Name: Hard magic
ISBN: 9781439134344

Larry Correia

Hard magic

Todd Luallen

This book is surprisingly good. I know you're not supposed to judge a book by it's cover, but I couldn't help it with this one. The cover reminded me of the "choose your own adventure" novels from the 80's, so I was hesitant to start this one. But some of the reviews convinced me to give it a chance. I'm glad I did. The magic in this book is really fun, and I thoroughly enjoyed the fight sequences that Correia presented. In fact, I would say the action sequences were some of the longest I've read, and with just the right amount of detail. Correia has a way of describing the action that really gives the reader a sense of the battle field. I'll definitely be moving on with the Grimnoir Chronicles. 

One side note, the book does have foul language - not a lot, probably 10-20 words in total. But you'll read (or hear, as I did) all the regular 4-letter culprits sprinkled here or there - usually for dramatic effect. This book has very little sexual content, aside from reading that two people woke up next to each other. A good deal of action based carnage is described, but I wouldn't say it is gratuitous.

#1 in the hard-hitting Grimnoir Chronicles by the New York Times best-selling creator of Monster Hunter International. Jake Sullivan is hardboiled private eye at war with evil magical powers in a dark and gritty urban fantasy that’s a cross between the The Maltese Falcon and Twilight. Twilight meets The Maltese Falcon in the first entry of the hard-hitting Grimnoir Chronicles urban fantasy saga by the New York Times best-selling creator of Monster Hunter International. Magical creeps dispatched in heaps! Jake Sullivan is a war vet, a licensed private eye, and the possessor of a seriously hardboiled attitude. He also happens to have the magical ability to make anything in his vicinity light as a feather or as heavy as depleted uranium. While a range of enemies natural and supernatural wants him deep-sixed, Jake likes living, and his days in the trenches and his stint in the stir for manslaughter have only made him harder, leaner and meaner. The first entry in the new, hard-hitting Grimnoir Chronicles by the Larry Corriea, breakout best-selling author of Monster Hunter International. About Larry Correia’s Monster Hunter series “[A] no-holds-barred all-out page turner that is part science fiction, part horror, and an absolute blast to read.” –Bookreporter.com “If you love monsters and action, you’ll love this book. If you love guns, you’ll love this book. If you love fantasy, and especially horror fantasy, you’ll love this book.” –Knotclan.com “A gun person who likes science fiction—or, heck, anyone who likes science fiction—will enjoy [these books]…The plotting is excellent, and Correia makes you care about the characters…I read both books without putting them down except for work…so whaddaya waitin’ for? Go and buy some…for yourself and for stocking stuffers.” –Massad Ayoob About Larry Correia’s Monster Hunter Vendetta: “This lighthearted, testosterone-soaked sequel to 2009's Monster Hunter International will delight fans of action horror with elaborate weaponry, hand-to-hand combat, disgusting monsters, and an endless stream of blood and body parts.” –Publishers Weekly

Hard Magic

Thiago Margarida

Review published at Doctor Corgi

This is a mix of Urban Fantasy, Steampunk, Alternate History and Science Fiction, with a bit of Dark Fantasy too. Here, the magic is called Power, and everyone has one kind: alter gravity, healing, teleport, control the weather, just to name a few. Jake Sullivan, our hero (not that he really wants to be one), is a Heavy, being able to control the pull and intensity of gravity. He's a really good one, knowing more about the Power than almost anyone.

I liked that the characters are varied, with different Powers and personalities, each one being part of the plot and connected to each one in ways that you can't imagine. The plot is very good too, and although you can read this first volume as some sort of stand alone, you'll finish it wanting more and being anxious to know more about that thing that I can't say because its spoiler.

This book is full of surprises that make you like it even more at every page read. Several nights I went to sleep late because I didn't want to stop reading, and the pacing just keep speeding up, with more twists and cool things happening and being revealed all the time.