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Deviant Magic #2
Shotgun
Roger's a mild-mannered family man who inadvertently stole the most important magic in the elves' arsenal. Talora's a pyromancer who literally burns through her memories. Individually, neither's more than a minor annoyance to the shadowy powers-that-be. Together, however, the Witch knows they can change the world—assuming they survive her complicated scheme to unite them against her enemies.
310 pages, Paperback
First published December 16, 2011
42 people want to read
About the author
Scott Colby
11 books6 followersI’m Scott Colby, an author based in Somerville, MA. I write fantasy and science fiction stories.
My Deviant Magic contemporary fantasy series is an extended saga about breaking free from oppressive power structures. Set in a world much like ours, but with magic and fairy creatures hidden in the shadows of society, the series features strong themes of found family, anti-establishment misfits, and dark humor. It’s about flawed people standing up for themselves, the values they believe in, and the people they love. There are currently five books in the series, and the first three (A Date with Death, Shotgun, and Diary of a Fairy Princess) are standalone enough that they could be read in any order. Stranger Than Fiction and Vengeance Squad should be read last, and in that order.
The Black Yonnix series, meanwhile, is a swashbuckling pirate adventure set in a unique high fantasy world where music is magic. These novels are part of Outland Entertainment’s World of Pileaus. They’re light and fun, with plenty of banter, heroic shenanigans, and crazy creatures.
I’m also a freelance editor, a terrible softball player, a decent runner, and a solid cook. For more about me and my work or to sign up for my newsletter, visit www.devantmagic.com.
My Deviant Magic contemporary fantasy series is an extended saga about breaking free from oppressive power structures. Set in a world much like ours, but with magic and fairy creatures hidden in the shadows of society, the series features strong themes of found family, anti-establishment misfits, and dark humor. It’s about flawed people standing up for themselves, the values they believe in, and the people they love. There are currently five books in the series, and the first three (A Date with Death, Shotgun, and Diary of a Fairy Princess) are standalone enough that they could be read in any order. Stranger Than Fiction and Vengeance Squad should be read last, and in that order.
The Black Yonnix series, meanwhile, is a swashbuckling pirate adventure set in a unique high fantasy world where music is magic. These novels are part of Outland Entertainment’s World of Pileaus. They’re light and fun, with plenty of banter, heroic shenanigans, and crazy creatures.
I’m also a freelance editor, a terrible softball player, a decent runner, and a solid cook. For more about me and my work or to sign up for my newsletter, visit www.devantmagic.com.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 9, 2021
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
First of all, that cover is gorgeous! It looks like it could be the cover of a comic book, because the people are drawn in an engaging, animated way. Since the cover looks like the cover of an action comic, I was expecting that the plot of this prose novel would be magical and action-packed.
Shotgun by Scott Colby starts off with Roger, a man who feels down in the dumps after his wife left him, discovering that an overweight woman has snuck into his house to steal something from him. Soon, a pointy-eared para-military officer appears and reveals that that woman is actually an evil creature looking for a glowing orb light in Roger's kitchen drawer. The light erupts as it ascends, and the roof of Roger's house caves in. When he wakes up, he discovers that all magical creatures are real and he has been chosen to become the next great hero of the world. Here is an excerpt from the beginning of the book:
"What if I told you that all of the creatures you’ve been taught were fictitious—things like fairies, nymphs, dryads, trolls, gnomes, demons, and imps—were all real, and that we were in charge of keeping you out of their business so that they could get on with their lives without interference?”
...
“And if I told you that we choose the best of us to be the Pintiri, the greatest hero in the world—supposedly—and wielder of the most powerful magic in our arsenal, would you page the nurses to have me taken back to my padded room?”
Roger nodded again, more assured of himself this time, though he had no clue where the old elf—if he really was an elf—was going with this train of thought.
Aldern shook his head and sighed. “Typical.”
The summary and excerpt above are representative of the type of fantasy and comedy in this book. Although the book seemed interesting at first glance, it had trouble maintaining my interest, and I found some parts of the plot to be cliche. Overall, if you like books that are a mix of fantasy and comedy, you will enjoy this book. If anything in my review sounds intriguing to you, make sure you check out Shotgun when it comes out in July!
First of all, that cover is gorgeous! It looks like it could be the cover of a comic book, because the people are drawn in an engaging, animated way. Since the cover looks like the cover of an action comic, I was expecting that the plot of this prose novel would be magical and action-packed.
Shotgun by Scott Colby starts off with Roger, a man who feels down in the dumps after his wife left him, discovering that an overweight woman has snuck into his house to steal something from him. Soon, a pointy-eared para-military officer appears and reveals that that woman is actually an evil creature looking for a glowing orb light in Roger's kitchen drawer. The light erupts as it ascends, and the roof of Roger's house caves in. When he wakes up, he discovers that all magical creatures are real and he has been chosen to become the next great hero of the world. Here is an excerpt from the beginning of the book:
"What if I told you that all of the creatures you’ve been taught were fictitious—things like fairies, nymphs, dryads, trolls, gnomes, demons, and imps—were all real, and that we were in charge of keeping you out of their business so that they could get on with their lives without interference?”
...
“And if I told you that we choose the best of us to be the Pintiri, the greatest hero in the world—supposedly—and wielder of the most powerful magic in our arsenal, would you page the nurses to have me taken back to my padded room?”
Roger nodded again, more assured of himself this time, though he had no clue where the old elf—if he really was an elf—was going with this train of thought.
Aldern shook his head and sighed. “Typical.”
The summary and excerpt above are representative of the type of fantasy and comedy in this book. Although the book seemed interesting at first glance, it had trouble maintaining my interest, and I found some parts of the plot to be cliche. Overall, if you like books that are a mix of fantasy and comedy, you will enjoy this book. If anything in my review sounds intriguing to you, make sure you check out Shotgun when it comes out in July!
January 8, 2022
This second book in the Deviant Magic series is full of action, humor, mysteries, conspiracies, surprises and intrigue. Also, we get to know better some characters we first met in the first book in the series, although it can be read without reading first the previous one. Clearly a superb book and a great change of pace in Urban Fantasy.
January 29, 2025
Roger has an ordinary life until he disturbs a burglar! Now life is complicated, dangerous and painful. I enjoyed this story the twists and turns kept me hooked. What is Talora's true identity. The dialogue is fun. I look forward to the next story.
April 9, 2023
Positives:
● multiple perspectives
● reappearance of Driff (a character from 'A Date With Death')
● battle scenes
● a couple good twists
Negatives:
● I think that the author really took too many opportunities to sexualize female characters, even at points that it doesn't really seem to make sense.
● The Pace of the story seems as if it jumps every now and then
Quotes:
● "Trust is a truly precious thing, and it should not be given away lightly." - chapter 12, Shotgun written by Scott Colby
● "... where there's independent thought, there's opportunity." - chapter 19, Shotgun written by Scott Colby
●" ... even the best of us can fall into the darkness." - chapter 20, Shotgun written by Scott Colby
● multiple perspectives
● reappearance of Driff (a character from 'A Date With Death')
● battle scenes
● a couple good twists
Negatives:
● I think that the author really took too many opportunities to sexualize female characters, even at points that it doesn't really seem to make sense.
● The Pace of the story seems as if it jumps every now and then
Quotes:
● "Trust is a truly precious thing, and it should not be given away lightly." - chapter 12, Shotgun written by Scott Colby
● "... where there's independent thought, there's opportunity." - chapter 19, Shotgun written by Scott Colby
●" ... even the best of us can fall into the darkness." - chapter 20, Shotgun written by Scott Colby
August 26, 2014
This is your chance to read a really good book.
elves,ogren,witches,talking trees, babes with horns. what more could you ask for, what more could you want. buy it and jump right in. you'll be glad you did. as an author my self I wish I had come up with this yarn. excellent job Scott Colby.
elves,ogren,witches,talking trees, babes with horns. what more could you ask for, what more could you want. buy it and jump right in. you'll be glad you did. as an author my self I wish I had come up with this yarn. excellent job Scott Colby.
May 27, 2014
Unique & Well Presented
I enjoyed reading Shotgun, a book of mystery, magic, and deception amongst demons, elves, shapeshifters, fairies, and a human pawn. The book is written/edited well, with but a few minor errors. I hope there is a second book!
I enjoyed reading Shotgun, a book of mystery, magic, and deception amongst demons, elves, shapeshifters, fairies, and a human pawn. The book is written/edited well, with but a few minor errors. I hope there is a second book!
May 7, 2025
A man just missing his family got pulled into a magical world because of something that made his gun magic, and he stepped up to the plate to protect everyone. I loved the twist near the end.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews