Spellslinger (Spellslinger Series #1)

by Sebastien de Castell

Overview

A would-be mage with no magic of his own has to defeat powerful enemies with only cunning and deception in the first book of an exciting adventure fantasy series from Sebastien de Castell.

Kellen is moments away from facing his first duel and proving his worth as a spellcaster. There's just one problem: his magic is fading.

Facing exile unless he can pass the mage trials, Kellen is willing to risk everything -- even his own life -- in search of a way to restore his magic. But when the enigmatic Ferius Parfax arrives in town, she challenges him to take a different path.

One of the elusive Argosi, Ferius is a traveller who lives by her wits and the cards she carries. Daring, unpredictable, and wielding magic Kellen has never seen before, she may be his only hope.

The first novel in a compelling six-book series, bursting with tricks, humor, and a whole new way to look at magic.

Spellslinger SeriesSpellslingerShadowblackCharmcaster
For more from Sebastien de Castell, check out:
The Greatcoats QuartetTraitor's BladeSaint's BloodKnight's ShadowTyrant's Throne

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316525749
Publisher:	Orbit
Publication date:	07/17/2018
Series:	Spellslinger Series , #1
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	55,748
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Sebastien de Castell is the author of the acclaimed swashbuckling fantasy series, The Greatcoats and the Carnegie Medal-nominated Spellslinger. His debut novel, Traitor's Blade, was shortlisted for both the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fantasy and the Gemmell Morningstar Award, the Prix Imaginales for Best Foreign Work, and the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. He spends his time writing, traveling, and going on adventures. Visit him at www.decastell.com.

Editorial Reviews

06/25/2018
De Castell (the Greatcoats series) makes some variations on a familiar fantasy theme—a young person’s struggles to master magical arts—in this pleasant, if not innovative, kickoff to a planned six-book series. 15-year-old Kellen of the House of Ken is introduced as he’s about to fight his first mage’s duel, hampered by his inability to actually perform magic. Kellen’s clever con to make his adversary defeat himself is undercut by his younger sister, Shalla, who exposes his trick and almost kills him in the process. His life is saved by Ferrius Parfax, an eccentric stranger from another clan, but Kellen must still deal with political intrigue; the death of his clan’s prince triggers an electoral campaign whose results will shape his family’s future. Against that tense backdrop, Kellen must also try to find out what is causing other young initiates to lose their ability to cast spells. Though de Castell writes well, the plot and tone have a young adult vibe, especially after Kellen ends up allied with an intelligent non-human creature. Longtime readers of epic fantasy may find this too shallow for their tastes. Agent: Heather Adams, HMA Literary. (July)

Publishers Weekly

"Told with the conviction of Ursula Le Guin and the dash of Alexandre Dumas"—New Statesman (UK)

"Spellslinger is the start of something truly special. Sebastien de Castell is a master of breakneck pacing, dagger-sharp dialogue, and twists you didn't see coming—and this series has it all."—Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld

"A tremendously fun read full of wit and action."—James Islington, author of The Shadow of What Was Lost

"An intriguing system of magic, wry humor, and a twisting plot make for an entertaining series debut."—Kirkus

"This book is dangerously addictive. It has it all: compelling world-building, breathtaking plot-twists, a page-turning pace, and characters who soon feel like old friends. I can't wait for the next one!"—Melissa Caruso, author of The Tethered Mage

"Exotic, original and gripping from the get-go, Spellslinger is a must-read"—Jonathan Stroud, author of the Lockwood and Co series

"Hugely enjoyable - fast-paced, compassionate, wise and with terrific characters."—Amanda Craig, author of Hearts and Minds

"Written with such obvious joy and brio that it demands to be read."—RJ Barker, author of Age of Assassins

"A fun, fast-moving adventure, with surprising depth and insight."—Hugo Award winning author Jim C. Hines

"A bucket-load of tension is offset with humour, power struggles, lots of magic and some great characters. Fantasy junkies will devour with relish."—Guardian (UK)

"There's room for wit and playfulness amid the high-stakes duels and death matches, and Kellen's career is likely to run and run."—The Observer (UK)

"We can confidently say that de Castell's new series has hit the ground running."—Starburst

From the Publisher

Narrator Joe Jameson's brassy tenor voices a sizable cast of characters in this gritty fantasy. Kellen has always felt out of place among his famous magical family and peers, working tirelessly to manifest his abilities with minimal results. But as he grows closer to his sixteenth birthday, he learns that the history of his people and their talents isn't what it seems. Jameson's pacing suggests the urgency of this story, while his tone captures its danger and humor. Between the privileged, callous Shartep and Kellen's rough but noble allies, Jameson's characterizations illuminate the theme of this work: the differences between reputation and reality. K.S.B. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

SEPTEMBER 2017 - AudioFile

2018-05-28
A young magician who cannot cast magic must prove himself in other ways in the first installment of a new fantasy series from de Castell (Tyrant's Throne, 2017, etc.).Kellen is the oldest child of two powerful magicians in a culture that prizes magic above all. At 16, he needs to prove himself a worthy heir to his family name—but literally everyone Kellen knows can cast more magic than him, including his little sister, Shalla, a magical prodigy. Desperate not to embarrass his family or be relegated to the magicless servant caste, Kellen hones his other skills—trickery, guile, and creativity. But Kellen's attempts to game the system only buy him more trouble...though also an unpredictable ally: a foreigner named Ferius Parfax, who has her own tricks. In turn, this leads the Dowager Magus (widow of the recently departed ruler) to recruit Kellen to spy on Parfax. Kellen's questions, and loyalties, multiply quickly: Who is Parfax, and why is she here? Is his growing friendship and identification with her worth disobeying the woman whose influence is letting him advance in his magical tests? Who will be the new ruler? What dark secrets are being kept from Kellen? This last turns out to be most important, as Kellen learns long-forgotten truths about his society, with the aid of Parfax and a creature his own people believe to be a poisonous demon. All that Kellen believes about his world—and his own family—is called into question, but as old loyalties fall down around his ears, new ones emerge. Will those alliances be strong enough to guide Kellen into the man he can become without magic?An intriguing system of magic, wry humor, and a twisting plot make for an entertaining series debut.

Kirkus Reviews