Sample
  • Hard Magic

  • Book I of the Grimnoir Chronicles
  • By: Larry Correia
  • Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot
  • Length: 16 hrs and 22 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (13,938 ratings)

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Hard Magic

By: Larry Correia
Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot
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Editorial reviews

Larry Correia has already made a name for himself in the sci-fi/fantasy world with his Monster Hunter books, but now he's written the first in new series that takes place in New York in the 1930s, filled with dubious federal agents, hardboiled detectives, and dames with a whole lotta chutzpah. Except this isn't quite the New York you might expect, but an alternate universe where zeppelins moor at the top of the Empire State Building, the Titanic never sank, and mad scientist Nikola Tesla has created a devastating weapon called the Geo-Tel. Oh, and people have magical powers. They are known as Actives. It's become commonplace for some people to defy gravity, teleport, manipulate animals, and heal by touch. The hero here is Jake Sullivan, a detective and ex-con who is set free by the FBI to track criminal Actives, which J. Edgar Hoover (yeah, he's still around) would like to eradicate.

Actor Bronson Pinchot has become a regular go-to for audiobooks and the reason is obvious - the guy knows how to bring a story to life. Far from his manic days as Balki on Perfect Strangers, Pinchot is a warm, imminently listenable narrator. He's obviously having a ball with Hard Magic, gruffing up his voice for the hardboiled Jake and the various G-men and employing a countrified voice for Faye, a young farm girl who can teleport across great distances and becomes vital to saving the world from destruction by the Geo-Tel. Pinchot gives each character a different voice, so it's easy to keep up with the big cast. Correia writes long, colorful descriptions of his characters and their situations, but those passages never become boring and never get in the way of the action, thanks to Pinchot.

Steampunk lovers will find much to love about Hard Magic, but listeners who love big guns and explosions will be in hog heaven. There are epic, cinematic battles including one over-the-top of a dirigible that is audaciously impossible. Hard Magic almost defies categorization, because Correia has no problem blending science fiction with more fanciful fantasy, even managing to slip in double-headed dragons and imps. The second book in the Grimnoir Chronicles, Spellbound, is coming and let's hope Pinchot has signed on for the audio version. (Collin Kelley)

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.
About the Creator - Larry Correia

About the Creator

Larry Correia is The New York Times best-selling author of the Monster Hunter International urban fantasy series, the Grimnoir Chronicles alternate history trilogy, the Dragon Award winning Saga of the Forgotten Warrior epic fantasy series, the Dead Six thrillers (with Mike Kupari), and novels set in the Warmachine game universe. He has also published a great deal of short fiction, which is now compiled in Target Rich Environment, volumes one and two, and is the co-editor (along with Kacey Ezell) of the Noir Fatale anthology. A former accountant, military contractor, machinegun dealer, and firearms instructor, Larry is now a full time writer. He lives in Yard Moose Mountain, Utah with his very patient wife and children.

What listeners say about Hard Magic

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  • Overall
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Lots of fun

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

Having been an Audible member for several years, I've had the chance to hear performances from many different voice actors, some are very good and can really bring you into the story. I have to say that Bronson Pinchot is easily one of the best he does an outstanding job bringing the characters to life!

Any additional comments?

I will be up front and say i'm a sucker for urban fantasy, however Larry Correia has done an OUTSTANDING job creating a really fun and believable (in its scope) world

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

So much more than the copy suggests!

I'm not sure the person who wrote the blurb actually read the book, because it describes such a small part of the world created here. Do yourself a favor, trust the people who love it and take the plunge!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The best audiobook I have listened to. Six stars!!

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

Bronson Pinchot masterful narration (as close to perfection as can be expected) and a remarkable story with fantastic action scenes and memorable characters. What more could you want.

What did you like best about this story?

It's hard to pick a favorite. The narration was fantastic. The story exciting. The magic battles intense. The historical references are brilliant. Great story. Highly recommended.

What does Bronson Pinchot bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His narration was stellar. He does voices and accents very well. The voice of the character known as the Pale Horse was chilling and got under my skin. This is one narrator I would buy audiobooks just to listen to him read them.

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

I wish I could, but it is too long for that.

Any additional comments?

If you got a credit, this would be a good audiobook to spend it on. I bought the rest of the trilogy and the second book is great too. Looking forward to finishing it and going on to the third.

If I could give more than five stars, I would.

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incredible!

absolutely brilliant work of art and a masterpiece. I absolutely love the idea and the way the magic works. can't wait to check out the next book and hopefully more!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Wild ride! Lots of fun

Bronson Pinchot did a marvelous job with a really great story. Larry and Bronson make a great combination.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great Listen

Story takes to another time line. Very entertaining, highly recommend, good ending. Ready for next one.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Don’t Judge This Book by It’s Cover

If I’d have seen the cover I would not have bought the book. Please do something about the horrible cover. This book is so much better than what the awful cover portrays. You’re going to deter a lot of listeners. To everyone out there give the book a chance. As always Mr. Pinchot does a superb job.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Captivating, unpredictable, spectacular storyline- I’m Hooked!

I cannot wait to listen to this whole darn series. I know we I liked Larry’s books due to his Tom Strange stories, and boom this really impressed me. I cannot wait to hear the next book!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great voice acting

the combination of the writing and voice acting made me laugh through some casually gruesome scene. So we'll done

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Great

I love the character Fey, a great personality and growth through the story. The story shows good relationship between characters and their dynamics.

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