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Shadow Magus
He’s the only magus in ancient Rome. Or so he thinks.
Natta Magus is getting used to life in Augustan Rome. While it doesn’t have twenty-first century perks like baseball or coffee, at least his unique magical skills can help his Aventine Hill friends.
But the Roman government has noticed his talents, and they call on him when a religious artifact from Rome’s ancient past is stolen. Natta discovers the thief is a magus as powerful as him, which should be impossible in this era. Unlike him, the magus wants Rome to die screaming.
Play ball.
SHADOW MAGUS is book two of the Journals of Natta Magus, a series for fans of Roman alternate history and fantasy.
Natta Magus is getting used to life in Augustan Rome. While it doesn’t have twenty-first century perks like baseball or coffee, at least his unique magical skills can help his Aventine Hill friends.
But the Roman government has noticed his talents, and they call on him when a religious artifact from Rome’s ancient past is stolen. Natta discovers the thief is a magus as powerful as him, which should be impossible in this era. Unlike him, the magus wants Rome to die screaming.
Play ball.
SHADOW MAGUS is book two of the Journals of Natta Magus, a series for fans of Roman alternate history and fantasy.
- GenresFantasy
337 pages, Paperback
Published August 15, 2016
5 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Rob Steiner
21 books33 followersRob Steiner is author of the Journals of Natta Magus series. Orson Scott Card’s Intergalactic Medicine Show featured two stories about Natta Magus: “The Oath-Breaker’s Daemon” and “The Cloaca Maxima.” Rob also wrote the alt-history/space opera Codex Antonius series (MUSES OF ROMA, MUSES OF TERRA, and MUSES OF THE REPUBLIC) about a Roman Empire that spawns an interstellar civilization.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 15, 2016
Just about a year ago, I reviewed Rob Steiner’s Citizen Magus, giving the fast-paced, light-hearted fantasy five stars. I’ve just finished the sequel, Shadow Magus, and was equally delighted in it.
Shadow Magus continues the adventures of Remington Blakes, aka Natto Magus, a 21st-century American magus transported to 1st century Rome. (It’s not necessary to have read the first book to enjoy this one, but I’d recommend it.) Steiner continues to blend good writing, likeable characters, fast action and sense of humour in a well-paced and well-plotted story.
Another magus, with a type of magic that Natto Magus can’t identify, appears in Rome…and apparently bent on destruction. Caesar Augustus needs Natto’s help to save Rome. From the Circus Maximus to the underworld of Egyptian mythology, Remington pursues the magus in a desperate quest, while not losing his own life to this new power. Even Remington’s household god Lares gets involved in the crusade.
I don’t want to give away too much of the plot. But as in the first book, Steiner captures Ancient Rome in all its crowded, smelly reality, without ponderous archaeology weighing the book down. The magic remains internally consistent and very well described, even the new type of magic the intruder brings, and the historic backstory to the conflict is accurate. And Natto Magus’s character continues to develop; the next in the series should prove quite interesting!
Five stars to the second installment of a fun series.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Shadow Magus continues the adventures of Remington Blakes, aka Natto Magus, a 21st-century American magus transported to 1st century Rome. (It’s not necessary to have read the first book to enjoy this one, but I’d recommend it.) Steiner continues to blend good writing, likeable characters, fast action and sense of humour in a well-paced and well-plotted story.
Another magus, with a type of magic that Natto Magus can’t identify, appears in Rome…and apparently bent on destruction. Caesar Augustus needs Natto’s help to save Rome. From the Circus Maximus to the underworld of Egyptian mythology, Remington pursues the magus in a desperate quest, while not losing his own life to this new power. Even Remington’s household god Lares gets involved in the crusade.
I don’t want to give away too much of the plot. But as in the first book, Steiner captures Ancient Rome in all its crowded, smelly reality, without ponderous archaeology weighing the book down. The magic remains internally consistent and very well described, even the new type of magic the intruder brings, and the historic backstory to the conflict is accurate. And Natto Magus’s character continues to develop; the next in the series should prove quite interesting!
Five stars to the second installment of a fun series.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 23, 2016
I am a fan of ancient Rome (especially Lindsey Davis) and loved Citizen Magus, the first book in this series. I enjoyed Shadow Magus even more with its focus set in Rome. The plot twists are intelligent and original and the characters are all entertaining to follow. So many of the story's elements seem entirely impossible, but through the magic he weaves, Steiner makes it all somehow possible. I look forward to the next installment in the adventures of Natta Magus.
February 5, 2017
Goodreads giveaway.
The writing is well done and the story moves a long at a nice pace. The characters in the story are very engaging and the trials and tribulations that the main characters go through are entertaining. I love the loyalty and strong friendship between the main characters. If you like magic and battles I recommend this book.
The writing is well done and the story moves a long at a nice pace. The characters in the story are very engaging and the trials and tribulations that the main characters go through are entertaining. I love the loyalty and strong friendship between the main characters. If you like magic and battles I recommend this book.
January 2, 2018
Worthy sequel
I liked this sequel to Citizen Magus. It was interesting to see history start to change due to the time travelling magi.
I liked this sequel to Citizen Magus. It was interesting to see history start to change due to the time travelling magi.
September 28, 2016
This is the best book in the series so far. Alt history/fantasy with engaging characters set in Rome at the time of Augustus Caesar.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews