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Theory of Magic #1
The Garden Gnome: Theory of Magic - Book 1
Where did magic go?
Our world is defined by science, but history tells us that the world was once a much more magical place. Every culture has tales of when the gods walked among us, when strange magical creatures dwelt in the dark, and when users of magic were respected and feared.
We tell ourselves that these stories are myth and superstition. But what if they aren’t?
What if magic were to return? And what does it have to do with a ten-year-old boy and his imaginary friend?
Daniel and Sophia Fitzroy are worried that their son Tony is being bullied in his new school and is struggling to cope.
Leo Schafer is reporting on a new and powerful particle accelerator experiment and the protestors who want it stopped.
FBI Special Agent Debra Kazdin is investigating the protests and trying to keep things from escalating.
Brian Cooke is being inducted into a secret society that knows the truth about magic and will stop at nothing to keep it from returning.
They will be drawn together in an extraordinary confrontation that will change the world forever.
Our world is defined by science, but history tells us that the world was once a much more magical place. Every culture has tales of when the gods walked among us, when strange magical creatures dwelt in the dark, and when users of magic were respected and feared.
We tell ourselves that these stories are myth and superstition. But what if they aren’t?
What if magic were to return? And what does it have to do with a ten-year-old boy and his imaginary friend?
Daniel and Sophia Fitzroy are worried that their son Tony is being bullied in his new school and is struggling to cope.
Leo Schafer is reporting on a new and powerful particle accelerator experiment and the protestors who want it stopped.
FBI Special Agent Debra Kazdin is investigating the protests and trying to keep things from escalating.
Brian Cooke is being inducted into a secret society that knows the truth about magic and will stop at nothing to keep it from returning.
They will be drawn together in an extraordinary confrontation that will change the world forever.
375 pages, Hardcover
Published October 19, 2022
About the author
Jeff McIntyre
3 books17 followersJeff McIntyre was introduced to science fiction and fantasy with a three book collection of A Wrinkle In Time, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe when he was eight, but his love of the genres took off in high school when he was introduced to The Foundation and The Hobbit. He has been an avid gamer his entire life. Video games, role playing games, and table-top wargaming. The list of games he’s played is very, very long. His day job is working in Telecommunications and The Garden Gnome is his first novel.
He currently resides in Omaha, Nebraska with his lovely wife Deb and 185 lbs of furry dork named Magni and Zeus. They’re Hovawarts… Look it up.
He currently resides in Omaha, Nebraska with his lovely wife Deb and 185 lbs of furry dork named Magni and Zeus. They’re Hovawarts… Look it up.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 9, 2024
My review of The Garden Gnome is published at Before We Go Blog.
“Magic was supposed to be…magical. Not screams and tears.”
The Garden Gnome by Jeff McIntyre is the perfect example of why you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. While the cover artwork is undoubtedly beautiful, the image of a gnome hiding in shrubbery may lead you to believe this is a middle-grade novel, or perhaps even a cozy fantasy. However, The Garden Gnome could be more accurately described as a contemporary low fantasy crossed with a Michael Crichton-style thriller.
The main premise of The Garden Gnome is an imminent return of magic to our modern world dominated by science and technology. Although The Garden Gnome has a global scope, most of the book takes place in suburban Chicago. The story shifts among several different perspectives, weaving a complex web of personal and political intrigue.
We are introduced first to Tony, the ten-year-old son of Daniel, a history professor, and Sophia, a businesswoman with a powerful but enigmatic boss. Bullied at school, Tony finds solace from an imaginary friend he calls Bob. But Bob, like Tony himself, may offer more than meets the eye.
Jeff McIntyre blends science fiction into The Garden Gnome via an impending breakthrough at Fermilab, the U.S. Department of Energy’s national particle accelerator laboratory just outside of Chicago. For me, McIntyre’s incorporation of a particle accelerator within a fantasy novel brought back fond memories of reading The Wheel of Osheim, the excellent final volume of Mark Lawrence’s Red Queen’s War trilogy.
The Fermilab plot thread also provides the basis for introducing many of the other point-of-view characters in the book, most notably Leo, a science and technology reporter for the Chicago Tribune newspaper, and Deb, an FBI agent. Leo and Deb are both investigating Nadir, an organization that opposes the advances at Fermilab and might potentially cross over into the realm of violence and terrorism.
Although this is a fantasy novel, several of the characters and organizations in The Garden Gnome feel worthy of a James Bond movie. Beyond Nadir, The Garden Gnome features another shady multinational organization known as the Knights of the Stone. Derived from Arthurian mythos, the Knights of the Stone are dedicated to the suppression of magic by whatever means necessary.
Gray morality comes in through this purported return of magic, which is considered an opportunity by some and a grave threat by others. But if magic is destined to bring about the apocalypse, does that serve as justification for murder?
Jeff McIntyre’s prose is straightforward and enjoyable, propelling the plot forward at a fast clip. I also enjoyed the blend of fantasy and science fiction throughout The Garden Gnome, although I wish the particle accelerator had featured more prominently in the latter part of the book.
The garden gnome himself is an absolute delight. Although he doesn’t get a lot of page time, I thoroughly enjoyed each of his scenes.
Altogether, The Garden Gnome is a delightful surprise, a Crichtonesque thriller that blends contemporary fantasy with science fiction, Arthurian legend, and Ian Fleming levels of intrigue. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am eager to see what happens next in Jeff McIntyre’s Theory of Magic series.
“Magic was supposed to be…magical. Not screams and tears.”
The Garden Gnome by Jeff McIntyre is the perfect example of why you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. While the cover artwork is undoubtedly beautiful, the image of a gnome hiding in shrubbery may lead you to believe this is a middle-grade novel, or perhaps even a cozy fantasy. However, The Garden Gnome could be more accurately described as a contemporary low fantasy crossed with a Michael Crichton-style thriller.
The main premise of The Garden Gnome is an imminent return of magic to our modern world dominated by science and technology. Although The Garden Gnome has a global scope, most of the book takes place in suburban Chicago. The story shifts among several different perspectives, weaving a complex web of personal and political intrigue.
We are introduced first to Tony, the ten-year-old son of Daniel, a history professor, and Sophia, a businesswoman with a powerful but enigmatic boss. Bullied at school, Tony finds solace from an imaginary friend he calls Bob. But Bob, like Tony himself, may offer more than meets the eye.
Jeff McIntyre blends science fiction into The Garden Gnome via an impending breakthrough at Fermilab, the U.S. Department of Energy’s national particle accelerator laboratory just outside of Chicago. For me, McIntyre’s incorporation of a particle accelerator within a fantasy novel brought back fond memories of reading The Wheel of Osheim, the excellent final volume of Mark Lawrence’s Red Queen’s War trilogy.
The Fermilab plot thread also provides the basis for introducing many of the other point-of-view characters in the book, most notably Leo, a science and technology reporter for the Chicago Tribune newspaper, and Deb, an FBI agent. Leo and Deb are both investigating Nadir, an organization that opposes the advances at Fermilab and might potentially cross over into the realm of violence and terrorism.
Although this is a fantasy novel, several of the characters and organizations in The Garden Gnome feel worthy of a James Bond movie. Beyond Nadir, The Garden Gnome features another shady multinational organization known as the Knights of the Stone. Derived from Arthurian mythos, the Knights of the Stone are dedicated to the suppression of magic by whatever means necessary.
Gray morality comes in through this purported return of magic, which is considered an opportunity by some and a grave threat by others. But if magic is destined to bring about the apocalypse, does that serve as justification for murder?
Jeff McIntyre’s prose is straightforward and enjoyable, propelling the plot forward at a fast clip. I also enjoyed the blend of fantasy and science fiction throughout The Garden Gnome, although I wish the particle accelerator had featured more prominently in the latter part of the book.
The garden gnome himself is an absolute delight. Although he doesn’t get a lot of page time, I thoroughly enjoyed each of his scenes.
Altogether, The Garden Gnome is a delightful surprise, a Crichtonesque thriller that blends contemporary fantasy with science fiction, Arthurian legend, and Ian Fleming levels of intrigue. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am eager to see what happens next in Jeff McIntyre’s Theory of Magic series.
July 30, 2024
A true case of "don't judge a book by its cover." The cover (and name) The Garden Gnome suggests a whimsical tale of low fantasy with a benevolent small gnome emerging from a backyard garden. But most of this book felt like a sci-fi thriller from Blake Crouch's back catalog. Set in present day, this is a story about the return of magic, with some forces trying to insure that it returns, while others are doing everything they can to prevent it. I particularly liked the ambiguity of not knowing which side was correct... and still not being sure at the end of the book.
McIntyre did a great job in plotting a story with a very large cast. Although some of the secondary characters felt like names on the page, the main characters were all imbued with a great degree of realism, and I found myself connecting with several of them by the end. The start of this story could be filed in the "slow burn" category, but the shorter chapters and often changing point of view kept the story moving forward.
I loved in the latter half of the book the history and lore that the author revealed, and I look forward to the next installment in this series. To be honest, my biggest complaint with this book is the title and cover illustration, neither of which convey to a potential reader what this book is really about. Had the author not sent me this book (in exchange for this honest review), I doubt I ever would have picked it up, as lighter whimsical fantasy tales are not normally my preference. And this would have been a shame, as I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and as mentioned above, eagerly await its sequel. 4.5/5
McIntyre did a great job in plotting a story with a very large cast. Although some of the secondary characters felt like names on the page, the main characters were all imbued with a great degree of realism, and I found myself connecting with several of them by the end. The start of this story could be filed in the "slow burn" category, but the shorter chapters and often changing point of view kept the story moving forward.
I loved in the latter half of the book the history and lore that the author revealed, and I look forward to the next installment in this series. To be honest, my biggest complaint with this book is the title and cover illustration, neither of which convey to a potential reader what this book is really about. Had the author not sent me this book (in exchange for this honest review), I doubt I ever would have picked it up, as lighter whimsical fantasy tales are not normally my preference. And this would have been a shame, as I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and as mentioned above, eagerly await its sequel. 4.5/5
May 13, 2023
The Garden Gnome is the beginning of a series with great promise. It has a lot of interesting factors and some science that definitely adds an interesting twist to a fantasy tale. The return of magic is something that is either desired or feared. The story cleverly tells both sides of this story, often making the reader decide which outcome would be the best. Even after reading, I’m not sure which one is the better outcome.
The strength of the novel is the overall premise, the impending return of magic. It is a mystery that adds a lot of intrigue and mistrust within the characters. It introduces the little gnome, who is fantastic and interesting, but unfortunately we don’t get a lot of time with him. This brings up a couple of issues I had with the novel. There are a lot of characters to keep track of. We also get a detailed description and background to each character that frequently jarred me out of the narrative. I only connected with one of them unfortunately. It leads to a slower pace that makes getting into the meat of the story feel a little rushed and I really was unsure of who to cheer for. I wish we could have seen more of what the return of magic could truly be.
This novel will definitely find a place with those who like whimsical fantasy points. It feels as if it is a melding of epic and urban fantasy, leading to a lot to like with the promise of the series. The science reminded me very much of The Flash with particle accelerator playing an integral part. It is a clever idea and look forward to see what else is in store for the little Garden Gnome.
Thank you for taking the time to read my review. As always, happy reading and Stay Great!!
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The strength of the novel is the overall premise, the impending return of magic. It is a mystery that adds a lot of intrigue and mistrust within the characters. It introduces the little gnome, who is fantastic and interesting, but unfortunately we don’t get a lot of time with him. This brings up a couple of issues I had with the novel. There are a lot of characters to keep track of. We also get a detailed description and background to each character that frequently jarred me out of the narrative. I only connected with one of them unfortunately. It leads to a slower pace that makes getting into the meat of the story feel a little rushed and I really was unsure of who to cheer for. I wish we could have seen more of what the return of magic could truly be.
This novel will definitely find a place with those who like whimsical fantasy points. It feels as if it is a melding of epic and urban fantasy, leading to a lot to like with the promise of the series. The science reminded me very much of The Flash with particle accelerator playing an integral part. It is a clever idea and look forward to see what else is in store for the little Garden Gnome.
Thank you for taking the time to read my review. As always, happy reading and Stay Great!!
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
April 13, 2023
This book took me a little while to get into for two reasons: (1) I don't read a lot of contemporary fantasy. I'm much more used to fantasy set in a historically inspired world. Therefore it took me a little bit of time to get used to the idea of having both magic and modern technology at the same time. (2) At the start it wasn't clear how the different povs where going to connect. Once that was revealed however, i was fully into it and i couldn't put the book down.
This story is about magic returning to our world. I love that that wasn't seen as a good thing, but rather at something that must be prevented at all costs. That is a take i haven't really seen explored before and i thought it was very interesting. I also liked that it wasn't just a conflict of science vs. magic, but rather that magic has been seen as a bad thing for centuries.
But it wasn't a one-sided "magic is evil and must be destroyed" type of narrative. There are viewpoints from both sides and they had clear reasoning behind their action that made a lot of sense. As a result i didn't know who to root for for most of the book, even if the methods with which goals were achieved, were clearly immoral.
Some dark things happen in this book and yet the tone stays fairly light throughout most of it. (The very beginning even reminded me of The House in the Cerulean Sea, but it moved away from that pretty quickly.) It wasn't till the end that it became an intense page-turner, almost thriller.
That being said, there were a few times where it was quite clear that this is a debut novel. The dialogue was pretty unnatural at times, but it improved a lot on that as the book went on. There were also a few times were the inclusion of diversity and representation felt a little forced and check-boxy. There were a few lines in that regard that could have been cut, but other than that, i liked that the representation was very casual. It was there, but it didn't take over the narrative, which i appreciated.
Over all, i really enjoyed it. A few nit-picks here and there, but generally a very promising debut. I absolutely flew through and i'm definitely looking forward to the second installment in this series.
Also, this book contains words like 'hullabaloo' and 'heebie jeebies'. If that doesn't convince you, i don't know what will.
I kindly recieved a copy from the author. All opinions are my own.
This story is about magic returning to our world. I love that that wasn't seen as a good thing, but rather at something that must be prevented at all costs. That is a take i haven't really seen explored before and i thought it was very interesting. I also liked that it wasn't just a conflict of science vs. magic, but rather that magic has been seen as a bad thing for centuries.
But it wasn't a one-sided "magic is evil and must be destroyed" type of narrative. There are viewpoints from both sides and they had clear reasoning behind their action that made a lot of sense. As a result i didn't know who to root for for most of the book, even if the methods with which goals were achieved, were clearly immoral.
Some dark things happen in this book and yet the tone stays fairly light throughout most of it. (The very beginning even reminded me of The House in the Cerulean Sea, but it moved away from that pretty quickly.) It wasn't till the end that it became an intense page-turner, almost thriller.
That being said, there were a few times where it was quite clear that this is a debut novel. The dialogue was pretty unnatural at times, but it improved a lot on that as the book went on. There were also a few times were the inclusion of diversity and representation felt a little forced and check-boxy. There were a few lines in that regard that could have been cut, but other than that, i liked that the representation was very casual. It was there, but it didn't take over the narrative, which i appreciated.
Over all, i really enjoyed it. A few nit-picks here and there, but generally a very promising debut. I absolutely flew through and i'm definitely looking forward to the second installment in this series.
Also, this book contains words like 'hullabaloo' and 'heebie jeebies'. If that doesn't convince you, i don't know what will.
I kindly recieved a copy from the author. All opinions are my own.
February 13, 2024
"The sheer ridiculousness of trying to formulate questions to ask a magical gnome should one suddenly appear in your life made it impossible to keep her thoughts straight." (227)
Book 1 in the Theory of Magic series.
This book was cozy and wild, endearing and epic in nature. I loved the ride that McIntyre took us on. It was a bit of a slow burn until the pieces and players started to come together but I think it paid off in the end.
CAWPILE Breakdown:
Characters: 8 - These characters were unique yet different. Commonplace/ every day and also magical. I loved them. They kept me thinking and wondering and guessing.
Atomsphere/Setting: 6.5 - Set in the "real world" but with a magical story - urban fansty-esque? I thought the setting was written very well. The atmosphere, I felt like it could have been amped up a little more. It felt too cozy too much; the danger didn't feel real at times.
Writing Style: 7.5 - Despite a few editing misses, I really enjoyed McIntyre's writing style. At first I wasn't sure, but he won me over in the end. It all felt very episodical: like a TV show was playing in my head while I was reading it. There are some first novel growing pains, but overall it was a solid debut.
Plot: 7 - Wow! During the first half of the book, I wasn't sure at all how all of the pieces/ characters came together. But when they did - it was epic. I loved where the plot went.
Intrigue: 8 - I had so many questions reading this, which kept me interested and reading. By using the beginning to set the stage and introduce all the players first, McIntyre extended the intrigue to last all book.
Logic/Relationships: 6.5 - I'm not quite sure that logic is the right word for a book like this. Everything made sense in its own weird way. Although there were things that I questioned, they were eventually explained. The relationships were written well. Although some felt maybe a bit forced or off the page.
Enjoyment: 7.5 - I enjoyed reading The Garden Gnome. It did have a slow start, and while reading it, I sometimes wished it went faster, I think it worked for McIntyre's story.
CAWPILE Total: 51/7 = 7.2 = 4 stars
Book 1 in the Theory of Magic series.
This book was cozy and wild, endearing and epic in nature. I loved the ride that McIntyre took us on. It was a bit of a slow burn until the pieces and players started to come together but I think it paid off in the end.
CAWPILE Breakdown:
Characters: 8 - These characters were unique yet different. Commonplace/ every day and also magical. I loved them. They kept me thinking and wondering and guessing.
Atomsphere/Setting: 6.5 - Set in the "real world" but with a magical story - urban fansty-esque? I thought the setting was written very well. The atmosphere, I felt like it could have been amped up a little more. It felt too cozy too much; the danger didn't feel real at times.
Writing Style: 7.5 - Despite a few editing misses, I really enjoyed McIntyre's writing style. At first I wasn't sure, but he won me over in the end. It all felt very episodical: like a TV show was playing in my head while I was reading it. There are some first novel growing pains, but overall it was a solid debut.
Plot: 7 - Wow! During the first half of the book, I wasn't sure at all how all of the pieces/ characters came together. But when they did - it was epic. I loved where the plot went.
Intrigue: 8 - I had so many questions reading this, which kept me interested and reading. By using the beginning to set the stage and introduce all the players first, McIntyre extended the intrigue to last all book.
Logic/Relationships: 6.5 - I'm not quite sure that logic is the right word for a book like this. Everything made sense in its own weird way. Although there were things that I questioned, they were eventually explained. The relationships were written well. Although some felt maybe a bit forced or off the page.
Enjoyment: 7.5 - I enjoyed reading The Garden Gnome. It did have a slow start, and while reading it, I sometimes wished it went faster, I think it worked for McIntyre's story.
CAWPILE Total: 51/7 = 7.2 = 4 stars
October 24, 2024
Just like others are saying - do not judge this book by its cover!!
This book on the outside looks like cozy fantasy but it is far from. It is a contemporary, urban fantasy with touches of sci-fi.
This was a very creative and inventive book! Can’t wait to see how the series goes!
This book on the outside looks like cozy fantasy but it is far from. It is a contemporary, urban fantasy with touches of sci-fi.
This was a very creative and inventive book! Can’t wait to see how the series goes!
April 1, 2023
Magic and Science battle in this epic novel.
Once upon a time, the world was ruled by the powers of magic. Merlin, Morgana, Arthur, and Mordred all walked the Earth as our history tells us.
But there’s more to that story.
All the tales of magic that we have grown up with are actually true. Magic is now under threat of vanishing forever.
The author combines many military and government science offices, NASA, CERN, FBI, CIA, into this novel. The descriptions and introductions of all these government entities and the characters within them lead to a very slow start to the tale. I found myself wondering when the garden gnome I was promised would be relevant.
By the second third of the novel, the pace picked up. All the main characters were finding their way down the winding road to the climax of the novel. I felt that the characters were well written and their roles seemed to be well researched.
The magical elements were written in a believable way, and I did not expect many of the twists that were revealed with the magic.
This novel does seem to end rather abruptly. Some of the main climactic fights happens off screen in the background. I was disappointed that these scenes were overshadowed by conversations, that while informative, were not exciting.
I am looking forward to the next novel if this series and am curious to see where we go from here.
I received a free copy of this novel and am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
Once upon a time, the world was ruled by the powers of magic. Merlin, Morgana, Arthur, and Mordred all walked the Earth as our history tells us.
But there’s more to that story.
All the tales of magic that we have grown up with are actually true. Magic is now under threat of vanishing forever.
The author combines many military and government science offices, NASA, CERN, FBI, CIA, into this novel. The descriptions and introductions of all these government entities and the characters within them lead to a very slow start to the tale. I found myself wondering when the garden gnome I was promised would be relevant.
By the second third of the novel, the pace picked up. All the main characters were finding their way down the winding road to the climax of the novel. I felt that the characters were well written and their roles seemed to be well researched.
The magical elements were written in a believable way, and I did not expect many of the twists that were revealed with the magic.
This novel does seem to end rather abruptly. Some of the main climactic fights happens off screen in the background. I was disappointed that these scenes were overshadowed by conversations, that while informative, were not exciting.
I am looking forward to the next novel if this series and am curious to see where we go from here.
I received a free copy of this novel and am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
May 28, 2024
I’ve had this book for a while and finally got around to reading it. And I’m so glad I did!
Do not be deceived by the cover. Although it’s adorable, it doesn’t represent the at times dark nature of the plot. However, we do have a gnome, Bob, who is magical. Of course. This is a magic vs science battle. We see people on both sides of the question. Should Magic return or is it too dangerous?
There are quite a few characters to get acquainted with here. Some are on the side of magic and others on the side of science or making sure magic doesn’t return.
There are couple of situations that are too readily explained and not seen on the page. Some of the dialogue is a little simple so that I can see this as a Young Adult novel. However I enjoyed this book immensely and feel more people should give it a chance.
I received a physical copy of this book and thank the author for it.
Do not be deceived by the cover. Although it’s adorable, it doesn’t represent the at times dark nature of the plot. However, we do have a gnome, Bob, who is magical. Of course. This is a magic vs science battle. We see people on both sides of the question. Should Magic return or is it too dangerous?
There are quite a few characters to get acquainted with here. Some are on the side of magic and others on the side of science or making sure magic doesn’t return.
There are couple of situations that are too readily explained and not seen on the page. Some of the dialogue is a little simple so that I can see this as a Young Adult novel. However I enjoyed this book immensely and feel more people should give it a chance.
I received a physical copy of this book and thank the author for it.
October 12, 2022
This is the best novel I've ever written :)
October 8, 2024
Ever since I learned that Arthurian Fantasy is its own subgenre, I’ve wondered whether that’s something I would enjoy. I mean, it seems pretty limiting. Now that I’ve read The Garden Gnome… I’m still left wondering. For me, the appeal of the story had nothing to do with its references to the legend of King Arthur. But what a wonderful story it was!
Is it about a garden gnome? Not in the slightest. I enjoy that fact immensely in its whimsy and I hope the decision to name the book that won’t be to the author’s detriment. One minor critique for me was how suddenly the federal agent in the story opened up. It felt a bit rushed. Another was the sometimes grating use of present tense.
Everything else I thoroughly enjoyed. I never knew what was going to happen, which is too rare these days, and I found the writing immersive in its focus and detail.
Beyond that I don’t want to spoil anything. Give this story a read if you enjoy contemporary fantasy. It is a remarkable story and I know I will be on the lookout for more from this author!
Is it about a garden gnome? Not in the slightest. I enjoy that fact immensely in its whimsy and I hope the decision to name the book that won’t be to the author’s detriment. One minor critique for me was how suddenly the federal agent in the story opened up. It felt a bit rushed. Another was the sometimes grating use of present tense.
Everything else I thoroughly enjoyed. I never knew what was going to happen, which is too rare these days, and I found the writing immersive in its focus and detail.
Beyond that I don’t want to spoil anything. Give this story a read if you enjoy contemporary fantasy. It is a remarkable story and I know I will be on the lookout for more from this author!
November 29, 2023
And done! One of the rare cases where the cover is deceiving to a degree. This novel is an urban fantasy story with magic potentially coming back to the world. Short chapters with several POV characters to follow and it takes a while to build but we see real life issues present in our society today. There is a fantasy tie-in which is done in a interesting way and of course we have the garden gnome hopping around from time to time. Urban Fantasy fans and fantasy readers looking for something on the lighter side will enjoy this novel. Cheers!
May 3, 2026
If you've been wondering, "What if Tom Clancy wrote Harry Dresden?" then this book might be the answer.
Despite the whimsical title, there is only a modicum of whimsy in this (that's not a criticism, but the title by itself might lead you to think this is a silly or cozy fairy tale of a book, and that's just not how it reads).
Instead, we have a solid urban fantasy with some tantalizing glimpses into extensive lore and some well detailed characters (yes, including a garden gnome) you'll root for.
The book has a satisfying ending but is much more of a beginning to a series. You're going to want to read more in the series!
Despite the whimsical title, there is only a modicum of whimsy in this (that's not a criticism, but the title by itself might lead you to think this is a silly or cozy fairy tale of a book, and that's just not how it reads).
Instead, we have a solid urban fantasy with some tantalizing glimpses into extensive lore and some well detailed characters (yes, including a garden gnome) you'll root for.
The book has a satisfying ending but is much more of a beginning to a series. You're going to want to read more in the series!
August 19, 2024
The Garden Gnome, Theory of Magic book 1 by Jeff McIntyre will keep you reading until late into the night. It is a unique book with some original concepts with magic returning after being unheard of for so long. Well, except among a few. Some of which don’t want it to return.
Great blend of science and magic, old ways and the contemporary world in which we are familiar. Good pacing and strong plotting in this book. Sometimes you know what to expect but others not so much. By the end having unexplained things come to light is great. Hope that there is more to come.
Great blend of science and magic, old ways and the contemporary world in which we are familiar. Good pacing and strong plotting in this book. Sometimes you know what to expect but others not so much. By the end having unexplained things come to light is great. Hope that there is more to come.
August 19, 2024
It took me a while to get into this story, about 60 percent of the way through the multiple POVs finally started to come together and got pretty interesting. I'm glad that in the end I stuck it out, as I could'nt put the book down once things started to fall into place.
Some chapters I was just skimming to get through, there was alot of FBI, military, and tech CEO backstory and jargen that my brain just wasnt interested in. The family that the main plot point is based around had my favorite chapters and Brian's story pleasently suprised me in the end.
Some chapters I was just skimming to get through, there was alot of FBI, military, and tech CEO backstory and jargen that my brain just wasnt interested in. The family that the main plot point is based around had my favorite chapters and Brian's story pleasently suprised me in the end.
August 18, 2024
The Garden Gnome has an intriguing story with characters I enjoyed, magic, and mystery that feels a bit sci-fi. The writing style, though, made it hard for me to read. It’s very descriptive, but there is too much “telling” and not enough “showing,” or taking us into the story. This is especially true in the first half of the book with a long buildup to the action. I found it easy to pick up and put down, and I did a lot of skimming because I found the writing to be distractingly unpolished.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
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November 19, 2025I finished this book a while back and forgot to leave a review. The name of the novel has nothing to do with the story! You either will like that or not, I’m in the former category as it peaked my curiosity as to why someone chose that route!?
It was a scratch I needed to itch, so I picked it up. Boy was I glad I did!!
A wonderful contemporary novel, I enjoyed this book immensely, the setting, the characters (it was something I had to go back in forth on but I blame myself Old man syndrome)
Development was good and the story was truly a pleasure to read! If you want to give a new Author a chance, I would highly recommend Mr McIntyre’s venture into authorship!
A very fun book!!😀
It was a scratch I needed to itch, so I picked it up. Boy was I glad I did!!
A wonderful contemporary novel, I enjoyed this book immensely, the setting, the characters (it was something I had to go back in forth on but I blame myself Old man syndrome)
Development was good and the story was truly a pleasure to read! If you want to give a new Author a chance, I would highly recommend Mr McIntyre’s venture into authorship!
A very fun book!!😀
August 20, 2024
What a mix, science and magic. Totally unique and kind of odd, what will this become? Only reading the series thats coming will tell.
September 22, 2024
This book centres around a couple who are worried about their son, who is being bullied at school and they feel he is acting out with an imaginary friend, Bob.
Their friend Leo is a journalist investigating a particle accelerator and the protest group that are getting very threatening towards the science park staff. Things aren’t adding up so he teams up with FBI Special Agent Debra Kazdin to share their field notes.
Sophia confides in her boss about her home situation. She offers a weekend break on her private island and when they get back they are introduced to Bob, the garden gnome, a world of magic being awakened and find out that their son is being hunted by a group of knights who believe the Arthurian legends are true.
I picked this ARC based on the title and cover. I thought it would be a cutesy tale like David the Gnome. What I actually got was so much more! This book is crazy! It is fast paced and you soon become gripped by the stories being told of Merlin and magical creatures throughout the ages. The FBI/Special Agent/Black Ops side of things is straight from a spy novel.I love how these genres collide. The book ends on a massive cliff hanger. From the press pack that came with the ARC it suggests the second book comes out at the end of 2024 but I couldn’t find any information. I will definitely keep an eye out for book 2. This is a world I want to explore more of.
Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing on behalf of Loki Press for letting me review this ARC.
Their friend Leo is a journalist investigating a particle accelerator and the protest group that are getting very threatening towards the science park staff. Things aren’t adding up so he teams up with FBI Special Agent Debra Kazdin to share their field notes.
Sophia confides in her boss about her home situation. She offers a weekend break on her private island and when they get back they are introduced to Bob, the garden gnome, a world of magic being awakened and find out that their son is being hunted by a group of knights who believe the Arthurian legends are true.
I picked this ARC based on the title and cover. I thought it would be a cutesy tale like David the Gnome. What I actually got was so much more! This book is crazy! It is fast paced and you soon become gripped by the stories being told of Merlin and magical creatures throughout the ages. The FBI/Special Agent/Black Ops side of things is straight from a spy novel.I love how these genres collide. The book ends on a massive cliff hanger. From the press pack that came with the ARC it suggests the second book comes out at the end of 2024 but I couldn’t find any information. I will definitely keep an eye out for book 2. This is a world I want to explore more of.
Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing on behalf of Loki Press for letting me review this ARC.
August 27, 2023
‘The Garden Gnome’ is a contemporary fantasy story. The world is ruled by magic, and the threat of it vanishing creates a big threat. We have a little 10-year-old boy named Tony and Leo Schafer, a scientist who has invented a particle accelerator creating huge havoc of complaints over his creation.
Tony’s parents, Daniel and Sophie, love him very much and are concerned that their boy isn’t really coping well at his new school. He is getting bullied, and this worries them.
FBI Agent Debra Kazdin investigates what’s behind all the protesting due to Leo’s creation, and all together, you end up being introduced to an interesting cast of characters that keep you intrigued until the end.
The military and government science part of the book dominated most of the book. This is book one of the series, so not all the sideline storylines or even the prime concept gets closure.
I enjoyed how the premise consisted of both magic and mythology. The added youthfulness of the storyline brought a certain charm to the whole ordeal.
It is apparent to see that the author has thought well through creating this book. The cover image is beautiful and represents the rich content inside.
I recommend this book for paranormal and urban fantasy storylines.
March 23, 2023
A magical story.
The Garden Gnome is a beautifully story. I love the way that the lives of so many are interwoven and work well together. The blend of past and present, magic and science is perfect. There's enough of everything to keep everyone intrigued and reading but without being bombarded with too much if the things you wouldn't normally be into. The descriptive balance is also good, enough to build a picture but still plenty of room for your imagination to play with the carefully chosen words of Jeff McIntyre.
I'm pretty sure Jeff has some magical powers which he's used to created a cleverly refreshing story.
You'll definitely needs snacks for this one as you won't be wanting to put this down!
The Garden Gnome is a beautifully story. I love the way that the lives of so many are interwoven and work well together. The blend of past and present, magic and science is perfect. There's enough of everything to keep everyone intrigued and reading but without being bombarded with too much if the things you wouldn't normally be into. The descriptive balance is also good, enough to build a picture but still plenty of room for your imagination to play with the carefully chosen words of Jeff McIntyre.
I'm pretty sure Jeff has some magical powers which he's used to created a cleverly refreshing story.
You'll definitely needs snacks for this one as you won't be wanting to put this down!
August 10, 2024
This book wasn't quite what I thought it would be but it pleasantly subverted my expectations. It's a fascinating blend of contemporary fantasy, techno thriller, Arthurian legend and spy fiction; which made for one damn interesting story that I had a hard time putting down.
The story follows several different connected characters who become either intentionally or inadvertently involved in the resurgence of magic in the world.
It was a well written and easy read with a fairly quick pace. Overall I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next in the series. 4.5⭐
Thanks to Loki Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions provided are my own.
The story follows several different connected characters who become either intentionally or inadvertently involved in the resurgence of magic in the world.
It was a well written and easy read with a fairly quick pace. Overall I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next in the series. 4.5⭐
Thanks to Loki Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions provided are my own.
August 25, 2024
Started it. Read a couple of dozen pages. Stopped. The writing is so painfully bad that I could not stand to go any farther.
I received a digital review copy of this book through NetGalley.com.
I received a digital review copy of this book through NetGalley.com.
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