with any depth or of any interest.
The plot doesn't fair much better. The first half of the book spends it's time constantly referring to events from the previous year, often enough that I had to check twice that this in fact is the first book in a series. I don't know why we didn't start with those stories, it's clear that they would explain the settings and characters rather than the ham fisted exposition we get to establish things. The second half of the book is where the actual plot begins and it's filled with those hostile characters and the same plot point being used over and over again by supposedly smart characters just so our main character can show off.
As an example of how bad the writing gets, two thirds of the way through the book the main character pulls out a magical artefact given to her by her gran with instruction to 'use it when ready' and puts it on. Our main character decides she's ready because it's the point in the book where she needs to put it on. A competent author would have set this up at the start of the book to create an arc for the character. This item should have been established at the start of the book, used as symbol for the hopes her gran has for our character and we could then have our main character agonise over whether she is worthy and can live up to the legacy. Something she is only able to answer herself after going through a trial by fire through the events of the book. That's more characterisation then she receives in the entire book in just two sentences.
That's just one example of the attitude of this book and it is not worth your time in the slightest.
November 27, 2016
As a reader...I went to sleep too late ;-). Then woke up and finished the story.
That certain set of characters that you like, no that you love to be around. The series that you are anxious to read again and you reach out to the author, begging them to 'drop everything and write the next damned book already'!
Yeah, I got one of those here so Scott, you don't need to sleep, right? Get writing again!!
That certain set of characters that you like, no that you love to be around. The series that you are anxious to read again and you reach out to the author, begging them to 'drop everything and write the next damned book already'!
Yeah, I got one of those here so Scott, you don't need to sleep, right? Get writing again!!
February 27, 2017
The writing could be better, but mostly I just wasn't in the mood. Probably will go back to read later, pauses at about 30%
February 15, 2017
A very entertaining concept and overall story, sadly murdered by horrible editing - the run-on sentences ran over the plot, which was finished off by fragmented sentences.
Too bad, because the basic premise is the kind of thing that could shoot this into the realm of great contemporary urban paranormals, but the book (series, really) desperately needs not only a good copy editor, but a content editor who can help glue ideas together, transition between scenes, and so on.
Of the four books (three books, one novella) in the Federal Witch series, this is easily the best. It's both coherent and new; the combination goes a long, long way in getting you to forget the numerous editing flaws within.
The basic premise of the book (series) is that a Witch is finally joining the FBI for real - mostly because her aunt has managed to have her blacklisted from the good colleges. The story picks up in year two of Agatha's time at the FBI (presumably on some kind of special dispensation, since she's technically too young otherwise - the author's grasp of how the FBI works is basic at best, and reads like it was picked up reading books by authors who've worked with the FBI but had to change details for their own novels). She, along with her were roommate, are sent out in the field early because Agatha, quite frankly, is a Mary Sue cum malefica ex machine. The plot and pacing are decent, and the story driving Agatha and Cat forward is unique, and with a decent twist. All the ingredients are here, there's just a significant failure to execute.
Too bad, because the basic premise is the kind of thing that could shoot this into the realm of great contemporary urban paranormals, but the book (series, really) desperately needs not only a good copy editor, but a content editor who can help glue ideas together, transition between scenes, and so on.
Of the four books (three books, one novella) in the Federal Witch series, this is easily the best. It's both coherent and new; the combination goes a long, long way in getting you to forget the numerous editing flaws within.
The basic premise of the book (series) is that a Witch is finally joining the FBI for real - mostly because her aunt has managed to have her blacklisted from the good colleges. The story picks up in year two of Agatha's time at the FBI (presumably on some kind of special dispensation, since she's technically too young otherwise - the author's grasp of how the FBI works is basic at best, and reads like it was picked up reading books by authors who've worked with the FBI but had to change details for their own novels). She, along with her were roommate, are sent out in the field early because Agatha, quite frankly, is a Mary Sue cum malefica ex machine. The plot and pacing are decent, and the story driving Agatha and Cat forward is unique, and with a decent twist. All the ingredients are here, there's just a significant failure to execute.
