How do you survive a mage's duel without magic? Kellen's about to risk everything: His family, his home, even his own life... When you're a Jan'Tep initiate approaching your sixteenth birthday, you'd better be ready to prove your worth as a mage. Either that or have a miracle on the way.
And Kellen isn't counting on either. He knows he'll need a few tricks up his sleeve to avoid disgracing his family and becoming a Sha'Tep servant. So when a sassy, straight-talking traveller arrives in town, Kellen is all ears. Ferius Parfax is jaded but worldly, an exile who lives by her wits and the three decks of cards she carries. She can't teach him to spark his bands and access the seven magics, but with the hand that Kellen's been dealt, he knows he needs all the help he can get... A rich, compelling and laugh-out-loud new series for all teen, YA, adult and fantasy readers. Perfect for fans of The Dark Tower, Firefly, Hunger Games and Guardians of the Galaxy.
Marijke is the Customer Service Supervisor at Boffins and has been a Boffin for over five years, and a bird fanatic for even longer. She reads anything interesting.
The first book a new series, this a fantasy read with some great characters - Ferius Parfax is a personal favourite - and excellent worldbuilding that doesn't over-explain the Jan'Tep society, but leaves you eager to know more. The plot is a classic coming-of-age story, but with a few twists and some humourous moments that lift it above the usual. The suggestion that this is great for fans of Firefly is spot on and I'm now tracking down more Sebastien de Castell to read while I wait for book two!
