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Sam Adams #1
Credible Threats
Sam Adams, sixteen-year-old wizard, has zero interest in saving the world—but staying out of the line of fire isn’t an option for wizards.
When a new designer drug hits the streets, giving ordinary humans magical powers and leaving a trail of bodies in its wake, it threatens to turn his city of Williamsport’s long-simmering conflict between the haves and the have-nots into a full-scale war.
The only one with the skills to protect the city, Sam finds himself thrust into a conspiracy far darker and more dangerous than he ever imagined, with tentacles stretching into the criminal underworld and the wealthy elite—and into the spirit world. Fighting for his life, surrounded by enemies, Sam has to dig deeper than ever before to keep Williamsport from going up in flames.
But even magic has its limits.
When a new designer drug hits the streets, giving ordinary humans magical powers and leaving a trail of bodies in its wake, it threatens to turn his city of Williamsport’s long-simmering conflict between the haves and the have-nots into a full-scale war.
The only one with the skills to protect the city, Sam finds himself thrust into a conspiracy far darker and more dangerous than he ever imagined, with tentacles stretching into the criminal underworld and the wealthy elite—and into the spirit world. Fighting for his life, surrounded by enemies, Sam has to dig deeper than ever before to keep Williamsport from going up in flames.
But even magic has its limits.
- GenresFantasy
327 pages, Paperback
Published November 15, 2022
1 person is currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Meyer
3 books7 followersDaniel Meyer tried his hand at a few careers, but fearing they were too realistic and achievable, he became a fantasy writer instead. Now he spends his days writing stories about magic and explosions. He is a lover of Eighties rock, an occasional kilt-wearer, and a supporter of raccoons. He lives in Missouri, where, as ever, he’s working on his next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 3, 2025
This is one of those books that you know before you even finish the first page that you're gonna love it.
Come on - a 16 year old wizard on his way to banish a poltergeist from a classmate's house (he hoped - turns out he'd never done it before) - I knew I was in for a good time! Before I was even halfway through, I paused reading to go ahead and purchase the second book in the series.
Seems like all the books I've read with wizards are always when the wizard is white haired, gnarled hands and bent almost double from old age. It was refreshing to meet Sam while he's still wet behind the ears. In fact, he's only been using magic as a wizard for three years. He was attempting to self teach until his feline familiar, Catrick Swayze arrived to provide aid. (Isn't that the absolute BEST name for a cat?!)
This is a hard review to write, because I loved a little bit of everything. I loved the characters that Daniel Meyer brought to life on the page: Sam's struggle to heal from his friend's death before the summer, his sarcastic wit and humor. I love that he comes from a healthy, happy family. I like that the author made sure the reader got introduced to the town of Williamsport - we got a good lay of the land, a feel for the place. I like that some characters remained a bit of a mystery to get unwrapped in later books. I like how easily the book flowed - Meyer used a very consumable style of writing that pulls you right in and makes it hard to put the book down once you start reading.
So a whole lot of likes....what about dislikes? Well, maybe just one. I need more Catrick Swayze! Seriously, I need more from the cat. He apparently came to help teach Sam, so I want in on some of these interactions! (I'd like to say it's because I'm eager to learn more of the magic, but it's really because I think it'll be hilarious.)
If you're a Dresden fan, then I think you would have a fantastic time with Sam. The two series have a lot of similarities, but Meyer also includes some of his own tricks to set the two apart. I'm really excited about reading the next in the series, RISING SHADOWS. Here's hoping it's sooner rather than later!
I did receive a paperback copy of this book from the author in exchange for review consideration. All opinions discussed are my own and are subjective to myself as a reader.
A heartfelt thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for their support towards my enthusiasm for reading and reviewing!
Special thanks to my highest level Patrons: Ev, Sharon, Andrew, Star, Kate, Gail, Amanda F., Tara, John, Ann, Chad K., Wilbur & Heidi.
Come on - a 16 year old wizard on his way to banish a poltergeist from a classmate's house (he hoped - turns out he'd never done it before) - I knew I was in for a good time! Before I was even halfway through, I paused reading to go ahead and purchase the second book in the series.
Seems like all the books I've read with wizards are always when the wizard is white haired, gnarled hands and bent almost double from old age. It was refreshing to meet Sam while he's still wet behind the ears. In fact, he's only been using magic as a wizard for three years. He was attempting to self teach until his feline familiar, Catrick Swayze arrived to provide aid. (Isn't that the absolute BEST name for a cat?!)
This is a hard review to write, because I loved a little bit of everything. I loved the characters that Daniel Meyer brought to life on the page: Sam's struggle to heal from his friend's death before the summer, his sarcastic wit and humor. I love that he comes from a healthy, happy family. I like that the author made sure the reader got introduced to the town of Williamsport - we got a good lay of the land, a feel for the place. I like that some characters remained a bit of a mystery to get unwrapped in later books. I like how easily the book flowed - Meyer used a very consumable style of writing that pulls you right in and makes it hard to put the book down once you start reading.
So a whole lot of likes....what about dislikes? Well, maybe just one. I need more Catrick Swayze! Seriously, I need more from the cat. He apparently came to help teach Sam, so I want in on some of these interactions! (I'd like to say it's because I'm eager to learn more of the magic, but it's really because I think it'll be hilarious.)
If you're a Dresden fan, then I think you would have a fantastic time with Sam. The two series have a lot of similarities, but Meyer also includes some of his own tricks to set the two apart. I'm really excited about reading the next in the series, RISING SHADOWS. Here's hoping it's sooner rather than later!
I did receive a paperback copy of this book from the author in exchange for review consideration. All opinions discussed are my own and are subjective to myself as a reader.
A heartfelt thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for their support towards my enthusiasm for reading and reviewing!
Special thanks to my highest level Patrons: Ev, Sharon, Andrew, Star, Kate, Gail, Amanda F., Tara, John, Ann, Chad K., Wilbur & Heidi.
February 17, 2023
Full text review: https://jamreads.com/reviews/credible...
Interview with Daniel Meyer: https://jamreads.com/interviews/some-...
Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Credible Threats is the initial book of a new urban fantasy series, Sam Adams, and the debut of Daniel Meyer as an author. While at first glance might look similar to the Harry Dresden series, there are several differences that make this book pretty unique, and particularly, I would say that the most remarkable thing about this book is its main character, Sam.
(I also want to stop one moment to say that I was doubting if I should classify this book as young adult or adult, but taking into account the themes treated, I feel adult suits better).
Sam Adams is one of the best characters I've read recently. A teenage wizard, who sometimes does occasional magical works in order to help (as we will see him dealing with a poltergeist soon into the book); keeping this part of his life separated from his family, as he just wants to keep them safe. At the same time, he's dealing with pain and grief, as one of her closest friends died as a result of an overdose.
We are able to see soon that Sam's powers are not especially outstanding, and using these powers tends to make him feel exhausted; as we can see, despite not being a hard magic system, there's still a certain logic and cost, something that I appreciate.
The supernatural world is a common element in Sam's city, Williamsport, being all of it covered by the authorities, so most of the people are unaware of its existence.
Outside of classical creatures, such as can be ghosts and vampires, there are several original creatures of this author, taking a relevant paper the Shal'Gasa, one of the countless races that live in the spiritual world, but that sometimes intervene in human business.
Convivence in a city such as Williamsport is not exactly easy, showing a big gap between the North side and the South side; between classes in general, as we can guess segregation by richness, being the South Side where poverty and criminal activities tend to be. But this segregation is at a point that a minimal spark might blow all into a street war.
And with this situation, a new drug is introduced in Williamsport, the Hex. Behind it, there's a mysterious group, led by Doctor Death, an enigmatic character that seems to be looking for the destruction of the city with its actions.
And here is where our Sam will enter. If dealing with protecting his own sister and the people he appreciates is not enough, now he will be forced to work with different forces to uncover and stop Doctor Death.
The rest of the cast is also interesting, as there is a deepness in those characters that is kinda uncommon in the urban fantasy genre. We are able to see how they deal with different difficult situations, and how that is influencing their actions. A special mention should be given to Catrick Swayze, because seriously, you don't want to miss it.
Pacing is on the absolute spot, combining faster sections, where the tension grows up with small points that break it with the use of different resources, as can be funny moments. We also get some sections that allow us to know more about Sam or the internal process he's experiencing with his friend's death (especially, as we can see, she died by overdose; seeing how Hex might unchain a hell in Williamsport is not an easy experience for Sam).
Another detail I would like to talk about before finishing my review is how the fight scenes are super well written, with the perfect amount of tension (remember the stakes), and in a way that you can visualize them.
In summary, I had a blast reading this book. It is really polished, and honestly, I can see a big potential in the voice of Daniel Meyer, either writing urban fantasy or trying other genres. I want to recommend it to those that love urban fantasy as a genre, as we could call Credible Threats an excellent example of what the genre can offer.
Interview with Daniel Meyer: https://jamreads.com/interviews/some-...
Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Credible Threats is the initial book of a new urban fantasy series, Sam Adams, and the debut of Daniel Meyer as an author. While at first glance might look similar to the Harry Dresden series, there are several differences that make this book pretty unique, and particularly, I would say that the most remarkable thing about this book is its main character, Sam.
(I also want to stop one moment to say that I was doubting if I should classify this book as young adult or adult, but taking into account the themes treated, I feel adult suits better).
Sam Adams is one of the best characters I've read recently. A teenage wizard, who sometimes does occasional magical works in order to help (as we will see him dealing with a poltergeist soon into the book); keeping this part of his life separated from his family, as he just wants to keep them safe. At the same time, he's dealing with pain and grief, as one of her closest friends died as a result of an overdose.
We are able to see soon that Sam's powers are not especially outstanding, and using these powers tends to make him feel exhausted; as we can see, despite not being a hard magic system, there's still a certain logic and cost, something that I appreciate.
The supernatural world is a common element in Sam's city, Williamsport, being all of it covered by the authorities, so most of the people are unaware of its existence.
Outside of classical creatures, such as can be ghosts and vampires, there are several original creatures of this author, taking a relevant paper the Shal'Gasa, one of the countless races that live in the spiritual world, but that sometimes intervene in human business.
Convivence in a city such as Williamsport is not exactly easy, showing a big gap between the North side and the South side; between classes in general, as we can guess segregation by richness, being the South Side where poverty and criminal activities tend to be. But this segregation is at a point that a minimal spark might blow all into a street war.
And with this situation, a new drug is introduced in Williamsport, the Hex. Behind it, there's a mysterious group, led by Doctor Death, an enigmatic character that seems to be looking for the destruction of the city with its actions.
And here is where our Sam will enter. If dealing with protecting his own sister and the people he appreciates is not enough, now he will be forced to work with different forces to uncover and stop Doctor Death.
The rest of the cast is also interesting, as there is a deepness in those characters that is kinda uncommon in the urban fantasy genre. We are able to see how they deal with different difficult situations, and how that is influencing their actions. A special mention should be given to Catrick Swayze, because seriously, you don't want to miss it.
Pacing is on the absolute spot, combining faster sections, where the tension grows up with small points that break it with the use of different resources, as can be funny moments. We also get some sections that allow us to know more about Sam or the internal process he's experiencing with his friend's death (especially, as we can see, she died by overdose; seeing how Hex might unchain a hell in Williamsport is not an easy experience for Sam).
Another detail I would like to talk about before finishing my review is how the fight scenes are super well written, with the perfect amount of tension (remember the stakes), and in a way that you can visualize them.
In summary, I had a blast reading this book. It is really polished, and honestly, I can see a big potential in the voice of Daniel Meyer, either writing urban fantasy or trying other genres. I want to recommend it to those that love urban fantasy as a genre, as we could call Credible Threats an excellent example of what the genre can offer.
August 30, 2023
4.5
Credible Threats is a fantastic start to a new urban fantasy series. Full of incredible characters both magic and human, Daniel Meyer paints a vivid picture of a town steeped in history and conflict with magic bubbling just under the surface.
Sam Adams is a teenager in high school with a big secret. Daniel Meyer does a fantastic job of depicting a teen with too much on his plate and who had to grow up faster than usual. Being a wizard brings with it a lot of responsibility and that’s not even mentioning the tragedy he experienced a year before. All of this comes to a head when a magical drug hits the streets, with catastrophic and deadly side effects.
Along the way, Sam meets many colorful characters of varying species, magical and non-magical. Every one of these characters is vividly realized, Meyer giving us just enough to be able engage with them, but not too much that there isn’t still plenty of mysteries to be revealed in the future.
Some might say this book is like Dresden Files in high school, or a dark Harry Potter without the magical school, but I’d have to disagree. This world and series is very much its own thing and while they may belong in the same genre, they are not the same. Daniel Meyer very much has his own voice when writing Sam Adams and the creatures are original or when they’re not, they are executed with his own originality. If I was to compare it to anything, it would be Buffy the Vampire Slayer. And that would be a compliment from me, Buffy being my favorite show.
All in all, Credible Threats is a wonderful urban fantasy that brings plenty of new and fun ideas to the genre while paying tribute to the greats that came before. With a great stand-alone story and some good set-up for future threats, Daniel Meyer has written a damn near perfect book one that did exactly what it was supposed to do, left me needing more.
Credible Threats is a fantastic start to a new urban fantasy series. Full of incredible characters both magic and human, Daniel Meyer paints a vivid picture of a town steeped in history and conflict with magic bubbling just under the surface.
Sam Adams is a teenager in high school with a big secret. Daniel Meyer does a fantastic job of depicting a teen with too much on his plate and who had to grow up faster than usual. Being a wizard brings with it a lot of responsibility and that’s not even mentioning the tragedy he experienced a year before. All of this comes to a head when a magical drug hits the streets, with catastrophic and deadly side effects.
Along the way, Sam meets many colorful characters of varying species, magical and non-magical. Every one of these characters is vividly realized, Meyer giving us just enough to be able engage with them, but not too much that there isn’t still plenty of mysteries to be revealed in the future.
Some might say this book is like Dresden Files in high school, or a dark Harry Potter without the magical school, but I’d have to disagree. This world and series is very much its own thing and while they may belong in the same genre, they are not the same. Daniel Meyer very much has his own voice when writing Sam Adams and the creatures are original or when they’re not, they are executed with his own originality. If I was to compare it to anything, it would be Buffy the Vampire Slayer. And that would be a compliment from me, Buffy being my favorite show.
All in all, Credible Threats is a wonderful urban fantasy that brings plenty of new and fun ideas to the genre while paying tribute to the greats that came before. With a great stand-alone story and some good set-up for future threats, Daniel Meyer has written a damn near perfect book one that did exactly what it was supposed to do, left me needing more.
May 19, 2024
This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Credible Threats
Thank you to Daniel Meyer for providing me with a copy of this book! I voluntarily leave this review!
Sam Adams is a teenage wizard who has no desire to draw attention to himself. When he finds out about a new drug on the street called Hex, his investigation will put him straight into the line of fire. While Hex might give humans magical powers, it comes with deadly consequences. Tensions between the Southside and Northside are bad enough as it is, let alone adding Hex into the mix. Sam will find himself up against impossible odds, as tempers and situations escalate.
Credible Threats is an action-filled sarcastic ride. Sam’s response to tough situations is to drop sarcastic humor which helps break tension and propel the story forward. And as soon as Sam mentioned his cat’s name was Catrick Swayze I couldn’t help but laugh. Catrick is quite the character. He serves as a voice of reason for Sam, calling him out on risky ideas, and helps where he can with his own brand of magic.
But make no mistake, there are also darker themes lying in wait for the reader. Throughout Credible Threats, Sam deals with the loss of a close friend. Flashbacks and emotional scenes will immerse readers in Sam’s regrets and solidify his reason for moving forward despite the risks. And the writing captures all of this in a way suitable for young adult readers. The action sequences have cut-away scenes perfectly timed to allow readers to enjoy the story without too much detail. The depth of emotion portrayed for Sam’s character is relatable and readers will root for him through every tough decision he has to make.
Credible Threats is for readers who enjoy fast-paced urban fantasy novels. Daniel Meyer does not pull punches for the characters but skillfully captures their struggles both mentally and physically. This is suitable reading for both adults and young adults.
Thank you to Daniel Meyer for providing me with a copy of this book! I voluntarily leave this review!
Sam Adams is a teenage wizard who has no desire to draw attention to himself. When he finds out about a new drug on the street called Hex, his investigation will put him straight into the line of fire. While Hex might give humans magical powers, it comes with deadly consequences. Tensions between the Southside and Northside are bad enough as it is, let alone adding Hex into the mix. Sam will find himself up against impossible odds, as tempers and situations escalate.
Credible Threats is an action-filled sarcastic ride. Sam’s response to tough situations is to drop sarcastic humor which helps break tension and propel the story forward. And as soon as Sam mentioned his cat’s name was Catrick Swayze I couldn’t help but laugh. Catrick is quite the character. He serves as a voice of reason for Sam, calling him out on risky ideas, and helps where he can with his own brand of magic.
But make no mistake, there are also darker themes lying in wait for the reader. Throughout Credible Threats, Sam deals with the loss of a close friend. Flashbacks and emotional scenes will immerse readers in Sam’s regrets and solidify his reason for moving forward despite the risks. And the writing captures all of this in a way suitable for young adult readers. The action sequences have cut-away scenes perfectly timed to allow readers to enjoy the story without too much detail. The depth of emotion portrayed for Sam’s character is relatable and readers will root for him through every tough decision he has to make.
Credible Threats is for readers who enjoy fast-paced urban fantasy novels. Daniel Meyer does not pull punches for the characters but skillfully captures their struggles both mentally and physically. This is suitable reading for both adults and young adults.
February 26, 2024
The first book in the Sam Adams series where a teenage magician is called by a friend to clear her house from a poltergeist. Magic is not something to speak of in the city of Williamsport, since it doesn't exist, and that's a reason he hasn't practiced it. So, he's very afraid in this first magical fight of his with the spirit, but makes it through and that's just the beginning of his troubles. When a new drug hits town that gives normal people magic powers and the authorities look the other way, he will try to save the city from King Death and the rivalry between its North and South Side, along with a street gang, a vampire and a Shal'Gasa, not forgetting his pet counselor, Catrick Swayze.
February 15, 2025
Sam Adams lives in a world in which magic is so dangerous, that wizards rarely survive to a ripe old age. At 16, he's about as old as he can be expected to get. It's up to him to defend his town from evil forces that are exacerbating a bitter rivalry between the well-to-do set on the north side of the river and the working class South Siders. An evil magician with the unsubtle moniker "King Death" (subtlety isn't a driving force in this story) and his deadly gang, the Reapers are distributing (and consuming) drugs that give the users chaotic magical powers, and, as a result, the bodies are hitting the floor in large numbers, especially at the local high school.
If you, like me, enjoy dark urban fantasy stories, then you'll find Credible Threats to be an action-packed YA thrill ride, complete with ultra-violence and plenty of teenaged angst. Young Sam is a powerful wizard, able to levitate school buses, blast a stream of fire like its coming out of a "fire" hose (sorry about that), and shield himself from bullets, as well as practically anything else that threatens him physically, but he's nearly crippled by his grief over the death of his first love some months before the opening of the story. He's also moony toward a North Side girl who's stepfather wants him dead, and, to some degree, toward a perky vampire he meets along the way. Oh, and he has a magical talking cat named Catrick Swayze (and don't you wish you'd have thought of that first?).
I found Credible Threats to be an entertaining read, and I was willing to overlook anything that stood in the way of my enjoyment, such as the fact that Sam's parents have to be the most inattentive parents in the history of parenting, and that although large numbers of people are killed, few of them are characters you care about (most of them are unnamed). Nonetheless, I found the story to be a worthy read and compelling enough to buy the sequel.
If you, like me, enjoy dark urban fantasy stories, then you'll find Credible Threats to be an action-packed YA thrill ride, complete with ultra-violence and plenty of teenaged angst. Young Sam is a powerful wizard, able to levitate school buses, blast a stream of fire like its coming out of a "fire" hose (sorry about that), and shield himself from bullets, as well as practically anything else that threatens him physically, but he's nearly crippled by his grief over the death of his first love some months before the opening of the story. He's also moony toward a North Side girl who's stepfather wants him dead, and, to some degree, toward a perky vampire he meets along the way. Oh, and he has a magical talking cat named Catrick Swayze (and don't you wish you'd have thought of that first?).
I found Credible Threats to be an entertaining read, and I was willing to overlook anything that stood in the way of my enjoyment, such as the fact that Sam's parents have to be the most inattentive parents in the history of parenting, and that although large numbers of people are killed, few of them are characters you care about (most of them are unnamed). Nonetheless, I found the story to be a worthy read and compelling enough to buy the sequel.
Want to read
March 11, 2024This is not a full review. I read through the beginning of all 300 SPFBO9 contest entries. This was a book I wanted to read more of.
Teenage wizard Sam Adam’s has a friend with a poltergeist problem that he’s about to take care of for her. He’s going to make it go away. With magic. Because he can do that. Hopefully.
This YA, Jim Butcher-esque urban fantasy has its 1st person narrative voice down pat. Sam, our teenage dabbler in the occult, has a self-deprecating, dry, facetious sense of humor to go along with some quintessential noir lines.
The story does a great job of introducing his character and the action of the first chapter from page 1. Sam’s used his magic before to help his classmates on their history tests, but banishing a poltergeist? Well, in theory it shouldn’t be any different.
Things assuredly won’t be going smoothly, especially considering how Sam has to squeeze his fists to stop his hands from shaking.
Is this even a normal poltergeist? And what will that mean in the world of Meyer’s imagination? This will likely be a big hit for fans of Supernatural, Lucifer, and any teenage school drama. It seems fun. I’m in.
Teenage wizard Sam Adam’s has a friend with a poltergeist problem that he’s about to take care of for her. He’s going to make it go away. With magic. Because he can do that. Hopefully.
This YA, Jim Butcher-esque urban fantasy has its 1st person narrative voice down pat. Sam, our teenage dabbler in the occult, has a self-deprecating, dry, facetious sense of humor to go along with some quintessential noir lines.
The story does a great job of introducing his character and the action of the first chapter from page 1. Sam’s used his magic before to help his classmates on their history tests, but banishing a poltergeist? Well, in theory it shouldn’t be any different.
Things assuredly won’t be going smoothly, especially considering how Sam has to squeeze his fists to stop his hands from shaking.
Is this even a normal poltergeist? And what will that mean in the world of Meyer’s imagination? This will likely be a big hit for fans of Supernatural, Lucifer, and any teenage school drama. It seems fun. I’m in.
Read
September 1, 2023Credible Threats is the first book in the Sam Adams series. The story is set in the world where there are humans as well as some supernatural beings. There are wizards & demons & vampires, talking cats & guardian snakes, and there is some sort of connection among all these beings but is not yet revealed. As it's the first book, the author doesn't give away much.
It's a first person narrative & we get to see the world through Sam's eyes who is a teenage wizard with a human family. His magic is a secret & not many humans believe in the presence of supernatural beings.
It is a fast paced, action filled book where the protagonist quite frequently finds himself in the middle of a scuffle & sometimes a full blown fight. I liked the dry humor & sarcastic comments and the cat (that talks) was my favorite!
The book talks of class difference, incompetence of the authorities, poverty & drug use. The ending is just a new beginning.
Also, I think the author should write a prequel novella exploring the world setting in detail & also Sam's first encounter with magic.
It's a first person narrative & we get to see the world through Sam's eyes who is a teenage wizard with a human family. His magic is a secret & not many humans believe in the presence of supernatural beings.
It is a fast paced, action filled book where the protagonist quite frequently finds himself in the middle of a scuffle & sometimes a full blown fight. I liked the dry humor & sarcastic comments and the cat (that talks) was my favorite!
The book talks of class difference, incompetence of the authorities, poverty & drug use. The ending is just a new beginning.
Also, I think the author should write a prequel novella exploring the world setting in detail & also Sam's first encounter with magic.
October 7, 2023
I picked this book to read for the Massachusetts Book Challenge September Entry “read a book by an author with the same first or last name.” I decided to be an overachiever and read a book with my actual same name and I’m so glad I discovered Credible Threats! It’s an entertaining read, with well-rounded characters, a fascinating setting, and plenty of action. I like the the protagonist didn’t need to hide his identity as a wizard. It also dives into some major contemporary issues like teenage drug use and small-town corruption. My two suggestions would be to include a queer character and streamline the action sequences a bit (they were maybe one or two pages too long due to the explanation of the magic).
I’m excited for book two as Sam goes on another adventure. Good job, name twin!
I’m excited for book two as Sam goes on another adventure. Good job, name twin!
September 1, 2023
I was granted complimentary access to Credible Threats as part of my participation in a blog tour for this title with Escapist Book Tours. Thank you to all involved in affording me this opportunity! My thoughts are my own and my review is honest.
Credible Threats launches us into a brand new urban fantasy series about a teenage witch who's used to practicing a little helpful magic here and there to help his town, but nothing could have prepared him for the high stakes to come his way when drug users become magic users and people start dropping dead. I've seen another reviewer compare it, at a glance, to Dresden and I can certainly see the comparison, but I wouldn't say this series isn't going to be totally unique. This is a fresh, still relatively inexperienced teenage witch, not a more seasoned adult wizard with a friend on the police force and a magical teacher living in a skull on his desk. Similar to Dresden's world, however, non-magic users here aren't supposed to know that magic exists, and there are higher powers ensuring that the two worlds do not mix. This is a story of magical vigilante justice doled out by a coming-of-age witch who wasn't trying to be a vigilante hero.
First of all, what a fascinating premise! I've definitely encountered drug users here in the real world who THINK they've got magical powers, but what if they actually did? Terrifying and intriguing thought!
This book blasts you wish action right away, and the pacing is excellent. I don't know if you normally read a 300+ page book in one sitting, but you won't want to put this one down, and you won't find any slow spots or points where you've got more answers than questions in order to put the book down.
There is an impressive depth to these characters, how they relate to each other, and what grief feels and looks like. Despite the fact that the main character is just 16, and he is written well as a teenager, this book goes so far beneath the surface in terms of exploring humanity and speaking intelligently about the human condition that it doesn't feel like a YA book. YA books tend to be very good at diving deep on just one thing (a romance, an LGBT identity self discovery, etc.) but this book inspects the whole package.
Similar to Dresden, since that's the comparison we seem to be running with, the magic system here does have some structure, but it isn't the in-depth fully fleshed out and academically studied hard magic system of something like the King Killer Chronicle books. There are limits on how much magic a magic users can use and generate at any given time, and drawing magic from within has short term consequences for the magic users (it tires Sam,) but there are less concrete rules laid out for what that magic can do. It's a lot of fun! The magic itself has very few limits, but using it has consequences. I like that.
Overall this is a very compelling, exciting, and emotional experience of a book, and it's only the start of a series. I can't wait to see where Meyer goes with this next! Thank you again for the opportunity to review this book.
Credible Threats launches us into a brand new urban fantasy series about a teenage witch who's used to practicing a little helpful magic here and there to help his town, but nothing could have prepared him for the high stakes to come his way when drug users become magic users and people start dropping dead. I've seen another reviewer compare it, at a glance, to Dresden and I can certainly see the comparison, but I wouldn't say this series isn't going to be totally unique. This is a fresh, still relatively inexperienced teenage witch, not a more seasoned adult wizard with a friend on the police force and a magical teacher living in a skull on his desk. Similar to Dresden's world, however, non-magic users here aren't supposed to know that magic exists, and there are higher powers ensuring that the two worlds do not mix. This is a story of magical vigilante justice doled out by a coming-of-age witch who wasn't trying to be a vigilante hero.
First of all, what a fascinating premise! I've definitely encountered drug users here in the real world who THINK they've got magical powers, but what if they actually did? Terrifying and intriguing thought!
This book blasts you wish action right away, and the pacing is excellent. I don't know if you normally read a 300+ page book in one sitting, but you won't want to put this one down, and you won't find any slow spots or points where you've got more answers than questions in order to put the book down.
There is an impressive depth to these characters, how they relate to each other, and what grief feels and looks like. Despite the fact that the main character is just 16, and he is written well as a teenager, this book goes so far beneath the surface in terms of exploring humanity and speaking intelligently about the human condition that it doesn't feel like a YA book. YA books tend to be very good at diving deep on just one thing (a romance, an LGBT identity self discovery, etc.) but this book inspects the whole package.
Similar to Dresden, since that's the comparison we seem to be running with, the magic system here does have some structure, but it isn't the in-depth fully fleshed out and academically studied hard magic system of something like the King Killer Chronicle books. There are limits on how much magic a magic users can use and generate at any given time, and drawing magic from within has short term consequences for the magic users (it tires Sam,) but there are less concrete rules laid out for what that magic can do. It's a lot of fun! The magic itself has very few limits, but using it has consequences. I like that.
Overall this is a very compelling, exciting, and emotional experience of a book, and it's only the start of a series. I can't wait to see where Meyer goes with this next! Thank you again for the opportunity to review this book.
March 23, 2025
4.5 rounded up.
This book was so much fun! I loved the unique take on the Urban Fantasy genre. Sam is not your typical teenager - not even your typical teen wizard.
CAWPILE:
Characaters: 4.5/5 - I loved the characters. Sam Adams is not your average teen wizard - nothing traditional about him. And thank you - Daniel Meyer - for not making him angsty! Too many teen MC’s who are so angsty it’s sickening and annoying. I liked how he knew some magic at the start of the novel, but learned much more - showing that he’s not brand spanking new to this but still pretty new. He’s still learning, as we are. I just wanted a little more depth - and more Catrick Swayze.
Atmosphere/Setting: 5/5 - The atmosphere and setting was perfect - this felt like such a “small town” type of book. Where everyone knows everyone and there are secrets galore. I felt and saw and smelled and heard the atmosphere and setting all the time. Loved the “small town gang” representation in this too. Felt very realistic.
Writing Style: 4/5 - Overall, I loved Meyer’s writing style. It was entertaining, engaging and easy to follow. There were a few too many moments where I had to suspend my disbelief and “just go with it”. But I liked how it wrapped up this individual story while leaving a lot of room for further books in the story.
Plot: 4.5/5 - At the base, it was a simple plot: teen wizard takes on evil wizard to save town. But there were also other elements thrown in to expand on it and make it a little more complicated than that. There were a few distractions and side stories but they mostly worked out by the end. Speaking of the ending - I did not expect that twist of who King Death was!!
Intrigue: 5/5 - I was on the edge of my seat the entire time!
Logic: 5/5 - After suspending my disbelief, it all made logical sense - kind of.
Enjoyment: 5/5 - 100% good time. What a blast! I truly enjoyed this read and can’t wait to start book 2 - once my tbr is caught up, of course.
Total = 33/7 = 4.7 - rounded up to 5 stars
This book was so much fun! I loved the unique take on the Urban Fantasy genre. Sam is not your typical teenager - not even your typical teen wizard.
CAWPILE:
Characaters: 4.5/5 - I loved the characters. Sam Adams is not your average teen wizard - nothing traditional about him. And thank you - Daniel Meyer - for not making him angsty! Too many teen MC’s who are so angsty it’s sickening and annoying. I liked how he knew some magic at the start of the novel, but learned much more - showing that he’s not brand spanking new to this but still pretty new. He’s still learning, as we are. I just wanted a little more depth - and more Catrick Swayze.
Atmosphere/Setting: 5/5 - The atmosphere and setting was perfect - this felt like such a “small town” type of book. Where everyone knows everyone and there are secrets galore. I felt and saw and smelled and heard the atmosphere and setting all the time. Loved the “small town gang” representation in this too. Felt very realistic.
Writing Style: 4/5 - Overall, I loved Meyer’s writing style. It was entertaining, engaging and easy to follow. There were a few too many moments where I had to suspend my disbelief and “just go with it”. But I liked how it wrapped up this individual story while leaving a lot of room for further books in the story.
Plot: 4.5/5 - At the base, it was a simple plot: teen wizard takes on evil wizard to save town. But there were also other elements thrown in to expand on it and make it a little more complicated than that. There were a few distractions and side stories but they mostly worked out by the end. Speaking of the ending - I did not expect that twist of who King Death was!!
Intrigue: 5/5 - I was on the edge of my seat the entire time!
Logic: 5/5 - After suspending my disbelief, it all made logical sense - kind of.
Enjoyment: 5/5 - 100% good time. What a blast! I truly enjoyed this read and can’t wait to start book 2 - once my tbr is caught up, of course.
Total = 33/7 = 4.7 - rounded up to 5 stars
August 25, 2025
First off, the dedication made me giggle. Secondly, I was only one chapter in, and it was fantastic! I didn't want to put it down. Daniel's writing is so relatable; Sam is quirky and funny. It's intense and draws you in immediately. The "movie in my mind" has never been more vibrant while reading a novel.
December 14, 2023
4.5
This book was fast-paced and engaging theoughout its entirety. The plot was simple to understand yet unique from other novels in the genre.
The main character, Sam, is realistic and has many layers explored in the book, creating substantial characterisation however in some areas the dialogue between teenage characters felt to forced.
Daniel Meyer created a wonderful, page-turning novel which I recommend to anyone interested in ya/adult fantasy with wizards, magic and madness.
This book was fast-paced and engaging theoughout its entirety. The plot was simple to understand yet unique from other novels in the genre.
The main character, Sam, is realistic and has many layers explored in the book, creating substantial characterisation however in some areas the dialogue between teenage characters felt to forced.
Daniel Meyer created a wonderful, page-turning novel which I recommend to anyone interested in ya/adult fantasy with wizards, magic and madness.
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