April 9, 2017
Paul's tale of paranormals in the FBI continues (or begins) in this novel. In my case, since I read
Born a Witch, Drafted by the FBI!
first, it is a sequel to that novella.
Witch Agatha Blackmore and her were-cat roommate Cat have both been accepted to study at Quantico. Let me say up front that I didn't expect to find a close match with actual FBI Academy practices in a novel about witches and were-cats, so I wasn't disappointed when I didn't. It felt more like the movie Feds: cute girl roommates and a dweeby guy form a pact (or in this case, a Pack), and triumph as student-agents by using teamwork.
In this iteration, however, they're pitted against a team of powerful demons instead of clueless fellow students.
Here again, the story and character development rates a 10, but the apostrophe-abuse continues. And Paul adds a new issue: rampant capitalization. Random nouns are "properized" by capitalizing them. "Were" (a shape-shifter Paranormal) is proper in one sentence, and uncapitalized "were" in the next, and "were-cat" is just as likely to be rendered "Were-Cat" or "Were-cat." (It doesn't help that the Were Cat is a were-cat.)
I finally blew my stack when "Dike" and "Sill" (the igneous geologic structures) were properized.
I was sensitized by the time I came across two instances of blatant number disagreement. "There was two..." and "There was several..." made me see red. And don't get me started on the author's blatant disregard for the proper use of commas. "See Cat being a natural leader..." is just not the same thing as "See, Cat, being a natural leader..."
I wanted to love this book. I really did. I'm angry that the abyssmal editing prevented me from doing so, and even more incensed that I spent my own money to experience such a disappointment.
I can't recommend it to anyone else.
Witch Agatha Blackmore and her were-cat roommate Cat have both been accepted to study at Quantico. Let me say up front that I didn't expect to find a close match with actual FBI Academy practices in a novel about witches and were-cats, so I wasn't disappointed when I didn't. It felt more like the movie Feds: cute girl roommates and a dweeby guy form a pact (or in this case, a Pack), and triumph as student-agents by using teamwork.
In this iteration, however, they're pitted against a team of powerful demons instead of clueless fellow students.
Here again, the story and character development rates a 10, but the apostrophe-abuse continues. And Paul adds a new issue: rampant capitalization. Random nouns are "properized" by capitalizing them. "Were" (a shape-shifter Paranormal) is proper in one sentence, and uncapitalized "were" in the next, and "were-cat" is just as likely to be rendered "Were-Cat" or "Were-cat." (It doesn't help that the Were Cat is a were-cat.)
I finally blew my stack when "Dike" and "Sill" (the igneous geologic structures) were properized.
I was sensitized by the time I came across two instances of blatant number disagreement. "There was two..." and "There was several..." made me see red. And don't get me started on the author's blatant disregard for the proper use of commas. "See Cat being a natural leader..." is just not the same thing as "See, Cat, being a natural leader..."
I wanted to love this book. I really did. I'm angry that the abyssmal editing prevented me from doing so, and even more incensed that I spent my own money to experience such a disappointment.
I can't recommend it to anyone else.
January 8, 2018
Ratings are based on this being unarguably just a fun action series full of stereotypes and tropes and having no pretense of being anything but. The author and Amazon have it with Teen and Young Adult although Goodreads doesn't reflect that yet.
Kindle Unlimited has a LOT of bad (really bad, really really bad) books. I'd thought I'd cancel it yesterday so I could start reading my purchased and shelved possibly better books. But, I read this book and decided I wanted to read the next one in the series (as of this writing KU is $9.99/month, billed monthly and you can cancel anytime). So, if you were to read 3 books that are $3.99 each, well KU is a better deal that month. Kept the KU subscription for another month just to hit a few of these.
Kindle Unlimited has a LOT of bad (really bad, really really bad) books. I'd thought I'd cancel it yesterday so I could start reading my purchased and shelved possibly better books. But, I read this book and decided I wanted to read the next one in the series (as of this writing KU is $9.99/month, billed monthly and you can cancel anytime). So, if you were to read 3 books that are $3.99 each, well KU is a better deal that month. Kept the KU subscription for another month just to hit a few of these.
August 14, 2023
E D I T I N G!!!!
I almost didn't finish this book due to all of the issues. The sad thing is, they weren't even consistent... in one sentence, the author would incorrectly capitalise a word while adding an incorrect apostrophe, but in the next paragraph would use the word correctly. Added to that were the extremely stilted language and lack of character development. I'll give this series and this author one more shot, on the basis of storyline alone, but that's it. If he can't respect his readers and his craft enough to write properly, it doesn't matter how great his ideas are.
I almost didn't finish this book due to all of the issues. The sad thing is, they weren't even consistent... in one sentence, the author would incorrectly capitalise a word while adding an incorrect apostrophe, but in the next paragraph would use the word correctly. Added to that were the extremely stilted language and lack of character development. I'll give this series and this author one more shot, on the basis of storyline alone, but that's it. If he can't respect his readers and his craft enough to write properly, it doesn't matter how great his ideas are.
March 17, 2017
Fun and funny and pagan stuff is accurate for once
June 23, 2018
This first/second book in this series (depending on whether you class the novella as the first book) was amusing enough to keep my interest throughout. The plot itself was great - Agatha is a witch, the only witch, training with the FBI along with a host of other supernaturals. The FBI don't like Agatha and mistrust her completely. She is constantly treated poorly by them and only when a new director joins the university do things begin to change.
Agatha, her roommate Cat and Fergus her unicorn familiar help the FBI solve a few magical disappearances, proving Agatha's worth to the cause! Have to admit I didn't expect the outcome that we got!
The writing of the book needs some work, I think. I'm not an author by any means, but the editing could definitely be improved! Apostrophes, spellings and capital letters being misused occur a lot. I also found there was sometimes way too much speech and not enough action going on in certain chapters. Yes, speech can move the action on, but sometimes it felt like speech for speech's sake! It felt very much like how some of the kids in my class of 9 & 10 year olds write!
I do have the rest of this series on my kindle as they were all on offer when I bought them and I liked the sound of them. I will try out the next book to see what happens to Agatha now she has successfully completed a case and hope the editing has improved!
Agatha, her roommate Cat and Fergus her unicorn familiar help the FBI solve a few magical disappearances, proving Agatha's worth to the cause! Have to admit I didn't expect the outcome that we got!
The writing of the book needs some work, I think. I'm not an author by any means, but the editing could definitely be improved! Apostrophes, spellings and capital letters being misused occur a lot. I also found there was sometimes way too much speech and not enough action going on in certain chapters. Yes, speech can move the action on, but sometimes it felt like speech for speech's sake! It felt very much like how some of the kids in my class of 9 & 10 year olds write!
I do have the rest of this series on my kindle as they were all on offer when I bought them and I liked the sound of them. I will try out the next book to see what happens to Agatha now she has successfully completed a case and hope the editing has improved!
October 8, 2018
I wanted to like this a lot more than I actually did. The plot isn't too bad, but it's like reading something written for a pre-school child. I guess it's YA urban fantasy, if we're trying to classify it, but I can't help but feel that a teenager reading this would feel patronised. The dialogue is so stilted it's unbelievable; everyone speaks like they had elocution lessons beaten into them with a spiked club. There's swearing, but it's all fake swearing. Agatha shows all the classic symptoms of a Mary Sue. Of particular note is her magic: she's ridiculously powerful, but big or off-the-cuff spells tend to go wrong on her... but only when the side-effects are funny and never when she's actually in trouble. There's the one aspect of YA fiction that really annoys me: the adults are idiots and only the teens can get the job done.
The world-building is actually pretty good. I have a feeling I'd enjoy the world and more stories in it, if I could only get past the execution.
Recommended for: teenagers who read at the level of six-year-olds but have access to a good dictionary.
The world-building is actually pretty good. I have a feeling I'd enjoy the world and more stories in it, if I could only get past the execution.
Recommended for: teenagers who read at the level of six-year-olds but have access to a good dictionary.
October 3, 2017
I am properly curious now.
