Meet New Books
Meet New Books
Book Cover

Spellslinger

Book 1 in the series:Spellslinger

Save:
Find on Amazon

'Spellslinger' by Sebastien de Castell follows the story of Kellen, a young boy facing his first mage's trial in a society where magic is everything. Despite his lack of magical ability, Kellen relies on his wit to navigate a world of trickery and lies. When a card slinger named Ferius Parfax enters his life, along with a peculiar squirrel cat only he can understand, Kellen's perspective on his society and his own future is challenged. The book delves into themes of family, politics, and self-discovery as Kellen embarks on a journey of uncovering secrets and questioning his beliefs.

The writing style in 'Spellslinger' is described as engaging, witty, and fast-paced, with vivid characterizations and character developments. The plot unfolds with a mix of humor, intrigue, and moral dilemmas, making it a compelling read for fans of young adult fantasy.

Characters:

Characters are diverse and well-developed, especially Kellen and Ferius, contributing to the emotional impact of the narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is witty and engaging, combining clever dialogue with a fast-paced narrative that keeps readers invested.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on Kellen's struggle against societal expectations as he faces mage exams without possessing significant magic, using wit instead.

Setting:

The setting is a richly imagined fantasy world that explores themes of power and class through a magical lens.

Pacing:

Pacing is initially slow but picks up significantly, successfully balancing action and character exploration.
The old man dealt me an ace. Again. I picked it up only to let it fall face up next to the other ace and two jacks in front of me. One edge of the card landed on top a crumb of mouldy, dried-up bread ...

Notes:

The main character, Kellen, is not very good at magic but uses cleverness and wits to navigate his challenges.
Kellen lives in a society where magic is highly valued, and those without it are seen as powerless or enslaved.
He has a pet-like companion called Reichis, who is a sassy squirrel cat.
The story features a strong female character, Ferius Parfax, who helps Kellen discover his true potential.
The series includes six main books and additional short stories.
The writing style is witty and engaging, making it enjoyable for both younger and older readers.
The author, Sebastien de Castell, has a reputation for creating vivid characters and interesting magical systems.
The series balances humor with darker themes, including ethics and personal growth.
Kellen's adventures challenge traditional fantasy tropes by focusing on a character who is not 'the chosen one'.
The books are described as fast-paced but with enough depth to explore character development.

From The Publisher:

A would-be mage with no magic of his own has to defeat powerful enemies with only cunning and deception in the first book of an exciting adventure fantasy series from Sebastien de Castell.

Kellen is moments away from facing his first duel and proving his worth as a spellcaster. There's just one problem: his magic is fading.

Facing exile unless he can pass the mage trials, Kellen is willing to risk everything - even his own life - in search of a way to restore his magic. But when the enigmatic Ferius Parfax arrives in town, she challenges him to take a different path.

One of the elusive Argosi, Ferius is a traveller who lives by her wits and the cards she carries. Daring, unpredictable, and wielding magic Kellen has never seen before, she may be his only hope.

The first novel in a compelling six-book series, bursting with tricks, humor, and a whole new way to look at magic.

Spellslinger SeriesSpellslingerShadowblackCharmcaster

For more from Sebastien de Castell, check out:

The Greatcoats QuartetTraitor's BladeSaint's BloodKnight's ShadowTyrant's Throne

Ratings (10)

Incredible (4)
Loved It (3)
Liked It (1)
It Was OK (1)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (26):

Read It (10)
Want To Read (16)

1 comment(s)

Incredible
2 months

Amaze-balls. Just...amazing. I loved it so much. The only thing I didn't like was that it was a fast read and I couldn't put it down, so I whipped through it.

 

About the Author:

Sebastien de Castell is the author of the acclaimed swashbuckling fantasy series, The Greatcoats and the Carnegie Medal-nominated Spellslinger. His debut novel, Traitor's Blade, was shortlisted for both the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fantasy and the Gemmell Morningstar Award, the Prix Imaginales for Best Foreign Work, and the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. He spends his time writing, traveling, and going on adventures. Visit him at www.decastell.com.

 
Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.