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Mastering Magic: Urban Fantasy Slice of Life
Everyone with the gift is going to the academy. Not me. I'll master magic my own way.
School was a chore. All I wanted was to become a magus, enter the academy, and train my chosen affinity. But I didn't pass the test. They said I didn't have it in me.
Years later, a run-in with a sassy goth mage named Misty revealed I could do magic. Those damn monocle-wearing pseudo-Victorians at the academy locked me out! Screw them.
I'm now illegally training my chaos affinity while working at Misty's magic/videogame store, and I'm getting lost in her rockin' curves in those fishnet stockings.
Things get even more chaotic when a sweet, adorable academy professor walks in. I know I shouldn't date the enemy, but she might know why my magic was hidden.
Meanwhile, a gym-bunny mage-cop discovers the scorched spell marks on our secret training field…
I'm soon left with a choice; continue my fun, chilled-out life at the store, or discover the true extent of my power, and the real reason they feared to enroll me.
Note: This slice-of-life story features an unconventional relationship with more than one woman, centered around the male main character. There are explicit adult scenes. All the women are wonderfully varied in looks, style, and personality.
School was a chore. All I wanted was to become a magus, enter the academy, and train my chosen affinity. But I didn't pass the test. They said I didn't have it in me.
Years later, a run-in with a sassy goth mage named Misty revealed I could do magic. Those damn monocle-wearing pseudo-Victorians at the academy locked me out! Screw them.
I'm now illegally training my chaos affinity while working at Misty's magic/videogame store, and I'm getting lost in her rockin' curves in those fishnet stockings.
Things get even more chaotic when a sweet, adorable academy professor walks in. I know I shouldn't date the enemy, but she might know why my magic was hidden.
Meanwhile, a gym-bunny mage-cop discovers the scorched spell marks on our secret training field…
I'm soon left with a choice; continue my fun, chilled-out life at the store, or discover the true extent of my power, and the real reason they feared to enroll me.
Note: This slice-of-life story features an unconventional relationship with more than one woman, centered around the male main character. There are explicit adult scenes. All the women are wonderfully varied in looks, style, and personality.
378 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2023
351 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
April 14, 2023
Rating 3.0 stars
I liked the first half of the book. I liked the banter between the main character and Misty. I thought they worked well together. This was supposed to be a slice of life fantasy and that is what I got from the first half of the book. The second half is where it kind of fell apart. Overall, not worth continuing the series.
I liked the first half of the book. I liked the banter between the main character and Misty. I thought they worked well together. This was supposed to be a slice of life fantasy and that is what I got from the first half of the book. The second half is where it kind of fell apart. Overall, not worth continuing the series.
July 16, 2023
Something here of a story, but slow start, cringe dialogue and bad ending done with lazy writing.
This book was a bit confusing. Main character was never really well defined, his supporting cast was unlikable and or never really given a chance to explore. The first of The supporting cast was a goth unlikable character the second sporting cast apparently fell in love on one date and just accepted my harem situation. Trying not to put spoilers in there but it just did not read well. The world building in storyline plot itself focused more on dialogue that was pop culture reference and very cringe as far as relationships and completely unreal. The characters magical abilities were very hazy to understand. Training for the main character was kind of glossed over and really never defined how much different he was how much powerful except saying I'm different and powerful. The ending of this book, if it hasn't been ruined for you by now and you were able to get here, is what ruined it it almost feels like chapters are missing. At the ending the main character literally says can't feel this quote unquote fourth power that he's supposed to now maybe possessed by touching a book and then he has full control over it as if, we had an issue got a bad guy no problem I just somehow fixed it by using them great power and I have to go to the hospital because we don't know, and the whole world's bad Guy visits me but it's no big deal cuz I tell him I'm going to go back to a grunge magic shop and leave me alone because I'm super powerful, the end
It was not good writing. This book may have had a good story somewhere, but the authors lazy writing never found it.
This book was a bit confusing. Main character was never really well defined, his supporting cast was unlikable and or never really given a chance to explore. The first of The supporting cast was a goth unlikable character the second sporting cast apparently fell in love on one date and just accepted my harem situation. Trying not to put spoilers in there but it just did not read well. The world building in storyline plot itself focused more on dialogue that was pop culture reference and very cringe as far as relationships and completely unreal. The characters magical abilities were very hazy to understand. Training for the main character was kind of glossed over and really never defined how much different he was how much powerful except saying I'm different and powerful. The ending of this book, if it hasn't been ruined for you by now and you were able to get here, is what ruined it it almost feels like chapters are missing. At the ending the main character literally says can't feel this quote unquote fourth power that he's supposed to now maybe possessed by touching a book and then he has full control over it as if, we had an issue got a bad guy no problem I just somehow fixed it by using them great power and I have to go to the hospital because we don't know, and the whole world's bad Guy visits me but it's no big deal cuz I tell him I'm going to go back to a grunge magic shop and leave me alone because I'm super powerful, the end
It was not good writing. This book may have had a good story somewhere, but the authors lazy writing never found it.
March 12, 2023
Disappointing
The novel has decent writing, but the story is retreading old ground with little to differentiate itself from others. The first female lead that's introduced has an incredibly cruel way of speaking and I got tired of her quickly. The author tries to play it off as banter, but the mc is never half as mean to her as she is to him, so he comes off as a bit pathetic during their interactions. If you can get past all that it's a pretty good novel, but I'll admit that's a lot to get past and it did hinder my enjoyment of the book.
The novel has decent writing, but the story is retreading old ground with little to differentiate itself from others. The first female lead that's introduced has an incredibly cruel way of speaking and I got tired of her quickly. The author tries to play it off as banter, but the mc is never half as mean to her as she is to him, so he comes off as a bit pathetic during their interactions. If you can get past all that it's a pretty good novel, but I'll admit that's a lot to get past and it did hinder my enjoyment of the book.
February 28, 2023
God awful
This is a "fantasy" book, but not the type the description implies. Just wish fulfillment about what the author thinks talking to a girl is like... and the result is line after line of video game and star wars references.
This is a "fantasy" book, but not the type the description implies. Just wish fulfillment about what the author thinks talking to a girl is like... and the result is line after line of video game and star wars references.
May 6, 2023
Surprisingly well written story hidden behind the thighs of a goth girlfriend.
Actually pretty well written with only a few hiccups. Maybe two or three times did the writing hark back to a memory previous chapter incorrectly or refer to the wrong character but all in all, the formatting and writing itself is easy to digest.
The story itself is interesting and makes me want to read more. There’s a few holes in the world building but nothing story breaking. I enjoyed most of the culture references but it was laid on thicker than a certain goth magus’ thighs at some times.
The big reasons for losing two stars are simple really.
The girls were very poorly written in the second half of he book. Not just that their actions and dialogue were unreasonable but there was also zero character development leading into the two of them accepting the whole harem thing. None at all. One joke from our favorite goth about fucking the other to get it over with, three blushes one cheek, and that was that. They’d shared maybe twenty sentences with each other before just accepting the idea wordlessly. Maybe thirty if you include exposition.
And the final chapters were rushed into existence. It felt as if the final seventy or so pages were just, “and then they did this which made this happen so this also happened.” The big reveal was a single brush stroke in this painting too. I didn’t even get a chance to think about the implication before the story moved on.
And on that topic, SPOILERS AHEAD;
The MC himself admitted aloud, in their own mind, and the writing straight up said he couldn’t even sense a lick of whatever this new power could possibly even be before he Machina’d the power to save the day without a single moment of internal discovery.
I’m eagerly awaiting the next book in the series but I’m also quite disappointed with the writing at the climax and ending.
If the author reads this anywhere, know that I’ve enjoyed this story but I really would love to see the clear story telling skill from the first half of this book make its way into the entire second book.
Actually pretty well written with only a few hiccups. Maybe two or three times did the writing hark back to a memory previous chapter incorrectly or refer to the wrong character but all in all, the formatting and writing itself is easy to digest.
The story itself is interesting and makes me want to read more. There’s a few holes in the world building but nothing story breaking. I enjoyed most of the culture references but it was laid on thicker than a certain goth magus’ thighs at some times.
The big reasons for losing two stars are simple really.