I am very intrigued in finding out where the author is going to take this series. How the characters will develop and evolve.
So far I could so picture this being a film or a TV series as long as they don't loose the magic and the action...
Really fun start to the series. Shes powerful but broken at the same time so although we're told shes a little bit off the wall in her magic shes actually pretty successful from what I see in what she does magic wise.
No love interest! I didn't even notice that. I love that. Shes a powerful witch but hasn't got a man to make her stronger. She has a were cat which could be a love interest? I like her being a friend at the moment shes also a very strong female character.
I am very intrigued in finding out where the author is going to take this series. How the characters will develop and evolve.
So far I could so picture this being a film or a TV series as long as they don't loose the magic and the action...
Really fun start to the series. Shes powerful but broken at the same time so although we're told shes a little bit off the wall in her magic shes actually pretty successful from what I see in what she does magic wise.
No love interest! I didn't even notice that. I love that. Shes a powerful witch but hasn't got a man to make her stronger. She has a were cat which could be a love interest? I like her being a friend at the moment shes also a very strong female character.
July 31, 2017
As I said in a status update, this in the worst book I've liked in a while.
The world building is very interesting. The main characters are good, too. The basic storyline was fun.
However, in execution the wheels start to fall off. The copy editing is terrible, fully of apostrophes used for pluralization, misused words, confused homonyms and more. The narrative doesn't flow at all, frequently whipsawing abruptly between topics, some of which aren't even related to the scene at hand.
Basically, it's worth a fluff read if you're feeling tolerant, but go into it with your eyes open.
The world building is very interesting. The main characters are good, too. The basic storyline was fun.
However, in execution the wheels start to fall off. The copy editing is terrible, fully of apostrophes used for pluralization, misused words, confused homonyms and more. The narrative doesn't flow at all, frequently whipsawing abruptly between topics, some of which aren't even related to the scene at hand.
Basically, it's worth a fluff read if you're feeling tolerant, but go into it with your eyes open.
June 30, 2017
The writing and editing is awful. The plot could have been fun. The heroine seems Kinda cool.
But the writing is. Seriously. Unreadable. It jumps from one scenario to another. It shifts in time. The facts get confused. It is Like Reading a staccato-book. Not fluid. Just, Yeah. Not gonna be Reading anymore of this.
But the writing is. Seriously. Unreadable. It jumps from one scenario to another. It shifts in time. The facts get confused. It is Like Reading a staccato-book. Not fluid. Just, Yeah. Not gonna be Reading anymore of this.
March 13, 2017
Great fun ride
I grabbed this after hearing the author in a podcast and had a great time reading it. Fast and fun read for magic fans.
I grabbed this after hearing the author in a podcast and had a great time reading it. Fast and fun read for magic fans.
March 27, 2017
I am actually enjoying these series. Agatha is a force to reckon it. Good read? No, a great read!
September 12, 2017
Mystery, action, paranormals in the FBI. What more could you ask for?
April 5, 2018
DNF. Overly simple writing.
May 13, 2019
A fun UF jaunt
I had a lot of fun reading this. Agatha is an interesting character, and I loved her sassy attitude towards all the negativity she faces at the hands of the FBI while at the Academy. Cat and Chuck were also a lot of fun, plus mini Fergie was adorable.
The storyline was mysterious enough that I had to keep reading to find out what was going on, and yet it left enough unsaid that I will be picking up the second book very soon.
3.5 stars
PS, although Agatha and Cat are technically only around 18-19yo, they read much older at times and you forget they are that young, so I don’t consider this to be YA as such.
I had a lot of fun reading this. Agatha is an interesting character, and I loved her sassy attitude towards all the negativity she faces at the hands of the FBI while at the Academy. Cat and Chuck were also a lot of fun, plus mini Fergie was adorable.
The storyline was mysterious enough that I had to keep reading to find out what was going on, and yet it left enough unsaid that I will be picking up the second book very soon.
3.5 stars
PS, although Agatha and Cat are technically only around 18-19yo, they read much older at times and you forget they are that young, so I don’t consider this to be YA as such.
April 15, 2018
I read all the way through the Federal witch stories, and even started on the Universe stories without a breather. They were fun! and such a blast to read.
There are 8 stories in the main series:
0. Born a Witch: Drafted by the FBI
Conjuring Quantico
Magical Probi
Special Agent in Charge
Witness Enchantment
Night of the Unicorn
Invisible Elder
Blood on the Moon
This is paranormal fantasy with every possible species you can think of. Each book tells you a little more backstory and also about each character - do read number 5!
We have the FBI as the central organisation but then there are gateways/portals into various multiverses and pocket worlds such as Tir Nan Og - hence the Unicorns (yeah) who actually are nasty fighters witht horn and battle dragons with Arthur and his Round Table Nights - but don't ask about Merlin...
And there is politics. Scheming that makes Machiavelli look simplistic. Playing the long gang as many species - such as Vampires - live for a very long time and manipulate from behind the 'scene'.
So the Federal witch is Agatha and these stories are based on her adventures with her friends - of various species but especially Cat, Chuck and her micro-unicorn Fergus and the FBI cases they get involved in.
During the time period of the stories, which start when she joins and end (at present) Agatha graduates and becomes a Special Agent in Charge of her own unit. she goes from being a rather naive teenager to a seasoned agent, despite the interference of various gods and Goddesses.
Oh and please could she share the clothes cleaning spell? and is there one for keeping hair under control too? (See Abby from the Aphrodite series - she has one, and a self-cleaning one too) Would make life so much easier and cheaper too.
There are 2 books known to be in the list to come:
Child of Darkness
A Draft of Dragons
There are 8 stories in the main series:
0. Born a Witch: Drafted by the FBI
Conjuring Quantico
Magical Probi
Special Agent in Charge
Witness Enchantment
Night of the Unicorn
Invisible Elder
Blood on the Moon
This is paranormal fantasy with every possible species you can think of. Each book tells you a little more backstory and also about each character - do read number 5!
We have the FBI as the central organisation but then there are gateways/portals into various multiverses and pocket worlds such as Tir Nan Og - hence the Unicorns (yeah) who actually are nasty fighters witht horn and battle dragons with Arthur and his Round Table Nights - but don't ask about Merlin...
And there is politics. Scheming that makes Machiavelli look simplistic. Playing the long gang as many species - such as Vampires - live for a very long time and manipulate from behind the 'scene'.
So the Federal witch is Agatha and these stories are based on her adventures with her friends - of various species but especially Cat, Chuck and her micro-unicorn Fergus and the FBI cases they get involved in.
During the time period of the stories, which start when she joins and end (at present) Agatha graduates and becomes a Special Agent in Charge of her own unit. she goes from being a rather naive teenager to a seasoned agent, despite the interference of various gods and Goddesses.
Oh and please could she share the clothes cleaning spell? and is there one for keeping hair under control too? (See Abby from the Aphrodite series - she has one, and a self-cleaning one too) Would make life so much easier and cheaper too.
There are 2 books known to be in the list to come:
Child of Darkness
A Draft of Dragons
March 17, 2019
There is no doubt that the literary market is currently flooded with self published works. That can be a good or bad thing depending on the quality of the author's writing prowess. Yet, there are some authors who have great potential but could benefit from the scrutiny and tutelage of a publishing house. T.S. Paul is one of them. He has great plot ideas and characters but doesn't execute with the depth and complexity needed to truly make his books great; instead, what we are left with us a mediocre read.
"Conjuring Quantico" is a creative plot about a powerful witch, What Agatha Blackmore, who was sent to Quantico to home in her abilities after years of magical mishap. Sure, a couple of purple squirrels might raise an eyebrow or two and the miniature talking unicorn definitely causes alarm but that shouldn't be a reason to try to shot What He on sight when she arrives at the facility.
Now the FBI academy has a new academy and things are about to change quite literally. Aggie now has a supporter which will lead to her and her friends to be brought in on several kidnapping of the granddaughters of several U.S. Senators. Who is behind this and what do they really want. One thing for sure, Aggie's unique abilities will give her an edge that seasoned veterans have to tip their hard to.
