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The Demon's Apprentice #4
Charm School
The Franklin Academy is the most prestigious magick school in the US, with the highest admission standards, and tuition to match. Any student would be honored to go at all, much less get a scholarship.Not Chance Fortunato. He'd much rather stay at home and study under his mentor, Dr. Corwin. But when a student is attacked and his soul is ripped from his body, Chance knows he has to stay. Not only must he prove his innocence, but he is the only person in the state who has experience fighting the ancient blood magick that is being twisted to a new and terrible purpose.The stakes have never been higher, and Chance has never faced odds like these before. Stripped of his usual network of friends and allies, can he stop the attacks before they strike too close to home? Or will he be the next victim of a dark and terrible sorcery?
294 pages, Paperback
Published February 11, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
April 2, 2019
Rating 4.25 stars
Re-read January 2020 - Just as good as the first time. I got choked up again during a couple of situations even though I knew what was going to happen from reading it before. I think this is one of the best traits of an author: to make the readers feel for their characters and what they are going through. Initial review below:
This is a very good series. Chance is now at school and away from his friends. He has a lot of new things to deal with as well as the same old same old. He is at Franklin Academy for magic, which is one of the most prestigious magic schools in the world. With that, as you can imagine, the most affluent names in magic send their children to learn. Also as you can imagine, nobody is really happy to have a former warlock, now mage without any money and a black aura going to this school. He has to deal with the fear and hate of the other students. The predgeduce of the teachers and whenever anything goes wrong, he is of course the first person that anyone looks at.
This is still a very good book/series, but those are some of the things that keep me from calling it great. Plus, the cover art is terrible. I avoided this series for a while simply because the cover art was so bad.
Re-read January 2020 - Just as good as the first time. I got choked up again during a couple of situations even though I knew what was going to happen from reading it before. I think this is one of the best traits of an author: to make the readers feel for their characters and what they are going through. Initial review below:
This is a very good series. Chance is now at school and away from his friends. He has a lot of new things to deal with as well as the same old same old. He is at Franklin Academy for magic, which is one of the most prestigious magic schools in the world. With that, as you can imagine, the most affluent names in magic send their children to learn. Also as you can imagine, nobody is really happy to have a former warlock, now mage without any money and a black aura going to this school. He has to deal with the fear and hate of the other students. The predgeduce of the teachers and whenever anything goes wrong, he is of course the first person that anyone looks at.
This is still a very good book/series, but those are some of the things that keep me from calling it great. Plus, the cover art is terrible. I avoided this series for a while simply because the cover art was so bad.
August 29, 2016
Not sure about these covers, nothing like how I imagined the MC but that is nitpicking. Very good quality for self/small publisher. Like this series immensely, hope it continues
September 21, 2016
What can i say.. Its a good book. The cover though..Sucks. And the Author would be best served scrapping it altogether and going with something else. Just my opinion.
March 20, 2019
Inhalt:
Auf Geheiß des obersten Magiers Draeden soll der 16-jährige Ex-Dämonenlehrling Chance Fortunato die Franklin Academy, eine ehrwürdige Zaubererschule, besuchen. Es gibt nur ein Problem: Chance will dort gar nicht hin. Nicht nur, weil er weiß, dass seine Mitschüler und Lehrer ihm zum größten Teil mit Misstrauen begegnen und versuchen werden, ihn von dort wieder zu vergraulen. Er möchte auch seine Freunde Lucas, Wanda, Doktor Corwyn, seine Freundin Shade und seine Mutter und Schwester nicht zurücklassen.
Als jedoch ausgerechnet der Mitschüler, der Chance am meisten das Leben schwermacht, angegriffen und ihm die Seele gestohlen wird, muss Chance nicht nur der Schule und den Sentinels gegenüber beweisen, dass er unschuldig ist, sondern auch noch den oder die Täter finden und herausfinden, wie er oder sie etwas getan haben, was eigentlich unmöglich hätte sein sollen ...
Meine Meinung:
Auch der 4. Band um den jugendlichen Zauberer und ehemaligen Dämonensklaven Chance Fortunato ist alles, nur nicht langweilig.
Wie bereits im 3. Band angekündigt, beginnt für den 16-jährigen Chance das neue Schuljahr wider Willen in einem Internat für junge, wohlgeborene Zauberer. Und zu Beginn kann sich der Autor auch einen kleinen augenzwinkernden Seitenhieb gegen die berühmteste Zaubererschule der Welt nicht verkneifen. Dabei wird rasch klar, dass Hogwarts und die Franklin Academy mehr Unterschiede als Gemeinsamkeiten aufweisen, trotz Schuluniformen, Häusern und magischen Wesen, die wie die Hauselfen der Schule dienen.
Ich war zu Anfang nicht ganz sicher, wie ich den Ortswechsel finden soll. Mir sind Chances Freunde und Familie ans Herz gewachsen. In der Schule findet Chance zwar schnell neue Freunde - wie den Kitsune Hoshi, die Kambion Des und die Schamanin Kiya -, aber da Chance sich mit ihnen nicht drei Bände lang durch dick und dünn und jede Schwierigkeit gekämpft hat, war für mich als Leserin die Bindung zu den Figuren eher schwach ausgeprägt. Aber zum Glück spielen Chances Freunde und Familie trotz des Ortswechsels wieder eine Rolle, als Chance in den nächsten übernatürlichen Fall stolpert - und natürlich prompt für den Schuldigen gehalten wird. Und das auch noch, als er einige der Beschuldigungen entkräften kann. Zaubererpolitik, die nicht nur Chance, sondern auch mich teilweise tierisch genervt hat.
Aber Chance wäre nicht Chance, wenn er nicht seine eigenen Ermittlungen anstellen und dabei eine große Lippe - und sein Leben - riskieren würde. Ich fand die Ermittlungen wieder spannend, muss jedoch gestehen, dass ich dieses Mal die Auflösung nicht zu hundert Prozent verstanden habe - auch bei der 2. Lektüre nicht. Dafür gibt es von mir einen Stern Abzug, ansonsten kann ich den 4. Band "Charm School" aber wieder Fans von düsterer Jugendfantasy sehr empfehlen.
Auf Geheiß des obersten Magiers Draeden soll der 16-jährige Ex-Dämonenlehrling Chance Fortunato die Franklin Academy, eine ehrwürdige Zaubererschule, besuchen. Es gibt nur ein Problem: Chance will dort gar nicht hin. Nicht nur, weil er weiß, dass seine Mitschüler und Lehrer ihm zum größten Teil mit Misstrauen begegnen und versuchen werden, ihn von dort wieder zu vergraulen. Er möchte auch seine Freunde Lucas, Wanda, Doktor Corwyn, seine Freundin Shade und seine Mutter und Schwester nicht zurücklassen.
Als jedoch ausgerechnet der Mitschüler, der Chance am meisten das Leben schwermacht, angegriffen und ihm die Seele gestohlen wird, muss Chance nicht nur der Schule und den Sentinels gegenüber beweisen, dass er unschuldig ist, sondern auch noch den oder die Täter finden und herausfinden, wie er oder sie etwas getan haben, was eigentlich unmöglich hätte sein sollen ...
Meine Meinung:
Auch der 4. Band um den jugendlichen Zauberer und ehemaligen Dämonensklaven Chance Fortunato ist alles, nur nicht langweilig.
Wie bereits im 3. Band angekündigt, beginnt für den 16-jährigen Chance das neue Schuljahr wider Willen in einem Internat für junge, wohlgeborene Zauberer. Und zu Beginn kann sich der Autor auch einen kleinen augenzwinkernden Seitenhieb gegen die berühmteste Zaubererschule der Welt nicht verkneifen. Dabei wird rasch klar, dass Hogwarts und die Franklin Academy mehr Unterschiede als Gemeinsamkeiten aufweisen, trotz Schuluniformen, Häusern und magischen Wesen, die wie die Hauselfen der Schule dienen.
Ich war zu Anfang nicht ganz sicher, wie ich den Ortswechsel finden soll. Mir sind Chances Freunde und Familie ans Herz gewachsen. In der Schule findet Chance zwar schnell neue Freunde - wie den Kitsune Hoshi, die Kambion Des und die Schamanin Kiya -, aber da Chance sich mit ihnen nicht drei Bände lang durch dick und dünn und jede Schwierigkeit gekämpft hat, war für mich als Leserin die Bindung zu den Figuren eher schwach ausgeprägt. Aber zum Glück spielen Chances Freunde und Familie trotz des Ortswechsels wieder eine Rolle, als Chance in den nächsten übernatürlichen Fall stolpert - und natürlich prompt für den Schuldigen gehalten wird. Und das auch noch, als er einige der Beschuldigungen entkräften kann. Zaubererpolitik, die nicht nur Chance, sondern auch mich teilweise tierisch genervt hat.
