Reviews
The Thorn of Dentonhill by Alexander Lohmann, Linda Budinger, Markus Weber, Marshall Ryan Maresca
mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition
4.0
A straight up adventure fantasy with overtones of [b:The Scarlet Pimpernel|136116|The Scarlet Pimpernel|Emmuska Orczy|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1406764899s/136116.jpg|750426]. Some pretty good concepts but basically a vigilante Dick Grayson mage type versus the evil drug trade. But executed pretty well with decent enough characters and setting. The use of the magic items were done better than typically. Wasn't really a standout read, but definitely readable and enjoyable. 3.5 of 5.
joelalan's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
meliaraastair's review against another edition
5.0
I am so glad I picked this book up.
Veranix is a magic student with a secretive past who is supremely talented with numina (magic) but a pretty terrible student. He, with the help of his friend Kai, have a goal to rid the streets of drugs. So in a vigilante justice sort of way, Veranix sets out at night to find drugs and drug sellers, destroy them, and donate the money he steals back to charities. Meanwhile, the local street gangs aren’t sure whether they are for or against this guy who is so strongly against the major crime lord that they, too, want to protect their people from. After disrupting a magical item hand off and acquiring the items for himself, Veranix needs to figure out who wanted the magical items and what exactly they are.
This book was awesome! I started it earlier this week and had to put it down until the work week was over because I wasn’t getting anything else done. The really bad news…none of my local libraries have any more in this series
Veranix is a magic student with a secretive past who is supremely talented with numina (magic) but a pretty terrible student. He, with the help of his friend Kai, have a goal to rid the streets of drugs. So in a vigilante justice sort of way, Veranix sets out at night to find drugs and drug sellers, destroy them, and donate the money he steals back to charities. Meanwhile, the local street gangs aren’t sure whether they are for or against this guy who is so strongly against the major crime lord that they, too, want to protect their people from. After disrupting a magical item hand off and acquiring the items for himself, Veranix needs to figure out who wanted the magical items and what exactly they are.
This book was awesome! I started it earlier this week and had to put it down until the work week was over because I wasn’t getting anything else done. The really bad news…none of my local libraries have any more in this series
powder_and_page's review against another edition
5.0
Posted on Powder & Page
I decided to pick up the Thorn of Dentonhill after reading Maresca’s second published book, A Murder of Mages. Both titles are set in the city of Maradaine, but the stories do not overlap as they focus of entirely different character in (mostly) different areas of the city. This particular novel is a fantastic mash-up of the Name of the Wind, the Lies of Locke Lamora, and the Dresden Files. These happen to be three of my favorite books, so I absolutely loved reading the about Veranix Calbert, who is the Thorn by night and a magic student at the University of Maradaine by day.
I liked Veranix quite a lot- he had honorable intentions and actually knew how to get himself out of a scrap without relying on anyone to rescue him. He has a solid friendship with Kaiana and Delmin, who he relies on to get him out of other uncomfortable situations, like knife wounds to the shoulder and being caught out after curfew. His past starts out as somewhat mysterious, but the reader is eventually let in on it and we begin to understand why Veranix is provoking big-time gang bosses by trashing their drug pick-ups and making off with magical items. Okay, well the magical item thing seems to have been a onetime affair, but the drugs busts(?) are a regular thing. I’m going to try not to go around spoiling things willy-nilly, so you’re just going to have to go buy the book to find out what I’m talking about.
I enjoyed learning more about Maradaine in this novel- the cities neighborhoods have all sorts of subtle differences. The descriptions of the gangs and their allegiances/politics were also really cool to read about and I was very fond of the Rose Street Princes. Maresca is slowly building a richly detailed portrait of Maradaine by focusing on different neighborhoods and castes of characters in each of his books. I am very curious to see what he will write about the locals in North Maradaine, where the more affluent are said to live.
In short, Maresca has wrought an exceedingly fine story with a vibrant setting and multi-layered characters. He is on my list of auto-buy authors now and I dearly wish his books came in hardcover. The cover art is great, and I prefer hardcover copies of my very favorite books. Go buy this because reading it is totally worth your time!
I decided to pick up the Thorn of Dentonhill after reading Maresca’s second published book, A Murder of Mages. Both titles are set in the city of Maradaine, but the stories do not overlap as they focus of entirely different character in (mostly) different areas of the city. This particular novel is a fantastic mash-up of the Name of the Wind, the Lies of Locke Lamora, and the Dresden Files. These happen to be three of my favorite books, so I absolutely loved reading the about Veranix Calbert, who is the Thorn by night and a magic student at the University of Maradaine by day.
I liked Veranix quite a lot- he had honorable intentions and actually knew how to get himself out of a scrap without relying on anyone to rescue him. He has a solid friendship with Kaiana and Delmin, who he relies on to get him out of other uncomfortable situations, like knife wounds to the shoulder and being caught out after curfew. His past starts out as somewhat mysterious, but the reader is eventually let in on it and we begin to understand why Veranix is provoking big-time gang bosses by trashing their drug pick-ups and making off with magical items. Okay, well the magical item thing seems to have been a onetime affair, but the drugs busts(?) are a regular thing. I’m going to try not to go around spoiling things willy-nilly, so you’re just going to have to go buy the book to find out what I’m talking about.
I enjoyed learning more about Maradaine in this novel- the cities neighborhoods have all sorts of subtle differences. The descriptions of the gangs and their allegiances/politics were also really cool to read about and I was very fond of the Rose Street Princes. Maresca is slowly building a richly detailed portrait of Maradaine by focusing on different neighborhoods and castes of characters in each of his books. I am very curious to see what he will write about the locals in North Maradaine, where the more affluent are said to live.
In short, Maresca has wrought an exceedingly fine story with a vibrant setting and multi-layered characters. He is on my list of auto-buy authors now and I dearly wish his books came in hardcover. The cover art is great, and I prefer hardcover copies of my very favorite books. Go buy this because reading it is totally worth your time!
rachelini's review against another edition
3.0
This series is set in the same world as the Murder of Mages (or possibly the other way around - I think this was first). I always enjoy that, seeing another side of a world an author has created. And this was fun, and maybe more my thing.
I will say, though, it was so clearly written by a man, because there were no women anywhere in the story, not even in passing, I don't think, except for the one friend of the main character (who had the requisite "we have to pretend to be making out so there's a reason why you're in my room" scene, of course). None of the university students or professors were women, none of the mages, none of the street gang members. And not only that, it wasn't even commented on, nothing about how only men get to go to the university blah blah blah. It was just noticeable.
I will say, though, it was so clearly written by a man, because there were no women anywhere in the story, not even in passing, I don't think, except for the one friend of the main character (who had the requisite "we have to pretend to be making out so there's a reason why you're in my room" scene, of course). None of the university students or professors were women, none of the mages, none of the street gang members. And not only that, it wasn't even commented on, nothing about how only men get to go to the university blah blah blah. It was just noticeable.
fbone's review against another edition
3.0
This was enjoyable but not outstanding or special in any way. Main character was too stupid at times. Frustrating too. Not much happened in a 350-page book and only 11 more books in the series! The salty language did produce a chuckle from me.
tddrdfrd's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
appalonia's review against another edition
Unfortunately I just couldn't connect to the characters in this book.