I enjoyed the story and the characters even though the world building, characterizations and action scenes were weak. This read had so much potential but fell short because of weak execution. I could have truly loved this book if the writing enhanced rather than obscured the storyline. Now, I am at a crossroad and need to decide if I am going to go on with this series or bow out. Hmmmm! Only time will tell.
"Conjuring Quantico" is a creative plot about a powerful witch, What Agatha Blackmore, who was sent to Quantico to home in her abilities after years of magical mishap. Sure, a couple of purple squirrels might raise an eyebrow or two and the miniature talking unicorn definitely causes alarm but that shouldn't be a reason to try to shot What He on sight when she arrives at the facility.
Now the FBI academy has a new academy and things are about to change quite literally. Aggie now has a supporter which will lead to her and her friends to be brought in on several kidnapping of the granddaughters of several U.S. Senators. Who is behind this and what do they really want. One thing for sure, Aggie's unique abilities will give her an edge that seasoned veterans have to tip their hard to.
I enjoyed the story and the characters even though the world building, characterizations and action scenes were weak. This read had so much potential but fell short because of weak execution. I could have truly loved this book if the writing enhanced rather than obscured the storyline. Now, I am at a crossroad and need to decide if I am going to go on with this series or bow out. Hmmmm! Only time will tell.
July 18, 2017
Very disappointing. The jacket 'blurb' got my interest ... a witch going through the FBI academy. Sounds intriguing. And, there really is a good story plot here, but sadly, the book really falls short of anything. In the beginning, I was confused ... did I miss somewhere that this book was for 5th graders? No, that can't be right ... with some of the language and ridiculous sexual innuendos ... this must be a book for teens/adults? Secondly, did the author just decide to write a book about a 'witch' going to the FBI academy without any knowledge, or worse, research on the FBI ... or the military, since both are so poorly depicted? All the academy scenes were more what you expect to find in grade school vice an institution requiring, at a minimum, a college degree ... not a High School GED. Nothing about being trained at the FBI academy came even close to reality. And, lastly, the sooo annoyingly 'Fergus'. It's like he has the personality of a 3rd grader with his childish sexual innuendos, whining and overall lack of adding anything worthwhile to the book. He was supposed to be funny. I guess to add a humorous aspect, but was ... NOT! Nothing short of a complete rewrite upon conducting some 'law enforcement/FBI' research, and importantly, deciding on which audience level you are writing for ... 8 year olds or teens/adults.
June 4, 2020
Entertaining
Agatha Blackmore is in the second year at the FBI academy. As a council approved witch, she is powerful (sometimes too much for her own good) and this means that far too many discriminate against her.
Between fighting the actions of someone who apparently doesn’t want her to tell the truth about paranormals or be a part of the FBI, and trying to find some kidnapped children, Aggie is very busy.
With her micro-unicorn familiar and werecat friends by her side, she knows she will do what she has to.
This book, despite a few editing errors, was an enjoyable read. Fergus the micro-unicorn is hilariously funny, while Aggie’s power and confidence are enjoyable to see. The characters actually grow in wisdom and knowledge in the series, which is always nice to see.
This is an Urban Fantasy/Paranormal series, part mystery, part alternate universe. I particularly enjoyed the alternate history aspect of it all, and the calling upon Old Norse as the magical language and a few Norse deities- both of which gave the book a unique feel (although the Greco-Roman pantheon makes an appearance too).
Recommended for fans of strong female leads, and Urban Fantasy/paranormal worlds.
Agatha Blackmore is in the second year at the FBI academy. As a council approved witch, she is powerful (sometimes too much for her own good) and this means that far too many discriminate against her.
Between fighting the actions of someone who apparently doesn’t want her to tell the truth about paranormals or be a part of the FBI, and trying to find some kidnapped children, Aggie is very busy.
With her micro-unicorn familiar and werecat friends by her side, she knows she will do what she has to.
This book, despite a few editing errors, was an enjoyable read. Fergus the micro-unicorn is hilariously funny, while Aggie’s power and confidence are enjoyable to see. The characters actually grow in wisdom and knowledge in the series, which is always nice to see.