Aber Chance wäre nicht Chance, wenn er nicht seine eigenen Ermittlungen anstellen und dabei eine große Lippe - und sein Leben - riskieren würde. Ich fand die Ermittlungen wieder spannend, muss jedoch gestehen, dass ich dieses Mal die Auflösung nicht zu hundert Prozent verstanden habe - auch bei der 2. Lektüre nicht. Dafür gibt es von mir einen Stern Abzug, ansonsten kann ich den 4. Band "Charm School" aber wieder Fans von düsterer Jugendfantasy sehr empfehlen.
July 25, 2024
Author tried to create Hogwarts US analogy, but closed the experiment at the end of book, thankfully
August 11, 2016
Love this series
Very invested in the continuation of Chance Fortunato's adventures and magical growth. I've read all the books thus far and have enjoyed them all EXCEPT poor editing is starting to take its toll.I would have rated a 3 based solely on the distractions created by poor editing but the story is too good to leave that low of a review.
I really enjoy the magical abilities, and the cast of many paranormal beings. Chances dedication to his friends and family and his sardonic wit. I also enjoy how the author tackles prejudice, "the odd man out" and the foibles of blind adherence to tradition. Will definitely be looking for book 5.
Very invested in the continuation of Chance Fortunato's adventures and magical growth. I've read all the books thus far and have enjoyed them all EXCEPT poor editing is starting to take its toll.I would have rated a 3 based solely on the distractions created by poor editing but the story is too good to leave that low of a review.
I really enjoy the magical abilities, and the cast of many paranormal beings. Chances dedication to his friends and family and his sardonic wit. I also enjoy how the author tackles prejudice, "the odd man out" and the foibles of blind adherence to tradition. Will definitely be looking for book 5.
September 22, 2017
Outstanding
This book does pretty much everything right. New characters, expanded plot, action, romance, magic, snark, and killer editing. (The only issue I had was in trying to keep track of all the names.) Proof that Ben Reeder knows how to tell a great story. I can't wait to see what comes next. Highly Recommended.
This book does pretty much everything right. New characters, expanded plot, action, romance, magic, snark, and killer editing. (The only issue I had was in trying to keep track of all the names.) Proof that Ben Reeder knows how to tell a great story. I can't wait to see what comes next. Highly Recommended.
November 25, 2018
This is basically Chance going to Hogwarts, but that's no bad thing. Franklin Academy certainly works out better than Ilvermorny at any rate. And Chance is much more morally grey than Harry Potter ever was.
Of course, there's a mystery to be solved and Chance is going to solve it whether the authorities want him to or not. What follows is a compelling novel. The mystery is subtler than previous entries in the series (though there is plenty of Chance causing chaos) and I didn't like it quite as much, but I'm still looking forward to reading the next novel and the short story collection. Definitely worth a read.
Of course, there's a mystery to be solved and Chance is going to solve it whether the authorities want him to or not. What follows is a compelling novel. The mystery is subtler than previous entries in the series (though there is plenty of Chance causing chaos) and I didn't like it quite as much, but I'm still looking forward to reading the next novel and the short story collection. Definitely worth a read.
October 22, 2017
If Harrys Potter and Dresden had a baby...
Yeah, pretty much everything is a mashup of Harry Potter and the Dresden Files, at least where the world-building is concerned.
He needs a better copyeditor.
Otherwise fun and cute. Some super awkward moments I had to skim through...but otherwise a pretty good story.
The dialogue would also be more realistic if they swore. Often. Anyone who's been in a high school in the last twenty years would know that every other work is a curse word. But whatever.
Yeah, pretty much everything is a mashup of Harry Potter and the Dresden Files, at least where the world-building is concerned.
He needs a better copyeditor.
Otherwise fun and cute. Some super awkward moments I had to skim through...but otherwise a pretty good story.
The dialogue would also be more realistic if they swore. Often. Anyone who's been in a high school in the last twenty years would know that every other work is a curse word. But whatever.
February 15, 2018
Continues to thrill
This book continues the adventures of Chance and friends. The thrills and suspense is gripping. This book is very well written with well thought out people and places.
This book continues the adventures of Chance and friends. The thrills and suspense is gripping. This book is very well written with well thought out people and places.
January 1, 2019
Continue to enjoy the series immensely.
Chance goes to school -- we know it's not going to go well and it doesn't but gives us an awesome snapshot of the world Reeder has created.
If you're not reading these yet, you should.
Chance goes to school -- we know it's not going to go well and it doesn't but gives us an awesome snapshot of the world Reeder has created.
If you're not reading these yet, you should.
December 29, 2020
Another fun read.
Chance has come a long way in his magical skills. It’s good he spent time at the magic school. I would have liked a scene with a reaction by his one professor that showed he was now a bit scared of Chance after what he did to one of the other teachers. Looking forward to the next book.
Chance has come a long way in his magical skills. It’s good he spent time at the magic school. I would have liked a scene with a reaction by his one professor that showed he was now a bit scared of Chance after what he did to one of the other teachers. Looking forward to the next book.
May 12, 2022
Another great book in the series. Huge likeness and nod to Potter's books but different enough.
Still not comfortable with the sexualization of underage characters even if they hold themselves in an older fashion they are still not adults.
Still not comfortable with the sexualization of underage characters even if they hold themselves in an older fashion they are still not adults.
July 20, 2017
Magic boarding school and a scholarship student, no nothing will go wrong. Right! I loved the hijinks.
June 7, 2018
It's a great continuation of the story. I'm looking forward to reading Chance's next adventure.
March 30, 2019
Good stuff
Continuity errors and spelling mistakes aside, this is a good addition to the series.
The k at the end of magic still annoys though.
Continuity errors and spelling mistakes aside, this is a good addition to the series.
The k at the end of magic still annoys though.
May 6, 2021
Fantastic book they get better and more intense as the series develops. This is a MUST READ!
January 3, 2022
The Harry Potter edition of the series, and I’m here for it. ❤️ Another grim topic, stealing of souls and all, but more age appropriate for 16 year olds.
November 6, 2022
Walk that path
November 30, 2022
'What if young Harry Dresden went to Hogwarts' XD (it goes exactly like you'd expect)
This one's really fun.
This one's really fun.
January 2, 2017
Hogwarts meets Hell. Great new characters. More love and loss. A great read
February 13, 2021
Amazing with extra zing
i chose this book honestly because it was next in the series and the character development of Chance, Dr. C and supporting characters are terrific. Ben takes some unique twists and turns and keeps you wondering. This series like life is fluid and ever changing. His writing style and technique are effortlessly taking you from happy to sad uproaris to contemplative. What more can a person ask for in a series
i chose this book honestly because it was next in the series and the character development of Chance, Dr. C and supporting characters are terrific. Ben takes some unique twists and turns and keeps you wondering. This series like life is fluid and ever changing. His writing style and technique are effortlessly taking you from happy to sad uproaris to contemplative. What more can a person ask for in a series
March 15, 2017
I like it a lot.
It is a bit like harry potter meets alex verus meets declan (john conroe)
It is a 4.5 star book.
Only that awful cover :(
It is a bit like harry potter meets alex verus meets declan (john conroe)
It is a 4.5 star book.
Only that awful cover :(
January 11, 2022
This review is coming after my second reading, so obviously I like the series. And, overall, I feel like this is a pretty solid entry.
So for a few nit-picks: I really feel like the Sentinels are pretty crappy law enforcement. For all the descriptions of how badass they are, Chance always runs circles around them. And I feel like I'm struggling a bit with the fact that no one but Chance is familiar with demonic magic. You'd think council mages would make some effort to learn about it, or interrogate captured warlocks or something. Lastly, I'm realizing that Shade is the only female werewolf we've encountered. Based on how she's treated, being a female werewolf must really suck. I swear, practically every scene she's in, someone threatens to sexually assault her. That crap is really getting exhausting.
So for a few nit-picks: I really feel like the Sentinels are pretty crappy law enforcement. For all the descriptions of how badass they are, Chance always runs circles around them. And I feel like I'm struggling a bit with the fact that no one but Chance is familiar with demonic magic. You'd think council mages would make some effort to learn about it, or interrogate captured warlocks or something. Lastly, I'm realizing that Shade is the only female werewolf we've encountered. Based on how she's treated, being a female werewolf must really suck. I swear, practically every scene she's in, someone threatens to sexually assault her. That crap is really getting exhausting.
October 25, 2016
Hard to put down
I got very frustrated reading this book, when the battery died on my tablet.
I started reading, and continued until everything went dark. And it was only 3 AM.
Now I remember why I like real paper books so much; they don't fail when you are engrossed in a captivating story.
When the tablet got enough charge for me continue on wall plug power, I once again encountered the frustration that the book, the fourth in the series, came to a satisfying conclusion. However, I want more. More books in the series.
I will have to console myself with the thin pleasure of simply re-sending the entire series.
Really, I don't feel I'm being too greedy by wishing for more books in this series. More!
I got very frustrated reading this book, when the battery died on my tablet.
I started reading, and continued until everything went dark. And it was only 3 AM.
Now I remember why I like real paper books so much; they don't fail when you are engrossed in a captivating story.
When the tablet got enough charge for me continue on wall plug power, I once again encountered the frustration that the book, the fourth in the series, came to a satisfying conclusion. However, I want more. More books in the series.
I will have to console myself with the thin pleasure of simply re-sending the entire series.
Really, I don't feel I'm being too greedy by wishing for more books in this series. More!
December 19, 2022
This series was better than I expected it to be. First, I'm not usually fond of spending time in a teen's head, so a "well written" teen character is not enjoyable for me. I usually don't mind if I can forget the person's age which tends to mean they don't read like a teen. This series jumps over all those problems with the MC's backstory. So he doesn't read like a teen and that's believable, but he's still in real world teen situations and still often has the internal reactions of a teen even if his history gives him an unusual amount of chill in a crisis behaviorally. It's a bit like getting the best of both worlds.
This is a good series that I was sorry to see the end of and hope the author decides to return to it.
This is a good series that I was sorry to see the end of and hope the author decides to return to it.
August 4, 2016
Great follow up
This book took a lot longer than his previous works to be published but it was well worth the wait. The main character still grows and shows new sides of himself without losing any of the core aspects that have made us love him. New characters have been introduces in a way that feels normal and gives a chance for the world to grow. Even better old stories have had fresh life injected into them in a way that set s the stage for future fun. I haven't felt like many books recently have deserved a 5 str rating from me but i am happy to give this one a perfect score.
This book took a lot longer than his previous works to be published but it was well worth the wait. The main character still grows and shows new sides of himself without losing any of the core aspects that have made us love him. New characters have been introduces in a way that feels normal and gives a chance for the world to grow. Even better old stories have had fresh life injected into them in a way that set s the stage for future fun. I haven't felt like many books recently have deserved a 5 str rating from me but i am happy to give this one a perfect score.
December 28, 2016
Chance is off to Wizard school courtesy of a scholarship. However, this is not quite Harry Potter though there are inevitably some similarities given this is a formal school of wizardry. Chance arrives with a tainted and controversial reputation and he soon finds things aren't sweetness and light at the school of good wizards and has a fight on his hands whether he wants it or not.
I enjoyed this book though the stories seem to be getting a tad repetitive Chance is still an interesting character and I'll pick up the next book in the series when it comes out, though give the amount of people attacking him Chance will be lucky if he reaches adulthood.
I enjoyed this book though the stories seem to be getting a tad repetitive Chance is still an interesting character and I'll pick up the next book in the series when it comes out, though give the amount of people attacking him Chance will be lucky if he reaches adulthood.
August 27, 2016
Another good one
A loved the introduction of the new characters and can't wait to see how they will be incorporated into the future books. Hoshi's awesome and finding out the connection his aunt has to Dr. C made me excited for more. The only draw back to this book(for me) is Chance didn't seem like the usual badass that he is. He did have far more limitations then the norm, and his freedom of movement was restricted so I can't blame him but come on only one building was on fire.
A loved the introduction of the new characters and can't wait to see how they will be incorporated into the future books. Hoshi's awesome and finding out the connection his aunt has to Dr. C made me excited for more. The only draw back to this book(for me) is Chance didn't seem like the usual badass that he is. He did have far more limitations then the norm, and his freedom of movement was restricted so I can't blame him but come on only one building was on fire.
August 9, 2016
I want more
I am absolutely invested in Chance and his friends! I really did miss the couple of characters from his usual stomping grounds that usually reside in the nasty underbelly of the magical world namely his friend the succubus and crazy lady who helps him with wands and magical tools she is funny character. I'm glad he got out of the school, I couldn't see the story going anywhere fun if he stayed! I can't wait till the next book comes out.
I am absolutely invested in Chance and his friends! I really did miss the couple of characters from his usual stomping grounds that usually reside in the nasty underbelly of the magical world namely his friend the succubus and crazy lady who helps him with wands and magical tools she is funny character. I'm glad he got out of the school, I couldn't see the story going anywhere fun if he stayed! I can't wait till the next book comes out.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews