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A review by ruzgofdi
Geekomancy by Michael R. Underwood
5.0
Let me explain about this book. No, there is too much. Let me sum up. This is a book where when characters are being introduced in the first chapter, the reader is given a six attribute and character class stat block before we're given a description of their appearance. This is a book where a character will stop using strings of fictional/foreign language cursing and use modern English profanity to let you know that he has actually reach a stage of serious anger. This is a book that will have characters quote well known lines from films, and not explain the subtext of the line because the reader does/should know it, but still kind of gives the idea for those that may not be in the know. This is a book that slips a fourth wall break into the climax, and gets away with it.
Is the book perfect? I'll say that I had some problems with it. Early on, the setting feels a little fictional. Okay, yeah, fiction book. Duh. But I mean, you start off so deep in the geeky culture that the city feels more like a group of nerds came over the hill and said "Yes, this is a fertile land and we will thrive" as opposed to a city being built and then culture developing there. Also, the mystic rules are a little vague. They start off with collector's items as spell components that get used up, but then watching videos will give power without destroying dvds, and then we're back to vulgar magick destroying trading cards out of a person's hand as effects go off. It works in a "the main character is being handed a max level toon and being asked to join a raid" kind of way. It should be a little confusing because our main character is new to magic, but my inner rules lawyer is hoping that if the series continues we get a better sense of how things work. And if I have to be honest, if you're paying close enough attention, one of the book's events is telegraphed early on because of the way geeky references are used.
Now, even with all that, I really enjoyed this book. What for me was its saving grace was its sense of humor. I've highlighted books in the past to help me study things for school. I've never highlighted sections of a book I've read for pleasure just because I wanted to remember that segment before this one. The author redeems a different book series that I wil never read because of my low opinion of those books by offering an explanation for why those books exist that makes them awesome. A "we're all thinking it, but we don't always say it" truth about steampunk cosplay is pointed out in regards to one character's prefered method of defense. There are several times where the thoughts running through the main character's head would pop up in such a way that it felt like it would be an onscreen text blurb that would pop up in a film like Scott Pilgrim or a Family Guy cut away joke. It's this that made me take my early problems and go "this is an entertaining book, I should really just relax".
Of the books I've read this year, this is definitely one where I hope there are more installments to come.
Is the book perfect? I'll say that I had some problems with it. Early on, the setting feels a little fictional. Okay, yeah, fiction book. Duh. But I mean, you start off so deep in the geeky culture that the city feels more like a group of nerds came over the hill and said "Yes, this is a fertile land and we will thrive" as opposed to a city being built and then culture developing there. Also, the mystic rules are a little vague. They start off with collector's items as spell components that get used up, but then watching videos will give power without destroying dvds, and then we're back to vulgar magick destroying trading cards out of a person's hand as effects go off. It works in a "the main character is being handed a max level toon and being asked to join a raid" kind of way. It should be a little confusing because our main character is new to magic, but my inner rules lawyer is hoping that if the series continues we get a better sense of how things work. And if I have to be honest, if you're paying close enough attention, one of the book's events is telegraphed early on because of the way geeky references are used.
Now, even with all that, I really enjoyed this book. What for me was its saving grace was its sense of humor. I've highlighted books in the past to help me study things for school. I've never highlighted sections of a book I've read for pleasure just because I wanted to remember that segment before this one. The author redeems a different book series that I wil never read because of my low opinion of those books by offering an explanation for why those books exist that makes them awesome. A "we're all thinking it, but we don't always say it" truth about steampunk cosplay is pointed out in regards to one character's prefered method of defense. There are several times where the thoughts running through the main character's head would pop up in such a way that it felt like it would be an onscreen text blurb that would pop up in a film like Scott Pilgrim or a Family Guy cut away joke. It's this that made me take my early problems and go "this is an entertaining book, I should really just relax".
Of the books I've read this year, this is definitely one where I hope there are more installments to come.