Soulbinder - Sebastien de Castell

Paperback, 400 pages

Published October 4th 2018 by Hot Key Books

Series: Spellslinger #4

YA Fantasy

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My Thoughts

I did like the book, but at the same time, I do not know, I feel that it is starting to drag on, It could well have been a trilogy, but at least 2 more books are coming. I just want to know if there is a cure for the shadowblack! And the next one does sound thrilling, he is gonna kill a queen!

Kellen goes to find some monks that can cure him....and I can not say a lot cos spoilers!

They are light and easy to read. Fun adventures. And I did like that he was on his own, but Recihis was not with him! This was horrible, that squirrelcat brings all the wit and makes the books fun.

Ugh, I am not good at writing today. I need to sleep.

What conclusion had a reached? Yes, this series could have been shorter. Less hijinks, more something real. But they are still fun.

Blurb

Kellen and his murderous squirrel cat, Reichis, are on their own. They've heard rumour of a mythical monastery, known as the Ebony Abbey. It's a place that outsiders can never find - but Kellen is getting desperate. He's been told that the monks inside the Ebony Abbey know more about the Shadowblack than anyone else - and that they even know how to cure it.

Then Kellen and Reichis are separated and for the first time, Kellen must face the world alone - and venture deeper into shadow magic than he ever knew he could.

Charmcaster - Sebastien de Castell

Paperback, 417 pages

Published October 4th 2018 by Hot Key Books (first published May 7th 2018)

Series: Spellslinger #3

YA / Fantasy

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My Thoughts.

I shall manage to make a review short! I shall!

Kellen is still running from his country and the price on his head. He meets an old friend. He goes with Ferius to a new country. They are still following the lead from the bad guys in the previous books.

More books are coming and to be honest, I want to know about the shadowblack! Is he gonna go bad? I wish we would get more about that.

Still they are light, amusing and short. Win win.

Conclusion:

Fun YA fantasy in an interesting world

Synopsis

Kellen has begun to master his spellslinging and the Argosi tricks for staying alive, and he and Reichis have found a career that suits them both: taking down mercenary mages who make people's lives miserable. But Ferius is concerned that Kellen is courting disaster . . .

Shadowblack - Sebastien de Castell

It's a few months since Kellen left his people behind. Now aged sixteen, Kellen is an outlaw, relying on his wits to keep him alive in the land of the Seven Sands. He misses home, he misses family and more than anything, he misses Nephenia, the girl he left behind. 

Then he meets Seneira, a blindfolded girl who isn't blind, and who carries a secret that's all too familiar to Kellen. Kellen and Ferius resolve to help - but the stakes are far higher than they realise. A Shadowblack plague is taking hold - and Kellen can't help but suspect his own people may even be behind it. 

Paperback, 368 pages
Expected publication: May 17th 2018 by Hot Key Books (first published October 5th 2017)
Spellslinger #2
Fantasy / YA
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My thoughts.

The plague seems to be spreading, or is it?

I do like Kellen, he is a mess. He is not perfect, he is not a great mage, he is, well normal! And he is trying and getting better at what he does. Luckily he has the best sidekick ever to help him. I do adore Reichis, the best squirrelcat in the world. And he does love to talk about eating eyeballs, my cutie.

I am not feeling very reviewer like today. I am listening to an audiobook when I should concentrate...say something smart...smart...smart...sigh, my brain can not focus.

Right! People are hunting Kellen cos he has the shadowblack and must die.

He comes to a town to solve a mystery. 

Ack, I can't write something smart.

I liked the book, though it was not as good as book 1. That one was light and fun. This one was still light, but at the same time a bit more serious.

Conclusion:'

I look forward to more

Spellslinger - Sebastien de Castell

There are three things that earn you a man’s name among the Jan’Tep. The first is to demonstrate the strength to defend your family. The second is to prove you can perform the high magic that defines our people. The third is simply to reach the age of sixteen. I was a few weeks shy of my birthday when I learned that I wouldn’t be doing any of those things.

Magic is a con game. 

Kellen is moments away from facing his first mage's duel and the start of four trials that will make him a spellcaster. There's just one problem: his magic is gone. As his sixteenth birthday approaches, Kellen falls back on his cunning in a bid to avoid total disgrace. But when a daring stranger arrives in town, she challenges Kellen to take a different path. Ferius Parfax is one of the mysterious Argosi - a traveller who lives by her wits and the three decks of cards she carries. She's difficult and unpredictable, but she may be Kellen's only hope... 

Paperback, 400 pages
Published May 4th 2017 by Bonnier
Spellslinger #1
Fantasy YA
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My thoughts

This one has me hooked from the start. Easy, light and fun to read. And that is so what I need when I am busy with Baby S.

Kellen sucks at magic, sad but true. He just can't seem to have enough power and will totally fail his trails. And when you fail, well you end up a servant and your family forgets you. I did not say it was a nice society even if they think they are. They sure look down on those without magic and those who fail. I liked Kellen, and he seemed to notice things others did not.

Then a fascinating stranger shows up, with secrets and a deck of cards. I did not see that coming...but I liked it. Spoilers ;) Ferius was full of secrets but she was kick-ass.  And some sure deserved to get their asses kicked by her.

There are dangers are the prince is dead and a new will be chosen. There are enemies (that deserves to get their asses kicked!). And secrets, gotta love secrets! But most of all it's a light easy book that you will just start reading and not be able to stop.

The book ends with, well it ends, and yes there will be more. But there is no cliffie and I was happy to leave Kel and his world like this. But I totally need more, I need to know what happens! Must read more.

Omg, I did not even talk about the world! Yes, I want more from this world. They live in their little magic town and out there is the frontier with gunslingers and more.

I recommend it