This is an Urban Fantasy/Paranormal series, part mystery, part alternate universe. I particularly enjoyed the alternate history aspect of it all, and the calling upon Old Norse as the magical language and a few Norse deities- both of which gave the book a unique feel (although the Greco-Roman pantheon makes an appearance too).
Recommended for fans of strong female leads, and Urban Fantasy/paranormal worlds.
January 12, 2022
3.5 stars. I remain somewhat ambivalent about this series, but the second half of this book has me more optimistic than I was before. I found the first part of the book underwhelming. While Conjuring Quantico is set a year later, if I recall correctly, the events of Born a Witch...Drafted by the FBI! are referenced often in the first half of the book, and that half of the book feels like much of the same. But once Agatha is pulled from the academy and assigned to a case, I found it more interesting.
How big a turnaround was it? At about the halfway point, I was expecting to finish this book but give up on the series. By the end, there was no doubt in my mind that I would seek out book 2. The second half of the book is a solid 4 stars or better. I hope that keeps up in the next book, now that the ball is rolling.
How big a turnaround was it? At about the halfway point, I was expecting to finish this book but give up on the series. By the end, there was no doubt in my mind that I would seek out book 2. The second half of the book is a solid 4 stars or better. I hope that keeps up in the next book, now that the ball is rolling.
November 20, 2019
Unicorn? Check.
Shifters? Check.
Witch with an attitude? Oh, yeah!
I love this book. The dialogue is good. The plot is very good. There are twists and turns and attitude all over the place.
The author has a very consistent vision of how the world he is describing works. Everything fits together nicely. The interaction between the different types of characters is enjoyable. His writing leaves a lot to the imagination and that makes it even better. Instead of spending lots of verbiage explaining trivial points, he moves on with the story with just enough meat on the bone to keep you engaged on the primary plot and wanting more.
I can't really see anything not to like. Read and enjoy!
Shifters? Check.
Witch with an attitude? Oh, yeah!
I love this book. The dialogue is good. The plot is very good. There are twists and turns and attitude all over the place.
The author has a very consistent vision of how the world he is describing works. Everything fits together nicely. The interaction between the different types of characters is enjoyable. His writing leaves a lot to the imagination and that makes it even better. Instead of spending lots of verbiage explaining trivial points, he moves on with the story with just enough meat on the bone to keep you engaged on the primary plot and wanting more.
I can't really see anything not to like. Read and enjoy!
November 22, 2017
Although the book says it is #1 in a series, a lot of the first half is recapping what already happened to the main character (it turns out there is a #0) Basically, the FBI has its own college/training program for supernatural beings. Agatha is the first witch but there are a number of weres of different types. Agatha isn't really trusted by the FBI agents or the military due to past incidents, but the head of the academy is on her side recognizing the value of having a powerful witch. This is a light fun urban fantasy that fortunately doesn't devolve into a paranormal romance. And the mini-unicorn is a fun character.
May 7, 2018
First in TS Paul's Federal Witch series.
I love these characters, especially the main character Agatha, a young witch with attitude. The FBI is taking on paranormal people as operatives for the first time and Quantico will never be the same. They learn quickly not to mess with Agatha, their first witch trainee; but she's quite an asset when treated right.
Agatha is no-nonsense with a special aptitude for handling paranormal issues that require FBI attention. But there are many growing pains, both for her and Quantico itself.
Very funny, yet serious as well. Well written, good vocabulary, engaging characters, believable plot. I highly recommend it.
I love these characters, especially the main character Agatha, a young witch with attitude. The FBI is taking on paranormal people as operatives for the first time and Quantico will never be the same. They learn quickly not to mess with Agatha, their first witch trainee; but she's quite an asset when treated right.
Agatha is no-nonsense with a special aptitude for handling paranormal issues that require FBI attention. But there are many growing pains, both for her and Quantico itself.
Very funny, yet serious as well. Well written, good vocabulary, engaging characters, believable plot. I highly recommend it.
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