The Captain’s Log – spellslinger (Sebastien de Castell)

Ahoy there me mateys!  The crew has been readin’ and reviewin’ this series like crazy.  I have been meaning to check out both it and the author’s work for a while.  So when I couldn’t think of what to read, I thought I would take a page out of Kate @ booksaremyfavouriteandbest’s tips and use Kindle samples to find me next book.  I picked a sample of this as me first choice and liked it so much that I immediately bought it and read it.

This story follows Kellen, a young man whose magic hasn’t manifested yet.  But his 16 birthday is fast approaching and he must find a way to spark his magic or join the servant caste.  So when Kellen tries to win his first of four duels with a con, he sets in motion a mess that changes the very understanding of his society and his place in it.

I loved the magic system.  I adored the traveler, Ferius Parfax (isn’t that a great name?).  I loved the snarky “demons.”  I liked many of the crazy plot twists.  While I don’t think this book has a ton of reread potential, this was an outright fun read.  And I will be picking up more of the series.  Arrr!

Side note:  Matey Kate may have created a monster by introducing me to Kindle samples!

Goodreads has this to say about the novel:

There are three things that earn you a man’s name among the Jan’Tep. The first is to demonstrate the strength to defend your family. The second is to prove you can perform the high magic that defines our people. The third is simply to reach the age of sixteen. I was a few weeks shy of my birthday when I learned that I wouldn’t be doing any of those things.

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…

To visit the author’s website go to:

Sebastien de Castell – Author

To buy the book go to:

spellslinger – Book

To add to Goodreads go to:

Yer Ports for Plunder List