Publishers Weekly
06/25/2018
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. Agent: Heather Adams, HMA Literary. (July)
From the Publisher
"Told with the conviction of Ursula Le Guin and the dash of Alexandre Dumas"—New Statesman (UK)
"Spellslinger is the start of something truly special. Sebastien de Castell is a master of breakneck pacing, dagger-sharp dialogue, and twists you didn't see coming—and this series has it all."—Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld
"A tremendously fun read full of wit and action."—James Islington, author of The Shadow of What Was Lost
"An intriguing system of magic, wry humor, and a twisting plot make for an entertaining series debut."—Kirkus
"This book is dangerously addictive. It has it all: compelling world-building, breathtaking plot-twists, a page-turning pace, and characters who soon feel like old friends. I can't wait for the next one!"—Melissa Caruso, author of The Tethered Mage
"Exotic, original and gripping from the get-go, Spellslinger is a must-read"—Jonathan Stroud, author of the Lockwood and Co series
"Hugely enjoyable - fast-paced, compassionate, wise and with terrific characters."—Amanda Craig, author of Hearts and Minds
"Written with such obvious joy and brio that it demands to be read."—RJ Barker, author of Age of Assassins
"A fun, fast-moving adventure, with surprising depth and insight."—Hugo Award winning author Jim C. Hines
"A bucket-load of tension is offset with humour, power struggles, lots of magic and some great characters. Fantasy junkies will devour with relish."—Guardian (UK)
"There's room for wit and playfulness amid the high-stakes duels and death matches, and Kellen's career is likely to run and run."—The Observer (UK)
"We can confidently say that de Castell's new series has hit the ground running."—Starburst
Kirkus Reviews
2018-05-28
A young magician who cannot cast magic must prove himself in other ways in the first installment of a new fantasy series from de Castell (Tyrant's Throne, 2017, etc.).Kellen is the oldest child of two powerful magicians in a culture that prizes magic above all. At 16, he needs to prove himself a worthy heir to his family name—but literally everyone Kellen knows can cast more magic than him, including his little sister, Shalla, a magical prodigy. Desperate not to embarrass his family or be relegated to the magicless servant caste, Kellen hones his other skills—trickery, guile, and creativity. But Kellen's attempts to game the system only buy him more trouble...though also an unpredictable ally: a foreigner named Ferius Parfax, who has her own tricks. In turn, this leads the Dowager Magus (widow of the recently departed ruler) to recruit Kellen to spy on Parfax. Kellen's questions, and loyalties, multiply quickly: Who is Parfax, and why is she here? Is his growing friendship and identification with her worth disobeying the woman whose influence is letting him advance in his magical tests? Who will be the new ruler? What dark secrets are being kept from Kellen? This last turns out to be most important, as Kellen learns long-forgotten truths about his society, with the aid of Parfax and a creature his own people believe to be a poisonous demon. All that Kellen believes about his world—and his own family—is called into question, but as old loyalties fall down around his ears, new ones emerge. Will those alliances be strong enough to guide Kellen into the man he can become without magic?An intriguing system of magic, wry humor, and a twisting plot make for an entertaining series debut.
