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Andromeda Bochs #1
Evolutionary Magic
When a mysterious asteroid awakens monsters of myth on Earth, mutant Evolutionaries like Andromeda Bochs are forced to protect what's left of humanity.
Elite monster hunter with the E-gene might sound prestigious, but Andromeda just put on her last pair of jeans not slimed, burned, or eaten on the job. She expects to die by monster in spectacular fashion until she meets a scientist who believes in magic. And he claims she has it.
Monster hunter becomes the hunted when Andromeda's new-found power draws the attention of an Ancient Magic. Can she still die by monster? Absolutely. But if she escapes the Ancient and embraces her magic, she might prevent ALL Evolutionaries from dying on the job.
Science and magic collide in this dystopian urban fantasy!
"If you want to read a fantastic book of magic, monsters, heroes, and villains, buy Evolutionary Magic." • N.N. Light, Amazon Vine Voice
"When I need a ride or die after the apocalypse, I'm calling her." • Amazon Reviewer
Elite monster hunter with the E-gene might sound prestigious, but Andromeda just put on her last pair of jeans not slimed, burned, or eaten on the job. She expects to die by monster in spectacular fashion until she meets a scientist who believes in magic. And he claims she has it.
Monster hunter becomes the hunted when Andromeda's new-found power draws the attention of an Ancient Magic. Can she still die by monster? Absolutely. But if she escapes the Ancient and embraces her magic, she might prevent ALL Evolutionaries from dying on the job.
Science and magic collide in this dystopian urban fantasy!
"If you want to read a fantastic book of magic, monsters, heroes, and villains, buy Evolutionary Magic." • N.N. Light, Amazon Vine Voice
"When I need a ride or die after the apocalypse, I'm calling her." • Amazon Reviewer
- GenresFantasyUrban Fantasy
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 2, 2020
2 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Christina Herlyn
5 books92 followersChristina grew up in Texas and Oklahoma but now lives in the Midwest where she earned a History degree from William Jewell College. She writes fantasy because dragons and witches wouldn't stay out of the perfectly normal historical novel she tried to write. Christina hates to read. (Ha! Just checking your attention span.) She worships the sun and exercises just enough to avoid being the first casualty in a zombie apocalypse. Her favorite workout of kickboxing is perfect for this goal. Her second favorite, yoga . . . not so much.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 11, 2020
Wow! Now that is a book that will appeal to just about everyone! If you have a thing for Rings or miss the magic of people like Harry and Ron...you will want to read this. I was struck immediately by the easy readability. Christina Herlyn has created a world that is beyond normalcy but grounded, so it's easily accessible to a reader's mind.
Andromeda is the best lead character I have read since Scarecrow flew a spacecraft in battle during Solar Warden. Andee, a great name for her that I totally get, is heroic in every way. She is fiercely loyal, deadly dangerous, and adept at vengeful thoughts.
The descriptive ability to create the monsters sets Evolutionary Magic apart from many of this genre. The creativity is incredible and makes this book work so well. The streets of Kansas City are a dangerous place under the new 'moon'. I felt about 39% through this book that there had to be a book two. I am eager to see what the next book brings once it is written.
Andee is a little more forgiving to Waya than I would have been. Let’s not give any spoilers here but to say I detested him from the start and still do. If you want a read to take your mind from the boredom of pandemic land, buy this book. If you want to read a fantastic book of magic, monsters, heroes, and villains, buy Evolutionary Magic. I recommend this book to anyone. This is a fantastic book.
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in the hopes I'd review it.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Reviewed by: Mr. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
Andromeda is the best lead character I have read since Scarecrow flew a spacecraft in battle during Solar Warden. Andee, a great name for her that I totally get, is heroic in every way. She is fiercely loyal, deadly dangerous, and adept at vengeful thoughts.
The descriptive ability to create the monsters sets Evolutionary Magic apart from many of this genre. The creativity is incredible and makes this book work so well. The streets of Kansas City are a dangerous place under the new 'moon'. I felt about 39% through this book that there had to be a book two. I am eager to see what the next book brings once it is written.
Andee is a little more forgiving to Waya than I would have been. Let’s not give any spoilers here but to say I detested him from the start and still do. If you want a read to take your mind from the boredom of pandemic land, buy this book. If you want to read a fantastic book of magic, monsters, heroes, and villains, buy Evolutionary Magic. I recommend this book to anyone. This is a fantastic book.
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in the hopes I'd review it.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Reviewed by: Mr. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
December 27, 2021
I highly enjoyed the book and the characters, the author put quite a bit of depth into the characters especially the main character, Andromeda Bochs. At first all you would think of her as a hack and slash chick with no feelings, but there was more to her then just that. I also enjoyed how the author put a fantasy twist to a post apocalyptic world. I read a complimentary Advance Readers Copy and leaving a fair and unbiased review.
November 6, 2020
I was immediately drawn into this story of Andee’s struggle against the merciless Corporation which controls this futuristic, monster ridden dystopia.
The vivid word pictures brought this horrific society, with its hideous combination of centralised power, environmental disaster and monster ridden industrial decay, vividly to life. I could see it as a evolving series of pictures in my mind’s eye.
As an Evolutionary, it is Andee’s job to protect the Normals by killing any of the horrific monsters who emerge, and if she gets killed herself, then that’s just too bad, and part of the role.
Brave and self-sufficient, Andee is one of the best of the team. When her fellow warriors start to disappear and she begins to suspect the conspiracy, she shows her invariable intrepid spirit in vowing to fight it – and if her supervisor Josiah Hightower, who unluckily makes her insides warm and quiver, is a part of it – then she must fight him too, and her own feelings for him.
Certainly, Josiah is not what he seems. Andee cannot accept that he is Normal. For one thing, he can scent her entering a building from thirty storeys up, and although she is lugging an odiferous dead monster in a bin bag, she finds that rather a startling talent.
I particularly liked the descriptions of the beguiling and playful, but tightly controlled and coolly professional Doyon Josiah Hightower:
‘His head,with its slightly spiked, midnight black hair stayed bent as he pretended to read the book in his lap. Even seated and disinterested, Josiah looked hard. His intense, blue-gray eyes and almost sharp cheekbones implied a face of granite. The only trait that marred the effect was the wide, soft mouth.’
There are a cast of vivid characters in this story besides the likable Andee.
There is Thomas Waya, her fellow fighter – vain and arrogant, who has always had the must humiliating affect on Andee’s passions and challenges her integrity in a different way than her intestine warming weakness for Josh.
Andee has no respect for Waya, who as an Enforcer, is prepared to hand in fellow Evolutionaries who break the rules. But her body has its own ideas:
‘Just looking at that lean body,wrapped with corded muscle barely disguised by a tight black t -shirt and jeans, caused palpitations. My mind suspected Waya could show me a good time, and my body knew it. The no-fraternization rule was the most frequently broken at M-kes. Unfortunately, Waya never had fun with the same woman twice. I refused to be his toy.’
Josiah, when he was Andee’s supervisior, would never let her go out to fight with Waya, and in fact, never lets any woman partner him. It is as if he is aware of the sinister compulsive attraction that he exudes...
There is the cold and quietly sadistic Sophia Bennett, maker of monsters. Andee is sullenly suspicious that she might be carrying on with Josiah:
‘Men found Sophia desirable with her snug lab coat, too-short skirts, and too-high heels. I thought of her as a reject for a porno called ‘Sexy Scientist.’’
Provost Allen is inscrutable, Andee’s opinionated horse Pegasus is ludicrous, and Mac the scientist is avuncular.
There is a wonderful vein of humour running through this, which even extends to the fights, and I will finish by quoting few of these :
‘I hated clichés. A 5’10”, sword-toting, monster killer with fangs shouldn’t be clad in leather.“
‘A dirty loincloth hid whatever tissue connected the legs to the humanoid torso. For the sake of my gag reflex, I appreciated the attire, though it struck me as pathetic.
‘I’d never been fought over by two men. Considering they both ignored me and neither was younger than fifty, the effect wasn’t quite the stuff of dreams.’
‘I pushed him away. If he placed any more nastiness into his words, I’d need a shower.’
‘Allen surveyed me from a distance, then gave a satisfied nod. “You refrained from ravishing her. Excellent work.” And people accused me of reading bad romance.’
Leaving that humour behind , I’d like to say that as a tea addict, this reflection of Andee’s that shocked me more than any of the monster strewn violence of this dystopia:
‘I hadn’t had tea since visiting my grandmother two years earlier. Even before Atlas’ arrival, she grew Camellia bushes to make her own tea.’
I am giving this book four and a half stars (which will show up as four) because I was a disappointed that there wasn’t more of Andee and that beguiling Josiah Hightower together. I do like him. Maybe that’s not a fair judgement: there’s a good amount, but I wanted more...
The vivid word pictures brought this horrific society, with its hideous combination of centralised power, environmental disaster and monster ridden industrial decay, vividly to life. I could see it as a evolving series of pictures in my mind’s eye.
As an Evolutionary, it is Andee’s job to protect the Normals by killing any of the horrific monsters who emerge, and if she gets killed herself, then that’s just too bad, and part of the role.
Brave and self-sufficient, Andee is one of the best of the team. When her fellow warriors start to disappear and she begins to suspect the conspiracy, she shows her invariable intrepid spirit in vowing to fight it – and if her supervisor Josiah Hightower, who unluckily makes her insides warm and quiver, is a part of it – then she must fight him too, and her own feelings for him.
Certainly, Josiah is not what he seems. Andee cannot accept that he is Normal. For one thing, he can scent her entering a building from thirty storeys up, and although she is lugging an odiferous dead monster in a bin bag, she finds that rather a startling talent.
I particularly liked the descriptions of the beguiling and playful, but tightly controlled and coolly professional Doyon Josiah Hightower:
‘His head,with its slightly spiked, midnight black hair stayed bent as he pretended to read the book in his lap. Even seated and disinterested, Josiah looked hard. His intense, blue-gray eyes and almost sharp cheekbones implied a face of granite. The only trait that marred the effect was the wide, soft mouth.’
There are a cast of vivid characters in this story besides the likable Andee.
There is Thomas Waya, her fellow fighter – vain and arrogant, who has always had the must humiliating affect on Andee’s passions and challenges her integrity in a different way than her intestine warming weakness for Josh.
Andee has no respect for Waya, who as an Enforcer, is prepared to hand in fellow Evolutionaries who break the rules. But her body has its own ideas:
‘Just looking at that lean body,wrapped with corded muscle barely disguised by a tight black t -shirt and jeans, caused palpitations. My mind suspected Waya could show me a good time, and my body knew it. The no-fraternization rule was the most frequently broken at M-kes. Unfortunately, Waya never had fun with the same woman twice. I refused to be his toy.’
Josiah, when he was Andee’s supervisior, would never let her go out to fight with Waya, and in fact, never lets any woman partner him. It is as if he is aware of the sinister compulsive attraction that he exudes...
There is the cold and quietly sadistic Sophia Bennett, maker of monsters. Andee is sullenly suspicious that she might be carrying on with Josiah:
‘Men found Sophia desirable with her snug lab coat, too-short skirts, and too-high heels. I thought of her as a reject for a porno called ‘Sexy Scientist.’’
Provost Allen is inscrutable, Andee’s opinionated horse Pegasus is ludicrous, and Mac the scientist is avuncular.
There is a wonderful vein of humour running through this, which even extends to the fights, and I will finish by quoting few of these :
‘I hated clichés. A 5’10”, sword-toting, monster killer with fangs shouldn’t be clad in leather.“
‘A dirty loincloth hid whatever tissue connected the legs to the humanoid torso. For the sake of my gag reflex, I appreciated the attire, though it struck me as pathetic.
