What do you think?
Rate this book
Vegas Knights
It's a kind of magic... When two college freshmen decide to spend Spring Break using their magic to fleece the gambling tables of Las Vegas, little do they imagine that Vegas harbors some magical secrets of its own... And of course what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas - alive or dead.
File Urban Fantasy [The Mob & Magic | Ancient Secrets | Zombie Wizardry | Bet Your Life]
File Urban Fantasy [The Mob & Magic | Ancient Secrets | Zombie Wizardry | Bet Your Life]
413 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 2011
4 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
About the author
Matt Forbeck
212 books315 followersI'm an award-winning, New York Times-bestselling author and game designer and happily married father of five, including a set of quadruplets. For more on my work, see Forbeck.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
March 22, 2012
During the height of Pottermania I heard the same old mantra trotted out time after time: "Well, at least it's got people reading!" - True, it certainly did and that has to be a good thing right? No, not necessarily.
The problem with creating a reading audience for a very specific kind of fiction is that once the source has been drained new sources need to take it's place. This can lead to great things and amazing advances in literature both high and low brow or, as in this case, it can lead to Vegas Knights which, if I am to continue my analogy would be the equivalent of a bottle of Dasani.
The concept is quite a good one: two students try to make their fortune in Vegas via the judicial use of sorcery only to find that magic is the force that keeps the dark heart of the city beating. That, unfortunately ends the list of positives.
There are real and insurmountable issues with this book not least of which lies in the almost complete absence of characterisation. We never learn anything from or, indeed, about our protagonists. They are faintly jockish and seem to represent, knowingly or not, extensions of Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. We learn that our hero, Jackson, has survived Katrina but we are never furnished with any details that may have informed his character. The bad guys are, without giving too much away, famous people who are so clichéd and feeble as to make you question your previous opinions of them. Women feature in the book but they are almost laughable. Few exist in their own right and even the leading lady is a poorly conceived piece of arm-candy for our protagonist.
The plot stumbles and stutters and you can’t help feeling that obvious plot-holes were raised with the author who went out of his way, jarringly in most cases, to plug them in the most convenient manner possible. It is when outlining the plot that the book becomes laughable. At one point, rather than relying on exposition or deft writing, we are pretty much told that the plot will make sense if we have read Lord of the Rings which leads me to the next problem.
Forbeck goes out of his way to reach his target audience and this rapidly becomes turgid and tedious. There is a constant barrage of references and name checks to popular culture icons. In one piece of dialogue alone two characters communicate almost entirely in references to Star Wars and The Princess Bride. It feels like there is a game of pop culture bingo going on…
Star Wars – check
Harry Potter – check
Lord of the Rings – check
Magic: The Gathering – check
The Princess Bride – house!
I’ll admit I didn’t see any Star Trek references but these could just have gone over my head or passed me by whilst I tried to work out what the latest in a litany of typos was actually meant to say. I understand that Matt Forbeck is deeply entrenched in the world of pop culture but I just feel he was relying on his status just a little too much.
Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t come to this book expecting a literary masterpiece but I had expected it to be worthy of publishing, sadly it wasn’t. I think some of the blame for this should be levelled at Angry Robot. I know they are a Start-up publisher but they really need to take a look at their editorial staff. This isn’t the first novel of theirs that I have read (in fact I would urge you to check out the massively superior The Damned Busters by Matthew Hughes) so I know they are capable of good things but they seem to be lacking in consistency and need to plug a few gaps especially when it comes to proof-reading.
Overall, I could see this being a not too bad movie or even a pretty good game but as a novel it falls flat – avoid it.
The problem with creating a reading audience for a very specific kind of fiction is that once the source has been drained new sources need to take it's place. This can lead to great things and amazing advances in literature both high and low brow or, as in this case, it can lead to Vegas Knights which, if I am to continue my analogy would be the equivalent of a bottle of Dasani.
The concept is quite a good one: two students try to make their fortune in Vegas via the judicial use of sorcery only to find that magic is the force that keeps the dark heart of the city beating. That, unfortunately ends the list of positives.
There are real and insurmountable issues with this book not least of which lies in the almost complete absence of characterisation. We never learn anything from or, indeed, about our protagonists. They are faintly jockish and seem to represent, knowingly or not, extensions of Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. We learn that our hero, Jackson, has survived Katrina but we are never furnished with any details that may have informed his character. The bad guys are, without giving too much away, famous people who are so clichéd and feeble as to make you question your previous opinions of them. Women feature in the book but they are almost laughable. Few exist in their own right and even the leading lady is a poorly conceived piece of arm-candy for our protagonist.
The plot stumbles and stutters and you can’t help feeling that obvious plot-holes were raised with the author who went out of his way, jarringly in most cases, to plug them in the most convenient manner possible. It is when outlining the plot that the book becomes laughable. At one point, rather than relying on exposition or deft writing, we are pretty much told that the plot will make sense if we have read Lord of the Rings which leads me to the next problem.
Forbeck goes out of his way to reach his target audience and this rapidly becomes turgid and tedious. There is a constant barrage of references and name checks to popular culture icons. In one piece of dialogue alone two characters communicate almost entirely in references to Star Wars and The Princess Bride. It feels like there is a game of pop culture bingo going on…
Star Wars – check
Harry Potter – check
Lord of the Rings – check
Magic: The Gathering – check
The Princess Bride – house!
I’ll admit I didn’t see any Star Trek references but these could just have gone over my head or passed me by whilst I tried to work out what the latest in a litany of typos was actually meant to say. I understand that Matt Forbeck is deeply entrenched in the world of pop culture but I just feel he was relying on his status just a little too much.
Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t come to this book expecting a literary masterpiece but I had expected it to be worthy of publishing, sadly it wasn’t. I think some of the blame for this should be levelled at Angry Robot. I know they are a Start-up publisher but they really need to take a look at their editorial staff. This isn’t the first novel of theirs that I have read (in fact I would urge you to check out the massively superior The Damned Busters by Matthew Hughes) so I know they are capable of good things but they seem to be lacking in consistency and need to plug a few gaps especially when it comes to proof-reading.
Overall, I could see this being a not too bad movie or even a pretty good game but as a novel it falls flat – avoid it.
February 4, 2011
From the moment I laid my eyes on the cover of Vegas Knights by Matt Forbeck I had high hopes for what lay within. The cover boasts an eye-catching reworking of the famous Las Vegas sign and this perfectly sets the tone for what to expect. I'm glad to say that in this case my expectations were not only met, but also exceeded.
The novel follows the fortunes of two college students as they attempt to break the bank in Vegas using magic. Jackson and Bill arrive in Sin City with plans to slowly, and as subtly as possible, win as much money as they can from the all the casinos. Needless to say their plans go awry and in a little less than a twenty-four hours they are way out of their depth and embroiled in the midst of a magical turf war.
The pair discover that Vegas is the center for all magic in the United States, and that stage magicians are actually real magical practitioneers hiding in plain sight. The majority of the city is controlled by a mysterious figure known as Mr. Weiss and Jackson and Bill's get rich quick scheme brings them directly to his attention. He makes them an offer that would be against their best interests to refuse.
By this stage in the proceedings I was thoroughly engrossed, and just when I thought I couldn't enjoy things any more, that's the moment that the author unleashes the zombies. As an aside, I have often suspected any novel can only be enhanced by the addition of rampaging hordes of undead. I should note that their presence in the novel is not done randomly. They are a necessary plot element and I was surprised and pleased by their unexpected inclusion.
I found myself rooting for Jackson and Bill as they moved from one disastrous decision to another. Both have differing motivations for going to Vegas. Jackson is not well off and in need of cash to continue his college education while Bill is wealthy and just in it for the thrill. During the novel the pair occasionally come to loggerheads, and this added a nice undercurrent of tension between the two.
When I started reading the novel I was reminded of a short I read many years ago, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar by Roald Dahl, which has a similar premise, but Matt Forbeck quickly goes in a completely different direction from Dahl and creates something that is uniquely his own. As a reader I was drawn in by the vivid descriptions of the glitz and glamour of the city but the author also takes time to expose the dark, magical underbelly of Las Vegas. I admit I was disappointed when I realized I only had thirty pages left to read, as I wanted the story to just keep going.
If Hollywood is listening, someone needs to snap up the rights to the movie version of this sharpish. It’s a sure fire winner. I've never been to Las Vegas but if I did go there I would be heartily disappointed if it wasn't exactly the way it's described in Vegas Knights.
Vegas Knights is published by Angry Robot Books on March 3rd 2011.
The novel follows the fortunes of two college students as they attempt to break the bank in Vegas using magic. Jackson and Bill arrive in Sin City with plans to slowly, and as subtly as possible, win as much money as they can from the all the casinos. Needless to say their plans go awry and in a little less than a twenty-four hours they are way out of their depth and embroiled in the midst of a magical turf war.
The pair discover that Vegas is the center for all magic in the United States, and that stage magicians are actually real magical practitioneers hiding in plain sight. The majority of the city is controlled by a mysterious figure known as Mr. Weiss and Jackson and Bill's get rich quick scheme brings them directly to his attention. He makes them an offer that would be against their best interests to refuse.
By this stage in the proceedings I was thoroughly engrossed, and just when I thought I couldn't enjoy things any more, that's the moment that the author unleashes the zombies. As an aside, I have often suspected any novel can only be enhanced by the addition of rampaging hordes of undead. I should note that their presence in the novel is not done randomly. They are a necessary plot element and I was surprised and pleased by their unexpected inclusion.
I found myself rooting for Jackson and Bill as they moved from one disastrous decision to another. Both have differing motivations for going to Vegas. Jackson is not well off and in need of cash to continue his college education while Bill is wealthy and just in it for the thrill. During the novel the pair occasionally come to loggerheads, and this added a nice undercurrent of tension between the two.
When I started reading the novel I was reminded of a short I read many years ago, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar by Roald Dahl, which has a similar premise, but Matt Forbeck quickly goes in a completely different direction from Dahl and creates something that is uniquely his own. As a reader I was drawn in by the vivid descriptions of the glitz and glamour of the city but the author also takes time to expose the dark, magical underbelly of Las Vegas. I admit I was disappointed when I realized I only had thirty pages left to read, as I wanted the story to just keep going.
If Hollywood is listening, someone needs to snap up the rights to the movie version of this sharpish. It’s a sure fire winner. I've never been to Las Vegas but if I did go there I would be heartily disappointed if it wasn't exactly the way it's described in Vegas Knights.
Vegas Knights is published by Angry Robot Books on March 3rd 2011.
October 21, 2017
Action start to finish with some good laughs and clever twists.
February 15, 2011
http://www.rantingdragon.com/vegas-kn...
Vegas Knights is a standalone novel, described on the cover as “Ocean’s Eleven meets Harry Potter as two student wizards try to scam a Vegas casino…using magic!” Harry Potter is the go-to cover blurb shorthand for wizardry nowadays, and while in Vegas Knights we follow students of magic, the similarities to Harry Potter end there. Vegas Knights reads more like a supernatural Bringing Down the House.
The aforementioned students of magic, Jackson and Bill, are earning secret degrees in magic studies (publicly titled “trans-quantum postulating”) at University of Michigan’s Residential College. The boys are interested in putting their studies to practical use, however, and decide to spend spring break in Vegas. Since they have magical powers that can alter the faces of cards, they plan on winning big at card games. Unfortunately for them, they didn’t pay enough attention in their Magical Logic 101 class, where they should have learned that (1) if they have magic powers, so must others, and (2) if they can bet on anything, it’s that other wizards must have dreamed up the same get-rich-quick schemes. When they learn these lessons the hard way, Jackson and Bill will have to figure out how to escape Sin City alive.
Fast-paced action
The action sequences in Vegas Knights put to shame even the highest-budgeted action movies. Where directors need millions of dollars in special effects and stunts, Forbeck uses language to much greater effect. Forbeck, rather than plucking words from the dictionary like the rest of us, forms his language from distilling the most potent shots of adrenaline. I have held my breath before; I have felt my heartbeat rise before; but never have I physically shaken from the rush generated from the action contained in a book until I read Vegas Knights. When the Author’s Note at the end of the book mentioned that Forbeck once tried to develop this concept as a movie, the only surprising fact was that he never got far.
Never-ending excitement
Even when the action stops, the excitement never abates. I enjoyed the Mojo Poker showdown, and even yearned to have my own copy of Mojo Poker: The Game and the Rules. Without spoiling too much, Vegas Knights pleasantly surprises with its incorporation of real life magic lore and figures, as well as gaming references.
Little character development
Just as you don’t walk into the theater expecting in-depth character development from The Fast and the Furious, don’t expect too much character development in Vegas Knights. The characters are a little one-note—for example, Jackson is the hero whose powers are greater than he could have imagined, and Bill is the sidekick who gets distracted by the glitz and the glamor. The emotions rely more on paradigmatic relationships—that is, we can relate to a mother loving her son without much explanation—than the author’s careful construction. But this is a book where the story and the action take the front seat—and what story and action they are!
Why should you read this book?
If you’re craving a fast-paced action adventure, skip a movie and grab a copy of Vegas Knights instead. If you don’t mind characters that never break their archetypal molds, you’ll savor the magic rocket ride that is Vegas Knights and its action in spades. This is popcorn fantasy at its best.
Benni received a review copy of this book courtesy of Angry Robot.
Vegas Knights is a standalone novel, described on the cover as “Ocean’s Eleven meets Harry Potter as two student wizards try to scam a Vegas casino…using magic!” Harry Potter is the go-to cover blurb shorthand for wizardry nowadays, and while in Vegas Knights we follow students of magic, the similarities to Harry Potter end there. Vegas Knights reads more like a supernatural Bringing Down the House.
The aforementioned students of magic, Jackson and Bill, are earning secret degrees in magic studies (publicly titled “trans-quantum postulating”) at University of Michigan’s Residential College. The boys are interested in putting their studies to practical use, however, and decide to spend spring break in Vegas. Since they have magical powers that can alter the faces of cards, they plan on winning big at card games. Unfortunately for them, they didn’t pay enough attention in their Magical Logic 101 class, where they should have learned that (1) if they have magic powers, so must others, and (2) if they can bet on anything, it’s that other wizards must have dreamed up the same get-rich-quick schemes. When they learn these lessons the hard way, Jackson and Bill will have to figure out how to escape Sin City alive.
Fast-paced action
The action sequences in Vegas Knights put to shame even the highest-budgeted action movies. Where directors need millions of dollars in special effects and stunts, Forbeck uses language to much greater effect. Forbeck, rather than plucking words from the dictionary like the rest of us, forms his language from distilling the most potent shots of adrenaline. I have held my breath before; I have felt my heartbeat rise before; but never have I physically shaken from the rush generated from the action contained in a book until I read Vegas Knights. When the Author’s Note at the end of the book mentioned that Forbeck once tried to develop this concept as a movie, the only surprising fact was that he never got far.
Never-ending excitement
Even when the action stops, the excitement never abates. I enjoyed the Mojo Poker showdown, and even yearned to have my own copy of Mojo Poker: The Game and the Rules. Without spoiling too much, Vegas Knights pleasantly surprises with its incorporation of real life magic lore and figures, as well as gaming references.
Little character development
Just as you don’t walk into the theater expecting in-depth character development from The Fast and the Furious, don’t expect too much character development in Vegas Knights. The characters are a little one-note—for example, Jackson is the hero whose powers are greater than he could have imagined, and Bill is the sidekick who gets distracted by the glitz and the glamor. The emotions rely more on paradigmatic relationships—that is, we can relate to a mother loving her son without much explanation—than the author’s careful construction. But this is a book where the story and the action take the front seat—and what story and action they are!
Why should you read this book?
If you’re craving a fast-paced action adventure, skip a movie and grab a copy of Vegas Knights instead. If you don’t mind characters that never break their archetypal molds, you’ll savor the magic rocket ride that is Vegas Knights and its action in spades. This is popcorn fantasy at its best.
Benni received a review copy of this book courtesy of Angry Robot.
February 25, 2011
http://www.rantingdragon.com/vegas-kn...
Vegas Knights is a standalone novel, described on the cover as “Ocean’s Eleven meets Harry Potter as two student wizards try to scam a Vegas casino…using magic!” Harry Potter is the go-to cover blurb shorthand for wizardry nowadays, and while in Vegas Knights we follow students of magic, the similarities to Harry Potter end there. Vegas Knights reads more like a supernatural Bringing Down the House.
The aforementioned students of magic, Jackson and Bill, are earning secret degrees in magic studies (publicly titled “trans-quantum postulating”) at University of Michigan’s Residential College. The boys are interested in putting their studies to practical use, however, and decide to spend spring break in Vegas. Since they have magical powers that can alter the faces of cards, they plan on winning big at card games. Unfortunately for them, they didn’t pay enough attention in their Magical Logic 101 class, where they should have learned that (1) if they have magic powers, so must others, and (2) if they can bet on anything, it’s that other wizards must have dreamed up the same get-rich-quick schemes. When they learn these lessons the hard way, Jackson and Bill will have to figure out how to escape Sin City alive.
Fast-paced action
The action sequences in Vegas Knights put to shame even the highest-budgeted action movies. Where directors need millions of dollars in special effects and stunts, Forbeck uses language to much greater effect. Forbeck, rather than plucking words from the dictionary like the rest of us, forms his language from distilling the most potent shots of adrenaline. I have held my breath before; I have felt my heartbeat rise before; but never have I physically shaken from the rush generated from the action contained in a book until I read Vegas Knights. When the Author’s Note at the end of the book mentioned that Forbeck once tried to develop this concept as a movie, the only surprising fact was that he never got far.
Never-ending excitement
Even when the action stops, the excitement never abates. I enjoyed the Mojo Poker showdown, and even yearned to have my own copy of Mojo Poker: The Game and the Rules. Without spoiling too much, Vegas Knights pleasantly surprises with its incorporation of real life magic lore and figures, as well as gaming references.
Little character development
Just as you don’t walk into the theater expecting in-depth character development from The Fast and the Furious, don’t expect too much character development in Vegas Knights. The characters are a little one-note—for example, Jackson is the hero whose powers are greater than he could have imagined, and Bill is the sidekick who gets distracted by the glitz and the glamor. The emotions rely more on paradigmatic relationships—that is, we can relate to a mother loving her son without much explanation—than the author’s careful construction. But this is a book where the story and the action take the front seat—and what story and action they are!
Why should you read this book?
If you’re craving a fast-paced action adventure, skip a movie and grab a copy of Vegas Knights instead. If you don’t mind characters that never break their archetypal molds, you’ll savor the magic rocket ride that is Vegas Knights and its action in spades. This is popcorn fantasy at its best.
Vegas Knights is a standalone novel, described on the cover as “Ocean’s Eleven meets Harry Potter as two student wizards try to scam a Vegas casino…using magic!” Harry Potter is the go-to cover blurb shorthand for wizardry nowadays, and while in Vegas Knights we follow students of magic, the similarities to Harry Potter end there. Vegas Knights reads more like a supernatural Bringing Down the House.
The aforementioned students of magic, Jackson and Bill, are earning secret degrees in magic studies (publicly titled “trans-quantum postulating”) at University of Michigan’s Residential College. The boys are interested in putting their studies to practical use, however, and decide to spend spring break in Vegas. Since they have magical powers that can alter the faces of cards, they plan on winning big at card games. Unfortunately for them, they didn’t pay enough attention in their Magical Logic 101 class, where they should have learned that (1) if they have magic powers, so must others, and (2) if they can bet on anything, it’s that other wizards must have dreamed up the same get-rich-quick schemes. When they learn these lessons the hard way, Jackson and Bill will have to figure out how to escape Sin City alive.
Fast-paced action
The action sequences in Vegas Knights put to shame even the highest-budgeted action movies. Where directors need millions of dollars in special effects and stunts, Forbeck uses language to much greater effect. Forbeck, rather than plucking words from the dictionary like the rest of us, forms his language from distilling the most potent shots of adrenaline. I have held my breath before; I have felt my heartbeat rise before; but never have I physically shaken from the rush generated from the action contained in a book until I read Vegas Knights. When the Author’s Note at the end of the book mentioned that Forbeck once tried to develop this concept as a movie, the only surprising fact was that he never got far.
Never-ending excitement
Even when the action stops, the excitement never abates. I enjoyed the Mojo Poker showdown, and even yearned to have my own copy of Mojo Poker: The Game and the Rules. Without spoiling too much, Vegas Knights pleasantly surprises with its incorporation of real life magic lore and figures, as well as gaming references.
Little character development
Just as you don’t walk into the theater expecting in-depth character development from The Fast and the Furious, don’t expect too much character development in Vegas Knights. The characters are a little one-note—for example, Jackson is the hero whose powers are greater than he could have imagined, and Bill is the sidekick who gets distracted by the glitz and the glamor. The emotions rely more on paradigmatic relationships—that is, we can relate to a mother loving her son without much explanation—than the author’s careful construction. But this is a book where the story and the action take the front seat—and what story and action they are!
Why should you read this book?
If you’re craving a fast-paced action adventure, skip a movie and grab a copy of Vegas Knights instead. If you don’t mind characters that never break their archetypal molds, you’ll savor the magic rocket ride that is Vegas Knights and its action in spades. This is popcorn fantasy at its best.
December 22, 2011
VEGAS KNIGHTS is the story of Jackson and Bill, two college age guys who also happen to be magicians. So, like any smart kids with mystical powers, they decide to head to Vegas and use the Art to cheat at Blackjack and win lots of money. This all goes really well…for one night. Then things begin to go horribly wrong. The boys learn that they aren’t the only magicians in Vegas. In fact, the town is practically overrun with them. All actual stage magicians are real magicians, and their leader is…well, that would be spoiling the trick.
But this magician isn’t happy with the status quo. He has in mind to break down the barrier between the living and the dead. He’s enlisted the help of Jackson’s father, and would dearly love to have Jackson, one of the most powerful magicians he’s seen, on his side. Jackson doesn’t want to cooperate, and things get ugly.
There’s much more to this engaging tale, but I can’t say too much else without giving things away, so hopefully what I’ve written above is enough to intrigue you. Because VEGAS KNIGHTS is an intriguing tale. It’s a wonderful idea well told by writer Matt Forbeck, full of cool characters, both living and dead, and an action packed plot that makes great use of the Sin City setting.
The character of Jackson is well-drawn. The story is told in first person from his POV, and he is an engaging character that you like. He’s not perfect, and has been badly wounded by a family betrayal, which gives him nice motivation and makes his actions at the end both believable and touching. The action is tight and the book is well-paced.
Now Matt is a Twitter acquaintance and a really nice guy, so that makes criticism tough, but I hope he’ll take it in the spirit in which it’s intended. The problems I had with the book were minor, but they did detract from the enjoyment.
First was the character of Bill. He’s one of those guys that you know is going to be annoying, and he was. He’s a smart ass, which is fine, but he was a smart ass in situations where he should have known better. The boys get into some really dangerous (as in potentially fatal) situations, and Bill makes with the pithy remarks. This can work in a movie, but in a book it makes me wonder why the bad guys just didn’t shoot him (or at least punch him in the mouth). This cavalier attitude occasionally rubbed off on Jackson, but was nowhere near as annoying or prevalent.
This was my biggest issue. The other two are more personal and may not bother you as much. The first was the main bad guy. He’s a figure and one of the book’s best ideas. I wanted to know more about him, about his past, what happened when he left where history left him (that will make sense if you read the book) and how he came into the position of power he did. Perhaps Matt will write a prequel that gives us some of that.
The other thing was the ending. I give Matt credit for going with an unconventional ending (and one that leaves things open for a second book) but it left me feeling a bit let down. If anything called for the ending you expect, it was this story.
But make no mistake, this is a good book that will keep you engaged and is well worth your time. I really would love to see it made into a movie, because it would be a good one. Pick it up and give it a read. Score: 7/10
Be sure to pick up a copy of my novel, GODCHILD. Available on Kindle. Thanks
But this magician isn’t happy with the status quo. He has in mind to break down the barrier between the living and the dead. He’s enlisted the help of Jackson’s father, and would dearly love to have Jackson, one of the most powerful magicians he’s seen, on his side. Jackson doesn’t want to cooperate, and things get ugly.
There’s much more to this engaging tale, but I can’t say too much else without giving things away, so hopefully what I’ve written above is enough to intrigue you. Because VEGAS KNIGHTS is an intriguing tale. It’s a wonderful idea well told by writer Matt Forbeck, full of cool characters, both living and dead, and an action packed plot that makes great use of the Sin City setting.
The character of Jackson is well-drawn. The story is told in first person from his POV, and he is an engaging character that you like. He’s not perfect, and has been badly wounded by a family betrayal, which gives him nice motivation and makes his actions at the end both believable and touching. The action is tight and the book is well-paced.
Now Matt is a Twitter acquaintance and a really nice guy, so that makes criticism tough, but I hope he’ll take it in the spirit in which it’s intended. The problems I had with the book were minor, but they did detract from the enjoyment.
First was the character of Bill. He’s one of those guys that you know is going to be annoying, and he was. He’s a smart ass, which is fine, but he was a smart ass in situations where he should have known better. The boys get into some really dangerous (as in potentially fatal) situations, and Bill makes with the pithy remarks. This can work in a movie, but in a book it makes me wonder why the bad guys just didn’t shoot him (or at least punch him in the mouth). This cavalier attitude occasionally rubbed off on Jackson, but was nowhere near as annoying or prevalent.
This was my biggest issue. The other two are more personal and may not bother you as much. The first was the main bad guy. He’s a figure and one of the book’s best ideas. I wanted to know more about him, about his past, what happened when he left where history left him (that will make sense if you read the book) and how he came into the position of power he did. Perhaps Matt will write a prequel that gives us some of that.
The other thing was the ending. I give Matt credit for going with an unconventional ending (and one that leaves things open for a second book) but it left me feeling a bit let down. If anything called for the ending you expect, it was this story.
But make no mistake, this is a good book that will keep you engaged and is well worth your time. I really would love to see it made into a movie, because it would be a good one. Pick it up and give it a read. Score: 7/10
Be sure to pick up a copy of my novel, GODCHILD. Available on Kindle. Thanks
April 13, 2011
The cover of Matt Forbeck’s Vegas Knights describes the novel as “Harry Potter meets Ocean’s Eleven,” but it may be slightly more accurate (if not quite as effective, marketing-wise) to replace Harry Potter with Lev Grossman’s The Magicians. Vegas Knights’ main characters, Bill and Jackson, are two college students on Spring Break in Las Vegas. Sounds fairly normal — except the topic of their studies is magic, and they’re not just in Vegas to party. Instead, they’re planning to use their magic skills to become rich by cheating at the gambling tables. However, they quickly find out that this is easier said than done, because Vegas is very different from what they expected...
Vegas Knights is a fun, entertaining urban fantasy novel that starts off with a bang and rarely slows down. Matt Forbeck gives the reader a great feel for what it’s like to gamble and party in Vegas, and combines this with an exciting and action-packed plot. As someone who’s spent a good amount of time in the “City of Lost Wages,” I felt that Matt Forbeck recreated the atmosphere of the place very effectively, even while adding a few fictional casinos (and of course, well, magic) on the Strip.
A large part of the first half of Vegas Knights is one long and excellent action scene that’s genuinely exciting and impossible to put down. Starting from Bill and Jackson’s second gambling adventure and running through their first meeting with the primary antagonist (whose identity is one of the best surprises of the novel), the story rarely slows down and is jam-packed with action and excitement. The pacing is so hectic that it occasionally feels as if this could have been turned into a much longer novel, but on the plus side, this also means there’s not a dull moment to be found. (And how rare is it nowadays to find a fantasy novel that could have used more padding?)
Unfortunately things take a turn for the worse in the second half of Vegas Knights. The novel starts out as a fun, somewhat shallow but very entertaining magic-in-Vegas caper, but it turns just a bit too silly and frankly verging on the ridiculous towards the end. Saying exactly where and how this happens would spoil the story, but there’s one specific moment where I just couldn’t take the novel seriously anymore. Early on, it’s easy to ignore the flat characters and occasionally clunky dialogue because the plot moves so quickly and offers lots of action and several surprising twists along the way, but after the turning point the book unfortunately strays into pure cartoon territory.
Still, if you don’t take it too seriously, you’ll have a blast with this novel. Vegas Knights is far from perfect, especially towards the end, but it’s hard to imagine a more appropriate book to bring along and read by the pool if you’re planning a Vegas trip.
(This review also appeared at Fantasy Literature - www.fantasyliterature.com)
Vegas Knights is a fun, entertaining urban fantasy novel that starts off with a bang and rarely slows down. Matt Forbeck gives the reader a great feel for what it’s like to gamble and party in Vegas, and combines this with an exciting and action-packed plot. As someone who’s spent a good amount of time in the “City of Lost Wages,” I felt that Matt Forbeck recreated the atmosphere of the place very effectively, even while adding a few fictional casinos (and of course, well, magic) on the Strip.
A large part of the first half of Vegas Knights is one long and excellent action scene that’s genuinely exciting and impossible to put down. Starting from Bill and Jackson’s second gambling adventure and running through their first meeting with the primary antagonist (whose identity is one of the best surprises of the novel), the story rarely slows down and is jam-packed with action and excitement. The pacing is so hectic that it occasionally feels as if this could have been turned into a much longer novel, but on the plus side, this also means there’s not a dull moment to be found. (And how rare is it nowadays to find a fantasy novel that could have used more padding?)
Unfortunately things take a turn for the worse in the second half of Vegas Knights. The novel starts out as a fun, somewhat shallow but very entertaining magic-in-Vegas caper, but it turns just a bit too silly and frankly verging on the ridiculous towards the end. Saying exactly where and how this happens would spoil the story, but there’s one specific moment where I just couldn’t take the novel seriously anymore. Early on, it’s easy to ignore the flat characters and occasionally clunky dialogue because the plot moves so quickly and offers lots of action and several surprising twists along the way, but after the turning point the book unfortunately strays into pure cartoon territory.
Still, if you don’t take it too seriously, you’ll have a blast with this novel. Vegas Knights is far from perfect, especially towards the end, but it’s hard to imagine a more appropriate book to bring along and read by the pool if you’re planning a Vegas trip.
(This review also appeared at Fantasy Literature - www.fantasyliterature.com)
March 1, 2011
As you perhaps can see from the cover image, this book has been called "Ocean's Eleven meets Harry Potter". I don't disagree much with that assessment, and it is certainly a good description of the basics of the story for anyone not well versed in the genre.
But I would rather describe it as Neil Gaiman's Books of Magic meets Las Vegas meets [good] Hollywood Action-Thriller.
At first this seems to be a pretty standard story of two friends going to break the bank in Vegas, with the only added ingredient being the use of real magic. But it doesn't take long before you realize this novel is much more than that.
Forbeck quickly pulls you into the story, I was hooked by the end of the first chapter. It doesn't take long before you realize there is quite a complex back story here, and it is one that is revealed over the course of the novel. Something that works very well. You always feel that there is more to be revealed, and that makes this a book that is hard to put down once you have started it.
It is a fast-paced story, there is lots of action and that is why I used Hollywood action-thriller as a description at the beginning of this review. But it doesn't feel like the action is placed there just to "up the ante", it is an integral part of the whole.
Another strength of this novel is that Forbeck is very good at adding that little magical twist to our world that signifies good Urban Fantasy. Everything is slightly different from the reality we know, but never so much that it becomes too implausible. A couple of the revelations were of the kind that made perfect sense, and I actually wouldn't be too surprised if it really was the way Forbeck tells it in this book.
The characters in this book are interesting, especially the main character. And even those that same pretty typical have something fresh about them. I enjoyed following Jackson and Bill's journey through this version of Vegas, and I wouldn't mind following them to other places in the future.
Overall this is a fresh and suspenseful Urban Fantasy novel. It is great entertainment, and if you have a taste for fantasy in a contemporary setting this is definitely worth checking out.
This will also make a great read for anyone interested in stage-magic, Las Vegas, and casino card games.
Review originally published on my blog: http://weirdmage.blogspot.com
But I would rather describe it as Neil Gaiman's Books of Magic meets Las Vegas meets [good] Hollywood Action-Thriller.
At first this seems to be a pretty standard story of two friends going to break the bank in Vegas, with the only added ingredient being the use of real magic. But it doesn't take long before you realize this novel is much more than that.
Forbeck quickly pulls you into the story, I was hooked by the end of the first chapter. It doesn't take long before you realize there is quite a complex back story here, and it is one that is revealed over the course of the novel. Something that works very well. You always feel that there is more to be revealed, and that makes this a book that is hard to put down once you have started it.
It is a fast-paced story, there is lots of action and that is why I used Hollywood action-thriller as a description at the beginning of this review. But it doesn't feel like the action is placed there just to "up the ante", it is an integral part of the whole.
Another strength of this novel is that Forbeck is very good at adding that little magical twist to our world that signifies good Urban Fantasy. Everything is slightly different from the reality we know, but never so much that it becomes too implausible. A couple of the revelations were of the kind that made perfect sense, and I actually wouldn't be too surprised if it really was the way Forbeck tells it in this book.
The characters in this book are interesting, especially the main character. And even those that same pretty typical have something fresh about them. I enjoyed following Jackson and Bill's journey through this version of Vegas, and I wouldn't mind following them to other places in the future.
Overall this is a fresh and suspenseful Urban Fantasy novel. It is great entertainment, and if you have a taste for fantasy in a contemporary setting this is definitely worth checking out.
This will also make a great read for anyone interested in stage-magic, Las Vegas, and casino card games.
Review originally published on my blog: http://weirdmage.blogspot.com
August 11, 2011
Ante Up Gentleman
Matt, Beloit is what his name tag reads. And he has dealt one amazing hand. So grab your Mojo and put on your best Poker face because this at this table, your cards can change at any time.
Matt Forbeck delivers an electrifying roller coaster ride, filled with Magic, Poker, and so much more. I am dying to spoil but I just can't spill too many beans! Vegas Knights had me racing through it's pages, something a book hasn't done to me in quite awhile. Matt had me lost in the imaginary landscape of Vegas, I could almost smell the clay poker chips and hear the sounds of slots. You couldn't help but get carried away by Bill and Jackson in their naive adventure to con the casinos of Vegas using Magic.
And the Magic itself, is simply put, masterfully done. There is enough flash and flair to have you on the edge of your seat amazed, but it is grounded enough that find yourself actually pondering the mechanics of reality. This clearly is not Harry Potter gone on a romp through Las Vegas. But as with any good stage magician, Matt gives you enough distraction that your left gasping and giggling as you flip the pages.
Even when the story turns to Bill and Jackson playing cards, I couldn't help but find myself gripped with excitement. Each hand had me on edge with suspense and everything is explained so well and with such detail you almost feel like your being tutored by a pro card shark.
This book was just a blast to read, I can't even begin to do it justice. But I can say one thing for it that anyone who knows me can use to gauge it's worth; No matter what, I will somehow have this book on my book shelf and treasure it for years. So if you see it on a shelf soon, buy it. Cause the chances of borrowing it from me will probably be about as much as striking it rich in Vegas.
Matt, Beloit is what his name tag reads. And he has dealt one amazing hand. So grab your Mojo and put on your best Poker face because this at this table, your cards can change at any time.
Matt Forbeck delivers an electrifying roller coaster ride, filled with Magic, Poker, and so much more. I am dying to spoil but I just can't spill too many beans! Vegas Knights had me racing through it's pages, something a book hasn't done to me in quite awhile. Matt had me lost in the imaginary landscape of Vegas, I could almost smell the clay poker chips and hear the sounds of slots. You couldn't help but get carried away by Bill and Jackson in their naive adventure to con the casinos of Vegas using Magic.
And the Magic itself, is simply put, masterfully done. There is enough flash and flair to have you on the edge of your seat amazed, but it is grounded enough that find yourself actually pondering the mechanics of reality. This clearly is not Harry Potter gone on a romp through Las Vegas. But as with any good stage magician, Matt gives you enough distraction that your left gasping and giggling as you flip the pages.
Even when the story turns to Bill and Jackson playing cards, I couldn't help but find myself gripped with excitement. Each hand had me on edge with suspense and everything is explained so well and with such detail you almost feel like your being tutored by a pro card shark.
This book was just a blast to read, I can't even begin to do it justice. But I can say one thing for it that anyone who knows me can use to gauge it's worth; No matter what, I will somehow have this book on my book shelf and treasure it for years. So if you see it on a shelf soon, buy it. Cause the chances of borrowing it from me will probably be about as much as striking it rich in Vegas.
April 5, 2012
I like urban fantasy. I like heist stories, and I especially like stories about gambling. This book, then, was right up my alley.
Two college kids go on a spring break trip to Vegas, hoping to use their newly-acquired skill as wizards to hit some big jackpots and make themselves rich. Seems like a safe bet, until they realize that there are other wizards already in Vegas, and that by doing so they're getting themselves caught in the middle of an epic magical conflict.
The gambling/Vegas bits were a lot of fun - I almost wish Forbeck had focused exclusively on those, rather than adding in the Epic Fantasy Elements; those bits don't feel out of place, but they don't necessarily add a lot to the story.
The only drawback I found was that Jackson and Bill, the two main characters, are both a bit stupid, and the plot hinges at several points on them making stupid decisions, which gets a bit frustrating at times.
On the whole, though, this was a very fun read, one that fans of the genres being mashed up should really dig.
Two college kids go on a spring break trip to Vegas, hoping to use their newly-acquired skill as wizards to hit some big jackpots and make themselves rich. Seems like a safe bet, until they realize that there are other wizards already in Vegas, and that by doing so they're getting themselves caught in the middle of an epic magical conflict.
The gambling/Vegas bits were a lot of fun - I almost wish Forbeck had focused exclusively on those, rather than adding in the Epic Fantasy Elements; those bits don't feel out of place, but they don't necessarily add a lot to the story.
The only drawback I found was that Jackson and Bill, the two main characters, are both a bit stupid, and the plot hinges at several points on them making stupid decisions, which gets a bit frustrating at times.
On the whole, though, this was a very fun read, one that fans of the genres being mashed up should really dig.
May 15, 2011
The story meanders a bit to start with and the main plot doesn't really get going until you're well into the second half of the book. This is great if you like reading about college kids living it large (magically) in Vegas, but not so much if you're me. There's also a part where the author appears to claim (could be a prose issue) that a straight beats a full house....
At times Vegas Knights wants to be a modern pulp adventure, but other times it seems to take itself incredibly seriously. The protagonist's memories of Hurricane Katrina are tragic and affecting, but the balance didn't entirely work for me.
The last quarter is much stronger with a lot of fun action and the characters really come into their own. The final scenes force some really creative and tragic decisions on the protagonist. Then it ends. Quite abruptly. I'm assuming there will be a sequel.
In summary: I almost gave up on this one around the halfway mark, but I'm glad I didn't.
