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.

Happiness

For the record, im usually the guy giving 1 star to the books that probably deserved 3.

But this book was just... Satisfying. Not as subtle or intellectual as I usually prefer, but completely and totally satisfying nonetheless. I cant wait to listen to the rest of the series.

What FUN!

Don't be fooled by the cover which really really doesn't convey what's inside. Seriously please don't judge this book by its cover.

This was a surprisingly fun steampunk/alternative history, post-WW2, with the dark noir atmosphere magic/scifi comic book like action. And the enemy is the EVIL Japanese lord which I'd like to object to. However, to be fair I can totally imagine Japan under a dictatorship and become a nation blindingly following him. Unfortunately the author seems to have forgotten to check names so the main evil guy has a name with two last names instead of a first name but I can live with that.

In spite of all the cool gadgets like dirigibles, machine guns and nuke like bombs, I was most attracted to the characters in the book. They are in a way cookie cut superheros but are portrayed in a way you actually see them as people. On the other hand the villans were sort of predictable and boring.

Scenes and setting are definitely and deliberately described and set like a movie. Readers who are comicbook and managa readers will have just imagining the scenes.




*a bit spoiler*:
I also have to say that I found the explanation of the magic talents and how they develop is very interesting. The magic is caused by an entity that actually is alive and like a parasite they symbiotically live off human beings who can take magic power from it. It resides in a realm between life and death and only "very special" people can perceive it. However I would like to reread it to understand it better!

Fun Alternate History, Good Storyline

Just as with his Monster Hunter's books, Correia does a great job here getting me involved with the characters. He makes them seem human and allows you to really involve yourself with them. Pinchot as narrator does a great job with pace and character portrayal, a wonderful production.

Can't wait to listen to the next book in the series.

Fantastic Alternate World Story

I found this book a bit slow to start, but I persevered and and I'm very glad I did.
The characters are appealing and well-delineated, the evil guys are truly evil.
The story is set mostly in post World War I America and the alternate reality resounds very closely to history--both in what was going on and in attitudes of the time.
Many people exhibit different magical characteristics and a maverick "heavy", not so dumb as he looks and sounds, becomes a leading force in the fight against the approaching evil.
The ending took an unexpected turn--clever plotting Mr. Correia!
I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to the next one.

Outstanding!

Found this series after listening to Monster Hunter International (which is amazing). Hard Magic does not disappoint, awesome use of magic and abilities and how it all works and comes together.
The reader is amazing as always and really brings the characters to life.
If you are a fan of MHI you will feel at home here, If not I strongly suggest you give it a try, you will not be disappointed.

Gradual Appreciation

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Would recommend to someone if they are really into fiction and the what if's that are possible in Science Fiction. A history or purely non-fiction reader would probably not enjoy.

What other book might you compare Hard Magic to and why?

Woken Furies. Completely alternate world but similar to earth.

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

Main character. But Delilah has a certain longing which makes her special.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Tendrils of Power

Excellent Listen for Any Sci-Fi/Fantasy Fan

As a fan of sci-fi and fantasy with an interest in early 20th century entertainment style this book piqued my interest. When I saw Bronson Pinchot was narrating I was in.

I was thinking something along the lines of Dick Tracy or Who Framed Roger Rabbit thinking back on Balki Bartokomous in "Perfect Strangers". I was assuming the prototypical gruff Private Investigator and some helpless leggy Dame that makes the narrator hear drum beats every time she walks. His attraction to her getting him in over his head with bad guys.

This story and Bronson Pinchot was SO much more than that. Although the story starts off this way, the plot is much more intricate and Bronson Pinchot's narration isn't silly and whimsical but engaging and incredibly varied between characters. I quickly switched from Roger Rabbit to The Green Mile. Bronson's narration reminds me of Tom Hanks and all of his characters are distinct authentic which is helpful since there are quite a few characters throughout this story.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys...a great story (and can handle a bit of graphic fight scenes).

97 out of 100. It's that good.

I only chose this book because it had such high ratings, and I figured, that all those people can't possible be that wrong. Well, they're not. First let's start off with the narrator, Bronson Pinchot. We all know him as Balki from Perfect Strangers. Okay, throw that out of your head right now, because his narration of this book is perfect. He's fantastic. I can't believe it's him. Other narrators should listen to his narration of this book, so they can say to themselves, "ahh so that's how it's done." The story, and world that it takes place in are original, interesting, intelligent, enjoyable, etc. It's everything a fantasy/sci-fi action novel should be. I'd say it's 50% steam punk, and 50% fantasy. If I had any criticism of this book it would be the lame cover, and title. Hard Magic? You'd think after creating such a rich world and story he could have come up with something like, Tesla's Geo-Tel, or The Imperium Unleashed. But hey, no book is perfect. I'm looking forward to books 2 & 3, and happy to see the Bronson Pinchot will be the narrator.

Must read!

loved it. the quick action and power struggle pulls you in and leaves you routing for the characters.

EPIC DOES NOT EVEN BEGIN TO COVER THIS BOOK.

No joke, I bought this when it showed up in the last BOGO sale -- there was another book in the sale I wanted & nothing else looked interesting so I picked this one purely based on the title.

I WAS NOT PREPARED.

It took me several chapters to even figure out who the main characters were because ALL the characters were so interesting and so fully fleshed out.

And the powers -- HUGE kudos to the author, because they are freaking amazing. I'm often disappointed by super powered folks (magic or superhero type) who don't seem to realize just how much they can really do, if they're creative enough. The author does an incredible job of making what seem like totally mundane powers absolutely terrifying.

The fire starters aren't used for combat at all. The necromancer? Not even a little scary. The teleporter & the guy who can walk through walls? Cripes, I'm going to have nightmares, I can't even begin to tell you.

The twists and turns and outright insanity kept me hooked: got halfway through & reached a battle so epic I was mourning the fact the book was over so quickly, since surely this was the climatic final scene .. NOPE, SIX MORE HOURS.

And it just got better and better. As an avid reader, I've long since become frustrated with being able to predict plot, characters, and twists. None of that here, the whole thing is a wild ride from start to finish.