Threat

by Peter Gribble

"A Journey Without Departure" is the traditional term for a telepathic sending. It is a talent few can perform yet this is the strategy the City of the Magicians-non-violent pacifists, without army or weapons-hopes will mitigate the barbarian invasion coming in six months. The plan could work, but then maybe not. Sas, the young man chosen to "educate the barbarian," can only think, Me? Sendings? They've made a mistake! Lalya, a City librarian searching for her dead lover's vanished manuscript, is ensnared by a secret society planning to collaborate with the same barbarians. Attempts to extricate herself from the blackmail, double-dealing, seduction and betrayal force her to realize her final treachery could very well destroy her. Shoan, the Council strategist, is fully aware a shadowy opposition lurks behind the scenes but is stymied how to lure it out into the open. He should remember one of the basic axioms of tactics is, "Methodology is seldom prepared for surprises." Both Sas and Lalya are pawns in the strategies of others... yet it only takes a pawn to change the game. Threat, the first book in The City of the Magicians series, reveals all the preparations for a barbarian arrival, but when strategies collide, will anyone be ready? Will anyone be safe?

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction

Kindle Edition

First published November 17, 2020

About the author

Peter Gribble has written for NUVO and other magazines in British Columbia. He currently writes a monthly gardening column for a local, online Vancouver journal. This is his first published novel.

Reviews

[Sherry Fundin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw the cover and title and knew I wanted to read The City Of Magicians: Threat by Peter Gribble. I will preface my review by saying, “Sometimes fantasy works for me, other times not so much.”

Threat was a long read, filled with details. Peter Gribble created a complex world. Was it too detailed? I remember trying to read A Game Of Thrones. I quit after the second book. There was too much going on for me and I don’t want it to read like a school book, having to take notes to keep track of the players. Threat wasn’t as bad to me as Game of Thrones, but it still got bogged down at times.

Peter Gribble laid a solid foundation for the series.

I didn’t get lost in the characters, but Sas and Layla would have me reading more so I can find out what happens to them.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The City Of Magicians: Threat by Peter Gribble.

See more at http://www.fundinmental.com

[Gina Rae Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I received a digital copy of this book for a Goddess Fish Blog Tour, I believe it is well worth the price. This tale is an intriguing page-turner that will appeal to readers across genres.

"Threat" is the first book in Peter Gribble's The City of the Magicians series, and it captivates readers from the get-go with its blend of intrigue, strategy, and vivid world-building. Set in a city of pacifist magicians facing an impending barbarian invasion, this novel ties together the fates of three compelling characters, each struggling with unique challenges and inner demons.

Sas, an unlikely hero chosen for a telepathic mission, is endearing in his self-doubt and relatable in his journey toward self-discovery. His internal monologue, questioning the wisdom of his selections, adds a layer of authenticity and vulnerability to his character.

Lalya, a determined librarian ensnared by a secret society, brings a touch of noir to the story. Her quest for her deceased lover’s manuscript pulls her into a web of blackmail and betrayal. Lalya’s struggles highlight the novel’s themes of loyalty, trust, and the cost of betrayal, making her one of the more complex and fascinating characters.

Shoan, the City's Strategic Mastermind, embodies wisdom and foresight. His awareness of the lurking opposition adds suspense to the narrative. However, unexpected twists test his strategic prowess, underscoring the age-old saying that even the best-laid plans can go awry.

Peter Gribble’s world-building is top-notch, creating a vivid and immersive setting that feels fantastical yet somehow familiar. The City of the Magicians is brought to life with rich descriptions and a well-plotted societal structure that intrigues and engages the reader.

The plot, driven by the impending barbarian invasion and the intricate strategies to counter it, keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. Gribble balances action with introspection, ensuring that each character's personal journey is as compelling as the overall conflict.

As some of the language is created in the author's vivid imagination, certain readers will benefit from a bit of note-taking to keep the names, places, and events straight. I don't consider this problematic, as I generally take notes until I become familiar with the cast and settings.

While "Threat" concludes with a satisfying ending, it leaves enough threads untied to make readers eager for the next book in the series, "Within." The mystery, strategy, and character development blend makes this a must-read for science fiction and fantasy fans.

"Threat" is a cleverly written fantasy novel that showcases Peter Gribble’s excellent world-building skills. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy intricate plots, deep character exploration, and a blend of fantasy and science fiction elements. As soon as you turn the last page, prepare to dive into Book Two, "Within." I doubt you will stop there. Book Three, "Quickening," has also been released.

Read an excerpt and meet the author on my website, www.ginaraemitchell.com.

I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.

[Westveil Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was granted complimentary access to an eBook copy of Threat by Peter Gribble as part of my participation in a blog tour for this title with Goddess Fish Promotions. Thank you to all involved in affording me this opportunity! My thoughts are my own and my review is honest.

Threat is the first book in the The City of the Magicians series and as such is an introduction to the world, the cast, and the overarching plot. This is a city ruled by those who practice magic, but everything is divided. Five schools of thought on magic and how to rule rose up, but by the time our story starts, only four remain. What happened to the fifth? A few unlikely characters are about to discover that it still exists, thriving underground in the manner of a secret society that leaves no disloyal witnesses alive.

I love the cast of characters Gribble has established in his world and their crisscrossing storylines. It definitely held my attention to the very end! Layla was my favourite, as I enjoyed her fearless tenacity and drive to solve the mystery of what happened to the person she loves most in the world and what it all has to do with this fifth school.

I have a critiques to offer, however, and I'll start with a minor quibble I have with several fantasy authors and their choices, not just this one: Inventing or re-defining words for mundane things just to make the world feel different. For example, glyphs are used in this world. Fine, great, cool. But glyph is also a verb. "I'll glyph it later." Not I'll write it later. Not I'll draw it later. I'll "glyph" it later. This doesn't make the world cooler. It breaks the spell of this world and reminds me that I'm reading something dreamed up by an author who wants me to know that this isn't taking place in my world.

Besides this my critiques are of the formatting choices. I received both PDF and epub copies, and neither got a long well with screen reading options. I prefer to listen to eBooks so that I can keep my hands occupied, as I absorb the story better that way, but that became annoying very quickly with this book. This book is full of lengthy footnotes that caused me two major issues trying to consume the book via my preferred method. First, I didn't realize for about 3 chapters that all of the exposition info dumps were footnotes and I wonder how this would be handled in an actual audiobook format. I was originally thinking I'd critique the author's choice to tell instead of show, but it's more forgivable in a footnote if you can choose to skip it. Second, particularly in the PDF format, the footnote notation caused my readers to jump back to the top of the page and read the same couple of paragraphs 2-3 times before escaping to the next page. Again, as I was trying to listen to the book, initially I thought I received a jumbled document with repeated pages. In short, this book in its current eBook formatting is not suited to being read with assistive technology, and that's a problem.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting story, with extensive world-building, unique characters, and high stakes. Gribble has built a brilliant world with plenty of depth, and I enjoyed learning more about the city, its inhabitants, and the magic flowing through it all. The opening drops you right into the world, and it’s a little confusing at first, but once you settle in, it’s a fun read. As you dive deeper, and learn more about the city and characters, you’ll find yourself wrapped up in the full story. I must admit, I would’ve liked a glossary of terms and important places at the start, it would’ve made it easier to follow everything right off the bat. The story itself moves along at a smooth pace, and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being able to write a story creating visible scenes, fantastical pictures, and magical moments is an accomplishment. There are many visible moments here. Layer after layer of plot seems to branch off to magical worlds in Peter Gribble’s book, Threat.

To me, this is a mixture of fantasy and sci-fi genres. There is some particularly good character building in Threat. I enjoyed watching some of the characters unfold. I must say between the fantasy “jargon” and character names, I did have to turn back several times as I lost track.

Overall, in what might seem like a fantasy, there is almost a thriller here. As I said, interwoven plots full of deceit, trickery, and subterfuge. A good read for all fantasy/Sci-Fi fans.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Threat (The City of the Magicians Book 1)

Threat (The City of the Magicians Book 1) is an interesting story.
Fantasy and excellent characters to carry one throughout the book. Goodreads giveaway winner.

[Viviana]

I received this book as a gift because I won a giveaway from "Books That Make You". I will be donating it to The Little Free Library.