Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
An Inheritance of Magic by Benedict Jacka Narrator: Will Watt
Series: Stephen Oakwood #1
Published by Ace, Penguin Audio on October 10, 2023
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 336
Length: 10 hours, 42 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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In a world where everything magical is bought up and controlled by the super rich - Stephen Oakwood has inherited a natural talent for magic. Plunged by his father's disappearance into a glittering world of scheming dynasties, warring patriarchs and vicious scions, Stephen must navigate magical high society and learn to control his gifts.
Dangerous enemies await the Oakwood heir, and even more dangerous allies: if Stephen cannot master his magic quickly and learn to distinguish friend from foe, his name may end up on the missing persons list, just like his father.
I am excited to have a new series from Benedict Jacka! I read a bit about the magic on his website before reading the book. It was short reading and gave me a bit more of a foundation for the story.
I like the main character, Stephen, who has some long-time friends but really no safety net in his life. His mother left when he was young and his dad disappeared two years ago about the time he turned 18. He has been practicing his magic but barely has time with his day job, doing laundry, paying bills, and so forth. He has a room and a cat named Hobbes. Stephen really wants a job in Drucraft or a way to pursue his magic full-time.
His dad had encouraged him to practice the magic before he left. Stephen thinks he might have been kidnapped as there was a car who seemed to always be watching and following. Now it seems a car is watching Stephen and eventually a relative he doesn’t know asks him to a party at the family home.
Stephen goes as he wants to learn more about what happened to his mother and father. It turns out the family is very well to do. The main grand-children have everything paid a home, clothes, and magical education at the top schools. Over the course of the book, Stephen learns a lot about his family, why he isn’t part of it, and works on his magic. He has to work hard to find trustworthy people to tell him things he needs to understand.
I enjoyed the process of learning more about the magic and the family as Stephen learned. Some of the things felt just a little like Stephen is a special snowflake but since he got a bad deal on everything else I didn’t mind it. His information and education is hard won.
I loved how far he progressed and the skills he added. I am looking forward to the next book (in about a year!) as there is so much to learn yet. This is often the way with urban fantasy series; the world and characters are developed over the series. I recommend this new series and can’t wait to read more.
Narration:
I have not heard Will Watt previously. He has a large catalog of romance titles, including several I read (not on audio), and some fantasy. I was happy with his performance. His voices for the characters kept me in the story and were comfortable for listening. I listened at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Benedict Jacka
Benedict Jacka became a writer almost by accident, when at nineteen he sat in his school library and started a story in the back of an exercise book. Since then he’s studied philosophy at Cambridge, lived in China, and worked as everything from civil servant to bouncer to teacher before returning to London to take up law.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- C21-Fall
I’m glad you loved this. I’d like to start the series although I can’t at the moment.
yes I loved it and the others I’ve seen review it were very positive as well.
Oh I’ve read and really enjoyed his Alex Versus series I am definitely going to check this out
This isn’t the same world or characters, a whole new series. It’s really good and I loved it.
Interesting mystery about his family background and the disappearance of his parents. Looks like the new series is off to a good start.
I’m so excited to read this book! I loved his previous series. Are there any crossover characters in this one?
This is an author I’ve been meaning to try! Glad to hear his new series is off to a good start!
Cracking review, Anne:)). And I see that you’ve also been linked to Benedict Jacka’s site, too! Thank you for letting me know – it’s always a fuzzy feeling when the author is pleased that you ‘got’ the book…
So long for another book!
I’ve never heard of this author, but Will Watt is a favorite narrator of mine. He does a lot of Amy Daws’ books. Thanks for sharing!