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willrefuge's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it.
Urban Fantasy at its best. I mean, I've only read a half dozen series, and this is only ONE book, but it was a great one. Coe brings the same kind of...feel to magic in this that he does with the Thieftaker books, albeit to a modern setting. Don't get me wrong, there are parts of the plot that seemed a bit short-sighted, characters that were stubborn, things that worked out almost magically (pun intended), but it all blended together very nicely in the end. For the most part, everything that needed explained (magic, terms, magical terms, etc) was. There was an exception or two to this, but minor, and really unimportant to the plot.
And if there really aren't any more Thieftaker books coming, it seems this could be a viable successor. And least, I hope.
Looking forward to the next one. Which... is out. And will be read. By me. Soon.
As usual, I picked it up used. Though in excellent condition.
4.5-4.7 stars.
Urban Fantasy at its best. I mean, I've only read a half dozen series, and this is only ONE book, but it was a great one. Coe brings the same kind of...feel to magic in this that he does with the Thieftaker books, albeit to a modern setting. Don't get me wrong, there are parts of the plot that seemed a bit short-sighted, characters that were stubborn, things that worked out almost magically (pun intended), but it all blended together very nicely in the end. For the most part, everything that needed explained (magic, terms, magical terms, etc) was. There was an exception or two to this, but minor, and really unimportant to the plot.
And if there really aren't any more Thieftaker books coming, it seems this could be a viable successor. And least, I hope.
Looking forward to the next one. Which... is out. And will be read. By me. Soon.
As usual, I picked it up used. Though in excellent condition.
4.5-4.7 stars.
choochewtoy's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
oswallt's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
etoiline's review against another edition
3.0
I had this one for a while before I started reading it, because there were a bunch of other approved ARCs I had to read, etc. Then I finally opened it, and...I wasn't blown away, but I kept reading. The author presents us with our world, just a little removed--magic is real, though most people don't give it much thought. Our protagonist is a weremyste--a wizard all the time, but a crazy, hallucinogenic, more powerful wizard during the three days of the full moon. I felt like this aspect of magic wasn't dealt with all that well--essentially weremystes turn into hermits during the full moon, or they might hurt someone (or themselves). Obviously this isn't good for a career or a relationship, but we really only see one example of how the moon affects Justis. It's a good example, with plenty of magic and peril, but I feel like it could have been explored more. The writing is punchy and the story flows well. The characters aren't terribly well described, but each one does have a personality and represent a diverse swath of humanity. Some squeamish types will note a few gruesome deaths. There's some fun dialogue and a few bits about mental health and medication.
There are plenty of private investigator-types in urban fantasy, and Justis isn't all that different from, say, Harry Dresden in that series' first book. I enjoyed reading this one, but I didn't find it hard to put it down in favor of another game of Spellfall. I do want to know what happens next for Justis and his just-magic-of-normal world, though the author will have to give us another whopper of an antagonist to bring this series up to Dresden's level. If you're craving similar urban fantasy-mystery, give this a shot.
Received as a free digital ARC via Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
There are plenty of private investigator-types in urban fantasy, and Justis isn't all that different from, say, Harry Dresden in that series' first book. I enjoyed reading this one, but I didn't find it hard to put it down in favor of another game of Spellfall. I do want to know what happens next for Justis and his just-magic-of-normal world, though the author will have to give us another whopper of an antagonist to bring this series up to Dresden's level. If you're craving similar urban fantasy-mystery, give this a shot.
Received as a free digital ARC via Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
hazel_reads's review
4.0
I received a copy of this book from Edelweiss for an honest review. I can't say that I've ever read a book with weremysts in it. I liked that it was different. It had a good story line, and I am now a big Justis Fearsson fan. I look forward to more in this series.
rogiercaprino's review
4.0
I like the idea of dectective and P.I. stories but most contemporary or old pulp fiction don't work for me. Add urban fantasy in and i'm ready to go. This hit me just right.
The cover drew me and i had to read it. Justis Fearsson is illustrated in agony on the cover with his vintage Z-ster in the background. That headache is not of the normal kind and only a select few have to endure every month during the full moon. You see Justis is a weremyste. A practicioner of magic with natural born powers, their power is at full strengh during the full moon but at price. The full moon causes someone to slip from reality , to be disillusioned the sameway with werewolves. This losing of reality are called phasing. Fearsson uses his magic to solve cases but the phasings became to much and had to leave the police force, the same reason his father did. Because his magic is kept a secret the force thinks it was because psychological reasons. Now being a P.I for a few years now a case began again where a politician's daughter was murdered by magic in a similar way other victims where.The poor on the street living youth and sexworkers is a stark contrast.
can fearsson stop the sorcessor
I immediately liked Fearrson the first page. He's doing his best, he might not the strongest using his magic but boy is he resourceful and not a quitter. I love how Coe wrote him. Coe characterised him as stand up guy without being a ' nice guy'.
Fearsson is similar to dresden but without the dresden sexist tendencies and eye fuckery. I love Harry Dresden but you have to admit Butcher writes him in away that is very male gazy when he's around female characters. This is where i'll stop comparing Fearrson to Dresden and only focus on Jay.
We see Jay grow in his magic and as character and I can't wait to see him grow further in the rest of the trilogy. Jay has a great support system in Kona, Namid, Billie and his dad to a lesser extend. His best friend friend and former parter in the force, his magical ghost mentor and what could potentially be his female love interest in the future, respectively.
This is a very grounded urban fantasy. It sparks joy everytime i see that magic has different colors in books. Jay has glimmering Aqua green, it was a treat to imagine when reading.
The magic used through will power, mental images ( elements) and words. Magic users' individual magic glows and has a halo effect on objects and the user.
A Zuni practioner has a large part in the novel. The Zuni ( A'shiwi) are Native American Pueblo peoples native to the Zuni River valley. Namid is Jay ghost mentor and was his father's mentor before him.
Being indiginous myself i pay close attention to how people like and similar to me are portrayed.I'm Lokono and not from the Zuni nation and can't speak for how they portrayed. It appeared respectful to me at least. Jay uses his quick witt to his advantage to deveat his more powerfull enemies but he could never have done it alone without Kona and Namid.
Not only has Coe written an amazingly entertaining book, and proven that urban fantasy doesn't have to have constant profanity & sex scenes. I appreciate the craft in written sex scenes but was shocked after putting the book down having read none. I'm pro sex positivity but being ace is difficult in an allosexual focused world. Spell blind was a pleasure to read and i can't wait to finish the trilogy and to read more about Jay , his adventures and about his close ones.
Stray thoughts
I love how Coe added queer representation with Kona. A bad ass Black lesbian cop and i hope to see more of Margarette and their relationship in the future. I loll'ed internally reading the jay & billie date scenes. Jay was so adorable around her, intrigued and scared how smart she is. She's a reporter.
I often try to imagine KJ Apa ( my favorite actor , Gyllenhaal 2nd ) playing a character after reading a book. I never imagine him as the character when reading. He would be a great Justis, a problem is he's to young. Jay is in his early 30s and KJ is only 22. Who knows what could happen in the future.
The cover drew me and i had to read it. Justis Fearsson is illustrated in agony on the cover with his vintage Z-ster in the background. That headache is not of the normal kind and only a select few have to endure every month during the full moon. You see Justis is a weremyste. A practicioner of magic with natural born powers, their power is at full strengh during the full moon but at price. The full moon causes someone to slip from reality , to be disillusioned the sameway with werewolves. This losing of reality are called phasing. Fearsson uses his magic to solve cases but the phasings became to much and had to leave the police force, the same reason his father did. Because his magic is kept a secret the force thinks it was because psychological reasons. Now being a P.I for a few years now a case began again where a politician's daughter was murdered by magic in a similar way other victims where.The poor on the street living youth and sexworkers is a stark contrast.
can fearsson stop the sorcessor
I immediately liked Fearrson the first page. He's doing his best, he might not the strongest using his magic but boy is he resourceful and not a quitter. I love how Coe wrote him. Coe characterised him as stand up guy without being a ' nice guy'.
Fearsson is similar to dresden but without the dresden sexist tendencies and eye fuckery. I love Harry Dresden but you have to admit Butcher writes him in away that is very male gazy when he's around female characters. This is where i'll stop comparing Fearrson to Dresden and only focus on Jay.
We see Jay grow in his magic and as character and I can't wait to see him grow further in the rest of the trilogy. Jay has a great support system in Kona, Namid, Billie and his dad to a lesser extend. His best friend friend and former parter in the force, his magical ghost mentor and what could potentially be his female love interest in the future, respectively.
This is a very grounded urban fantasy. It sparks joy everytime i see that magic has different colors in books. Jay has glimmering Aqua green, it was a treat to imagine when reading.
The magic used through will power, mental images ( elements) and words. Magic users' individual magic glows and has a halo effect on objects and the user.
A Zuni practioner has a large part in the novel. The Zuni ( A'shiwi) are Native American Pueblo peoples native to the Zuni River valley. Namid is Jay ghost mentor and was his father's mentor before him.
Being indiginous myself i pay close attention to how people like and similar to me are portrayed.I'm Lokono and not from the Zuni nation and can't speak for how they portrayed. It appeared respectful to me at least. Jay uses his quick witt to his advantage to deveat his more powerfull enemies but he could never have done it alone without Kona and Namid.
Not only has Coe written an amazingly entertaining book, and proven that urban fantasy doesn't have to have constant profanity & sex scenes. I appreciate the craft in written sex scenes but was shocked after putting the book down having read none. I'm pro sex positivity but being ace is difficult in an allosexual focused world. Spell blind was a pleasure to read and i can't wait to finish the trilogy and to read more about Jay , his adventures and about his close ones.
Stray thoughts
I love how Coe added queer representation with Kona. A bad ass Black lesbian cop and i hope to see more of Margarette and their relationship in the future. I loll'ed internally reading the jay & billie date scenes. Jay was so adorable around her, intrigued and scared how smart she is. She's a reporter.
I often try to imagine KJ Apa ( my favorite actor , Gyllenhaal 2nd ) playing a character after reading a book. I never imagine him as the character when reading. He would be a great Justis, a problem is he's to young. Jay is in his early 30s and KJ is only 22. Who knows what could happen in the future.
mariaschneider's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
Very good urban fantasy. I've read 3 in this series so far and enjoyed them all. They get better instead of flatter as the series progresses.
jameseckman's review
2.0
An urban fantasy with a character I just found uninteresting, I couldn't finish it. Perhaps I'm a bit OD'ed on this genre.
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