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.

Suprised me how much I liked it.

I usually don't read this genre....magic...monsters...but the reviews of the book / narrator piqued my curiosity. I dove head first into this fun read and am I ever so glad I did. The plot was well thought out and not predictable at all. I particularly enjoyed all the "quotes" from historic people where, in this novel, shows the world we live in's history somewhat altered by the introduction of "Magic" in the late 1800's.

Bronson Pinchot was excellent as the narrator...I hadn't listened to him prior to this but I will be buying the second installment of this series right away and finding others read by him as well.

Speechless!

I haven't read a book this good in a long long time! When an author can make me feel something when I think someone has died after knowing them for only a chapter, I know this guy can write! Excellent story and so well read by Pinchot. Hoping book II is just as good.

another great enjoyable book by Larry Correia!

A great book with an excellent narration from Bronson Pinchot. The only way this could get better is to do an actual audio player with a full cast and sound effects etc.

Great listen!!!

Thoroughly Enjoyed

Where does Hard Magic rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Hard Magic is one of the best books I've listened to this year. I think this is the first Larry Correia book I've ever read, but plan to read more from him.

What three words best describe Bronson Pinchot’s performance?

Three's not enough. I love Bronson Pinchot. He’s a wonderful character actor. I'm not completely sold on him as a narrator. He ends so many sentences with a sort of a lilt...almost like a question. It was a little distracting. Now that I've gotten that off my chest...his accents and voices are superb.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book made me laugh and cry.

Any additional comments?

I would recommend this book to others.

Like a freight train

This books starts off slowly, like a freight train straining to gain momentum. But then builds up speed faster and faster until bowling you over with an exciting, compelling story! Worth every minute. Can't wait for the next one.

Larry Correia is great

Larry just writes some of the best fiction ever! A must have for a story that is completely original.

Very fun series with good character development

Would you listen to Hard Magic again? Why?

Yes, fun enough for a second listen

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

When the teleporters were chasing each other around the zeppelin

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

The country girl

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

When the country girl teleported the zeppelin to safety.

Any additional comments?

I look forward to more books in the series

Wow, a fun ride

I'm shocked at how much I love this book. The author is now in my top five.

Bogarting the Magic

I absolutely love this 30s detective style Noir setting, Exciting and believable characters in a truly amazing world of "what could have been."

Good Book, Incredible Performance

What made the experience of listening to Hard Magic the most enjoyable?

Bronson Pinchot is insanely good at bringing multiple characters to life. He seemlessly swapped out character voices and accents with amazing flexibility. Until listening to this book, I thought Simon Vance was maybe the best reader on this site. Alas, he has been surpassed by the gentleman most famous for the character Balki Bartakomus from Perfect Strangers. I had absolutely no clue that he was so versatile. I am floored by his abilities.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sullivan was my favorite character. He's well-written, silent and surly, and Pinchot really locked onto him--giving him a strong presence.

What about Bronson Pinchot’s performance did you like?

Pinchot's flexibility is immediately apparent as the broad range of his voice moves through different timbres for the different chracters, consistently matched accents, and generally intriguing recitation. I can't imagine the time and work that must have gone into getting such a solid handle on all of the characters to perform them this well. He is a master of this craft.

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

I wouldn't say that this book is particularly moving--but it does keep moving and is difficult to stop once you start. It's good pulpy Sci-Fi Fantasy--well written and expertly performed.