At times Vegas Knights wants to be a modern pulp adventure, but other times it seems to take itself incredibly seriously. The protagonist's memories of Hurricane Katrina are tragic and affecting, but the balance didn't entirely work for me.
The last quarter is much stronger with a lot of fun action and the characters really come into their own. The final scenes force some really creative and tragic decisions on the protagonist. Then it ends. Quite abruptly. I'm assuming there will be a sequel.
In summary: I almost gave up on this one around the halfway mark, but I'm glad I didn't.
March 3, 2012
I finally read one of Matt Forbeck's books and really liked it. It could definitely be made into an interesting and exciting movie. I hope that someone picks it up to read who is in a position to turn it into a top-notch movie experience.
April 24, 2011
I'd say that whoever came with the "Harry Potter meets Ocean’s Eleven" tagline (probably the author himself) did not read/see neither of them...
March 15, 2011
GREAT book!! Full review here: http://fluidityoftime.blogspot.com/20...
June 1, 2011
A good magic fantasy set in modern times.
August 28, 2011
I never knew I liked sci-fi until I read this book.
April 17, 2011
The come-on was interesting: a combination of harry potter and the noir novel. Not Close. Skip it.
August 19, 2020
I really liked the idea of this book - the conceit is original - unique even - and you can see from reading the pitches and treatment included in the appendices how he was able to polish his original ideas into something a little more elegant.
The problem for me is that the quirkiness if it becomes flat as the story goes on - the realism of this world he creates begins to fray and the story falls apart into a denouement that feels like it will never end.
It feels as though the author had trouble ending it and it drags on for the last hundred pages or so - it should have easily been at least fifty pages shorter. And when it does finally end it is far too simple an ending and the antagonist suddenly shifts gears into a flexible even friendly character. Meanwhile the protagonists don’t really grow throughout the novel - especially the sidekick Bill who doesn’t really need to be in the story at all.
I also feel as though there is a self-congratulatory ‘cleverness’ in some of the pop culture references throw in throughout the dialogue and description - but they often feel forced or are explained to the reader (which lessens that ‘cleverness’.
In the end I gave it three stars partially because of the originality of the concept and partially because it is entertaining through the majority of the novel (and I judge this as a fantasy page turner, not as ‘high literature’, which it is surely not). If not for that it would be 2 stars.
The problem for me is that the quirkiness if it becomes flat as the story goes on - the realism of this world he creates begins to fray and the story falls apart into a denouement that feels like it will never end.
It feels as though the author had trouble ending it and it drags on for the last hundred pages or so - it should have easily been at least fifty pages shorter. And when it does finally end it is far too simple an ending and the antagonist suddenly shifts gears into a flexible even friendly character. Meanwhile the protagonists don’t really grow throughout the novel - especially the sidekick Bill who doesn’t really need to be in the story at all.
I also feel as though there is a self-congratulatory ‘cleverness’ in some of the pop culture references throw in throughout the dialogue and description - but they often feel forced or are explained to the reader (which lessens that ‘cleverness’.
In the end I gave it three stars partially because of the originality of the concept and partially because it is entertaining through the majority of the novel (and I judge this as a fantasy page turner, not as ‘high literature’, which it is surely not). If not for that it would be 2 stars.
March 19, 2021
DNF I was really excited to start this, but it unfortunately broke the 2 cardinal rules of a heist novel within the first 5 chapters: 1) the protagonists are uninteresting idiots, and 2) they are not a team. Despite the fact that the author expects me to believe they're best friends, the buddy/mastermind pulls a gun on the narrator in the first chapter???
I could be reading Red Seas Under Red Skies, I though the whole time I was reading this. So, official verdict: go read Red Seas Under Red Skies instead.
I could be reading Red Seas Under Red Skies, I though the whole time I was reading this. So, official verdict: go read Red Seas Under Red Skies instead.
October 6, 2017
Probably more like three and a half stars? Entertainingly batshit.
May 15, 2020
What a captivating read. I couldn't put it down, even though the end is completely overblown and the main guy just can't lose because he's too powerful.
October 22, 2021
I wish there was a sequel!
March 19, 2011
After countless reviews likened this novel to Harry Potter meets Oceans Eleven, I was mega-excited to read Vegas Knights. Seeing that I spend many an hour unabashedly geeking out over anything Harry Potter and frankly what isn’t there to love about Oceans Eleven?, I had to read Vegas Knights. Like immediately.
My issue: I didn’t feel either comparison within the pages of this novel. I think it would have been better, for moi, to have entered into this reading experience having no preconceived notions.
Here’s why. I was expecting a whole bunch of magics being cast around. Here there and everywhere. I'm talking a magic extravaganza. Why? Well, the whole Harry Potter comparison. I was also expecting uberheists with mensa-type detailing and planning through the wazoo. Why? Do I really have to answer that?
Another issue I had with Vegas Knights is that I can’t stand gambling. I’m incompetent and downright hopeless when it comes to the art of poker and blackjack. (Although, truth be told, I am a phenom when it comes to Old Maid.) I’m by no means averse to gambling, I just have never been down with card games. I blame my family. We were never the card-playing type. We played Clue. I’ve been told (not sure if this is accurate and don’t care enough to take a poll) that that’s a northern thing and what one does while being snowed in and seeing how I was born and raised in the south where it was perpetually a degree above scorching . . . Well, you get what I’m saying. Back to my point. Vegas Knights went into great detail describing blackjack rules for one, and there might have been another card game, but I was a goner from that point on. Since I don’t like card games, I don’t want to read about them either. This is purely a me issue.
In my humble opinion, Vegas Knights is more like the movie 21 (and that was a good movie) mixed with a dash of The Hangover (sans hilarity), but instead of counting cards to cheat the casino, they’re cheating with the aid of magic. Only problem, the casino and frankly all of Vegas is filled to the brim with magicians. And not the sleight of hand variety. *wink wink*
This soon poses a problem for the two protagonists who innocently thought they’d spend their college break taking Vegas by storm. Boy were they mistaken. Insert adventure here. Guns, fights, narrowly escaping by the skin of their teeth, and zombies. And some figures from history pop in to spice up the tale. And no, it's not Liberace.
I was very excited to read Vegas Knights after countless reviews likened this novel to Harry Potter meets Oceans Eleven. Seeing that I spend many an hour geeking out over anything Harry Potter and frankly what isn’t there to love about Oceans Eleven?, I had to read Vegas Knights.
My issue: I didn’t feel either comparison within the pages of this novel. I think it would have been better to go into this reading experience having no preconceived notions.
Here’s why. I was expecting a whole bunch of magics being cast around. Here there and everywhere. Why? Well, the whole Harry Potter comparison. I was also expecting uberheists with mensa-type detailing and planning through the wazoo. Why? Do I really have to answer that?
Another issue I had with Vegas Knights is that I can’t stand gambling. I’m incompetent and downright hopeless when it comes to the art of poker and blackjack. (Although, truth be told, I am a phenom when it comes to Old Maid.) I’m by no means averse to gambling, I just have never been down with card games. I blame my family. We were never the card-playing type. I’ve been told (not sure if this is accurate and don’t care enough to take a poll) that that’s a northern thing and what one does while being snowed in and seeing how I was born and raised in the south where it was perpetually a degree above scorching . . . Well, you get what I’m saying. Back to my point. Vegas Knights went into great detail describing blackjack rules for one, and there might have been another card game, but I was a goner from that point on. Since I don’t like card games, I don’t want to read about them either. This is purely a me issue.
In my humble opinion, Vegas Knights is more like the movie 21 (and that was a good movie), but instead of counting cards to cheat the casino, they’re cheating with the aid of magic. Only problem, the casino and frankly all of Vegas is filled to the brim with magicians. And not the sleight of hand variety. *wink wink*
This soon poses a problem for the two protagonists who innocently thought they’d spend their college break taking Vegas by storm. Boy were they mistaken. Insert adventure here. Guns, fights, narrowly escaping by the skin of their teeth, and zombies.
With all that said, I did enjoy reading Vegas Knights and would and do recommend it to readers who enjoy tales taking place in Sin City, gambling, and are looking for a fun escape-type of a read. You won’t regret it.
My issue: I didn’t feel either comparison within the pages of this novel. I think it would have been better, for moi, to have entered into this reading experience having no preconceived notions.
Here’s why. I was expecting a whole bunch of magics being cast around. Here there and everywhere. I'm talking a magic extravaganza. Why? Well, the whole Harry Potter comparison. I was also expecting uberheists with mensa-type detailing and planning through the wazoo. Why? Do I really have to answer that?
Another issue I had with Vegas Knights is that I can’t stand gambling. I’m incompetent and downright hopeless when it comes to the art of poker and blackjack. (Although, truth be told, I am a phenom when it comes to Old Maid.) I’m by no means averse to gambling, I just have never been down with card games. I blame my family. We were never the card-playing type. We played Clue. I’ve been told (not sure if this is accurate and don’t care enough to take a poll) that that’s a northern thing and what one does while being snowed in and seeing how I was born and raised in the south where it was perpetually a degree above scorching . . . Well, you get what I’m saying. Back to my point. Vegas Knights went into great detail describing blackjack rules for one, and there might have been another card game, but I was a goner from that point on. Since I don’t like card games, I don’t want to read about them either. This is purely a me issue.
In my humble opinion, Vegas Knights is more like the movie 21 (and that was a good movie) mixed with a dash of The Hangover (sans hilarity), but instead of counting cards to cheat the casino, they’re cheating with the aid of magic. Only problem, the casino and frankly all of Vegas is filled to the brim with magicians. And not the sleight of hand variety. *wink wink*
This soon poses a problem for the two protagonists who innocently thought they’d spend their college break taking Vegas by storm. Boy were they mistaken. Insert adventure here. Guns, fights, narrowly escaping by the skin of their teeth, and zombies. And some figures from history pop in to spice up the tale. And no, it's not Liberace.
I was very excited to read Vegas Knights after countless reviews likened this novel to Harry Potter meets Oceans Eleven. Seeing that I spend many an hour geeking out over anything Harry Potter and frankly what isn’t there to love about Oceans Eleven?, I had to read Vegas Knights.
My issue: I didn’t feel either comparison within the pages of this novel. I think it would have been better to go into this reading experience having no preconceived notions.
Here’s why. I was expecting a whole bunch of magics being cast around. Here there and everywhere. Why? Well, the whole Harry Potter comparison. I was also expecting uberheists with mensa-type detailing and planning through the wazoo. Why? Do I really have to answer that?
Another issue I had with Vegas Knights is that I can’t stand gambling. I’m incompetent and downright hopeless when it comes to the art of poker and blackjack. (Although, truth be told, I am a phenom when it comes to Old Maid.) I’m by no means averse to gambling, I just have never been down with card games. I blame my family. We were never the card-playing type. I’ve been told (not sure if this is accurate and don’t care enough to take a poll) that that’s a northern thing and what one does while being snowed in and seeing how I was born and raised in the south where it was perpetually a degree above scorching . . . Well, you get what I’m saying. Back to my point. Vegas Knights went into great detail describing blackjack rules for one, and there might have been another card game, but I was a goner from that point on. Since I don’t like card games, I don’t want to read about them either. This is purely a me issue.
In my humble opinion, Vegas Knights is more like the movie 21 (and that was a good movie), but instead of counting cards to cheat the casino, they’re cheating with the aid of magic. Only problem, the casino and frankly all of Vegas is filled to the brim with magicians. And not the sleight of hand variety. *wink wink*
This soon poses a problem for the two protagonists who innocently thought they’d spend their college break taking Vegas by storm. Boy were they mistaken. Insert adventure here. Guns, fights, narrowly escaping by the skin of their teeth, and zombies.
With all that said, I did enjoy reading Vegas Knights and would and do recommend it to readers who enjoy tales taking place in Sin City, gambling, and are looking for a fun escape-type of a read. You won’t regret it.
March 15, 2011
Maybe I'm just not the proper audience for this.
The tagline for this book reads, "Ocean’s Eleven meets Harry Potter as two student wizards try to scam a Vegas casino", and it seemed like it would be a good match for me on paper. I like fantasy books. I like Ocean's Eleven. I enjoy reading about gambling and Las Vegas. But I got through all of three chapters of Vegas Knights before I began to wish I had never been given this ARC to review.
I honestly don't think Vegas Knights is bad, per se; but it did bore me silly. Jackson, the viewpoint and primary character, is freshman scholarship student with aspiring magical talents. The first-person narrative is exclusively narrowed on Jackson, and it's a real pity I found him stupid, easily lead, and even easier manipulated from page one. Jackson is following his wealthy friend Bill's grand plan to use Jackson's magical talents to bilk the Vegas casinos — after all, the casinos can afford to lose a little money. For that matter, so can Bill. Jackson, on the other hand, comes from a fairly poor background and is only in college because his grandmother is spending her life's savings to put him there. And Jackson's already failing this semester due to spending all his time learning card-sharp skills from Bill. Stellar life choices there, Jackson.
I might have been able to roll with my dislike of the primary character if Forbeck's writing style had drawn me in, but I find that same first-person narrative generally repellant, structurally both slow and removing. Forbeck takes such care to explain gambling games and methods, or to have Bill explain them, or Jackson, or Jackson remembering what Bill had previously told him; but it all seemed to me to be such a heavy-handed way of telling instead of showing that I really had to push myself to slog through even just three chapters. I did flip around in the book a bit to see if I could stumble upon a scene at random and re-engage my interest, but not even the climax of zombies, blackmail, murder, and parental hatred and death drew me in. I just didn't care.
The ideal audience for this book might be the young-adult area of readers who glutted themselves on Harry Potter and want to try something more urban for their tastes, or perhaps anyone who finds the wish fulfillment of a young college male appealing. For me, this was a promising idea with an intriguing tagline, but the plot, characters, and style killed it dead and has me giving it a C-minus rating: dubiously passable but only with an extremely tolerant professor. DNF.
This ARC was provided to me by the publisher, given through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers Program.
The tagline for this book reads, "Ocean’s Eleven meets Harry Potter as two student wizards try to scam a Vegas casino", and it seemed like it would be a good match for me on paper. I like fantasy books. I like Ocean's Eleven. I enjoy reading about gambling and Las Vegas. But I got through all of three chapters of Vegas Knights before I began to wish I had never been given this ARC to review.
I honestly don't think Vegas Knights is bad, per se; but it did bore me silly. Jackson, the viewpoint and primary character, is freshman scholarship student with aspiring magical talents. The first-person narrative is exclusively narrowed on Jackson, and it's a real pity I found him stupid, easily lead, and even easier manipulated from page one. Jackson is following his wealthy friend Bill's grand plan to use Jackson's magical talents to bilk the Vegas casinos — after all, the casinos can afford to lose a little money. For that matter, so can Bill. Jackson, on the other hand, comes from a fairly poor background and is only in college because his grandmother is spending her life's savings to put him there. And Jackson's already failing this semester due to spending all his time learning card-sharp skills from Bill. Stellar life choices there, Jackson.
I might have been able to roll with my dislike of the primary character if Forbeck's writing style had drawn me in, but I find that same first-person narrative generally repellant, structurally both slow and removing. Forbeck takes such care to explain gambling games and methods, or to have Bill explain them, or Jackson, or Jackson remembering what Bill had previously told him; but it all seemed to me to be such a heavy-handed way of telling instead of showing that I really had to push myself to slog through even just three chapters. I did flip around in the book a bit to see if I could stumble upon a scene at random and re-engage my interest, but not even the climax of zombies, blackmail, murder, and parental hatred and death drew me in. I just didn't care.
The ideal audience for this book might be the young-adult area of readers who glutted themselves on Harry Potter and want to try something more urban for their tastes, or perhaps anyone who finds the wish fulfillment of a young college male appealing. For me, this was a promising idea with an intriguing tagline, but the plot, characters, and style killed it dead and has me giving it a C-minus rating: dubiously passable but only with an extremely tolerant professor. DNF.
This ARC was provided to me by the publisher, given through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers Program.
June 24, 2015
An Urban Fantasy novel that places wizards in Las Vegas sounds like a great premise to me; ripe for some magical actions in a city full of danger. Author Matt Forbeck obviously thought so too as this is the premise for ‘Vegas Knight’ a book about two amateur wizards who go to gamble knowing they cannot lose. Unfortunately for them, Vegas already knows about their ilk and does not take kindly to their wizardly ways.
‘Vegas Knights’ is a book packed with action and I mean packed. It is overfilled, spilling forth from the pages is an exuberance that is at times too much for the reader. Forbeck has decided not just tell a simple fantastical tale, but draw out epic elements that lead to a war between rival magical factions that just happen to call Vegas their home. What is a simple and fun idea becomes an elongated chase scene as our two heroes run from one group to another and back again.
There are some great moments in ‘Vegas Knights’, the action is fun, but it feels too simple. The naivety of the two students makes sense as they are only young, but their blithe attitude to danger is just too much. They seem to laugh in the face of bullets and almost certain death. There is youthful folly and then there is borderline psychosis. In the end it is hard to get behind characters that act so foolishly, you almost want them to get hurt to teach them a lesson. This is a shame as the basic idea of the book is good and just about sustains the reader, but it ends up as a fun average read.
‘Vegas Knights’ is a book packed with action and I mean packed. It is overfilled, spilling forth from the pages is an exuberance that is at times too much for the reader. Forbeck has decided not just tell a simple fantastical tale, but draw out epic elements that lead to a war between rival magical factions that just happen to call Vegas their home. What is a simple and fun idea becomes an elongated chase scene as our two heroes run from one group to another and back again.
There are some great moments in ‘Vegas Knights’, the action is fun, but it feels too simple. The naivety of the two students makes sense as they are only young, but their blithe attitude to danger is just too much. They seem to laugh in the face of bullets and almost certain death. There is youthful folly and then there is borderline psychosis. In the end it is hard to get behind characters that act so foolishly, you almost want them to get hurt to teach them a lesson. This is a shame as the basic idea of the book is good and just about sustains the reader, but it ends up as a fun average read.
October 17, 2017
There are quite a few reviews already posted. Some love the book, a few like this story, while others just don't like it. I can definitely see all points of veiw, yet for me this simple, quick tale of magic abuse (that's right I said abuse) and those that control it, was just so much fun.
I really, really enjoyed reading the adventure these two college students go on.
Heck, if I learned magic like they did I'd go to Vegas also. Plus I had so much fun with how magic was used in this book.
As to my using the word "abuse", let me explain. When magic is used to perform unnatural aspects of life and to bind others to your will, therby increasing one's own abilities. I consider that abuse of power. Let's face it magic is the power to manipulate things. When those things are people's lives, that's abuse to me.
If you do pick up this book, don't expect a deep and meaningful book. As to the Harry Potter, Ocean's Eleven quote, this is in reference to them learning how to use magic from a professor at the college they attend. Then them devising a plan to steal from Vegas.
In that aspect in kind of fits. Harry Potter did learn how to use his magic abilities at school from professors. Then in Ocean's Eleven they did manipulate the situation using their abilities to steal from a casino in vegas. So it does actually fit in a way.
I just think people see that and read to much into it. Don't!
Just relax and have fun with it.
I really, really enjoyed reading the adventure these two college students go on.
Heck, if I learned magic like they did I'd go to Vegas also. Plus I had so much fun with how magic was used in this book.
As to my using the word "abuse", let me explain. When magic is used to perform unnatural aspects of life and to bind others to your will, therby increasing one's own abilities. I consider that abuse of power. Let's face it magic is the power to manipulate things. When those things are people's lives, that's abuse to me.
If you do pick up this book, don't expect a deep and meaningful book. As to the Harry Potter, Ocean's Eleven quote, this is in reference to them learning how to use magic from a professor at the college they attend. Then them devising a plan to steal from Vegas.
In that aspect in kind of fits. Harry Potter did learn how to use his magic abilities at school from professors. Then in Ocean's Eleven they did manipulate the situation using their abilities to steal from a casino in vegas. So it does actually fit in a way.
I just think people see that and read to much into it. Don't!
Just relax and have fun with it.
July 9, 2015
Jackson and Bill are in Vegas to use the magic they have learned to cheat their way to big wins in the casino. This was basically the plot and it wasn't very interesting. It should have been renamed Dumb and Dumber go to Vegas.
Jackson is having second thoughts about taking such big risks so how does Bill motivate him? By pointing a gun at him and threatening to shoot him if he doesn't get his head in the game, firing at him every time he gets his practice wrong. Great idea dumbass. If you shoot him you won't have the partner you need for the scam anyway! Jackson is too dumb to work this out though. Idiots. Jackson whines about how guilty he feels about his gran using her life savings to get him an education but he never botheres going to class and instead of buying textbooks, he gambles the money in Vegas. Tells you all you need to know about this waster.
So for 80 pages the idiots get drunk, cheat very obviously and show off their magic, making it obvious to everyone what they are doing. These morons were not entertaining and they got on my nerves so much that I didn't make 100 pages. I won't be going back to this book or trying anything else by the author.
Jackson is having second thoughts about taking such big risks so how does Bill motivate him? By pointing a gun at him and threatening to shoot him if he doesn't get his head in the game, firing at him every time he gets his practice wrong. Great idea dumbass. If you shoot him you won't have the partner you need for the scam anyway! Jackson is too dumb to work this out though. Idiots. Jackson whines about how guilty he feels about his gran using her life savings to get him an education but he never botheres going to class and instead of buying textbooks, he gambles the money in Vegas. Tells you all you need to know about this waster.
So for 80 pages the idiots get drunk, cheat very obviously and show off their magic, making it obvious to everyone what they are doing. These morons were not entertaining and they got on my nerves so much that I didn't make 100 pages. I won't be going back to this book or trying anything else by the author.
June 15, 2011
Forbeck isn't a strong enough writer to bring his characters to life. His magicians are heroic and intelligent, but there's no depth to the portrayals. The plot moves briskly, and I can see this making a very enjoyable feature film, but Forbeck's style is too mundane to create much excitement. His prose is plodding, and despite a vivid imagination, he can't summon up the breathless excitement his non-stop narrative requires (for a better example, see Gord Zajac's Major Karnage, a non-stop sci-fi chase that brings enough wit and oomph to the pursuit that you don't even mind some gaping logic holes).
Read the rest of the review here.
Read the rest of the review here.
August 17, 2016
The cover of Matt Forbeck’s Vegas Knights describes the novel as “Harry Potter meets Ocean’s Eleven,” but it may be slightly more accurate (if not quite as effective, marketing-wise) to replace Harry Potter with Lev Grossman’s The Magicians. Vegas Knights’ main characters, Bill and Jackson, are two college students on Spring Break in Las Vegas. Sounds fairly normal — except the topic of their studies is magic, and they’re not just in Vegas to party. Instead, they’re planning to use their magic skills to become rich by cheating at the gambling tables. However, they quickly find out that this is easier said than done, because Vegas is very different from what they expected...
Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
September 11, 2014
Interesting read. I picked this up quite spontaneously based on the back cover review and cover pix. I read about 1/3rd of it thinking....hmmmm I wonder where this is going and then boom.....the excitement began to grow and I was pulled into the story making it a page turner. Couldn't put it down until finished. Final 1/3 of the book was fascinating and would love to read more. Some may see this as a standard family story; dad leaves family to raise son as single mom; son tries to make it on his own, learns his father's background and away we go. Tying the location to Hurricane Katrina was ok, but not "kinda" was oh, oh, another thing to blame on that force of nature! All in all, good read....great beach read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews