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The Monsters and Men Trilogy #1
Blunt Force Magic
Janzen Robinson is a man torn between two worlds. Five years removed from a life as an apprentice to a group of do-gooding heroes who championed the fight against supernatural evils, the once-promising student is now a package courier going through the daily grind, passing time at a hole-in-the-wall bar and living in a tiny, run-down apartment on the south side of Cleveland, Ohio.
Then fate (or a case of bad timing) brings him face to face with a door that’s got his old life written all over it. From the ancient recesses of unyielding darkness known as the Abyss, a creature has been summoned: a Stalker, a predator whose real name is forbidden to be spoken aloud. It’s a bastardization of the natural order, a formidable blend of dark magic and primal tenacity. Its single-minded mission? Ending the life of a fiery, emerging young witch.
Thrust into the role of protector, a role once reserved for those he’d lost years ago, the out-of-practice "Artificer" not only has to return to a life he’d left behind, but must relive that painful past while facing down the greatest threat to come to our world in a century. Janzen will have to journey through the magical underbelly of the city and not only stay one step ahead of an unstoppable monster hellbent on destruction but try and figure out why it’s been brought to our world in the first place. Past wounds are reopened as Janzen looks to old friends, a quiet stranger, and his own questionable wits to see them all to the other side of this nightmare that may cost him his life and, quite possibly, the world itself.
Then fate (or a case of bad timing) brings him face to face with a door that’s got his old life written all over it. From the ancient recesses of unyielding darkness known as the Abyss, a creature has been summoned: a Stalker, a predator whose real name is forbidden to be spoken aloud. It’s a bastardization of the natural order, a formidable blend of dark magic and primal tenacity. Its single-minded mission? Ending the life of a fiery, emerging young witch.
Thrust into the role of protector, a role once reserved for those he’d lost years ago, the out-of-practice "Artificer" not only has to return to a life he’d left behind, but must relive that painful past while facing down the greatest threat to come to our world in a century. Janzen will have to journey through the magical underbelly of the city and not only stay one step ahead of an unstoppable monster hellbent on destruction but try and figure out why it’s been brought to our world in the first place. Past wounds are reopened as Janzen looks to old friends, a quiet stranger, and his own questionable wits to see them all to the other side of this nightmare that may cost him his life and, quite possibly, the world itself.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 10, 2018
87 people are currently reading
310 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
December 16, 2018
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
This was a great new addition to UF. It is the love child of Harry Dresden and Alex Verus. It’s amusing reading other reviews because it seems to remind readers of a wide range of successful UF series. Lots of action and humour; creatures galore; skilled protagonist with self esteem issues and more friends than he realises. Very much looking forward to the rest of the series.
This was a great new addition to UF. It is the love child of Harry Dresden and Alex Verus. It’s amusing reading other reviews because it seems to remind readers of a wide range of successful UF series. Lots of action and humour; creatures galore; skilled protagonist with self esteem issues and more friends than he realises. Very much looking forward to the rest of the series.
July 10, 2018
Blunt Force Magic (The Monsters and Men Trilogy #1) by Lawrence Davis is a book I requested and the review is voluntary. This is truly unique! A guy with magic, friends that are magical and different ( dwarves and elves and such), tries to help a special beautiful woman is being chased by monsters, a deaf ex-military guy becomes his friend and helper. The mystery is who is this gal, and why are they sending the worst monsters out? Lots of action, fighting, magic, creatures, and great fantasy.
March 28, 2018
This book - the protagonist and his weird humor in particular - reminded me a lot of Kevin Hearne's Iron Druid Chronicles.
This story follows twenty-something Janzen Robinson, former monster hunting squad member turned package courier, on his mission to save a pretty young witch who's inadvertently caught the attention of an evil, blood-thirsty and basically invincable creature. Not being the bad-ass he'd like to be, Janzen struggles to stay alive himself while desperately trying to keep Maria safe, but unlikely allies start gathering around him - including a deaf ex-soldier and a motherly fae.
Will Janzen and his new crew be able to stop what- or whoever is after them?
In a heartbeat I'd made mortal enemies with the most powerful thing I'd ever had the distinct displeasure of crossing. And it wasn't even three o'clock yet.
Kudos to the author for creating such an intriguing yet completely approachable male lead. I loved that Janzen wasn't one of those almighty, infallible, top-of-the-class super heroes. He was an artificer, but not a very good one. He was just mediocre in most anything he did - working his magic, fighting, interacting with women, his job. But, and that's what made him so interesting to read about, he was incredibly resourceful and had one hell of a big trap.
Our work was most effective when reflecting our own person. I wasn't full of finesse, I wasn't meticulous, I couldn't do stylish or suave. I couldn't emulate his craft, but I could produce stuff that was a better reflection of who I was.
Gritty, tough, sneaky, and fucking violent.
While his smart-ass quips had me laughing out loud repeatedly, and his on-the-fly decision making made me cheer him on, it was that adorable bromance between him and Grove that really got me.
"You ready?" To make sure my mouth was shaped right, I was speaking louder than I would at any other time, to which Grove replied with his own voice instead of his tablet.
"You make me glad I'm deaf."
There was a great story, too, along with some interesting world building, and lots and lots of dark, dry humor.
The only, but rather big issue I had with this book was the pacing. The slow pace and, in my opinion, slightly botched arc of suspense made it seem so much longer than its actual two-hundred something pages, and while overall, this was a very enjoyable read, I did find myself struggling with it quite a few times.
Considering that this was Lawrence Davis's debut, though: totally forgivable.
Amazing start to a new Urban Fantasy series. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book.
Free copy provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 19, 2018
I really enjoyed Blunt Force Magic!! For me, it was very reminiscent of Karen Marie Moning. Lots of mystical creatures living in our present time with only a few folks being aware and always fighting to save the sad "Muggles" who have no clue. Our main character Janzen was a breath of fresh air. I appreciated his cynicism and ability to use humor in all situations, especially when fighting for his life or protecting his friends.
The story is well paced with lots of action. The writing is very descriptive without being overly wordy. You do need to pay attention to understand the relationship pieces but that didn't distract me from the story at all.
I definitely recommend this book to all fantasy readers and I will be anxiously waiting to read more of this trilogy! Many thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The story is well paced with lots of action. The writing is very descriptive without being overly wordy. You do need to pay attention to understand the relationship pieces but that didn't distract me from the story at all.
I definitely recommend this book to all fantasy readers and I will be anxiously waiting to read more of this trilogy! Many thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
December 27, 2017
I received an advance copy of this novel, and really enjoyed the heck out of it front to back. It's like somebody took the best parts of the Dresden Files, Supernatural, and Constantine and mashed them up. Led by a protagonist who is very much a normal guy ripe with self doubts, questions about his own character and quirky habits, younger readers can easily identify with him but that doesn't exclude more experienced readers from associating with him on a deeper level as he really embodies some very real struggles in the middle of a very unreal world. The novel is well-paced, an easy read with a touch of humor and lots of grit. Definitely looking forward to the rest of the series and highly recommend!
November 16, 2025
Janzen was on the hero’s path until a tragic accident rips away his desire to be a part of that world.
Five years later he is faced with the choice of saving a young woman and her father from a beast from another dimension or continue hiding from his fated roll. Without much thought, he jumps in using magic to save the day. This act catapults him back into the world of magic and the fight of good against evil.
This is my first read from Lawrence Davis and I utterly enjoyed the heck out of it. He seamlessly blends humor, strife, action and suspense, weaving a tale that quickly hooks the reader.
Wow! Blunt Force Magic is a slow building, new urban fantasy by Lawrence Davis. It is a fabulous introduction into an amazing, well built world that sucks the reader right in and has us pondering his imagings long after you are done while leaving us wanting more.
I received this copy Blunt Force Magic from WildBlue Press. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Five years later he is faced with the choice of saving a young woman and her father from a beast from another dimension or continue hiding from his fated roll. Without much thought, he jumps in using magic to save the day. This act catapults him back into the world of magic and the fight of good against evil.
This is my first read from Lawrence Davis and I utterly enjoyed the heck out of it. He seamlessly blends humor, strife, action and suspense, weaving a tale that quickly hooks the reader.
Wow! Blunt Force Magic is a slow building, new urban fantasy by Lawrence Davis. It is a fabulous introduction into an amazing, well built world that sucks the reader right in and has us pondering his imagings long after you are done while leaving us wanting more.
I received this copy Blunt Force Magic from WildBlue Press. This is my honest and voluntary review.
May 2, 2018
I really don't understand how everyone seem so fund of this book! The main character is really full of himself, and the writing... always describing something, it's really break the action everytime. It's sad because the universe seem interesting, but I don't like reading the description of a leather jacket and sunglasses for half a page, then describing how big and dangerous the monster his, but that the main character is not afraid, because... of course, he has face much worst... Just show me the action, make a story and stop talking an describing everything. It was really the writing that had turn me off!!
February 21, 2018
Any time I play an RPG video game, my character is a crafter. Blacksmithing, enchanting, all of it. Unfortunately, crafters have been ill-represented in fantasy fiction.
This book is an exception, and hopefully a sign of what's to come.
Our lead here, Janzen, is an artificer. In basic terms, he enchants items by inscribing sigils and runes on them. He's been out of the business for a while after the death of his mentor, but is dragged back into action when a beautiful young woman is hunted by a hellhound, give or take.
The descriptions of Janzen's craft are fascinating without being too much for casual fantasy fans, and the action is amazing; seriously some of the best setpieces I've read in years. The lead characters and some of the dialog are a bit flat, but the supporting cast are fun and the plot is well-tuned, with just enough twists to keep you guessing without becoming ludicrous.
Congratulations to the author on crafting a fantastic debut. I look forward to reading further works from him, hopefully soon.
My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of this title. Any opinions in this review are my own, and honest.
This book is an exception, and hopefully a sign of what's to come.
Our lead here, Janzen, is an artificer. In basic terms, he enchants items by inscribing sigils and runes on them. He's been out of the business for a while after the death of his mentor, but is dragged back into action when a beautiful young woman is hunted by a hellhound, give or take.
The descriptions of Janzen's craft are fascinating without being too much for casual fantasy fans, and the action is amazing; seriously some of the best setpieces I've read in years. The lead characters and some of the dialog are a bit flat, but the supporting cast are fun and the plot is well-tuned, with just enough twists to keep you guessing without becoming ludicrous.
Congratulations to the author on crafting a fantastic debut. I look forward to reading further works from him, hopefully soon.
My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of this title. Any opinions in this review are my own, and honest.
February 26, 2018
I loved it. First, I was so ecstatic to find an urban fantasy novel with a male lead; not that it's a bad thing (far from it), but it's very difficult for me to find a UF book that doesn't center around a kick-ass heroine.
From the opening lines of the book, I started to get a very "Harry Dresden" feel, and I'm a big fan of Butcher's series. I've already recommended BFM to other fans in a Butcher group who are always looking for someone new to read about while the long wait for Peace Talks continues.
Anyway, Janzen is a reluctant hero. After being plucked from a rough childhood by his mentor, Zachariah, Janzen was studying to be an Artificer, someone who works with magic and runes and can create something new by combining this ability with ordinary objects. When his mentor, and the rest of their group, is killed, Janzen loses his way.
When the novel begins, it's five years after this great loss, and Janzen is simply gliding through life, making what he needs to keep himself and his dog fed and housed, but not doing anything to leave a mark on the world. Of course, this is when opportunity comes to almost slice him in the face. When a young woman and her father are attacked by an abominable denizen of the Abyss (a Hell-type level of the universe), Janzen has to become a hero, albeit a reluctant one.
The qualities I love in Janzen mirror what has pulled me in and kept me as a fan of Harry Dresden for the last 15 years. Even though there's some darkness and grit, Janzen has kindness and care for those around him. The man has a rescue dog, for God's sake. My big point is that he's a redeemable man; his biggest struggle is one that every ordinary person can connect to on some level- he's trying to keep his head above water and figure out who he is when he's lost a a big piece of the foundation of his life.
Is he perfect? No. Is he super suave and smooth? GOD, NO. But he's someone who's doing the best he can even though he's bloody, bruised, battered, and way out of his league. I can respect and love a character who shows the moxie and stubborn force of will that he does.
Along with Janzen, we get to meet Grove. Grove is one of the first characters I've "met" in awhile, especially in UF, who has an impairment. I really haven't run into deaf characters very often, and I liked that Davis gave us a hero who could be strong, steadfast, and brave even though he receives the world in a different way than many of us do. Instead of making Grove's deafness into a point of handicap or plot problem, we see Grove and Janzen working together to communicate and finding new ways to work with one another despite the unconventional dynamic.
Overall, the story was easy to follow, and had enough action and intrigue to keep my interest on its own. Davis's world is divided into four parts- the Abyss, the In-Between, the Veil, and the Earth as humans know it. He plays around with the ideas of emissaries and intermediaries whose job it is to observe but not interfere. Neutral entities who make Earth their home, but may not treat it as such. I've always found that an interesting concept, and I'm really curious how that will continue to play out after the events of BFM.
The end is bittersweet, but it opens the door for more Grove and Janzen, who finally seems ready to not only live up to the legacy of his mentor, but to forge his own path. I, for one, am very excited for the prospect of more. My only regret in reading this book now is that I have to wait to see what comes next!
From the opening lines of the book, I started to get a very "Harry Dresden" feel, and I'm a big fan of Butcher's series. I've already recommended BFM to other fans in a Butcher group who are always looking for someone new to read about while the long wait for Peace Talks continues.
Anyway, Janzen is a reluctant hero. After being plucked from a rough childhood by his mentor, Zachariah, Janzen was studying to be an Artificer, someone who works with magic and runes and can create something new by combining this ability with ordinary objects. When his mentor, and the rest of their group, is killed, Janzen loses his way.
When the novel begins, it's five years after this great loss, and Janzen is simply gliding through life, making what he needs to keep himself and his dog fed and housed, but not doing anything to leave a mark on the world. Of course, this is when opportunity comes to almost slice him in the face. When a young woman and her father are attacked by an abominable denizen of the Abyss (a Hell-type level of the universe), Janzen has to become a hero, albeit a reluctant one.
The qualities I love in Janzen mirror what has pulled me in and kept me as a fan of Harry Dresden for the last 15 years. Even though there's some darkness and grit, Janzen has kindness and care for those around him. The man has a rescue dog, for God's sake. My big point is that he's a redeemable man; his biggest struggle is one that every ordinary person can connect to on some level- he's trying to keep his head above water and figure out who he is when he's lost a a big piece of the foundation of his life.
Is he perfect? No. Is he super suave and smooth? GOD, NO. But he's someone who's doing the best he can even though he's bloody, bruised, battered, and way out of his league. I can respect and love a character who shows the moxie and stubborn force of will that he does.
Along with Janzen, we get to meet Grove. Grove is one of the first characters I've "met" in awhile, especially in UF, who has an impairment. I really haven't run into deaf characters very often, and I liked that Davis gave us a hero who could be strong, steadfast, and brave even though he receives the world in a different way than many of us do. Instead of making Grove's deafness into a point of handicap or plot problem, we see Grove and Janzen working together to communicate and finding new ways to work with one another despite the unconventional dynamic.
Overall, the story was easy to follow, and had enough action and intrigue to keep my interest on its own. Davis's world is divided into four parts- the Abyss, the In-Between, the Veil, and the Earth as humans know it. He plays around with the ideas of emissaries and intermediaries whose job it is to observe but not interfere. Neutral entities who make Earth their home, but may not treat it as such. I've always found that an interesting concept, and I'm really curious how that will continue to play out after the events of BFM.
The end is bittersweet, but it opens the door for more Grove and Janzen, who finally seems ready to not only live up to the legacy of his mentor, but to forge his own path. I, for one, am very excited for the prospect of more. My only regret in reading this book now is that I have to wait to see what comes next!
June 27, 2019
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I'm always on the lookout for books set in my home state of Ohio and this urban fantasy definitely hit the spot. The sense of humor, noirish sensibilities, and magical elements make this series opener just about perfect fans of The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher which is one of my all time favorites. I sped my way through this and I'm definitely looking forward to continuing this series.
I'm always on the lookout for books set in my home state of Ohio and this urban fantasy definitely hit the spot. The sense of humor, noirish sensibilities, and magical elements make this series opener just about perfect fans of The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher which is one of my all time favorites. I sped my way through this and I'm definitely looking forward to continuing this series.
January 9, 2018
This book was fun and entertaining, with a consistent humour that was easily relatable to. You will love the main character, as he is just your average guy stuck in a shitty position. He makes do with what he has, and doesn’t over value his abilities. The book will take you on twists and turns, and provide you with enough information about the world, without becoming tedious. There was very few characters that you could not find something to like, or someone who you reminds you of them. If you like strong powerful females, this is certainly the book for you, almost all the women are badasses. Honestly, I usually prefer romance novels, and this book really surprised me with how much I enjoyed it. Fun plot, entertaining characters and with enough humour to make the darker scenes really impact you.
January 11, 2018
I loved this book! It grabbed me from the first sentence and never stopped. The story doesn’t let up for a minute and Janzen speaks directly to the reader in a way that is both funny and deep. There were moments that I laughed out loud and others that I cringed at, wincing in pain or embarrassment. The author really has a way with words and totally brought the story to life as I was reading. I could actually “see” the action happening as I was reading it, and it kept my attention all the way through. Will definitely recommend it to my friends.
January 11, 2018
A definite page turner! Masterfully written in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat! The next big series on the horizon! Well written, smooth, and the way the author relates the characters to his own internal battles allows the reader/veterans alike to relate! Will read again and can’t wait for the next one!
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January 30, 2018I have to come back to this one. I read almost half of it, but I wasn’t feeling it. Decent writing, and an interesting plot, but it wasn’t enough to keep my attention. I’ll be going back to it when I’m in the right headspace for urban fantasy!
September 15, 2018
"I'll crack on myself a lot I don't hate hate myself, so in truth if I rub people wrong or someone isn't too keen on me, that's fine. They don't have to live with me, I do."
I really liked the main character, Janzen. Although at first he was a little bit hopeless, I ended up liking him because of quotes like the one above (there are at least three more of this kind that I'm planning on writting in my quotes notebook), they all seem so powerful and they really spoke to my heart.
On the other hand, there where moments where I felt like he didn't have enough depth. For instance, his pain caused by the death of his people I could only feel bad for him but it never made me cry, not even a tear started to form. And there where other decisions he made that didn't make sense to me.
"You should know that there is an ugliness just beyond our understanding that if we invite it, if we consider it too long, if we happen upon it, Will strike."
However, I have to admit that the first thing that hooked me where the monsters. We were only able to read about one in the begining but for me it was enough because it was so well described that I could vividly imagine it, even now I can tell you exactly how it was. Throughout the rest of the story we are able to see more monsters but for me those weren't as scary as the first one.
"Evil triumphs when good men stand idle."
Of course there where other characters and I have to say I liked most of them. Grover was definitely my favorite, so loyal, intelligent and strong. On the other side, stands Maria a character that I didn't feel anything for because we don't get to know her very much and that was a little bit frustating.
"Starting to hum Hips Don't Lie by Shakira. I was scared shitless and it was the only thing I could think up."
There was also a little bit of humor in this book, it didn't made me laugh out loud but it did made me smile and it was a nice touch after so many fights and blood that was going on.
All in all, I think this is a good book and I liked it because it has amazingly scary creatures and some really motivational quotes. However, I think it needed a little more depth and I would like to have known the characters more so I could love or hate them instead of what I feel now, I like some of them and the others I think I only know their names.
I really liked the main character, Janzen. Although at first he was a little bit hopeless, I ended up liking him because of quotes like the one above (there are at least three more of this kind that I'm planning on writting in my quotes notebook), they all seem so powerful and they really spoke to my heart.
On the other hand, there where moments where I felt like he didn't have enough depth. For instance, his pain caused by the death of his people I could only feel bad for him but it never made me cry, not even a tear started to form. And there where other decisions he made that didn't make sense to me.
"You should know that there is an ugliness just beyond our understanding that if we invite it, if we consider it too long, if we happen upon it, Will strike."
However, I have to admit that the first thing that hooked me where the monsters. We were only able to read about one in the begining but for me it was enough because it was so well described that I could vividly imagine it, even now I can tell you exactly how it was. Throughout the rest of the story we are able to see more monsters but for me those weren't as scary as the first one.
"Evil triumphs when good men stand idle."
Of course there where other characters and I have to say I liked most of them. Grover was definitely my favorite, so loyal, intelligent and strong. On the other side, stands Maria a character that I didn't feel anything for because we don't get to know her very much and that was a little bit frustating.
"Starting to hum Hips Don't Lie by Shakira. I was scared shitless and it was the only thing I could think up."
There was also a little bit of humor in this book, it didn't made me laugh out loud but it did made me smile and it was a nice touch after so many fights and blood that was going on.
All in all, I think this is a good book and I liked it because it has amazingly scary creatures and some really motivational quotes. However, I think it needed a little more depth and I would like to have known the characters more so I could love or hate them instead of what I feel now, I like some of them and the others I think I only know their names.
June 13, 2018
I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Blunt Force Magic just really did not work for me. This book reminded me a lot of the Dresden Files, so if you are a fan of that series, you may like this book. Personally, I felt stifled and exasperated by the main character’s endless diatribes of insecurity to the point where I could not feel anything for the other characters and was annoyed by the constant fight scenes.
I did not feel attached to any of the characters at all. In fact, I really did not care if anything horrible happened to main character, Janzen and would have welcomed a reprieve from his self-deprecating sense of humor, something that was entertaining in the beginning and then got ridiculously and mind-numbingly old before the halfway mark in the book. At first, I found his admitting to all of his insecurities realistic and somewhat charming, but I soon felt like I was listening to the thoughts of a grown-up baby. It is clear the author has wit, and a lot of Janzen’s humor hits with a zing, but a lot of the time, that same humor felt like a shot in the dark rather than an actual successful joke. Regardless of whether these endless monologues of poor stand-up comedy hit or miss, I felt like my brain was being overloaded by Janzen's chatter and I just wished he would shut up, something that was sadly impossible as he was the first person narrator of the book.
What’s more, was that between all of the wisecracks about his weight or his poor looks, we find out that Janzen is actually a super capable guy whom the underworld or whatever has been waiting to rise up and take the mantle of his former master and kick some serious abyss ass. This might have been cool if I weren’t so immune to the trope of a hero who feels he has failed, gone into hiding, and then comes back and saves the day. Plus, Janzen’s utterances of “this is my city” during fight scenes made me roll my eyes. Apparently, he’s Batman.
Sadly, I did not much like the other characters either. I did not care when characters who should not have been helping showed up to save the day or for a beyond the grave visit. Later, when one character died, my reaction was complete indifference. I did like Grove, a deaf character with military experience, but this may just have been because he did not ruin it by talking much. I couldn't help but wonder if they included such a reticent character specifically in order to offset Janzen's continuous stream of consciousness.
I ended up skimming the final battle and most of the fight scenes before it. They were countless. I felt like I was reading a shonen manga where half the book was a fight scene and the only dialogue was a single “POW,” scrawled across the center of the page. Maybe if I were a younger boy, I would find all of these scenes riveting and whatnot, but I was super bored of them. What appeared to be a cool monster, pictured on the awesome cover of the book, was ruined by the fight scenes and by its sudden ability to talk, which immediately rendered it less mysterious and dangerous.
The one thing I did really think was interesting in this book was the magic system. I was interested in the artificery and wished that the book had focused more on that than the current endless fiasco with the wolf-bird-demon thing chasing them. I think the future novels will cover more of Janzen’s training as an artificer and maybe a future tinkerer, which might be interesting, but I don’t plan on reading the next novels in the series. Between the fighting and the awful, incessant narration, I was super relieved when the book was over.
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Blunt Force Magic just really did not work for me. This book reminded me a lot of the Dresden Files, so if you are a fan of that series, you may like this book. Personally, I felt stifled and exasperated by the main character’s endless diatribes of insecurity to the point where I could not feel anything for the other characters and was annoyed by the constant fight scenes.
I did not feel attached to any of the characters at all. In fact, I really did not care if anything horrible happened to main character, Janzen and would have welcomed a reprieve from his self-deprecating sense of humor, something that was entertaining in the beginning and then got ridiculously and mind-numbingly old before the halfway mark in the book. At first, I found his admitting to all of his insecurities realistic and somewhat charming, but I soon felt like I was listening to the thoughts of a grown-up baby. It is clear the author has wit, and a lot of Janzen’s humor hits with a zing, but a lot of the time, that same humor felt like a shot in the dark rather than an actual successful joke. Regardless of whether these endless monologues of poor stand-up comedy hit or miss, I felt like my brain was being overloaded by Janzen's chatter and I just wished he would shut up, something that was sadly impossible as he was the first person narrator of the book.
What’s more, was that between all of the wisecracks about his weight or his poor looks, we find out that Janzen is actually a super capable guy whom the underworld or whatever has been waiting to rise up and take the mantle of his former master and kick some serious abyss ass. This might have been cool if I weren’t so immune to the trope of a hero who feels he has failed, gone into hiding, and then comes back and saves the day. Plus, Janzen’s utterances of “this is my city” during fight scenes made me roll my eyes. Apparently, he’s Batman.
Sadly, I did not much like the other characters either. I did not care when characters who should not have been helping showed up to save the day or for a beyond the grave visit. Later, when one character died, my reaction was complete indifference. I did like Grove, a deaf character with military experience, but this may just have been because he did not ruin it by talking much. I couldn't help but wonder if they included such a reticent character specifically in order to offset Janzen's continuous stream of consciousness.
I ended up skimming the final battle and most of the fight scenes before it. They were countless. I felt like I was reading a shonen manga where half the book was a fight scene and the only dialogue was a single “POW,” scrawled across the center of the page. Maybe if I were a younger boy, I would find all of these scenes riveting and whatnot, but I was super bored of them. What appeared to be a cool monster, pictured on the awesome cover of the book, was ruined by the fight scenes and by its sudden ability to talk, which immediately rendered it less mysterious and dangerous.
The one thing I did really think was interesting in this book was the magic system. I was interested in the artificery and wished that the book had focused more on that than the current endless fiasco with the wolf-bird-demon thing chasing them. I think the future novels will cover more of Janzen’s training as an artificer and maybe a future tinkerer, which might be interesting, but I don’t plan on reading the next novels in the series. Between the fighting and the awful, incessant narration, I was super relieved when the book was over.
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March 11, 2018
I'm not sure how I feel about this book. It was good on the one hand - definitely had a nice pace and content, but there was something that just wasn't "there" for me. Language was easy to read, and it had the feel of several other authors in the same genre (almost Laurell K. Hamilton esque if it coule make that last push). It's a first in the series, so I usually give it "first book syndrome" for shaky legs and see what book two holds, which I will read book two.
March 28, 2018
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.
3,5 stars
I loved the authenticity of the main character and the self-deprecating humour. I struggled with the action scenes, though, they were sometimes confusing and I couldn't always follow what was happening.
But I still enjoyed the heck out of this book.
3,5 stars
I loved the authenticity of the main character and the self-deprecating humour. I struggled with the action scenes, though, they were sometimes confusing and I couldn't always follow what was happening.
But I still enjoyed the heck out of this book.
February 26, 2018
Check out this review and more at my blog: https://ramblingreaderrevi.wixsite.co...
I loved it. First, I was so ecstatic to find an urban fantasy novel with a male lead; not that it's a bad thing (far from it), but it's very difficult for me to find a UF book that doesn't center around a kick-ass heroine.
From the opening lines of the book, I started to get a very "Harry Dresden" feel, and I'm a big fan of Butcher's series. I've already recommended BFM to other fans in a Butcher group who are always looking for someone new to read about while the long wait for Peace Talks continues.
Anyway, Janzen is a reluctant hero. After being plucked from a rough childhood by his mentor, Zachariah, Janzen was studying to be an Artificer, someone who works with magic and runes and can create something new by combining this ability with ordinary objects. When his mentor, and the rest of their group, is killed, Janzen loses his way.
When the novel begins, it's five years after this great loss, and Janzen is simply gliding through life, making what he needs to keep himself and his dog fed and housed, but not doing anything to leave a mark on the world. Of course, this is when opportunity comes to almost slice him in the face. When a young woman and her father are attacked by an abominable denizen of the Abyss (a Hell-type level of the universe), Janzen has to become a hero, albeit a reluctant one.
The qualities I love in Janzen mirror what has pulled me in and kept me as a fan of Harry Dresden for the last 15 years. Even though there's some darkness and grit, Janzen has kindness and care for those around him. The man has a rescue dog, for God's sake. My big point is that he's a redeemable man; his biggest struggle is one that every ordinary person can connect to on some level- he's trying to keep his head above water and figure out who he is when he's lost a a big piece of the foundation of his life.
Is he perfect? No. Is he super suave and smooth? GOD, NO. But he's someone who's doing the best he can even though he's bloody, bruised, battered, and way out of his league. I can respect and love a character who shows the moxie and stubborn force of will that he does.
Along with Janzen, we get to meet Grove. Grove is one of the first characters I've "met" in awhile, especially in UF, who has an impairment. I really haven't run into deaf characters very often, and I liked that Davis gave us a hero who could be strong, steadfast, and brave even though he receives the world in a different way than many of us do. Instead of making Grove's deafness into a point of handicap or plot problem, we see Grove and Janzen working together to communicate and finding new ways to work with one another despite the unconventional dynamic.
Overall, the story was easy to follow, and had enough action and intrigue to keep my interest on its own. Davis's world is divided into four parts- the Abyss, the In-Between, the Veil, and the Earth as humans know it. He plays around with the ideas of emissaries and intermediaries whose job it is to observe but not interfere. Neutral entities who make Earth their home, but may not treat it as such. I've always found that an interesting concept, and I'm really curious how that will continue to play out after the events of BFM.
The end is bittersweet, but it opens the door for more Grove and Janzen, who finally seems ready to not only live up to the legacy of his mentor, but to forge his own path. I, for one, am very excited for the prospect of more. My only regret in reading this book now is that I have to wait to see what comes next!
I loved it. First, I was so ecstatic to find an urban fantasy novel with a male lead; not that it's a bad thing (far from it), but it's very difficult for me to find a UF book that doesn't center around a kick-ass heroine.
From the opening lines of the book, I started to get a very "Harry Dresden" feel, and I'm a big fan of Butcher's series. I've already recommended BFM to other fans in a Butcher group who are always looking for someone new to read about while the long wait for Peace Talks continues.
Anyway, Janzen is a reluctant hero. After being plucked from a rough childhood by his mentor, Zachariah, Janzen was studying to be an Artificer, someone who works with magic and runes and can create something new by combining this ability with ordinary objects. When his mentor, and the rest of their group, is killed, Janzen loses his way.
When the novel begins, it's five years after this great loss, and Janzen is simply gliding through life, making what he needs to keep himself and his dog fed and housed, but not doing anything to leave a mark on the world. Of course, this is when opportunity comes to almost slice him in the face. When a young woman and her father are attacked by an abominable denizen of the Abyss (a Hell-type level of the universe), Janzen has to become a hero, albeit a reluctant one.
The qualities I love in Janzen mirror what has pulled me in and kept me as a fan of Harry Dresden for the last 15 years. Even though there's some darkness and grit, Janzen has kindness and care for those around him. The man has a rescue dog, for God's sake. My big point is that he's a redeemable man; his biggest struggle is one that every ordinary person can connect to on some level- he's trying to keep his head above water and figure out who he is when he's lost a a big piece of the foundation of his life.
Is he perfect? No. Is he super suave and smooth? GOD, NO. But he's someone who's doing the best he can even though he's bloody, bruised, battered, and way out of his league. I can respect and love a character who shows the moxie and stubborn force of will that he does.
Along with Janzen, we get to meet Grove. Grove is one of the first characters I've "met" in awhile, especially in UF, who has an impairment. I really haven't run into deaf characters very often, and I liked that Davis gave us a hero who could be strong, steadfast, and brave even though he receives the world in a different way than many of us do. Instead of making Grove's deafness into a point of handicap or plot problem, we see Grove and Janzen working together to communicate and finding new ways to work with one another despite the unconventional dynamic.
Overall, the story was easy to follow, and had enough action and intrigue to keep my interest on its own. Davis's world is divided into four parts- the Abyss, the In-Between, the Veil, and the Earth as humans know it. He plays around with the ideas of emissaries and intermediaries whose job it is to observe but not interfere. Neutral entities who make Earth their home, but may not treat it as such. I've always found that an interesting concept, and I'm really curious how that will continue to play out after the events of BFM.
The end is bittersweet, but it opens the door for more Grove and Janzen, who finally seems ready to not only live up to the legacy of his mentor, but to forge his own path. I, for one, am very excited for the prospect of more. My only regret in reading this book now is that I have to wait to see what comes next!
March 15, 2018
Though the cool cover shouts otherwise – at least to me, who thought this was going to morph into epic fantasy, this story is very much within the urban fantasy genre. That said, there are some striking differences that make this one stand out. Yes, Janzen has been selected as an apprentice due to his natural talent – however, that was a while ago. In the meantime, something terrible has happened to his mentor and he has spent the last five years just getting by. Therefore, while he does have raw talent, there is relatively little skill or finesse in his workings. I really like the idea that he is only half trained and that because of his chippy, mouthy character, he is also tricky to help, as he is often his own worst enemy.
That doesn’t stop him plunging into a desperate situation against a very dangerous opponent without too much thought about the consequences. This is partly due to his own bloody-minded nature and partly due to the survivor guilt he still feels.
While I’m always wary of assuming authors necessarily shoehorn their own lives into their writing, I was interested to read that Davis is a war veteran who served in Iraq. The young soldier who befriends Janzen is very well depicted and all the action scenes are effective and realistic.
In short, this one held me throughout. I liked the dynamic and the fact that there was no romantic relationship running throughout – a refreshing change in urban fantasy, these days. I also liked the scrabbling, somewhat desperate nature of Janzen’s opposition to the nasties ranged against him. I particularly appreciated the monsters – especially the stalkers, which are truly terrifying creatures.
All in all, this is a thoroughly enjoyable new series and I very much look forward to reading another slice of Janzen’s adventures – I hope Davies writes quickly. While I obtained an arc of Blunt Force Magic from Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
10/10
That doesn’t stop him plunging into a desperate situation against a very dangerous opponent without too much thought about the consequences. This is partly due to his own bloody-minded nature and partly due to the survivor guilt he still feels.
While I’m always wary of assuming authors necessarily shoehorn their own lives into their writing, I was interested to read that Davis is a war veteran who served in Iraq. The young soldier who befriends Janzen is very well depicted and all the action scenes are effective and realistic.
In short, this one held me throughout. I liked the dynamic and the fact that there was no romantic relationship running throughout – a refreshing change in urban fantasy, these days. I also liked the scrabbling, somewhat desperate nature of Janzen’s opposition to the nasties ranged against him. I particularly appreciated the monsters – especially the stalkers, which are truly terrifying creatures.
All in all, this is a thoroughly enjoyable new series and I very much look forward to reading another slice of Janzen’s adventures – I hope Davies writes quickly. While I obtained an arc of Blunt Force Magic from Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
10/10
January 5, 2024
This book has combined noir and overly flowery writing styles and produced an abomination.
"She was leggy, lost between a well-lived forty or a hard-partying twenty. She had a kind of realistic ageless quality, really, because no matter where the truth lay, she was still impossibly lovely. Her auburn hair flowed freely down to a wasp waist; the curved line of her body continued down into toned legs crossing one another. I’d speak on what a great a** she’s got, but I like to think myself better than that. ... She had a feline grace amplified by a Cheshire grin as she bowed down to meet me eye-to-eye. Hers were a powerful potion of green and sea blue swimming together in concert. They moved like a living constellation, and I was again reminded that I was walking in a world of giants while very much a man."
DNF at 8%
"She was leggy, lost between a well-lived forty or a hard-partying twenty. She had a kind of realistic ageless quality, really, because no matter where the truth lay, she was still impossibly lovely. Her auburn hair flowed freely down to a wasp waist; the curved line of her body continued down into toned legs crossing one another. I’d speak on what a great a** she’s got, but I like to think myself better than that. ... She had a feline grace amplified by a Cheshire grin as she bowed down to meet me eye-to-eye. Hers were a powerful potion of green and sea blue swimming together in concert. They moved like a living constellation, and I was again reminded that I was walking in a world of giants while very much a man."
DNF at 8%
Read
May 6, 2018I tried, I really, really tried. I kept picking this up, reading a few chapters, and then putting it back down. Rinse & Repeat.
The premise sounds exactly what I would want in an urban fantasy...I just can't connect to the writing or the self-deprecating humor of the MC (which is usually the humor I love in a book).
Maybe I'll try it again, but at this point, I just need to say goodbye and good luck.
The premise sounds exactly what I would want in an urban fantasy...I just can't connect to the writing or the self-deprecating humor of the MC (which is usually the humor I love in a book).
Maybe I'll try it again, but at this point, I just need to say goodbye and good luck.
March 8, 2018
When I started reading Blunt Force Magic, I didn’t know what to think of it. But, I like to give books a chance, so I dived right into reading. By the end of the first chapter, I was ready to DNF this book. Seeing that I have a personal goal of never DNF’ing a book, I kept on reading. I am glad I did because Blunt Force Magic ended up being a great book to read.
Blunt Force Magic is set in Cleveland, Ohio. I was actually surprised when the main character started talking about Cleveland. Besides a couple of romance novels, Cleveland isn’t a hot spot for settings for books. So, it was a welcome change for me.
Blunt Force Magic has a very simple plot. Janzen is an Artificer who lost his group when they were killed. Broken, he struggled to survive for 5 years as a normal person and tries to drown out the pain and the memories. But life has a funny way of getting you back on track. In Janzen’s case, he made a delivery to a house where the door was inscribed with runes. Runes that he was familiar with. Then he battles a creature that he has only heard of in whispers and legend: a Stalker. Janzen needs to find out who summoned that demon and why. While staying one step ahead of it. With the help of friends, Janzen must defeat the Stalker before all Hell is set loose.
Janzen’s character was so complex. He starts the book off with the impression of a drunken idiot who cared about no one. Until he saw the door. Then you saw a little glimpse of what he was come through before the Stalker attacked. I will be honest, I didn’t like him at first. I thought that he was kind of a jerk. But, the more into the book I got the more I could see that his swagger (for lack of a better word) was a front. He cared about his friends, old and new. He was a very damaged person because of what happened to Zachariah and the rest of the crew 5 years ago. Very damaged. I loved that he was like an onion. Every layer that was revealed, another one popped up. I love it when a character is like that. But, he did get on my nerves a bit too. I felt that he was very stubborn (like a typical Alpha male).
The main characters in Blunt Force Magic were fantastic. They were as layered, as complex as Janzen was. The author did a great job of keeping them in the background and not letting their backstories overtake the story.
The fantasy elements of Blunt Force Magic had me salivating as I read it. I am a huge fantasy/sci-fi geek and I love it when the “bad guys” are made even eviler than they are usually made out to be. Take vampires. They are featured in this book and they are e-v-i-l. Their fangs are huge. They are NOT sparkly. Every run-in that Janzen had with them was fantastic.
I have read some reviews where this book was compared to noir/detective. I could see where they got the comparison from. Janzen did come across to me, in my head, as one suave guy. All he needed to be was a PI and he would have fit the mental image I had of him completely.
What I liked the most about this book is that the good guys were not so good. Janzen was almost like an anti-hero. He was a very reluctant one too.
The end of Blunt Force Magic was action-packed. Everything seemed to happen at once. Normally, that would annoy the ever-living out of me but in this case, it worked. I was a little surprised at what happened at the end of the book. I was not expecting THAT to of happened. I am glad to see that there is going to be a book 2. I am looking forward to reading it!!
Pros of Blunt Force Magic:
A) Set in Cleveland. Glad that Cleveland got some love in this book.
B) The layers that each character had
C) Awesome depictions of fantasy figures, mainly the vampires in this book
Cons of Blunt Force Magic:
A) The violence. It did get graphic and bloody in this book
B) Janzen’s backstory
C) The end of the book. I didn’t want THAT to happen. I was kind of mad about it.
I would give Blunt Force Magic an Adult rating. This is a book that I definitely wouldn’t let anyone under the age of 20 read. There are extreme violence and extreme language. No sexual situations, though.
There are trigger warnings with Blunt Force Magic. Mostly centering around the violence. If you are triggered by violent scenes with a lot of blood, I would pass on this book.
I would recommend Blunt Force Magic to family and friends. I would include a warning about the violence and language. This is also a book that I would reread. I enjoyed reading it.
I would like to thank WildBlue Press for allowing me to read and review Blunt Force Magic.
All opinions stated in this review of Blood Force Magic are mine.
**I received a free copy of this book and volunteered to review it**
Blunt Force Magic is set in Cleveland, Ohio. I was actually surprised when the main character started talking about Cleveland. Besides a couple of romance novels, Cleveland isn’t a hot spot for settings for books. So, it was a welcome change for me.
Blunt Force Magic has a very simple plot. Janzen is an Artificer who lost his group when they were killed. Broken, he struggled to survive for 5 years as a normal person and tries to drown out the pain and the memories. But life has a funny way of getting you back on track. In Janzen’s case, he made a delivery to a house where the door was inscribed with runes. Runes that he was familiar with. Then he battles a creature that he has only heard of in whispers and legend: a Stalker. Janzen needs to find out who summoned that demon and why. While staying one step ahead of it. With the help of friends, Janzen must defeat the Stalker before all Hell is set loose.
Janzen’s character was so complex. He starts the book off with the impression of a drunken idiot who cared about no one. Until he saw the door. Then you saw a little glimpse of what he was come through before the Stalker attacked. I will be honest, I didn’t like him at first. I thought that he was kind of a jerk. But, the more into the book I got the more I could see that his swagger (for lack of a better word) was a front. He cared about his friends, old and new. He was a very damaged person because of what happened to Zachariah and the rest of the crew 5 years ago. Very damaged. I loved that he was like an onion. Every layer that was revealed, another one popped up. I love it when a character is like that. But, he did get on my nerves a bit too. I felt that he was very stubborn (like a typical Alpha male).
The main characters in Blunt Force Magic were fantastic. They were as layered, as complex as Janzen was. The author did a great job of keeping them in the background and not letting their backstories overtake the story.
The fantasy elements of Blunt Force Magic had me salivating as I read it. I am a huge fantasy/sci-fi geek and I love it when the “bad guys” are made even eviler than they are usually made out to be. Take vampires. They are featured in this book and they are e-v-i-l. Their fangs are huge. They are NOT sparkly. Every run-in that Janzen had with them was fantastic.
I have read some reviews where this book was compared to noir/detective. I could see where they got the comparison from. Janzen did come across to me, in my head, as one suave guy. All he needed to be was a PI and he would have fit the mental image I had of him completely.
What I liked the most about this book is that the good guys were not so good. Janzen was almost like an anti-hero. He was a very reluctant one too.
The end of Blunt Force Magic was action-packed. Everything seemed to happen at once. Normally, that would annoy the ever-living out of me but in this case, it worked. I was a little surprised at what happened at the end of the book. I was not expecting THAT to of happened. I am glad to see that there is going to be a book 2. I am looking forward to reading it!!
Pros of Blunt Force Magic:
A) Set in Cleveland. Glad that Cleveland got some love in this book.
B) The layers that each character had
C) Awesome depictions of fantasy figures, mainly the vampires in this book
Cons of Blunt Force Magic:
A) The violence. It did get graphic and bloody in this book
B) Janzen’s backstory
C) The end of the book. I didn’t want THAT to happen. I was kind of mad about it.
I would give Blunt Force Magic an Adult rating. This is a book that I definitely wouldn’t let anyone under the age of 20 read. There are extreme violence and extreme language. No sexual situations, though.
There are trigger warnings with Blunt Force Magic. Mostly centering around the violence. If you are triggered by violent scenes with a lot of blood, I would pass on this book.
I would recommend Blunt Force Magic to family and friends. I would include a warning about the violence and language. This is also a book that I would reread. I enjoyed reading it.
I would like to thank WildBlue Press for allowing me to read and review Blunt Force Magic.
All opinions stated in this review of Blood Force Magic are mine.
**I received a free copy of this book and volunteered to review it**
June 6, 2018
I found this book witty and entertaining. It had a few flaws but nothing that made reading impossible and I feel that the author will improve as he continues to write, but for a first try I found it very good.
Janzen is an antihero who no longer has any faith in himself after he lost his mentor and co-workers. He’s working as a delivery guy for a parcel company and he’s trying to remember where he saw the symbol and it’s meaning that’s on the door of a house where he regularly makes deliveries. When an ancient monster comes crashing in he remembers what the meaning is but that it’s not done correctly and his old life comes crashing back as he decides that he must save the young witch that the monster f after and himself since the creature now has him in its site.
After barely surviving his second encounter with the ancient creature, he is rescued by Grove, a deaf war veteran who joins him in his quest. This book is filled with vampires that are truly hideous, other magical creatures and a coven of witches who are not what they seem. Unfortunately, for Janzen and Grove most of them are suppose to remain neutral and there are severe consequences if they do not.
I have to admit that the ending really threw me, I didn’t the final battle ending that way and I found tears in my eyes while reading. I did guess who was after Maria as Janzen and Grove began their investigation, but it did not decrease my enjoyment in reading the rest of the novel. I look forward to reading the next book in the series and I’d like to become one of this author’s beta readers.
I don’t usually do this but I want to address the remarks made by another reviewer that low-balled the book because of lack of editing. I have only given one review with a low rating based on editing; it was a book by a German author that I DNF and before I wrote the review I went to the Amazon GE site and saw that the original book had not capitalization, punctuation or any other structure that makes reading enjoyable. While I agree that reviewers, especially those that do reviews for Netgalley or other sites like it should be honest and not rate a book higher than they normally would I also think that we shouldn’t be overly harsh just because a book is self-published by an author didn’t have a professional editor; this is a chance a reader takes when they read books that are by independent authors with small publishers or no publisher. We certainly don’t give a low/negative review because we feel that other reviewers have rated it too high.
4.25/5 STARS: **I want to thank the author and/or publisher for providing me with a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are mine.**
Janzen is an antihero who no longer has any faith in himself after he lost his mentor and co-workers. He’s working as a delivery guy for a parcel company and he’s trying to remember where he saw the symbol and it’s meaning that’s on the door of a house where he regularly makes deliveries. When an ancient monster comes crashing in he remembers what the meaning is but that it’s not done correctly and his old life comes crashing back as he decides that he must save the young witch that the monster f after and himself since the creature now has him in its site.
After barely surviving his second encounter with the ancient creature, he is rescued by Grove, a deaf war veteran who joins him in his quest. This book is filled with vampires that are truly hideous, other magical creatures and a coven of witches who are not what they seem. Unfortunately, for Janzen and Grove most of them are suppose to remain neutral and there are severe consequences if they do not.
I have to admit that the ending really threw me, I didn’t the final battle ending that way and I found tears in my eyes while reading. I did guess who was after Maria as Janzen and Grove began their investigation, but it did not decrease my enjoyment in reading the rest of the novel. I look forward to reading the next book in the series and I’d like to become one of this author’s beta readers.
I don’t usually do this but I want to address the remarks made by another reviewer that low-balled the book because of lack of editing. I have only given one review with a low rating based on editing; it was a book by a German author that I DNF and before I wrote the review I went to the Amazon GE site and saw that the original book had not capitalization, punctuation or any other structure that makes reading enjoyable. While I agree that reviewers, especially those that do reviews for Netgalley or other sites like it should be honest and not rate a book higher than they normally would I also think that we shouldn’t be overly harsh just because a book is self-published by an author didn’t have a professional editor; this is a chance a reader takes when they read books that are by independent authors with small publishers or no publisher. We certainly don’t give a low/negative review because we feel that other reviewers have rated it too high.
4.25/5 STARS: **I want to thank the author and/or publisher for providing me with a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are mine.**
June 9, 2018
A Brutally Human Take on Fantasy Noir
At a glance, Davis' debut novel has a certain rough appeal, yet one that feels strangely appropriate in that it perfectly suits its narrator. Janzen Robinson is short, blunt, unkempt, already past his best days at the young age of 25, and nobody's picture of a story book hero. He's certainly not the type any damsel in her right mind would call for help - yet he's the hero who answered, and like a mad dog with his jaws firmly clenched around the proverbial bone that is a mystery to be solved and a wrong to be righted, he drags us down with him into a strange, dark world that simmers just beneath the surface of the mundane.
Once the plot gets moving (and it gets moving quick) Blunt Force Magic moves at a brisk pace, deftly establishing the setting of Cleveland's arcane underground and introducing us to a diverse and comeplling array of supporting characters both native and alien to this eldritch community. From the matronly yet somewhat more-than-mortal Kaycee to the unsettlingly comfortable-despite-being-way-out-of-his-depth Grove (possibly my favorite but ask me again tomorrow) each member of the cast is grounded and relatable even when mired in the thick of supernatural horror.
Where Davis shines most of all though, especially for a first time author, is his command of tense, bone-cracking action sequences. From the opening chapter where we catch our first fleeting glimpse of what Janzen is willing to put himself through to survive and persevere, through a brutal showdown with an implacable otherworldly horror where we see just how much pain and willpower it takes to win a fight against long odds, to the gut wrenching climax where we have to face the cold reality that even the most noble crusades come at a dear price, the author is clearly at home framing for his audience a keen dramatic window into otherwise frantic chaos.
And yet by the end we are still left wanting. Questions remain unanswered, scores unsettled, debts unpaid. We have only scratched the surface of Davis' intriguing world of terror and wonder. Fortunately, we have a sequel to look forward to.
At a glance, Davis' debut novel has a certain rough appeal, yet one that feels strangely appropriate in that it perfectly suits its narrator. Janzen Robinson is short, blunt, unkempt, already past his best days at the young age of 25, and nobody's picture of a story book hero. He's certainly not the type any damsel in her right mind would call for help - yet he's the hero who answered, and like a mad dog with his jaws firmly clenched around the proverbial bone that is a mystery to be solved and a wrong to be righted, he drags us down with him into a strange, dark world that simmers just beneath the surface of the mundane.
Once the plot gets moving (and it gets moving quick) Blunt Force Magic moves at a brisk pace, deftly establishing the setting of Cleveland's arcane underground and introducing us to a diverse and comeplling array of supporting characters both native and alien to this eldritch community. From the matronly yet somewhat more-than-mortal Kaycee to the unsettlingly comfortable-despite-being-way-out-of-his-depth Grove (possibly my favorite but ask me again tomorrow) each member of the cast is grounded and relatable even when mired in the thick of supernatural horror.
Where Davis shines most of all though, especially for a first time author, is his command of tense, bone-cracking action sequences. From the opening chapter where we catch our first fleeting glimpse of what Janzen is willing to put himself through to survive and persevere, through a brutal showdown with an implacable otherworldly horror where we see just how much pain and willpower it takes to win a fight against long odds, to the gut wrenching climax where we have to face the cold reality that even the most noble crusades come at a dear price, the author is clearly at home framing for his audience a keen dramatic window into otherwise frantic chaos.
And yet by the end we are still left wanting. Questions remain unanswered, scores unsettled, debts unpaid. We have only scratched the surface of Davis' intriguing world of terror and wonder. Fortunately, we have a sequel to look forward to.
August 7, 2018
I received this book for free from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I found Blunt Force Magic to be very reminiscent of the Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher with some Dungeons and Dragons elements mixed in. I really enjoyed the magic system and the way the author blended scientific principles with magical techniques.
The inclusion of a prominent deaf side character was also something I really appreciated, the character was never made to seem lesser because of the loss of his hearing and proved to be a formidable ally throughout the story. The author also showed how minor adjustments to stereotypical action sequences and set pieces could made to easily accommodate diversity in abilities for characters and how they can even be used to the characters advantage. I hope more authors incorporate these character features in more urban fantasy.
I struggled a little with keeping some of the world-building straight as there are several different realms in this world so I felt there could have been little more spent clarifying the lore and layout of the realms and their names and denizens. The author did include several illustrations of various monsters and creatures over the course of the story and I found that inclusion to be quite helpful. It made certain sequences easier to visualise and a little more visceral, great when trying to build tension and suspense.
The major letdown with this story for me was that I was never quite certain how the author was trying to depict the main characters age. Janzen sometimes came across as a young man in his early twenties and then a few pages later a description would leave me thinking he is a grizzled man in his late forties. This led to a lot of confusion and unfortunately with the combination of the world-building and this uncertainty left this book feeling hazy and unpolished.
Overall this was a really fun romp and a quick read.
I found Blunt Force Magic to be very reminiscent of the Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher with some Dungeons and Dragons elements mixed in. I really enjoyed the magic system and the way the author blended scientific principles with magical techniques.
The inclusion of a prominent deaf side character was also something I really appreciated, the character was never made to seem lesser because of the loss of his hearing and proved to be a formidable ally throughout the story. The author also showed how minor adjustments to stereotypical action sequences and set pieces could made to easily accommodate diversity in abilities for characters and how they can even be used to the characters advantage. I hope more authors incorporate these character features in more urban fantasy.
I struggled a little with keeping some of the world-building straight as there are several different realms in this world so I felt there could have been little more spent clarifying the lore and layout of the realms and their names and denizens. The author did include several illustrations of various monsters and creatures over the course of the story and I found that inclusion to be quite helpful. It made certain sequences easier to visualise and a little more visceral, great when trying to build tension and suspense.
The major letdown with this story for me was that I was never quite certain how the author was trying to depict the main characters age. Janzen sometimes came across as a young man in his early twenties and then a few pages later a description would leave me thinking he is a grizzled man in his late forties. This led to a lot of confusion and unfortunately with the combination of the world-building and this uncertainty left this book feeling hazy and unpolished.
Overall this was a really fun romp and a quick read.
January 29, 2019
Reposted from another site.
I have never been a strong reader of fantasy, of fiction, or in general. A veteran friend recommended that I read this book and went so far as to buy me a copy of it, so I decided to indulge. I remember my freshman summer in high school and my desire to play CounterStrike vastly overwhelming any impulse to read Catcher in the Rye, and yet when I sat down a day before the new semester to read the book, I couldn't stop reading it and finished it in one go. I did the same for the Hobbit after that. Blunt Force Magic has the same curious draw as these classic novels via it's technical proficiency and internal development, coupled with the gravitas of morality and mortality that only a combat veteran can communicate so thoroughly and truthfully. The wit and aptitude in the core elements of the novel (the characters, plot, rising and falling actions, fights, and all of their respective allegorical merit) are matched only by Davis's frantically compelling writing style. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience contained within the pages in this novel and eagerly await the next book in the series. For your efforts as a Soldier as well as an Author, I Thank You For Your Service Mr. Davis. Keep up the great work.
I have never been a strong reader of fantasy, of fiction, or in general. A veteran friend recommended that I read this book and went so far as to buy me a copy of it, so I decided to indulge. I remember my freshman summer in high school and my desire to play CounterStrike vastly overwhelming any impulse to read Catcher in the Rye, and yet when I sat down a day before the new semester to read the book, I couldn't stop reading it and finished it in one go. I did the same for the Hobbit after that. Blunt Force Magic has the same curious draw as these classic novels via it's technical proficiency and internal development, coupled with the gravitas of morality and mortality that only a combat veteran can communicate so thoroughly and truthfully. The wit and aptitude in the core elements of the novel (the characters, plot, rising and falling actions, fights, and all of their respective allegorical merit) are matched only by Davis's frantically compelling writing style. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience contained within the pages in this novel and eagerly await the next book in the series. For your efforts as a Soldier as well as an Author, I Thank You For Your Service Mr. Davis. Keep up the great work.
January 15, 2018
Narnia Meets Marlowe
Blunt Force Magic is by far the best book I have read this year. I was stuck to each page, fascinated and loving it, right until the end. It reminded me of the fantasy books of my childhood, like The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, and The Hobbit, combined with classic dry humored, pulp fiction from the forties. The main character, Janzen, is a man of great gallantry and wit. He is working with other people and creatures to stop an outrageous, frightening, otherworldly presence from taking over our world via his hometown of Cleveland. Yeah, Cleveland.
That is all concerning the plot I choose to share with you. The twists are fast and furious. The book is totally fun because Janzen is a very funny guy. The plot is extremely powerful.
All this and yet I was extremely moved, so much so that I cried at the end. This author has written a heck of a first time book--I can't wait for his next offering!
Blunt Force Magic is by far the best book I have read this year. I was stuck to each page, fascinated and loving it, right until the end. It reminded me of the fantasy books of my childhood, like The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, and The Hobbit, combined with classic dry humored, pulp fiction from the forties. The main character, Janzen, is a man of great gallantry and wit. He is working with other people and creatures to stop an outrageous, frightening, otherworldly presence from taking over our world via his hometown of Cleveland. Yeah, Cleveland.
That is all concerning the plot I choose to share with you. The twists are fast and furious. The book is totally fun because Janzen is a very funny guy. The plot is extremely powerful.
All this and yet I was extremely moved, so much so that I cried at the end. This author has written a heck of a first time book--I can't wait for his next offering!
March 16, 2018
ARC/ebook/Fantasy: I want to thank NetGalley for this ARC in lieu of a honest review. When I saw the cover, which I do judge by, I thought it was a pseudoscience book. I was surprised when reading the summary that it was urban fantasy. This book came out about a month ago, so no spoilers here.
Here is how I felt about the book: I really love the Dresden series and this one is similar. I like the hero Jenzen and his partner Grove. While I understand the necessity of making a "book 1" short & simple to make the reader want more, this book was too simple on character development. Jenzen was not explained enough considering the novel is written in first person, I felt like the narrator should have told me more and made me care more.
Grove was explained even less and the fact he was only deaf several years, not decades, and an apparent loner, he was extremely proficient at reading lips. Then there were several sub-characters that confused me and I couldn't figure out if Kaycee the elf was good or bad. I also had a problem with the world logic. I've read books with the supernaturals in hiding and in the open. I like both realms in my fantasy books. All-in-all, I felt it was an average book. I did like it, but I didn't love it.
Here is how I felt about the book: I really love the Dresden series and this one is similar. I like the hero Jenzen and his partner Grove. While I understand the necessity of making a "book 1" short & simple to make the reader want more, this book was too simple on character development. Jenzen was not explained enough considering the novel is written in first person, I felt like the narrator should have told me more and made me care more.
Grove was explained even less and the fact he was only deaf several years, not decades, and an apparent loner, he was extremely proficient at reading lips. Then there were several sub-characters that confused me and I couldn't figure out if Kaycee the elf was good or bad. I also had a problem with the world logic. I've read books with the supernaturals in hiding and in the open. I like both realms in my fantasy books. All-in-all, I felt it was an average book. I did like it, but I didn't love it.
June 9, 2018
I've been reading fantasy since I was 9 years old, and over 20 years later I still love the genre for the reason that this book exemplifies. Every once in a while, you come across an under-the-radar gem, and thank God it's in the first-person narrative. That style of writing has gone out of fashion lately, and it's something the genre sorely misses.
The perfectly realistic criticisms the character had with himself balanced with the necessary ego to finish the job against every odd, the perfectly vivid fight sequences that the author keeps throwing at you while managing to avoid making every conflict stale .. if there is one word I'd give to this book, it's "Balance."
Lawrence Davis finds a way to find a perfect balance between character development, mysterious plot, combat sequences, and interpersonal relationships that leave you trying (but ultimately failing) to find any major, or even minor, flaws in this work. I can't wait to check out what else this guy can throw at us.
The perfectly realistic criticisms the character had with himself balanced with the necessary ego to finish the job against every odd, the perfectly vivid fight sequences that the author keeps throwing at you while managing to avoid making every conflict stale .. if there is one word I'd give to this book, it's "Balance."
Lawrence Davis finds a way to find a perfect balance between character development, mysterious plot, combat sequences, and interpersonal relationships that leave you trying (but ultimately failing) to find any major, or even minor, flaws in this work. I can't wait to check out what else this guy can throw at us.
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