‘I’d never been fought over by two men. Considering they both ignored me and neither was younger than fifty, the effect wasn’t quite the stuff of dreams.’
‘I pushed him away. If he placed any more nastiness into his words, I’d need a shower.’
‘Allen surveyed me from a distance, then gave a satisfied nod. “You refrained from ravishing her. Excellent work.” And people accused me of reading bad romance.’
Leaving that humour behind , I’d like to say that as a tea addict, this reflection of Andee’s that shocked me more than any of the monster strewn violence of this dystopia:
‘I hadn’t had tea since visiting my grandmother two years earlier. Even before Atlas’ arrival, she grew Camellia bushes to make her own tea.’
I am giving this book four and a half stars (which will show up as four) because I was a disappointed that there wasn’t more of Andee and that beguiling Josiah Hightower together. I do like him. Maybe that’s not a fair judgement: there’s a good amount, but I wanted more...
January 6, 2022
~About
In the second frontier era, many humans died due to catastrophic environmental change. Now, fifty years or so in the future, the moon has been replaced by an orbiting asteroid called Atlas, which causes most technology to cease functioning when it hovers over a part of the world. Not only does Atlas affect technology, but it is also said to have caused mutations in certain people, here termed ‘Evolutionaries.’
Andromeda Bochs is one such Evolutionary, serving as a monster hunter (AKA, Eliminator) in Kansas City, USA. Recently, Eliminators such as herself have been going missing and strange substances have been turning up all over town. Although Andromeda doesn’t start the story with a specific end goal, her journey takes several unexpected turns, which lead her to seek further knowledge, to help others like herself.
In this gripping fictional journey, ancient secrets await discovery while monsters roam the Earth, hell bent on destruction.
Can Andromeda uncover the reason behind her fellow Eliminator’s disappearances? Only time will tell.
~Characters
As usual, there were many characters involved in such a complex fantasy tale. With that in mind, I have settled on a select three to discuss.
Twenty-five year old Eliminator Andromeda Bochs is an Evolutionary who works for the Mythical Creatures Elimination Squad (M-Kes). With super speed, strength, and endurance, she is a powerful force to be reckoned with. Her blue skin and fangs make her look anything but human, yet her sense of humanity is stronger than most. Such genetic mutations are said to be a result of radiation from Atlas, marking her as different from your everyday human being. As I read this book, I came to learn that Andromeda was a sarcastic individual, that she was brave and protective of those close to her, often becoming incredibly stubborn. She rarely let people get close to her for fear that she or they would get hurt in the process. She also proved to be resourceful, taking initiative in new situations, while often going against the orders of others. Overall, she was a fascinating and complex character whom I came to relate to on a deeper level.
Mac, an eccentric Scottish scientist made for a wonderful ally. Andromeda encounters him later in the book once she goes searching for answers about who and what she really is. Over time, Mac showed himself to be a helpful and highly intelligent individual, who couldn’t stand the concept of normality, with certain people being made into outcasts. He was idealistic in nature and had a generous attitude, always helping others wherever he could, even if he didn’t know the person. Mac’s eccentricities and supportive nature made him likable from the get go. Over time, he became a steadfast friend to Andromeda, the kind to have your back no matter what.
Josiah Hightower (The Doyen of Defence for Kansas City) is a ‘normal’ who is described as not quite normal, ironically. He is well built, towering over most and seems mysterious. We aren’t told much about him at the start, other than that he was Andromeda’s previous Warden, which leaves the reader’s mind to try and fill in the blanks as the story progresses. One thing which stood out to me was the way in which he spoke with such purpose, every syllable accentuated, as though every word itself were conveying some important secret meaning. Throughout the book, I wasn’t sure if Andromeda could trust him and went from thinking him good, to imagining him as the core antagonist. I won’t say which he turns out to be, only that it is a rollercoaster ride trying to figure out the part he truly plays.
Note: In order to prevent any major spoilers, I will not be examining the true antagonist in this review.
~Positive Elements
While reading Evolutionary Magic, there were several positive aspects I noted, which I have consequently included in a bulleted list below.
-The story is very atmospheric. The author works to bring all the senses alive, putting you in the scene with the protagonist using their excellent attention to detail.
-The first person, past tense narration works well, letting us into Andromeda’s inner-world.
-The flashbacks showing the tragic deaths of Andromeda’s close friends help to provide context for why she doesn’t let people get close to her now.
-The story introduced a unique magical system, which isn’t known as magic until a third of the way into the book. (That’s all I will say on the matter, so as to avoid potential spoilers.)
-The tension building is expertly executed, which made for heart-pounding, suspenseful action scenes.
-The characters were funny and highly likable, especially Andromeda and Mac. Furthermore, the way their personalities played off each other was electric.
-The story included lots of fascinating turning points which I never saw coming.
~Memorable Quotes
While reading Evolutionary Magic, I came across two quotes which really resonated with me.
1) ‘People don’t like being told they can’t do something.’
2) ‘Don’t fall in love with a theory so deeply that you try to force square assumptions into round facts.’
I found this second quote especially interesting because it speaks to a phenomenon that’s become quite common in recent times. In terms of people’s personally held beliefs, for example, people often cling to ideas of how things should be to the extent that any information which differs to their idea is met with swift dismissal and treated as inherently false. That being said, it makes me wonder why people cling to such theories, even if they are proven false. Perhaps they provide a sense of security and certainty in an otherwise chaotic world.
It’s safe to say that this second quote definitely got me thinking.
~Overview
Overall, I found Evolutionary Magic to be a wonderful, imaginative story with a type of unique magical system that I haven’t come across before. In addition, the character’s personalities were electric and made it easy to connect with them.
My Rating: 5 stars.
Recommended to: lovers of fantasy books with unique twists.
November 4, 2020
Smart, tough and skilled with a katana, Evolutionary Andromeda Bochs protects the Normals from the monsters that now roam the streets. But her life is turned upside-down when a basilisk turns to a pile of dust before her eyes and her friends and fellow Evolutionaries begin disappearing. She turns to the people in power, only to discover that she can't trust anyone, especially the man she secretly loves.
Evolutionary Magic is fast-paced tale of discovery and betrayal. The fight scenes will leave you breathless. The dialogue is witty and often snarky, the characters come alive on the page, and the unexpected twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages. A magical read.
Evolutionary Magic is fast-paced tale of discovery and betrayal. The fight scenes will leave you breathless. The dialogue is witty and often snarky, the characters come alive on the page, and the unexpected twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages. A magical read.
November 2, 2020
this combines urban fantasy with dystopian and I love that! It was interesting and new. And it leaves you wanting more. Don't shy away from this book because it is entirely worth the read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 11, 2021
Evolutionary Magic is an urban fantasy I had no problems sinking my fangs into. This dystopian world is familiar enough to draw readers in, yet alien enough it's unpredictable.
Evolutionaries are those with a gene tainted by the new moon Atlas, or so people are led to believe. When Andee learns the truth and embraces her magic for what it really is, the whole world looks different. She has two magics within her and doesn't know much about either one and has no idea who to trust.
The cast of characters is so varied that nobody will claim boredom. I can't wait to see where this story goes next, there were several questions left unanswered.
I received a free copy of this story from the publisher and am leaving a voluntary, honest review.
Evolutionaries are those with a gene tainted by the new moon Atlas, or so people are led to believe. When Andee learns the truth and embraces her magic for what it really is, the whole world looks different. She has two magics within her and doesn't know much about either one and has no idea who to trust.
The cast of characters is so varied that nobody will claim boredom. I can't wait to see where this story goes next, there were several questions left unanswered.
I received a free copy of this story from the publisher and am leaving a voluntary, honest review.
October 10, 2021
Evolutionary Magic is an urban fantasy I had no problems sinking my fangs into. This dystopian world is familiar enough to draw readers in, yet alien enough it's unpredictable.
Evolutionaries are those with a gene tainted by the new moon Atlas, or so people are led to believe. When Andee learns the truth and embraces her magic for what it really is, the whole world looks different. She has two magics within her and doesn't know much about either one and has no idea who to trust.
The cast of characters is so varied that nobody will claim boredom. I can't wait to see where this story goes next, there were several questions left unanswered.
I received a free copy of this story from the publisher and am leaving a voluntary, honest review.
Evolutionaries are those with a gene tainted by the new moon Atlas, or so people are led to believe. When Andee learns the truth and embraces her magic for what it really is, the whole world looks different. She has two magics within her and doesn't know much about either one and has no idea who to trust.
The cast of characters is so varied that nobody will claim boredom. I can't wait to see where this story goes next, there were several questions left unanswered.
I received a free copy of this story from the publisher and am leaving a voluntary, honest review.
October 15, 2021
Evolutionary Magic is a breath of dystopian fresh air. I read a lot and the author has come up with very original and intriguing elements and ideas. I will definitely be reading the second book as I am very invested in Andromeda and cast’s stories. I read a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review.
October 5, 2021
This novel is set in Kansas City in the not too near future. The moon has been displaced by a strange satellite which has been named Astra. This has caused huge climate disruption due to erupting super volcanoes so much of the earth is now uninhabitable. Astra has also disrupted technology so machines only work part of the time. Now monsters out of myths and legends roam the streets but the people are protected by a force of Evolutionaries, humans who have changed in ways that mean they can fight and defeat the monsters.
Andromeda Bochs is an experienced evolutionary who has survived countless encounters with manticores, basilisks etc. However, things are changing and the people who run the evolutionary force no longer seem as though they can be trusted. As well as battling the monsters, Andromeda now has to discover why she is now being hunted and work out who she can trust.
The story combines urban fantasy with a dystopian setting and works brilliantly. I love how the changed world now works and the background to the current story gives just enough detail of what happened in the past. Andromeda is a brilliant lead character. She is strong and talks as if she doesn’t care but her aim is always to protect the people around her. The descriptions, both of the physical city and the action scenes are all great and the story is fast paced. I really enjoyed reading this and will certainly look out for further books featuring Andromeda Bochs.
Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for providing a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
Andromeda Bochs is an experienced evolutionary who has survived countless encounters with manticores, basilisks etc. However, things are changing and the people who run the evolutionary force no longer seem as though they can be trusted. As well as battling the monsters, Andromeda now has to discover why she is now being hunted and work out who she can trust.
The story combines urban fantasy with a dystopian setting and works brilliantly. I love how the changed world now works and the background to the current story gives just enough detail of what happened in the past. Andromeda is a brilliant lead character. She is strong and talks as if she doesn’t care but her aim is always to protect the people around her. The descriptions, both of the physical city and the action scenes are all great and the story is fast paced. I really enjoyed reading this and will certainly look out for further books featuring Andromeda Bochs.
Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for providing a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
October 30, 2021
I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Finishing a book can elicit some strong feelings, be they negative or positive. In this case, all I wanted was book 2, which I proceeded to devour in a very short time. This was so much fun!! At first it reminded me a lot of the Kate Daniels series from Ilona Andrews- tragic young heroine with magic trying to make a quiet living while still saving humanity after it’s all gone to pot. Until you realize it’s more she’s accidentally working for the evil cabal protecting humanity from magic. And she’s got it. But really, this book has katanas, a thunderbird, Merlin, and a whole plethora of fun magic to play with along with a really deep world and wonderfully unfolding plot. Right now, I’m going to sit here waiting impatiently for book three….
Finishing a book can elicit some strong feelings, be they negative or positive. In this case, all I wanted was book 2, which I proceeded to devour in a very short time. This was so much fun!! At first it reminded me a lot of the Kate Daniels series from Ilona Andrews- tragic young heroine with magic trying to make a quiet living while still saving humanity after it’s all gone to pot. Until you realize it’s more she’s accidentally working for the evil cabal protecting humanity from magic. And she’s got it. But really, this book has katanas, a thunderbird, Merlin, and a whole plethora of fun magic to play with along with a really deep world and wonderfully unfolding plot. Right now, I’m going to sit here waiting impatiently for book three….
October 10, 2021
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This book sold me from the outset. A dystopian future - check. Set in Kansas City, the place I’m moving to in a few months - check. Urban fantasy - check. So unsurprisingly, it didn’t disappoint!
The setting is excellent, with enough nuggets of information to keep going whilst desperate to learn more about the world, for that reason alone I’d pick up the next instalment in a heartbeat.
The characters are also really well done and my only complaint is that other than Andee and Mac we don’t get to know any particularly well and honestly you don’t really get to know Mac. I’m hoping the author builds on this during the series but for a first book it frustrated me a little. Saying that, I loved D.J and Waya and thought that the bad guys had a decently appropriate level of creepiness and menace.
In essence, I loved it and am excited to know what happens next 😁
This book sold me from the outset. A dystopian future - check. Set in Kansas City, the place I’m moving to in a few months - check. Urban fantasy - check. So unsurprisingly, it didn’t disappoint!
The setting is excellent, with enough nuggets of information to keep going whilst desperate to learn more about the world, for that reason alone I’d pick up the next instalment in a heartbeat.
The characters are also really well done and my only complaint is that other than Andee and Mac we don’t get to know any particularly well and honestly you don’t really get to know Mac. I’m hoping the author builds on this during the series but for a first book it frustrated me a little. Saying that, I loved D.J and Waya and thought that the bad guys had a decently appropriate level of creepiness and menace.
In essence, I loved it and am excited to know what happens next 😁
November 3, 2020
Andee is a sassy, sexy, evolutionary monster killer in a post-apocalyptic America. She's of a new race born of evolved science. Yet the monsters she's tasked to bring down don't like playing by any rules. But magic is dead. Right?
This book is a fantastic, thrilling ride through a near-dead city filled with ancient creatures and new creations. Andee's hunt for powerful monsters leads her on a wild goose chase straight back to herself. When I need a ride or die after the apocalypse, I'm calling her.
This book is a fantastic, thrilling ride through a near-dead city filled with ancient creatures and new creations. Andee's hunt for powerful monsters leads her on a wild goose chase straight back to herself. When I need a ride or die after the apocalypse, I'm calling her.
January 13, 2022
Evolutionary Magic starts out slow building up revealing one secret after another that kept me on the edge of my seat wondering and waiting how everything was going to intertwine in the end. There were more twists and turns than a spiral staircase. I was drawn in from the first page wondering what was going on as each character was introduced giving us a little insight into each as their stories were revealed. This is my first read from this author and I intend to read plenty. I received this novel from BookFunnel. This is my ture and honest review.
May 5, 2021
Andee is a kick-butt, sword wielding monster hunter. She is street smart, strong and a fun MC to read. She protects regular humans, Normals, from the monsters due to her evolved genetics. But is she just evolved or is there more to it? Perhaps, magic? When she discovers her magical abilities she is battling the monsters and the Corporation that is in charge in this dystopian future. Think a touch of Divergent and Maze Runner with swords and monsters, but with a lot of sass and attitude, aka, not appropriate for teen readers. There's a fun cast of characters and this one was a good read.
November 29, 2020
Evolutionary Magic follows the story of Andromeda Bochs, a katana-wielding monster slayer. From the get-go, you get the sense she's just as liable to cut you with her words as she is with her arsenal of weapons. Armed with biting sarcasm, she's one of those characters you'd be happy to sit down with and have a beer while she told you of her monster-slaying adventures - while taking care not to get on her bad side. The author plops her in the middle of an unraveling plot amidst a very dystopian setting with a mysterious history, all of which are woven together in a complete story that doesn't leave you wanting. There's action and intrigue aplenty for those seeking a gripping tale of monsters, heroes, and devious villains. I strongly recommend this book. Andromeda is a character worth following.
October 23, 2021
Evolutionary Magic is the debut novel of Christina Herlyn, a dystopian urban fantasy set in an alternate history where our moon was shunted out of orbit by an asteroid, Atlas. As you might expect, this caused a massive amount of environmental damage, along with the failure of a substantial proportion of technology, the sudden appearance of mythological monsters, and potentially fatal genetic changes in some human new-borns. These children – Evolutionaries – can be treated, but the treatment has such side effects that older Evolutionaries can only be allowed to work for the newly-created Mythical Creatures Elimination Squad, hunting monsters.
Our protagonist, Andee, is one of those Evolutionaries, and she’s not particularly happy with the status quo, as MCES treats its not-strictly-human employees in a rather callous manner, so when she meets a man who tells her that what is being done to her and her fellow Evolutionaries is completely unnecessary, she must decide whether to believe him. Doing so will mean she will be hunted herself, but does she really have a choice?
Overall, Evolutionary Magic is a mixed bag. The simplicity of the writing suggests that the book is going to be aimed towards younger readers, yet the subject matter indicates otherwise. Some characters are comparatively well-developed, while others are so two dimensional it was hard to stop from rolling my eyes every time they cropped up (it might say a lot that my favourite characters were the horse and the cat). Perhaps a more experienced author would have developed a more scientifically plausible explanation for the moon/Atlas swap, I don’t know. What I do know is that the inclusion of mythical monsters can cover many sins.
Despite the plotline becoming fairly generic in places, it’s an enjoyable, action-packed, and fast-paced read. There’s a lot of back story to fill in, which could be why it feels too rushed at times, but it’s understandable given that this is a debut novel. I will be checking out the next book in the series, so it’s obviously promising enough to allow more time for development.
I received a free reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Our protagonist, Andee, is one of those Evolutionaries, and she’s not particularly happy with the status quo, as MCES treats its not-strictly-human employees in a rather callous manner, so when she meets a man who tells her that what is being done to her and her fellow Evolutionaries is completely unnecessary, she must decide whether to believe him. Doing so will mean she will be hunted herself, but does she really have a choice?
Overall, Evolutionary Magic is a mixed bag. The simplicity of the writing suggests that the book is going to be aimed towards younger readers, yet the subject matter indicates otherwise. Some characters are comparatively well-developed, while others are so two dimensional it was hard to stop from rolling my eyes every time they cropped up (it might say a lot that my favourite characters were the horse and the cat). Perhaps a more experienced author would have developed a more scientifically plausible explanation for the moon/Atlas swap, I don’t know. What I do know is that the inclusion of mythical monsters can cover many sins.
Despite the plotline becoming fairly generic in places, it’s an enjoyable, action-packed, and fast-paced read. There’s a lot of back story to fill in, which could be why it feels too rushed at times, but it’s understandable given that this is a debut novel. I will be checking out the next book in the series, so it’s obviously promising enough to allow more time for development.
I received a free reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 23, 2021
Andee is a kick-butt, sword wielding monster hunter. She is street smart, strong and a fun MC to read. She protects regular humans, Normals, from the monsters due to her evolved genetics. But is she just evolved or is there more to it? Perhaps, magic? When she discovers her magical abilities she is battling the monsters and the Corporation that is in charge in this dystopian future. Think a touch of Divergent and Maze Runner with swords and monsters, but with a lot of sass and attitude, aka, not appropriate for teen readers. There's a fun cast of characters and this one was a good read.
November 1, 2021
A good mix of dystopia and urban fantasy featuring a strong female character. It's fast paced and gripping, a highly entertaining story that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Good character development, world building, and storytelling.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Good character development, world building, and storytelling.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
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