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Alexi Sokolsky: Hound of Eden #0
Burn Artist
It’s 1986. Alexi Sokolsky is a 25-year old Spook, a hitmage for the Russian Mafia, and he is about to face his most difficult challenge yet.
The Yaroshenko Organization is neck-deep in a multimillion dollar Wall Street heist when an unseen mage levies a terrible curse against one of Alexi’s comrades. The mage demands that the Russians release his client from the deal, cancel his debt, and forfeit their earnings, or they will suffer the fatal consequences.
After the first victim burns to death from the inside out and the deadline closes in, Alexi is sent to hunt the murderer in a feverish game of cat-and-mouse and stop him before more people die. But to save his friends and family and honor his contract, Alexi must also save his worst enemy, the one person in his life who truly deserves to die in a fire.
His father.
Set 5 years before Blood Hound, Burn Artist is a prequel to the series which reveals more about Alexi’s past. What were the events that shaped him? Why did he murder his own father? And what are his true feelings for his best friend?
The Yaroshenko Organization is neck-deep in a multimillion dollar Wall Street heist when an unseen mage levies a terrible curse against one of Alexi’s comrades. The mage demands that the Russians release his client from the deal, cancel his debt, and forfeit their earnings, or they will suffer the fatal consequences.
After the first victim burns to death from the inside out and the deadline closes in, Alexi is sent to hunt the murderer in a feverish game of cat-and-mouse and stop him before more people die. But to save his friends and family and honor his contract, Alexi must also save his worst enemy, the one person in his life who truly deserves to die in a fire.
His father.
Set 5 years before Blood Hound, Burn Artist is a prequel to the series which reveals more about Alexi’s past. What were the events that shaped him? Why did he murder his own father? And what are his true feelings for his best friend?
- GenresUrban FantasyFantasyDark
147 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 10, 2016
5 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
James Osiris Baldwin
27 books265 followersDragon Award-nominated author James Osiris Baldwin is a transgender man from Australia who writes gritty LGBT-inclusive, dark fantasy and science fiction. He was the former Contributing Editor for the Australian Journal of Dementia Care and has also worked for Alzheimer's Australia.
He currently lives in Seattle with his lovely wife, a precocious flame-point Siamese cat, and far too many rats. His obsession with the Occult is matched only by his preoccupation with motorcycles.
He currently lives in Seattle with his lovely wife, a precocious flame-point Siamese cat, and far too many rats. His obsession with the Occult is matched only by his preoccupation with motorcycles.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 15, 2016
Burn Artist could be considered an introduction to the world of russian mafia and magic Alexi is part of.
Having read Blood Hound and Stained Glass before, this book was an enjoyable yet bittersweet experience and i really liked to have an insight of the friendship Alexi and Vassily had, also get a glimpse of how was Alexi's father and other characters before the events on Blood Hound. The worldbuilding is top notch as always and Alexi has become one of my favorite book characters, he is this kind of ani-hero whose dubious morality only touches the criminal life he was born into but, as the author himself explains, despite him being surrounded by toxic machismo, greed, homophobia, mysoginy and racism, he doesn't buy into those ideals because he doesn't have it in him; as a magus he's bound to be curious about the core of everything, seek the deeper meaning of things, and never take things for granted. An attribute that has saved his life more than once. It's amazing to read a character with such strong sense of preservation, one can only admire his strong will power to stay alive no matter the abuse of his father and peers.
As i've stated in past reviews, this series is gritty, action packed and contain themes and problematic characters but it's rare to find mafia fiction that doesn't romanticize gangster culture neither shies away from dark themes that are so real in actual criminal organizations. James Osiris excels in the exploration of the human condition and the confines of criminal organizations like one as complex as the russian mafia. The magical aspect in this series is the cherry of the cake. I'm glad i found this series, i rarely enjoy mafia fiction :-)
BTW, ppl if you're curious about this series...this book is free here: https://www.instafreebie.com/free/o2OAa
Having read Blood Hound and Stained Glass before, this book was an enjoyable yet bittersweet experience and i really liked to have an insight of the friendship Alexi and Vassily had, also get a glimpse of how was Alexi's father and other characters before the events on Blood Hound. The worldbuilding is top notch as always and Alexi has become one of my favorite book characters, he is this kind of ani-hero whose dubious morality only touches the criminal life he was born into but, as the author himself explains, despite him being surrounded by toxic machismo, greed, homophobia, mysoginy and racism, he doesn't buy into those ideals because he doesn't have it in him; as a magus he's bound to be curious about the core of everything, seek the deeper meaning of things, and never take things for granted. An attribute that has saved his life more than once. It's amazing to read a character with such strong sense of preservation, one can only admire his strong will power to stay alive no matter the abuse of his father and peers.
