What do you think?
Rate this book
Hex #1
Big City Magic
A group of badass dark Mages are looking to muscle in on New York… Hex disagrees.
And the last thing you wanna do is upset a warrior mage in his home town. Especially one that totes a gun, specializes in destructive magic & wields snark like a weapon.
“Hi, my name is Sholto Gunn. People call me Hex. This morning my compadre Vusi and I killed a vampire, sent a demon back to hell and filled in our tax returns. This afternoon we’re going to take on a fallen angel.”
Sholto ‘Hex’ Gunn – Warrior mage for hire.
And the last thing you wanna do is upset a warrior mage in his home town. Especially one that totes a gun, specializes in destructive magic & wields snark like a weapon.
“Hi, my name is Sholto Gunn. People call me Hex. This morning my compadre Vusi and I killed a vampire, sent a demon back to hell and filled in our tax returns. This afternoon we’re going to take on a fallen angel.”
Sholto ‘Hex’ Gunn – Warrior mage for hire.
- GenresFantasyUrban Fantasy
359 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2019
154 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Craig Zerf
193 books117 followersCraig Zerf is a full-time writer who has been awarded the Golganooza Gold medal for Fantasy as well as being voted 'Best Read' by radio BBC United Kingdom.
His novels have been translated into French, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish and German.
Craig has lived in America, Africa and Europe and now resides in England with his wife and two imaginary cats.
His books have reached the number one Best Seller spot in both the United Kingdom and Germany and he reckons that writing is about the most fun that you can have without actually blowing things up!
His novels have been translated into French, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish and German.
Craig has lived in America, Africa and Europe and now resides in England with his wife and two imaginary cats.
His books have reached the number one Best Seller spot in both the United Kingdom and Germany and he reckons that writing is about the most fun that you can have without actually blowing things up!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 28, 2019
DNFed at one quarter
The author's bio claims he is an adult and has won awards for his writing but I can't believe that after attempting to read this. This book was written by a 13 year old, there's no other explanation as to why the main character has to announce his name and his "coolness" every 3-4 pages! Kid, go watch "The Fast and Furious" and learn how to write decent "cool" badass characters. Learn the art of "Show, don't tell" as well.
Also for the love of GOD, learn how to write and get an editor, one who will show you that you wrote the girl died three weeks ago and then 4 pages later wrote that she died four days ago..
The author also can't decide if he wants a badass character or a diplomatic one. I think he was trying to channel Sandman Slim and Neo but missed the mark by the narrow margin of the width of Asia. Gunn is so far from Stark that it's night and a supernova in difference. One moment he's killing because NO one gives Sholto Gunn lip and the next he's nearly wetting his pants because his new buddy killed a guard, at a far weaker mage's place no less. Look, dude, pick a persona and stick with it.
The book is readable, as long as grammar isn't your obsession and the 11 to 17 male demographic would likely eat it up. But if you're looking for depth, characters, decent world building, give it a miss.
The author's bio claims he is an adult and has won awards for his writing but I can't believe that after attempting to read this. This book was written by a 13 year old, there's no other explanation as to why the main character has to announce his name and his "coolness" every 3-4 pages! Kid, go watch "The Fast and Furious" and learn how to write decent "cool" badass characters. Learn the art of "Show, don't tell" as well.
Also for the love of GOD, learn how to write and get an editor, one who will show you that you wrote the girl died three weeks ago and then 4 pages later wrote that she died four days ago..
The author also can't decide if he wants a badass character or a diplomatic one. I think he was trying to channel Sandman Slim and Neo but missed the mark by the narrow margin of the width of Asia. Gunn is so far from Stark that it's night and a supernova in difference. One moment he's killing because NO one gives Sholto Gunn lip and the next he's nearly wetting his pants because his new buddy killed a guard, at a far weaker mage's place no less. Look, dude, pick a persona and stick with it.
The book is readable, as long as grammar isn't your obsession and the 11 to 17 male demographic would likely eat it up. But if you're looking for depth, characters, decent world building, give it a miss.
July 10, 2018
Arrogance and little else
A continuous storm of bad attitude, bad manners, and bad writing. Hyperbolic descriptions of everything and everyone. Kitchen-sink lit. Magic and guns and violence. That’s it. No real plot. Fight after fight after fight.
Boring.
A continuous storm of bad attitude, bad manners, and bad writing. Hyperbolic descriptions of everything and everyone. Kitchen-sink lit. Magic and guns and violence. That’s it. No real plot. Fight after fight after fight.
Boring.
May 5, 2019
Delightful
I am a HUGE fan of Craig Zerf and this book strengthened my fandom. Hex is a kick butt and take no names type of mage. He is quite full of himself. But, maybe he has a right to be. When he meets an equally kick butt mage from Africa, Vusi, things heat up. They are on a mission to stop some evil mages from summoning a dark angel. Along the way, they meet some interesting characters --some they hurt, badly, and some they don't.
HEX is a witty, twisted, thrill ride of a book. You'll be entranced. Well, actually, you'll be itching to wipe that smirk off Hex's face. A delightful book with lots more to come (I hope).
I am a HUGE fan of Craig Zerf and this book strengthened my fandom. Hex is a kick butt and take no names type of mage. He is quite full of himself. But, maybe he has a right to be. When he meets an equally kick butt mage from Africa, Vusi, things heat up. They are on a mission to stop some evil mages from summoning a dark angel. Along the way, they meet some interesting characters --some they hurt, badly, and some they don't.
HEX is a witty, twisted, thrill ride of a book. You'll be entranced. Well, actually, you'll be itching to wipe that smirk off Hex's face. A delightful book with lots more to come (I hope).
May 23, 2019
2.5 to 3 stars, It was okay for a short story. MC is a little announcing at time but okay for the most part. I am not really a fan of the short story and this one is not really an exception. It is a Dresden type book and character but not as good. The magic is not really explained, in a short story that is typical, one of the reasons that I am not a fan of them. It is very action pack so no time to be board so that part is good. Pretty light read but not a lot of depth. Some may find it fun and the action maybe be enough to be very likable. Not sure if I will continue with this series, on the fence as it was just okay.
October 14, 2019
2 1/2 stars. Similar to other male main character mages/druids, etc. stories. There's plenty of action and big menaces to confront, plus lots of different types of creatures but it is a case of too much quantity and not enough quality time. Hex does too much tooting of his own horn as a badass. It looks like he's trying too hard. Vusi, on the other hand, carries it off much better because he doesn't brag, he just is. Even Hex is impressed. I liked the connection between Vusi and Hex.
Overall, a fast read with lots of action. When you are in the mood for this type of book it hits the buttons.
Overall, a fast read with lots of action. When you are in the mood for this type of book it hits the buttons.
March 4, 2020
I'd rank this a little above average in the urban fantasy genre. I might even have been persuaded to give it four stars if the protagonist didn't insist on referring to himself in the third person at every opportunity.
If arrogance can be attractive, then it would only be in small doses. Hex's indomitable self-belief, as the "world's best mage," was also a little confusing since he spent almost all of the book with Vusi, a mage of seemingly higher talent as well as supreme physical prowess. I'm just saying, if you find yourself standing next to some super-model, one night at the club, maybe play it humble for your own sake.
If arrogance can be attractive, then it would only be in small doses. Hex's indomitable self-belief, as the "world's best mage," was also a little confusing since he spent almost all of the book with Vusi, a mage of seemingly higher talent as well as supreme physical prowess. I'm just saying, if you find yourself standing next to some super-model, one night at the club, maybe play it humble for your own sake.
March 30, 2019
Craig Zerf is a spiritual descendant of Mickey Spillane!
Watching Hex in action gave me repeated flashbacks about reading Mickey Spillane's pulp novels. Hex is far more than a self-aware Mike Hammer because Hex is a mage and is often funny as hell, but they are both kick ass tough guys.
Do not look for deep inside in this book. This is a high-class Rock'em sock'em beat them into the ground Adventure with a little magic and a lot of snark thrown in. It was a great way to spend a couple of hours that I should have been busy doing something else with.
Watching Hex in action gave me repeated flashbacks about reading Mickey Spillane's pulp novels. Hex is far more than a self-aware Mike Hammer because Hex is a mage and is often funny as hell, but they are both kick ass tough guys.
Do not look for deep inside in this book. This is a high-class Rock'em sock'em beat them into the ground Adventure with a little magic and a lot of snark thrown in. It was a great way to spend a couple of hours that I should have been busy doing something else with.
May 21, 2019
This was a typical UF of this kind - even the covers are starting to be the same. But I really liked it. Hex is juvenile and VERY full of himself, but he can back his arrogance up and he does look out for more than just himself. It was a very funny book, a lot of humor. I quite enjoyed it and will read more. My only complaint is that the ending was very abrupt, I would have liked more there, but overall, it was a fun and comical book.
April 25, 2020
Interesting magic system that is thrown out the window half way through, heavy use of Deus ex machina, ending was not even worth reading. Probably a decent kids book.
Edit: many of the reviews seemed to echo my own thoughts, and also the rating I gave it originally, which got me wondering: how is this book rated 4 stars?
Then I found the fake account spam. My 3 star review has been reduced to 1 star for balance.
Edit: many of the reviews seemed to echo my own thoughts, and also the rating I gave it originally, which got me wondering: how is this book rated 4 stars?
Then I found the fake account spam. My 3 star review has been reduced to 1 star for balance.
August 25, 2018
Really good.
Great story with likeable characters and a fast moving story. I only have one serious issue and that is - why couldn't anyone see that "angel" was spelled incorrectly throughout the book? Took me out of the story every time I saw it. Won't keep me from the reading the next book; but come on!
Great story with likeable characters and a fast moving story. I only have one serious issue and that is - why couldn't anyone see that "angel" was spelled incorrectly throughout the book? Took me out of the story every time I saw it. Won't keep me from the reading the next book; but come on!
June 4, 2019
I really like the "voice" of the writer. It was fun and upbeat with just a hint of a dark undertone. Perfect. The story line wasn't that unusual but I keep reading because I wanted to see how the writer would handle the next thing and then the next and then the next. I will be reading the next in the series.
June 19, 2019
I adored the forever man series so was curious about this next series. Hex aka Sholto Gunn is a mage and he is really funny, with a one man dialogue going. I am not so much a fan of anxiety and this book left me considering not finishing. I did and really have no complaints except I am stressing too much. Not sure if I will read no 2.
May 10, 2020
The main character is a bit arrogant. For the most part his like a discount Deadpool so I enjoyed that but I feel like he "said" his name every 4 pages in a feat of ego that Vegeta would call Overkill. I'm going to read the second book and hope it's not more if the same since overall I loved the book and felt it was pretty good storytelling and I'd like to see how the two MC's grow as partners.
August 22, 2021
The start of a another....
The start to another great series I like enjoy this author work his wit, action and the way his characters interact is truly just great writing.if you haven't read any of his why, why not ? You are missing on something really good. I highly recommend you give him a try.
The start to another great series I like enjoy this author work his wit, action and the way his characters interact is truly just great writing.if you haven't read any of his why, why not ? You are missing on something really good. I highly recommend you give him a try.
March 28, 2019
This book was a lot of fun. Even if the main character is somewhat of a dick, he manages to pull it off. The only complaints I have are, as usual with many idie books, spelling, punctuation and grammar.
I'm looking forward to the next one tho!
I'm looking forward to the next one tho!
July 19, 2018
Fun fun fun book
Good read, likable characters, fast paced. If you like a smart assed mage, this is the book for you. Moving on to the second book now.
Good read, likable characters, fast paced. If you like a smart assed mage, this is the book for you. Moving on to the second book now.
August 18, 2018
Excellent
Great action, good characters. Never seen mages using spell cartridges. Not sure I like it. Overall a lot of fun. Looking forward to the next book.
Great action, good characters. Never seen mages using spell cartridges. Not sure I like it. Overall a lot of fun. Looking forward to the next book.
October 17, 2018
Goof funn
Stumbled across this ...loved it , hex & vusi are a great double act ...very funny give it a read
Stumbled across this ...loved it , hex & vusi are a great double act ...very funny give it a read
October 26, 2018
Cool
Interesting world and interesting magic. Love the play between Vusi and Hex. Want to see where this goes. Looks to be fun.
Interesting world and interesting magic. Love the play between Vusi and Hex. Want to see where this goes. Looks to be fun.
February 2, 2019
Really a 3.5, but I'll round up because it was a fun, if short, read.
February 2, 2019
Fun and funny
But not long enough. It was over too soon.
This book would have been a 5 star but for it's shortness and that it needs some serious technical editing.
But not long enough. It was over too soon.
This book would have been a 5 star but for it's shortness and that it needs some serious technical editing.
July 16, 2019
Actually 3.5
Enjoyed this -most especially the relationship between the characters. Hex's proclamations read less as puffed-up pomposity than humor at his own expense.
Enjoyed this -most especially the relationship between the characters. Hex's proclamations read less as puffed-up pomposity than humor at his own expense.
August 13, 2019
slightly above average fun, mostly because other books I read were garbage
October 10, 2019
An enjoyable read. Will read the next one.
November 16, 2020
Fun book
This is a good book. You shouldy read it. I like the story. The characters are fun. The book is a good read. i enjoyed it alot.. Download or buy it today. why not?
This is a good book. You shouldy read it. I like the story. The characters are fun. The book is a good read. i enjoyed it alot.. Download or buy it today. why not?
October 2, 2024
This was surprisingly snarky and so much fun. I greatly enjoyed it. Hex reminded me somewhat of Harry Dresden (or a mix of Harry and Kincaid) but with more attitude. I liked it.
November 13, 2025
Not so sure about the Zulu (language) in this book, but it was fun!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews