Hard Magic

Book I of the Grimnoir Chronicles

By: Larry Correia

Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot

Length: 16 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award, Paranormal, 2012

Jake Sullivan is a licensed private eye with a seriously hardboiled attitude. He also possesses raw magical talent and the ability to make objects in his vicinity light as a feather or as heavy as depleted uranium, all with a magical thought. It's no wonder the G-men turn to Jake when they need someone to go after a suspected killer who has been knocking off banks in a magic-enhanced crime spree.

Problems arise when Jake discovers the bad girl behind the robberies is an old friend, and he happens to know her magic is just as powerful as his. And the Feds have plunged Jake into a secret battle between powerful cartels of magic-users - a cartel whose ruthless leaders have decided that Jake is far too dangerous to live.

©2011 Larry Correia (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

now I'm ready for the next part of the story.

Would you listen to Hard Magic again? Why?

It started off rather disjointed. The characters were introduced in the first several chapters but nothing tied them together. I started losing interest but continued. When the story finally started at was a good story that was hard to put down. I enjoyed it very much. Like the headline says, now Im ready for more.

I did go back and listened to the first few chapters again to pick up what I had missed the first time.

Who was your favorite character and why?

There were many good characters and it is hard to pick a favorite.

What about Bronson Pinchot’s performance did you like?

Though familiar with the actor, he never came through on the story. His voice was excellent and the characterization was perfect. He was the character and the story. Great job

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

After the story got going, it was hard to put down.

Don't pass on this one

I passed on this one several times why? Because of the cover art. I know don't judge a book by its cover but hey we all do it. I really like Larry Correia books. The story and depth of character development is spot on as always. Blood and guts which can be a bit much at times is to be expected. The alternate universe he has created is great. I think one of the things I like the most about these Correia books is lack of graphic sex, nothing worse then picking up a book that has great reviews and then finding out the book stinks, the only reason the book got 4 stars is it was chock full of explicit sex scenes that titillated the reads that could care less that there was no story.
Bronson Pinchot is brilliant with his voices and dialects for each character and his reading in general. Balki Bartokomous from Perfect Strangers has more talent than we knew.
Have book 2, very hard for me not to listen to it but saving it for my vacation to Yosemite. Hope I can hold out.

Come out feeling rather a bit of a Badass

This book is raw and full of thrills. I often finished parts of the book feeling exhilarated.
For those who think this genre is not necessarily for them, I shared the same concern. But I come out feeling no regrets and hope the sequels continue the excitement.

Initially Pinochet's voices made me feel uneasy, especially the Pale horse's (though I guess that's the point). But by the end each voice was so distinctive you just knew who was speaking.

Its a book that blends magic into fighting. Ironically it answered the question I always had with Harry Potter- yes they have magic, but sometimes wouldn't it be easier just to use a gun. Well this book combined both, to make adrenaline filled fight scenes. The world is not necessarily as complex as it could be, but it is well thought out and not difficult to understand considering how fast the plot was moving.

Although quite a few characters stand out, Faye has got to be my favorite. She is so lively and reckless. Her adventurous nature is infectious, and in the end she obtains full badassery.

If you are looking for a fun ride, read this book, now. Like right now.

Alternative history fiction meets Magic

This is a fun book, with interesting takes on were history would have gone if man had developed magic and not technology. The characters are a little thin. But it is action pack and well read and a fun. It is 1st in a set so I can forgive the thinness of some of the characters because I am sure it will develop over time.

Love it

Would you listen to Hard Magic again? Why?

Yes, I had to the kids wanted to listen to it

What was one of the most memorable moments of Hard Magic?

The fight between the two brothers

Have you listened to any of Bronson Pinchot???s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I haven't

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Delila

Any additional comments?

Well thought through

Lots of fun!

Great book -- alternate history with super-powers. Great characters - really fun story. I'm also a big fan of the Dresdin files, but this is completely different. Highly highly recommend.

well played, this could go on for ...

this could lead into more books. well thought out. + well read. thank you.

Took 1/2 the book to get into but worth it

I had such a hard time getting into this book. The narrator made everyone sound like a complete idiot and it really annoyed me for about the first 1/2 of the book. Normally I don't stick with a book that long but I had nothing else to "read" at the time so I powered through the first 1/2. Once all the characters were finally introduced and the story really got rolling, it was an ABSOLUTE BLAST! In the end I loved the book and couldn't wait to pick up the 2nd book in the series (which got off the ground running a lot faster than the first book did). Overall it was totally worth the time it took to get into it. I'd highly recommend it!

Hard to get into but then I couldn't stop listenin

What did you love best about Hard Magic?

The character voices.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Young girl.

Which character – as performed by Bronson Pinchot – was your favorite?

Jake Sullivan

Any additional comments?

At first I didn't like the characters, too many, too flippant, BUT suddenly it all made sense. Lots of twists that are fun. Great for the beach.

Great first book of the series.

I was already a fan of Larry Correia's Monster Hunter International series, and had heard that this trilogy was maybe better. The tone and style is very different than MHI.

This is an "alternate history" story set in the early 1930's of the U.S., in which magic is real for certain people, but each has a limited talent. The use of the talents and the magic system is imaginative and unique. Great, interesting characters in a fun action story.

Bronson Pinchot gives an excellent performance as the reader of the audiobook, providing different voices for the main characters.