As i've stated in past reviews, this series is gritty, action packed and contain themes and problematic characters but it's rare to find mafia fiction that doesn't romanticize gangster culture neither shies away from dark themes that are so real in actual criminal organizations. James Osiris excels in the exploration of the human condition and the confines of criminal organizations like one as complex as the russian mafia. The magical aspect in this series is the cherry of the cake. I'm glad i found this series, i rarely enjoy mafia fiction :-)
BTW, ppl if you're curious about this series...this book is free here: https://www.instafreebie.com/free/o2OAa
September 25, 2018
Хе-хе, забавно!)) Автор явно изучал тему славянского бандитизма, термины использованы отчасти правильные, есть замес с современной украинской темой угнетения, но читать всерьёз не получается. Обращения мимо кассы, распитие компотов и Гулаг... честно скажу - пыталась абстрагироваться и воспринимать как нечто фанстастическое. Помогало))) даже думаю продолжить серию! Хе-хе)))
March 16, 2017
I got this book in a free giveaway and never before have I read something that felt so targeted to my interests. It was so well written too! Definitely going to pick up the next one in the series; i'm interested to see what the characters do next.
January 17, 2017
Alexi and Vassily had enjoyed a movie together until a little tussle with a drunk in the seat behind them made leaving a good idea. When they got home, the phone was ringing. Alexi, New York Russian mafia “hitmage”, was needed to deal with a curse of some kind put on one of their men. It was a more serious curse than at first expected. Despite the protective amulet that Alexi provided, Slava heated from the inside out and burst into flame. Now the battle was truly on! There would be more victims if they did not meet the demands of their enemy, unless Alexi could track down the mage and defeat him!
I particularly enjoyed this author’s writing style. It flowed seamlessly and made the reading easy and enjoyable. The interaction of the characters is likewise very real and believable. The names can initially be off-putting, but once the reader identifies the important characters, it gets more manageable to follow the part that each plays in the story. The action is continuous and suspenseful at every step! All in all, this was a very impressive and excellent read! Both the mafia lifestyle and the magic were so well handled that it felt completely realistic. And the reader is right there in the middle of it all! The author did a wonderful job with this story. The good news is that this book is just the beginning! There is plenty more to follow!
I particularly enjoyed this author’s writing style. It flowed seamlessly and made the reading easy and enjoyable. The interaction of the characters is likewise very real and believable. The names can initially be off-putting, but once the reader identifies the important characters, it gets more manageable to follow the part that each plays in the story. The action is continuous and suspenseful at every step! All in all, this was a very impressive and excellent read! Both the mafia lifestyle and the magic were so well handled that it felt completely realistic. And the reader is right there in the middle of it all! The author did a wonderful job with this story. The good news is that this book is just the beginning! There is plenty more to follow!
September 26, 2016
Holy smoke...That was pretty awesome.
Russian mafia hitmage (and yes, you read that right) Alexi Sokolsky has a job to do. Some douchewizard* is cursing people and making them burn from the inside out. He's charged with finding the guy responsible and putting a stop to it before a birthday party. And of course dear old dad is there to complicate everything by being an even bigger douche.
The first half was a little difficult but mostly because Alexi's father is such a jerk that he was hard to read about, a sure sign that Mr. Badwin wrote a compelling and sympathetic character. The guy tortures cats...This is your fair warning. It's not graphic but the thought is a bit bothersome for a cat lover such as yours truly. I was really rooting for daddy dearest to bite the big one. Does he? Well, that you'll have to read to find out.
The bromance between Alexi and Vassily is just so perfect in every way. Really gave depth to the story and the universe as a whole.
And speaking of that... The Hound of Eden universe is one of the best executed examples I've seen on magic. Baldwin expertly crafts a world where both the arcane and the mundane co-exist without sacrificing either to get it done. The wardbreaker is easily one of my favorite urban fantasy weapons ever. Badass. Well done, sir. I look forward to reading the rest of this series.
*The term douchewizard is not mine. I wish it was. Mr. Baldwin uses the term aptly in Burn Artist.
Russian mafia hitmage (and yes, you read that right) Alexi Sokolsky has a job to do. Some douchewizard* is cursing people and making them burn from the inside out. He's charged with finding the guy responsible and putting a stop to it before a birthday party. And of course dear old dad is there to complicate everything by being an even bigger douche.
The first half was a little difficult but mostly because Alexi's father is such a jerk that he was hard to read about, a sure sign that Mr. Badwin wrote a compelling and sympathetic character. The guy tortures cats...This is your fair warning. It's not graphic but the thought is a bit bothersome for a cat lover such as yours truly. I was really rooting for daddy dearest to bite the big one. Does he? Well, that you'll have to read to find out.
The bromance between Alexi and Vassily is just so perfect in every way. Really gave depth to the story and the universe as a whole.
And speaking of that... The Hound of Eden universe is one of the best executed examples I've seen on magic. Baldwin expertly crafts a world where both the arcane and the mundane co-exist without sacrificing either to get it done. The wardbreaker is easily one of my favorite urban fantasy weapons ever. Badass. Well done, sir. I look forward to reading the rest of this series.
*The term douchewizard is not mine. I wish it was. Mr. Baldwin uses the term aptly in Burn Artist.
October 23, 2016
This is a joint, spoiler-free review on Blood Hound and Burn Artist, two books in the Alexi Sokolsky: Hound of Eden Series by James Osiris Baldwin. Why did I decide to do that?
Because I planned to review both books and when I started writing, I realized the reviews are very similar.
Without further ado, here’s what I think about Burn Artist and Blood Hound.
The first book that I read was Blood Hound and the first thing that comes to mind when I think of it is surreal.
The criminal aspect is prominent in both books, as is the magic, but it was while readingBlood Hound that I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. Things get weird towards the end – really, really weird – and thanks to the writing style, they also seemed real. It’s like that feeling you get when you are partially awake, but still dreaming. If you are into stories that temporarily make you question your reality, this book is for you.
As I said, magic is also present in Burn Artist, but we haven’t quite entered Looney Land yet. If you decide to read the series – and I strongly recommend you do – you’d better start with this one.
Things are simpler in Burn Artist, both when it comes to the inner workings of the crime world and the magical one. However, both of those worlds are well-developed. That was what grabbed me when I began reading Blood Hound: well-written and with a HUGE, in-depth stress on magic. The characters are also developed, although back when I startedBook I, I was wondering what was so special about Vassily that Alexi kept putting up with him; I found the answer to that in the prequel novella and I even developed a great liking to Vassily thanks to it.
I got to warn you: you’ll probably have a hard time with all the Slavic names. I know how unfamiliar names are harder to remember so you might mix up who is who because of that. There are only a handful of important characters though so remembering probably won’t be a big problem for you. Pronouncing on the other hand… I’m a Bulgarian and some of the names are similar to those in my country, but even I don’t have a clue how to pronounce a few of them.
Another thing that was somewhat off-putting was the magic. Yes, I know I said that it was one of the reasons why I love the books so much, but it has a downside to it too: it’s complex. Alexi would occasionally do something without the author going into details of how it was done and why it worked; it can get a bit confusing – especially in Blood Hound– but it wasn’t enough to make me stop reading and enjoying the books.
I’d recommend both books to escapists, to people who are interested in magical rites and to fans of the Crime genre.
My rating for Burn Artist: 5 stars
My rating for Blood Hound: 4.5 stars
Because I planned to review both books and when I started writing, I realized the reviews are very similar.
Without further ado, here’s what I think about Burn Artist and Blood Hound.
The first book that I read was Blood Hound and the first thing that comes to mind when I think of it is surreal.
The criminal aspect is prominent in both books, as is the magic, but it was while readingBlood Hound that I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. Things get weird towards the end – really, really weird – and thanks to the writing style, they also seemed real. It’s like that feeling you get when you are partially awake, but still dreaming. If you are into stories that temporarily make you question your reality, this book is for you.
As I said, magic is also present in Burn Artist, but we haven’t quite entered Looney Land yet. If you decide to read the series – and I strongly recommend you do – you’d better start with this one.
Things are simpler in Burn Artist, both when it comes to the inner workings of the crime world and the magical one. However, both of those worlds are well-developed. That was what grabbed me when I began reading Blood Hound: well-written and with a HUGE, in-depth stress on magic. The characters are also developed, although back when I startedBook I, I was wondering what was so special about Vassily that Alexi kept putting up with him; I found the answer to that in the prequel novella and I even developed a great liking to Vassily thanks to it.
I got to warn you: you’ll probably have a hard time with all the Slavic names. I know how unfamiliar names are harder to remember so you might mix up who is who because of that. There are only a handful of important characters though so remembering probably won’t be a big problem for you. Pronouncing on the other hand… I’m a Bulgarian and some of the names are similar to those in my country, but even I don’t have a clue how to pronounce a few of them.
Another thing that was somewhat off-putting was the magic. Yes, I know I said that it was one of the reasons why I love the books so much, but it has a downside to it too: it’s complex. Alexi would occasionally do something without the author going into details of how it was done and why it worked; it can get a bit confusing – especially in Blood Hound– but it wasn’t enough to make me stop reading and enjoying the books.
I’d recommend both books to escapists, to people who are interested in magical rites and to fans of the Crime genre.
My rating for Burn Artist: 5 stars
My rating for Blood Hound: 4.5 stars
January 24, 2017
This is a great short prequel to Blood Hound and the other Alexi books. In this book, we are shown an earlier time, when Alexi was a little newer to magic. There's some interesting foreshadowing sprinkled in here and there. Overall a great read, and I throughly enjoyed it.
I'm kind of hoping for another prequel, to resolve a couple of plot points that weren't in this book...but that's all I'm going to say about that.
I'm kind of hoping for another prequel, to resolve a couple of plot points that weren't in this book...but that's all I'm going to say about that.
December 18, 2017
Review of Burn Artist by James O. Baldwin
by Fritzi Redgrave
This is a very well written story. Baldwin presents the characters in all of their facets; they are crude, loyal, brutal, kind and so much more. You will know these people, their voices, their styles. You will be able to visualize places and feel the rain and wind; the descriptions are that good.
Our main character is Alexi, a mystic, a wizard. He is very much a part of the Ukrainian mob into which he was born, but because of his role as a mystic, he is able to stand apart and view their activities a little more objectively.
Vassily is Alexi's loyal and best (perhaps only) friend. They are roommates and share much about their lives with each other, always preserving some part of themselves to keep hidden. Vassily is not a mystic and he teases Alexi about being a “spook”, but is absolutely supportive of his friend.
If the reader is offended by some of the language or the crudeness in general, I suggest that you mark your place, skip to the afterward and read Baldwin's comments; you will resume reading with renewed understanding and pleasure.
l am a nit-picky proofreader, but there is almost nothing I could find that was not to my liking. Well done, James O. Baldwin.
by Fritzi Redgrave
This is a very well written story. Baldwin presents the characters in all of their facets; they are crude, loyal, brutal, kind and so much more. You will know these people, their voices, their styles. You will be able to visualize places and feel the rain and wind; the descriptions are that good.
Our main character is Alexi, a mystic, a wizard. He is very much a part of the Ukrainian mob into which he was born, but because of his role as a mystic, he is able to stand apart and view their activities a little more objectively.
Vassily is Alexi's loyal and best (perhaps only) friend. They are roommates and share much about their lives with each other, always preserving some part of themselves to keep hidden. Vassily is not a mystic and he teases Alexi about being a “spook”, but is absolutely supportive of his friend.
If the reader is offended by some of the language or the crudeness in general, I suggest that you mark your place, skip to the afterward and read Baldwin's comments; you will resume reading with renewed understanding and pleasure.
l am a nit-picky proofreader, but there is almost nothing I could find that was not to my liking. Well done, James O. Baldwin.
July 24, 2017
Rather violent, seedy and gritty, but a good read.
Characters aren't particularly likeable, but they are interesting and become more so as the story progresses. Don't usually like or enjoy books centring on the Russian mafiya, but the added dimension that the magic-wielding gave it brought it up a notch.
I'm now going to begin with Blood Hound, book 1 in the series, to to see just where these characters and their story goes, especially Alexi Sokolsky, their magic practitioner and definite anti-hero.
This was a free e-copy direct from the author's newsletter - I think.
Characters aren't particularly likeable, but they are interesting and become more so as the story progresses. Don't usually like or enjoy books centring on the Russian mafiya, but the added dimension that the magic-wielding gave it brought it up a notch.
I'm now going to begin with Blood Hound, book 1 in the series, to to see just where these characters and their story goes, especially Alexi Sokolsky, their magic practitioner and definite anti-hero.
This was a free e-copy direct from the author's newsletter - I think.
January 26, 2017
Very good beginning story to show me why Alexi is the man who he is. Very hard and troubling past to make him a complicated and very deep man. Good story.
September 28, 2016
I had the pleasure of being introduced to this talented Author via the 2016 'Summer Indie Book Awards' celebration Party on Facebook. He was doing a live-streamed broadcast and talking about his books amongst other things. James is also the artist behind the captivating cover images.
Because of the event 'Burn Artist - Book 0 The Hound of Eden Series' an Alexi Sokolsky Supernatural Thriller was available as a FREE download. For that alone I say a big THANK YOU I may not have picked the book up otherwise.
But let me tell you this, the book most certainly exceeded my expectations. Firstly I was overwhelmed by the formatting, it was excellent. There were links from Russian words (highlighted and underlined in the main body of the text) in the eBook then linked to a wonderful translation guide.
Secondly the main character was really likeable, he described himself in the book as a short, muscular, compact type of guy. Then when he looked at his father it was like looking in a fun-house mirror both of them having piercing white-gray eyes but his father being an enormous bear of a man 'A thuggish, alcoholic gorilla.' (as the author informs us, not a very nice man at all).
The story centres around Alexi who is a mage, a scholar of the occult. A hitman for the Russian Mafia, and they call him The Spook. He has the ability to not only curse his enemy but to undo the curse that may have been laid on by another occultist.
The Mafia become freaked when one of their own is cursed, and the symbol etched over his heart. Alexi is called in to deal with the matter, so armed with his bag of magical implements and talismans he makes his way over to the club. Unfortunately, Alexi is too late the curse is too deeply embedded. He is unable to stop the assassination by internal combustion. All they can do is gaze in horror as their comrade is consumed by fire from the inside. Obviously the gang are now on edge and they must do all they can to prevent the loss of more of their brothers in arms. Will Alexi be able to protect them or will more of his Mafia family perish?
There is also a wonderful underlying story of friendship between Alexi and his adoptive brother Vassily, whose family took him in when he was a mere boy.
You might think this story is really not for you however, the combination of the occult, magic and Mafia works really well and I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I would urge you to give it a try.
Very Highly Recommended
Because of the event 'Burn Artist - Book 0 The Hound of Eden Series' an Alexi Sokolsky Supernatural Thriller was available as a FREE download. For that alone I say a big THANK YOU I may not have picked the book up otherwise.
But let me tell you this, the book most certainly exceeded my expectations. Firstly I was overwhelmed by the formatting, it was excellent. There were links from Russian words (highlighted and underlined in the main body of the text) in the eBook then linked to a wonderful translation guide.
Secondly the main character was really likeable, he described himself in the book as a short, muscular, compact type of guy. Then when he looked at his father it was like looking in a fun-house mirror both of them having piercing white-gray eyes but his father being an enormous bear of a man 'A thuggish, alcoholic gorilla.' (as the author informs us, not a very nice man at all).
The story centres around Alexi who is a mage, a scholar of the occult. A hitman for the Russian Mafia, and they call him The Spook. He has the ability to not only curse his enemy but to undo the curse that may have been laid on by another occultist.
The Mafia become freaked when one of their own is cursed, and the symbol etched over his heart. Alexi is called in to deal with the matter, so armed with his bag of magical implements and talismans he makes his way over to the club. Unfortunately, Alexi is too late the curse is too deeply embedded. He is unable to stop the assassination by internal combustion. All they can do is gaze in horror as their comrade is consumed by fire from the inside. Obviously the gang are now on edge and they must do all they can to prevent the loss of more of their brothers in arms. Will Alexi be able to protect them or will more of his Mafia family perish?
There is also a wonderful underlying story of friendship between Alexi and his adoptive brother Vassily, whose family took him in when he was a mere boy.
You might think this story is really not for you however, the combination of the occult, magic and Mafia works really well and I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I would urge you to give it a try.
Very Highly Recommended
February 18, 2017
Because of the theme of the story, this book must have been very difficult to write and James does a marvelous job. Figure what happens when Slytherin graduates join the criminal underworld Goodfellas style.
I enjoyed this book very much and plan to read the sequels sometime.
I enjoyed this book very much and plan to read the sequels sometime.
December 28, 2016
I received a free copy of this book and this is a voluntary and honest review. I didn't have much knowledge about the book, other than what you see on the front cover. I thought it was more of a superhero genre book, honestly. I guess you could call it a magic/Mage genre book, but it is so much more. From the very beginning, I was hooked. This book is set in the early 1980s, which ads a bit of nostalgia for those of us old enough to have been there. But in this version of the 80s, magic and its practice is a relatively common occurrence at least for the Italian, Irish, and Russian mafia. Each group uses a Mage to defend and support their position in the New York and New Jersey underground. Burn Artist is written from the point of view of Alexi, the Ukranian Mage working for the Brighton Beach faction of the Yaroschenko Organizatsiya. This is as much a mafia/crime novel as it is a book about a Mage. Baldwin has seemlessly integrated the two together and I look forward to reading more of this series.
December 26, 2016
This is a great book! It a story based in New York with mobsters running the streets. Alexi is part of a mafia who has the ability of magic to deal with curses and hexs. His father is also a Commender of the same mafia family. The catch is, his father hates him and wants to kill him his self. So while trying to save his family from someone who wants to cause them great harm, he must also stay clear of father.
December 24, 2016
After you get past the first chapter, with the graphic swearing. Then it develops into a complex and intriguing thriller.
Alexi has to battle another wizard, getting beat up in the process. All the while keeping his "crew" safe, and trying to avoid his homicidal father.
An interesting delve into gang warfare adding paranormal into the mix.
Can't wait to read the rest of the series.
Alexi has to battle another wizard, getting beat up in the process. All the while keeping his "crew" safe, and trying to avoid his homicidal father.
An interesting delve into gang warfare adding paranormal into the mix.
Can't wait to read the rest of the series.
January 4, 2017
I loved this exciting look into Alexi's past. It is jam-packed with some
truly compelling writing. The world that Mr. Baldwin has created is
just amazing. It is truly unique and a definite must read for all mafia and
magic lovers. I highly recommend it to everyone.
truly compelling writing. The world that Mr. Baldwin has created is
just amazing. It is truly unique and a definite must read for all mafia and
magic lovers. I highly recommend it to everyone.
November 25, 2016
Better than book one, Blood Hound. If you haven't read that, you should. This is a prequel that explains a lot of things. You don't need this to understand the series, it's a nice treat though.
December 26, 2016
Good prequel story for Alexi.
April 17, 2017
WHAT? It's OVER??? Oh snaps, this was good! It was paced well, seeing the characters at an early stage, back when relationships were still fresh and new... or even longstanding even at this point really adds a dimension of history.
Actually being able to see what Alexi's father was like puts their enmity in a striking light.
There wasn't as much action in this one as in Blood Hound... but the hints and subtle clues are there, which I loved!
Seriously excellent work! Definitely worth reading if you like "organized crime" stories with a Supernatural magic twist!
Actually being able to see what Alexi's father was like puts their enmity in a striking light.
There wasn't as much action in this one as in Blood Hound... but the hints and subtle clues are there, which I loved!
Seriously excellent work! Definitely worth reading if you like "organized crime" stories with a Supernatural magic twist!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews