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Arcane History #1
The Magic Box
The one thing that could save his life might also end the world.
When Charlie's called away from his history books to consult on a strange box at the museum, the last thing he expects to find is a cure for the disease that's killing him.But nothing's that easy.
It's 1915, the world's at war, and the same magic that can keep Charlie alive is being turned into a weapon in the wrong hands.
Charlie's caught in a desperate race to survive, keep his relationship with Henry a secret, and save the world from a mad wizard who just might make the Germans look good.
When Charlie's called away from his history books to consult on a strange box at the museum, the last thing he expects to find is a cure for the disease that's killing him.But nothing's that easy.
It's 1915, the world's at war, and the same magic that can keep Charlie alive is being turned into a weapon in the wrong hands.
Charlie's caught in a desperate race to survive, keep his relationship with Henry a secret, and save the world from a mad wizard who just might make the Germans look good.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 11, 2019
61 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
September 15, 2022
This is refreshingly different from the standard m/m fare. For starters, it isn't a romance, but rather an urban fantasy set in 1915 Toronto. When we meet the 1st-person narrator, 27-year-old Charlie Graham, he's already in an established relationship with his "roommate," Henry. And he's dying.
I was aghast to learn about the prognosis for diabetics prior to the discovery and manufacture of insulin. As the story begins, Charlie has at the very most a few months left to live, and that long only because he's starving himself, a recommended medical treatment of the time. This makes for a compelling setup, rendering Charlie — and the devastated but loyal Henry — instantly sympathetic.
As we get to know them better, it becomes apparent that Charlie can be a bit of a jerk. But then, he’s living under a death sentence, so one could hardly expect him to be at his best. Something similar can be said of Henry, who proves to be flawed in his own way. It sets up interesting character dynamics, and while I ended up not quite liking either of them as people, I loved them as fictional characters.
As the story kicks off, Charlie, weak and bone-weary, is presented with an opportunity to consult on an antiquity in his area of academic expertise. When the mysterious box, covered in undecipherable runes, is opened, his life is transformed — and possibly his life expectancy too.
The adventure/mystery that follows kept me engaged, a rare feat for a book nowadays. Every time I had to put it down, I was impatient to pick it up again. That’s why I’m going with 4 stars, despite there being a development that annoyed me no end: Charlie felt unduly responsible for his role in opening the box, guilt-tripped himself about it ad nauseum, and tried to atone by repeatedly putting himself in dangerous situations in an attempt to fix things without actually having any idea how. *sigh* Let me tell you, that got old fast.
Another thing that bugged me was the occasional appearance of anachronistic words and expressions. I’m guessing most readers didn’t notice them, but it’s something I’m hypersensitive to. An example (and I’m going to limit myself to just one) is “a need-to-know basis.” I’d bet good money that expression wasn’t in use in 1915. If anyone knows otherwise, please tell me.
I’m looking forward to continuing the series, in large part to see how Charlie and Henry — who have some work to do on their relationship — develop and grow. Thank you, Linda, Rosa, Elena, and Gabi, for reading this one with me.
I was aghast to learn about the prognosis for diabetics prior to the discovery and manufacture of insulin. As the story begins, Charlie has at the very most a few months left to live, and that long only because he's starving himself, a recommended medical treatment of the time. This makes for a compelling setup, rendering Charlie — and the devastated but loyal Henry — instantly sympathetic.
As we get to know them better, it becomes apparent that Charlie can be a bit of a jerk. But then, he’s living under a death sentence, so one could hardly expect him to be at his best. Something similar can be said of Henry, who proves to be flawed in his own way. It sets up interesting character dynamics, and while I ended up not quite liking either of them as people, I loved them as fictional characters.
As the story kicks off, Charlie, weak and bone-weary, is presented with an opportunity to consult on an antiquity in his area of academic expertise. When the mysterious box, covered in undecipherable runes, is opened, his life is transformed — and possibly his life expectancy too.
The adventure/mystery that follows kept me engaged, a rare feat for a book nowadays. Every time I had to put it down, I was impatient to pick it up again. That’s why I’m going with 4 stars, despite there being a development that annoyed me no end: Charlie felt unduly responsible for his role in opening the box, guilt-tripped himself about it ad nauseum, and tried to atone by repeatedly putting himself in dangerous situations in an attempt to fix things without actually having any idea how. *sigh* Let me tell you, that got old fast.
Another thing that bugged me was the occasional appearance of anachronistic words and expressions. I’m guessing most readers didn’t notice them, but it’s something I’m hypersensitive to. An example (and I’m going to limit myself to just one) is “a need-to-know basis.” I’d bet good money that expression wasn’t in use in 1915. If anyone knows otherwise, please tell me.
I’m looking forward to continuing the series, in large part to see how Charlie and Henry — who have some work to do on their relationship — develop and grow. Thank you, Linda, Rosa, Elena, and Gabi, for reading this one with me.
March 9, 2021
Short version: I liked it, I can even say that I liked some things a lot, but I didn’t love it.
Long version… I’ll try to make sense of it, but no promises.
Part of the reason I didn’t love it is on me, I kept having flashbacks of the Whyborne & Griffin series while I was reading and the unavoidable comparisons didn’t do this book any favors. On one hand, it seems unfair so I’m not holding it against the book. On the other hand, the similarities are so obvious that it seems unfair to expect my brain to just ignore them, lol. I also think that if I’d been drawn more, better, into this story’s world and characters, I could’ve noticed the similarities without finding this book partially lacking.
I liked a lot of things, the Canadian and historical setting, the unusual situation the main character, Charles, finds himself in at the beginning of the book—let me explain, I didn’t “like” the situation, of course, but I liked the originality of it and how it was presented, how it influenced and casted a shadow on everything else. What an awful way to I also liked the plot in general, with some exceptions, and it goes without saying, I liked the writing. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have enjoyed everything I’ve just mentioned.
Unfortunately, I also had some problems with the writing, specifically with the characterization of the POV main character. I’m just going to say it because I can’t think of a nicer way to put it: I didn’t like Charles. I felt for his situation, I understood some of his actions and motivations, I didn’t understand other things, and in the end I reached the conclusion that I just don’t like him. Which would’ve been okay, I was even surprised about how much I was enjoying the book despite not liking the MC very much, until I realized that his characterization didn’t ring completely true to me.
[Little warning about the spoiler below: I got carried away and ended up with a bit of a mild rant. I’m leaving it for my own records but I’m not sure it will be helpful for anybody else. It also gets a little repetitive with what comes after, so you can just skip it.]
Maybe it’s me, but considering that I loved Henry——I think it’s safe to say that this author and this writing can make me appreciate flawed characters. Charles’s characterization ended up being contradictory to me, contradictory in a way that can’t be explained as him being human or at least I couldn’t see it that way. I can't reconcile the two aspects. It was almost as if in order to fill a certain role, , he was forced to think and act in a way that didn’t make much sense and didn’t fit his character.
I also had some problems with how the relationship between Henry and Charles was handled. It’s not easy to start a series with an established couple, especially one that’s going through what Henry and Charles are going through when the book starts, and I think the author managed it pretty well, all things considered. It bothered me a little, thought, that despite having been together for some time by the time the book starts, Henry and Charles don’t seem to have developed a way to discuss important things. To put it better, it wouldn’t have bothered me if it had been treated as a chance to let me see how they learned to do that. As it was, they had one serious conversation and then issues that were raised on page were supposedly resolved off page and Charles only mentioned that “they had talked about it.” Either you don’t make the relationship development part of the story or you do and if you do, you don’t get to do it half on page and half off page.
While I liked the plot in general, I was a little confused by the magic system, it seemed overly convoluted without a clear reason for it. I also found the action scenes a bit underwhelming and I’m not sure what was the point of Or maybe it will be explained in the following books.
I’m still coming to terms with the idea of the more I think about it, the more ridiculous it sounds. I kept imagining so it was hard to take the whole thing seriously. This is probably just me, since I’m sure I’ve read and accepted much more ridiculous things in my fantasy and paranormal books. I suspect that the lack of emotional connection I had with the MC and the story at that point played a role in this and I’m reserving judgement on that aspect. Since it’s the first book in the series, I have hope that it will make more sense to me eventually.
Overall, a promising beginning for a new series, I’m curious to see where it’s going. As usual, reading and commenting with my buddy readers Gabi, Linda, Rosa and Teal was a pleasure and it made the experience much better. 😊
Long version… I’ll try to make sense of it, but no promises.
Part of the reason I didn’t love it is on me, I kept having flashbacks of the Whyborne & Griffin series while I was reading and the unavoidable comparisons didn’t do this book any favors. On one hand, it seems unfair so I’m not holding it against the book. On the other hand, the similarities are so obvious that it seems unfair to expect my brain to just ignore them, lol. I also think that if I’d been drawn more, better, into this story’s world and characters, I could’ve noticed the similarities without finding this book partially lacking.
I liked a lot of things, the Canadian and historical setting, the unusual situation the main character, Charles, finds himself in at the beginning of the book—let me explain, I didn’t “like” the situation, of course, but I liked the originality of it and how it was presented, how it influenced and casted a shadow on everything else. What an awful way to I also liked the plot in general, with some exceptions, and it goes without saying, I liked the writing. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have enjoyed everything I’ve just mentioned.
Unfortunately, I also had some problems with the writing, specifically with the characterization of the POV main character. I’m just going to say it because I can’t think of a nicer way to put it: I didn’t like Charles. I felt for his situation, I understood some of his actions and motivations, I didn’t understand other things, and in the end I reached the conclusion that I just don’t like him. Which would’ve been okay, I was even surprised about how much I was enjoying the book despite not liking the MC very much, until I realized that his characterization didn’t ring completely true to me.
[Little warning about the spoiler below: I got carried away and ended up with a bit of a mild rant. I’m leaving it for my own records but I’m not sure it will be helpful for anybody else. It also gets a little repetitive with what comes after, so you can just skip it.]
Maybe it’s me, but considering that I loved Henry——I think it’s safe to say that this author and this writing can make me appreciate flawed characters. Charles’s characterization ended up being contradictory to me, contradictory in a way that can’t be explained as him being human or at least I couldn’t see it that way. I can't reconcile the two aspects. It was almost as if in order to fill a certain role, , he was forced to think and act in a way that didn’t make much sense and didn’t fit his character.
I also had some problems with how the relationship between Henry and Charles was handled. It’s not easy to start a series with an established couple, especially one that’s going through what Henry and Charles are going through when the book starts, and I think the author managed it pretty well, all things considered. It bothered me a little, thought, that despite having been together for some time by the time the book starts, Henry and Charles don’t seem to have developed a way to discuss important things. To put it better, it wouldn’t have bothered me if it had been treated as a chance to let me see how they learned to do that. As it was, they had one serious conversation and then issues that were raised on page were supposedly resolved off page and Charles only mentioned that “they had talked about it.” Either you don’t make the relationship development part of the story or you do and if you do, you don’t get to do it half on page and half off page.
While I liked the plot in general, I was a little confused by the magic system, it seemed overly convoluted without a clear reason for it. I also found the action scenes a bit underwhelming and I’m not sure what was the point of Or maybe it will be explained in the following books.
I’m still coming to terms with the idea of the more I think about it, the more ridiculous it sounds. I kept imagining so it was hard to take the whole thing seriously. This is probably just me, since I’m sure I’ve read and accepted much more ridiculous things in my fantasy and paranormal books. I suspect that the lack of emotional connection I had with the MC and the story at that point played a role in this and I’m reserving judgement on that aspect. Since it’s the first book in the series, I have hope that it will make more sense to me eventually.
Overall, a promising beginning for a new series, I’m curious to see where it’s going. As usual, reading and commenting with my buddy readers Gabi, Linda, Rosa and Teal was a pleasure and it made the experience much better. 😊
March 9, 2021
3.5 stars
Very good start to this series. Charlie is working as an intern when the professor shows up with a special request that quickly spirals out of control.
I didn't reread the blurb before picking this up to read, so I had no idea going in what it was going to be about aside from having a paranormal slant. Placing this in 1915 Toronto was neat, since it's a time and place little explored in fiction, and in M/M in particular. Thrower really knows how to set the scene and pays attention to details to keep you locked into the time period of the story.
The world building for the paranormal aspects, and the magic system in particular, was at something at a disadvantage as the reader is learning about it at the same time and rate as Charlie, the POV character, so we're all guessing at the same time. We get a good idea of it, though, enough to build the rest of the series on and expand the world and our knowledge of it, so I'm interested to see where this goes.
I didn't really like Charlie all that much though. I didn't dislike him, but he had a tendency toward martyrdom for no reason and it was annoying. Take that out, and he would've been much better and consistent. I also didn't like how he I liked Henry much more, and Betty as well. I just felt that, despite being in Charlie's head, that he didn't have much personality beyond the standard Savior Complex trope, though he did have some flaws that made him more human and interesting.
The writing, while very good, did tend to get repetitive at times and could have used some line editing to tighten it up. I'm not a fan of , but I did like the twist at the end and that opens the story up for a lot of potential as well.
Thanks for the buddy read Rosa, Teal, Gabi and Elena!
Very good start to this series. Charlie is working as an intern when the professor shows up with a special request that quickly spirals out of control.
I didn't reread the blurb before picking this up to read, so I had no idea going in what it was going to be about aside from having a paranormal slant. Placing this in 1915 Toronto was neat, since it's a time and place little explored in fiction, and in M/M in particular. Thrower really knows how to set the scene and pays attention to details to keep you locked into the time period of the story.
The world building for the paranormal aspects, and the magic system in particular, was at something at a disadvantage as the reader is learning about it at the same time and rate as Charlie, the POV character, so we're all guessing at the same time. We get a good idea of it, though, enough to build the rest of the series on and expand the world and our knowledge of it, so I'm interested to see where this goes.
I didn't really like Charlie all that much though. I didn't dislike him, but he had a tendency toward martyrdom for no reason and it was annoying. Take that out, and he would've been much better and consistent. I also didn't like how he I liked Henry much more, and Betty as well. I just felt that, despite being in Charlie's head, that he didn't have much personality beyond the standard Savior Complex trope, though he did have some flaws that made him more human and interesting.
The writing, while very good, did tend to get repetitive at times and could have used some line editing to tighten it up. I'm not a fan of , but I did like the twist at the end and that opens the story up for a lot of potential as well.
Thanks for the buddy read Rosa, Teal, Gabi and Elena!
March 9, 2021
3.5 stars
November 22, 2020
The Magic Box (Arcane History #1)
By Scott Thrower
Periodically Productions, 2019
Five stars
This gets top marks from me for sheer novelty. Set in Toronto in 1916, as Canada is being mobilized for World War I, this is a book about magic; but it is magic treated in a way I’ve never encountered before, and it’s fascinating.
Charlie Graham is a doctoral student in classical antiquity, but his specialty—which makes him an outsider—is the arcane, the study of the history of magic. Until this very moment, Charlie has never believed magic was real, merely a cultural construct used as a tool for power.
Charlie occupies a big room in a shabby-genteel boarding house with his boyfriend, Henry, a medical student at the university. Living under the pretense of being roommates, Charlie and Henry keep their heads down to avoid trouble. Charlie is from a poor farm town called Berlin, while Henry is from much grander bloodlines. Charlie’s remarkable facility with language, and getting caught with a farmhand in the barn, are what brought him to Toronto.
Oh, Charlie is also dying of diabetes, for which, in 1916, there are no successful treatments. He has starved himself skeletal to keep his sugar levels down, and Henry has become as much his caretaker as his love interest.
Then Charlie is called to the newly-built Royal Ontario Museum late at night by his mentor and professor, to look at a mysterious stone box carved with unreadable runes and with no apparent opening. Almost accidentally, Charlie manages to reveal the box’s secret, unleashing something into the room—something that seems to cure his disease. The problem is that it isn’t only Charlie that felt the effects of whatever was in the box, and suddenly his life is turned upside down as frightening and violent events begin popping up all over the city.
I instantly thought of the “Widdershins” books by Jordan L. Hawk, but there is a darkness, a sense of creeping despair in this book that is altogether more sinister than Hawk’s great series. Thrower does something with this idea of magic that is both intellectually distant and emotionally charged. The frail, dying Charlie suddenly becomes a pawn in a game for which nobody really knows the rules, but for which the outcome could be apocalyptic if things go wrong.
I’ve already bought the second book, “Elemental” and look forward to finding out what comes next.
By Scott Thrower
Periodically Productions, 2019
Five stars
This gets top marks from me for sheer novelty. Set in Toronto in 1916, as Canada is being mobilized for World War I, this is a book about magic; but it is magic treated in a way I’ve never encountered before, and it’s fascinating.
Charlie Graham is a doctoral student in classical antiquity, but his specialty—which makes him an outsider—is the arcane, the study of the history of magic. Until this very moment, Charlie has never believed magic was real, merely a cultural construct used as a tool for power.
Charlie occupies a big room in a shabby-genteel boarding house with his boyfriend, Henry, a medical student at the university. Living under the pretense of being roommates, Charlie and Henry keep their heads down to avoid trouble. Charlie is from a poor farm town called Berlin, while Henry is from much grander bloodlines. Charlie’s remarkable facility with language, and getting caught with a farmhand in the barn, are what brought him to Toronto.
Oh, Charlie is also dying of diabetes, for which, in 1916, there are no successful treatments. He has starved himself skeletal to keep his sugar levels down, and Henry has become as much his caretaker as his love interest.
Then Charlie is called to the newly-built Royal Ontario Museum late at night by his mentor and professor, to look at a mysterious stone box carved with unreadable runes and with no apparent opening. Almost accidentally, Charlie manages to reveal the box’s secret, unleashing something into the room—something that seems to cure his disease. The problem is that it isn’t only Charlie that felt the effects of whatever was in the box, and suddenly his life is turned upside down as frightening and violent events begin popping up all over the city.
I instantly thought of the “Widdershins” books by Jordan L. Hawk, but there is a darkness, a sense of creeping despair in this book that is altogether more sinister than Hawk’s great series. Thrower does something with this idea of magic that is both intellectually distant and emotionally charged. The frail, dying Charlie suddenly becomes a pawn in a game for which nobody really knows the rules, but for which the outcome could be apocalyptic if things go wrong.
I’ve already bought the second book, “Elemental” and look forward to finding out what comes next.
June 14, 2020
Michael, thank you SO. VERY. MUCH for choosing this book for me. I am absolutely in love with the boys and the world Scott Thrower created!
(I swore several times not to write reviews on anything but my laptop. Yet here I am, editing, cause phone is complicated like that, ha-ha.)
----
One of the very few books (even those by A. Voinov & Josh Lanyon) placed in the 20th century, that didn't bother me. The time period was obviously not the safest for those being anything but white, straight and wealthy so I usually try to avoid it.
Charlie, a 27 year old, who is barely hanging onto his life, is an expert in all things arcane, as well as ancient history and quite an impressive handful of living and dead languages. Called to a museum one night for a consultation, he awakens magic in our plain old world by accidentally opening an enchanted box, which was supplied by an American villain (thank the author, it wasn't a Russian goon for a change).
All kind of magical chaos ensues. The villain becomes more villainous, Charlie gets more stamina and a reprieve from a deadly disease, people transform all around as the raw magic seeps into the city grounds. Not a dull moment!
Would absolutely love to see Simon Pestle again. His history with Henry and profession aside, the man is quite a conundrum.
At the same time, the book was somewhat spoiled for me (not really, no ;)), cause - questions about the mundane:
- Where did Charlie get all that energy from, after the raw magic had left his system?
Even I got tired from all the running around the boy did. I kept expecting him to crash any second;
- Did the boys ever clean themselves? Or changed clothes? Especially Charlie? I am no expert on early 20th century hygiene, but it's no middle ages either.
Moving onto book 2.
Similar books:
Death by Silver
Among the Living
(I swore several times not to write reviews on anything but my laptop. Yet here I am, editing, cause phone is complicated like that, ha-ha.)
----
One of the very few books (even those by A. Voinov & Josh Lanyon) placed in the 20th century, that didn't bother me. The time period was obviously not the safest for those being anything but white, straight and wealthy so I usually try to avoid it.
Charlie, a 27 year old, who is barely hanging onto his life, is an expert in all things arcane, as well as ancient history and quite an impressive handful of living and dead languages. Called to a museum one night for a consultation, he awakens magic in our plain old world by accidentally opening an enchanted box, which was supplied by an American villain (thank the author, it wasn't a Russian goon for a change).
All kind of magical chaos ensues. The villain becomes more villainous, Charlie gets more stamina and a reprieve from a deadly disease, people transform all around as the raw magic seeps into the city grounds. Not a dull moment!
Would absolutely love to see Simon Pestle again. His history with Henry and profession aside, the man is quite a conundrum.
At the same time, the book was somewhat spoiled for me (not really, no ;)), cause - questions about the mundane:
- Where did Charlie get all that energy from, after the raw magic had left his system?
Even I got tired from all the running around the boy did. I kept expecting him to crash any second;
- Did the boys ever clean themselves? Or changed clothes? Especially Charlie? I am no expert on early 20th century hygiene, but it's no middle ages either.
Moving onto book 2.
Similar books:
Death by Silver
Among the Living
June 11, 2020
JUNE 2020: I don't know HOW I missed that I didn't write my review back in March. So I had to go back to Facebook and copy parts of a post to author Scott Thrower. I mean, good grief, it's on my up and coming Best of 2020 list!
MARCH 2020
Dear author: "Your brilliant grasp of language and dialogue was simply stunning. So few writers in this MM genre write such gorgeous prose. You're up there with Josh Lanyon's older works, Tamara Allen, Harper Fox, and several others. What a treat. I adore Charlie, how can a reader not like Henry, and Benedict is quite the enigma. The supporting cast was colorful and ever so enjoyable. The ending was sublime. I'll be writing a review on Goodreads soon about your very unique take on magic."
(Jun 2020: That last sentence? I never went back to Goodreads! I'm so embarrassed. Well, here I am now, but with a lesser review than the one I would have written when it was fresh in my mind.)
MARCH 2020
Dear author: "Your brilliant grasp of language and dialogue was simply stunning. So few writers in this MM genre write such gorgeous prose. You're up there with Josh Lanyon's older works, Tamara Allen, Harper Fox, and several others. What a treat. I adore Charlie, how can a reader not like Henry, and Benedict is quite the enigma. The supporting cast was colorful and ever so enjoyable. The ending was sublime. I'll be writing a review on Goodreads soon about your very unique take on magic."
(Jun 2020: That last sentence? I never went back to Goodreads! I'm so embarrassed. Well, here I am now, but with a lesser review than the one I would have written when it was fresh in my mind.)
March 11, 2021
This book was a nice surprise. I din't particularly like Charlie I think his actions and way of thinking aren't quite aligned and some of his actions were quite annoying, but this one provided a fabulous discussion with my fellow BReaders who have made a better job than me in explaining why you should give this series a chance.
April 28, 2024
2024 re-read: This time, I better appreciated the historical details I didn't like the first time I read this, and that made it more enjoyable for me. Now I'm ready to read more of the series.
2020 original review:
This was good. Our main character is looking death in the eye, afflicted with diabetes before insulin is discovered, but answers when called on to come to his workplace in the Toronto museum to investigate a mysterious large box covered in runes. Accidentally, he opens the box, and out comes magic sealed away for many centuries. Everyone present is affected, random disasters happen, but also, magic twists people already bent on owning it, and sick as he is, our hero cannot let that go unchallenged.
The worldbuilding is good, intriguingly confusing. The cast of characters are also good, including the monsters, some of whom are human. I enjoyed the ending. I recommend this if it appeals at all to you.
Others have gone on to read and review the next three books, but I am done now. While this was entertaining, there was just enough of the 'historical' tedium (my own issue, not the author's) that I must move on.
2020 original review:
This was good. Our main character is looking death in the eye, afflicted with diabetes before insulin is discovered, but answers when called on to come to his workplace in the Toronto museum to investigate a mysterious large box covered in runes. Accidentally, he opens the box, and out comes magic sealed away for many centuries. Everyone present is affected, random disasters happen, but also, magic twists people already bent on owning it, and sick as he is, our hero cannot let that go unchallenged.
The worldbuilding is good, intriguingly confusing. The cast of characters are also good, including the monsters, some of whom are human. I enjoyed the ending. I recommend this if it appeals at all to you.
Others have gone on to read and review the next three books, but I am done now. While this was entertaining, there was just enough of the 'historical' tedium (my own issue, not the author's) that I must move on.
March 11, 2023
TBR rescue project!
I picked this up because I was intrigued by the fact that Charlie, the POV MC, is living (dying) with diabetes in a time before insulin was discovered and used as treatment. (Dr Google tells me this happened in 1920-ish; this book is set in 1915.) Charlie's treatment ("treatment") consists of the pre-insulin standard, namely, a starvation diet. Pest or cholera: if the diabetes doesn't kill you, the starvation will. It is pretty harrowing -- not body horror or anything, just a brutal reminder of how it wasn't all dukes and upstairs-downstairs shenanigans back in the day.
Obviously, Charlie doesn't die, since this is a magic book.
(Sidebar: does "like our world in every other way except magic" make it pnr or fantasy? Someone please explain this to me. Every time I read a book with magic in it, I must confront the limitations of my knowledge. And then I shelve it as both anyway, because fork it, it's GR. But it bugs me because I try to avoid confronting the limitations of my knowledge at all costs.)
ETA: Thanks, Leigh and Teal, for your answers below!
I enjoyed this, but kind of passively. I never seriously felt like dnf'ing, but I wasn't exactly flying through it at my normal pace either. This is, yet again, an example of "Kathleen continues to buy magic books even though Kathleen doesn't really like magic books"*. The magic makes sense, I guess? Honestly, I am very un-invested in the magic; it was the MC-with-now-chronic-but-then-fatal-illness angle that hooked me in. But the tale spun around the magic was entertaining enough. The writing was pretty good, although there was some repetition and sloppiness throughout. Just a solid 3-stars all around.
I should note that I would characterize this is pnr (? fantasy? why am I incapable of understanding the distinction here??) with romantic elements rather than romance. There is a central romance between Charlie and Henry, one that is under great stress owing to Charlie's illness and imminent death. There is also reference to and admission of cheating. The ending is very much HFN, as Charlie and Henry adjust to being in a relationship that will not end in Charlie's demise.
I liked this well enough, but I'm not sure I'm invested enough to carry on with the series. Because, as I keep needing to remind myself, I don't actually like magic books that much.
* Magpies always excepted
I picked this up because I was intrigued by the fact that Charlie, the POV MC, is living (dying) with diabetes in a time before insulin was discovered and used as treatment. (Dr Google tells me this happened in 1920-ish; this book is set in 1915.) Charlie's treatment ("treatment") consists of the pre-insulin standard, namely, a starvation diet. Pest or cholera: if the diabetes doesn't kill you, the starvation will. It is pretty harrowing -- not body horror or anything, just a brutal reminder of how it wasn't all dukes and upstairs-downstairs shenanigans back in the day.
Obviously, Charlie doesn't die, since this is a magic book.
(Sidebar: does "like our world in every other way except magic" make it pnr or fantasy? Someone please explain this to me. Every time I read a book with magic in it, I must confront the limitations of my knowledge. And then I shelve it as both anyway, because fork it, it's GR. But it bugs me because I try to avoid confronting the limitations of my knowledge at all costs.)
ETA: Thanks, Leigh and Teal, for your answers below!
I enjoyed this, but kind of passively. I never seriously felt like dnf'ing, but I wasn't exactly flying through it at my normal pace either. This is, yet again, an example of "Kathleen continues to buy magic books even though Kathleen doesn't really like magic books"*. The magic makes sense, I guess? Honestly, I am very un-invested in the magic; it was the MC-with-now-chronic-but-then-fatal-illness angle that hooked me in. But the tale spun around the magic was entertaining enough. The writing was pretty good, although there was some repetition and sloppiness throughout. Just a solid 3-stars all around.
I should note that I would characterize this is pnr (? fantasy? why am I incapable of understanding the distinction here??) with romantic elements rather than romance. There is a central romance between Charlie and Henry, one that is under great stress owing to Charlie's illness and imminent death. There is also reference to and admission of cheating. The ending is very much HFN, as Charlie and Henry adjust to being in a relationship that will not end in Charlie's demise.
I liked this well enough, but I'm not sure I'm invested enough to carry on with the series. Because, as I keep needing to remind myself, I don't actually like magic books that much.
* Magpies always excepted
June 14, 2020
I really enjoyed this, found it an intriguing world and engrossing. There's a strong suggestion of Widdershins about the set-up and a hint of Fatal Shadows and Sherlock/Watson in the dynamic; but it's well written and sets it's own tone. A Pandora's box of magic with everything to play for.
It's based in Toronto during WWI with our lead character Charlie suffering from the then terminal diabetes. His 'roommate' as the times insist; Henry is presented as a solid simple man studying to be a doctor. Illness has taken precedent in their relationship and there's clearly a lot more for them to know of each other. The sense of support between them appeals, making me hope their relationship survives what the world throws at them.
There's some interesting characters and while I figured the plot enough not to be suprised, I was certainly curious to learn more of them and left the book fasinated to see where the series will take them.
Magic, mayhem, illness, conniving - it's all happening here, with enough running around for it to become exhausting. A great start to a series.
It's based in Toronto during WWI with our lead character Charlie suffering from the then terminal diabetes. His 'roommate' as the times insist; Henry is presented as a solid simple man studying to be a doctor. Illness has taken precedent in their relationship and there's clearly a lot more for them to know of each other. The sense of support between them appeals, making me hope their relationship survives what the world throws at them.
There's some interesting characters and while I figured the plot enough not to be suprised, I was certainly curious to learn more of them and left the book fasinated to see where the series will take them.
Magic, mayhem, illness, conniving - it's all happening here, with enough running around for it to become exhausting. A great start to a series.
May 9, 2020
The tension and drama is present from the first chapter when Charlie is summonsed to the museum basement to 'assist' with a previously hidden-away archeological artifact (stone box). Charlie's inadvertent intervention unleashes 'wild magic' upon a WW1 Canadian world ... there's 'miracles' and super-powers, but also entity shift-changing, demonic entities and horrific killings.
The plot centers around a few days in our MCs' lives, but the author packs in much action (there's ebbs and flows of this) and conflict that it seemed much longer. And given the historical period, Charlie and Henry has to keep their fairly established relationship as 'room-mates', despite heavy suspicions from their landlady and some of their colleagues. The M-M action takes place behind drawn curtains though ... and Charlie's ill-health (present though much of the book) puts a physical dampener on things. That said - this is a great start to a new historical paranormal series, and I'm very much looking forward to seeing where the author takes our likeable MCs in the next book. 3.5 stars.
The plot centers around a few days in our MCs' lives, but the author packs in much action (there's ebbs and flows of this) and conflict that it seemed much longer. And given the historical period, Charlie and Henry has to keep their fairly established relationship as 'room-mates', despite heavy suspicions from their landlady and some of their colleagues. The M-M action takes place behind drawn curtains though ... and Charlie's ill-health (present though much of the book) puts a physical dampener on things. That said - this is a great start to a new historical paranormal series, and I'm very much looking forward to seeing where the author takes our likeable MCs in the next book. 3.5 stars.
June 21, 2020
This took me a full week to get through. In spite of what should’ve been intense drama and action, this was just really….dull. It’s probably a me thing and not the book. The writing was fine so I can’t rate it too low, but I just could not get excited about any of it.
May 21, 2020
The story follows Charlie, a twenty-seven year old diabetic and historian, living in Canada during the First World War. When a very frail Charlie is called in to consult on an archaeological find, he doesn’t suspect that the rune covered box might contain the magic to cure him.
Charlie must conserve his new-fund energy if he is to save his friends, his secret relationship with ‘roommate' Henry, and his city, from those who would use the magic for their own ends.
A well-written, historical fantasy, ’The Magic Box’ gives the reader an insight into Toronto during World War I. I enjoyed the emotional intensity of the relationships in this novel. I especially liked Charlie, whose disease would have been fatal in 1915. His mixture of resignation and hope really appealed to me.
There were some very witty lines, which I enjoyed immensely.
“Betty’s approach to history was that people had been stupid for a very long time, allowing superstition to flourish."
Chapter Four, The Magic Box (Arcane History #1) by Scott Thrower
Recommended.
Charlie must conserve his new-fund energy if he is to save his friends, his secret relationship with ‘roommate' Henry, and his city, from those who would use the magic for their own ends.
A well-written, historical fantasy, ’The Magic Box’ gives the reader an insight into Toronto during World War I. I enjoyed the emotional intensity of the relationships in this novel. I especially liked Charlie, whose disease would have been fatal in 1915. His mixture of resignation and hope really appealed to me.
There were some very witty lines, which I enjoyed immensely.
“Betty’s approach to history was that people had been stupid for a very long time, allowing superstition to flourish."
Chapter Four, The Magic Box (Arcane History #1) by Scott Thrower
Recommended.
March 21, 2020
Good book
I enjoyed the mix of historical Canada during WWI and magic. Loved Charlie, his struggle with diabetes, which was a very deadly disease at the time, and his fight against the evil forces unleashed upon his city. Also really enjoyed Henry, his partner. This was very like one of the Windershins books, but different enough to be interesting by its own right. I look forward to the next book and how Charlie's life has changed now that magic is once more loose in the world.
I enjoyed the mix of historical Canada during WWI and magic. Loved Charlie, his struggle with diabetes, which was a very deadly disease at the time, and his fight against the evil forces unleashed upon his city. Also really enjoyed Henry, his partner. This was very like one of the Windershins books, but different enough to be interesting by its own right. I look forward to the next book and how Charlie's life has changed now that magic is once more loose in the world.
March 8, 2021
4.5 stars
Wow! This was certainly an interesting read. Not every question is answered but I think that’s par for the course for the first book of a series.
Set in the early 1900s in Toronto, Canada, an era where electricity was just getting a foothold in the world and in the backdrop of the First World War. Charles is a sickly university researcher who’s very close to dying. He researches a fringe topic he doesn’t quite believe in and it doesn’t make him very popular among the Christians of Toronto.
The story opens with Charles tagging along, not quite invited, with his university supervisor to assess a mysterious box that at first glance seems a fake. And then....a flash, a growl and both Charles and his supervisor are running away from one of the most bizarre nights of their lives.
I liked Charles, definitely the kind of hero that I like. That is to say, not one that’s perfect or suave but a little more damaged, in Charles case, due to his physical illness. He does have brains and smarts although is it inherent ability or an external influence?
This is the third series I’ve read this year that’s not far back enough to be ancient or medieval history but yet not modern enough to be contemporary. I’ve always avoided books from the 20th century. I don’t know why. I think I’ve always expected it to be a bit jarring, perhaps a bit like an uncanny valley like situation?
Anyways, surprisingly, these 3 series have been so good that I’ve enjoyed the slightly bizarre feeling of twilight zone. To me, at least. It’s a bit like being in a time that’s almost recognisable but not quite.
Anyhow, good start to the series. Not sure how this plays out but I’ll definitely be reading on 😉
Wow! This was certainly an interesting read. Not every question is answered but I think that’s par for the course for the first book of a series.
Set in the early 1900s in Toronto, Canada, an era where electricity was just getting a foothold in the world and in the backdrop of the First World War. Charles is a sickly university researcher who’s very close to dying. He researches a fringe topic he doesn’t quite believe in and it doesn’t make him very popular among the Christians of Toronto.
The story opens with Charles tagging along, not quite invited, with his university supervisor to assess a mysterious box that at first glance seems a fake. And then....a flash, a growl and both Charles and his supervisor are running away from one of the most bizarre nights of their lives.
I liked Charles, definitely the kind of hero that I like. That is to say, not one that’s perfect or suave but a little more damaged, in Charles case, due to his physical illness. He does have brains and smarts although is it inherent ability or an external influence?
This is the third series I’ve read this year that’s not far back enough to be ancient or medieval history but yet not modern enough to be contemporary. I’ve always avoided books from the 20th century. I don’t know why. I think I’ve always expected it to be a bit jarring, perhaps a bit like an uncanny valley like situation?
Anyways, surprisingly, these 3 series have been so good that I’ve enjoyed the slightly bizarre feeling of twilight zone. To me, at least. It’s a bit like being in a time that’s almost recognisable but not quite.
Anyhow, good start to the series. Not sure how this plays out but I’ll definitely be reading on 😉
June 28, 2020
3.0 out of 5 - Hmm, Be Careful What You Wish For
This was a nicely put together gaslamp paranormal historical. Indeed, it built on an intriguing concept of magic manifesting itself differently in each person, based on their deepest desire, which could be for the good or the bad. That magic, the time and Toronto all made it enjoyable, but it needed more depth for me to fully connect.
I was drawn into the alt universe that Scott Thrower created - the magic (fairly well thought out and detailed, but felt a little loose in places), the time (1916 nicely portrayed, but could have brought it home a bit more, such as how it referred to WWI but it was distant), and how the city of Toronto played a part (with recognizable streets and places).
Yet somehow I didn't always connect with the people and the action. The MCs were likable enough and relatable, realistically human. And I learned how diabetes was more deadly than I realized at that time. But I didn't get to see enough of Henry to get beyond just a stereotypical image of him, and thus the same for the relationship.
Still it moved along at a good pace and kept me interested with what was going on with the magic that had been released, and how I had to learn about it right along with Charlie, right up to a satisfying ending that made sense of things.
This was a nicely put together gaslamp paranormal historical. Indeed, it built on an intriguing concept of magic manifesting itself differently in each person, based on their deepest desire, which could be for the good or the bad. That magic, the time and Toronto all made it enjoyable, but it needed more depth for me to fully connect.
I was drawn into the alt universe that Scott Thrower created - the magic (fairly well thought out and detailed, but felt a little loose in places), the time (1916 nicely portrayed, but could have brought it home a bit more, such as how it referred to WWI but it was distant), and how the city of Toronto played a part (with recognizable streets and places).
Yet somehow I didn't always connect with the people and the action. The MCs were likable enough and relatable, realistically human. And I learned how diabetes was more deadly than I realized at that time. But I didn't get to see enough of Henry to get beyond just a stereotypical image of him, and thus the same for the relationship.
Still it moved along at a good pace and kept me interested with what was going on with the magic that had been released, and how I had to learn about it right along with Charlie, right up to a satisfying ending that made sense of things.
March 6, 2020
So good
This book was recommended by Amazon! They picked a winner for me. I loved it. It has magic and a great mystery. I really enjoyed the book.
This book was recommended by Amazon! They picked a winner for me. I loved it. It has magic and a great mystery. I really enjoyed the book.
April 17, 2020
A fantastic read! I've never seen a set up quite like it! I could not put it down. LGBT historical urban fantasy, a combo you won't see often!
June 26, 2020
Well written urban fantasy set in Toronto, 1915. Likeable main character & well fleshed out supporting characters. Great chemistry between Charles & Henry.
May 19, 2020
This was quite an interesting book. A fairly unique setting and likable MCs. Looking forward to book 2.
September 18, 2020
I don't remember who brought that book to my attention (might have been KJ Charles?) but this was pure gold. This series is fast paced urban fantasy set in the 1910s, it grabs your attention and doesn't let it go until the end and provide adventure, magic, mystery and great characters in between.
It's 1914, there is a war raging through Europe but, Charlie won't get to see who wins it because, aside from being a devoted reader of dusty old books and a student of magic beliefs in pre-Christianity history, he is dying of diabetes. Fast. Henry, the man Charlie loves and lives with, is a student of medicine and so they both know he has at most a couple weeks left. When the book starts, Charlie is asked to examine an old artifact of the Toronto Museum in a hush-hush meeting taking place at night in the presence of Henri's friend and mentor, Dr. Mindle, and two Americans. No one knows anything about this strange artifact the Americans wants Charlie to examine, not even Charlie's friend, Betty, one of the few women working at the museum and one of the best at what she does. As it turns out, the Americans are potentially less well intentioned than they first appeared and also the box can communicate. Following its instructions, Charlie releases magic into the world, receiving some himself and thus gaining a reprieve from death. But as he flees the museum and the strange turn his evening has taken, little does our hero know that his run against time has barely begun as he is launched into a wild chase through the city to find out if he can trust the Americans, find a way to make his reprieve permanent, keep Simon Pestle, Henri's ex-lover and The Globe's best paid journalist off his back and maybe save the unknowing citizen of Toronto from dying as magic wakes up all kinds of sleeping dangers throughout the city.
The pacing of these three books is excellent (and I am so looking forward to book 4 because book 3 ended on a bit of a cliffhanger). I was hooked in by the mystery of the box in book one, what it really contains, who are these two Americans, what they want to do with it and then I kept going because I wanted to know how Charlie and his friends were going to get out of this alive and then I still kept going because the stakes got higher in book 2 where Charlie had to face the challenge of staying alive and not alienating all the people he loves and then when I thought book 3 couldn't raise them more the stakes went up again. It was just a great series so far and all of them tackled different themes and aspects of the magic while remaining true to the characters it gave life to. I loved it, all of it and could barely put the book down.
It's 1914, there is a war raging through Europe but, Charlie won't get to see who wins it because, aside from being a devoted reader of dusty old books and a student of magic beliefs in pre-Christianity history, he is dying of diabetes. Fast. Henry, the man Charlie loves and lives with, is a student of medicine and so they both know he has at most a couple weeks left. When the book starts, Charlie is asked to examine an old artifact of the Toronto Museum in a hush-hush meeting taking place at night in the presence of Henri's friend and mentor, Dr. Mindle, and two Americans. No one knows anything about this strange artifact the Americans wants Charlie to examine, not even Charlie's friend, Betty, one of the few women working at the museum and one of the best at what she does. As it turns out, the Americans are potentially less well intentioned than they first appeared and also the box can communicate. Following its instructions, Charlie releases magic into the world, receiving some himself and thus gaining a reprieve from death. But as he flees the museum and the strange turn his evening has taken, little does our hero know that his run against time has barely begun as he is launched into a wild chase through the city to find out if he can trust the Americans, find a way to make his reprieve permanent, keep Simon Pestle, Henri's ex-lover and The Globe's best paid journalist off his back and maybe save the unknowing citizen of Toronto from dying as magic wakes up all kinds of sleeping dangers throughout the city.
The pacing of these three books is excellent (and I am so looking forward to book 4 because book 3 ended on a bit of a cliffhanger). I was hooked in by the mystery of the box in book one, what it really contains, who are these two Americans, what they want to do with it and then I kept going because I wanted to know how Charlie and his friends were going to get out of this alive and then I still kept going because the stakes got higher in book 2 where Charlie had to face the challenge of staying alive and not alienating all the people he loves and then when I thought book 3 couldn't raise them more the stakes went up again. It was just a great series so far and all of them tackled different themes and aspects of the magic while remaining true to the characters it gave life to. I loved it, all of it and could barely put the book down.
April 1, 2024
This book begins an interesting urban fantasy/paranormal/historical series, set in Toronto at the beginning of the First World War. Our MC, Charlie, is a university lecturer with a specialty in the magical and arcane, although he doesn't really believe in actual magic. His focus is on the way it manifests in human thought and writing. Until he's dragged out in the night to open a mysterious museum artifact, and magic is let loose in the world.
Charlie is also a man nearing the end of his life at the young age of 26. He has diabetes, and in that era, a few years before Banting & Best (also Canadian, eh?) isolated insulin, a patient had two choices -- die fast of diabetic coma, or slowly by starving themselves so intensely that their blood sugar levels remained non-lethal, and essentially dying of starvation. Charlie has the willpower to go that slow route, but he's reaching the end of his strength.
He has a lover, Henry, with whom he shares a boarding room. Henry's a medical student, and a man with enough money that they can get by in a more comfortable fashion than the deep slums Charlie lived in for years. Henry is also a kind, caring man, and one Charlie takes a bit for granted. I would have loved to see Henry's POV too, but we only know him through Charlie's eyes.
In that era, being gay is forbidden, though not quite as much of an anathema as it will be a couple of decades later. Henry has spent a little time in the hidden queer society of Toronto, and his contacts there play a minor role. It's Charlie's museum contacts who are central, as opening the box and releasing the god within it changes everyone around it, including Charlie, and life in the city itself. Gods, demons, wizards, weres, and more emerge as magic is there to feed them.
I enjoyed this book both for the historical context and the magical worldbuilding and plot. Charlie isn't the most sympathetic hero, particularly for how he sometimes treats Henry, but he's a believable one. The romance takes a back seat to the magical plot, but there are tensions between these two men which mean the established couple has stresses and fractures that make it not a static component in the story. This is closed-door heat level for those who care. The ending is a solid HFN, and I moved on immediately to book 2.
Charlie is also a man nearing the end of his life at the young age of 26. He has diabetes, and in that era, a few years before Banting & Best (also Canadian, eh?) isolated insulin, a patient had two choices -- die fast of diabetic coma, or slowly by starving themselves so intensely that their blood sugar levels remained non-lethal, and essentially dying of starvation. Charlie has the willpower to go that slow route, but he's reaching the end of his strength.
He has a lover, Henry, with whom he shares a boarding room. Henry's a medical student, and a man with enough money that they can get by in a more comfortable fashion than the deep slums Charlie lived in for years. Henry is also a kind, caring man, and one Charlie takes a bit for granted. I would have loved to see Henry's POV too, but we only know him through Charlie's eyes.
In that era, being gay is forbidden, though not quite as much of an anathema as it will be a couple of decades later. Henry has spent a little time in the hidden queer society of Toronto, and his contacts there play a minor role. It's Charlie's museum contacts who are central, as opening the box and releasing the god within it changes everyone around it, including Charlie, and life in the city itself. Gods, demons, wizards, weres, and more emerge as magic is there to feed them.
I enjoyed this book both for the historical context and the magical worldbuilding and plot. Charlie isn't the most sympathetic hero, particularly for how he sometimes treats Henry, but he's a believable one. The romance takes a back seat to the magical plot, but there are tensions between these two men which mean the established couple has stresses and fractures that make it not a static component in the story. This is closed-door heat level for those who care. The ending is a solid HFN, and I moved on immediately to book 2.
July 4, 2021
I enjoyed this book. As you probably know from the blurb it's a story about a university researcher who gets caught up in an arcane mystery.
For me, there were immediate comparisons between this novel and the Wybourne and Griffin series. The comparisons are only skin deep- a reclusive research gets asked to examine an arcane object. The book is definitely not derivitive as after this point the stories are quite different both in characters/setting and world building.
This surface comparison did mean that I was expecting a bit more romance between Charles and Henry. However, this really is a story about a magical mystery and how one character, who happens to be gay, responds to it. Obviously their relationship doesn't have to be the focus of the book but the events of the novel put quite a strain on the characters and it's a shame the stress/ or the bonding experience these events could create isn't explored. Perhaps this is also just personal preference as I do enjoy ready romance. I definitely do want to read more of this series so I'll be looking out to see how their relationship develops.
I'd never read a story that explores Canada's response to WW1 so that was interesting. I've also never come across a book where a character is diabetic and insulin wasn't widely available. Obviously diabetes has a huge effect to the lives of people nowadays even when insulin is available so it was eye-opening to see how devestating the disease could be before modern treatments.
...Overall an interesting story with a unique premise, just a shame the MCs lacked chemistry but that opinion might be based on my personal preferences.
For me, there were immediate comparisons between this novel and the Wybourne and Griffin series. The comparisons are only skin deep- a reclusive research gets asked to examine an arcane object. The book is definitely not derivitive as after this point the stories are quite different both in characters/setting and world building.
This surface comparison did mean that I was expecting a bit more romance between Charles and Henry. However, this really is a story about a magical mystery and how one character, who happens to be gay, responds to it. Obviously their relationship doesn't have to be the focus of the book but the events of the novel put quite a strain on the characters and it's a shame the stress/ or the bonding experience these events could create isn't explored. Perhaps this is also just personal preference as I do enjoy ready romance. I definitely do want to read more of this series so I'll be looking out to see how their relationship develops.
I'd never read a story that explores Canada's response to WW1 so that was interesting. I've also never come across a book where a character is diabetic and insulin wasn't widely available. Obviously diabetes has a huge effect to the lives of people nowadays even when insulin is available so it was eye-opening to see how devestating the disease could be before modern treatments.
...Overall an interesting story with a unique premise, just a shame the MCs lacked chemistry but that opinion might be based on my personal preferences.
July 10, 2022
A consummately crafted tale!
You know, in these days of self-publishing, delving into new works mostly requires a degree of concessions. Very often a work has a nicely spun concept and a great deal of enthusiastic storytelling, and what is lacking is great editing (A novel I attempted prior to this one was cursed by a penchant for superfluous commas, making it utterly unreadable).
THIS, however, was grammatically and editorially an absolute pleasure to read. The craftsmanship of Scott's writing is very nearly sublime. Such a treat.
And THEN, an original plot set in a not too distant time period with a frail hero suffering from an historically fatal disease made the entire tale so accessible. Conditions that we've conquered to at least some degree today plague our protagonist: lack of medical treatment, a forbidden nature, and secret love, and these contrast sharply with the classism and poverty that continue to plague society today.
Now throw in the magic that forces its way into our hero's academically dry belief system and the helpless city of Toronto, a couple beautifully flirty men, some relationship challenges, a mystery theft, a few crack villains, and you've got The Magic Box that I could most literally not put down.
Scott Thrower, I doff my fedora and to it twice to you. Well done. So VERY well done!
You know, in these days of self-publishing, delving into new works mostly requires a degree of concessions. Very often a work has a nicely spun concept and a great deal of enthusiastic storytelling, and what is lacking is great editing (A novel I attempted prior to this one was cursed by a penchant for superfluous commas, making it utterly unreadable).
THIS, however, was grammatically and editorially an absolute pleasure to read. The craftsmanship of Scott's writing is very nearly sublime. Such a treat.
And THEN, an original plot set in a not too distant time period with a frail hero suffering from an historically fatal disease made the entire tale so accessible. Conditions that we've conquered to at least some degree today plague our protagonist: lack of medical treatment, a forbidden nature, and secret love, and these contrast sharply with the classism and poverty that continue to plague society today.
Now throw in the magic that forces its way into our hero's academically dry belief system and the helpless city of Toronto, a couple beautifully flirty men, some relationship challenges, a mystery theft, a few crack villains, and you've got The Magic Box that I could most literally not put down.
Scott Thrower, I doff my fedora and to it twice to you. Well done. So VERY well done!
January 30, 2021
Oh, this is such a great story! It got me from the beginning, intriguing and exciting and SO good!
Charlie is a wonderful character: he's curious, so curious that, even at death's door, he can't help himself for trying to solve one last mystery. And he really wasn't expecting what he got :)
The world-building is fantastic and, although except for Godding, the secondary characters aren't very developed, acting more as foils for Charlie than as entities by themselves, this is the first book of the series, so there is time for us to get to know them better.
Word of warning, if you are looking for a romance, this is not your book. This is a mystery, an adventure in a world in which magic has been unleashed. The main character is gay, and he is in a relationship, but that is just part of the background of the story.
I'm so happy that I own the second book in this series! I can't wait to see what comes next!
Charlie is a wonderful character: he's curious, so curious that, even at death's door, he can't help himself for trying to solve one last mystery. And he really wasn't expecting what he got :)
The world-building is fantastic and, although except for Godding, the secondary characters aren't very developed, acting more as foils for Charlie than as entities by themselves, this is the first book of the series, so there is time for us to get to know them better.
Word of warning, if you are looking for a romance, this is not your book. This is a mystery, an adventure in a world in which magic has been unleashed. The main character is gay, and he is in a relationship, but that is just part of the background of the story.
I'm so happy that I own the second book in this series! I can't wait to see what comes next!
October 19, 2021
This was OK. Not great but not terrible either. There were a bunch of interesting ideas about magic that were rushed at certain points and drawn out too much at other points. That our main character was on a starvation diet to treat diabetes before insulin wasn't very clear. I ended up pausing to google to make sure I understood correctly. The subplot about Henry's time in underground gay soirees was confusing. I also wanted to know more about how society would react to the sudden baby that the older couple had.
A collection of interesting ideas that ultimately didn't come together. I read this as part of Kindle Unlimited. If I had spent money to buy this I would have been extremely annoyed.
A collection of interesting ideas that ultimately didn't come together. I read this as part of Kindle Unlimited. If I had spent money to buy this I would have been extremely annoyed.
January 12, 2021
The Magic Box features a sympathetic protagonist, Charlie, who is currently suffering from diabetes (which will kill him sooner rather than later). He accidentally stumbles into a well-realized world of magic and gods and chaos ensues as he tries to navigate this new reality, all while battling forces he doesn't understand completely and those eager to get their hands on this new source of power. The best of the book, though, is his relationship with his "roommate" Henry. He and Henry have been facing Charlie's illness and death, with Henry morphed from lover to caretaker as Charlie fades, and they have to redefine themselves and their roles within the relationship as Charlie becomes more entangled with magical forces.
February 20, 2021
This is not a m/m romance. It is much better.
I think I loved pretty much the whole thing, the protagonist being gay and diabetic, the protagonist motivated by self-preservation, the Canadian setting, the WW1 setting, the gay underworld, the creepy, power-hungry and American antagonist, the magical pregnancy, the oh-so-real relationship between Charlie and Henry, even the mysterious Benedict.
The only problem, possibly, was that the book was too fast-paced. I want it to linger in me for a while after reading, but somehow, I am afraid it won't. It is not that it was shallow, just that too much focus was put on the action.
Anyway, well done and looking forward to the next installment.
I think I loved pretty much the whole thing, the protagonist being gay and diabetic, the protagonist motivated by self-preservation, the Canadian setting, the WW1 setting, the gay underworld, the creepy, power-hungry and American antagonist, the magical pregnancy, the oh-so-real relationship between Charlie and Henry, even the mysterious Benedict.
The only problem, possibly, was that the book was too fast-paced. I want it to linger in me for a while after reading, but somehow, I am afraid it won't. It is not that it was shallow, just that too much focus was put on the action.
Anyway, well done and looking forward to the next installment.
March 28, 2021
I *really* liked this book. I have to admit that the beginning absolutely grabbed me, and the book didn't quite hold that same level of wonder as it wound along. I'm not a fan of where Charlie's personal situation ended up at the end.
I really found it fascinating to read a fantasy story about magic coming *back*, instead of magic disappearing. It feels like every other fantasy book is about how magic used to be stronger, and seems to be disappearing or weakening. This was the opposite, which was interesting.
I really found it fascinating to read a fantasy story about magic coming *back*, instead of magic disappearing. It feels like every other fantasy book is about how magic used to be stronger, and seems to be disappearing or weakening. This was the opposite, which was interesting.
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