The girls were very poorly written in the second half of he book. Not just that their actions and dialogue were unreasonable but there was also zero character development leading into the two of them accepting the whole harem thing. None at all. One joke from our favorite goth about fucking the other to get it over with, three blushes one cheek, and that was that. They’d shared maybe twenty sentences with each other before just accepting the idea wordlessly. Maybe thirty if you include exposition.
And the final chapters were rushed into existence. It felt as if the final seventy or so pages were just, “and then they did this which made this happen so this also happened.” The big reveal was a single brush stroke in this painting too. I didn’t even get a chance to think about the implication before the story moved on.
And on that topic, SPOILERS AHEAD;
The MC himself admitted aloud, in their own mind, and the writing straight up said he couldn’t even sense a lick of whatever this new power could possibly even be before he Machina’d the power to save the day without a single moment of internal discovery.
I’m eagerly awaiting the next book in the series but I’m also quite disappointed with the writing at the climax and ending.
If the author reads this anywhere, know that I’ve enjoyed this story but I really would love to see the clear story telling skill from the first half of this book make its way into the entire second book.
November 14, 2023
This was much better than I expected. Nearly everything I've read from the author has gone unfinished or barely 3 stars from me. This was honestly my last go at his books. But I was very impressed. The relationships between our MCs were well done and it felt like there was some realistic growth and depth there. So many stories in the genre are so shallow on relationships but our MC and the main girl felt earned to the point that I was almost disappointed that this is clearly going to be a full blown harem later in the series.
Don't get me wrong, I'm here for it, but we spent so much time with just the two of them and it was well done to the point that I was invested in them. I think the second girl needed more time with him, or both of them, without the focus having already shifted to the plot and dealing with antagonists by the time she was being considered seriously as part of the relationship. I feel would care more about her if we had the time to see her interact more. If the good writing is there in the second installment, I'm sure we'll see more growth.
My one main issue is how fast the main girl went from super territorial with the other girl to totally accepting of her. In less than a single page she went from total "back off bitch" to "just fuck her already, we know she's sticking with us." It was just too rushed all around and again, made me care less for her considering we spent half a book getting the main girl to admit she even liked the MC, much less wanting a real relationship.
All in all, it was by far the best I've seen from Kirk Mason and hopefully he continues to cultivate whatever it was he was focusing on while writing this one. Very well done and worth the read.
Don't get me wrong, I'm here for it, but we spent so much time with just the two of them and it was well done to the point that I was invested in them. I think the second girl needed more time with him, or both of them, without the focus having already shifted to the plot and dealing with antagonists by the time she was being considered seriously as part of the relationship. I feel would care more about her if we had the time to see her interact more. If the good writing is there in the second installment, I'm sure we'll see more growth.
My one main issue is how fast the main girl went from super territorial with the other girl to totally accepting of her. In less than a single page she went from total "back off bitch" to "just fuck her already, we know she's sticking with us." It was just too rushed all around and again, made me care less for her considering we spent half a book getting the main girl to admit she even liked the MC, much less wanting a real relationship.
All in all, it was by far the best I've seen from Kirk Mason and hopefully he continues to cultivate whatever it was he was focusing on while writing this one. Very well done and worth the read.
May 17, 2023
DNF
There may actually maybe be a story in this, but sadly I never got around to finding it.
There are pop culture references spread out like a fucking minefield throughout this book. Every 1-2 paragraphs contain something from either Star Wars, some actor, some ancient music band, some ancient video game or really from just about any popular American thing you could think of. It's an absolute drag to constantly get a "You're obi-wan!" > "And you're Anakin!" > "No I'm Luke!" shoved into your face while reading. "Go all Bruce Willis", "I finished the water level in that NES TMNT game" etc.
Why you do this to your own work, I will never understand. Does any reader ever enjoy a terribly overused pun from a movie or the mention of an actor doing something? The name of some lead singer in a rock band that's 30+ years old? Does anybody actually go 'Wow! I got that reference' and enjoy the book more? It just cheapens the whole novel to something I would consciously walk around if I saw it on the walkway.
If you're doing a story about magic in an urban setting held in the future, at least spend the minimal effort to invent fake pop-culture instead of prattling up each and every constantly used reference as if you're reading from a list.
Absolutely terrible. If you somehow don't mind the sheer volume of pop-culture references in here, you might find an OK book.
There may actually maybe be a story in this, but sadly I never got around to finding it.
There are pop culture references spread out like a fucking minefield throughout this book. Every 1-2 paragraphs contain something from either Star Wars, some actor, some ancient music band, some ancient video game or really from just about any popular American thing you could think of. It's an absolute drag to constantly get a "You're obi-wan!" > "And you're Anakin!" > "No I'm Luke!" shoved into your face while reading. "Go all Bruce Willis", "I finished the water level in that NES TMNT game" etc.
Why you do this to your own work, I will never understand. Does any reader ever enjoy a terribly overused pun from a movie or the mention of an actor doing something? The name of some lead singer in a rock band that's 30+ years old? Does anybody actually go 'Wow! I got that reference' and enjoy the book more? It just cheapens the whole novel to something I would consciously walk around if I saw it on the walkway.
If you're doing a story about magic in an urban setting held in the future, at least spend the minimal effort to invent fake pop-culture instead of prattling up each and every constantly used reference as if you're reading from a list.
Absolutely terrible. If you somehow don't mind the sheer volume of pop-culture references in here, you might find an OK book.
March 6, 2023
Great relationships, good story
A few reviews I saw said that the author wrote good, natural, and organic relationships and I now believe it. It was very refreshing to not read a story where "You're the MC? I love you! Let's make babies!!" Or "I'm going to forsake my for someone I met an hour ago." The buildup was wonderful. It progressed. It was interesting. It was believable. Made for a great read.
Outside of that it was a different story for me. Modern supernatural hidden in plain sight with a few covers as needed. I liked it. And the perspective of the magical world from all the characters was also diverse and fitting. A fun twist that kept things rolling.
Very few errors that I found.
So why only four stars? It was good, very good, but not great, at least for me. Perhaps it was not as fantastical as I was expecting or there was more slice of life than I preferred. Not sure, but anyone slightly interested should give it a go.
A few reviews I saw said that the author wrote good, natural, and organic relationships and I now believe it. It was very refreshing to not read a story where "You're the MC? I love you! Let's make babies!!" Or "I'm going to forsake my for someone I met an hour ago." The buildup was wonderful. It progressed. It was interesting. It was believable. Made for a great read.
Outside of that it was a different story for me. Modern supernatural hidden in plain sight with a few covers as needed. I liked it. And the perspective of the magical world from all the characters was also diverse and fitting. A fun twist that kept things rolling.
Very few errors that I found.
So why only four stars? It was good, very good, but not great, at least for me. Perhaps it was not as fantastical as I was expecting or there was more slice of life than I preferred. Not sure, but anyone slightly interested should give it a go.
February 12, 2024
This was a decent slice of life urban fantasy. It starts rather slow with a lot of character development and world building.
There is some graphic sex, but it is very vanilla, so if you want to read kink, then this is not the book you are looking for. Safe sex is not practiced, but the characters are willing to risk an unwanted pregnancy based on the lady knowing where she is in her cycle.
This story is sliding into a harem, as by the end of the book, the MC is sleeping with two women who know of the other, so it is not cheating.
I have not yet decided if I am going to get the next book or not. Characters and story are ok, but so far the story is not compelling enough for me to buy the next book and see what happens. YMMV
There is some graphic sex, but it is very vanilla, so if you want to read kink, then this is not the book you are looking for. Safe sex is not practiced, but the characters are willing to risk an unwanted pregnancy based on the lady knowing where she is in her cycle.
This story is sliding into a harem, as by the end of the book, the MC is sleeping with two women who know of the other, so it is not cheating.
I have not yet decided if I am going to get the next book or not. Characters and story are ok, but so far the story is not compelling enough for me to buy the next book and see what happens. YMMV
October 2, 2024
This story is set on contemporary Earth, but one in which magic was revealed to the world 20 years previously and all mages are apparently expected to dress like steampunk hipsters. Overall, the world-building was lacking, and the plot is borderline nonsensical. The dialogue tends to ejaculate pop culture references without a refractory period, and the antagonists' motivations are unclear. Really the best thing about this book was the Pete/Misty relationship as it was really nice, and their sex scenes were well done. Honestly, the book would have been way better had it stuck with their slice of (retail) life. Their relationship was actually so good that adding a 3rd person felt really forced. I already bought the whole trilogy at once, so I am hoping the story improves going forward.
February 12, 2023
kirk does it again
If he keeps nailing these he’ll have to change his last name to Douglas. Anyways the book is GREAT! Im eagerly awaiting the next book. In this one the plot and world building is soso. That usually means it’s a cheap thrill kinda harem book but this one while containing some lovely smut is written more like a romance book. The relationship is 85% of the book and it’s really really good as good as wylamg by cebelius. (Which are also definitely worth a read) it’s not chock full of smut it’s got character development all through it and this has moved kirk up my personal rankings. Read it and enjoy the ride.
If he keeps nailing these he’ll have to change his last name to Douglas. Anyways the book is GREAT! Im eagerly awaiting the next book. In this one the plot and world building is soso. That usually means it’s a cheap thrill kinda harem book but this one while containing some lovely smut is written more like a romance book. The relationship is 85% of the book and it’s really really good as good as wylamg by cebelius. (Which are also definitely worth a read) it’s not chock full of smut it’s got character development all through it and this has moved kirk up my personal rankings. Read it and enjoy the ride.
June 20, 2023
Applies to both 1 & 2 (2 just published)
Quite disappointed; Kirk has done much better in the past !!!
My main concern being that the plotline is unclear; we have here a system of magic ("affinities") that I found extremely muddy; what powers are available to a given character is unclear & frequently hard to understand.
Also,
-I had difficulties with Madelynnn: she really is too much for me to empathize,
-The MC is hard to believe,
-Some secondary characters as well (magis from the Academy).
PLS Kirk, dump this series & any planned addition; give us more in the line of (excellent) Bestiary and Raconteur
Quite disappointed; Kirk has done much better in the past !!!
My main concern being that the plotline is unclear; we have here a system of magic ("affinities") that I found extremely muddy; what powers are available to a given character is unclear & frequently hard to understand.
Also,
-I had difficulties with Madelynnn: she really is too much for me to empathize,
-The MC is hard to believe,
-Some secondary characters as well (magis from the Academy).
PLS Kirk, dump this series & any planned addition; give us more in the line of (excellent) Bestiary and Raconteur
December 13, 2023
I started this book, but could not get past first couple of chapters.
First of all main character has zero backstory.
All thats said abaut his past is that at age 13 he was checked for magic and rejected from magic academy, that and he worked retail for couple of years - thats it.
Story starts with our hero loking for New job. No mention of what Led him to go look for that New job.
Then for no apperant reason he goes in magic Shop and asks a sails Lady to check him for magic talent.
His actions just dont make sense, becouse we dont know one single thing abaut him, his motivations or past.
First of all main character has zero backstory.
All thats said abaut his past is that at age 13 he was checked for magic and rejected from magic academy, that and he worked retail for couple of years - thats it.
Story starts with our hero loking for New job. No mention of what Led him to go look for that New job.
Then for no apperant reason he goes in magic Shop and asks a sails Lady to check him for magic talent.
His actions just dont make sense, becouse we dont know one single thing abaut him, his motivations or past.
March 1, 2023
Pete must find the answers why he was lied to about not being magical an leading a normal life .
Pete was an unknown that was what he was told when he was tested at the center at the age of thirteen years old. He was alone both parents passed . All his adult life he wanted only one thing to be able to perform magic an be a chosen one an attend the academy for magic . He found out later it was all a lie an to find the answers that needed to be answered why ? Recommend reading excellent book .
Pete was an unknown that was what he was told when he was tested at the center at the age of thirteen years old. He was alone both parents passed . All his adult life he wanted only one thing to be able to perform magic an be a chosen one an attend the academy for magic . He found out later it was all a lie an to find the answers that needed to be answered why ? Recommend reading excellent book .
February 13, 2023
Good, but not great; it just didn't have the total package that'd get it a 5. It does work as a stand-alone, should it not get a sequel. Not sure I'd read a second book, as this world etc. didn't really grab me. This makes it sound bad, which it isn't, just not special (for me) in a crowded book market.
July 1, 2023
Very good.
This is a good start for a neat new storyline.
The mc seems decent enough. The problems do not get resolved instantly, which is nice. I must say that the love interest of the mc is a nice choice of character; about time that the main lady has relateable issues and is still a knockout.
This is a good start for a neat new storyline.
The mc seems decent enough. The problems do not get resolved instantly, which is nice. I must say that the love interest of the mc is a nice choice of character; about time that the main lady has relateable issues and is still a knockout.
February 1, 2023
Great Story
Kirk has written a clever and witty story.
The MC and world feel real and likeable
The main females feels strong and his equal.
I like the mechanics of the magic and how the world works.
The story flows well and I really hope to enjoy the next chapter
Kirk has written a clever and witty story.
The MC and world feel real and likeable
The main females feels strong and his equal.
I like the mechanics of the magic and how the world works.
The story flows well and I really hope to enjoy the next chapter
February 4, 2023
A Great beginning!!!!
No surprise to me this was another awesome story!!! Unique and familiar magic with a real interesting world!!! I can't wait to see what comes next in this series!!!!
No surprise to me this was another awesome story!!! Unique and familiar magic with a real interesting world!!! I can't wait to see what comes next in this series!!!!
March 13, 2023
Why bother trying to make unique characters . . .
If you are just going to have them act like any other generic harem book? So this has just another cookie cutter set up with an OP main character. Another quickie story to throw on the pile.
If you are just going to have them act like any other generic harem book? So this has just another cookie cutter set up with an OP main character. Another quickie story to throw on the pile.
April 19, 2023
Wonderful read
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Everything was well done. Good pace on the story throughout the book. Enjoyed the character development. Looking forward to more books in this series!
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Everything was well done. Good pace on the story throughout the book. Enjoyed the character development. Looking forward to more books in this series!
September 25, 2023
Friend-Enemies to Lovers
Snarky Misty, non-confident Sophie and pragmatic Pete start off as loner rebels and evolve to awesome mages. Eager for the sequel to see where life takes this threesome.
Snarky Misty, non-confident Sophie and pragmatic Pete start off as loner rebels and evolve to awesome mages. Eager for the sequel to see where life takes this threesome.
February 15, 2023
Enjoyed it !
I liked this book more and more the further I read. The character Misty made the book what it was in my opinion.
I liked this book more and more the further I read. The character Misty made the book what it was in my opinion.
February 16, 2023
Lots of fun
This is cute action story that draws you in. Cute girls action and just mesmerizing action. I just loved the action.
This is cute action story that draws you in. Cute girls action and just mesmerizing action. I just loved the action.
February 20, 2023
Great story with fun characters
Really hoping this isn't a one and done, but it was a really fun read if so. Good storyline, decent history, and good potential for more
Really hoping this isn't a one and done, but it was a really fun read if so. Good storyline, decent history, and good potential for more
March 4, 2023
Good
This is a good starting point for the series. I found it a little choppy at times, butvin the end it worked itself out.
This is a good starting point for the series. I found it a little choppy at times, butvin the end it worked itself out.
May 4, 2023
I don’t usually review books,
This one I felt the need to. Well written and fun to read story. This from an author I’ d never read nor heard of before. Can’t wait for the next one!
This one I felt the need to. Well written and fun to read story. This from an author I’ d never read nor heard of before. Can’t wait for the next one!
June 10, 2023
Nice world building
Fun and characters that make me like them. Sexy scenes and thrilling adventures. Good storyline and just enough tension. More please.
Fun and characters that make me like them. Sexy scenes and thrilling adventures. Good storyline and just enough tension. More please.
August 10, 2023
Slow beginning
At first, I found this book very slow in its beginning. But as I continued to read, I found the pacing increasing, making the story more enjoyable
At first, I found this book very slow in its beginning. But as I continued to read, I found the pacing increasing, making the story more enjoyable
August 21, 2023
Good Read
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I sincerely hope that the rest of you out there enjoy it as much as I did.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I sincerely hope that the rest of you out there enjoy it as much as I did.
October 30, 2023
I was fairly okay with the story up until the last 3rd or so. Where the MC meets his Gf's parents.
Story logic just takes a flying leap at that point. Its very much forced and off-putting.
Story logic just takes a flying leap at that point. Its very much forced and off-putting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews