acarlow6252's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
At first I was unsure of this book. The very first couple of pages I was doubtful that I was like it but the pace started up fairly quickly and then it took off from there. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and it actually makes you stop and think what the world would be like if we had magic suddenly in today’s world.
forsakenfates's review against another edition
4.0
This book starts off with a bang and from there leaves you with so many questions. You are taken on this fantastic journey throughout the book where you meet all these different characters who all connect to the story. I really enjoyed how fast-paced and action-packed this book was. I personally do not read a lot of thriller books, but I definitely enjoyed this one.
Magic is definitely a part of this book, however, it is inserted in a unique way where it is contemporary America where magic is being released to the public. I really liked how different characters responded to the knowledge of magic. It felt very real to me in terms of how people would react if that happened in real life.
Since this is a thriller/action novel, the writing was not the best and very much telling instead of showing. So definitely do not go into this story expecting amazing writing or fleshed-out characters. I read this book for the story and the plot and I feel like if you are expecting something beyond that you will be disappointed. I definitely look forward to other books that Zach Fehst writes. He does a great job of telling a unique story and keeping me entertained while doing it.
*Thank you to the publisher for an early copy of this book!*
Magic is definitely a part of this book, however, it is inserted in a unique way where it is contemporary America where magic is being released to the public. I really liked how different characters responded to the knowledge of magic. It felt very real to me in terms of how people would react if that happened in real life.
Since this is a thriller/action novel, the writing was not the best and very much telling instead of showing. So definitely do not go into this story expecting amazing writing or fleshed-out characters. I read this book for the story and the plot and I feel like if you are expecting something beyond that you will be disappointed. I definitely look forward to other books that Zach Fehst writes. He does a great job of telling a unique story and keeping me entertained while doing it.
*Thank you to the publisher for an early copy of this book!*
ar3mis's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
renatasnacks's review against another edition
2.0
omg my coworker just read the summary of this out loud and was like "lol this sounds dumb" and I was like "oh I read that and it was dumb!" and then I went to check my GoodReads review of it but apparently I didn't leave one, perhaps because it was so forgettable?
but I WANT to count it toward my GoodReads challenge dang it!!! I did NOT DNF it despite thinking about it several times. I kept hoping for some kind of redemptive twist that never came. like I'm such a sucker for this variety of urban magic/crimes book but this one was like.........dumb. More like Jack Reacher or whatever than like Holly Black and obviously I want Holly Black.
but I WANT to count it toward my GoodReads challenge dang it!!! I did NOT DNF it despite thinking about it several times. I kept hoping for some kind of redemptive twist that never came. like I'm such a sucker for this variety of urban magic/crimes book but this one was like.........dumb. More like Jack Reacher or whatever than like Holly Black and obviously I want Holly Black.
Spoiler
I was mildly interested in the small twist in the literal last page but not enough to read the sequel if one comestonya_with_an_o's review against another edition
3.0
Review copy provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest opinion.
Ben Zolstra is just living his life post CIA when his old boss shows up and tells him they need him to help contain the biggest threat the world has ever known, magic. Ben is extremely skeptical until he sees a video featuring Eila Mack performing a spell. Ben and Eila, along with a disgraced professor, must race around the globe to try and contain the threat. I enjoyed this book. I wasn't totally invested in any of the characters but the action kept the story going. 3 stars.
Ben Zolstra is just living his life post CIA when his old boss shows up and tells him they need him to help contain the biggest threat the world has ever known, magic. Ben is extremely skeptical until he sees a video featuring Eila Mack performing a spell. Ben and Eila, along with a disgraced professor, must race around the globe to try and contain the threat. I enjoyed this book. I wasn't totally invested in any of the characters but the action kept the story going. 3 stars.
kristinajean's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun thriller!
Magic, intrigue, action, and a secret history. A solid and memorable read.
Magic, intrigue, action, and a secret history. A solid and memorable read.
tyrshand's review against another edition
3.0
Eh, this is an excellent example of why I shouldn't read thrillers. To me, it seems like they are so focused on action that they don't flesh out the random cool ideas that ought to be the backbone of the plot. So, we have things like researchers who come up with some pretty wild conclusions but never explain how they got there since it would be IMPOSSIBLE. Why yes, somehow I deduced all this stuff about prehistory with no artifacts or anything... Or later on when our hero uses the knowledge of TWO spells to somehow correctly extrapolate to completely unrelated spells... and then just keep rambling on into "cool idea" territory with even less evidence. It drives me nuts. Or the way that one of the major villains is just so ridiculous. Yeah, stories about villains whose pride or whatever gets in the way of their victory can be quite satisfying. But only if they seem competent in the first place.
Anyway, I'm going to stop ranting and just say three stars because I think people who DO like thrillers probably won't care about that and can just enjoy the ride.
Anyway, I'm going to stop ranting and just say three stars because I think people who DO like thrillers probably won't care about that and can just enjoy the ride.
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