Take one wizard - that's me - add a hot female vampire, give them a nice place in the country and what do you get? Paradise. Heaven on earth.
So, of course, someone decided to go spoil it. No, it wasn't me, not this time.
The Hidden world is in chaos, and apparently I'm the one that's supposed to deal with it!
Smart trolls, even smarter vampires - and not the nice ones like Kate - witches on the rampage, inebriated gremlins, and imps intent on causing nuclear Armageddon, they have all combined to ruin my perfect life. I'm not even going to mention the chicken.
Well, I'm Faz Pound.... Okay, you know the rest by now! If they want trouble I'll give it to them.
Honest, I just want to live a quiet life. Although, you know, not too quiet.
Fax and Kate are now a solid couple. His main fear is the day her vampiric nature takes over and she’s no longer able to care. The books are slowly getting better even though something’s are repetitive. There is a recurring theme of his parents death and wanting revenge or wanting to know who caused their deaths, more politics, and in this one we learn more about the trolls and their place in the magical world. When trolls suddenly become “smart” it’s suspicious, when everything g goes to heck and an entire community is massacred drastic action is taken. This book was by far the better of the three so far and it continues the world building and character evolution.
I have to give some serious credit to the author with this book. One of my biggest complaints about long-running series is that they fail to include change in their stories and therefore their stories grow stale. In this book, this author is already shaking up the formula and I'm seriously impressed with that. Not only is it a massive risk, but it doesn't always pay off. However, when it does pay off it's a beautiful thing to behold and that is what happened here.
For those looking for something similar in terms of tone and style as the other books, don't worry, it's not that much of a change. The changes I am talking about are various character choices, particular scenarios and storylines, basically, the author progressing his story rather than treading water. There's still the same humour and easy reading substance, but there's much more introduced as well.
I'm a big fan of this book and it's an easy 5 stars.
The third book in the series continued to build on the pace of the previous two. Believable character growth. The strong main character has me eager to read the next book
It is not often that the series gets me to find it even better after I get deeper in it. I really liked how the author took a break in the world and then started a new adventure. I also like how many mistakes the main character makes before he gets to the right conclusion
Full disclosure – I received a free copy of this book from the author as part of his “A-Team” in exchange for an honest review.
The Hidden World in peril
Nine Months have passed since the conclusion of “Black Spark”, and we find Faz and Kate living a quiet life in the country courtesy of Mage Rikka. While planting gardens and wrangling chickens have been the order of the day, our loveable Enforcer cannot be kept down and soon Mage Rikka and the hidden world require his expertise to resolve the newest problem plaguing the magical community.
The once stoic, trolls have become smart and are engaging in very “un troll like” activities. On the surface, this appears to be the work of head witch Kaisa Hayashi, however when Faz pulls the string to unravel the why behind the “smart stones” that many trolls have become addicted to, what he discovers may very well be the end of the Hidden world as he knows it. With many lives hanging in the balance, Spark must solve the tangled web of deceit and confront the true source of the death and destruction. What initially appears to be an anomaly or minor nuisance to be dealt with fast becomes an epic battle for survival of all Hidden. The cliffhanger ending will leave you breathless with anticipation for our hero.
I would have to say that New Spark may very well be the best installment in this series yet. While the first two books served to set up the structure and politics of the Hidden world; introducing you to characters both friend and foe this book brings the danger, ambition and brutality of Faz’s world into full daylight. From the opening scenes to the closing word, this book is fast paced and full of twists and surprises. I am looking forward to the next installment so I can see how Spark gets out of this newest predicament.
Faz Pound, AKA Black Spark, has taken a nine-month break to recover from his last case, as it was hard for him mentally and physically. He and Kate have their new home in the country given to them by Rikka, and have been raising chickens and growing a garden grandmother would be proud of. Just when he’s ready, a new case is ready for him. Mage Rikka tells him something strange is going on: the trolls have gotten really intelligent, enough to make Rikka feel a little leery, and he want Faz to investigate. What Faz uncovers is a web of deceit so convoluted, it takes him a little bit to unravel the clues to get to the bottom of everything. And, when he does, he realizes the fate of everyone and every species is at stake, and the Hidden may not be able to be hidden anymore. Will Faz be able to defeat the enemy? Or will this finally be his and his friends’ end?
This is the third book in the series, and I have been reading them from the beginning. I am so pleased to say this is the best one yet. This series has become very engaging, interesting, and well-written. This story is action-packed, emotional, and has a great plot. The mystery is interesting and keeps you guessing until the very end, which I really like to happen. There is a little bit of a rough spot to smooth over still: a little bit of redundancy of the same information being told a few too many times, but not too bad at all. I am truly delighted at where this series is going and can’t wait to read future installments. Catch-up and read this series. It has become so worth it! Recommend to fans of urban fantasy. A very solid 4 ½ stars!
Thanks to the author for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review. This same review will be posted on both Goodreads and Amazon.
Faz Pound, aka Black Spark, is a dark magic enforcer. He and his girlfriend, Kate, a vampire who wants to be more or less normal, have moved to a peaceful house in the countryside. Things are idyllic, except for a few unruly chickens, until his boss, Mage Rikka, assigns him a new job. Trolls are exhibiting intelligence—and belligerence—zombies have left their protected enclave, and there are hints that the blood-thirsty vampires are up to something. There is no rest for the weary when such doings are afoot, and Faz is off again, protecting the Hidden from itself. New Spark by Al K. Line is book number three in the Dark Magic Enforcer series, and like all the books in this series, it is a madcap romp through the world of the imagination. Only an author with Line’s warped sense of reality could create a cast of non-human characters with such humanity. You’ll laugh, cry, and shiver as Faz wreaks havoc with those who would disturb his tranquility and threaten his world. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review. I loved it.
This was definitely better than the first two. But still, a little disconnected. The author describes how vampires disappear from one spot and reappear in another. His thoughts are also like that. While I do enjoy it once in a while, after a point, it becomes a little patchy and tiring. I'm glad spark and Kate got together finally, but it looks like their honey moon was short-lived.
Another outstanding job by Al K. Line. The series continues and is action packed. Could not put it down. Faz is getting stronger. Ends in a cliff hanger. Overall a great read.
I enjoy the characters and the storyline but there is a little too much back story repetition and machismo. I am Hopi g that the next instAlled t will have less of that kind d of filler. Overall a fun quick read.