Spellslinger
The fantasy novel that keeps you guessing on every page
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4.0 • 4 Ratings
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- €5.99
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- €5.99
Publisher Description
'An intoxicating mix of weird magic and high adventure . . . gripping from the get-go, Spellslinger is a must-read.' Jonathan Stroud, bestselling author of Lockwood & Co.
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...
The first in a rich and compelling fantasy series, from the author of the much-loved Greatcoats series, bursting with tricks, traps and a devious talking squirrel cat.
Perfect for fans of THE DARK TOWER, FIREFLY, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, TERRY PRATCHETT, BEN AARONOVITCH and JIM BUTCHER.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
De Castell (the Greatcoats series) makes some variations on a familiar fantasy theme a young person's struggles to master magical arts in this pleasant, if not innovative, kickoff to a planned six-book series. 15-year-old Kellen of the House of Ken is introduced as he's about to fight his first mage's duel, hampered by his inability to actually perform magic. Kellen's clever con to make his adversary defeat himself is undercut by his younger sister, Shalla, who exposes his trick and almost kills him in the process. His life is saved by Ferrius Parfax, an eccentric stranger from another clan, but Kellen must still deal with political intrigue; the death of his clan's prince triggers an electoral campaign whose results will shape his family's future. Against that tense backdrop, Kellen must also try to find out what is causing other young initiates to lose their ability to cast spells. Though de Castell writes well, the plot and tone have a young adult vibe, especially after Kellen ends up allied with an intelligent non-human creature. Longtime readers of epic fantasy may find this too shallow for their tastes.
