MageSign

By: Alan Baxter

Narrated by: Matt Bentley Allegre

Length: 12 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Three years have passed since Isiah's run-in with Samuel Harrigan and the Devil. He has some time on his hands- a perfect opportunity to track down the Sorcerer, Harrigan's mentor. It should have been a simple enough task, but the Sorcerer has more followers than Isiah ever imagined, and a plan bigger than anyone could have dreamed.

With the help of some powerful new friends, Isiah must track down the Sorcerer and his cult of blood before they change the world forever.

In this long-awaited sequel to the highly acclaimed RealmShift, Baxter once again maintains a breathless pace and blistering intensity, with gods, demons, and humans in the grip of magical conflict. This is dark urban fantasy at its best.

©2010-2014 David Wood- Gryphonwood Press (P)2012 David Wood

Dark & fast-paced with plenty of arsekickery

It's been a couple of years since I read MageSign and it's predecessor RealmShift. They were good enough then to warrant going onto the "Read again at some stage" shelf but, what with the monstrous construct that is my "to read" pile, that seemed sadly unlikely. Happily, we now have the unabridged audio books which have helped me while away many a dull desk jockey moment at work.

This audio book is, not surprisingly, much like the original text (albeit with fewer pages of course) and if you haven't read this or RealmShift yet basically they are two stand alone urban dark fantasy adventures (although enough of the first book is referenced in the second to make it desirable but not essential to read them in order) with a common protagonist, Isiah. Isiah is a powered-up avatar for an entity called The Balance and is in charge of deeds - both fair and foul - to ensure that spiritual balance is maintained in the world. The story features loads of mythology, speculation on the nature of gods (Similar to Terry Pratchett's Small Gods), lots of swears, a good dose of horror and some epic dust-ups all in the name of stopping a fight-club style anarchist group with a horribly dark agenda.

The narrator, Matt Bentley Allegre, initially grated on me a bit with some odd pronunciations (eg 'surrepetitious' is one that kept cropping up) and a slightly over-dramatic start, but he grew on me throughout the narrative once he settled into his stride and quite suited the dark tone of the story. The only really odd thing was Matt's American accent when he was doing dialogue along the lines of 'and he said "something something" in a thick German accent' but this is something that is common to so many audio books that aren't narrated by Robin Williams.

The story (along with RealmShift) is dark, edgy and well worth the price of admission.

Unveiling hidden mysteries

Ah, fellow seekers of the arcane and defenders of the mundane realm, gather 'round, for I have traversed the ethereal corridors of audiobook realms and emerged with a tale of potent magic and perilous intrigue. "MageSign," the second installment in Alan Baxter's Balance series, conjures a tapestry of mystical warfare that left me both awestruck and contemplative, much like a wizard after a night of battling dark forces. Narrated by the skilled Matt Bentley Allegre, this tale is a symphony of voices, weaving together both the familiar and the otherworldly.

Three years have come and gone since the fiery dance with the Devil himself, and Isiah, the formidable agent of The Balance, graces us once again with his presence. In the pulsating heart of urban turmoil, Isiah sets forth on a quest to unmask the elusive Sorcerer, a mastermind hidden in the shadowed folds of time. What begins as a simple pursuit unravels into a labyrinth of cults, power struggles, and age-old vendettas. In the truest spirit of urban fantasy, this tale ripples with the pulse of the city and the undercurrents of magic that remain hidden from the mundane eye.

Baxter, like a maestro conducting a symphony of dimensions, orchestrates a whirlwind of gods, demons, and mortals, ensnaring them in a battle where destinies hang in the balance. This narrative is an artful blend of magic, intrigue, and heart-pounding action. As the listener, you are plunged into a world where dark agendas churn beneath the surface like molten cauldrons of eldritch power.

Isiah, embodiment of The Balance's force, rises as a beacon of enigmatic power, a harbinger of both light and shadow. His path is illuminated by newfound allies, each bearing a facet of magic's kaleidoscope. With their combined strength, they must unearth the tendrils of darkness woven deep within the fabric of reality. Their mission is one of urgency, for the cult of blood seeks to unhinge the very foundations of existence.

Matt Bentley Allegre, in his narration, lends his voice to this magical opera, his words a portal through which the realms collide. As with all arcane endeavors, a touch of imperfection finds its way in, with the occasional odd pronunciation and the charmingly sporadic slips of accent, much like a wizard's wavering incantations. Yet, these nuances only add to the authenticity of the tale, reminding us that even in the realm of magic, humanity is never far behind.

"MageSign" resonates with questions that linger in the shadows of our own world. It beckons us to ponder the nature of gods, the balance between light and darkness, and the consequences of wielding forces beyond our ken. As the plot unfurls, Baxter beckons us into a dance with enigmatic beings, leading us deeper into realms of both wonder and trepidation.

In the vast tapestry of urban fantasy, "MageSign" stands as a testament to the genre's captivating potential. With its meticulously crafted world, relentless pacing, and characters that walk the tightrope between myth and reality, this audiobook emerges as a vivid tapestry of magic and mystery. It encapsulates the essence of the urban wizard's struggle, fusing the mundane with the arcane to craft an enchanting experience that lingers long after the last word is spoken.

So, fellow seekers of enchantment, grasp your magical tomes and embark on this journey, for "MageSign" beckons with its dark allure. With every word, every spell woven by Baxter's narrative, you'll find yourself ensnared in a web of mysticism and danger, much like a wizard drawn to the irresistible pull of the unknown.

Violence, gods, demons, dark!

MageSign
By: Alan Baxter
Narrated by: Matt Bentley Allegre
This is a dark fantasy and book two. I didn't read book one first but had no problems understanding what was going on, the author gave enough clues to fill the reader in. The book deals with demons, gods, and humans in cults, and special humans dealt with a job to serve. Powerful magic, a specially born baby, and lots of violence is involved in here. More than necessary in my opinion.
The book was slow going to begin with but picked up. I did feel that it would have been better if some of it was edited out, a shorter, more clear cut version with more developed characters.
The narrator was fine.