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Inner Demons #1
Magic or Die
James Martin is a teacher, a powerful Psychic, and an alcoholic. He used to work for the Center for Magical Research and Development, a facility that houses people who can’t control their supernatural abilities, but left after one of his students was killed, turning to vodka to soothe his emotional pain. The problem is he still has one year left on his contract.
When James returns to the CMRD to fulfill the rest of his contract, he finds himself confronting the demons of his past and attempting to protect his new class from a possible death sentence, because if they don’t pass their final exams, they’ll be euthanized.
James also discovers that his class isn’t bringing in enough sponsors, the agencies and world governments who supply grants and ultimately purchase graduates of the CMRD, and that means no profit for the facility. James and his students face impossible odds—measure up to the facility’s unreachable standards or escape.
Word Count: 87300.
When James returns to the CMRD to fulfill the rest of his contract, he finds himself confronting the demons of his past and attempting to protect his new class from a possible death sentence, because if they don’t pass their final exams, they’ll be euthanized.
James also discovers that his class isn’t bringing in enough sponsors, the agencies and world governments who supply grants and ultimately purchase graduates of the CMRD, and that means no profit for the facility. James and his students face impossible odds—measure up to the facility’s unreachable standards or escape.
Word Count: 87300.
ebook
First published July 2, 2018
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258 people want to read
About the author
J.P. Jackson
20 books194 followersJ.P. Jackson is an award winning author of dark urban fantasy, paranormal, and even paranormal romance stories, but regardless of the genre they always feature LGBTQ+ main characters.
J.P. works as an IT analyst in health care during the day, where if cornered he’d confess to casting spells to ensure clinicians actually use the electronic medical charting system he configures and implements.
At night, the writing happens, where demons, witches and shape shifters congregate around the kitchen table and general chaos ensues. His husband of 22 years has very firmly put his foot down on any further wraith summonings and regularly lines the doorway with iron shavings and salt crystals. Imps are most definitely not house-trainable. Ghosts appear at the most inopportune times, and the Fae are known for regular visits where a glass of wine is exchanged for a good ole story or two. Although the husband doesn’t know it, Canela and Jalisco, the two Chihuahuas, are in cahoots with the spell casting.
J.P.’s other hobbies include hybridizing African Violets (thanks to grandma), extensive travelling and believe it or not, knitting.
J.P. works as an IT analyst in health care during the day, where if cornered he’d confess to casting spells to ensure clinicians actually use the electronic medical charting system he configures and implements.
At night, the writing happens, where demons, witches and shape shifters congregate around the kitchen table and general chaos ensues. His husband of 22 years has very firmly put his foot down on any further wraith summonings and regularly lines the doorway with iron shavings and salt crystals. Imps are most definitely not house-trainable. Ghosts appear at the most inopportune times, and the Fae are known for regular visits where a glass of wine is exchanged for a good ole story or two. Although the husband doesn’t know it, Canela and Jalisco, the two Chihuahuas, are in cahoots with the spell casting.
J.P.’s other hobbies include hybridizing African Violets (thanks to grandma), extensive travelling and believe it or not, knitting.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 23, 2019
This was way better than I was expecting, because the beginning was a bit faltering and I wasn't sure if I was going to like it. But boy, I did!
Basically, the premise is that there's this facility where powerful, out-of-control magic-users learn to use their gifts properly, and the protagonist is a teacher there who is forced to return after a year's absence to fulfill his contract and is assigned a class of six adult students. It kind of reminded me of the X-Men if the mutants were more paranormal than sci-fi (although I guess there's a bunch of overlap there anyways).
I really liked the plot and the way everything unfolded; one criticism I had was that some of the characters - especially the cookie-cutter villain - were a little flat, and one-dimensional at times, but there was some definite character development in some of them that I liked. Stereotypical villains are one of my pet peeves though, which is why this is a four star rather than a five, although there's an introduction to a more interesting antagonist towards the end of the book that promises great things from the second volume...
Basically, the premise is that there's this facility where powerful, out-of-control magic-users learn to use their gifts properly, and the protagonist is a teacher there who is forced to return after a year's absence to fulfill his contract and is assigned a class of six adult students. It kind of reminded me of the X-Men if the mutants were more paranormal than sci-fi (although I guess there's a bunch of overlap there anyways).
I really liked the plot and the way everything unfolded; one criticism I had was that some of the characters - especially the cookie-cutter villain - were a little flat, and one-dimensional at times, but there was some definite character development in some of them that I liked. Stereotypical villains are one of my pet peeves though, which is why this is a four star rather than a five, although there's an introduction to a more interesting antagonist towards the end of the book that promises great things from the second volume...
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August 7, 20182.5 Stars
Daimonion was a strong first book, it had some interesting characters, a darkness, and I looked forward to Magic or Die. It pains me immensely to say that this book and I didn't really gel completely.
The premise of this book is a good one, and it has moments of 'must read' within its pages. The five students that James has to take under his wing have so much potential. James is initially at the CMRD because he's emotionally blackmailed into a contract by the aggravating and one dimensional CMRD boss, Miriam. Thankfully James developed over the duration of the book, because he started out annoying. He was dull. Although his ghost, Cody - his original boyfriend - has become James' personal demon, amongst his addiction issues. Cody's voice added some atmosphere to James' narrative.
Issues:
A week to detox? No.
It seemed to me that this book was written as a YA book then someone, the editor or the author, decided to change the ages to older characters without upgrading the age of the dialogue or the behaviour. The voices of the five students all seem around 15-18, but they're in their early twenties. They're called 'kids' on numerous occasions but they aren't kids.
I need you, and what's more, these kids need you."
If they were, then the relationship between James and Isaiah would be completely and utterly squicky. Adding to that point, the relationship between James and Isaiah was so insta-love it left me speechless. The relationship and romance needed to be developed slowly, with more care, and into the next book(s.) However, the pedal was put to the floor by the author, then after (fade to black) sex they decided to chill things. It was the wrong way to write the relationship. To be honest, I wish there was no relationship at all. I wish this book had been about a mentor and his five teenaged students. That would have made for an infinitely better read.
Wink/ed was used 24 times throughout the book, usually as part of cheesy flirtation but it could be for any reason. It drove me to distraction. A wink needs to be sparingly used and for good effect. I never want to see the word wink or winked for a long time in any book I read.
He winked and smiled lasciviously.
That sentence sums it up. It's too much.
Miriam, the antagonist, is a giant caricature. There is no light and shade or subtlety to her, I felt hit over the head from her first appearance.
James is supposedly out of shape -
My middle had a jiggle. When the fuck did that happen?
Which is fair enough as he has been drinking to alcoholic proportions to try to wash away his personal issues. Isaiah also comments about liking them 'burly', in reference to the jiggle, but then he's commenting on James' gym body or workout body. Which is it? Jiggly or buff?
There were also issues around control. Chris, as one example, believes he has control and he and James see a failing in the dossier the CMRD have on him, but his behaviour refutes that.
The Good:
The world building around the elemental and the arcane five was really good. I enjoyed that the most, along with James' growth and the Cody storyline. The descriptions of the demons inside the five reeled me in. Made me see them clearly. Made me feel for them. A lot of thought was put into the five and their individual powers or difficulties.
The story built to an action-packed climax. There was some emotion around that as well that was well handled.
James using his psyche ability to calm the five. That was well done. I think his ability wavered a bit. I wasn't sold for a while. That's okay, he pulled it together more consistently as he progressed. Initially I was like, why James? But I ended up believing, whilst insecure within himself, he had a quite a bit to offer as a mentor.
I will read the next book in the series and hope that some things are given more thought and depth because it could be such a good series in spite of my overall concerns about book #1.
If you like a queer paranormal/UF style of book then maybe grab a sample of Magic or Die to see what you think. There are also various status updates for the book attached to this review to give you an idea of my random thoughts and, more importantly, the writing style.
Daimonion was a strong first book, it had some interesting characters, a darkness, and I looked forward to Magic or Die. It pains me immensely to say that this book and I didn't really gel completely.
The premise of this book is a good one, and it has moments of 'must read' within its pages. The five students that James has to take under his wing have so much potential. James is initially at the CMRD because he's emotionally blackmailed into a contract by the aggravating and one dimensional CMRD boss, Miriam. Thankfully James developed over the duration of the book, because he started out annoying. He was dull. Although his ghost, Cody - his original boyfriend - has become James' personal demon, amongst his addiction issues. Cody's voice added some atmosphere to James' narrative.
Issues:
A week to detox? No.
It seemed to me that this book was written as a YA book then someone, the editor or the author, decided to change the ages to older characters without upgrading the age of the dialogue or the behaviour. The voices of the five students all seem around 15-18, but they're in their early twenties. They're called 'kids' on numerous occasions but they aren't kids.
I need you, and what's more, these kids need you."
If they were, then the relationship between James and Isaiah would be completely and utterly squicky. Adding to that point, the relationship between James and Isaiah was so insta-love it left me speechless. The relationship and romance needed to be developed slowly, with more care, and into the next book(s.) However, the pedal was put to the floor by the author, then after (fade to black) sex they decided to chill things. It was the wrong way to write the relationship. To be honest, I wish there was no relationship at all. I wish this book had been about a mentor and his five teenaged students. That would have made for an infinitely better read.
Wink/ed was used 24 times throughout the book, usually as part of cheesy flirtation but it could be for any reason. It drove me to distraction. A wink needs to be sparingly used and for good effect. I never want to see the word wink or winked for a long time in any book I read.
He winked and smiled lasciviously.
That sentence sums it up. It's too much.
Miriam, the antagonist, is a giant caricature. There is no light and shade or subtlety to her, I felt hit over the head from her first appearance.
James is supposedly out of shape -
My middle had a jiggle. When the fuck did that happen?
Which is fair enough as he has been drinking to alcoholic proportions to try to wash away his personal issues. Isaiah also comments about liking them 'burly', in reference to the jiggle, but then he's commenting on James' gym body or workout body. Which is it? Jiggly or buff?
There were also issues around control. Chris, as one example, believes he has control and he and James see a failing in the dossier the CMRD have on him, but his behaviour refutes that.
The Good:
The world building around the elemental and the arcane five was really good. I enjoyed that the most, along with James' growth and the Cody storyline. The descriptions of the demons inside the five reeled me in. Made me see them clearly. Made me feel for them. A lot of thought was put into the five and their individual powers or difficulties.
The story built to an action-packed climax. There was some emotion around that as well that was well handled.
James using his psyche ability to calm the five. That was well done. I think his ability wavered a bit. I wasn't sold for a while. That's okay, he pulled it together more consistently as he progressed. Initially I was like, why James? But I ended up believing, whilst insecure within himself, he had a quite a bit to offer as a mentor.
I will read the next book in the series and hope that some things are given more thought and depth because it could be such a good series in spite of my overall concerns about book #1.
If you like a queer paranormal/UF style of book then maybe grab a sample of Magic or Die to see what you think. There are also various status updates for the book attached to this review to give you an idea of my random thoughts and, more importantly, the writing style.
September 20, 2018
Magic or Die (Inner Demons, one)
J.P. Jackson
Ninestar Press, 2018
Five stars
Ooh, this ain’t your cute Harry Potter and his Defense Against the Dark Arts classes. This is big, dark, and very corporate, full of conspiracies tainted with money and disregard for human life.
Lovely.
James is a young man with enormous psychic magic. He was trained at the Canadian Center for Magical Research and Development, CMRD, but also known in whispers as Control Magic or Die. He is still under obligation to them and is reluctantly dragged back to their sprawling, high-tech facility to fulfill his contract. Haunted by images of his lost sister and dead ex-boyfriend, James must teach a group of five young magical misfits: Isaiah, Annabelle, Ning, Chris, and Camilla. Each represents a level of magical power far beyond most magical people, but none of them can control their powers, and all are dangerous because of that lack of control.
The writing is excellent and well-paced, and the character-building for each of James’ students gives the reader a sense of who these young people are behind the other-worldly manifestations of their magic. Although they have been dismissed as dangerous commodities by the non-magical world, James begins to see them as friends and peers—something missing in his life until this point.
What follows is exciting and surprisingly moving, as James moves beyond his own fears and begins to bond with these angry, frightened young people, earning their trust and showing them how to master the terrifying gifts they’ve been given. There is a certain parallel with the set up of the Mutant world of X-Men, including the commendable but rather obvious racial diversity of the group. However, the group dynamic is very much that of peers, since James has his own unresolved issues to deal with, including his intense attraction for the bearded Isaiah.
Another nice detail of the narrative is that, while James is gay, and his connection to Isaiah is a central motif, this book is not about that. This book is about magic in all its variations and learning to control it in order to survive. The story ends in a cliffhanger, but not one that annoyed me, for some reason. The abrupt but hair-raising finale opens the door to the next book in the series. No question that I’ll be buying it as soon as I can.
J.P. Jackson
Ninestar Press, 2018
Five stars
Ooh, this ain’t your cute Harry Potter and his Defense Against the Dark Arts classes. This is big, dark, and very corporate, full of conspiracies tainted with money and disregard for human life.
Lovely.
James is a young man with enormous psychic magic. He was trained at the Canadian Center for Magical Research and Development, CMRD, but also known in whispers as Control Magic or Die. He is still under obligation to them and is reluctantly dragged back to their sprawling, high-tech facility to fulfill his contract. Haunted by images of his lost sister and dead ex-boyfriend, James must teach a group of five young magical misfits: Isaiah, Annabelle, Ning, Chris, and Camilla. Each represents a level of magical power far beyond most magical people, but none of them can control their powers, and all are dangerous because of that lack of control.
The writing is excellent and well-paced, and the character-building for each of James’ students gives the reader a sense of who these young people are behind the other-worldly manifestations of their magic. Although they have been dismissed as dangerous commodities by the non-magical world, James begins to see them as friends and peers—something missing in his life until this point.
What follows is exciting and surprisingly moving, as James moves beyond his own fears and begins to bond with these angry, frightened young people, earning their trust and showing them how to master the terrifying gifts they’ve been given. There is a certain parallel with the set up of the Mutant world of X-Men, including the commendable but rather obvious racial diversity of the group. However, the group dynamic is very much that of peers, since James has his own unresolved issues to deal with, including his intense attraction for the bearded Isaiah.
Another nice detail of the narrative is that, while James is gay, and his connection to Isaiah is a central motif, this book is not about that. This book is about magic in all its variations and learning to control it in order to survive. The story ends in a cliffhanger, but not one that annoyed me, for some reason. The abrupt but hair-raising finale opens the door to the next book in the series. No question that I’ll be buying it as soon as I can.
Read
December 10, 20192018-19 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention in Gay Alternate Reality
M/M Romance 2018 Member's Choice Awards Nominee for Best Paranormal
I'm not going to rate my own book - that'd be silly! But I will say this...I had such a good time writing this story. I think I'm slightly more in love with this book than my first. I know, we shouldn't choose which of our children are our favorites, and yet...
Anyhoo, I hope you enjoy the adventure of James, Isaiah, Ning, Chris, Annabelle, and Camila.
M/M Romance 2018 Member's Choice Awards Nominee for Best Paranormal
I'm not going to rate my own book - that'd be silly! But I will say this...I had such a good time writing this story. I think I'm slightly more in love with this book than my first. I know, we shouldn't choose which of our children are our favorites, and yet...
Anyhoo, I hope you enjoy the adventure of James, Isaiah, Ning, Chris, Annabelle, and Camila.
July 3, 2018
Full review to come.
This was a new author to me and I was extremely impressed with the level of world building and detailing which went into this quite unusual paranormal.
There is an element of a romance, but it's not the driving force of the story, it's more about friendship and beating the odds and fighting for the right to live your own life. Someone else's review has mentioned it has an X-Men vibe to it and I think that's true to an extent.
But it's not so much about the power these young adults have as it is about how they learn to not only control their abilities but how to open up and make friendships and work as a team towards a single goal - escaping from the centre they're being kept in.
James isn't a "hero" as such, he's a deeply flawed character, prone to making mistakes, but fundamentally honest and with good intentions. The romance here is tied into the wider narrative, it's fade to black and pretty much all of it happens off page. This usually irritates me immensely - I like to see the emotional connections two people make when they become sexually active - but it actually fits into the story.
The characters are wonderfully sketched out, each has a unique voice which brings them to life and I found myself rooting for them all against the captivity and also breaking my heart at the traumas they go through.
There's also a damn cliffhanger at the end which, as anyone who follows my reviews knows, drives me insane and will lose a star off any rating because I firmly believe every book, irrespective of if it's part of a series or not, should wrap the majority of its story with the pages UNLESS the reader is forewarned that it won't conclude all plot elements.
So this could have been a 5* read and I will definitely read the next book to find out what happens to this little gang of misfits.
#ARC kindly provided by the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
This was a new author to me and I was extremely impressed with the level of world building and detailing which went into this quite unusual paranormal.
There is an element of a romance, but it's not the driving force of the story, it's more about friendship and beating the odds and fighting for the right to live your own life. Someone else's review has mentioned it has an X-Men vibe to it and I think that's true to an extent.
But it's not so much about the power these young adults have as it is about how they learn to not only control their abilities but how to open up and make friendships and work as a team towards a single goal - escaping from the centre they're being kept in.
James isn't a "hero" as such, he's a deeply flawed character, prone to making mistakes, but fundamentally honest and with good intentions. The romance here is tied into the wider narrative, it's fade to black and pretty much all of it happens off page. This usually irritates me immensely - I like to see the emotional connections two people make when they become sexually active - but it actually fits into the story.
The characters are wonderfully sketched out, each has a unique voice which brings them to life and I found myself rooting for them all against the captivity and also breaking my heart at the traumas they go through.
There's also a damn cliffhanger at the end which, as anyone who follows my reviews knows, drives me insane and will lose a star off any rating because I firmly believe every book, irrespective of if it's part of a series or not, should wrap the majority of its story with the pages UNLESS the reader is forewarned that it won't conclude all plot elements.
So this could have been a 5* read and I will definitely read the next book to find out what happens to this little gang of misfits.
#ARC kindly provided by the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
June 28, 2018
I received this book as an ARC courtesy of Net Galley and Nine Star Press!
Magic or Die is an intense, fast-paced story and I Loved every Second of it!
Magic or Die is the tale of James a very broken and haunted man with some incredible powers who is manipulated into becoming a teacher and mentor for 5 incredible young adults with some even more amazing powers. Along with a corrupt corporation and one evil Bitch, this was part X men part stranger things with so much heart as this broken and battered mentor and his amazing band of pupils become so much more a family! and the Romances so sweet and at times intense. My only complaint was that ending... it left me breathless and my heart pounding! I Laughed I cried and I can't wait for what is to come for our little band that I have come to love so!
Thank you so much Nine Star Press for another Amazing and intense experience cant wait til next time!
Magic or Die is an intense, fast-paced story and I Loved every Second of it!
Magic or Die is the tale of James a very broken and haunted man with some incredible powers who is manipulated into becoming a teacher and mentor for 5 incredible young adults with some even more amazing powers. Along with a corrupt corporation and one evil Bitch, this was part X men part stranger things with so much heart as this broken and battered mentor and his amazing band of pupils become so much more a family! and the Romances so sweet and at times intense. My only complaint was that ending... it left me breathless and my heart pounding! I Laughed I cried and I can't wait for what is to come for our little band that I have come to love so!
Thank you so much Nine Star Press for another Amazing and intense experience cant wait til next time!
June 15, 2019
I finished this book yesterday. Think Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters but for adults (including sexy gay characters) with magical & arcane abilities. Except instead of being run by benevolent Professor-X it's run by an evil bitch who wants the students trained into magic or be killed. In particular I enjoyed how arcane powers were portrayed and used vs what is conventionally considered magic.
I think the book should have been ~50% longer with more lead up to some of the relationships and plot points. None of the story transitions felt rushed but a bit more connective tissue in-between would have helped make the story feel more tangible and real.
I think the book should have been ~50% longer with more lead up to some of the relationships and plot points. None of the story transitions felt rushed but a bit more connective tissue in-between would have helped make the story feel more tangible and real.
August 6, 2018
A brilliant, fun, scary romp through the world of the paranormal at the end of a gun. Brilliant imagery, fascinating characters, I read this all in one sitting.
August 4, 2020
Original Review at Jaunts & Haunts
4/5
I give this novel four superpowered stars!
This is my first read by this author, and I was thoroughly impressed!
Magic or Die is a novel centering on a man named James who has supernatural abilities. Having a past with the government agency known as CRMD, he is called in to tutor a class of superpowered twenty-somethings. Many things have changed since he’s last been to the CRMD, many disturbing things. If he can’t train his class of superpowered individuals to control their powers they’ll be euthanized. Can James convince the CRMD that they can exist without hurting others, or will he be forced to choose between them and the CRMD?
This was a great read.
First and foremost I really enjoyed the characters. James had some depth to him. Not only is he superpowered and gay, but also an alcoholic. He’s got a lot of issues to work through, and we see a lot of progression in this novel.
I liked the other characters as well. Isaiah, Annabelle, Camila, Ning, and Chris, they each had their distinct personalities, and though not all of them had a lot of character progression, some definitely did and that added to the story. I really felt bad for their situation and wanted desperately for them to escape. Also, Miriam was a Grade-A dragon lady, and she was very easy to dislike and fit her character very well.
The plot had me going from the beginning. This was very “X-Men go to Genosha Island” for me, and that being one of my favorite X-Men stories, the whole concept was a winner for me. The magic/superpowered system was well thought out, and I enjoyed getting to know all about this alternate reality.
There were some interactions I really enjoyed, specifically one between Tonka and Miriam that literally made me laugh out loud. There were also plenty of laughable moments between James and his students that helped the experience not be so serious the entire time.
If I had to pick at anything I’d say the weakest part for me was the last couple chapters. It just felt a bit rushed to me after what we’d built up, and the ending seemed a bit abrupt for me, but I understand that the author is setting us up for the next book, which I’m super excited about.
In the end, this was a great superpowered book with plenty of action, drama, and high stakes. Looking forward to reading more from this author!
4/5
I give this novel four superpowered stars!
This is my first read by this author, and I was thoroughly impressed!
Magic or Die is a novel centering on a man named James who has supernatural abilities. Having a past with the government agency known as CRMD, he is called in to tutor a class of superpowered twenty-somethings. Many things have changed since he’s last been to the CRMD, many disturbing things. If he can’t train his class of superpowered individuals to control their powers they’ll be euthanized. Can James convince the CRMD that they can exist without hurting others, or will he be forced to choose between them and the CRMD?
This was a great read.
First and foremost I really enjoyed the characters. James had some depth to him. Not only is he superpowered and gay, but also an alcoholic. He’s got a lot of issues to work through, and we see a lot of progression in this novel.
I liked the other characters as well. Isaiah, Annabelle, Camila, Ning, and Chris, they each had their distinct personalities, and though not all of them had a lot of character progression, some definitely did and that added to the story. I really felt bad for their situation and wanted desperately for them to escape. Also, Miriam was a Grade-A dragon lady, and she was very easy to dislike and fit her character very well.
The plot had me going from the beginning. This was very “X-Men go to Genosha Island” for me, and that being one of my favorite X-Men stories, the whole concept was a winner for me. The magic/superpowered system was well thought out, and I enjoyed getting to know all about this alternate reality.
There were some interactions I really enjoyed, specifically one between Tonka and Miriam that literally made me laugh out loud. There were also plenty of laughable moments between James and his students that helped the experience not be so serious the entire time.
If I had to pick at anything I’d say the weakest part for me was the last couple chapters. It just felt a bit rushed to me after what we’d built up, and the ending seemed a bit abrupt for me, but I understand that the author is setting us up for the next book, which I’m super excited about.
In the end, this was a great superpowered book with plenty of action, drama, and high stakes. Looking forward to reading more from this author!
December 25, 2018
This is one of those stories that will grab you and keep you reading until you finish. After reading the first novel by this author I had thought, wrongly, that this would be another ride into the regions of a twisted imagination (not a bad thing). What I got instead was a cross between; Harry Potter, Shadow Hunters, and Lost Girl. There was the right mix of tension, drama, and levity making this a fun read. Don’t get me wrong, it was dark and creepy and there are some images I won’t forget, but mostly it was a lot of fun.
I’m being nitpicky with this story because really I have nothing major to complain about. However, there were two things that bothered me. One, the love and enjoyment of smoking. Okay, I get it, people smoke and people enjoy it, but reading about it in this story and despite the fact that James, the main character, constantly called them cancer sticks and talked about quitting was something that I couldn’t get past to the point where it was a little annoying. Why even have them in the story? I didn’t see the need and James already had an addiction to alcohol, which I felt was more than enough to give him a wonderful character quirk. I know this is a ‘me issue’, but the whole smoking things bugged the heck out me.
Two, as good as the book was, the ending was a bit… I’m not sure I liked it. I understood and I appreciated the set up for the next book, but I don’t think it was really needed. I think the book could have easily ended a chapter sooner and I would have felt much more satisfied.
That all said I will certainly read the next book and whatever else this author has in store for us. I loved the character development and I was rooting for our ragtag group the entire time.
I’ve debated between four and five stars and wish I could give it four and a half stars because I’m really being picky with the story and that might not be fair to the author. Still I loved the book and I can’t wait for the next one.
I’m being nitpicky with this story because really I have nothing major to complain about. However, there were two things that bothered me. One, the love and enjoyment of smoking. Okay, I get it, people smoke and people enjoy it, but reading about it in this story and despite the fact that James, the main character, constantly called them cancer sticks and talked about quitting was something that I couldn’t get past to the point where it was a little annoying. Why even have them in the story? I didn’t see the need and James already had an addiction to alcohol, which I felt was more than enough to give him a wonderful character quirk. I know this is a ‘me issue’, but the whole smoking things bugged the heck out me.
Two, as good as the book was, the ending was a bit… I’m not sure I liked it. I understood and I appreciated the set up for the next book, but I don’t think it was really needed. I think the book could have easily ended a chapter sooner and I would have felt much more satisfied.
That all said I will certainly read the next book and whatever else this author has in store for us. I loved the character development and I was rooting for our ragtag group the entire time.
I’ve debated between four and five stars and wish I could give it four and a half stars because I’m really being picky with the story and that might not be fair to the author. Still I loved the book and I can’t wait for the next one.
July 3, 2018
I had so much fun with J.P. Jackson's first book, Daimonion, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book.
Jackson delivers another horribly good time with Magic or Die. I felt guilty watching all the terrible things James Martin and his students were going through and enjoying every second of it!
James is blackmailed/recruited by CMRD, with whom he has a traumatic past, to teach a group of exceptional and dangerously gifted magic users how to control their powers. He quickly discovers that not only are the lives of the students in danger, but his as well, and the dark intentions of the CMRD go far beyond their deepest fears.
This is more along the lines of The Magicians rather than Harry Potter- the students are all in their early to mid twenties, and a good thing, since James has a reciprocated fascination with Isaiah, one of the people he is teaching. It gives him a more personal reason to try to get all of them out alive. Every one of the characters has a distinct personality (Ning is my favorite) and they are a blast to read about.
Jackson has definitely grown in his craft. This story flows much more seamlessly and the pacing is excellent. It's a quick, fun read with dark magic, a bitchy villain, and some characters that you can't quite decide whether they are friends or enemies. Pick this one up, and you won't regret it.
Jackson delivers another horribly good time with Magic or Die. I felt guilty watching all the terrible things James Martin and his students were going through and enjoying every second of it!
James is blackmailed/recruited by CMRD, with whom he has a traumatic past, to teach a group of exceptional and dangerously gifted magic users how to control their powers. He quickly discovers that not only are the lives of the students in danger, but his as well, and the dark intentions of the CMRD go far beyond their deepest fears.
This is more along the lines of The Magicians rather than Harry Potter- the students are all in their early to mid twenties, and a good thing, since James has a reciprocated fascination with Isaiah, one of the people he is teaching. It gives him a more personal reason to try to get all of them out alive. Every one of the characters has a distinct personality (Ning is my favorite) and they are a blast to read about.
Jackson has definitely grown in his craft. This story flows much more seamlessly and the pacing is excellent. It's a quick, fun read with dark magic, a bitchy villain, and some characters that you can't quite decide whether they are friends or enemies. Pick this one up, and you won't regret it.
October 18, 2020
*I received a free review copy in exchange for an honest review of this book.
Running out of time, Magic or Die is fun and terrifying in turns. With strong characterization and an instantly hateable bureaucratic villain, this fantasy is no one's daydream, and the demons may fill your nightmares.
I loved reading this, I read it in one sitting and enjoyed every minute of it. Sometimes I was just laughing while reading, I had such a good time. It's also very dark and deals with a lot of stressful topics (refer to the CWs below), but handles them in a way that has so much care for the reader that it was cathartic rather than stressful. The way it handled the characters was superb, really understanding what they'd be going through emotionally in this awful situation, and that made it feel good to read too, even when it was dark. The MC has this grittiness that reminds me of the best bits of a film-noir setting without actually being in that genre, especially at the start. He's stressed and trying to hold it together for the people under his care even when he doesn't actually know a whole lot more than they do, and that was such a relatable feeling.
The balance between focusing on each secondary character and keeping the plot moving was handled well, the more introductory portion of the book was staggered in a way that felt natural and made it easier to track these very different people. I'm someone who usually has trouble tracking a lot of character names at once and I didn't have problem here, at least partly because of the pace at which they were established. The magic system could have felt like a giant infodump, and instead I find myself at the end of book one, feeling like I could actually explain this system to someone. I could at least describe the different types of magic and how the users might be affected.
There is a student/teacher romance, but everyone involved is fully an adult and nothing about this setting was a typical academic environment. This portrayal definitely fits under "power differentials are sexy"; it's not exploitative within the story (and the potential for it to be exploitative or inappropriate is discussed by the parties involved).
The villain was fantastically hateable. Early on I was unsure and I thought the MC just didn't like her because she's an abrasive person, but by halfway through I completely got it and unreservedly hated her too. She has a great balance between having an understandable motivation for being evil and being so thoroughly terrible that understanding her didn't make me hate her any less.
CW for smoking, alcoholism, sexism, homophobia, ableism, kidnapping, child abuse (not depicted), suicide (not depicted), body shaming (internalized), mental illness, student/teacher romance (adults), coercion, addiction, withdrawal, gore, body horror, possession, major character death, death.
Running out of time, Magic or Die is fun and terrifying in turns. With strong characterization and an instantly hateable bureaucratic villain, this fantasy is no one's daydream, and the demons may fill your nightmares.
I loved reading this, I read it in one sitting and enjoyed every minute of it. Sometimes I was just laughing while reading, I had such a good time. It's also very dark and deals with a lot of stressful topics (refer to the CWs below), but handles them in a way that has so much care for the reader that it was cathartic rather than stressful. The way it handled the characters was superb, really understanding what they'd be going through emotionally in this awful situation, and that made it feel good to read too, even when it was dark. The MC has this grittiness that reminds me of the best bits of a film-noir setting without actually being in that genre, especially at the start. He's stressed and trying to hold it together for the people under his care even when he doesn't actually know a whole lot more than they do, and that was such a relatable feeling.
The balance between focusing on each secondary character and keeping the plot moving was handled well, the more introductory portion of the book was staggered in a way that felt natural and made it easier to track these very different people. I'm someone who usually has trouble tracking a lot of character names at once and I didn't have problem here, at least partly because of the pace at which they were established. The magic system could have felt like a giant infodump, and instead I find myself at the end of book one, feeling like I could actually explain this system to someone. I could at least describe the different types of magic and how the users might be affected.
There is a student/teacher romance, but everyone involved is fully an adult and nothing about this setting was a typical academic environment. This portrayal definitely fits under "power differentials are sexy"; it's not exploitative within the story (and the potential for it to be exploitative or inappropriate is discussed by the parties involved).
The villain was fantastically hateable. Early on I was unsure and I thought the MC just didn't like her because she's an abrasive person, but by halfway through I completely got it and unreservedly hated her too. She has a great balance between having an understandable motivation for being evil and being so thoroughly terrible that understanding her didn't make me hate her any less.
CW for smoking, alcoholism, sexism, homophobia, ableism, kidnapping, child abuse (not depicted), suicide (not depicted), body shaming (internalized), mental illness, student/teacher romance (adults), coercion, addiction, withdrawal, gore, body horror, possession, major character death, death.
July 2, 2018
A Joyfully Jay review.
2.25 stars
The idea behind this story is a good one, compelling and instantly hooking me in with the action and clever plotting of The Great Escape combined with the drama and magic Prisoner of Azkaban. Powerful, misunderstood people — who may or may not be evil depending on their inner demons and if they have the strength to resist them — planning an escape from a despotic prison warden unfairly holding them in impossible cages. Unfortunately, the idea is the only part of the story that worked. The actual execution of it didn’t.
James is an empath with the ability to control the minds of other people, as well as to force his emotions upon them. He’s also able to make force fields, which puts him in the Psyche class of magic. (The others being elemental, which allows for the control of elements, and arcane, which is demon magic.) He begins the book drunk and with a smoking habit, both quickly taken care of by the CMRD. Days and weeks pass with the briefest of mentions, but even for James, time is a strange thing as he’s detoxing. James is regularly visited by the ever-decaying vision of Cody, a one-time boyfriend who haunts him with angry, hurt promises and threats. None of which does more than annoy James.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
2.25 stars
The idea behind this story is a good one, compelling and instantly hooking me in with the action and clever plotting of The Great Escape combined with the drama and magic Prisoner of Azkaban. Powerful, misunderstood people — who may or may not be evil depending on their inner demons and if they have the strength to resist them — planning an escape from a despotic prison warden unfairly holding them in impossible cages. Unfortunately, the idea is the only part of the story that worked. The actual execution of it didn’t.
James is an empath with the ability to control the minds of other people, as well as to force his emotions upon them. He’s also able to make force fields, which puts him in the Psyche class of magic. (The others being elemental, which allows for the control of elements, and arcane, which is demon magic.) He begins the book drunk and with a smoking habit, both quickly taken care of by the CMRD. Days and weeks pass with the briefest of mentions, but even for James, time is a strange thing as he’s detoxing. James is regularly visited by the ever-decaying vision of Cody, a one-time boyfriend who haunts him with angry, hurt promises and threats. None of which does more than annoy James.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
May 15, 2019
I wanted to start here by saying that the author, J.P. Jackson, has an excellent eye for detail when it comes to worldbuilding. That’s something that really shines, especially in terms of the magic system. That’s really important too because magic without a set of rules in place doesn’t really work in books aimed at older readers, at least in my opinion. Here, he’s set up several classes of ability that work well alongside each other. Sure, the different styles are fairly common fantasy elements – even the super interesting concept of sanguimancy has been used before – but there’s a definite original edge to it. It honestly feels like J.P. went to great lengths to ensure that the way the different classes work and interact with their user and the environment feels natural. Even the descriptions of how magic feels to use works wonderfully. That really helps the story overall because the use of magic is so intertwined with the different elements of the tale.
In terms of characters, they’re an interesting bunch to get to grips with. Our key protagonist, James, is very curmudgeonly in nature when we meet him. I enjoyed that, and it helped provide a contrast with his more caring side ss he worked with the students to help them control their powers. Having been addicted to alcohol and cigarettes since a tragic event in his backstory has left him low too. What I found interesting with it is that he describes himself with phrases like ‘my middle had a jiggle’, which gives a clear indication that he views himself as at the very least being more out of shape than he used to be. At the same time though, his love interest Isaiah describes him as having a bodybuilder physique. This felt like a case of internal perception vs. external perception. I enjoyed that because, let’s be honest, many of us will have been in the same position at some point. I know I have, at least. I was happy to see a hero that wasn’t in the best shape of their life too, as it made James feel more like a relatable, normal teacher, even in spite of the setting. Throw in that he openly hurts and it gives you plenty to get behind in terms of wanting him to better his position.
While all the magical abilities were portrayed well, it was the demonic ones that felt the best to me. If you’ve read J.P.’s debut novel Daimonion, that won’t be a surprise, as the author has a clear fondness for this side of the arcane. If anything though, I’d say that it’s perhaps a little tighter in Magic or Die. From a Yuki-onna – who doesn’t love the classic snow yokai? – to some wonderful imagery involving a demon tail when Isiah is let out, it’s all very striking. It also opened up a chance for an excellent side character named Tonka to give a very well written talk about coexistence with demons.
Ghosts get a look-in too, with some interesting concepts about how they work. For example, the way they get twisted if they died hanging on to anger added a little depth to James’ deceased ex-partner Cody, which in turn also added to James’ arc. The attempt to exorcise Cody was a real stand-out scene too. His slow decay throughout was also really well done and reminded me of American Werewolf In London. There’s also a very Exorcist moment where veins spell out the word ‘help me’ in one of the characters. That made me smile. Oh, and Annabelle’s ‘I see you’ is always gloriously creepy.
In terms of the general story, the heroes are given a lot of obstacles to overcome. From James’ initial state and feelings about the situation to the ever-shrinking boundary of how long they have to learn control, there’s plenty to cheer them on through. It all builds up to an action-packed final conflict and a finale that ends the arc and sets up the next. That the students are all technically adults is also good to see. After all, adults learn too, and that’s something I haven’t seen portrayed too often.
If anything, the romance may be the biggest stumbling block for some readers. Despite the characters all being adults, there is still a sense of boundaries between students and teachers. In fact, James brings this up himself multiple times. He knows that there’s a sense of any potential romance between himself and Isaiah being wrong, at least until they’re no long student and teacher, and he makes that clear. But, he goes for it anyway. From a personal standpoint, all the characters being adult helped here. It also isn’t written in a way that feels wrong if that makes sense. I’m sure that some readers like the trope anyway – it’s certainly a popular one – but if this sort of relationship shift is an issue for you, be aware that it’s there, but go in with an open mind, because they do feel like they’ll be good for each other. The relationship feels a little insta-love too, which also seems to be a story element that people either love or hate. I felt that the demonic interaction involved perhaps hastened things in this case, which fits within the story universe. While quickly forming relationships are not my preference, I felt that it was fine here.
So, where does that all leave Magic or Die? Well, I’d say that it’s an enjoyable Dark Urban Fantasy with horror elements. The romantic side of the story may or may not be to everyone’s taste, but even if it goes against your preferences, the book still has a lot more to offer. The magical elements are superb, and the characters are a sympathetic bunch. So, I give it a solid 4 out of 5.
In terms of characters, they’re an interesting bunch to get to grips with. Our key protagonist, James, is very curmudgeonly in nature when we meet him. I enjoyed that, and it helped provide a contrast with his more caring side ss he worked with the students to help them control their powers. Having been addicted to alcohol and cigarettes since a tragic event in his backstory has left him low too. What I found interesting with it is that he describes himself with phrases like ‘my middle had a jiggle’, which gives a clear indication that he views himself as at the very least being more out of shape than he used to be. At the same time though, his love interest Isaiah describes him as having a bodybuilder physique. This felt like a case of internal perception vs. external perception. I enjoyed that because, let’s be honest, many of us will have been in the same position at some point. I know I have, at least. I was happy to see a hero that wasn’t in the best shape of their life too, as it made James feel more like a relatable, normal teacher, even in spite of the setting. Throw in that he openly hurts and it gives you plenty to get behind in terms of wanting him to better his position.
While all the magical abilities were portrayed well, it was the demonic ones that felt the best to me. If you’ve read J.P.’s debut novel Daimonion, that won’t be a surprise, as the author has a clear fondness for this side of the arcane. If anything though, I’d say that it’s perhaps a little tighter in Magic or Die. From a Yuki-onna – who doesn’t love the classic snow yokai? – to some wonderful imagery involving a demon tail when Isiah is let out, it’s all very striking. It also opened up a chance for an excellent side character named Tonka to give a very well written talk about coexistence with demons.
Ghosts get a look-in too, with some interesting concepts about how they work. For example, the way they get twisted if they died hanging on to anger added a little depth to James’ deceased ex-partner Cody, which in turn also added to James’ arc. The attempt to exorcise Cody was a real stand-out scene too. His slow decay throughout was also really well done and reminded me of American Werewolf In London. There’s also a very Exorcist moment where veins spell out the word ‘help me’ in one of the characters. That made me smile. Oh, and Annabelle’s ‘I see you’ is always gloriously creepy.
In terms of the general story, the heroes are given a lot of obstacles to overcome. From James’ initial state and feelings about the situation to the ever-shrinking boundary of how long they have to learn control, there’s plenty to cheer them on through. It all builds up to an action-packed final conflict and a finale that ends the arc and sets up the next. That the students are all technically adults is also good to see. After all, adults learn too, and that’s something I haven’t seen portrayed too often.
If anything, the romance may be the biggest stumbling block for some readers. Despite the characters all being adults, there is still a sense of boundaries between students and teachers. In fact, James brings this up himself multiple times. He knows that there’s a sense of any potential romance between himself and Isaiah being wrong, at least until they’re no long student and teacher, and he makes that clear. But, he goes for it anyway. From a personal standpoint, all the characters being adult helped here. It also isn’t written in a way that feels wrong if that makes sense. I’m sure that some readers like the trope anyway – it’s certainly a popular one – but if this sort of relationship shift is an issue for you, be aware that it’s there, but go in with an open mind, because they do feel like they’ll be good for each other. The relationship feels a little insta-love too, which also seems to be a story element that people either love or hate. I felt that the demonic interaction involved perhaps hastened things in this case, which fits within the story universe. While quickly forming relationships are not my preference, I felt that it was fine here.
So, where does that all leave Magic or Die? Well, I’d say that it’s an enjoyable Dark Urban Fantasy with horror elements. The romantic side of the story may or may not be to everyone’s taste, but even if it goes against your preferences, the book still has a lot more to offer. The magical elements are superb, and the characters are a sympathetic bunch. So, I give it a solid 4 out of 5.
July 20, 2018
(I thank Netgalley and NineStar Press, LLC for sending me the ARC in exchange for my honest review)
« Magic or die » was a good read, with some interesting developments magical superpower wise. This part was great and well done. I also really appreciated that the students were all together and not bickering and demoralizing one another. The romance was sweet, even if it was a nearly instalove story (more insta-lust and insta-friendship story) with a little too much « cuteness » and « furryness » for sure!
The story is a neat situation of good guys against bad guys, but without any unduly simplifications.
The main part is rather homogeneous, without much developments, but an easy and interested read. The atmosphere was strong and the characters believable in their otherness mixed with everyday-people-ness.
The end was a bit ackwark: the story should maybe have stop a little earlier. There are some absurd decisions (stay put when they should run, go in a very dangerous place without any real need instead of staying put) just to introduce the sequel – a shame.
A book I recommend for readers who love super powers mixed with learning, and appreciate strong and healthy relationships between people solid in adversity.
« Magic or die » was a good read, with some interesting developments magical superpower wise. This part was great and well done. I also really appreciated that the students were all together and not bickering and demoralizing one another. The romance was sweet, even if it was a nearly instalove story (more insta-lust and insta-friendship story) with a little too much « cuteness » and « furryness » for sure!
The story is a neat situation of good guys against bad guys, but without any unduly simplifications.
The main part is rather homogeneous, without much developments, but an easy and interested read. The atmosphere was strong and the characters believable in their otherness mixed with everyday-people-ness.
The end was a bit ackwark: the story should maybe have stop a little earlier. There are some absurd decisions (stay put when they should run, go in a very dangerous place without any real need instead of staying put) just to introduce the sequel – a shame.
A book I recommend for readers who love super powers mixed with learning, and appreciate strong and healthy relationships between people solid in adversity.
July 26, 2018
The premise of the story is that there is a facility (CMRD) that trains people with powers to control said powers. If they cannot learn to control their powers, they are killed. James, who was once a student and then a teacher at the CMRD, comes back to teach again after much prodding and poking from Miriam, the book’s antagonist.
Unwilling at first, James quickly forms bonds to his new students and sets himself to the task of saving them before they are murdered.
The world building was solid, and the characters interesting. I enjoyed how the group came together and how the different characters developed their skills as the plot developed. My favorite was Annabelle. Her: “Well, I’ve got this horde of demons inside me who want to rip everything apart, but I’m going to do good with them!” Good on you, Annabelle.
The only thing I didn’t really understand was Cody, who is James’s once-upon-a-time lover but who now haunts him. The evolution of their relationship felt a bit off to me. The book starts with James having a lot of regrets about Cody, who was murdered due to his inability to get his powers under control. Then, out of nowhere, James starts to hate Cody. Perhaps there was an explanation for James dropping his guilt over this that I missed?
Either way, Magic or Die was a fun paranormal romp with some gore. There were also some spooky elements—ghosts, demons, etc.—for readers to enjoy. Would suggest for fans of urban fantasy with elements of romance.
July 1, 2018
Recieved from Netgalley. Great start and plenty of background information. From the start the story hooks you. Demons, magic and shape shifting. One broken man to reign in five out of control subjects in six months or they die, each one with a unique power. Isiah, Annabelle, Ning, Chris and Camila. Favourite character was Isiah. The demons were creepy but cool, Miriam needs to die and Cody was full on chills down your spine. Really enjoyable and so much going on. Loved it. Looking forward to the next book.
Read
July 15, 2019What an awesome title, and the story does not disappoint. This is contemporary urban fantasy, somewhat X-men-ish, with humans sprouting magical abilities they have yet to learn how to control. Also along X-men lines, the Canadian government is swooping in to control these telekinetic, fire-balling, ice-storming, and demon-possessed humans with the goal of either harnessing their powers for military purposes or destroying them if they can't be properly domesticated.
James, a psychic himself, is called in by a CIA-like organization to train four extremely dangerous supernaturals who are scheduled for elimination if they cannot learn to control their abilities. It's a good hook, creating quick investment in the fate of James' four students, including a young man who may turn out to be a love interest for their teacher (all the students are college-aged or older). Their strange and sometimes creepy abilities are well-realized, and the race against time makes for quick, enjoyable reading.
James, a psychic himself, is called in by a CIA-like organization to train four extremely dangerous supernaturals who are scheduled for elimination if they cannot learn to control their abilities. It's a good hook, creating quick investment in the fate of James' four students, including a young man who may turn out to be a love interest for their teacher (all the students are college-aged or older). Their strange and sometimes creepy abilities are well-realized, and the race against time makes for quick, enjoyable reading.
February 28, 2019
This novel had many things that I love: psychic abilities and a school filled with magically inclined students. This story had resemblances of the X-Men, which is my favorite Marvel group. The main character, James Martin, must return to the school, CMRD, to fulfill his contract. The story has magic, psychic abilities, demons and more.
There were a few spots where I felt that the story dropped flat, but it didn't affect my rating overall. The fact that the story had all of the above items allowed me to push through those moments. The world building is nicely done, and it maintains my attention.
Finding a story that maintains your attention and has many interesting fantastical elements is rare. I recommend this story to all sci-fi/fantasy lovers.
There were a few spots where I felt that the story dropped flat, but it didn't affect my rating overall. The fact that the story had all of the above items allowed me to push through those moments. The world building is nicely done, and it maintains my attention.
Finding a story that maintains your attention and has many interesting fantastical elements is rare. I recommend this story to all sci-fi/fantasy lovers.
July 16, 2018
There are probably people out there who would love this book, but unfortunately it wasn’t quite right for me.
The only expectations I went in to Magic or Die with came from the summary that I read here on Goodreads, and it really made it sound like it sound like the kind of story I would be into: characters with traumatic pasts and emotional depth, high stakes involving the commodification and trafficking of magically gifted people, and a queer romance subplot. All things that I love and look for in my stories. However, Magic or Die didn’t really deliver on much of that. The seriousness and the drama of the situation were watered down by weak world-building, hackneyed villains (at one point there was a non-ironic use of the word henchmen), and a very awkward romance between the main character and one of his students.
Maybe I should start by saying what’s good about the book. I think conceptually it’s a cool idea. Even though they’re not perfectly explained, the three magic systems in the story are interesting and creative. I like the idea that some people have inborn magical talent and some get it through demon possession. And I will admit that some of the trope-y aspects of the book were fun: the Suicide Squad-style character introduction scene, the misfits coming together as a team, the found family, and the unique and strong personalities of each of the students. The writing itself was strong for the most part, and I found the first half of the book to really fly by as I waited with anticipation for the action to kick in. Although I ultimately didn't love where the plot went, I can still commend the author for a very clear and readable prose style.
If a younger version of me had been reading this I probably would have been less critical and more willing to give the benefit of the doubt when it came to the issues with world-building. But as it was, I found myself confused by and skeptical of the situation that we’re presented with: our main character James is brought back to the CMRD, the very institution where he was trained and taught for several years, and yet he narrates all of this as if he’s experiencing it for the first time. Despite our direct line into his thoughts via first-person narration, James appears to have almost no actual memories of anyone or anything at CMRD. He tells us he was there, but then never thinks to himself, “Oh, I remember that time I hung out with my friends in this courtyard” or “I remember my own weird, plexiglass-walled cell” or anything like that.
Which brings me to another strange bit of world-building: all the students in the story are being held captive in cells, which initially sounds cruel and scary, but then we keep hearing about all the stuff that they have in their cells: beds with comforters, fluffy pillows, stereos, televisions, teddy bears. Every emotional punch in the story seemed to follow the same pattern: set up something that sounds dramatic and compelling, but then pull it back and the last minute and smooth it over so that it isn’t so bad after all. The biggest culprit of this was with James’s backstory. The backstory of a man watching his student and lover euthanized before his eyes was the probably the most stirring aspect of this entire story, but James hardly seems to care about Cody aside from his own guilt over what happened. Do we get any memories of what their relationship was like before Cody died? No; Cody's character is reduced entirely to emotional baggage for James to lug around. So we’re just left with what *could* have been an amazing backstory, but it’s entirely weakened by James’s apathy and our own ignorance as readers without context.
You'll notice I'm calling the characters students, even though they are actually more like captives, because that is honestly how they are treated and referred to throughout the book. The CMRD is holding them hostage against their wills and under threat of death, but that is hardly ever dwelt upon or questioned. Also, James constantly refers to the students as kids within the narration, but is always reminding them and the authority figures at the CMRD that they are adults. It almost seemed like the author was trying to remind himself that he had aged them up, while simultaneously having them act like immature teenagers. It's hard to put my finger on exactly why, but the whole student vs prisoner and kids vs adults situation seemed very weird and muddled to me.
I hate to go too hard on Magic or Die, because I know there are people out there who enjoy more light-hearted, fun stories about plucky groups of friends coming together to defeat an ambiguously evil organization. That’s just not what I like to read. I wanted the author to lean further into the dark stuff, the uncomfortable moral dilemmas, and the tragedy. He didn’t do that, and it left me personally disappointed.
NB: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The only expectations I went in to Magic or Die with came from the summary that I read here on Goodreads, and it really made it sound like it sound like the kind of story I would be into: characters with traumatic pasts and emotional depth, high stakes involving the commodification and trafficking of magically gifted people, and a queer romance subplot. All things that I love and look for in my stories. However, Magic or Die didn’t really deliver on much of that. The seriousness and the drama of the situation were watered down by weak world-building, hackneyed villains (at one point there was a non-ironic use of the word henchmen), and a very awkward romance between the main character and one of his students.
Maybe I should start by saying what’s good about the book. I think conceptually it’s a cool idea. Even though they’re not perfectly explained, the three magic systems in the story are interesting and creative. I like the idea that some people have inborn magical talent and some get it through demon possession. And I will admit that some of the trope-y aspects of the book were fun: the Suicide Squad-style character introduction scene, the misfits coming together as a team, the found family, and the unique and strong personalities of each of the students. The writing itself was strong for the most part, and I found the first half of the book to really fly by as I waited with anticipation for the action to kick in. Although I ultimately didn't love where the plot went, I can still commend the author for a very clear and readable prose style.
If a younger version of me had been reading this I probably would have been less critical and more willing to give the benefit of the doubt when it came to the issues with world-building. But as it was, I found myself confused by and skeptical of the situation that we’re presented with: our main character James is brought back to the CMRD, the very institution where he was trained and taught for several years, and yet he narrates all of this as if he’s experiencing it for the first time. Despite our direct line into his thoughts via first-person narration, James appears to have almost no actual memories of anyone or anything at CMRD. He tells us he was there, but then never thinks to himself, “Oh, I remember that time I hung out with my friends in this courtyard” or “I remember my own weird, plexiglass-walled cell” or anything like that.
Which brings me to another strange bit of world-building: all the students in the story are being held captive in cells, which initially sounds cruel and scary, but then we keep hearing about all the stuff that they have in their cells: beds with comforters, fluffy pillows, stereos, televisions, teddy bears. Every emotional punch in the story seemed to follow the same pattern: set up something that sounds dramatic and compelling, but then pull it back and the last minute and smooth it over so that it isn’t so bad after all. The biggest culprit of this was with James’s backstory. The backstory of a man watching his student and lover euthanized before his eyes was the probably the most stirring aspect of this entire story, but James hardly seems to care about Cody aside from his own guilt over what happened. Do we get any memories of what their relationship was like before Cody died? No; Cody's character is reduced entirely to emotional baggage for James to lug around. So we’re just left with what *could* have been an amazing backstory, but it’s entirely weakened by James’s apathy and our own ignorance as readers without context.
You'll notice I'm calling the characters students, even though they are actually more like captives, because that is honestly how they are treated and referred to throughout the book. The CMRD is holding them hostage against their wills and under threat of death, but that is hardly ever dwelt upon or questioned. Also, James constantly refers to the students as kids within the narration, but is always reminding them and the authority figures at the CMRD that they are adults. It almost seemed like the author was trying to remind himself that he had aged them up, while simultaneously having them act like immature teenagers. It's hard to put my finger on exactly why, but the whole student vs prisoner and kids vs adults situation seemed very weird and muddled to me.
I hate to go too hard on Magic or Die, because I know there are people out there who enjoy more light-hearted, fun stories about plucky groups of friends coming together to defeat an ambiguously evil organization. That’s just not what I like to read. I wanted the author to lean further into the dark stuff, the uncomfortable moral dilemmas, and the tragedy. He didn’t do that, and it left me personally disappointed.
NB: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 21, 2018
I have received a free copy of this book in exchange for honest review.
And the review is long overdue because things that come in a way like a broken laptop and other attractions.
Short version: The book has some problems, but it is overall a very nice read.
Long (and slightly spoilery) version
The blurb got my attention immediately. I am a sucker for that kind of fiction, so I dug in quite fast. Unfortunately, the first few chapters didn’t sit well with me. I felt a bit bored and annoyed, but if I was forced to tell why exactly - I am not sure. Maybe because it was a bit slow going, and the world felt a bit too “thin” for my liking. However, after the first three chapters it went very smoothly, and honestly, I didn’t finish it in one go only because I needed to get up early.
The main character is well written, interesting and likable. He is very human, has some flaws and his thoughts are believable. Some of the students too - mostly Isaiah and Chris. The rest felt a bit underdeveloped, but I hope it will change in the next book (and I can’t wait for the second book to be out because the author is a cruel human being). And then there was Miriam, who didn���t get any redeeming quality in her. A villain too villainous to my liking - I prefer less black and white division between her and the rest.
But I still liked the book. The writing is good and the plot is nicely paced. There are no unnecessary infodumps - each tidbit of information was given naturally and it didn’t destroy the flow of the story. The romance between James and Isaiah was interesting and I appreciate the the characters were able to talk about consent. I would appreciate more if boundaries were a bit more respected :)
I definitely liked the way magic was presented - it was intriguing and nicely written.
The ending is cruel and it hurt my heart to read it - so I just hope that it will be soothed with the next book. Hopefully soon.
And the review is long overdue because things that come in a way like a broken laptop and other attractions.
Short version: The book has some problems, but it is overall a very nice read.
Long (and slightly spoilery) version
The blurb got my attention immediately. I am a sucker for that kind of fiction, so I dug in quite fast. Unfortunately, the first few chapters didn’t sit well with me. I felt a bit bored and annoyed, but if I was forced to tell why exactly - I am not sure. Maybe because it was a bit slow going, and the world felt a bit too “thin” for my liking. However, after the first three chapters it went very smoothly, and honestly, I didn’t finish it in one go only because I needed to get up early.
The main character is well written, interesting and likable. He is very human, has some flaws and his thoughts are believable. Some of the students too - mostly Isaiah and Chris. The rest felt a bit underdeveloped, but I hope it will change in the next book (and I can’t wait for the second book to be out because the author is a cruel human being). And then there was Miriam, who didn���t get any redeeming quality in her. A villain too villainous to my liking - I prefer less black and white division between her and the rest.
But I still liked the book. The writing is good and the plot is nicely paced. There are no unnecessary infodumps - each tidbit of information was given naturally and it didn’t destroy the flow of the story. The romance between James and Isaiah was interesting and I appreciate the the characters were able to talk about consent. I would appreciate more if boundaries were a bit more respected :)
I definitely liked the way magic was presented - it was intriguing and nicely written.
The ending is cruel and it hurt my heart to read it - so I just hope that it will be soothed with the next book. Hopefully soon.
October 28, 2018
*I was given a free copy of this book via MMRG "Don't buy my love" program in exchange for an honest review. *
FABULOUS story with AMAZING characters!
This is definitely different from anything I have ever read. It is written in a way that made me crave more, I have no idea how am I supposed to wait for book #2.
This book is magical, but not in a way I expected. It is dark and complicated , full of injustice and dangers. It shows a world full of demons, where they are not as dangerous as people craving money.
It is a story of James, a powerful empath teaching his students about magic and how they can control it. This is a story of a man who watched his lover die, whose sister disappeared and who struggled with alcoholism. This is a story of Annabelle, Isaiah, Chris, Camilla and Ning who need to learn control or they will be killed. Even though love (old and new one) is quite important in James' life, this is not a love story. I'd say this is a thriller about a group of young and super talented people fighting with their demons (literally) and corrupted institution that was supposed to help them.
I LOVE the world created here. Everything has a reason, all characters' actions are understandable and believable. It is refreshing and fascinating . There are some plot twists that make it even more interesting.
I can't wait for the next book, this cliffhanger is killing me.
FABULOUS story with AMAZING characters!
This is definitely different from anything I have ever read. It is written in a way that made me crave more, I have no idea how am I supposed to wait for book #2.
This book is magical, but not in a way I expected. It is dark and complicated , full of injustice and dangers. It shows a world full of demons, where they are not as dangerous as people craving money.
It is a story of James, a powerful empath teaching his students about magic and how they can control it. This is a story of a man who watched his lover die, whose sister disappeared and who struggled with alcoholism. This is a story of Annabelle, Isaiah, Chris, Camilla and Ning who need to learn control or they will be killed. Even though love (old and new one) is quite important in James' life, this is not a love story. I'd say this is a thriller about a group of young and super talented people fighting with their demons (literally) and corrupted institution that was supposed to help them.
I LOVE the world created here. Everything has a reason, all characters' actions are understandable and believable. It is refreshing and fascinating . There are some plot twists that make it even more interesting.
I can't wait for the next book, this cliffhanger is killing me.
August 23, 2018
This book is an interesting start to a series I will need to keep an eye out for. I liked that the characters are flawed, and fighting their own demons as well as coming to terms with their powers, and lives. The book’s language is full of figurative language, very descriptive, and the scenes are easy to visualize.
The magic system is complex and very well thought out, and I enjoyed the world building which is one of the big strengths of the story. Each character has his, or her, own powers to master, and I liked how they developed as individuals with their different personalities becoming more fleshed out as they learnt more about their powers. I also liked how James in realizing he was attracted to Isaiah, backed off because of the teacher/student dimension, yet came back to it as it became very obvious that Isaiah is a consenting adult. I would have felt squicky if that had not been brought up and worked through. Also, considering James’ past, and his previous relationship with Cory, it would have been odd if he hadn’t tried to fight the attraction.
I also liked how James figures out the truth about his students. This is a world with consequences, which makes the odds against this group feel very real. It makes sense that different powerful organizations would see people with powers as something to be used, and to make money.
The tension rises as the story progresses, and I was turning pages toward the end especially as I had to find out what happens next. Considering how the story ends, I hope there’s not too long a wait until book two in the series.
I’d recommend Magic or Die to readers who like paranormal stories with characters who grow and develop, are still learning about their powers, and inhabit a world with a well-thought-out magic system.
The magic system is complex and very well thought out, and I enjoyed the world building which is one of the big strengths of the story. Each character has his, or her, own powers to master, and I liked how they developed as individuals with their different personalities becoming more fleshed out as they learnt more about their powers. I also liked how James in realizing he was attracted to Isaiah, backed off because of the teacher/student dimension, yet came back to it as it became very obvious that Isaiah is a consenting adult. I would have felt squicky if that had not been brought up and worked through. Also, considering James’ past, and his previous relationship with Cory, it would have been odd if he hadn’t tried to fight the attraction.
I also liked how James figures out the truth about his students. This is a world with consequences, which makes the odds against this group feel very real. It makes sense that different powerful organizations would see people with powers as something to be used, and to make money.
The tension rises as the story progresses, and I was turning pages toward the end especially as I had to find out what happens next. Considering how the story ends, I hope there’s not too long a wait until book two in the series.
I’d recommend Magic or Die to readers who like paranormal stories with characters who grow and develop, are still learning about their powers, and inhabit a world with a well-thought-out magic system.
July 17, 2018
Nice bit of world building from J.P. Jackson, author of Daimonion, and a great addition to the horror/fantasy genres. This is his second novel and it shows, with a surer hand and confidence in the writing. It’s unfair to compare the two books because they are so different. Daimonion was a good, gory read, but with Magic Or Die, the self-assured plotting, scene-building and dialogue make for a book that is more accessible to people unused to the demon genre.
In a nutshell, we have James who has his own demons, namely guilt, grief and alcohol. The blurb describes him as an alcoholic, but I wouldn’t have gone that far. Yes, he uses drink to numb his pain, but he seems to function perfectly well once he has his five students on-side and they are fighting for survival. He only has a few months to get them under control and able to use their powers in a way convenient to a sinister organisation (CMRD – read blurb). If he fails, it’s curtains for all of them. I won’t say more because this is a review, not a synopsis, but you get the idea.
I love the way the author has made everything very clear. From the start, I knew what the modus was, and the problems James has to overcome in order to achieve it. I understood the difference between Arcanes and Elementals because all that information is right there, and so often in these genres it just isn’t. He manages this without patronising the newbie or alienating readers experienced in the genre. In short, it’s a great read.
The students all had their own demons (surely an allegory for real life.) I was waiting for the poison pill, the one to screw things up for everyone else. There is a candidate, but I won’t spoil it. The real boo-hiss villain is Miriam, a cross between Cruella de Ville and that evil witch from The Emperor’s New Groove. Maybe she is a little too much of a caricature, but it’s a small point in a book of interesting characters and curious dilemmas, all set within the confines of a strange, maze-like building without any obvious means of escape. The students are a lively bunch, honey-toned Isaiah and his lascivious, blue-eyed demon, enraged Chris, unable to fully control his inner fire wolf, the anime-like Ning and ethereal Camila and Annabelle. All have spectacular skills which, if not harnessed, are a threat to civilisation. The atmosphere is eery, with beautiful descriptions as each display their power. The sexual tension between James and Isaiah is subtle rather than full-on. It was a fun, spooky, tense mix, with a good building of atmosphere and an exciting finale. A solid start to a promising series.
In a nutshell, we have James who has his own demons, namely guilt, grief and alcohol. The blurb describes him as an alcoholic, but I wouldn’t have gone that far. Yes, he uses drink to numb his pain, but he seems to function perfectly well once he has his five students on-side and they are fighting for survival. He only has a few months to get them under control and able to use their powers in a way convenient to a sinister organisation (CMRD – read blurb). If he fails, it’s curtains for all of them. I won’t say more because this is a review, not a synopsis, but you get the idea.
I love the way the author has made everything very clear. From the start, I knew what the modus was, and the problems James has to overcome in order to achieve it. I understood the difference between Arcanes and Elementals because all that information is right there, and so often in these genres it just isn’t. He manages this without patronising the newbie or alienating readers experienced in the genre. In short, it’s a great read.
The students all had their own demons (surely an allegory for real life.) I was waiting for the poison pill, the one to screw things up for everyone else. There is a candidate, but I won’t spoil it. The real boo-hiss villain is Miriam, a cross between Cruella de Ville and that evil witch from The Emperor’s New Groove. Maybe she is a little too much of a caricature, but it’s a small point in a book of interesting characters and curious dilemmas, all set within the confines of a strange, maze-like building without any obvious means of escape. The students are a lively bunch, honey-toned Isaiah and his lascivious, blue-eyed demon, enraged Chris, unable to fully control his inner fire wolf, the anime-like Ning and ethereal Camila and Annabelle. All have spectacular skills which, if not harnessed, are a threat to civilisation. The atmosphere is eery, with beautiful descriptions as each display their power. The sexual tension between James and Isaiah is subtle rather than full-on. It was a fun, spooky, tense mix, with a good building of atmosphere and an exciting finale. A solid start to a promising series.
August 8, 2018
Just floored by how much I loved this book. The character development alone is fascinating. Even if the kids ( young adults really) have some crazy scary abilities you can’t help but root for them. They are dark and complex, can be horribly frightening, but sweet and caring. And when the teacher is one big screw up, an alcoholic who is just done with the whole thing, well, what’s the worst thing that can happen? Quite a lot, and her name is Miriam. Action packed, the book really keeps you on the edge of your seat. Lives are on the line and the clock is counting down. I definitely recommend this book.
November 6, 2018
I'll let my review do most of the talking. Just know I read most of this in one sitting and stayed up way past my bedtime to finish. The ending was......W-O-W!!!!!!
You can see my full review here: Christinas-Bookshelf
You can see my full review here: Christinas-Bookshelf
January 10, 2019
Entertaining to the last page!
There's Action, there's adventure, magic, demons, love, and survival... it has it all. Definitely worth the read. J. P. Continues to intrigue me with each novel. I cannot wait for the sequel!
There's Action, there's adventure, magic, demons, love, and survival... it has it all. Definitely worth the read. J. P. Continues to intrigue me with each novel. I cannot wait for the sequel!
July 21, 2022
Just a couple of words
Just fantastic
Just fantastic
December 17, 2018
James is crawling into a booze bottle and trying to forget a lot… especially his ex and his old job working for the Facility. He is not happy to return - but to help his sister he sees no choice
And when he gets there, he’s shocked to see how much this Facility for developing the magically gifted has changed, and not for the better. The new subjects have “sponsors” who expect to take possession of their targets, the deadlines for being up to standard are impossibly short and the penalties for not meeting them are lethal
With five of the greatest magical talents ever known now being trained, it’s James’s job to ensure they meet their potential - and survive.
We have some really excellent concepts with this book - four distinct schools of magic with so much detail and world building that is really detailed and excellently written. I really do love the implications of each of the separate branches - especially the terrifying possessing demons and the entities that give power at such a terrible price
I’ve also seen very very few books truly give the sense of magic as dangerous - I mean I think we can really feel how dangerous and terrifying these powerful magic users are and how utterly terrifying they would be if they were out of control, how much there is a very real terror of the power and the entities around these magical young people.
Then you’ve got the practicality of running these facility. The huge expence of the training, the facilities, the staff everything all costs money - and who is paying for that? We can see the need for them to get money from somewhere. Through that lens then maybe, just maybe, the involvement of private companies and the military makes sense.
Together this gives such a real foundation for the facility and the story - yes there’s evil and yes there’s a whole lot of prejudice and Miriam is a terrible terrible person - but we can see why it makes sense to begin with, why a sensible and not totally evil person would make the compromises they do - to create this deeply flawed facility and why decent people would want to get involved. We can even see why people would advocate killing these young people - because they are terrifyingly dangerous individuals, some of them more than a little suicidal themselves
It also gives us a reason why James Martin wants to get involved - we have the hook of trying to help his sister, the underlying importance of what they’re doing, helping these 5 extremely powerful and dangerous young people learn how to control their powers is a definite need - before fully developing into saving them. I like how these underlying causes form the foundation of the plot and motivation and let James’s motivations develop more naturally. He doesn’t come in with the mentality of “burn it all down” but learns to become invested in all of his students, values them and increasingly sees the flaws in the facility driven by resources, driven by the desire of various organisations to exploit them and driven by Miriam’s prejudice both against magic users and against James as a gay man.
I love the characters here - each individual magic user with their own struggles: whether it’s terror of the demons possessing them, desperately trying to control their emotions which trigger their powers, learning coping mechanisms or just being overwhelmed by the sheer scale of their powers. Some just need to learn routines and draw an accord with the demon inside them while others are having difficult struggles with serious mental health issues that compound the problem, others have also turned to substance misuse. What I like is how the facility really serves as an excellent mirror to our own institutions and their failure to take into account problems people are having when trying to achieve their purpose - or the outright evil manipulation of the facts to railroad these youngsters. Chris has been incarcerated into the Facility with entirely false information about his lack of control in order to use him and, effectively, sell him. Camila is considered to have anger and control issues but they want her to control that without addressing her bipolar disorder: an impossible task and really reflects how often we fail to deal with all the issues that may affect someone’s life and instead just look at one - and how impossible this is.
If there’s one flaw in this book’s excellent depiction of the struggles these people have, it’s with both Isaiah and James’s substance misuse. Isaiah resorted to drugs to try and control his powers while James, after his sister’s issues and the death of his last lover resorted to alcohol. While James undergoes a detox (which is dangerous - alcohol withdrawal is not to be trifled with) both of them come through the struggle relatively easily and with little long term consequences even as we do see the underlying issues continue to cause them difficulty
Read More
And when he gets there, he’s shocked to see how much this Facility for developing the magically gifted has changed, and not for the better. The new subjects have “sponsors” who expect to take possession of their targets, the deadlines for being up to standard are impossibly short and the penalties for not meeting them are lethal
With five of the greatest magical talents ever known now being trained, it’s James’s job to ensure they meet their potential - and survive.
We have some really excellent concepts with this book - four distinct schools of magic with so much detail and world building that is really detailed and excellently written. I really do love the implications of each of the separate branches - especially the terrifying possessing demons and the entities that give power at such a terrible price
I’ve also seen very very few books truly give the sense of magic as dangerous - I mean I think we can really feel how dangerous and terrifying these powerful magic users are and how utterly terrifying they would be if they were out of control, how much there is a very real terror of the power and the entities around these magical young people.
Then you’ve got the practicality of running these facility. The huge expence of the training, the facilities, the staff everything all costs money - and who is paying for that? We can see the need for them to get money from somewhere. Through that lens then maybe, just maybe, the involvement of private companies and the military makes sense.
Together this gives such a real foundation for the facility and the story - yes there’s evil and yes there’s a whole lot of prejudice and Miriam is a terrible terrible person - but we can see why it makes sense to begin with, why a sensible and not totally evil person would make the compromises they do - to create this deeply flawed facility and why decent people would want to get involved. We can even see why people would advocate killing these young people - because they are terrifyingly dangerous individuals, some of them more than a little suicidal themselves
It also gives us a reason why James Martin wants to get involved - we have the hook of trying to help his sister, the underlying importance of what they’re doing, helping these 5 extremely powerful and dangerous young people learn how to control their powers is a definite need - before fully developing into saving them. I like how these underlying causes form the foundation of the plot and motivation and let James’s motivations develop more naturally. He doesn’t come in with the mentality of “burn it all down” but learns to become invested in all of his students, values them and increasingly sees the flaws in the facility driven by resources, driven by the desire of various organisations to exploit them and driven by Miriam’s prejudice both against magic users and against James as a gay man.
I love the characters here - each individual magic user with their own struggles: whether it’s terror of the demons possessing them, desperately trying to control their emotions which trigger their powers, learning coping mechanisms or just being overwhelmed by the sheer scale of their powers. Some just need to learn routines and draw an accord with the demon inside them while others are having difficult struggles with serious mental health issues that compound the problem, others have also turned to substance misuse. What I like is how the facility really serves as an excellent mirror to our own institutions and their failure to take into account problems people are having when trying to achieve their purpose - or the outright evil manipulation of the facts to railroad these youngsters. Chris has been incarcerated into the Facility with entirely false information about his lack of control in order to use him and, effectively, sell him. Camila is considered to have anger and control issues but they want her to control that without addressing her bipolar disorder: an impossible task and really reflects how often we fail to deal with all the issues that may affect someone’s life and instead just look at one - and how impossible this is.
If there’s one flaw in this book’s excellent depiction of the struggles these people have, it’s with both Isaiah and James’s substance misuse. Isaiah resorted to drugs to try and control his powers while James, after his sister’s issues and the death of his last lover resorted to alcohol. While James undergoes a detox (which is dangerous - alcohol withdrawal is not to be trifled with) both of them come through the struggle relatively easily and with little long term consequences even as we do see the underlying issues continue to cause them difficulty
Read More
August 4, 2018
I absolutely loved this book. The story is so much deeper and complex than the synopsis would lead one to believe. James, literally haunted by his past, only wants to do right by his students, but the CMRD isn't making it easy. To the CMRD the students are commodities, and the pressure on James is immense to turn them into profitable and marketable products. But with James's conscious never far from the surface, this story turns from a simple twisted fantasy world into a thrilling tale. Follow James as he does his best to save his students' lives - in any way possible. A must read!
Received as a gift
Received as a gift
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