City of Dark Magic

A Novel

By: Magnus Flyte

Narrated by: Natalie Gold

Length: 13 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Cosmically fast-paced and wildly imaginative, this debut novel is a perfect potion of magic and suspense.

Once a city of enormous wealth and culture, Prague was home to emperors, alchemists, astronomers, and, as it’s whispered, hell portals. When music student Sarah Weston lands a summer job at Prague Castle cataloging Beethoven’s manuscripts, she has no idea how dangerous her life is about to become. Prague is a threshold, Sarah is warned, and it is steeped in blood.

Soon after Sarah arrives, strange things begin to happen. She learns that her mentor, who was working at the castle, may not have committed suicide after all. Could his cryptic notes be warnings? As Sarah parses his clues about Beethoven’s "Immortal Beloved", she manages to get arrested, to have tantric sex in a public fountain, and to discover a time-warping drug. She also catches the attention of a 400-year-old dwarf, the handsome Prince Max, and a powerful US senator with secrets she will do anything to hide.

City of Dark Magic could be called a rom-com paranormal suspense novel - or it could simply be called one of the most entertaining novels of the year.

©2012 Magnus Flyte (P)2012 Penguin Audiobooks

Critic reviews

“This deliciously madcap novel has it all: murder in Prague, time travel, a misanthropic Beethoven, tantric sex, and a dwarf with attitude. I salute you, Magnus Flyte!” (Conan O'Brien)

“The most wickedly enchanting novel I’ve ever read and also the funniest. A Champagne magnum of intrigue and wit, this book sparkles from beginning to end.” (Anne Fortier, bestselling author of Juliet)

“An entertaining mix of magic, mystery and romance, it’s one of the most original novels released this year.” (CNN.com)

Everything but the kitchen sink.

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Perhaps a person who like really "quirky" books.

Has City of Dark Magic turned you off from other books in this genre?

Does this book have a genre? It was like 4 different books combined into one book. Almost like it was written by multiple authors. It was so....busy.There is a fairly weak version of the classic "search for a lost historical object" narrative at the center of this book. The subplots will make your head spin: a cold war spy story, a snarky immortal story, an American abroad story,"whodunnit," alchemy, time travel, and hell portal--just to name a few.

Would you be willing to try another one of Natalie Gold’s performances?

I usually shake my head at reviewers who complain about the performance. Some actors are definitely better than others, but I never believed that a poor performance could actually make a book less enjoyable. Until now. This performer often sounded like a computer generated voice--a robot. In addition, her accents were often so poor that I laughed out loud.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The book was audacious. I saw it through to the end because I just wanted to see what else the author was going to throw at me. In addition, it did all come together at the end--the author accounted for every piece.

Great hopes unfulfilled

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Definitely a better narrator, secondly, maybe I'm a prude but the story became more about a horny unprofessional woman than anything else. Not impressed

What was most disappointing about Magnus Flyte’s story?

There was no magic

How could the performance have been better?

A different, more intelligent sounding, better actress for a narrator

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment over wasting my credits on this book

Any additional comments?

I'd like my credits back

Disappointing

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

be 4-5 stars because it gathers elements to it. But the way it was written, means it has good times and fell back into a pit of monotony background.

What was most disappointing about Magnus Flyte’s story?

The whole story, because the review creates a scenario that is not realized in reading.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Unfortunately Natalie Gold contributes to the book to be a drag. The narrative made by it is not attractive. Not prente the reader's attention, actually contributes to the dispersion. At various times I had to go back because when I realized the story had advanced and I did not know why the characters were in some situations.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I really did not like the story, but there are times when the story got a little interesting, but just that. Moments. In general, the book is not attractive, and the narrative does not help