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Lochlan Ellyll #1
Magic Required
Lochlan learned the hard way.
Power attracts enemies. So does fighting shoulder to shoulder with a God. But that was a long time ago - a past he's worked hard to bury.
Now, in the Year 2047, Lochlan takes the public bus to his soul-sucking job answering phones. He lives to remain unnoticed.
Then the visions started. Prophetic visions. That's when he knew the Old World had found him again.
These weren't the fun kind of visions either. They were the watch-people-die kind, the try-to-stop-it-before-it-happened kind, the maybe-save-some-lives kind.
These visions were powerful. And, as Lochlan had learned the hard way, power attracts enemies.
MAGIC REQUIRED is the first in a planned series of five.
Power attracts enemies. So does fighting shoulder to shoulder with a God. But that was a long time ago - a past he's worked hard to bury.
Now, in the Year 2047, Lochlan takes the public bus to his soul-sucking job answering phones. He lives to remain unnoticed.
Then the visions started. Prophetic visions. That's when he knew the Old World had found him again.
These weren't the fun kind of visions either. They were the watch-people-die kind, the try-to-stop-it-before-it-happened kind, the maybe-save-some-lives kind.
These visions were powerful. And, as Lochlan had learned the hard way, power attracts enemies.
MAGIC REQUIRED is the first in a planned series of five.
- GenresFantasyUrban Fantasy
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 26, 2018
32 people are currently reading
254 people want to read
About the author
H.S. Paisley
4 books52 followersHS PAISLEY IS IN LOVE WITH STORIES. Growing up in a bi-racial blended family in Toronto, Canada, Paisley can remember well the shelves of books around the house. More importantly to her, she remembers the extensive collection of books on tape.
That’s right, books on cassette tapes.
She was obsessed. Listening to those stories, and writing her own, Paisley was hooked. From Harry Potter to Anne Rice, Jurassic Park to Kinsey Millhone, Paisley loved them all.
As a writer, basketball player, actor, pianist, and YouTuber, Paisley shuns the idea of staying in your lane and encourages others to do the same.
Ignore the nay-sayers and “don’t let the muggles get you down.”
That’s right, books on cassette tapes.
She was obsessed. Listening to those stories, and writing her own, Paisley was hooked. From Harry Potter to Anne Rice, Jurassic Park to Kinsey Millhone, Paisley loved them all.
As a writer, basketball player, actor, pianist, and YouTuber, Paisley shuns the idea of staying in your lane and encourages others to do the same.
Ignore the nay-sayers and “don’t let the muggles get you down.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
July 7, 2019
"The decided water would be the way I died. But I swam anyways."
The opening lines of the novel were enough to let me know that I had picked up a good read. H S Paisley's Magic Required follows Lochlan Ellyll who has visions of deaths which haunt him. I liked three things the most about the book - language, plot and character sketch. The language is typical to most fantasy novels- and manages to instill confidence and assert a strong tone. Any reader will be able to read, relate and take inspiration from several chapters of the book.
Celtic stories and folk tales have always interested me and this novel brings magic to life- in this book Magic is a living entity. In this futuristic novel, the protagonist is a demi God unwilling to come to terms with the past, haunted by nightmares and dilemmas - and it is his flaws that attract me to him. This brings me to the characterisation of the book - within a few chapters you realise that Lochlan's character is very well built-especially because reading about unreal heroes is too cliche and although Lochlan is a brave and strong character- his flaws make him a perfect character.
There are several characters in the novel which add dimension to the plot and I love the fact that the author didn't go all in on just the hero. The author has mingled mythology with contemporary and futuristic themes to create a novel of it's own kind and I would love to read more from her!
Some parts probably could have been more polished - and some themes better dealt with but I liked the majority of the novel! You should totally get this book on Amazon.
The opening lines of the novel were enough to let me know that I had picked up a good read. H S Paisley's Magic Required follows Lochlan Ellyll who has visions of deaths which haunt him. I liked three things the most about the book - language, plot and character sketch. The language is typical to most fantasy novels- and manages to instill confidence and assert a strong tone. Any reader will be able to read, relate and take inspiration from several chapters of the book.
Celtic stories and folk tales have always interested me and this novel brings magic to life- in this book Magic is a living entity. In this futuristic novel, the protagonist is a demi God unwilling to come to terms with the past, haunted by nightmares and dilemmas - and it is his flaws that attract me to him. This brings me to the characterisation of the book - within a few chapters you realise that Lochlan's character is very well built-especially because reading about unreal heroes is too cliche and although Lochlan is a brave and strong character- his flaws make him a perfect character.
There are several characters in the novel which add dimension to the plot and I love the fact that the author didn't go all in on just the hero. The author has mingled mythology with contemporary and futuristic themes to create a novel of it's own kind and I would love to read more from her!
Some parts probably could have been more polished - and some themes better dealt with but I liked the majority of the novel! You should totally get this book on Amazon.
June 8, 2020
📚 Hello book friends! I finished listening to Magic Required by H.S. Paisley. Canadian author H.S. Paisley contacted me and asked if I would be willing to listen to her audiobook and provide a review. After reading the synopsis, I knew this book would be one that I would like. The recording of the audiobook is of high quality and well-executed. The narrator did an awesome job of emanating the emotions of the characters by modulating his voice. I really enjoyed this fantasy story. Lochlan Ellyll is a triplet, son of a demon god. He has lived an exceptionally long life and is particularly good at hiding who he is to the humans surrounding him. He has very few friends and lives mostly a solitary life. When he reconnects with the woman he used to be in love with and finds out that her life is in danger, his world is put upside down and he will do all he can to protect her. The story is well delivered and has all the right elements: action, drama, surprises, magic, and love. I recommend this exciting book. This is the first book in the Lochlan Ellyll series.
🙋🏼♀️ Thank you, H.S. Paisley for sending me this audio copy of your fantastic book. Magic Required by H.S. Paisley is available in print and audio format.
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April 9, 2019
Smooth writing and great characters. It's set in 2047 and is about this demi god who's running from his past, and staying in sort of hiding until he starts getting prophetic visions.
Written in first-person perspective, it makes an enjoyable reading. Would totally go for the next book. It's 5 book series, planned.
Written in first-person perspective, it makes an enjoyable reading. Would totally go for the next book. It's 5 book series, planned.
June 6, 2019
Magic Required is a sci-fi/fantasy blend with a really cool concept. It is set in the future, but the main character is a celtic demi-god who keeps having visions of people dying. It includes a wonderfully diverse cast of characters and really interesting mythology, which we find out more about as the book continues. There was a lot that I liked here, but my main issue with this was the pacing.
Many moments of the book were quite interesting and compelling (like when Lochlan has visions and then acts on them), but interspersed with extended scenes of day-to-day life and character interaction that were kind of boring and often felt unnecessary. I would love to have seen some of that character development tightened so that we got more action and mystery, which are really the strengths of the book. Some scenes (like one involving karaoke in a gay bar) felt a little bit jarring, almost like a genre mismatch. Not bad scenes in general, just not always ones that fit easily into the flow of the book.
On the other hand, we get fleshed out characters who are people of color (some of whom actually speak Spanish in the book) and solid friendships. The world is interesting as well and I liked the merging of magic and technology and discussions of how they do and don't work together. (Would like to get more of this! It is also a socially conscious book that addresses issues like prejudice and immigration policy, which feels very relevant. There is a lot to like here, just with a good bit of unnecessary content which took away from further development in other areas.
So while I liked the characters, the story, the diversity, the mythology etc., I would have liked to see the excess material edited so that this could either become a novella, or get an expanded storyline. I believe this is a debut indie author, so I am interested in seeing where she goes in the future because it really just needs polishing. I did receive a copy of this book for review from the author. All opinions are my own.
Many moments of the book were quite interesting and compelling (like when Lochlan has visions and then acts on them), but interspersed with extended scenes of day-to-day life and character interaction that were kind of boring and often felt unnecessary. I would love to have seen some of that character development tightened so that we got more action and mystery, which are really the strengths of the book. Some scenes (like one involving karaoke in a gay bar) felt a little bit jarring, almost like a genre mismatch. Not bad scenes in general, just not always ones that fit easily into the flow of the book.
On the other hand, we get fleshed out characters who are people of color (some of whom actually speak Spanish in the book) and solid friendships. The world is interesting as well and I liked the merging of magic and technology and discussions of how they do and don't work together. (Would like to get more of this! It is also a socially conscious book that addresses issues like prejudice and immigration policy, which feels very relevant. There is a lot to like here, just with a good bit of unnecessary content which took away from further development in other areas.
So while I liked the characters, the story, the diversity, the mythology etc., I would have liked to see the excess material edited so that this could either become a novella, or get an expanded storyline. I believe this is a debut indie author, so I am interested in seeing where she goes in the future because it really just needs polishing. I did receive a copy of this book for review from the author. All opinions are my own.
November 23, 2018
I really enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next in the series! HS Paisley has created a future world that feels real and believable with an exciting twist of the fantastic. The characters are really well crafted and create a fun and entertaining banter to accompany the action. As the novel progresses you get a sense of the rich and exciting world HS Paisley has created, with gifted humans, demi-gods and magic but also deeply felt emotions and relationships between characters. This is an author to watch and I look forward to their next book!
February 25, 2019
I used to fight with Gods. And now I’m hacking home systems.
Firstly, I want to thank the author for kindly sending me a copy.
I quite liked this book actually. It had a really interesting plot and the idea that the main character is a relation to the Old Gods, a fact that plays a big part of the storyline is very intriguing.
Although there isn’t a LOT of background on some of the other characters, they were likeable and you are easily invested in them.
Something else I really liked was the slightly futuristic world it’s set in and the mix of fantasy and mythology to make it something completely new.
I think it’s a good start to the series and has such great potential!
Firstly, I want to thank the author for kindly sending me a copy.
I quite liked this book actually. It had a really interesting plot and the idea that the main character is a relation to the Old Gods, a fact that plays a big part of the storyline is very intriguing.
Although there isn’t a LOT of background on some of the other characters, they were likeable and you are easily invested in them.
Something else I really liked was the slightly futuristic world it’s set in and the mix of fantasy and mythology to make it something completely new.
I think it’s a good start to the series and has such great potential!
January 1, 2021
A few months ago I got the opportunity to read the second book of this series as an advance reader. At the time I was worried that because I hadn't read this one I'll have a hard time following the story. My fears were unfounded and I ended up enjoying Dominion Required. So when I had a few free hours I decided to see how the events mentioned in DR really unfolded.
Reading Magic Required was a bit weird as I already knew the highlights of the story. However that ended up being a great thing as it let me slow down and really enjoy the details instead of being driven to read faster by the need to know what will happen. It was kind of like when you're re-reading a book you've read long ago and you only remember certain events.
Based on Dominion Required I had some preconceptions about how things will unfold that proved rather inaccurate. For example I expected that all the main characters would already have a tight knit group formed at the start of this adventure. Or that at least one of them would know about Lochlan's origins. Let me say that the way things were actually written was much better and provided the background of the story in a much more structured way. it also let the information flow in a smooth stream to be easily absorbed by the reader.
What I loved most were the characters and while they could be more polished/better fleshed out it in no way diminished my enjoyment of the book. I also liked how some currently relevant themes were partially explored - immigration, xenophobia and homophobia are all still present (let's try to make sure this stays fiction and in 2047 we've moved past such idiocy) in this world. It added some realism to the story but they were mentioned in passing so I'm hoping that they'll be explored more in the context of the story at a later point.
Overall if you like Celtic myths but without too much delving in the details of the mythology I would recommend you give this series a chance. Especially if you like books that are mostly character driven.
Reading Magic Required was a bit weird as I already knew the highlights of the story. However that ended up being a great thing as it let me slow down and really enjoy the details instead of being driven to read faster by the need to know what will happen. It was kind of like when you're re-reading a book you've read long ago and you only remember certain events.
Based on Dominion Required I had some preconceptions about how things will unfold that proved rather inaccurate. For example I expected that all the main characters would already have a tight knit group formed at the start of this adventure. Or that at least one of them would know about Lochlan's origins. Let me say that the way things were actually written was much better and provided the background of the story in a much more structured way. it also let the information flow in a smooth stream to be easily absorbed by the reader.
What I loved most were the characters and while they could be more polished/better fleshed out it in no way diminished my enjoyment of the book. I also liked how some currently relevant themes were partially explored - immigration, xenophobia and homophobia are all still present (let's try to make sure this stays fiction and in 2047 we've moved past such idiocy) in this world. It added some realism to the story but they were mentioned in passing so I'm hoping that they'll be explored more in the context of the story at a later point.
Overall if you like Celtic myths but without too much delving in the details of the mythology I would recommend you give this series a chance. Especially if you like books that are mostly character driven.
November 24, 2018
Absolutely loved H.S. Paisely’s first novel of the debuting series, “Magic Required”. The quick read continually sparked my curiosity - a real page turner that had me finishing the book within a few days. H.S. Paisley ties fiction and reality beautifully as she creates a futuristic world that somehow makes you feel like you’ve been there before. Adding to that, the descriptions of setting, mood, and the dialogue between characters was extremely relatable, allowing for a painted picture in my mind throughout. The novel takes the reader on an adventure of mystery and action, while progressively giving Tim bits about the backstory of the protagonist and how that fits into the context of the series. The character development is very well thought out, and the interactions between them are woderfully diverse - allowing for the reader to see the characters from all sides. There were a couple scenes that painted a huge smile on my face, and had me feeling the same way I imagined the characters feeling at the time. Overall, was an awesome read! Can’t wait for the next one!
September 30, 2020
I was given an advanced copy from HS Paisley for an honest review, and I have to say.. I really enjoyed this read! I finished it in 3 days, but it would have been sooner if life and sleep didn’t get in the way.. I didn’t want to put it down. If you like magic mixed with old mythology, you will enjoy this as much as I did!!
I really liked how it started off not having a big, long, boring, backstory. Paisley did a very good job of putting a lot of import details throughout the story as it was being told. We learned a lot about Loch’s past at the same time other characters did, which was enjoyable for me.
The storyline never fell flat. There was always something fun, interesting, and mysterious happening, that all came together at the end. Every character had their own personality and impact to the story line and I luved every one of them!
The book didn’t end on some huge cliffhanger (which is refreshing) but left you knowing there is definitely more to come!
Thank you so much for allowing me to read your babey early and I really cannot wait for the next book!
I really liked how it started off not having a big, long, boring, backstory. Paisley did a very good job of putting a lot of import details throughout the story as it was being told. We learned a lot about Loch’s past at the same time other characters did, which was enjoyable for me.
The storyline never fell flat. There was always something fun, interesting, and mysterious happening, that all came together at the end. Every character had their own personality and impact to the story line and I luved every one of them!
The book didn’t end on some huge cliffhanger (which is refreshing) but left you knowing there is definitely more to come!
Thank you so much for allowing me to read your babey early and I really cannot wait for the next book!
January 17, 2019
Intriguing magical details and loveable characters!
Let me start by saying that I absolutely loved this story and I need more! We start off by being introduced to the main character, Lochlan Ellyll, in a way that hooks you into continuing the story just so you can keep learning about him and his magical abilities among this futuristic (yet still believable) world the author has presented. I loved the way the author gradually introduced each supporting character. It wasn't overwhelming and it helped me learn enough about them to determine whether I liked them or not. Between them all, Jenner and Camile are my favorites! It might have something to do with them being Latinx and me being able to relate to that, but also, they're hilarious and any dialogue that included them had me smiling! Most importantly though, I loved the magical details of this story and the folklore included. It kept me reading and by the end, it left me wanting more. I honestly cant wait for the next book in the series. An interesting quick read and a page turner that I highly recommend!
Let me start by saying that I absolutely loved this story and I need more! We start off by being introduced to the main character, Lochlan Ellyll, in a way that hooks you into continuing the story just so you can keep learning about him and his magical abilities among this futuristic (yet still believable) world the author has presented. I loved the way the author gradually introduced each supporting character. It wasn't overwhelming and it helped me learn enough about them to determine whether I liked them or not. Between them all, Jenner and Camile are my favorites! It might have something to do with them being Latinx and me being able to relate to that, but also, they're hilarious and any dialogue that included them had me smiling! Most importantly though, I loved the magical details of this story and the folklore included. It kept me reading and by the end, it left me wanting more. I honestly cant wait for the next book in the series. An interesting quick read and a page turner that I highly recommend!
January 22, 2019
This was a great novel, and an exciting start to a new series! Details on the futurist and ancient world Paisley has created are carefully introduced throughout the book, allowing you to discover it gradually while keeping focus on the characters and narrative.
Looking forward to seeing where the story goes!
Looking forward to seeing where the story goes!
March 19, 2019
Loved it! This book is an easy page turner. The plot is both entertaining and full of unanticipated twists and turns while the characters are fun and easy to relate to. I’m excited to see what the next book will bring to the table !
March 20, 2019
I really liked this book! It appeals to a wide genre of readers from fantasy, thriller, mystery, comedy, romance and fan faction. It’s easy to read and keeps you wanting more. I’m excited to read the next parts in the series!
June 12, 2019
Enjoyed the story! Looking forward to learning more about this world, the magic and the characters! I love Cam!!
June 21, 2020
My Rating : 4.5🌟
.
Audiobook/ June2020/ ReviewCopy
.
Thank you so much to the author Hspaisley for providing me with an audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced in any way!
.
This book follows our main character Lochlan (who is the descendant of Old gods) and his friends while he tries to understand & navigate his dreams and how it comes to affect everyone around he cares about.
.
First, With that voice for the Audiobook?? I was instantly drawn in ! The opening lines were amazing and would you believe me if I told you I finished this book in a single day? Well, apart from food breaks, I did !
.
' They decided water would be the way I died. But I swam anyways.'
.
The take on the world was amazing. With given every gifted people an affinity and describing how our main character is different from them, and how he views his power, it was interesting to read about the slight difference.
.
'Magic with a capital M because Magic is a name. Magic is alive.'
.
The characters were all done really well, and the diversity was really good. Especially the Jenner! He is loyal, unapologetic, funny, clueless and a total sweetheart! The friendship portrayed was amazing and I loved how every person had their own issues yet they come together to fight with Lochlan in his need. They all have their own sarcasm in their tones and cares really deep for one another.
.
'I used to fight gods. Now I hack home systems. Oh how the mighty has fallen!
.
The interaction between Lochlan and his inner self, and with his friends were done in a way, you get to be sympathetic and understand the severity of the situation. It's not just his vision that was neatly done, but how as a person he reacts to it. That scene when he looks at the mother & her baby, and decides to stop the train with his magic? EPIC.
.
• 'This time the dreams told me how to help people, not how I could kill them.'
• 'Would I find the answers I sought? Or was this the paranoia. The paranoia of an old man who had been young too long.'
.
And don't even get me started on that ending!! Lochlan and Zemila has such amazing chemistry and I low-key wanted to strangle Tyler for his actions. But the moment he realises that her life was in danger(Ahem Ahem, no spoilers but for a second my heart stopped after reading that scene!), I just shipped them so hard! And I really really hope Nemo becomes his bestie again and take over the world with all of them 😂
.
'How do you know?'. 'Because I wrote the spell he used to put it there'
.
Overall, this book started a bit slow, but once I started listening to the visions and my bae Jenner, I was hooked! It had amazing magic system (Which I hope to read more about in explaination in the upcoming books) , amazing friendship, angsty love and chemistry, high stakes situations, lots of sarcasm, adorable characters and a growling puppy to protect the world! If you are a fan of fantasy or magical realism, definitely pick this book up!
.
Audiobook/ June2020/ ReviewCopy
.
Thank you so much to the author Hspaisley for providing me with an audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced in any way!
.
This book follows our main character Lochlan (who is the descendant of Old gods) and his friends while he tries to understand & navigate his dreams and how it comes to affect everyone around he cares about.
.
First, With that voice for the Audiobook?? I was instantly drawn in ! The opening lines were amazing and would you believe me if I told you I finished this book in a single day? Well, apart from food breaks, I did !
.
' They decided water would be the way I died. But I swam anyways.'
.
The take on the world was amazing. With given every gifted people an affinity and describing how our main character is different from them, and how he views his power, it was interesting to read about the slight difference.
.
'Magic with a capital M because Magic is a name. Magic is alive.'
.
The characters were all done really well, and the diversity was really good. Especially the Jenner! He is loyal, unapologetic, funny, clueless and a total sweetheart! The friendship portrayed was amazing and I loved how every person had their own issues yet they come together to fight with Lochlan in his need. They all have their own sarcasm in their tones and cares really deep for one another.
.
'I used to fight gods. Now I hack home systems. Oh how the mighty has fallen!
.
The interaction between Lochlan and his inner self, and with his friends were done in a way, you get to be sympathetic and understand the severity of the situation. It's not just his vision that was neatly done, but how as a person he reacts to it. That scene when he looks at the mother & her baby, and decides to stop the train with his magic? EPIC.
.
• 'This time the dreams told me how to help people, not how I could kill them.'
• 'Would I find the answers I sought? Or was this the paranoia. The paranoia of an old man who had been young too long.'
.
And don't even get me started on that ending!! Lochlan and Zemila has such amazing chemistry and I low-key wanted to strangle Tyler for his actions. But the moment he realises that her life was in danger(Ahem Ahem, no spoilers but for a second my heart stopped after reading that scene!), I just shipped them so hard! And I really really hope Nemo becomes his bestie again and take over the world with all of them 😂
.
'How do you know?'. 'Because I wrote the spell he used to put it there'
.
Overall, this book started a bit slow, but once I started listening to the visions and my bae Jenner, I was hooked! It had amazing magic system (Which I hope to read more about in explaination in the upcoming books) , amazing friendship, angsty love and chemistry, high stakes situations, lots of sarcasm, adorable characters and a growling puppy to protect the world! If you are a fan of fantasy or magical realism, definitely pick this book up!
April 23, 2019
* I was given a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.*
I absolutely cringe at the star system, but I will give this a solid 4.5 ⭐️
Okay, It has taken me forever to get this review done, I am a trash person, apparently.
I hope the author will forgive me when she hears that I LOVED this book so much!
This was like a perfect mix of fantasy, mystery, humor, and even mythology.
Set in 2047, (but I like that the world doesn’t feel so drastically different that I can’t relate,) Lochlan Ellyll is just a guy working for a security company who is trying to live a normal (albeit a tad redundant) average life.
Except, he is a Demi God with a past, and when he starts to have prophetic dreams, he knows his past has caught up with him.
I loved the character development in this book! From the easy, playful banter between Lochlan and his friends to his sarcastic way of thinking. While I enjoyed the world and the plot, I’d have to say it was the personalities and relationships I enjoyed the most, actually!
I also loved the easy way we’re given the backstory, (which I found super interesting, because, Celtic Mythology 🙌) We aren’t force fed tons of info. Just enough.
There’s a progression of intensity and mystery that makes it a definite page turner and I loved how weren’t left hanging with absolutely no resolution at the end, but we can be reassured that the story will go on.
H.S. Paisley is a very talented author! I cannot wait to see what adventures are in store for the next book.
I absolutely cringe at the star system, but I will give this a solid 4.5 ⭐️
Okay, It has taken me forever to get this review done, I am a trash person, apparently.
I hope the author will forgive me when she hears that I LOVED this book so much!
This was like a perfect mix of fantasy, mystery, humor, and even mythology.
Set in 2047, (but I like that the world doesn’t feel so drastically different that I can’t relate,) Lochlan Ellyll is just a guy working for a security company who is trying to live a normal (albeit a tad redundant) average life.
Except, he is a Demi God with a past, and when he starts to have prophetic dreams, he knows his past has caught up with him.
I loved the character development in this book! From the easy, playful banter between Lochlan and his friends to his sarcastic way of thinking. While I enjoyed the world and the plot, I’d have to say it was the personalities and relationships I enjoyed the most, actually!
I also loved the easy way we’re given the backstory, (which I found super interesting, because, Celtic Mythology 🙌) We aren’t force fed tons of info. Just enough.
There’s a progression of intensity and mystery that makes it a definite page turner and I loved how weren’t left hanging with absolutely no resolution at the end, but we can be reassured that the story will go on.
H.S. Paisley is a very talented author! I cannot wait to see what adventures are in store for the next book.
June 25, 2020
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review*
This was a lot of fun to read. I enjoyed the premise, the magic, the mythology, and the suspense. I cannot wait to find out what happens next.
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Full review can be found here: https://agingerlyreview.wordpress.com...
I listen to a lot of audio books but I don’t add enough info about that portion so let me try to do better this time. From the start the narrator fit the MC perfectly. The voice, the accent, the emotions, … everything just worked.
The story itself was very well developed and executed. I normally struggle with fantasy books but I did not with this one. Immediately I was cheering for Lochlan, the son of a demon god, and his journey. Lochlan had not lived an easy life but he did the best he could living in the human world. I enjoyed reading his insecurities about reconnecting with the one woman he used to be in love with. It showed just how flawed and believable his character was, it made me cheer for him even more.
I am not going to give anything away with the story but I will leave you with some key words that I hope spark your interest in this story: magic, love, sacrifice, drama, suspense, and secrets. Interested yet?
This was a lot of fun to read. I enjoyed the premise, the magic, the mythology, and the suspense. I cannot wait to find out what happens next.
-----------
Full review can be found here: https://agingerlyreview.wordpress.com...
I listen to a lot of audio books but I don’t add enough info about that portion so let me try to do better this time. From the start the narrator fit the MC perfectly. The voice, the accent, the emotions, … everything just worked.
The story itself was very well developed and executed. I normally struggle with fantasy books but I did not with this one. Immediately I was cheering for Lochlan, the son of a demon god, and his journey. Lochlan had not lived an easy life but he did the best he could living in the human world. I enjoyed reading his insecurities about reconnecting with the one woman he used to be in love with. It showed just how flawed and believable his character was, it made me cheer for him even more.
I am not going to give anything away with the story but I will leave you with some key words that I hope spark your interest in this story: magic, love, sacrifice, drama, suspense, and secrets. Interested yet?
December 11, 2020
Thank you to the author for sending me a free code to listen to the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
So this was so different from what I normally read, but in a very good way! I typically read high fantasy with lots of smut, and this was not that. And I found I really just enjoyed the story. The characters were all likable, unique and I really enjoyed the group dynamic!
Loch’s back story wasn’t thrown at you all at once, but relieved as the other characters found out and that was really fun and refreshing! There wasn’t a huge info dump and thank you because that can drive me crazy! I loved the mythology mixed in with a futuristic world. The world building was so well done.
This was a super fun quick read or listen with a great cast of characters, a unique world, and a narrator with a smexy Irish accent! However, I would have liked just a little smuty smut lol but overall really enjoyed it an am about to dive into books 2!
So this was so different from what I normally read, but in a very good way! I typically read high fantasy with lots of smut, and this was not that. And I found I really just enjoyed the story. The characters were all likable, unique and I really enjoyed the group dynamic!
Loch’s back story wasn’t thrown at you all at once, but relieved as the other characters found out and that was really fun and refreshing! There wasn’t a huge info dump and thank you because that can drive me crazy! I loved the mythology mixed in with a futuristic world. The world building was so well done.
This was a super fun quick read or listen with a great cast of characters, a unique world, and a narrator with a smexy Irish accent! However, I would have liked just a little smuty smut lol but overall really enjoyed it an am about to dive into books 2!
December 26, 2018
*I received an ARC of this book by the Author for my honest review.*
4.5 Stars
This book had me hooked from the very first sentence.
"They decided water would be the way I died. But I swam anyways".
Yup I was hooked.
I absolutely loved the world building and how realistic the future sounded! Like this book is exactly how I imagine 2047 will be like!
If you like magic and some mythology then this is the read for you!
What I LOVED about his book was that there wasn't a super long huge backstory like you see if most new series. But, instead you learned a little bit more throughout the book. I love that.
I was also ECSTATIC that the book didn't end with a huge cliffhanger but the ending showed you there will be more to come.
I will definitely be reading the rest of this series!
4.5 Stars
This book had me hooked from the very first sentence.
"They decided water would be the way I died. But I swam anyways".
Yup I was hooked.
I absolutely loved the world building and how realistic the future sounded! Like this book is exactly how I imagine 2047 will be like!
If you like magic and some mythology then this is the read for you!
What I LOVED about his book was that there wasn't a super long huge backstory like you see if most new series. But, instead you learned a little bit more throughout the book. I love that.
I was also ECSTATIC that the book didn't end with a huge cliffhanger but the ending showed you there will be more to come.
I will definitely be reading the rest of this series!
April 12, 2019
I cannot wait for the next part of the series. HS Paisley has an excellent way of introducing and developing her characters; and it is quite evident that she has a very deep understanding of their personalities as well as their flaws. The relationships between her characters drive the story of the book, making it an extremely enjoyable read. I myself do not usually endeavour to read novels involving any element of fantasy, but I find myself converted! HS Paisley weaves magic/legend into a setting (set in the future!) that you, as the reader, can picture yourself living in. What a world to have become part of, and I reiterate - I am very excited to see what happens to everyone next!
January 25, 2019
I got an ARC by HS Paisley in exchange for an honest review.
I really like this book.
It's set in the near futur but all revolved around ancien irish mythology.
I like the dynamic between Lochlan and Jenner.
This book as it all, Magic, mythology, mistery and romance.
It was very hard to put down at one point.
It's quite short which didn't bother me even tho I usually prefer long books.
I like stories when the main character feel like he is alone but finally discover that his friends got his back which is the case there.
I really like this book.
It's set in the near futur but all revolved around ancien irish mythology.
I like the dynamic between Lochlan and Jenner.
This book as it all, Magic, mythology, mistery and romance.
It was very hard to put down at one point.
It's quite short which didn't bother me even tho I usually prefer long books.
I like stories when the main character feel like he is alone but finally discover that his friends got his back which is the case there.
October 24, 2020
I really loved this book! It started out a bit slow for me but boy did it pick up! I LOVED all the characters so much and really loved their development in the story. Each character grew throughout and I loved that not one of them was static.
I also really enjoyed the mix of Celtic myth with sci-fi/futuristic elements. It was such a unique read and I cannot wait for book two!!
I also really enjoyed the mix of Celtic myth with sci-fi/futuristic elements. It was such a unique read and I cannot wait for book two!!
July 26, 2019
H.S. Paisley has woven an exciting novel with twists and turns that makes you eager to read more. Her Characters are a delight to read, if only we could meet them in real life. The novel takes place in a close to future world where myths and magic hide in shadows and in plain sight.
I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel.
I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel.
September 22, 2019
This was a really great read! (I read 3/4 of it on a lazy sunday afternoon because I could not put it down!) It was full of a lot of the things that I love in fantasy novels! I am really excited for the next volume in this series!
November 28, 2021
I mostly read this because the author has a pretty cool youtube non-gamer game reaction page and she seems pretty cool and knowledgeable about all things story related and is interested in a lot of the same genres as me.
The book itself is ok, it is urban fantasy romance ancient gods haunted past kinda stuff, and if you are into that as a package you will probably enjoy it.
What didn't work for me is that, in my opinion, the protagonist (hero, cos he is a hero) was a selfish narcissist dick who screwed all his friends over and then sulked if they held it against him. Except mostly the never hold it against him, not for long at least, because as soon as he clicks his fingers they are all right there for him. Why? Because those eyes, that accent, the name-the body-the odd Irish word or phrase thrown in. Did I mention the eyes?
This guy is just about the opposite of any definition of "friend" you will find yet his gang are all instantly facing death or worse just to be by his side cos, hey...that's what friends do right?
Anyway..if we ignore all that, it is a pretty well written story with a decent enough plot so if you like a good romantic urban fantasy with a pair of soulful eyes as the lead this could be for you.
The book itself is ok, it is urban fantasy romance ancient gods haunted past kinda stuff, and if you are into that as a package you will probably enjoy it.
What didn't work for me is that, in my opinion, the protagonist (hero, cos he is a hero) was a selfish narcissist dick who screwed all his friends over and then sulked if they held it against him. Except mostly the never hold it against him, not for long at least, because as soon as he clicks his fingers they are all right there for him. Why? Because those eyes, that accent, the name-the body-the odd Irish word or phrase thrown in. Did I mention the eyes?
This guy is just about the opposite of any definition of "friend" you will find yet his gang are all instantly facing death or worse just to be by his side cos, hey...that's what friends do right?
Anyway..if we ignore all that, it is a pretty well written story with a decent enough plot so if you like a good romantic urban fantasy with a pair of soulful eyes as the lead this could be for you.
June 24, 2020
*I was asked to review the audiobook for Magic Required.
To start of, an important aspect to audiobooks are the narrators voice. For myself, listening to audiobooks can be hard when the voice is annoying or kind of boring, but in this case, I found that the narrator did a great job. He would change his voice for the different characters and I really enjoyed his ability to give the characters accents.
Magic Required is a story about Lochlan Ellyll, who is the son of a demigod. He lives a solitary life and tries to blend in with humans. He works at tech and security company with his best friend Jenner.
Lochlan starts having these dreams, at the beginning of the book, of people dying and he begins to realize that they are coming true...
This is a fascinating story, that kept me entertained and questioning what would happen next. One of my favorite parts about this world is that it wasn't just about Gods and demigods, but there were humans that could have a bit of magic too. Everyone is born with light inside them and some people have more than others. Those that do have what they called a spark, which gave them an ability such as an earth gift. 😄 I loved this detailed of the story and found it to be unique.
Overall, this was a really fun and entertaining book. It is filled with magic, mystery, action, drama, and love. I hope if you are reading this review that you give this book a try and enjoy it as much as I did! ❤
To start of, an important aspect to audiobooks are the narrators voice. For myself, listening to audiobooks can be hard when the voice is annoying or kind of boring, but in this case, I found that the narrator did a great job. He would change his voice for the different characters and I really enjoyed his ability to give the characters accents.
Magic Required is a story about Lochlan Ellyll, who is the son of a demigod. He lives a solitary life and tries to blend in with humans. He works at tech and security company with his best friend Jenner.
Lochlan starts having these dreams, at the beginning of the book, of people dying and he begins to realize that they are coming true...
This is a fascinating story, that kept me entertained and questioning what would happen next. One of my favorite parts about this world is that it wasn't just about Gods and demigods, but there were humans that could have a bit of magic too. Everyone is born with light inside them and some people have more than others. Those that do have what they called a spark, which gave them an ability such as an earth gift. 😄 I loved this detailed of the story and found it to be unique.
Overall, this was a really fun and entertaining book. It is filled with magic, mystery, action, drama, and love. I hope if you are reading this review that you give this book a try and enjoy it as much as I did! ❤
June 14, 2020
Audiobook Review:
It can be so hard finding a great audiobook. For me, it lies with the voice actor. A boring or weird voice can totally turn me off from getting even 1 minute in.
Whatever hand Paisley had in choosing voice actors for Magic Required, she nailed it. Patrick Zeller is absolutely fantastic. He doesn't just read the book, he uses different accents and attitudes for each character, and does it so well!!
Book Review:
I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. It starts out feeling like a crime/mystery, which I am NOT into, but then some Irish lore is mixed in making it way more interesting.
Without spoiling the story, I will say there are a lot of mysterious happenings that give the overall vibe of the book as more of a crime novel than fantasy until the end. Again, I'm not a fan of that stuff, but I think someone who is could enjoy it quite a bit.
I absolutely loved the idea of Irish mythology brought to modern times I think that's what saved this book for me, but I wanted more back story on Lachlan's specific lore. Maybe that comes from my total lack of knowledge on mythic genres, or maybe the sequel will dive deeper into that.
Overall Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
I was given a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Follow me on Instagram! @goodbooknook
It can be so hard finding a great audiobook. For me, it lies with the voice actor. A boring or weird voice can totally turn me off from getting even 1 minute in.
Whatever hand Paisley had in choosing voice actors for Magic Required, she nailed it. Patrick Zeller is absolutely fantastic. He doesn't just read the book, he uses different accents and attitudes for each character, and does it so well!!
Book Review:
I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. It starts out feeling like a crime/mystery, which I am NOT into, but then some Irish lore is mixed in making it way more interesting.
Without spoiling the story, I will say there are a lot of mysterious happenings that give the overall vibe of the book as more of a crime novel than fantasy until the end. Again, I'm not a fan of that stuff, but I think someone who is could enjoy it quite a bit.
I absolutely loved the idea of Irish mythology brought to modern times I think that's what saved this book for me, but I wanted more back story on Lachlan's specific lore. Maybe that comes from my total lack of knowledge on mythic genres, or maybe the sequel will dive deeper into that.
Overall Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
I was given a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Follow me on Instagram! @goodbooknook
November 6, 2020
As someone who loves fantasy I quite enjoyed this book. The first sentence was compelling and by the end of the 5th chapter I was hooked. However, some parts the book do have a slow pace that at times feels the story is just slightly droning on, yet the last ten chapters really kept me on my feet. This book is set in the future about a Celtic Demi-god who has visions of death that haunt him. It’s got a very diverse range of characters and the mythology is interesting. There were many moments in this book that were quite interesting, and I loved the day to day goofiness of the characters. As this novel progresses you can really see the world H.S Paisley has created with Demi-gods, gifted humans and magic, with the deeply felt emotions, and with a killer plot twist. The books really gets interesting in the last ten chapters. There is a lot to like about this book, but there are small bits of unnecessary content which took away from further development of the storyline and characters, which will hopefully happen in the second book.
September 11, 2020
This book was so easy to read, so it was a good summer read from that perspective, and definitely something that you can easily get back into after putting it down.
Whilst I'm not a major fan of this genre, I found myself becoming invested in some of the characters, which was a pleasant surprise, although I still am not a major fan of the genre after reading this book.
The plot was well-paced, and the ending certainly encourages the reader onto the next of the series. I think the largest drawback for me was that I found some parts a little cringey - such as Lochlan saying 'mayhap' and the references to his past - but much of this lies in my dislike of the genre as a whole, and cannot reflect on the book itself.
I would recommend this to teens especially, but also to adults interested in themes such as: magic, mythology, romance.
Whilst I'm not a major fan of this genre, I found myself becoming invested in some of the characters, which was a pleasant surprise, although I still am not a major fan of the genre after reading this book.
The plot was well-paced, and the ending certainly encourages the reader onto the next of the series. I think the largest drawback for me was that I found some parts a little cringey - such as Lochlan saying 'mayhap' and the references to his past - but much of this lies in my dislike of the genre as a whole, and cannot reflect on the book itself.
I would recommend this to teens especially, but also to adults interested in themes such as: magic, mythology, romance.
June 21, 2020
I was intrigued and amused by the audio book the entire time. All of the characters' quirkiness is exhibited so consistently that you feel a sense of who they are despite the twists that show up along the way in this adventurous story. Being set in the not so distant future made the references to what we know today as odd & nostalgic remnants in 2047 was funny to me. Great to hear about the human experience directly from the mythical group who have these mindblowing abilities. Can't wait to find put what's next. Read it or listen to it. It's fun.
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