The Wonders of Vale

Modern Magick #7

by Charlotte E. English

We’re all mad here... Dispatched overseas — far, far overseas — we're in hot water. Again. Following in the footsteps of a long-lost king, we're on the road to the mysterious Vales of Wonder. The upside? It's a hot-bed of magickal marvels, the likes of which we've literally never seen before. The downside? Danger. Because who ever said adventure would be easy? Fortunately, we have help. One reviled but aggravatingly handy beast check. One world-famous, awe-inspiring, purple-clad troll check. One perambulatory, half-mad house with a crush on check. Not to mention a magickal pup, an even more magickal unicorn, a talking book, a jewelled scroll-case map, a magic Wand, an ethereal faerie lyre, and an excitingly untested tool from the Society’s own hermit genius. With an arsenal like that, the mission can only be an unqualified success. Right...?

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Fiction, Magic, Urban Fantasy, Supernatural

171 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 14, 2018

About the author

English both by name and nationality, Charlotte hasn’t permitted emigration to the Netherlands to change her essential Britishness. She writes colourful fantasy novels over copious quantities of tea, and rarely misses an opportunity to apologise for something. Spanning the spectrum from light to dark, her works include the Draykon Series, Modern Magick, The Malykant Mysteries and the Tales of Aylfenhame.

Reviews

[Clarissa Gosling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is more like an episode than a complete story, but I don't care! give me more!

[Arnaud · Rating 5 out of 5]

That took a turn

Fantastic continuation of our heroes. This particular volume brought in some very good insights on magick in the world(s) of Brittain along with excellent characters development. It's been nothing but good development so far and the series is still going strong. Big thumbs up!

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oops, I forgot to mark this Read and review it, until several days later. Anyway, my opinion of the serial continues: it's fun, with likable protagonists, and creatively original, fantastical settings for them to visit.

This time, the cast includes a great new member of the team: a gigantic troll lady who's a famous scholar both Jay and Ves fan about, aged but still vigorous (hooray for not-young representation!), and the interesting dynamics of dealing with a hated ~former~ compatriot.

The fifth Britain, beyond the island their previous contact was limited to, is a fascinating mix, with a number of sentient races visibly integrated, without any of the modern tech taken for granted in Ves's normal world (or ours), but with omnipresent, highly developed magic taking its place in some ways. The plot involves an ethical issue in how the inhabitants of the fifth Britain treat the "resource" of their magical creatures.

We do find out more about the lyre gained last time out and, in an exciting climax, about what makes Ves special. I won't spoil the plot, but it is also a serial, so the episodic ending is not fully satisfying. Oh, and I don't really approve of one move Ves makes along the way (a lie) with the goal of stringing along some very questionable local "help".

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's back to the fifth Britain for Ves and Jay! This series keeps getting more exciting. Our heroes are looking for Torveston, the last King of Farringale. Their search leads them to adventures in the Wonders of Vale. They have help from the usual wonderful cast of quirky characters including Addie the unicorn, Mauf the talking book, pup, Millie the traveling house, and Milady and House and more. We are introduced to an eminent academic from the Troll court, Emellana Rogan and reacquainted with a magic lyre which shows us a special power of Ves'. This is a terrific series. If you haven't started with the first book, do yourself a favor, pick it up and read the series in order, you'll be glad that you did! I love this series.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, a favourably easy-to-read novel. The narratives just go into your brain so smoothly, but they aren't in any way basic or boring. If that's not good writing, what is?

This instalment, a bit more than the others, made me laugh so much. The whole magick-drunk storyline leads to some amazing surrealism and extremely funny imagery. English effectively keeps it believable in regards to the characters and the story as a whole, though, which is refreshing and impressive!

I've worried with some of the past plot points and twists whether they were integral to the over-arcing narrative or just substance-lacking haphazard money makers 😂😂 I was enraptured by the lyre and it's affect on Ves, though. That chapter really affected me; a definite point for AMAZING writing, there!

[Soirbleu · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Modern Magick series continues to be delightful, exciting, and adventuresome. The Wonders of Vale had the heroes exploring more of the mysterious 5th Britain, which was satisfying and interesting. They continued to get themselves into trouble (one of their most endearing traits), and to extricate themselves (eventually!). This book had a lot in common with its predecessor in the series; it involved a lot of wayward magick and strange side effects.

If you've been reading the Modern Magick series, it remains enjoyable overall, for sure.

[Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woooooow... okay, that was intense.

Do have to say, I felt for some seasoned practioners they were being extremely naive.

I also do have to say that I was immediately smitten by Emellana - she is just so cool. I found that I am still extremely miffed at Prince Alban, and that my shipping for Jay and Ves is at its highest right now (I knoooow, I'm so terrible).

[Steven Tryon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful, head-spinning romp through Way Too Much Magick.

[Teddi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay im moving up to 5 stars. So much imagination plus fun plus adventure plus magic. Potter fans and those who enjoy Jodi Taylor's books would probably like this series.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enchanting series. Love the characters.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's getting better and the characters more well rounded. Still have issues with the way it is written but it's engaging and fun.