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A Criminal Magic edition by Lee Kelly Literature Fiction eBooks

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A Criminal Magic edition by Lee Kelly Literature Fiction eBooks

4.5 Stars

This was one of my most anticipated books of the year. You see, I've always been interested in the Prohibition Era, and I love urban fantasy, so...

Prohibition Era + Magic/Urban Fantasy = Very Happy Kristen

And I was not disappointed by that combination! So many aspects of this book blew me away.

First of all, the writing did an *amazing* job of capturing the alternate 1920s vibe.

There was also the world building, which added even more to the amazing 20s feel. It had all the right details and in the perfect amount---everything from the gangsters to the settings to backstories about the characters/society/gangs to the way the magic worked to the plot itself.

Then there were these specific things that I just loved and found really fascinating. For a while, Alex's POV was my favorite because the gangster side of things was so intriguing. I guess I read about magic a lot, but I never read about gangsters. And every single little thing about the gangsters, the two different gangs, the history, the bosses and underbosses, the drugs, the deals being made, etc. was so detailed and well thought-out without being confusing once you got all the information.

But then I also started to enjoy Joan's POV just as much because everything about the Red Den where she worked was just as incredible. The whole performance---*MILD SPOILER ALERT* starting with the sorcerers on their individual stages while the patrons sipped cocktails, then the intermission during which they flirted and interacted one-on-one with audience members, then the big, immersive finale (not to mention all the different finales they created), then making the shine on stage *END SPOILER ALERT*---was so creative. Even the way they had the schedule for practice... it was that attention to detail that just made everything so realistic and made me feel like I was there, surrounded by the story.

Yet another amazing, realistic thing was the characterization. They weren't my favorite characters ever, but *d*mn* if they weren't ridiculously well-written. The two main characters grew and developed in a really natural way, even if it wasn't always for the better.

And for anyone wondering about the romance, it was there, but it wasn't mushy, and it never overpowered the story.

Last but not least, there was a great build up of tension throughout the entire book as things got worse and more complicated and more tangled and more dangerous. The book was a little slow-paced at times, but that tension kept me hooked. I just kept waiting for everything to come crashing down and explode. I didn't get quite the massive explosion I wanted since things kind of crashed down in parts instead of all at once, but there was still a good resolution to all the anticipation.

As for the ending, my immediate, subjective reaction was that I didn't like it. But now that I've had some time to think, I realize that it was the only right way for the story to end.

So overall, this book had a unique magic-filled Prohibition Era world, attention to detail that really made things come alive, and incredibly realistic characterization. Rarely have I come across writing and storytelling this intricate and superbly well done!

Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight (link in profile)


Tags : A Criminal Magic - Kindle edition by Lee Kelly. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading A Criminal Magic.,ebook,Lee Kelly,A Criminal Magic,Saga Press,Alternative History,Fantasy - Historical,Alternative History,American Science Fiction And Fantasy,FICTION Alternative History,FICTION Fantasy Historical,FICTION Historical General,Fantasy,Fantasy - Historical,Fiction,FictionAlternative History,prohibition; magic; alcohol; mobsters; double-crosses; intrigue; fantasy; historical fiction; alternate history; strong female protagonist; romance; 1920s; gangsters; dual protagonists; jazz; speakeasy,FICTION Alternative History,FICTION Fantasy Historical,FICTION Historical General,FictionAlternative History,American Science Fiction And Fantasy,Fiction,Fantasy

A Criminal Magic edition by Lee Kelly Literature Fiction eBooks Reviews

for the most part i really enjoyed the book - great concept and worldbuilding and interesting, exciting plot. characterization, especially of the leads, was a little inconsistent and hard to pin down. the ending felt rushed and incomplete, like the author got caught up without a way to finish things neatly. i hope that means there is a sequel in the works; as written the ending left me feeling let down and cheated.
If you put the DiCaprio half of The Departed and Morgenstern's The Night Circus in a blender and then poured it over Prohibition gangsters and bootleggers and speakeasies, this is the experience you would get. I love the end for spoilery reasons that are nevertheless excellent. I will definitely be giving this book to friends and will be back for rereads!
I loved this book and twist on the 1920s. Magic instead of alcohol is outlawed, a competition to be the next in a new discovered magic, and gangsters. The writing is exceptional. The love story was good but it was dimmed by the story events more than it was put front and center. Which was ok by me. I would say read it, snd i hope theres a sequel.
This story was utterly unique, mesmerizing, and gripping. The magical system pulled me in--a world where magic is feared because of its use as a drug, so feared that it was entirely outlawed in 1919. The 1920s setting is fabulous, and the characters are wonderfully crafted, imperfect, and complex. Kelly's writing was the perfect mix of suspenseful and lavish, and though its a tad dense to finish in a sitting, I stopped only to sleep for the night.
Magic is illegal in this world. That makes it irresistible of course. People born with the magic are faced with choices. The blood ruby effervescent pull of magic is manic ecstasy. Who can resist that power to create the forbidden pleasure? She is faced with raising her family. He is trying to survive his. I hope this is a series. Prohibition was a great time for those who dare. The rule breakers. Something wicked this way comes. Thank you Ray Bradbury.
As in her first book, City of Savages, Lee Kelly's prose shines. A Criminal Magic is an alternate 1920s world where instead of alcohol being banned, magic is. Vivid description of the world and the magical spells make this book a must for those who love all things fantastical and yet the gangsters and the underworld make it appeal to those who love a good mystery/detective story. With a slow build of a love story between the two main characters, fans of a touch of romance in their books will also be satisfied. Basically there is no one who won't love this book!
Really enjoyed this book. Love the fantasy of magic being a normal part of the fabric of our earth. Can see why they might have criminalized it! Seems it could be very dark and deadly as the tale unfolds. Well written and a page turner. Enjoyed the characters and would like to see/hear more of them.
The descriptions of doing the magic are really elegant and give great mental visuals. The story line is also very unique. Never have read anything much like this book. One of the reasons I liked it so much. Makes me think of Ray Bradbury’s “Something Wicked This Way Comes”. The reader can see how Joan gets slowly sucked into what Gunn is making her do with the magic and he is a marvelous villain . Be fun to see this written where she does fall for Gunn as opposed to Alex.
Although a bit dark , all in all, a delightfully well written “fairy” tale. I hope to see more in this genre from this author.
4.5 Stars

This was one of my most anticipated books of the year. You see, I've always been interested in the Prohibition Era, and I love urban fantasy, so...

Prohibition Era + Magic/Urban Fantasy = Very Happy Kristen

And I was not disappointed by that combination! So many aspects of this book blew me away.

First of all, the writing did an *amazing* job of capturing the alternate 1920s vibe.

There was also the world building, which added even more to the amazing 20s feel. It had all the right details and in the perfect amount---everything from the gangsters to the settings to backstories about the characters/society/gangs to the way the magic worked to the plot itself.

Then there were these specific things that I just loved and found really fascinating. For a while, Alex's POV was my favorite because the gangster side of things was so intriguing. I guess I read about magic a lot, but I never read about gangsters. And every single little thing about the gangsters, the two different gangs, the history, the bosses and underbosses, the drugs, the deals being made, etc. was so detailed and well thought-out without being confusing once you got all the information.

But then I also started to enjoy Joan's POV just as much because everything about the Red Den where she worked was just as incredible. The whole performance---*MILD SPOILER ALERT* starting with the sorcerers on their individual stages while the patrons sipped cocktails, then the intermission during which they flirted and interacted one-on-one with audience members, then the big, immersive finale (not to mention all the different finales they created), then making the shine on stage *END SPOILER ALERT*---was so creative. Even the way they had the schedule for practice... it was that attention to detail that just made everything so realistic and made me feel like I was there, surrounded by the story.

Yet another amazing, realistic thing was the characterization. They weren't my favorite characters ever, but *d*mn* if they weren't ridiculously well-written. The two main characters grew and developed in a really natural way, even if it wasn't always for the better.

And for anyone wondering about the romance, it was there, but it wasn't mushy, and it never overpowered the story.

Last but not least, there was a great build up of tension throughout the entire book as things got worse and more complicated and more tangled and more dangerous. The book was a little slow-paced at times, but that tension kept me hooked. I just kept waiting for everything to come crashing down and explode. I didn't get quite the massive explosion I wanted since things kind of crashed down in parts instead of all at once, but there was still a good resolution to all the anticipation.

As for the ending, my immediate, subjective reaction was that I didn't like it. But now that I've had some time to think, I realize that it was the only right way for the story to end.

So overall, this book had a unique magic-filled Prohibition Era world, attention to detail that really made things come alive, and incredibly realistic characterization. Rarely have I come across writing and storytelling this intricate and superbly well done!

Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight (link in profile)