Magic is a con game - mostly. Kellan is running out of time to demonstrate his magical ability, but he understands in theory what most mages overlook. Especially people like Tennant, who would use their magic to cause harm.
I liked Kellan as a character. He is not the strongest of the 'initiates', but he looks out for his two friends and his younger sister .I would be interested to know whether his sister's actions at the end of the chapter are in Kellan's best interests, although he believes they will destroy his dreams. Kellan believes his choices are limited to service work or magic - one of two extremes. I wonder whether he will discover his own strengths, and find a different path through the course of the novel.
The cover and inside illustration remind me of tarot cards, which indicates the novel will be about the fortunes of one young man. I am interested in the 'flip side' of the cover. Why is the animal only featured in one half of the playing card? Will Kellan have to chose between magic and his strength with animals ... a strength which we saw in the first chapter?
The writing is descriptive. A sense of mystery is built through sensory details, and setting. The society appears to be built half on the discipline of classical civilization, and half on the chaos of folk magic. I would be interested to see how the conflict between the two develops.
I would also like to know how the author's past in numerous disciplines feeds into the work, especially his knowledge of archaeology, music and acting.
I liked Kellan as a character. He is not the strongest of the 'initiates', but he looks out for his two friends and his younger sister .I would be interested to know whether his sister's actions at the end of the chapter are in Kellan's best interests, although he believes they will destroy his dreams. Kellan believes his choices are limited to service work or magic - one of two extremes. I wonder whether he will discover his own strengths, and find a different path through the course of the novel.
The cover and inside illustration remind me of tarot cards, which indicates the novel will be about the fortunes of one young man. I am interested in the 'flip side' of the cover. Why is the animal only featured in one half of the playing card? Will Kellan have to chose between magic and his strength with animals ... a strength which we saw in the first chapter?
The writing is descriptive. A sense of mystery is built through sensory details, and setting. The society appears to be built half on the discipline of classical civilization, and half on the chaos of folk magic. I would be interested to see how the conflict between the two develops.
I would also like to know how the author's past in numerous disciplines feeds into the work, especially his knowledge of archaeology, music and acting.