joelalan's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
powder_and_page's review against another edition
5.0
The Original review is posted on my blog --> www.powderandpage.wordpress.com
I found this gem while browsing NetGalley for interesting books to request and I decided that this one sounded pretty interesting. I basically start out by looking in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy sections and scan for cool titles or cover art and then I’ll read further about any books that have caught my eye. This particular book had a cover that was dark and appealing and the title was intriguing to boot. I thought perhaps the title was a play on the saying ‘a murder of crows’. I was, however, somewhat surprised to find that it was literally about the mysterious murder of a multitude of mages. How’s that for alliteration?
The story immediately drew me with a well done introduction in and by the second chapter I was hooked. Satrine Rainey, former intelligence agent and wife of a disabled Inspector, tricks her way into an Inspector’s vest in order to provide for her family and is partnered with Minox Wellings. Inspector Wellings has never been able to keep a partner for more than a week and has 25 cases that he considers “unresolved”. These two misfits make a fantastic pair their dialogue throughout the book felt very natural.
The murder-mystery aspect of this book was incredibly interesting and the identity of the killer was in question up until the end of the book. I had some suspicions throughout the book, directed at several more minor characters, but the reveal was certainly shocking. There was never a dull moment and I could have read this book in one sitting if I’d had that kind of free time. Maresca has written a fine story and I’m looking forward to reading the sequel when it is published.
Without hesitations, I would say that A Murder of Mages deserves 5 out of 5 stars!!! I was so pleased with the quality of the writing, the plot and the characters. I did receive this copy of the book from NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW for review purposes before the release date, which is July 7th 2015. This book is available in eBook and Paperback copies. One thing I would like to point out about the eGalley copy I received is the crazy formatting. There were many instances of random capital letters and incorrect lowercase letters throughout my copy, which will hopefully be corrected in the final version that will be for sale.
I found this gem while browsing NetGalley for interesting books to request and I decided that this one sounded pretty interesting. I basically start out by looking in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy sections and scan for cool titles or cover art and then I’ll read further about any books that have caught my eye. This particular book had a cover that was dark and appealing and the title was intriguing to boot. I thought perhaps the title was a play on the saying ‘a murder of crows’. I was, however, somewhat surprised to find that it was literally about the mysterious murder of a multitude of mages. How’s that for alliteration?
The story immediately drew me with a well done introduction in and by the second chapter I was hooked. Satrine Rainey, former intelligence agent and wife of a disabled Inspector, tricks her way into an Inspector’s vest in order to provide for her family and is partnered with Minox Wellings. Inspector Wellings has never been able to keep a partner for more than a week and has 25 cases that he considers “unresolved”. These two misfits make a fantastic pair their dialogue throughout the book felt very natural.
The murder-mystery aspect of this book was incredibly interesting and the identity of the killer was in question up until the end of the book. I had some suspicions throughout the book, directed at several more minor characters, but the reveal was certainly shocking. There was never a dull moment and I could have read this book in one sitting if I’d had that kind of free time. Maresca has written a fine story and I’m looking forward to reading the sequel when it is published.
Without hesitations, I would say that A Murder of Mages deserves 5 out of 5 stars!!! I was so pleased with the quality of the writing, the plot and the characters. I did receive this copy of the book from NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW for review purposes before the release date, which is July 7th 2015. This book is available in eBook and Paperback copies. One thing I would like to point out about the eGalley copy I received is the crazy formatting. There were many instances of random capital letters and incorrect lowercase letters throughout my copy, which will hopefully be corrected in the final version that will be for sale.
rachelini's review against another edition
3.0
I bought this for my dad because it seemed like something he'd really like (police constabulary crossed with magic), and he did! I enjoyed it too.
book_hoarding_dragon's review against another edition
4.0
This series follows Satrine Rainey and Minox Welling. Satrin is a former street urchin and ex-spy. After her husband was injured on the job and is in a bedridden state, Satrine hatches a plan to forge (literally) her way into the role of Constabulary Inspector. She is partnered to Minox Welling who is an uncircled mage. Minox at first kind of reminds me of a magical Sherlock Holmes with his use of deductive reasoning.
So, the first case that these two work together are the murder (dare I say "ritual") of Circled mages. The story follows as Satrine grapples with being re-introduced to her old stomping grounds and coming to grips with a catatonic husband and re-joining the work force. Minox is aware that Satrine is hiding something but he has bigger worries with mage politics and trying to find the killer who knows quite a bit about Minox being an uncircled mage.
I like the characters and the story was interesting in itself. I'm quite interested in the mage circles and would like to see that explored a bit more. At the end, the motivation of the killer was not that surprising, but I like how there was not leap of logic that sometimes occurs in these type of stories. I would recommend this book. I'm going to read the sequel and some of the other series set in this world.
So, the first case that these two work together are the murder (dare I say "ritual") of Circled mages. The story follows as Satrine grapples with being re-introduced to her old stomping grounds and coming to grips with a catatonic husband and re-joining the work force. Minox is aware that Satrine is hiding something but he has bigger worries with mage politics and trying to find the killer who knows quite a bit about Minox being an uncircled mage.
I like the characters and the story was interesting in itself. I'm quite interested in the mage circles and would like to see that explored a bit more. At the end, the motivation of the killer was not that surprising, but I like how there was not leap of logic that sometimes occurs in these type of stories. I would recommend this book. I'm going to read the sequel and some of the other series set in this world.
lyndiane's review against another edition
5.0
Having read and thoroughly enjoyed Thorn of Dentonhill, it was a foregone conclusion that I would follow it with A Murder of Mages.
The story is so much more than the sequel I was anticipating. Clearly aimed at older readers, A Murder of Mages is filled with secrets, complex plots and bizarre murders. Marshall Ryan Maresca skillfully interweaves connecting threads to the Thorn of Dentonhill, without creating any dependency on the plot.
Credible relationships are essential to well-written stories, and A Murder of Mages does not disappoint. Loss, despair, doubt, uncertainty and loyalty culminate in the beginning of a new hope for the two main characters.
I am certainly looking forward to future works by this remarkable writer!
The story is so much more than the sequel I was anticipating. Clearly aimed at older readers, A Murder of Mages is filled with secrets, complex plots and bizarre murders. Marshall Ryan Maresca skillfully interweaves connecting threads to the Thorn of Dentonhill, without creating any dependency on the plot.
Credible relationships are essential to well-written stories, and A Murder of Mages does not disappoint. Loss, despair, doubt, uncertainty and loyalty culminate in the beginning of a new hope for the two main characters.
I am certainly looking forward to future works by this remarkable writer!
iloivar's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
hazelsf's review against another edition
4.0
A magical urban crime fantasy with a female lead and curious partner detective! I really enjoyed this book, I loved the kickass Satrine and the not very good with people, Minox, I enjoyed the mystery that surrounded the circled and uncircled mages. I look forward to learning more about the magic in the second book. The murder crime investigation was interesting but what really made the book for me were the characters of Satrine and Minox, I hope to see new interesting characters in book 2!
martin42's review against another edition
5.0
Great book! I really enjoy Minox and the twist about the case was really excellent!
Reading it after the first book it also is really nice knowing more about certain topics than the characters beeing able to theorize really well. On some passages it is drawing long a bit. (Almost 500 pages for 2 days)
Reading it after the first book it also is really nice knowing more about certain topics than the characters beeing able to theorize really well. On some passages it is drawing long a bit. (Almost 500 pages for 2 days)
karensj's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Liked it well enough to read the next. A few authorial choices irritated me. Maybe they’ll get better as the author matures? There were scenes that he clearly loved for being clever or dramatic, but they didn’t always flow. Felt like good examples of when the ‘kill your darlings’ advice should have been applied. A major world building point is that ‘uncircled’ mages exist and are very irritating to trained mages, yet there’s no standard way to deal with them? Other than getting angry? The main character Minox is one and is both using and ignoring his abilities while doing absolutely no research into it, which is contrary to his character. The author is clearly setting up to explore it, so has left his character in the dark. Minor irritation: People ‘smirk’ too often and not always appropriately.