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The Magician's Brother #1
The Magician's Brother
In my world, magic is an everyday thing. It's on street corners; it's in our schools, our homes and even our governments. Magic carpets share the sky with jets, international boxing shares air time with magical duellists. It's a whole mess, but then nobody consulted me before outing every mage on the planet.My twin brother is a Wizard, and thinks he's the only magician in the family. It's actually a little funny that he hasn't suspected anything different in the last seventeen years, what with my constantly needing to keep his idiot face out of danger and stupidity, but that's not today's problem.You see, someone's trying to kill him. It started off with a shadow monster that was all but immune to my magic attacking him at school, and it went steadily downhill from there, meandering through an encounter with a succubus (a species I was told categorically didn't exist anymore), to nearly getting abducted by murderous homeless men and blasted by the government's anti-magic police, and that was just Monday!While I'm trying to help the idiot, I'm also doing my level best to keep him from finding out about my own powers (which are frankly so sinister that I was terrified of my own shadow for the first decade of my life), and make sure that in my blundering about trying to solve a mystery I can't trust the Supernatural Crimes Authority to investigate correctly, I don't draw the attention of the people with horrific monsters at their beck and call.Family can be such a pain...
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 17, 2018
440 people are currently reading
959 people want to read
About the author
H.D.A. Roberts
9 books180 followershttps://www.facebook.com/The-Magician...
hdaroberts@gmail.com
hdaroberts@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
March 20, 2019
How do you get fooled by same trick 8 times
The book really deserves a 4.6 but, the MCs easy distraction by women through the entire book got annoying. I hope the author scales back on the obsession with sex. Amazing magic system I love that aspect, also you get a rare hero who is actually competent with his abilities which is rare to find bacuase most authors can't actually flessh out a magic system. Over all pretty good but the annoying parts hurt a little too much.
The book really deserves a 4.6 but, the MCs easy distraction by women through the entire book got annoying. I hope the author scales back on the obsession with sex. Amazing magic system I love that aspect, also you get a rare hero who is actually competent with his abilities which is rare to find bacuase most authors can't actually flessh out a magic system. Over all pretty good but the annoying parts hurt a little too much.
February 1, 2021
Left a less kind review after reading the first book and have edited after reading the sixth. The first book is the worst in the series.
It's a fairly juvenile power fantasy about a super-genius shadow mage who has kept his abilities secret for years to save his magician-jock brother's ego. With monsters targeting said brother, he has no choice but to save his life, too.
The author starts with a pretty shaky grasp of the semicolon (which improves) and characters other than the protagonist are entirely one-dimensional (which doesn't). Despite all this, it's a lot of fun, with great action and an engagingly snarky first-person point of view.
Later books add a sort of anime harem-comedy angle, with love-interests popping out of the woodwork. Not remotely pornographic, in fact rather implausibly innocent, which goes to what makes this series both good and bad. It's all about the combat, cleverness and snarky humour. Character development is entirely in service to that, so behaviour can turn on a dime if it suits a running gag or kicks off a battle. The treatment of the brother, Desmond, is particularly egregious; he's a prop to be picked up as needed for a plot twist, altered as needed to fit the story and then dropped again.
Foreshadowing is clumsy in the extreme but the big events, when they occur, are fun enough that it doesn't matter. Can't wait for the next one.
It's a fairly juvenile power fantasy about a super-genius shadow mage who has kept his abilities secret for years to save his magician-jock brother's ego. With monsters targeting said brother, he has no choice but to save his life, too.
The author starts with a pretty shaky grasp of the semicolon (which improves) and characters other than the protagonist are entirely one-dimensional (which doesn't). Despite all this, it's a lot of fun, with great action and an engagingly snarky first-person point of view.
Later books add a sort of anime harem-comedy angle, with love-interests popping out of the woodwork. Not remotely pornographic, in fact rather implausibly innocent, which goes to what makes this series both good and bad. It's all about the combat, cleverness and snarky humour. Character development is entirely in service to that, so behaviour can turn on a dime if it suits a running gag or kicks off a battle. The treatment of the brother, Desmond, is particularly egregious; he's a prop to be picked up as needed for a plot twist, altered as needed to fit the story and then dropped again.
Foreshadowing is clumsy in the extreme but the big events, when they occur, are fun enough that it doesn't matter. Can't wait for the next one.
August 4, 2018
The strangest things about the novel are how quickly one gets involved in the rather complex plots and spells, and also how (or why) the descriptive passages seem like something out of elaborate video games. I don't even play with video games, but pictures in my mind while reading all had that colorful complexity of contemporary games. The characters, from the teen narrator main magical fellow to the imaginary creatures he and others create, hold one's interest, helping the plot to work. Overall, the book is enjoyable, and the set up for the sequel is intriguing.
January 4, 2019
38% and I can't stand any more. MC is just awful. He supposed to be smart, but time and again acts plain stupid. And he is a terrible pushover. He has power, smarts (theoretically), so he should stand up for himself, right? PATHETIC.
November 12, 2018
When I started reading this, I did not realize it was YA. Despite this, the book is quite interesting. Characters are amusing, the plot is fast paced, and relatively interesting.
The greatest detraction is really the hallmark of YA: blushing virgin protagonist, idiotic heroic main character, general inability to kill people because "bad", self sacrifice to the point of stupidity, etc etc.
Overall, I think a teenager would really enjoy this book. But to me Matthew was a freaking idiot even for his age. I don't think I was that naive at 13, let alone 17. But then that may be the only way to humanize a clearly powerful figure.
Due to my dislike of Matthew I would give it 3.5 but in consideration that it is a YA it is probably a 4.
As a minor spoiler I was curious if Matthew took the smart path and read the first 20 pages of the next book. He did not. The first sentence was bullshit.
The greatest detraction is really the hallmark of YA: blushing virgin protagonist, idiotic heroic main character, general inability to kill people because "bad", self sacrifice to the point of stupidity, etc etc.
Overall, I think a teenager would really enjoy this book. But to me Matthew was a freaking idiot even for his age. I don't think I was that naive at 13, let alone 17. But then that may be the only way to humanize a clearly powerful figure.
Due to my dislike of Matthew I would give it 3.5 but in consideration that it is a YA it is probably a 4.
As a minor spoiler I was curious if Matthew took the smart path and read the first 20 pages of the next book. He did not. The first sentence was bullshit.
July 24, 2018
This was hilarious! An almost non-stop roller coaster of action with lots of humour. Matthew is the type of endearing main character who's both clever and stupid. Clever with regards to learning and stupid with regards to girls and women, but then, as he would say, "he's only a teenage boy".
I can't wait for the sequel!!
I can't wait for the sequel!!
May 1, 2024
While this book has several weaknesses endemic to YA magical academy stories, the writing comes across as polished.
Many characters are paper cut-outs, including the titular magician, but several central figures are well fleshed out. The world-building is adequate and the magic system is promising. The pacing is excellent, with the plot waxing and waning while being drawn along with modest foreshadowing.
It seems that the ultimate destination of the protagonist is obvious but there are plenty of layers left to peel in this setting. I look forward to learning more.
Many characters are paper cut-outs, including the titular magician, but several central figures are well fleshed out. The world-building is adequate and the magic system is promising. The pacing is excellent, with the plot waxing and waning while being drawn along with modest foreshadowing.
It seems that the ultimate destination of the protagonist is obvious but there are plenty of layers left to peel in this setting. I look forward to learning more.
February 23, 2024
This seems like an origin story for the bad guy, yet 'The Magician's Brother' leaves you guessing. Set in a world where magic is every day, it follows a protagonist with secret dark powers trying to protect his wizard brother from danger. The mix of action, humour, and family drama makes it an intriguing read, leaving open the possibility that he might become a hero or a villain in future books. It's a compelling start to a series that blurs the lines between good and evil.
April 26, 2020
7.5/10, rounded up to 4/5
Ok so the main character of this book is undoubtedly a 'Gary Stu' type of character; his magic and intelligence is leagues ahead of his peers and most of his superiors, and every female character he meets is very attractive and most of them end up being attracted to him in some form. Does all this make him a boring character to follow?
Fortunately no, as his wit and humour is quick and dry and make him highly entertaining, and nearly every dangerous situation he finds himself in is entirely his fault, and he freely admits this, along with his hormone-driven seventeen year old brain which also gets him in trouble. These things and many more help to make the main character feel a little more relatable and a little less godlike and untouchable.
The world that has been built here is pretty bare bones, but this is countered with a decently well thought out magic system that is simple enough to be able to follow and understand, and complex enough to allow surprises and clever maneuvering to still provide satisfactory conclusions to the many conflicts.
Speaking of the many conflicts however, they came too often and too quickly in this book. The pacing after the first few chapters is blisteringly fast and just too overwhelming, so much so that even only an hour after having finished the book, I have forgotten many of said conflicts and what I do remember is jumbled up in my mind so that I can barely remember the order they happened in.
Overall, despite these flaws, and despite having committed what many consider to be the greatest sin in fantasy by writing a Gary Stu, I had a huge amount of fun with this book, and I will definitely be picking up the next soon.
Ok so the main character of this book is undoubtedly a 'Gary Stu' type of character; his magic and intelligence is leagues ahead of his peers and most of his superiors, and every female character he meets is very attractive and most of them end up being attracted to him in some form. Does all this make him a boring character to follow?
Fortunately no, as his wit and humour is quick and dry and make him highly entertaining, and nearly every dangerous situation he finds himself in is entirely his fault, and he freely admits this, along with his hormone-driven seventeen year old brain which also gets him in trouble. These things and many more help to make the main character feel a little more relatable and a little less godlike and untouchable.
The world that has been built here is pretty bare bones, but this is countered with a decently well thought out magic system that is simple enough to be able to follow and understand, and complex enough to allow surprises and clever maneuvering to still provide satisfactory conclusions to the many conflicts.
Speaking of the many conflicts however, they came too often and too quickly in this book. The pacing after the first few chapters is blisteringly fast and just too overwhelming, so much so that even only an hour after having finished the book, I have forgotten many of said conflicts and what I do remember is jumbled up in my mind so that I can barely remember the order they happened in.
Overall, despite these flaws, and despite having committed what many consider to be the greatest sin in fantasy by writing a Gary Stu, I had a huge amount of fun with this book, and I will definitely be picking up the next soon.
July 18, 2020
I am interested in enough in the story but.. Well... There is some glaringly stupid ish in there. At this point the author is writing characters I find interesting along with good outlines to stories. But a LOT of the details are just... Beyond stupid. The writer wanted a certain thing to happen and just did it... With absolutely no effort into making it seem remotely plausible in the world they have outlined so far. All of this is of course just my opinion. And Im not finished the book yet. But I wanted to capture these impressions as Im at about the midpoint and might lose them by the end. It would not surprise me at all of my rating went up or down a point by the time all was said and done.
In the end this book maintained its two stars. Barely. But I couldnt get half way into the second book. The author has potential for entertaining me as a writer I think but this stuff so far? Just isnt my speed. I want more from a writer than "because plot" as an explanation for extremely impossible or willfully stupid behavior that doesn't remotely match the situation or character. That is how too much of this felt to me.
In the end this book maintained its two stars. Barely. But I couldnt get half way into the second book. The author has potential for entertaining me as a writer I think but this stuff so far? Just isnt my speed. I want more from a writer than "because plot" as an explanation for extremely impossible or willfully stupid behavior that doesn't remotely match the situation or character. That is how too much of this felt to me.
March 15, 2019
Totally enjoying this series
Twins. One is the self taught magical prodigy navigating high school incognito in order to support his brother. He's seen as the nearly invisible mundane, while his brother is the magical bmoc. The thing I most like is that the predictable isn't. There's so much that I really haven't come across before. The characters are really well developed and the storyline has depth and complexity. The emotional landscape is impressive.
I found myself thinking about "The King Henry Tapes". Both series have an especially talented young mage discovering and developing his gifts. There are some shared tropes (ones which I happen to like) but the scenarios differ. You find yourself genuinely liking the MCs, although "likabilty" is the one thing that pretty much eludes them throughout the story line.
Twins. One is the self taught magical prodigy navigating high school incognito in order to support his brother. He's seen as the nearly invisible mundane, while his brother is the magical bmoc. The thing I most like is that the predictable isn't. There's so much that I really haven't come across before. The characters are really well developed and the storyline has depth and complexity. The emotional landscape is impressive.
I found myself thinking about "The King Henry Tapes". Both series have an especially talented young mage discovering and developing his gifts. There are some shared tropes (ones which I happen to like) but the scenarios differ. You find yourself genuinely liking the MCs, although "likabilty" is the one thing that pretty much eludes them throughout the story line.
August 5, 2025
Why did I wait so long to read this?
This was the book that I have been waiting for and had no idea that I was.
It has a few grammatical errors, sure.
It has dumb teenage bullies, duh.
It has a lead that isn't worried about recognition or praise when he does the right thing. Modesty in a teenager, surely not. Plus, the blurb doesn't read as just another high school drama which says a lot about this book. The drama is real. The consequences are dire. The action is on point.
Recommended for those into: modest but smarmy leads with a bit of a hero complex, drama, twins, high school/boarding schools, kickass magic, world building, and honest to goodness awesome action.
This was the book that I have been waiting for and had no idea that I was.
It has a few grammatical errors, sure.
It has dumb teenage bullies, duh.
It has a lead that isn't worried about recognition or praise when he does the right thing. Modesty in a teenager, surely not. Plus, the blurb doesn't read as just another high school drama which says a lot about this book. The drama is real. The consequences are dire. The action is on point.
Recommended for those into: modest but smarmy leads with a bit of a hero complex, drama, twins, high school/boarding schools, kickass magic, world building, and honest to goodness awesome action.
March 4, 2019
Total 5 but
This book was great. Would have been a five star with the unique story line and interesting characters. The author gives room for a lot of character development throughout the series and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. Total 5 star book except for grammar/structure problems. I think the author wrote some sentences in one tense and when it was edited there were some changes that weren’t completely fixed. Fix them and you’ve got a solid book.
This book was great. Would have been a five star with the unique story line and interesting characters. The author gives room for a lot of character development throughout the series and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. Total 5 star book except for grammar/structure problems. I think the author wrote some sentences in one tense and when it was edited there were some changes that weren’t completely fixed. Fix them and you’ve got a solid book.
April 2, 2019
Intelligence is rarely so well written
An intelligent main character, who is insightful enough to recognize their own faults, is rarely written well. Most of the time the lapses in judgement happen without the character noticing or acknowledging them. I'm impressed in how realistic most of the people in this book were, and look forward to seeing more of their story.
An intelligent main character, who is insightful enough to recognize their own faults, is rarely written well. Most of the time the lapses in judgement happen without the character noticing or acknowledging them. I'm impressed in how realistic most of the people in this book were, and look forward to seeing more of their story.
March 31, 2019
Good read
The book was a fast and easy read. All the situations the main character gets into seem to flow naturally. And there are enough loose ends to look forward to next book. The author also leaves good clues about what will likely happen in future books.
The book was a fast and easy read. All the situations the main character gets into seem to flow naturally. And there are enough loose ends to look forward to next book. The author also leaves good clues about what will likely happen in future books.
March 10, 2019
Very good book!!
I don't know who will see this ,but on Kindle it is hard to find a good well written book,This is one of those books!! I enjoyed it very much and can't wait to read the next!!!
I don't know who will see this ,but on Kindle it is hard to find a good well written book,This is one of those books!! I enjoyed it very much and can't wait to read the next!!!
March 1, 2019
Awesome old Tale
This is the ole story of twin brother's one a Light the other a Shadow mage. It is set in modern times with the Supernatural out of the closet. Great Story
This is the ole story of twin brother's one a Light the other a Shadow mage. It is set in modern times with the Supernatural out of the closet. Great Story
February 26, 2019
Fun times and all the magic you can imagine.
What a great way to spend some quiet time! Fresh plot, roomy characters, and just the right amount of sex appeal. Did see some small editing issues but they didn't detract from the story line. Enjoyed this book. Lots of fun going on! Onto book 2.
What a great way to spend some quiet time! Fresh plot, roomy characters, and just the right amount of sex appeal. Did see some small editing issues but they didn't detract from the story line. Enjoyed this book. Lots of fun going on! Onto book 2.
February 28, 2019
The Magicians Brother
Fun, fast paced and amazing! Great characters, storyline and many laugh out load moments. Can't wait to read book 2.
Fun, fast paced and amazing! Great characters, storyline and many laugh out load moments. Can't wait to read book 2.
February 18, 2019
Incredible read
Very few time do I finish a boom as soon as I pick it up. That was the case with this novel. It caught my interest perfectly and is extremely well written and paced. I’m going to go back and buy it since I got it on KU . The main character is likable and not arrogant with a very motivation and flaws. I don’t want to ruin it it by saying more, read it for yourself.
Very few time do I finish a boom as soon as I pick it up. That was the case with this novel. It caught my interest perfectly and is extremely well written and paced. I’m going to go back and buy it since I got it on KU . The main character is likable and not arrogant with a very motivation and flaws. I don’t want to ruin it it by saying more, read it for yourself.
June 12, 2022
Despite my status saying read, I didn't. I got 6 pages in. Everything from the format to the errors upsets me. There were 3 errors in 6 f*cking pages. And yeah, that is my pet peeve, but a well-deserved one. When I start a book, I expect it to be set up in a way that is pleasing to the eye (not looking like it was printed straight off of Google Docs), has little to no spelling or grammar errors (again, 3. Errors. In. 6. Pages.), and has a good plot. The one thing that the author nailed was the plot. If the other 2 problems had have been taken care of, I'm sure that I would've loved this book. I would've finished it. I just cannot deal with those problems. *sighs in annoyance and pinches nose*
December 3, 2022
What a pleasant surprise!
I have to admit that I started my reading of The Magician's Brother with the same (low?) expectations as with any other YA/Urban Fantasy book... they are kind of run-of-the-mill dime-a-dozen [insert any other cliche to taste].
But no!
First of all, the dry British sense of humor is oozing from every sentence and I found myself not just chuckling, but outright laughing at times. The storyline is quite familiar from other similar series... but the delightful dry sarcasm is so refreshing if feels like something new.
I did not expect anything beyond a three or at most a weak four-star rating, but for the reasons mentioned above and the OUTSTANDING narration by Kevin Kemp I gladly gave it the full bag of five gold stars.
I have to admit that I started my reading of The Magician's Brother with the same (low?) expectations as with any other YA/Urban Fantasy book... they are kind of run-of-the-mill dime-a-dozen [insert any other cliche to taste].
But no!
First of all, the dry British sense of humor is oozing from every sentence and I found myself not just chuckling, but outright laughing at times. The storyline is quite familiar from other similar series... but the delightful dry sarcasm is so refreshing if feels like something new.
I did not expect anything beyond a three or at most a weak four-star rating, but for the reasons mentioned above and the OUTSTANDING narration by Kevin Kemp I gladly gave it the full bag of five gold stars.
February 19, 2019
Fun, Fast Paced Read
This book was a great read. A mage school book, yet not to teen focused to be boring for the adult reader. The main character seemed to have it a bit too easy at times, but doesn't really take way the fun factor. Solid 4 stars.
This book was a great read. A mage school book, yet not to teen focused to be boring for the adult reader. The main character seemed to have it a bit too easy at times, but doesn't really take way the fun factor. Solid 4 stars.
October 18, 2018
Awesome!
First, there were some minor spelling and grammar moments but some of that can be from different English dialects(US vs UK). I really enjoyed reading this book. This story captivated me so much that I had to finish before going to sleep. The main character was powerful but not omnipotent. Would like to see more of the "magic" theory explained. I would recommend this book to anyone who magic, adventure, and conspiracies.
First, there were some minor spelling and grammar moments but some of that can be from different English dialects(US vs UK). I really enjoyed reading this book. This story captivated me so much that I had to finish before going to sleep. The main character was powerful but not omnipotent. Would like to see more of the "magic" theory explained. I would recommend this book to anyone who magic, adventure, and conspiracies.
March 24, 2019
If you've ever been bullied DO NOT READ THIS BOOK
Have you ever thought about what these tortuous bullying scenes would do to someone who has issues the PTSD?
I was enjoying the book until the main character gets punched, beaten and his clothes burned. By that point, I was sobbing uncontrollably.
This book needs a warning.
Have you ever thought about what these tortuous bullying scenes would do to someone who has issues the PTSD?
I was enjoying the book until the main character gets punched, beaten and his clothes burned. By that point, I was sobbing uncontrollably.
This book needs a warning.
September 23, 2023
I wanted to like this book. I really did. The premise of the book is very interesting. However there were several times that the author did some lazy writing "I won't bore you with the details..." is mentioned many more times than I would like.
July 29, 2018
Best book this summer.
Great book! Can't wait for second.
Took time out of 3day vacation to read this book.
Couldn't put it down.
Great book! Can't wait for second.
Took time out of 3day vacation to read this book.
Couldn't put it down.
November 6, 2018
Great story!
Got hooked on this series! Great action and storyline. Always been drawn to stories with strong characters that have principles. Looking forward to the next one.
Got hooked on this series! Great action and storyline. Always been drawn to stories with strong characters that have principles. Looking forward to the next one.
January 20, 2019
Wow
I loved it. The magic system rocks. I have bought the next 2 already. On my list as one of my new favorite authors.
I loved it. The magic system rocks. I have bought the next 2 already. On my list as one of my new favorite authors.
March 13, 2023
it's so bad it's hilarious, which makes it kinda good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews