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Gutter Mage
Fantasy and hardboiled noir in this fast-paced, twisting tale of magic, mystery, and a whole lot of unruly behavior.
In a kingdom where magic fuels everything from street lamps to horseless carriages, the mage guilds of Penador wield power equal to the king himself. So when Lord Edmund’s infant son is kidnapped by the ruthless Alath Guild, he turns to the one person who’s feared by even the most magically adept: Rosalind Featherstone, a.k.a. the Gutter Mage.
But as Roz delves into the circumstances behind the child’s disappearance, she uncovers an old enemy from her traumatic past and a long-brewing plot that could lead to the death of countless innocents, as well as the complete collapse of Penadorian society itself!
In a kingdom where magic fuels everything from street lamps to horseless carriages, the mage guilds of Penador wield power equal to the king himself. So when Lord Edmund’s infant son is kidnapped by the ruthless Alath Guild, he turns to the one person who’s feared by even the most magically adept: Rosalind Featherstone, a.k.a. the Gutter Mage.
But as Roz delves into the circumstances behind the child’s disappearance, she uncovers an old enemy from her traumatic past and a long-brewing plot that could lead to the death of countless innocents, as well as the complete collapse of Penadorian society itself!
336 pages, Hardcover
First published September 21, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
October 26, 2021
Gutter Mage
by J. S. Kelley
⚡️ I was provided an e-ARC by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
🌟: 2 / 5
📚: When the son of a Lord is kidnapped and all clues point to a secretive circle of mages, a magical outcast is hired to solve the crime.
💭: To be completely blunt, I really did not like this book. I requested this book because I was like, oh cool, a fantasy noir mystery, let me give this a shot. However, I should have let the bad cover art be my gut check on this because the inside made my cringe even harder than the outside did.
The writing tried so, so hard to be edgy and dry that it came off stilted, and I think that the tone was juuuust the tip of the iceberg for me. I get that a sarcastic antihero is a trendy lead to have right now, but I think that this book almost proves how hard it is to make this archetype actually succeed at being likeable but still not a good person. Not that it doesn’t try, so many elements that could possibly contribute to them being complex are brought to the table and are just kind of left there. While Roz isn’t the perfect lead, which is kind of the whole point, they’re just an actively boring character who can basically be boiled down into a bullet pointed list of traits that are never truly shown in a way that makes her dynamic or even likeable. And in hindsight, a few hours after finishing the book, I’m not entirely sure what Roz’s motivations even were? I think they were to have money to pay rent and to abandon their nickname of “Gutter Mage,” and truth be told, I don’t honestly know what ANYONE’S motivations were in this book.
And not to have an entire section of this review be spoilers, but like, ahem—
Another thing that probably only bothered me very specifically is within the concept of, the main character, Roz’s ability to control fire. The fact that she uses it in combat and is able to reduce an enemy to ashes in seconds was presented so early in the book that it absolutely, truly threw me off for a good chunk of the book. Like, the fact that it takes multiple HOURS at approximately 1800ºF to cremate a body, and the story expects me to just roll with the fact that this character JUST SO HAPPENS to get fire even hotter than that from their hands? This book is 100% someone’s two player character DND game, but even DND has a fragmentary grasp on the laws of physics, which is much more than this book does.
Again, I hated this book. It includes my noir mystery pet peeve where the villain just gives away their whole plan at the very end and throws in info that barely makes sense and reminds me of creative writing that I did in middle school, as well as my other pet peeve, which is a hot but can’t be bothered woman who's whole character reads exactly like every woman in every popular fantasy novel written by a white man.
Anyway, I guess the TL;DR of this book is that you don’t have to waste your time reading books with bad covers if you don’t want to. The cover is there to sell you on the book, and sometimes it’s pretty telling of the content inside too.
by J. S. Kelley
⚡️ I was provided an e-ARC by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
🌟: 2 / 5
📚: When the son of a Lord is kidnapped and all clues point to a secretive circle of mages, a magical outcast is hired to solve the crime.
💭: To be completely blunt, I really did not like this book. I requested this book because I was like, oh cool, a fantasy noir mystery, let me give this a shot. However, I should have let the bad cover art be my gut check on this because the inside made my cringe even harder than the outside did.
The writing tried so, so hard to be edgy and dry that it came off stilted, and I think that the tone was juuuust the tip of the iceberg for me. I get that a sarcastic antihero is a trendy lead to have right now, but I think that this book almost proves how hard it is to make this archetype actually succeed at being likeable but still not a good person. Not that it doesn’t try, so many elements that could possibly contribute to them being complex are brought to the table and are just kind of left there. While Roz isn’t the perfect lead, which is kind of the whole point, they’re just an actively boring character who can basically be boiled down into a bullet pointed list of traits that are never truly shown in a way that makes her dynamic or even likeable. And in hindsight, a few hours after finishing the book, I’m not entirely sure what Roz’s motivations even were? I think they were to have money to pay rent and to abandon their nickname of “Gutter Mage,” and truth be told, I don’t honestly know what ANYONE’S motivations were in this book.
And not to have an entire section of this review be spoilers, but like, ahem—
Another thing that probably only bothered me very specifically is within the concept of, the main character, Roz’s ability to control fire. The fact that she uses it in combat and is able to reduce an enemy to ashes in seconds was presented so early in the book that it absolutely, truly threw me off for a good chunk of the book. Like, the fact that it takes multiple HOURS at approximately 1800ºF to cremate a body, and the story expects me to just roll with the fact that this character JUST SO HAPPENS to get fire even hotter than that from their hands? This book is 100% someone’s two player character DND game, but even DND has a fragmentary grasp on the laws of physics, which is much more than this book does.
Again, I hated this book. It includes my noir mystery pet peeve where the villain just gives away their whole plan at the very end and throws in info that barely makes sense and reminds me of creative writing that I did in middle school, as well as my other pet peeve, which is a hot but can’t be bothered woman who's whole character reads exactly like every woman in every popular fantasy novel written by a white man.
Anyway, I guess the TL;DR of this book is that you don’t have to waste your time reading books with bad covers if you don’t want to. The cover is there to sell you on the book, and sometimes it’s pretty telling of the content inside too.
April 20, 2022
The cover, title and blurb definitely made me pick it up soon after I found it on my book app and I was definitely not disappointed. Full of pace and intruiging plot. Was emersed from the beginning to end. Looking forward to read more from this author in the future
September 20, 2021
I thought this book was just a blast! I didn't realize until after finishing the book that this author has published under the name Jon Skovron before. I've actually read some of these books and enjoyed them, so I'm not too surprised that I liked the writing style again here. Generally, this is very easy to read and well paced with lots of exciting action. It does remind me more of an urban fantasy type of tone with this detective case and setting, so I was very happy about that since I love urban fantasy! This book does have some darker themes at times with elements like possession and essentially torture. There's also an interesting mystery overall, and I definitely did not predict the way things turned out.
I had (well, still have I guess) suspicions about the world that seem to be correct, so I definitely want to learn more about this in future books. I really liked the magic here as well. Mages are generally limited to enchanting things or enacting magic after carving symbols into something. Another branch of magic users essentially commune with spirits and can channel their own spirits for purposes like astral projection (and more). Roz is special though - she has sigils carved into her hands that allow her to channel fire. This seemed like a nice variety of magic going on, and I definitely want to know more about it (especially with Roz!).
I really liked Roz overall. She's snarky, blunt, and foul-mouthed, and I found her to be highly entertaining. She's had some trauma in her past and is trying to work through it. Even though she can come across as harsh and certainly leans into violence, I think she is a good person deep down inside who wants to help (and hey, if she can get booze, tobacco, or money out of it, all the better). She works with her partner and friend Lysander, and I really liked their friendship. I have FEELINGS about how things turn out between them. Their bond is very important to Roz because he's her best friend, and she really only accepts this case to begin with because she knows it's important to him.
Of course, we also meet up with assorted other individuals along the way. Some of them I ended up really liking despite feeling hesitant to begin with, while others initially seemed alright, but they've maybe made some poor decisions or aren't as good as they seem. We do have some LGBTQ+ representation here as well. Roz seems to be bi, and there's a character who may be transgender (though I don't think this is explicitly confirmed). There's actually a conversation that comes up where one person asks if this character is a woman or a man in women's clothes, and the other characters take the time to explain why it's not polite to ask about someone's gender identity and to educate him. I thought this was nicely incorporated into the story in a very natural way.
I'm so excited about the way things end up here, and I will absolutely keep reading this series. I'd highly recommend it, especially if you like urban fantasy such as The Dresden Files.
I received a copy of this for review from the publisher via NetGalley - thank you! All opinions are my own.
I had (well, still have I guess) suspicions about the world that seem to be correct, so I definitely want to learn more about this in future books. I really liked the magic here as well. Mages are generally limited to enchanting things or enacting magic after carving symbols into something. Another branch of magic users essentially commune with spirits and can channel their own spirits for purposes like astral projection (and more). Roz is special though - she has sigils carved into her hands that allow her to channel fire. This seemed like a nice variety of magic going on, and I definitely want to know more about it (especially with Roz!).
I really liked Roz overall. She's snarky, blunt, and foul-mouthed, and I found her to be highly entertaining. She's had some trauma in her past and is trying to work through it. Even though she can come across as harsh and certainly leans into violence, I think she is a good person deep down inside who wants to help (and hey, if she can get booze, tobacco, or money out of it, all the better). She works with her partner and friend Lysander, and I really liked their friendship. I have FEELINGS about how things turn out between them. Their bond is very important to Roz because he's her best friend, and she really only accepts this case to begin with because she knows it's important to him.
Of course, we also meet up with assorted other individuals along the way. Some of them I ended up really liking despite feeling hesitant to begin with, while others initially seemed alright, but they've maybe made some poor decisions or aren't as good as they seem. We do have some LGBTQ+ representation here as well. Roz seems to be bi, and there's a character who may be transgender (though I don't think this is explicitly confirmed). There's actually a conversation that comes up where one person asks if this character is a woman or a man in women's clothes, and the other characters take the time to explain why it's not polite to ask about someone's gender identity and to educate him. I thought this was nicely incorporated into the story in a very natural way.
I'm so excited about the way things end up here, and I will absolutely keep reading this series. I'd highly recommend it, especially if you like urban fantasy such as The Dresden Files.
I received a copy of this for review from the publisher via NetGalley - thank you! All opinions are my own.
February 27, 2022
If you like sarcastic, bisexual main characters in a unique fantasy world with an interesting magic system and plot, please pick this up! I absolutely loved this. 🖤
September 21, 2022
Stars: 4.5 out of 5
This was such a nice surprise of a book! It reads like urban fantasy... in a fantasy world instead of a slightly reimagined modern world. Since I love the urban fantasy vibe, this worked well for me. In order for me to enjoy a book, I need to either be swept away by the story, or fall in love (or hate) with the characters. Some rare gems manage to give me both, but I don't particularly count on it when I start a book. As long as either one of those is present, I am along for the ride.
Well, I'm happy to say that I got both with Gutter Mage. The worldbuilding is complex and expertly done. We are introduced to the world gradually, without unnecessary infodumps, but I never felt lost. The author gave me just enough information to understand what has happening and dolled out further revelations in measured doses. Which kept me interested and invested in the story.
And the characters, oh the characters! I love Roz with all her flaws and jagged edges. I love how real she feels. She'd been through a very traumatic event and the damage it had done to her both physically and psychologically is still there. It defines a lot of her reactions and interactions with others. But Roz never uses it as an excuse for her shitty behavior, and that's what I like about it. She doesn't play the victim. She knows she is broken in many ways, but she is resolved to not let the past defeat her.
The trauma of what she'd gone through prevents her from forming normal trusting relationships with others, because as soon as someone gets too close to her, she panics and does everything to push them away. So her relationship with Nye is even more important to her - he is her only friend. The person she trusts with everything. Implicitly and without question. So what happens later in the book is a punch in the gut for both Roz and the reader.
I also loved the secondary characters who both helped and hindered Roz in her quest. I didn't, however, love the main villain. He suffered from the biggest flaw of the villain world, in my opinion - he loved to monologue too much. Also, his motives for doing what he was doing weren't entirely clear. Yes, he wanted to show the world that enslaving spirits was wrong, but what was the end game for him? He didn't sound like someone ready to give up his unlife for an ideology without some kind of personal gain.
That quip aside, I really loved this book. It was an excellent introduction to this new world and characters. I really hope that more books will follow, because while the main story ark is resolved in this book, the ending leave a lot of questions and loose ends to be developed in future books.
PS: I received an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a nice surprise of a book! It reads like urban fantasy... in a fantasy world instead of a slightly reimagined modern world. Since I love the urban fantasy vibe, this worked well for me. In order for me to enjoy a book, I need to either be swept away by the story, or fall in love (or hate) with the characters. Some rare gems manage to give me both, but I don't particularly count on it when I start a book. As long as either one of those is present, I am along for the ride.
Well, I'm happy to say that I got both with Gutter Mage. The worldbuilding is complex and expertly done. We are introduced to the world gradually, without unnecessary infodumps, but I never felt lost. The author gave me just enough information to understand what has happening and dolled out further revelations in measured doses. Which kept me interested and invested in the story.
And the characters, oh the characters! I love Roz with all her flaws and jagged edges. I love how real she feels. She'd been through a very traumatic event and the damage it had done to her both physically and psychologically is still there. It defines a lot of her reactions and interactions with others. But Roz never uses it as an excuse for her shitty behavior, and that's what I like about it. She doesn't play the victim. She knows she is broken in many ways, but she is resolved to not let the past defeat her.
The trauma of what she'd gone through prevents her from forming normal trusting relationships with others, because as soon as someone gets too close to her, she panics and does everything to push them away. So her relationship with Nye is even more important to her - he is her only friend. The person she trusts with everything. Implicitly and without question. So what happens later in the book is a punch in the gut for both Roz and the reader.
I also loved the secondary characters who both helped and hindered Roz in her quest. I didn't, however, love the main villain. He suffered from the biggest flaw of the villain world, in my opinion - he loved to monologue too much. Also, his motives for doing what he was doing weren't entirely clear. Yes, he wanted to show the world that enslaving spirits was wrong, but what was the end game for him? He didn't sound like someone ready to give up his unlife for an ideology without some kind of personal gain.
That quip aside, I really loved this book. It was an excellent introduction to this new world and characters. I really hope that more books will follow, because while the main story ark is resolved in this book, the ending leave a lot of questions and loose ends to be developed in future books.
PS: I received an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 12, 2021
Gutter Mage sets the reader up in a world with mages who can harness spirits to provide conveniences and comforts such as sky scrapers, horseless carriages, street lights and beyond. Rosalind Featherstone, an almost mage know as the Gutter Mage, gets hired on to a job to find the missing child of a lord. Along with her partner, Lysander, they discover something bigger going on and are faced with the task of stopping a rogue mage guild who wants to change life as they know it.
I really enjoyed this novel and the author has set it up to be the stepping stone in what I assume will be a series of magical mystery solving adventures. Rosalind (Roz) is a snarky fun character to follow and is just lovable and broken enough to make for some fun exchanges between characters. The world of mages and harnessing of spirits is intriguing and I feel like we just touch the surface of this magic system in the Gutter Mage. I ultimately was left satisfied with the story pacing after only one real lull while circumstances were starting to pull together just before all the pieces of the mystery started to click.
4 stars - would recommend this read to anyone who enjoys a light magical mystery/adventure.
Review based on digital copy of Uncorrected Proof from Net Galley and the publisher.
I really enjoyed this novel and the author has set it up to be the stepping stone in what I assume will be a series of magical mystery solving adventures. Rosalind (Roz) is a snarky fun character to follow and is just lovable and broken enough to make for some fun exchanges between characters. The world of mages and harnessing of spirits is intriguing and I feel like we just touch the surface of this magic system in the Gutter Mage. I ultimately was left satisfied with the story pacing after only one real lull while circumstances were starting to pull together just before all the pieces of the mystery started to click.
4 stars - would recommend this read to anyone who enjoys a light magical mystery/adventure.
Review based on digital copy of Uncorrected Proof from Net Galley and the publisher.
October 11, 2021
Thank you so much to Gallery Books and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I really enjoyed this story! This was a fun, almost Dresden-like feeling mystery, but set in an all-fantasy world, and I ended up liking it immensely. The humor and the characterizations were entertaining, the mystery was one that I (for the most part) did not see coming, although certain parts of it were slightly predictable (but even those twists had twists that I didn't really anticipate). The magic system was one that I had not really read before, and was done in a way that was interesting (and philosophical at the same time).
Roz was a very rough-around-the-edges lead, and was dealing with quite a bit of trauma from things that happened in her past, but when it came down to it, she would do anything for the people she cared about. Her relationship with Lysander and Orlando were two of her most redeeming qualities, and made a lot of her more unlikeable traits easier to handle.
Overall, I really enjoyed the mystery and the plot twists that occurred throughout this story, and I gave it a four out of 5 stars. I am greatly looking forward to more books from this author and I hope there will be more to this series!
I really enjoyed this story! This was a fun, almost Dresden-like feeling mystery, but set in an all-fantasy world, and I ended up liking it immensely. The humor and the characterizations were entertaining, the mystery was one that I (for the most part) did not see coming, although certain parts of it were slightly predictable (but even those twists had twists that I didn't really anticipate). The magic system was one that I had not really read before, and was done in a way that was interesting (and philosophical at the same time).
Roz was a very rough-around-the-edges lead, and was dealing with quite a bit of trauma from things that happened in her past, but when it came down to it, she would do anything for the people she cared about. Her relationship with Lysander and Orlando were two of her most redeeming qualities, and made a lot of her more unlikeable traits easier to handle.
Overall, I really enjoyed the mystery and the plot twists that occurred throughout this story, and I gave it a four out of 5 stars. I am greatly looking forward to more books from this author and I hope there will be more to this series!
September 23, 2021
9/22/2021 4.5 stars. Full review tk at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.
9/23/2021 I want to sit J S Kelley down, look into their eyes and assure them that the world desperately needs a Gutter Mage series.
Okay, so maybe by "the world" I mean "I" but this book was just so much fantastic fun! Crossing an original fantasy concept with a hardboiled mystery with distinct Western elements, spiced up with excellent repartee and a bisexual heroine with equal amounts self-awareness and depth, this book just absolutely dazzled me. Our heroine Rosalind (named like all the other characters after the Shakespearean) is better known by the disparaging moniker Gutter Mage, tho no one's ever called her that to her face twice. Earning a living as a fixer with the help of her childhood friend and business partner Lysander, she accepts a lucrative job that requires more than the usual amount of discretion.
Lord Edmund of House Ariel has recently become a proud parent, but his son has been kidnapped in what looks like an elaborate plan hatched by some very skilled mages, presumably of the upstart new Alath Guild. As there's nothing more Rosalind enjoys than sticking it to some Guild Mages -- and since Lysander really wants to build up his nest egg so that he and his lovely wife Portia can finally start expanding their family -- this looks like the perfect case for them, with Lysander's brawn and social skills backing up Roz's considerable magical capabilities. But something smells fishy almost from the very start, and the further Roz and Lysander investigate, the greater the likelihood that they're being lied to, and that the mastermind behind all this is the person Roz least wants to see in all the world.
I don't want to say too much more about the plot because there are so many excellent surprises, but I can say that it thoughtfully examines trauma and rage in ways that are miles ahead of most genre literature. Roz's struggle to come to terms with her past and with her swiftly tilting present are written with honesty and empathy, and with few easy answers. The only place that the writing ever faltered was in the climax, I felt, which was given shorter shrift than it deserved. I wanted to revel in all Roz's feelings and observations, I wanted to stay and examine her every move in rich detail. While the relatively fast pace was in keeping with most of the rest of the book, I felt this was a missed opportunity to really gut punch the reader with the culmination of all the emotion that had led us to this point.
But that is literally the only criticism I have of this terrific book. Roz is so complicated and real, and the stuff she goes through so engrossing that I am desperate to read more of her and this fantasy world as it grapples with the ramifications of what she uncovers in the course of her investigations. Deep, diverse and just downright delightful, Gutter Mage has been one of the year's best surprise discoveries for me. More, more, more please!
Gutter Mage by J. S. Kelley was published September 21 2021 by Gallery/Saga Press and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
9/23/2021 I want to sit J S Kelley down, look into their eyes and assure them that the world desperately needs a Gutter Mage series.
Okay, so maybe by "the world" I mean "I" but this book was just so much fantastic fun! Crossing an original fantasy concept with a hardboiled mystery with distinct Western elements, spiced up with excellent repartee and a bisexual heroine with equal amounts self-awareness and depth, this book just absolutely dazzled me. Our heroine Rosalind (named like all the other characters after the Shakespearean) is better known by the disparaging moniker Gutter Mage, tho no one's ever called her that to her face twice. Earning a living as a fixer with the help of her childhood friend and business partner Lysander, she accepts a lucrative job that requires more than the usual amount of discretion.
Lord Edmund of House Ariel has recently become a proud parent, but his son has been kidnapped in what looks like an elaborate plan hatched by some very skilled mages, presumably of the upstart new Alath Guild. As there's nothing more Rosalind enjoys than sticking it to some Guild Mages -- and since Lysander really wants to build up his nest egg so that he and his lovely wife Portia can finally start expanding their family -- this looks like the perfect case for them, with Lysander's brawn and social skills backing up Roz's considerable magical capabilities. But something smells fishy almost from the very start, and the further Roz and Lysander investigate, the greater the likelihood that they're being lied to, and that the mastermind behind all this is the person Roz least wants to see in all the world.
I don't want to say too much more about the plot because there are so many excellent surprises, but I can say that it thoughtfully examines trauma and rage in ways that are miles ahead of most genre literature. Roz's struggle to come to terms with her past and with her swiftly tilting present are written with honesty and empathy, and with few easy answers. The only place that the writing ever faltered was in the climax, I felt, which was given shorter shrift than it deserved. I wanted to revel in all Roz's feelings and observations, I wanted to stay and examine her every move in rich detail. While the relatively fast pace was in keeping with most of the rest of the book, I felt this was a missed opportunity to really gut punch the reader with the culmination of all the emotion that had led us to this point.
But that is literally the only criticism I have of this terrific book. Roz is so complicated and real, and the stuff she goes through so engrossing that I am desperate to read more of her and this fantasy world as it grapples with the ramifications of what she uncovers in the course of her investigations. Deep, diverse and just downright delightful, Gutter Mage has been one of the year's best surprise discoveries for me. More, more, more please!
Gutter Mage by J. S. Kelley was published September 21 2021 by Gallery/Saga Press and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
May 9, 2022
Okay, my first impression was not great - it turns out that the snarky and humorously crude first person protagonist is not my favorite style. I mean, unless it’s done with a quirky cleverness that comes across as original, and in this case it really wasn’t. Roz’s voice just struck me as foul mouthed and vaguely obnoxious for no real reason.
Having said that, this one grew on me, and I ended up being fairly impressed - the plot is original and well-constructed, and the solid world building came through more clearly as the story progressed. The magic system and supernatural components in particular were nicely developed, and managed to be a believable background detail while also playing an integral part in the plot. And the pacing is ideal - there's a lot of info to convey, but the action never slows down, and the plot keeps moving forward, making this a quick read.
With the somewhat gritty character interactions and underlying mystery elements, it reminded me quite a bit of Scott Lynch’s Lies of Locke Lamora and sequels - not as intricate or as fully fleshed-out as those books, in my opinion, but the feeling was there.
In the end, I’m still not a fan of the harsh delivery, but the plot lived up to its promise and the ending was well done. I give it a three point something.
Having said that, this one grew on me, and I ended up being fairly impressed - the plot is original and well-constructed, and the solid world building came through more clearly as the story progressed. The magic system and supernatural components in particular were nicely developed, and managed to be a believable background detail while also playing an integral part in the plot. And the pacing is ideal - there's a lot of info to convey, but the action never slows down, and the plot keeps moving forward, making this a quick read.
With the somewhat gritty character interactions and underlying mystery elements, it reminded me quite a bit of Scott Lynch’s Lies of Locke Lamora and sequels - not as intricate or as fully fleshed-out as those books, in my opinion, but the feeling was there.
In the end, I’m still not a fan of the harsh delivery, but the plot lived up to its promise and the ending was well done. I give it a three point something.
September 5, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc.
And thank you, J.S. Kelley, for this masterpiece. I teared up reading the “Acknowledgments”. I couldn’t imagine not getting the chance to read Roz’s story.
Yaaaaas.!! Sold.! That’s all that needs said… this book was flipping fantastic. I’m ordering myself a copy right after writing this review. Roz was an amazing character. All the characters were interesting. The plot wasn’t super definitive or multi-layered. There was a trail to follow, but it didn’t lead you on a big chase. But it worked out well. I’m fairly certain this was a standalone, so you wouldn’t have wanted something convoluted and all over the place. The magic was interesting. I love mages and sigil stuff. The story ended at a good place, but I think ill always want more. I’d love more “Gutter Mage” adventures. I want to know what happens with the spirits. I even want to get more on Lysander. It was just one of those amazing reads that don’t let you go.
And thank you, J.S. Kelley, for this masterpiece. I teared up reading the “Acknowledgments”. I couldn’t imagine not getting the chance to read Roz’s story.
Yaaaaas.!! Sold.! That’s all that needs said… this book was flipping fantastic. I’m ordering myself a copy right after writing this review. Roz was an amazing character. All the characters were interesting. The plot wasn’t super definitive or multi-layered. There was a trail to follow, but it didn’t lead you on a big chase. But it worked out well. I’m fairly certain this was a standalone, so you wouldn’t have wanted something convoluted and all over the place. The magic was interesting. I love mages and sigil stuff. The story ended at a good place, but I think ill always want more. I’d love more “Gutter Mage” adventures. I want to know what happens with the spirits. I even want to get more on Lysander. It was just one of those amazing reads that don’t let you go.
February 6, 2023
Spannender Plot, allgemein wurde der Plot aber sehr hektisch abgehandelt und der Humor war teilweise zum Augen verdrehen. War trotzdem ok 👍🏼
February 14, 2025
A book that got better as it progressed! I am definitely a little older than what I would assume the target audience is - the main character's blasé attitude, paired with traditional themes of betrayal and avant-garde magic systems, reminds me of Sam Syke's Seven Blades In Black trilogy if it were written for a YA audience. Overall, it wasn't necessarily a surprising read, save for one section, but it was nice, well-written, and despite the characters being a little flatter than average it works with the storyline. I wouldn't say it blew me out of the water, but I gave it one extra star above what I was going to for surprising me with a surprisingky decent read.
September 30, 2022
3 stars
I'm not quite sure how to review this because I'm not quite sure how I feel about Roz. On the one hand, she seems to be an arcanist (one who studies the sigils used in magic but is not a magic-user, herself) except I'm confused because streams of fire come out of her hands and she seems to use it against bad guys to roast them to ashes. While that is cool, it does require some suspension of the laws of physics. But it does seem to be her superpower. Without revealing any spoilers, she had a traumatic past that has led her to her current state, but from the early pages, it also looks like she helps people because they need help and if they can't pay, she's not above bartering for her services. This seems to be why she is always in need of money. I found the world she's in to be pretty interesting, and while the rules of magic are not entirely clear to me, it seems that additional books in this universe (assuming there will be future books) might develop it further. I would definitely be interested in that. There was plenty of action and overall, I felt the pacing was pretty good. However, the last 20% was a bit unexpected. I am used to books with plenty of twists and turns, but in this case, there were two things that seemed to come out of leftfield and I'm not sure how I feel about it. The first had to do with the motivations of the bad guy, and the second had to do with betrayal and once again, the motivations behind it. I honestly had no inkling and looking back, I'm not sure if there was anything that could have foreshadowed these results.
Overall, I think I did like the story, and I was never bored, but the ending just didn't wow me. That said, would I read future books set in this universe? Yes, because I do like Roz and I am interested in what comes next for her.
I'm not quite sure how to review this because I'm not quite sure how I feel about Roz. On the one hand, she seems to be an arcanist (one who studies the sigils used in magic but is not a magic-user, herself) except I'm confused because streams of fire come out of her hands and she seems to use it against bad guys to roast them to ashes. While that is cool, it does require some suspension of the laws of physics. But it does seem to be her superpower. Without revealing any spoilers, she had a traumatic past that has led her to her current state, but from the early pages, it also looks like she helps people because they need help and if they can't pay, she's not above bartering for her services. This seems to be why she is always in need of money. I found the world she's in to be pretty interesting, and while the rules of magic are not entirely clear to me, it seems that additional books in this universe (assuming there will be future books) might develop it further. I would definitely be interested in that. There was plenty of action and overall, I felt the pacing was pretty good. However, the last 20% was a bit unexpected. I am used to books with plenty of twists and turns, but in this case, there were two things that seemed to come out of leftfield and I'm not sure how I feel about it. The first had to do with the motivations of the bad guy, and the second had to do with betrayal and once again, the motivations behind it. I honestly had no inkling and looking back, I'm not sure if there was anything that could have foreshadowed these results.
Overall, I think I did like the story, and I was never bored, but the ending just didn't wow me. That said, would I read future books set in this universe? Yes, because I do like Roz and I am interested in what comes next for her.
August 1, 2022
Buddy read with my husband. Neither of us liked this one. Character was edgy just to be edgy, but had no real personality. The magic system was interesting though.
August 29, 2021
Somewhere between detective thriller and the seedy back alley of a renaissance fair, Gutter Mage starts with a bar brawl and doesn’t slow down. A robust and exciting world, a slew of engaging characters, a well-crafted mystery, and lots of whisky fuel this novel that is a delight to read and hard to put down once you start.
Everything about this novel is fun, and streaked through with enough creativity to keep it from getting lost in some of the tropes it deals in and plays with. For instance, the world isn’t wildly unique, showcasing both the gritty and the pampered sides of a pretty common fantasy realm infused with, but not entirely dependent on, magic. Yet we learn of other countries that have championed an industrial revolution instead of magic, and their horseless carriages run through coal power instead of magical sigils. We learn a magic system that is unique and only just barely explored, allowing a whole lot more world to be discovered. And what could be a stock realm instead becomes more complicated, a backdrop where class and race can be explored in interesting, understated ways. Similarly, the characters could be archetypes – the hot-headed, foul-mouthed, powerful-and-usually-underestimated magic chick; the giant hulk of an accomplice that is better at fighting than anything else but has a heart of gold; the nerdy ex who can stop the need to talk about feelings, and so on. Yet Kelley manages to keep all of them interesting, fresh, and I found myself invested in numerous ancillary characters as well as the primary few. (If we don’t get some novellas about the past and present adventures of the owner of a certain roadside inn it would be a damned shame!) Even the mystery/thriller keeps you on your seat, some things but easy enough to guess pretty early on but other things still catching you by surprise along the journey. Kelley takes elements we are used to and comfortable with and tweaks them just enough to simultaneously pull us in with an immediate sense of familiarity and also constantly disrupting expectations. Additionally, the story is replete with examples of remarkable inclusivity, in terms of genders, sexualities, race, and other areas that marginalized communities often find themselves under-represented in popular culture. Nothing is subtle, and characters are even called out on occasion for small-minded views, but it also isn’t showy or heavy handed, it is just the world these characters live in, and it is refreshing and a great example of what art imitating life—even fantastical art where trapped astral spirits are what keep the street lights glowing—should look like.
So, the characters and the story were great, and the writing itself was, like I said, simply fun to read. We stay in the mind of the primary character the entire time, but she certainly isn’t boring. And the very nature of a detective mystery/crime noir is well-served by a single point of view, keeping us guessing about the goings on of all the suspects, or other characters, as it were. The chapters are all pretty short, with none of them coasting but all of them pushing the action forward, either literally or emotionally. The result is that the writing is pretty fast paced, which really parallels the character and the nature of the story, so it all works. Once in a while it might have been nice to luxuriate in some of the emotions and experiences, but as our main character was particularly trying to avoid dealing with her trauma it didn’t feel out of place that we didn’t take the time. The story opens up a world that is just absolutely begging to tell more stories, with lots still left to explore in terms of character and the world itself, especially the nuances of its magical system, its socio-political class structure, and how those things intersect. So I am hoping that we get the chance to learn and spend more time with these characters in future entries to the series, and that means I wasn’t too disappointed in the areas where I felt like there could be a little more exploration, development, or exposition.
This isn’t for everyone, there is certainly a decent amount of profanity and also a heavy dose of (sometimes cavalier) violence. However there is a lot of richness to be found in this world and these characters, and if you are willing to accept them on their terms you will be thrilled with the adventure they take you on and will look forward to future exploits.
I want to thank NetGalley and Saga Press, who gave me a complimentary eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Everything about this novel is fun, and streaked through with enough creativity to keep it from getting lost in some of the tropes it deals in and plays with. For instance, the world isn’t wildly unique, showcasing both the gritty and the pampered sides of a pretty common fantasy realm infused with, but not entirely dependent on, magic. Yet we learn of other countries that have championed an industrial revolution instead of magic, and their horseless carriages run through coal power instead of magical sigils. We learn a magic system that is unique and only just barely explored, allowing a whole lot more world to be discovered. And what could be a stock realm instead becomes more complicated, a backdrop where class and race can be explored in interesting, understated ways. Similarly, the characters could be archetypes – the hot-headed, foul-mouthed, powerful-and-usually-underestimated magic chick; the giant hulk of an accomplice that is better at fighting than anything else but has a heart of gold; the nerdy ex who can stop the need to talk about feelings, and so on. Yet Kelley manages to keep all of them interesting, fresh, and I found myself invested in numerous ancillary characters as well as the primary few. (If we don’t get some novellas about the past and present adventures of the owner of a certain roadside inn it would be a damned shame!) Even the mystery/thriller keeps you on your seat, some things but easy enough to guess pretty early on but other things still catching you by surprise along the journey. Kelley takes elements we are used to and comfortable with and tweaks them just enough to simultaneously pull us in with an immediate sense of familiarity and also constantly disrupting expectations. Additionally, the story is replete with examples of remarkable inclusivity, in terms of genders, sexualities, race, and other areas that marginalized communities often find themselves under-represented in popular culture. Nothing is subtle, and characters are even called out on occasion for small-minded views, but it also isn’t showy or heavy handed, it is just the world these characters live in, and it is refreshing and a great example of what art imitating life—even fantastical art where trapped astral spirits are what keep the street lights glowing—should look like.
So, the characters and the story were great, and the writing itself was, like I said, simply fun to read. We stay in the mind of the primary character the entire time, but she certainly isn’t boring. And the very nature of a detective mystery/crime noir is well-served by a single point of view, keeping us guessing about the goings on of all the suspects, or other characters, as it were. The chapters are all pretty short, with none of them coasting but all of them pushing the action forward, either literally or emotionally. The result is that the writing is pretty fast paced, which really parallels the character and the nature of the story, so it all works. Once in a while it might have been nice to luxuriate in some of the emotions and experiences, but as our main character was particularly trying to avoid dealing with her trauma it didn’t feel out of place that we didn’t take the time. The story opens up a world that is just absolutely begging to tell more stories, with lots still left to explore in terms of character and the world itself, especially the nuances of its magical system, its socio-political class structure, and how those things intersect. So I am hoping that we get the chance to learn and spend more time with these characters in future entries to the series, and that means I wasn’t too disappointed in the areas where I felt like there could be a little more exploration, development, or exposition.
This isn’t for everyone, there is certainly a decent amount of profanity and also a heavy dose of (sometimes cavalier) violence. However there is a lot of richness to be found in this world and these characters, and if you are willing to accept them on their terms you will be thrilled with the adventure they take you on and will look forward to future exploits.
I want to thank NetGalley and Saga Press, who gave me a complimentary eARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 21, 2024
“SHE BALD, SHE BALD AND SHE TORTURING PEOPLE WHO DONT HAVE HAIR!”
Is my response to the final scene of this book, I’m making myself laugh. I’ll give a better review once I’ve digested the book more.
-Spoiler Free Section-
When I picked up gutter mage I was struggling and still am struggling from a major reading slump due to life and having difficulty finding media that is calling to my current mood. My mood has reflected a certain conversation that I have found in books and digital media.
Recently I have had a lot of discussions with friends about how I felt that modern media struggles from the separation of queer media and standard media. I can find tv shows that are centered around coming out stories of a queer person and then I can find shows of every sort of genre out there that isn’t that diverse. This doesn’t mean that there isn’t queerness outside of queer media but there is a lacking of it that I’m finding. What I mean to say is that I want a character(s) that are LGBTQ+ that are in a story that isn’t completely centered around the idea of coming out, or queer-baiting *cough* super-hell *cough* and I found that in this book.
The authors whole plot of the story isn’t centered around having LGBTQ+ characters but the story that Roz goes through and the action and emotional aspects that she deal with. She interacts with characters, we get glimpse of her and herself but it isn’t the main aspect. She is a person outside of queerness which is what I was looking for.
However I did take away a star just because the fact that I thought this was an amazing book but wasn’t a 5 star read. I believe it’s the authors debut novel and if so I’m amazed at how well they did. I really hope they write more of Roz’s story as I will be there to read it.
-SPOILER-
I fucking love Roz’s character. She is honest that she’s fucked up but she’s also tough, strong, and a loudmouth that knows when and where is a good time to cause trouble…sometimes.
I knew her bestie was a bitch, also the whole “oh Roz isn’t Rosalind anymore she’s an Elder Spirt” thingy might be true but at this point Rosalind and whatever is in her Saraph or whoever are one in the same at this point. If Roz has every memory, even with the argument that the elder spirit in her is changing her memories to fit what she likes, from before that affects how she views things. She doesn’t view them from an elder spirit perspective but a human perspective, and from what we’ve seen Roz still deeply cares about her friends and family.
Orlando’s character was eh, but he did ask the right questions here and there. I definitely think the conversation of Racism and prejudice against who he is because of where he’s from and him constantly having to play a role is a good one to have. I wish we fleshed his character out more though.
The goat part, omg, was so funny. I lost it when I found out she was completely bald at the end (hence the tik tok reference from the beginning). In general this was a perfect read for someone who needed sarcasm, Witt, and fast pace during a slumpy mood.
~4 out of 5 stars~
Is my response to the final scene of this book, I’m making myself laugh. I’ll give a better review once I’ve digested the book more.
-Spoiler Free Section-
When I picked up gutter mage I was struggling and still am struggling from a major reading slump due to life and having difficulty finding media that is calling to my current mood. My mood has reflected a certain conversation that I have found in books and digital media.
Recently I have had a lot of discussions with friends about how I felt that modern media struggles from the separation of queer media and standard media. I can find tv shows that are centered around coming out stories of a queer person and then I can find shows of every sort of genre out there that isn’t that diverse. This doesn’t mean that there isn’t queerness outside of queer media but there is a lacking of it that I’m finding. What I mean to say is that I want a character(s) that are LGBTQ+ that are in a story that isn’t completely centered around the idea of coming out, or queer-baiting *cough* super-hell *cough* and I found that in this book.
The authors whole plot of the story isn’t centered around having LGBTQ+ characters but the story that Roz goes through and the action and emotional aspects that she deal with. She interacts with characters, we get glimpse of her and herself but it isn’t the main aspect. She is a person outside of queerness which is what I was looking for.
However I did take away a star just because the fact that I thought this was an amazing book but wasn’t a 5 star read. I believe it’s the authors debut novel and if so I’m amazed at how well they did. I really hope they write more of Roz’s story as I will be there to read it.
-SPOILER-
I fucking love Roz’s character. She is honest that she’s fucked up but she’s also tough, strong, and a loudmouth that knows when and where is a good time to cause trouble…sometimes.
I knew her bestie was a bitch, also the whole “oh Roz isn’t Rosalind anymore she’s an Elder Spirt” thingy might be true but at this point Rosalind and whatever is in her Saraph or whoever are one in the same at this point. If Roz has every memory, even with the argument that the elder spirit in her is changing her memories to fit what she likes, from before that affects how she views things. She doesn’t view them from an elder spirit perspective but a human perspective, and from what we’ve seen Roz still deeply cares about her friends and family.
Orlando’s character was eh, but he did ask the right questions here and there. I definitely think the conversation of Racism and prejudice against who he is because of where he’s from and him constantly having to play a role is a good one to have. I wish we fleshed his character out more though.
The goat part, omg, was so funny. I lost it when I found out she was completely bald at the end (hence the tik tok reference from the beginning). In general this was a perfect read for someone who needed sarcasm, Witt, and fast pace during a slumpy mood.
~4 out of 5 stars~
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2025
This epic fantasy stars Roz Featherstone. She is known as the Gutter Mage but nobody better call her that to her face. She works as a sort of private investigator in the country of Penador.
Roz is called to the home of Lord Edmund to find his kidnapped infant son. Clues lead to the Alath Guild, one of the new mage guilds. But there are disturbing signs that an old enemy, one she thought she had killed some fifteen years earlier, wasn't quite as dead as Roz believed.
As Roz and her partner Lysander search they discover that things in Penador aren't what she always thought. Nor is she who she always thought she was.
Teaming up with a mage from a more respectable guild, Roz and Lysander track down the infant to a mining town high in the mountains. But they learn that there never was an infant and the spirits who are harnessed to run the kingdom doing everything from lighting the streets to heating the homes aren't what she thought they were either.
This was an engaging fantasy with an intriguing main character with some anger management issues. I liked the worldbuilding.
Roz is called to the home of Lord Edmund to find his kidnapped infant son. Clues lead to the Alath Guild, one of the new mage guilds. But there are disturbing signs that an old enemy, one she thought she had killed some fifteen years earlier, wasn't quite as dead as Roz believed.
As Roz and her partner Lysander search they discover that things in Penador aren't what she always thought. Nor is she who she always thought she was.
Teaming up with a mage from a more respectable guild, Roz and Lysander track down the infant to a mining town high in the mountains. But they learn that there never was an infant and the spirits who are harnessed to run the kingdom doing everything from lighting the streets to heating the homes aren't what she thought they were either.
This was an engaging fantasy with an intriguing main character with some anger management issues. I liked the worldbuilding.
September 18, 2021
I thought this sounded interesting and thought I’d give it a try. I was immediately drawn into this book, and my interest didn’t really wane the whole book. I admit that this genre wasn’t exactly my favorite (sort of set in a sort of past?), but I set that aside to enjoy this book. Roz is a very complex character which I came to understand better when information comes to light later in the book. This explains some of the hardness of her character one way or the other (this will make sense when you read it). Add to it the great writing and unique universe, this gritty noir-like urban fantasy kept my interest. I’d like to learn more about the characters and Roz in future installments. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
November 8, 2021
Read Gutter Mage if you like a foul-mouthed, funny, badass female lead. For the record, I loved her.
This is fantasy, set in kingdoms run by royalty, and guilds of mages with a variety of magic.
It’s also perfectly executed noir fiction featuring a complex mystery, with a strong helping of action and adventure.
The cast of characters are all well developed, interesting, unique people.
I was totally hooked from beginning to end. This book deserves so much more attention than it’s currently receiving.
I listened to this on audio, via Scribd, which I highly recommend. The narrator embodies the lead character’s personality. So well done!
This is fantasy, set in kingdoms run by royalty, and guilds of mages with a variety of magic.
It’s also perfectly executed noir fiction featuring a complex mystery, with a strong helping of action and adventure.
The cast of characters are all well developed, interesting, unique people.
I was totally hooked from beginning to end. This book deserves so much more attention than it’s currently receiving.
I listened to this on audio, via Scribd, which I highly recommend. The narrator embodies the lead character’s personality. So well done!
January 13, 2022
I had such a great time reading this. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The main character was like a powder keg. Get on her bad side, and she won't hesitate to f*ck you up, which doesn't actually take much. She carries so much rage inside, which is understandable since she had been through a lot of trauma. I really felt for her and her situation. The mystery also really pulled me in. I didn't really know where it was going, and it brought up some interesting moral dilemmas. This story had it all: thrilling action, moments of deep emotion, LGBTQ+ protagonist, and quite a lot of dark humor too. I'm only really sorry there's just one book.
June 17, 2022
I don't remember where or when I picked up this book, but I think it was an impulse buy. I have no other relationship with the author or the narrator, but the cover is very eye catching. I also imagine the fact that it's a stand alone had something to do with it.
The story in itself is convoluted, and I often felt like there were parts added that didn't really do anything for the plot. That said, while the plot was a little all over the place, I did find it interesting.
There was a lot of info dumping, which is where this being a stand alone kind of bit it in the ass. The world is very convoluted and big, and the author very much tries to inform us of everything going on, which meant they lost me a few times.
But, over all, I did enjoy the book and may keep an eye out for future stuff by them.
The story in itself is convoluted, and I often felt like there were parts added that didn't really do anything for the plot. That said, while the plot was a little all over the place, I did find it interesting.
There was a lot of info dumping, which is where this being a stand alone kind of bit it in the ass. The world is very convoluted and big, and the author very much tries to inform us of everything going on, which meant they lost me a few times.
But, over all, I did enjoy the book and may keep an eye out for future stuff by them.
August 17, 2023
Was totally unprepared for how good this was. Went from being meh to alright to over the top excellent. the character arc and development was exquisitely subtle. the gentle change in possibilities and the shift from classic thriller to character study? perfection. Blew my expectations out of the water after a rough first few chapters
January 27, 2023
Needed something a little light after my last few reads, and this was definitely that. I’m not sure if this is the first in a series, because there were a lot of loose ends, and I’m not sure if I would even read a sequel. That said, this was fun fantasy/mystery, but others have done it better…the MC is a lot like Gideon, if you enjoyed that one, you might wanna pick this up.
July 11, 2023
A really well-written, fast-paced, fantasy noir story with incredibly dynamic characters. Packed a lot of world-building and plot punch for a standalone novel. Some bits were predictable and there were a lot of emotional loose threads at the end, but the story itself was very enjoyable and packaged up nicely.
on-radar
September 6, 2021I thought this said "Glitter Mage" at first
...Alas
...Alas
November 21, 2021
I really enjoyed this book, and I hope it’s not the last we see of Roz. Fun, twisted, dark, and full of wit. My kind of book.
December 31, 2021
Down on her luck PI? Check. Tragic backstory? Check. Powerful pyromancy? Also check.
June 18, 2023
All those stars just because it was the right book for me at the right time.
October 27, 2025
Very engaging writing style, with twists I did not expect. I find myself wishing for a whole series of the adventures of Rosalind Featherstone.
September 21, 2021
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Gutter Mage is an engaging debut noir mystery/fantasy mashup by J.S. Kelley. Released 21 Sept 2021 by Simon & Schuster on their Gallery/Saga imprint, it's 336 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is one of my better speculative fiction genre picks so far this year. There's so much to like here. The protagonist is a smart but flawed outsider who happens to also be a fire-wielding mage, intelligent, (mostly) loyal, operating within her own moral code. It's got shades of a buddy-cop adventure with her best friend, a brawny fighter with a big sword and bigger muscles who's always there to back her up. They're trying to stave off a local mage guild and prevent them from unleashing the apocalypse in the company of her ex, an uptight sort-of-cleric who's on the inter-guild council. The world building is superlative, immersive and plausible. There are lots of philosophical questions to ponder and the writing is really really good. The dialogue is rapid fire and sarcastic (but not annoyingly so). There were several places during the read which actually surprised a laugh out of me.
There is some graphic violence (she's a *fire* mage and can't always control her flames and random people just keep attacking her), as well as some light sexual content. Main character Roz is bisexual and I liked that it wasn't a big deal in the text. Sensitive readers should be aware there are some content concerns: non-consensual imprisonment, body horror, discussions of infant loss and maternal mutilation, possession, smoking, alcohol abuse, and mental health issues. All those aside (and they're all in context), this is a genuinely funny book and extremely well written.
Five stars. I really really want to know what's next for Roz and co.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Gutter Mage is an engaging debut noir mystery/fantasy mashup by J.S. Kelley. Released 21 Sept 2021 by Simon & Schuster on their Gallery/Saga imprint, it's 336 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is one of my better speculative fiction genre picks so far this year. There's so much to like here. The protagonist is a smart but flawed outsider who happens to also be a fire-wielding mage, intelligent, (mostly) loyal, operating within her own moral code. It's got shades of a buddy-cop adventure with her best friend, a brawny fighter with a big sword and bigger muscles who's always there to back her up. They're trying to stave off a local mage guild and prevent them from unleashing the apocalypse in the company of her ex, an uptight sort-of-cleric who's on the inter-guild council. The world building is superlative, immersive and plausible. There are lots of philosophical questions to ponder and the writing is really really good. The dialogue is rapid fire and sarcastic (but not annoyingly so). There were several places during the read which actually surprised a laugh out of me.
There is some graphic violence (she's a *fire* mage and can't always control her flames and random people just keep attacking her), as well as some light sexual content. Main character Roz is bisexual and I liked that it wasn't a big deal in the text. Sensitive readers should be aware there are some content concerns: non-consensual imprisonment, body horror, discussions of infant loss and maternal mutilation, possession, smoking, alcohol abuse, and mental health issues. All those aside (and they're all in context), this is a genuinely funny book and extremely well written.
Five stars. I really really want to know what's next for Roz and co.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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