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Cold War Magic #2
Revolution
In the second novel in a thrilling Cold War fantasy series, American magician Karen O'Neil travels to Cuba to find a missing young girl intertwined with a new kind of magic that threatens to upend the balance of power of the whole world.
AFTER THE WALL FELL, NOTHING COULD BE THE SAME.
In Cold War Berlin, American magician Karen O'Neil defeated the ghosts of Germany's past and sealed the breach that threatened the whole world, but in doing so she learned a terrible truth: Magic cannot be trusted.
Despite her wariness of the new and growing powers she gained in Germany, Karen agrees to help an old friend and is drawn to Cuba, a world of opulence run by a corrupt government and ruthless, magic-obsessed mobsters.
In Havana, while the fires of revolution kindle, Karen searches for a missing girl whose fate is intertwined with impossible and deadly magic. And she knows she's being watched; both the Soviets and the CIA have designs on this island paradise, and their eyes are everywhere. But spies and rebels aren't the only dangers hiding in Havana's long shadows, and Karen will learn that the future can be just as dangerous as the past.
MANKIND WILL ALWAYS FIND NEW WAYS TO CREATE MONSTERS.
AFTER THE WALL FELL, NOTHING COULD BE THE SAME.
In Cold War Berlin, American magician Karen O'Neil defeated the ghosts of Germany's past and sealed the breach that threatened the whole world, but in doing so she learned a terrible truth: Magic cannot be trusted.
Despite her wariness of the new and growing powers she gained in Germany, Karen agrees to help an old friend and is drawn to Cuba, a world of opulence run by a corrupt government and ruthless, magic-obsessed mobsters.
In Havana, while the fires of revolution kindle, Karen searches for a missing girl whose fate is intertwined with impossible and deadly magic. And she knows she's being watched; both the Soviets and the CIA have designs on this island paradise, and their eyes are everywhere. But spies and rebels aren't the only dangers hiding in Havana's long shadows, and Karen will learn that the future can be just as dangerous as the past.
MANKIND WILL ALWAYS FIND NEW WAYS TO CREATE MONSTERS.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 2019
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1069 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 14, 2019
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
If you haven't picked up Breach, then you're missing the first book in the series so you'll need to read that before you pick this one up.
I really like the main protagonist, Karen O'Neil. The first book showed her gumption and drive to become a great magician, and this book continues that journey for her. She also shows a great compassion for others, a deep moral compass, and a sense of responsibility to using magic properly.
Unfortunately for her, unchecked capitalism is what it is, and the drive to profits and power has led some to abuse the strength of power and start harming kids. And she just won't stand for it.
I really enjoyed this one, but it isn't perfect. Pierce felt like a cardboard cutout without much depth, and the villains seemed kind of stock/trope types. But the plot is pretty fast paced, draws you in (because who doesn't want to root for the good guy trying to save a kid!?), and shoots you to an explosive finish.
There's enough left hanging for at least one more. I'll definitely be picking that one up.
If you haven't picked up Breach, then you're missing the first book in the series so you'll need to read that before you pick this one up.
I really like the main protagonist, Karen O'Neil. The first book showed her gumption and drive to become a great magician, and this book continues that journey for her. She also shows a great compassion for others, a deep moral compass, and a sense of responsibility to using magic properly.
Unfortunately for her, unchecked capitalism is what it is, and the drive to profits and power has led some to abuse the strength of power and start harming kids. And she just won't stand for it.
I really enjoyed this one, but it isn't perfect. Pierce felt like a cardboard cutout without much depth, and the villains seemed kind of stock/trope types. But the plot is pretty fast paced, draws you in (because who doesn't want to root for the good guy trying to save a kid!?), and shoots you to an explosive finish.
There's enough left hanging for at least one more. I'll definitely be picking that one up.
December 2, 2019
Make sure you read the first book in this series, Breach, before you read this one.
Karen O'Neill, a governmental employee who works in the office of Magic, is very unhappy and considering her resignation when an old colleague contacts her about what his employer is doing in Cuba. In fact, he has smuggled out a relic, which begs Karen in Spanish to help her. After a chaotic scene in the Miami airport where her friend is killed, Karen heads to Cuba, where Batista rules absolutely and the U.S. employer is under his protection. Karen reconnects with a CIA guy from Berlin, and works to uncover the evil plans of the businessman at great peril to herself. Weird, but not as wonderful as the first book; however, Karen is a just person, a helluva magician, and seems headed in the right direction, saving lives that matter.
Karen O'Neill, a governmental employee who works in the office of Magic, is very unhappy and considering her resignation when an old colleague contacts her about what his employer is doing in Cuba. In fact, he has smuggled out a relic, which begs Karen in Spanish to help her. After a chaotic scene in the Miami airport where her friend is killed, Karen heads to Cuba, where Batista rules absolutely and the U.S. employer is under his protection. Karen reconnects with a CIA guy from Berlin, and works to uncover the evil plans of the businessman at great peril to herself. Weird, but not as wonderful as the first book; however, Karen is a just person, a helluva magician, and seems headed in the right direction, saving lives that matter.
October 15, 2023
“What will you do when you get back to DC?” [Arthur] asked.
“Face the music,” [Karen] answered.
“Hopefully it’s a tune you can dance to.”
“Face the music,” [Karen] answered.
“Hopefully it’s a tune you can dance to.”
August 15, 2023
Three years after the events in the first book of this highly entertaining Cold War era fantasy spy thriller series, its sequel takes magician Karen O'Neil to Cuba on the eve of revolution after an old friend who has become involved in some sinister magical research asks for her help. Accompanied by Arthur and faced with enemies and a variety of shady figures at all turns, Karen will need all her wits as well as all the magical power at her command to figure out what's going on - and get out of it alive.
All I have to say is: Whyyy is there no third book (yet)? The ending of this one certainly hints at more to come - and I for one can't wait to read it!
All I have to say is: Whyyy is there no third book (yet)? The ending of this one certainly hints at more to come - and I for one can't wait to read it!
October 3, 2019
A fast-paced, spy fantasy set in Cold War era Havana that will entice history buffs, sequel to 2018's 'Breach'
December 18, 2019
I LIKE THIS BOOK .
September 28, 2019
Excellent book!
January 8, 2020
THIS IS SO GOOD!!! I liked it even more than the first, which is saying something - but this one felt more streamlined, and it had more female characters, which is always a plus. And all the questions left at the end!!! Aaaugh this is great.
November 12, 2019
Revolution is the 2nd installment in the Cold War Magic series. It is a new installment in what I consider to be a great newcomer in the Urban Fantasy or Speculative Fantasy genre. I would lean towards more calling it Speculative Fantasy because it tells an alternate version of what happened at the end of World War II where magic is a known entity and only some people were born with magic. Where the first book has a setting in Berlin and describes how magic played a key part in how the war ended and the repercussions of the use of dark magic which culminates in a book that multiple parties are trying to find. To some, the book is a myth. To others, it is a fact and they will do whatever is necessary to obtain the book.
Karen is on her last legs with the magic agency where she is employed. She is afraid of her magic and has decided that she would prefer to not use magic which means leaving her job. In the middle of making this decision, she receives a weird package that turns out to be a request for help from a former employee. He has uncovered something at his current employer that causes him to risk his life and the lives of others trying to assist him. This investigation takes Karen to Florida and to Cuba where she will have to decide whether she has a choice about using her magic. There is a lot more at stake than her job and it turns out that the book thought to be destroyed is still front-and-center in the story.
I have to admit that I love this series. The characters are flawed, including Karen, and she questions herself throughout the book but, at her core, she cannot help but stand up for those that need help which makes her an admirable character. She also realizes that she has no clue who really can be trusted and as usual who is good and who can be trusted is not always as clear as she would hope. I plan to follow this series and avidly wait for the next installment. The review can also be seen at Lady Techie's Book Musings http://LadyTechiesbookmusings.blogspo....
Karen is on her last legs with the magic agency where she is employed. She is afraid of her magic and has decided that she would prefer to not use magic which means leaving her job. In the middle of making this decision, she receives a weird package that turns out to be a request for help from a former employee. He has uncovered something at his current employer that causes him to risk his life and the lives of others trying to assist him. This investigation takes Karen to Florida and to Cuba where she will have to decide whether she has a choice about using her magic. There is a lot more at stake than her job and it turns out that the book thought to be destroyed is still front-and-center in the story.
I have to admit that I love this series. The characters are flawed, including Karen, and she questions herself throughout the book but, at her core, she cannot help but stand up for those that need help which makes her an admirable character. She also realizes that she has no clue who really can be trusted and as usual who is good and who can be trusted is not always as clear as she would hope. I plan to follow this series and avidly wait for the next installment. The review can also be seen at Lady Techie's Book Musings http://LadyTechiesbookmusings.blogspo....
November 26, 2019
4.5 stars
Thankfully, I read the first book in the series first. *That is essential!!* As a reader, you will understand everything infinitely better if you start with Breach.
I could not put this book down. There was so much action, mystery, suspense - I found myself holding my breath while I tried to keep up.
The main character, Karen, trusts more than she should, and despite throwing herself headfirst into various situations with spies, is fairly naive about others' intentions and agendas (either that, or she's just so singularly focused on the task before her that she doesn't see the larger picture). By her side are various characters; a couple seemed a little flat. Similar to the first book, communism and magic is at the crux of this story, as is the struggle for power and the acquisition of the book "[c]oncerning that which must never come to pass..."
Favorite quote: "What, you don't keep a telephone in your toilet? Only place I use mine." (Oh, Arthur, you ornery curmudgeon. I love your cranky, intelligent drunkenness!)
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for my honest review.
Thankfully, I read the first book in the series first. *That is essential!!* As a reader, you will understand everything infinitely better if you start with Breach.
I could not put this book down. There was so much action, mystery, suspense - I found myself holding my breath while I tried to keep up.
The main character, Karen, trusts more than she should, and despite throwing herself headfirst into various situations with spies, is fairly naive about others' intentions and agendas (either that, or she's just so singularly focused on the task before her that she doesn't see the larger picture). By her side are various characters; a couple seemed a little flat. Similar to the first book, communism and magic is at the crux of this story, as is the struggle for power and the acquisition of the book "[c]oncerning that which must never come to pass..."
Favorite quote: "What, you don't keep a telephone in your toilet? Only place I use mine." (Oh, Arthur, you ornery curmudgeon. I love your cranky, intelligent drunkenness!)
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for my honest review.
November 11, 2019
I have to start off by saying, I had no clue this was book two in a series. That being said, you can still enjoy the book but I would recommend reading book one first. What a thrilling and intriguing read! It is set during the cold war era. There is a vintage vibe that I felt while reading it. I totally loved it! You have magic, spies, and a heroine. I love the author’s twist in combining history with magic. Nice touch. This story kept me engaged and left me wanting more! This easily became a favorite series for me. I can’t wait to read more! I give this 5 stars.
June 12, 2020
It is a good second book. My only problems with it that the main character does not develop. The true issues never get solved or quantified in a reasonable matter, and of course that at the end of the book there are so much open points that the fast-paced books end makes you think: That is it? Instead of: Good book.
Tl;dr If you want a spy novel with magic and not much development on the characters till the end where a twist always happens and you see it from a mile...take it.
Tl;dr If you want a spy novel with magic and not much development on the characters till the end where a twist always happens and you see it from a mile...take it.
July 9, 2020
Excellent sequel to Breach. I feel like I was reading a James Bond spy novel with magic and maybe a touch of Jason Bourne with a female Gandalf as the main character.
The imagery of pre-Castro Cuba was done well. I felt like I could go visit. Very interesting twists in the story. Who to trust.
Eagerly waiting on the next installment.
The imagery of pre-Castro Cuba was done well. I felt like I could go visit. Very interesting twists in the story. Who to trust.
Eagerly waiting on the next installment.
March 2, 2020
Read one more just to make sure. Not nearly enough character development to maintain interest. Too Bad
September 13, 2020
4.5 stars-I love this series! It's cinematic and exciting, plus Karen is one of my favorite literary characters. I sincerely hope there is another one coming down the pike soon!
March 3, 2021
4.5. even better than the first one.
September 22, 2022
I started this book but did not finish. I could not get into it so I wasn't able to enjoy it but I did pass it along to someone who will for sure read it!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews