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Gateways to Alissia #2
The Island Deception
Continuing the exciting adventures from The Rogue Retrieval, The Island Deception blends fun and mystery into a brilliant new portal fantasy from Dan Koboldt.
What happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas. But what happens after you step through a portal to another world, well…
For stage magician Quinn Bradley, he thought his time in Alissia was over. He’d done his job for the mysterious company CASE Global Enterprises, and now his name is finally on the marquee of one of the biggest Vegas casinos. And yet, for all the accolades, he definitely feels something is missing. He can create the most amazing illusions on Earth, but he’s also tasted true power. Real magic.
He misses it.
Luckily—or not—CASE Global is not done with him, and they want him to go back. The first time, he was tasked with finding a missing researcher. Now, though, he has another task:
Help take Richard Holt down.
It’s impossible to be in Vegas and not be a gambler. And while Quinn might not like his odds—a wyvern nearly ate him the last time he was in Alissia—if he plays his cards right, he might be able to aid his friends.
He also might learn how to use real magic himself.
What happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas. But what happens after you step through a portal to another world, well…
For stage magician Quinn Bradley, he thought his time in Alissia was over. He’d done his job for the mysterious company CASE Global Enterprises, and now his name is finally on the marquee of one of the biggest Vegas casinos. And yet, for all the accolades, he definitely feels something is missing. He can create the most amazing illusions on Earth, but he’s also tasted true power. Real magic.
He misses it.
Luckily—or not—CASE Global is not done with him, and they want him to go back. The first time, he was tasked with finding a missing researcher. Now, though, he has another task:
Help take Richard Holt down.
It’s impossible to be in Vegas and not be a gambler. And while Quinn might not like his odds—a wyvern nearly ate him the last time he was in Alissia—if he plays his cards right, he might be able to aid his friends.
He also might learn how to use real magic himself.
480 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 19, 2020
About the author
Dan Koboldt
31 books372 followersDan Koboldt is a genetics researcher who has co-authored more than 90 publications in Nature, Science, the New England Journal of Medicine, and other journals. Every fall, he disappears into the woods to pursue whitetail deer with bow and arrow. He lives with his wife and three children in Ohio, where the deer take their revenge by eating all of the plants in his backyard.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 4, 2017
When real magic is possible, would the Vegas kind satisfy you? It doesn’t for Quinn Bradley, the protagonist of Dan Koboldt’s Island Deception. Quinn, a stage magician, has worked his whole life for the big show in Las Vegas, and with a little help, he finally accomplishes his goal. The opportunity of a lifetime is his for the taking. But his curiosity and heart are drawn back to the little island where he learned that magic - the fireball kind - exists. Lucky for Quinn, CASE Global Enterprises needs his help back in Alissia.
Before we get into the review, here’s a quick disclosure: I was provided an advanced copy for an honest review. I also know Dan and occasionally contribute essays to his blog (http://dankoboldt.com/blog/) as part of the Science in Sci Fi and Facts in Fantasy series.
As a fan of The Rogue Retrieval, I looked forward to returning to the land of real magic. Dan didn’t disappoint with a fun tale that has me ready for book 3.
From the publisher:
The Gateways to Alissia series - starting with The Rogue Retrieval and continuing in The Island Deception - is best described as a portal fantasy in the vein of Stargate: SG-1. Opening on Earth in the Las Vegas strip, The Island Deception sets the stakes in our world, but the path to success lies in Alissia. Quinn Bradley returns as our main character, who reaching the peaks of Vegas showmanship is still drawn to possibilities he found in the Enclave. Also returning are his team of Kiara, Logan, Chaudri, and Mendez, the CASE Global operatives sent in-world with Bradley. The magic of The Rogue Retrieval was the cast of characters, and they are back in Alissia on assignment for CASE Global Enterprises.
Being a second novel, The Island Deception jumps into the action faster than The Rogue Retrieval, and the whole novel benefits from the quicker pace. Whereas the first book had to set the stage, this one uses that stage to get right into the action. This time around, cracks have formed in the team due to personal agendas and loyalty to the company. The interpersonal dynamics has changed from the group’s first trip through the portal together. Dan does a good job balancing the character beats with forward movement of the plot, and the character tensions are that extra spice that elevates from good to wow. With the ominous presence of CASE Global always in the background, the characters feel squished between their employer, team, and morals.
I enjoyed returning to Alissia. Even though it is a second novel, the world building continues. Dan gives the reader cultural cues and flairs seamlessly. For me, world building is something that varies from novel to novel depending on story, style of writing, and author’s ability. Too much or too little can overshadow the narrative; it has to serve a specific purpose. The Island Deception gets it right. What I learned about the fantasy world came through character. Instead of information dumps, Dan uses social settings that not only advance the plot but show the depth of the various cultures he's created. Whether it's the sparse haughty dinner of the aristocrats or the more social, sharing nature of others, the characters show rather than tell.
Sequels are always tricky, and the middle books in trilogies are incredibly difficult. The author has set both a floor, in the previous book, and a ceiling, the final installment. But a novel also requires some change from the beginning. As with most secondary books in a trilogy, The Island Deception closes individual plot threads while at the same time making only a little progress on the overarching story. While the book contains many character and plot points, the ending doesn’t feel like a finish. If, like me, you think the journey is more important than the destination, then this is a small quibble.
The Island Deception is a fast, fun sequel to The Rogue Retrieval. Once again Quinn and crew step through that portal to further the interests of a shadowy corporation. The return to Alissia increases the stakes and sets up the stage for book 3. Bring on The World Awakening.
TL;DR - Highly recommended for fans of adventure fiction and fantasy.
Before we get into the review, here’s a quick disclosure: I was provided an advanced copy for an honest review. I also know Dan and occasionally contribute essays to his blog (http://dankoboldt.com/blog/) as part of the Science in Sci Fi and Facts in Fantasy series.
As a fan of The Rogue Retrieval, I looked forward to returning to the land of real magic. Dan didn’t disappoint with a fun tale that has me ready for book 3.
From the publisher:
What happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas. But what happens after you step through a portal to another world, well... For stage magician Quinn Bradley, he thought his time in Alissia was over. He'd done his job for the mysterious company CASE Global Enterprises, and now his name is finally on the marquee of one of the biggest Vegas casinos. And yet, for all the accolades, he definitely feels something is missing. He can create the most amazing illusions on Earth, but he's also tasted true power. Real magic. He misses it. Luckily--or not--CASE Global is not done with him, and they want him to go back. The first time, he was tasked with finding a missing researcher. Now, though, he has another task:
Help take Richard Holt down.
It's impossible to be in Vegas and not be a gambler. And while Quinn might not like his odds--a wyvern nearly ate him the last time he was in Alissia--if he plays his cards right, he might be able to aid his friends.
He also might learn how to use real magic himself.
The Gateways to Alissia series - starting with The Rogue Retrieval and continuing in The Island Deception - is best described as a portal fantasy in the vein of Stargate: SG-1. Opening on Earth in the Las Vegas strip, The Island Deception sets the stakes in our world, but the path to success lies in Alissia. Quinn Bradley returns as our main character, who reaching the peaks of Vegas showmanship is still drawn to possibilities he found in the Enclave. Also returning are his team of Kiara, Logan, Chaudri, and Mendez, the CASE Global operatives sent in-world with Bradley. The magic of The Rogue Retrieval was the cast of characters, and they are back in Alissia on assignment for CASE Global Enterprises.
Being a second novel, The Island Deception jumps into the action faster than The Rogue Retrieval, and the whole novel benefits from the quicker pace. Whereas the first book had to set the stage, this one uses that stage to get right into the action. This time around, cracks have formed in the team due to personal agendas and loyalty to the company. The interpersonal dynamics has changed from the group’s first trip through the portal together. Dan does a good job balancing the character beats with forward movement of the plot, and the character tensions are that extra spice that elevates from good to wow. With the ominous presence of CASE Global always in the background, the characters feel squished between their employer, team, and morals.
I enjoyed returning to Alissia. Even though it is a second novel, the world building continues. Dan gives the reader cultural cues and flairs seamlessly. For me, world building is something that varies from novel to novel depending on story, style of writing, and author’s ability. Too much or too little can overshadow the narrative; it has to serve a specific purpose. The Island Deception gets it right. What I learned about the fantasy world came through character. Instead of information dumps, Dan uses social settings that not only advance the plot but show the depth of the various cultures he's created. Whether it's the sparse haughty dinner of the aristocrats or the more social, sharing nature of others, the characters show rather than tell.
Sequels are always tricky, and the middle books in trilogies are incredibly difficult. The author has set both a floor, in the previous book, and a ceiling, the final installment. But a novel also requires some change from the beginning. As with most secondary books in a trilogy, The Island Deception closes individual plot threads while at the same time making only a little progress on the overarching story. While the book contains many character and plot points, the ending doesn’t feel like a finish. If, like me, you think the journey is more important than the destination, then this is a small quibble.
The Island Deception is a fast, fun sequel to The Rogue Retrieval. Once again Quinn and crew step through that portal to further the interests of a shadowy corporation. The return to Alissia increases the stakes and sets up the stage for book 3. Bring on The World Awakening.
TL;DR - Highly recommended for fans of adventure fiction and fantasy.
April 4, 2017
Quinn's back in the real world, with an incredible opportunity on the Vegas Strip he's long strived for. But even the glimmer of Vegas lights can't compare to what he's experienced in Alissia.
When Case Global asks him to return, he practically jumps at the chance. Because Alissia holds magic--real magic. But the mission holds many dangers, and Case Global is playing their cards close to the chest. There's more at stake than ever, both for the company's team, and for the Alissian people.
I found the dive back into the story a little slow. The opening scene lacked some of the pizazz I've come to expect from Quinn, but once we dip into Alissia, the fun is on. The stakes are much higher this time, and the mood is decidedly more serious. Relationships delve deeper, and a series of mysteries and secrets pulls you along in a race for the finish, that, while leaving you satisfied, also leaves a slaking thirst for the next book.
I have to say, the author is excellent at creating stunning worlds. He paints the culture in such broad and vibrant strokes, and the many nuances that makes each region unique, and the people that inhabit each area just as varied.
And the magic. I yelled at Quinn a few times for being such a cheater at times. But he pulls through in the end, like always. A true illusionist and man of charisma.
If you loved The Rogue Retrieval, you'll want to continue the journey in the Island of Deception. The anticipation is on for book 3 of the Gateways to Alissia trilogy. I can hardly wait to see how the author paints his way out of this corner. :)
When Case Global asks him to return, he practically jumps at the chance. Because Alissia holds magic--real magic. But the mission holds many dangers, and Case Global is playing their cards close to the chest. There's more at stake than ever, both for the company's team, and for the Alissian people.
I found the dive back into the story a little slow. The opening scene lacked some of the pizazz I've come to expect from Quinn, but once we dip into Alissia, the fun is on. The stakes are much higher this time, and the mood is decidedly more serious. Relationships delve deeper, and a series of mysteries and secrets pulls you along in a race for the finish, that, while leaving you satisfied, also leaves a slaking thirst for the next book.
I have to say, the author is excellent at creating stunning worlds. He paints the culture in such broad and vibrant strokes, and the many nuances that makes each region unique, and the people that inhabit each area just as varied.
And the magic. I yelled at Quinn a few times for being such a cheater at times. But he pulls through in the end, like always. A true illusionist and man of charisma.
If you loved The Rogue Retrieval, you'll want to continue the journey in the Island of Deception. The anticipation is on for book 3 of the Gateways to Alissia trilogy. I can hardly wait to see how the author paints his way out of this corner. :)
June 13, 2017
Book 1 was quite the charmer, a kind of a light meal heightened by the quirks of the leading character and the new world accessible through a portal. Book 2 adds on what book 1 has, adding more depth but that comes at the cost of some of the nimbleness and deftness that defined book 1 and the lightness of the book doesnt really stand up to this. Another potential reason for that is a bit of attention shifting away from Bradley Quinn as well.
Bradley was the heart behind the previous book and remains here as well. Given his magician cred and events of the previous book, he feels himself at home in Alissia and travels to the enclave. From here, the story kind of verges into the Dances with the Wolves/ Avatar territory and the ending is pretty much along those lines as we wait for book 3.
In terms of the other characters, it hurts the book that they quite arent as compelling as Bradley. I think the book works out alright and leaves us in an interesting situation, but for most parts of this easily accessible and paced book, there werent too many surprises. Almost predictable
Bradley was the heart behind the previous book and remains here as well. Given his magician cred and events of the previous book, he feels himself at home in Alissia and travels to the enclave. From here, the story kind of verges into the Dances with the Wolves/ Avatar territory and the ending is pretty much along those lines as we wait for book 3.
In terms of the other characters, it hurts the book that they quite arent as compelling as Bradley. I think the book works out alright and leaves us in an interesting situation, but for most parts of this easily accessible and paced book, there werent too many surprises. Almost predictable
May 12, 2023
Actually 3.5 stars would be a better number.
The tale from the first book continues and is entertaining. The plot advances well, setting up a third book to resolve the many conflicts.
My main gripe is that the book seemed a little lost in the middle. Characters moved around and did things, but it seemed a bit like filler.
Will definitely read the third book though.
The tale from the first book continues and is entertaining. The plot advances well, setting up a third book to resolve the many conflicts.
My main gripe is that the book seemed a little lost in the middle. Characters moved around and did things, but it seemed a bit like filler.
Will definitely read the third book though.
April 18, 2017
Brilliant to revisit old friends and enjoy some time in this wonderful world. An abruptly worrying ending has left me wanting another one, though! Bring it on soon please!
March 22, 2018
Just finished my second read through, originally read 2018 and it still holds up seven years later.
This is an amazing series, it’s crazy it’s not more popular. Granted, it suffers from second-book-in-series-itis, but still an excellent read.
Appeals both to the Michael Crichton AND fantasy nerd in me.
This is an amazing series, it’s crazy it’s not more popular. Granted, it suffers from second-book-in-series-itis, but still an excellent read.
Appeals both to the Michael Crichton AND fantasy nerd in me.
May 24, 2020
It's a Portal fantasy/ Wuxia for you nerds. The concept of the story is good, but in the end you really had no MC and if you read or listen to this. You will see know why.
Spoilers
Spoilers
July 25, 2025
A very enjoyable return to Alissia. I am always going to be a bit biased on these because of Dan's professional affiliations, and I'm not sure everyone is going to gel with the lighthearted nature of the banter between the characters, but this is just a great exploration of a new magical world, in the throes of major change, effected by an outside force.
It deals well with the shades of grey, there's a rival corporation, a corporation you're embedded in and never entirely sure if they are the good guys, and then there is 'the bad guy'. But the reality is all of these people are doing bad things for selfish reasons, it just happens to matter in which camp you're in.
I'm not in love with Quinn as an MC, charming, arrogant, a bit of a player. But he brings a lot of glee into his new life as an operative of last resort in the political game. When I finish a book in 10 days, it's a proper page turner, and I immediately segued into book 3!
It deals well with the shades of grey, there's a rival corporation, a corporation you're embedded in and never entirely sure if they are the good guys, and then there is 'the bad guy'. But the reality is all of these people are doing bad things for selfish reasons, it just happens to matter in which camp you're in.
I'm not in love with Quinn as an MC, charming, arrogant, a bit of a player. But he brings a lot of glee into his new life as an operative of last resort in the political game. When I finish a book in 10 days, it's a proper page turner, and I immediately segued into book 3!
November 30, 2017
Once again, Quinn Bradley pulls me into his world and invites me along as Alissia and the Enclave sing their siren song. Less high-action adventure in this book than the first, and more character development, especially with the secondary folks, which I really enjoyed. A couple of cool twists, too. Truly can't wait (though I must) for the next book.
The only reason my review came down from five stars to four: the cliches. Way too many, which surprised me for an otherwise excellent sci-fi/fantasy gig. Hopefully, most of those will vanish in the next novel like one of Quinn's sleight-of-hand magic tricks.
The only reason my review came down from five stars to four: the cliches. Way too many, which surprised me for an otherwise excellent sci-fi/fantasy gig. Hopefully, most of those will vanish in the next novel like one of Quinn's sleight-of-hand magic tricks.
May 27, 2017
Enjoyed this but not as much as the first book in the series. Less magic/illusion from Quinn. It seemed much of the plot was the main characters searching, hiding and reconnoitering. It's probably a setup for the next book which, hopefully, will have a nice exciting climax. I'll have to wait until 2018 when it's published.
January 16, 2018
I really enjoyed this book! I’m a huge fan of portal-into-another-world novels, so this series is perfect for me. This action-packed sequel was quite a page-turner, and I loved revisiting the world of Alissia (the world building is incredible). I also enjoyed the alternating POVs, and felt like I got to know the characters much more this time around. I can’t wait for the third book to come out!
January 16, 2018
Island is the second in the Alissia series and continues the momentum of the first novel. This novel focuses on Quinn's interactions at the Enclave and features a good bit of the character development that I enjoyed in the first installment. Looking forward to the conclusion!
Read
March 10, 2017DNF because I really should have read Book One first.
September 3, 2017
I get sucked into these books rather readily even though the main character is a little annoying. He still has charm and the setting and plot are really good.
June 6, 2018
Another adventure in the world of magic. The book leaves with some things untied and on a cliff hanger. Must read next book
May 9, 2017
The Island Deception is Dan Koboldt’s follow up to his 2016 debut, The Rogue Retrieval (review), and the second novel in his Gateways to Alissia trilogy. I enjoyed The Rogue Retrieval very much when I read it last year, so much so that it made my top 10 books of the year. To therefore say I was looking forward to The Island Deception is an understatement – I couldn’t wait to get back to Alissia and see where Koboldt’s imagination would take me. And I wasn’t disappointed, for within the electronic pages I was carried away to another world, one where magic is real, but so is the danger…
Set a few months after the events of The Rogue Retrieval, Quinn Bradley is finally about to live his dream of delivering his big show in one of Vegas’ biggest venues. It’s what he’s worked his whole life for, but after travelling to the world of Alissia and seeing real magic first hand, something is missing. That something soon changes when Veena Chaudri shows up to return him to the CASE Global island facility and, ultimately, to Alissia on another mission. After his previous contact with the magicians of Alissia, Quinn finds himself uniquely placed to re-tread his steps back to their island in order to help CASE Global finally locate it. But, as always, things aren’t what they appear to be, and Quinn must use every trick at his disposal to survive until he reaches his goal, all the while wondering if that spark of real magic he found within himself on the previous mission can be fully revealed…
While many second novels in a trilogy can suffer from the ‘middle-book syndrome’, one of the big benefits is that they know what they need to do. Koboldt uses this wisely in The Island Deception, placing the reader straight into the heart of matters and pushing the plot ahead at full steam. Little time is wasted on Earth, and before we know it Quinn and the team of Kiara, Logan, Chaudri, and Mendez are back on Alissia in order to track down and stop Richard Holt, former head Allissian researcher at CASE Global, now elected Prime of Valeria. It’s not just one target either, for Holt took equipment with him when he defected, and getting this back is a very high priority for the team. But due to the nature of the mission they must split up, Kiara and Logan on the trial of the technology, Quinn, Chaudri, and Mendez on an information gathering mission before Quinn makes his way to the Enclave of magicians.
Suffice to say that there is plenty going on in The Island Deception. While Quinn’s storyline is the one I was most interested in when I approached the story, it turned out that by splitting up the core team I became hooked on each of the separate threads equally. There is much more going on than initially meets the eye, and while this helps with the story, it also helps immensely with the world building, a facet I felt was slightly under-explored in the first novel. Koboldt manages to do this through natural exposition, giving deceptively detailed explanations of the world and society as the teams progress.
There is some really good character building going on too. Logan and Kiara are an interesting pair together, though Kiara’s unwavering adherence to her orders and the goal of CASE Global is especially effective in providing some disagreements and friction along the way. Mendez and Chaudri’s relationship is teased aplenty, though it is also clear that Chaudri has an affection towards Holt given their previous mentor/apprentice relationship. Quinn’s development comes courtesy of his involvement with the Enclave, and this is explored nicely through both magic training and his discussions with other members on the island. The characters are ultimately responsible for the success of The Island Deception, more so than the story itself.
And speaking of which, this is where the downside issue of ‘middle-book syndrome’ comes into play: not that much actually happens. It’s clear that Koboldt has big plans for the third book, but it means that setting the pieces takes time, and that’s the only real downfall of the story. Don’t get me wrong, things do happen, just not quite at the level I hoped or expected. I did have one other issue with The Island Deception, and that’s Quinn’s endless reliance on the technology he has to pretend to be a magician rather than actually trying to find his real magic. It’s a theme throughout, and one that is frustrating due to its ongoing nature. I was satisfied by the end, just not quite so with the way it got there.
So, my final thoughts on The Island Deception are quite simple: I liked it. A lot. Is it perfect? No, but it does address some issues from the first novel while building a solid base on which to deliver the finale. The short chapters, entertaining characters, and witty dialog certainly helped the pages turn long into the night, and when I finally finished only one thought came to mind: when’s the next one out? In my eyes, when a book leaves you with that feeling you know you’ve got a winner. Recommended.
Set a few months after the events of The Rogue Retrieval, Quinn Bradley is finally about to live his dream of delivering his big show in one of Vegas’ biggest venues. It’s what he’s worked his whole life for, but after travelling to the world of Alissia and seeing real magic first hand, something is missing. That something soon changes when Veena Chaudri shows up to return him to the CASE Global island facility and, ultimately, to Alissia on another mission. After his previous contact with the magicians of Alissia, Quinn finds himself uniquely placed to re-tread his steps back to their island in order to help CASE Global finally locate it. But, as always, things aren’t what they appear to be, and Quinn must use every trick at his disposal to survive until he reaches his goal, all the while wondering if that spark of real magic he found within himself on the previous mission can be fully revealed…
While many second novels in a trilogy can suffer from the ‘middle-book syndrome’, one of the big benefits is that they know what they need to do. Koboldt uses this wisely in The Island Deception, placing the reader straight into the heart of matters and pushing the plot ahead at full steam. Little time is wasted on Earth, and before we know it Quinn and the team of Kiara, Logan, Chaudri, and Mendez are back on Alissia in order to track down and stop Richard Holt, former head Allissian researcher at CASE Global, now elected Prime of Valeria. It’s not just one target either, for Holt took equipment with him when he defected, and getting this back is a very high priority for the team. But due to the nature of the mission they must split up, Kiara and Logan on the trial of the technology, Quinn, Chaudri, and Mendez on an information gathering mission before Quinn makes his way to the Enclave of magicians.
Suffice to say that there is plenty going on in The Island Deception. While Quinn’s storyline is the one I was most interested in when I approached the story, it turned out that by splitting up the core team I became hooked on each of the separate threads equally. There is much more going on than initially meets the eye, and while this helps with the story, it also helps immensely with the world building, a facet I felt was slightly under-explored in the first novel. Koboldt manages to do this through natural exposition, giving deceptively detailed explanations of the world and society as the teams progress.
There is some really good character building going on too. Logan and Kiara are an interesting pair together, though Kiara’s unwavering adherence to her orders and the goal of CASE Global is especially effective in providing some disagreements and friction along the way. Mendez and Chaudri’s relationship is teased aplenty, though it is also clear that Chaudri has an affection towards Holt given their previous mentor/apprentice relationship. Quinn’s development comes courtesy of his involvement with the Enclave, and this is explored nicely through both magic training and his discussions with other members on the island. The characters are ultimately responsible for the success of The Island Deception, more so than the story itself.
And speaking of which, this is where the downside issue of ‘middle-book syndrome’ comes into play: not that much actually happens. It’s clear that Koboldt has big plans for the third book, but it means that setting the pieces takes time, and that’s the only real downfall of the story. Don’t get me wrong, things do happen, just not quite at the level I hoped or expected. I did have one other issue with The Island Deception, and that’s Quinn’s endless reliance on the technology he has to pretend to be a magician rather than actually trying to find his real magic. It’s a theme throughout, and one that is frustrating due to its ongoing nature. I was satisfied by the end, just not quite so with the way it got there.
So, my final thoughts on The Island Deception are quite simple: I liked it. A lot. Is it perfect? No, but it does address some issues from the first novel while building a solid base on which to deliver the finale. The short chapters, entertaining characters, and witty dialog certainly helped the pages turn long into the night, and when I finally finished only one thought came to mind: when’s the next one out? In my eyes, when a book leaves you with that feeling you know you’ve got a winner. Recommended.
February 12, 2019
After the slow start in the first book, this one gives you quite a bit more of the Alissian side of things and provides more of the escapist fantasy I am looking for.
We get to watch the protagonist, Magician Quinn Bradley, try to tread the line between being a CASE spy operative and a student of real magic in the Enclave.
He tries to do this while also romancing his teacher's daughter.
All through this series there are no clear heroes..lots of gray. Although you do see that the main evil is probably the corporations fighting to get into this fantasy world of Alissia..and not any one of the characters ( at least so far).. Every time you find yourself routing for or against one of the characters, a plot twist comes up that makes you rethink your opinion of a character.
I am still bothered by the premise, which gets even more strange in this book. A corporation just sits on this fantasy gateway for 15 long years developing a spy network...and when they finally decide it is time to invade and take over..they do it with trebuchets, swords, and crossbows ( albeit with modern alloys and design and radio communication).. but really?..why would you handicap yourself like that? Tanks and planes and machine guns seem the obvious path here. It's like the conquistadors decided to use rowboats and spears when they got to South America.
We get to watch the protagonist, Magician Quinn Bradley, try to tread the line between being a CASE spy operative and a student of real magic in the Enclave.
He tries to do this while also romancing his teacher's daughter.
All through this series there are no clear heroes..lots of gray. Although you do see that the main evil is probably the corporations fighting to get into this fantasy world of Alissia..and not any one of the characters ( at least so far).. Every time you find yourself routing for or against one of the characters, a plot twist comes up that makes you rethink your opinion of a character.
I am still bothered by the premise, which gets even more strange in this book. A corporation just sits on this fantasy gateway for 15 long years developing a spy network...and when they finally decide it is time to invade and take over..they do it with trebuchets, swords, and crossbows ( albeit with modern alloys and design and radio communication).. but really?..why would you handicap yourself like that? Tanks and planes and machine guns seem the obvious path here. It's like the conquistadors decided to use rowboats and spears when they got to South America.
August 9, 2017
In this action-packed sequel to The Rogue Retrieval Bradley Quinn travels deeper into the depths of Alissa, a strange and foreign world that's full of magic, danger, and adventure. Quinn adventures back into the world of Alissa in order to discover the secrets of real magic, though he must play along with the corporate plan in order to achieve his personal goals. Mystery, intrigue, and suspense are found between the pages of The Island Deception as author Dan Kobolt takes us back through the gateway with Quinn and his friends. Highly recommended reading!
February 2, 2018
Such a fun series.
Bloody cliffhangers! Ha! It's okay--I already preordered the next volume on the strength of book one. I am really enjoying this series, and I'll be most pleased when book three arrives. I am well and truly hooked.
Bloody cliffhangers! Ha! It's okay--I already preordered the next volume on the strength of book one. I am really enjoying this series, and I'll be most pleased when book three arrives. I am well and truly hooked.
April 9, 2017
As everyone knows and agrees, second books suck. It's all about moving plots and pawns, getting into position for the final battle, the final showdown. Like The Two Towers, The Island Deception is no different: You're moving, but you're not getting there. Yet.
Quinn finally gets his big break in Vegas, but immediately after, he's thrown back into Alissia, because who can keep him away from real magic, really, after he's been throwing himself whole-heartedly after the scam?
And the mission is going to hell in a handbasket. Quinn is keeping mum about Enclave secrets just as Kiara is keeping hers hidden behind security clearance levels, even from Logan. The recovery mission is pushed up without warning, not giving Mendez a chance to recuperate from the last one.
There's a bit of romance--is this just a fling? Is he trying to use her? Or is he actually serious?--amidst plans and strategising, foils and counterfoils. The team is up against an adversary who seems to be able to read their minds, if only because he was the one who told them how to think in the first place. The plots and cross-plots are getting more intricate. Should I root for Quinn? Or is he doing the wrong thing? Should I root for Veena--but no, I'm sure Holt's up to no good, even if he says he knows better.
And then you get to that bit where you go aww yes, this is it and you hit the realisation (again, all too often nowadays), that no, there's only 10 minutes left and this is just going to...
Hello, cliffhanger.
It's all good. I just need to wait for The World Awakening (or whatever the title turns to) next year.
Good job, Koboldt. I both love and hate you now.
Note: I received a copy for review via Edelweiss
Quinn finally gets his big break in Vegas, but immediately after, he's thrown back into Alissia, because who can keep him away from real magic, really, after he's been throwing himself whole-heartedly after the scam?
And the mission is going to hell in a handbasket. Quinn is keeping mum about Enclave secrets just as Kiara is keeping hers hidden behind security clearance levels, even from Logan. The recovery mission is pushed up without warning, not giving Mendez a chance to recuperate from the last one.
There's a bit of romance--is this just a fling? Is he trying to use her? Or is he actually serious?--amidst plans and strategising, foils and counterfoils. The team is up against an adversary who seems to be able to read their minds, if only because he was the one who told them how to think in the first place. The plots and cross-plots are getting more intricate. Should I root for Quinn? Or is he doing the wrong thing? Should I root for Veena--but no, I'm sure Holt's up to no good, even if he says he knows better.
And then you get to that bit where you go aww yes, this is it and you hit the realisation (again, all too often nowadays), that no, there's only 10 minutes left and this is just going to...
Hello, cliffhanger.
It's all good. I just need to wait for The World Awakening (or whatever the title turns to) next year.
Good job, Koboldt. I both love and hate you now.
Note: I received a copy for review via Edelweiss
April 9, 2017
Better than the first book.
I really enjoyed this. In this second book in the trilogy, while it's still a portal fantasy, it reads more like true fantasy because it's almost all contained in the second world of Alissia. The corporation is still there, and pulling their strings, but it's mostly done from a distance. Quinn, who was clearly the main character in book 1 is still that, though the story is told from 3 points of view, all of which add to the overall story, which is essentially the hunt for Richard Holt, the traitor who kicked off the actions of book 1.
If you liked the first one, you're going to love this. If you were kind of on the fence about the first one, I still think you're going to like this a lot. I can't quite put my finger on why this one is better, yet. The pace is fantastic, and the characters each take on their own development, heading in ways that I didn't necessarily expect.
There are plenty of satisfying developments, but fair warning: This *is* book two in a trilogy, and it *will* leave you wanting to read book three for the final answers.
I really enjoyed this. In this second book in the trilogy, while it's still a portal fantasy, it reads more like true fantasy because it's almost all contained in the second world of Alissia. The corporation is still there, and pulling their strings, but it's mostly done from a distance. Quinn, who was clearly the main character in book 1 is still that, though the story is told from 3 points of view, all of which add to the overall story, which is essentially the hunt for Richard Holt, the traitor who kicked off the actions of book 1.
If you liked the first one, you're going to love this. If you were kind of on the fence about the first one, I still think you're going to like this a lot. I can't quite put my finger on why this one is better, yet. The pace is fantastic, and the characters each take on their own development, heading in ways that I didn't necessarily expect.
There are plenty of satisfying developments, but fair warning: This *is* book two in a trilogy, and it *will* leave you wanting to read book three for the final answers.
April 9, 2017
Originally published at Reading Reality
The series title gives just a bit away. The Island Deception is the second book in the Gateways to Alissia, and that’s what this series is, gateway or portal fantasy. There is a gateway, or portal, between our post-industrial, non-magical world and pristine Alissia, which is seems to be just pre-industrial, (our 1600s or 1700s) and definitely magical.
Not just magical in the sense that everyone who travels through the gateway falls in love with the place and wants to stay, but also magical in the sense that magic works.
That’s where our hero comes in. Or came in for The Rogue Retrieval. Quinn Bradley is a stage magician in our world, who discovers in Alissia that the part he has been playing as a magician is surprisingly real. He may be a very late bloomer, but it looks like he might be a real mage. At least on Alissia.
He’s determined to get back there and find out. So when he gets called back to the gateway, this time he’s more than happy to go.
And CASE Global still needs him, because that rogue agent his group was supposed to retrieve in the the first book is still out there, and is gathering power at an astonishing rate. CASE Global’s original concern was that Richard Holt would reveal the existence of advanced technology, and contaminate the world they were studying.
Now it looks like he’s planning to do much more than that. It looks very like he has seized political control in Alissia for the express purpose of preventing CASE Global (and their competitor Raptor Tech) from using their advanced tech to take over Alissia and milk its resources for their own ends.
Or just fight over it until there’s nothing left to save. It doesn’t seem to matter to either of them. But it matters to Richard Holt quite a lot. And, as it turns out, to Quinn Bradley as well.
It looks like it’s time for everyone to decide whether someone else’s bad ends justify their own participation in horrible means, and figure out where their true loyalties lay.
Before it’s too late.
Escape Rating A-: I gave The Rogue Retrieval a B+, because as much as I really enjoyed the ride, the antecedents felt just a bit too clear for me to push it into the A’s. The Island Deception has done a much better job of melding its predecessors into a thing of its own. If you like any of what came before, you’ll like this too, but it also feels more like its own “whole” and not just the sum of its parts.
There’s still a lot of S.M. Stirling’s Conquistador in Alissia, but there are also significant differences. The high-tech world, our world, finds the less developed world in a much more primitive state than happens in Alissia. And the presence of people from the high-tech world is much more exploitative from the outset. It ends up being a place where exiles from our world go to practice deliberately exploitative forms of governance that have been overtly consigned to not the dustbin of history, but the garbage dumpster of history, here. Things like slavery. And apartheid. And the complete subjugation of women, natives, non-Christians and pretty much anyone with brown skin. Or any other color of skin than white.
Alissia, at least for most of our interaction with it, has been left alone to continue its native development, while it gets studied in depth by our world. That appears to be about to change, and could have been predicted to change from the very beginning, but it hasn’t happened yet, and could still be prevented.
The parallels between Alissia and L.E. Modesitt’s Imager Portfolio are much clearer in this book, particularly between the magician’s island on Alissia, The Enclave, and the Imager Collegium as portrayed in the latest Imager trilogy, beginning with Madness in Solidar. Alastor’s dilemma at the Collegium is very much the same as that of the head of The Enclave in Alissia. How does one provide a safe haven for a small but powerful population of magic users in a world where they are vastly outnumbered by mundanes who often fear or envy their powers? Is alliance with the powers that be safer than strict neutrality? And if so, what happens when the powers that be change their course? There are no easy answers, and Quinn Bradley finds himself caught in the middle between his desire to learn magic and his desire to protect his friends and comrades on both sides of the gateway.
Although there are other members of the team, the story rests on Quinn. Even though there are points where the action follows others and he is not present, it is his perspective that we return to, and his character that we know best – at least to the degree that Quinn knows himself. Quinn himself is a bit of a rogue, always sure that his glib tongue can get him out of any trouble. It’s only when both his glibness and his technology fail him that he is able to finally reach inside himself and find out what he is really made of.
But if you like your heroes touched with a spark (or snark) of anti-hero, Quinn is a gem. Whether he’s real or paste is anybody’s guess – sometimes even his own. I can’t wait to discover how Quinn’s adventure plays out (hopefully in The World Awakening next year), whichever side he decides he’s on.
The series title gives just a bit away. The Island Deception is the second book in the Gateways to Alissia, and that’s what this series is, gateway or portal fantasy. There is a gateway, or portal, between our post-industrial, non-magical world and pristine Alissia, which is seems to be just pre-industrial, (our 1600s or 1700s) and definitely magical.
Not just magical in the sense that everyone who travels through the gateway falls in love with the place and wants to stay, but also magical in the sense that magic works.
That’s where our hero comes in. Or came in for The Rogue Retrieval. Quinn Bradley is a stage magician in our world, who discovers in Alissia that the part he has been playing as a magician is surprisingly real. He may be a very late bloomer, but it looks like he might be a real mage. At least on Alissia.
He’s determined to get back there and find out. So when he gets called back to the gateway, this time he’s more than happy to go.
And CASE Global still needs him, because that rogue agent his group was supposed to retrieve in the the first book is still out there, and is gathering power at an astonishing rate. CASE Global’s original concern was that Richard Holt would reveal the existence of advanced technology, and contaminate the world they were studying.
Now it looks like he’s planning to do much more than that. It looks very like he has seized political control in Alissia for the express purpose of preventing CASE Global (and their competitor Raptor Tech) from using their advanced tech to take over Alissia and milk its resources for their own ends.
Or just fight over it until there’s nothing left to save. It doesn’t seem to matter to either of them. But it matters to Richard Holt quite a lot. And, as it turns out, to Quinn Bradley as well.
It looks like it’s time for everyone to decide whether someone else’s bad ends justify their own participation in horrible means, and figure out where their true loyalties lay.
Before it’s too late.
Escape Rating A-: I gave The Rogue Retrieval a B+, because as much as I really enjoyed the ride, the antecedents felt just a bit too clear for me to push it into the A’s. The Island Deception has done a much better job of melding its predecessors into a thing of its own. If you like any of what came before, you’ll like this too, but it also feels more like its own “whole” and not just the sum of its parts.
There’s still a lot of S.M. Stirling’s Conquistador in Alissia, but there are also significant differences. The high-tech world, our world, finds the less developed world in a much more primitive state than happens in Alissia. And the presence of people from the high-tech world is much more exploitative from the outset. It ends up being a place where exiles from our world go to practice deliberately exploitative forms of governance that have been overtly consigned to not the dustbin of history, but the garbage dumpster of history, here. Things like slavery. And apartheid. And the complete subjugation of women, natives, non-Christians and pretty much anyone with brown skin. Or any other color of skin than white.
Alissia, at least for most of our interaction with it, has been left alone to continue its native development, while it gets studied in depth by our world. That appears to be about to change, and could have been predicted to change from the very beginning, but it hasn’t happened yet, and could still be prevented.
The parallels between Alissia and L.E. Modesitt’s Imager Portfolio are much clearer in this book, particularly between the magician’s island on Alissia, The Enclave, and the Imager Collegium as portrayed in the latest Imager trilogy, beginning with Madness in Solidar. Alastor’s dilemma at the Collegium is very much the same as that of the head of The Enclave in Alissia. How does one provide a safe haven for a small but powerful population of magic users in a world where they are vastly outnumbered by mundanes who often fear or envy their powers? Is alliance with the powers that be safer than strict neutrality? And if so, what happens when the powers that be change their course? There are no easy answers, and Quinn Bradley finds himself caught in the middle between his desire to learn magic and his desire to protect his friends and comrades on both sides of the gateway.
Although there are other members of the team, the story rests on Quinn. Even though there are points where the action follows others and he is not present, it is his perspective that we return to, and his character that we know best – at least to the degree that Quinn knows himself. Quinn himself is a bit of a rogue, always sure that his glib tongue can get him out of any trouble. It’s only when both his glibness and his technology fail him that he is able to finally reach inside himself and find out what he is really made of.
But if you like your heroes touched with a spark (or snark) of anti-hero, Quinn is a gem. Whether he’s real or paste is anybody’s guess – sometimes even his own. I can’t wait to discover how Quinn’s adventure plays out (hopefully in The World Awakening next year), whichever side he decides he’s on.
April 9, 2017
A magical mashup of hard science and fantasy.
I called Dan Koboldt’s debut novel, The Rogue Retrieval, “a merry blend of science and sorcery that's reminiscent of Christopher Stasheff’s marvelous The Warlock in Spite of Himself”. Well, Koboldt’s done it again.
In The Island Deception, Koboldt ups the ante as Vegas stage magician and reluctant hero Quinn Bradley returns to Alissia. He’s being sent back by the shadowy CASE Global Enterprises, ostensibly to help take down Richard Holt, the rogue researcher who has gotten himself elected as Valterian Prime and is trying to consolidate all Alissia under his rule. Although Quinn isn’t sure of his employer’s motives, he is sure he wants to go back. Because Quinn has his own agenda—to locate the community of magicians known as The Enclave and learn to use magic. Real magic.
Of course there’s also the attraction of the beautiful (and magically powerful) Jilliane, who hasn’t yet decided if Quinn can be trusted. And there are a host of others whose schemes involve Quinn in some fashion. In fact, the only person Quinn can really trust is… Quinn.
The action is fast and furious, the pacing is excellently done, and Koboldt’s world-building is excellent. The characters are nicely fleshed out, and if their motivations aren’t always clear, well that’s just part of the magician’s SOP—always misdirect. Oh, and by the way. There are pirates! And I always give extra points for pirates.
My one complaint—and this is more on me than on the book—is that due to an extended lag time between reads, I didn’t remember some of the plot points from Rogue Retrieval, and so references to what had gone before left me going “huh?” a couple of times. It had been my plan to re-read book one before diving into The Island Deception, but time and excitement to read the new one tossed this plan right out the window.
But overall, this book is everything I’m looking for in a story—fast paced, smart, fun, characters I can root for, and with a dash of humor. I’m eagerly awaiting the third installment.
I called Dan Koboldt’s debut novel, The Rogue Retrieval, “a merry blend of science and sorcery that's reminiscent of Christopher Stasheff’s marvelous The Warlock in Spite of Himself”. Well, Koboldt’s done it again.
In The Island Deception, Koboldt ups the ante as Vegas stage magician and reluctant hero Quinn Bradley returns to Alissia. He’s being sent back by the shadowy CASE Global Enterprises, ostensibly to help take down Richard Holt, the rogue researcher who has gotten himself elected as Valterian Prime and is trying to consolidate all Alissia under his rule. Although Quinn isn’t sure of his employer’s motives, he is sure he wants to go back. Because Quinn has his own agenda—to locate the community of magicians known as The Enclave and learn to use magic. Real magic.
Of course there’s also the attraction of the beautiful (and magically powerful) Jilliane, who hasn’t yet decided if Quinn can be trusted. And there are a host of others whose schemes involve Quinn in some fashion. In fact, the only person Quinn can really trust is… Quinn.
The action is fast and furious, the pacing is excellently done, and Koboldt’s world-building is excellent. The characters are nicely fleshed out, and if their motivations aren’t always clear, well that’s just part of the magician’s SOP—always misdirect. Oh, and by the way. There are pirates! And I always give extra points for pirates.
My one complaint—and this is more on me than on the book—is that due to an extended lag time between reads, I didn’t remember some of the plot points from Rogue Retrieval, and so references to what had gone before left me going “huh?” a couple of times. It had been my plan to re-read book one before diving into The Island Deception, but time and excitement to read the new one tossed this plan right out the window.
But overall, this book is everything I’m looking for in a story—fast paced, smart, fun, characters I can root for, and with a dash of humor. I’m eagerly awaiting the third installment.
April 12, 2017
The second book in the Gateways to Alissia series where a stage magician from our modern world travels to a world where magic actually works!
I got an eARC from the publisher. Thanks!
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series, the Rogue Retrieval, and this sequel didn’t disappoint. However, you really need to read that first book before diving into this one.
Quinn Bradley is a stage magician who had dreamed his whole life of getting to perform on the big stages in Las Vegas. Now, he’s finally made it: a slot on Bellagio Casino. However, when an agent from CASE Global asks him to come back, Quinn doesn’t hesitate to agree.
CASE Global is one of the big international corporations and it has found a gateway to another world, called Alissia. It’s all top secret but the company has been sending people to spy on Alissia for 15 years. But then their top operative and Alissa expert, Dr. Richard Holt, defected. He disappeared into Alissia with a backpack full of modern technology. Now, he has reappeared – as the head of the most powerful country in that world. Of course, the company wants him taken out. But that’s not easy because Holt has friends all over the place and now even real wizards ensuring his safety.
Quinn and his friends from the first book return: anthropologist Veena Chaudri is as knowledgeable and enthusiastic as before and the tough soldiers, Lieutenant Kiara and Paul Logan, continue to kick ass when needed. They’re joined by another soldier Julio Mendez who instantly likes Chaudri and the feelings are mutual. Their mission is to locate and capture Holt and the advanced tech he has. But to do that, they need to gather information. Quinn’s specific mission is to get back to the Enclave, where the local magicians live and train, and set a beacon in it so that the company can find the place. Soon, they find information which forces the group to divide with Quinn, Chaudri, and Mendez going one way while Kiara and Logan go another. Also, when Quinn finds a way to maybe get into the magicians’ island, he has to go there alone.
The story has three point-of-view characters: Quinn, Logan, and Chaudri. They have communication devices so they can keep up with each other. They’re all also important to the plot and the pacing is pretty quick. They’re all likable and interesting.
Quinn is starting to get second thoughts about fulfilling his mission and he gets mixed up in the Enclave’s politics which could be very dangerous. He’s fascinated by real magic. Even though he has come up with interesting gadgets to mimic magic, now that he knows the real thing is possible, nothing else with do. As in the first book, he’s glib and charming, quick to smile and joke.
Near the start of the story, Kiara gives Mendez an order to kill one a spy from a rivaling company. This doesn’t sit well with Logan even though he doesn’t question his loyalty to CASE Global. Also, Chaudri has to struggle with her own conscience.
The vast majority of the story is set in Alissia. Still, all the major characters are from our modern world, so we get a lot of contrast between the Renaissance like world and our world which I liked. The team has lots of modern tech with them, from binoculars disguised as opera glasses to tablets disguised as books. Logan drills Quinn and the others in combat but Quinn is much better with a bow than a sword because Quinn’s grandfather taught him how to use it.
The Alissian people aren’t depicted as being ignorant or backwards which was good. Some of them are good, some of them are pirates looking for loot. This time, the group uses bribes more than their weapons.
The story does end in a couple of cliffhangers so I’m hoping the third book will be out quickly.
I got an eARC from the publisher. Thanks!
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series, the Rogue Retrieval, and this sequel didn’t disappoint. However, you really need to read that first book before diving into this one.
Quinn Bradley is a stage magician who had dreamed his whole life of getting to perform on the big stages in Las Vegas. Now, he’s finally made it: a slot on Bellagio Casino. However, when an agent from CASE Global asks him to come back, Quinn doesn’t hesitate to agree.
CASE Global is one of the big international corporations and it has found a gateway to another world, called Alissia. It’s all top secret but the company has been sending people to spy on Alissia for 15 years. But then their top operative and Alissa expert, Dr. Richard Holt, defected. He disappeared into Alissia with a backpack full of modern technology. Now, he has reappeared – as the head of the most powerful country in that world. Of course, the company wants him taken out. But that’s not easy because Holt has friends all over the place and now even real wizards ensuring his safety.
Quinn and his friends from the first book return: anthropologist Veena Chaudri is as knowledgeable and enthusiastic as before and the tough soldiers, Lieutenant Kiara and Paul Logan, continue to kick ass when needed. They’re joined by another soldier Julio Mendez who instantly likes Chaudri and the feelings are mutual. Their mission is to locate and capture Holt and the advanced tech he has. But to do that, they need to gather information. Quinn’s specific mission is to get back to the Enclave, where the local magicians live and train, and set a beacon in it so that the company can find the place. Soon, they find information which forces the group to divide with Quinn, Chaudri, and Mendez going one way while Kiara and Logan go another. Also, when Quinn finds a way to maybe get into the magicians’ island, he has to go there alone.
The story has three point-of-view characters: Quinn, Logan, and Chaudri. They have communication devices so they can keep up with each other. They’re all also important to the plot and the pacing is pretty quick. They’re all likable and interesting.
Quinn is starting to get second thoughts about fulfilling his mission and he gets mixed up in the Enclave’s politics which could be very dangerous. He’s fascinated by real magic. Even though he has come up with interesting gadgets to mimic magic, now that he knows the real thing is possible, nothing else with do. As in the first book, he’s glib and charming, quick to smile and joke.
Near the start of the story, Kiara gives Mendez an order to kill one a spy from a rivaling company. This doesn’t sit well with Logan even though he doesn’t question his loyalty to CASE Global. Also, Chaudri has to struggle with her own conscience.
The vast majority of the story is set in Alissia. Still, all the major characters are from our modern world, so we get a lot of contrast between the Renaissance like world and our world which I liked. The team has lots of modern tech with them, from binoculars disguised as opera glasses to tablets disguised as books. Logan drills Quinn and the others in combat but Quinn is much better with a bow than a sword because Quinn’s grandfather taught him how to use it.
The Alissian people aren’t depicted as being ignorant or backwards which was good. Some of them are good, some of them are pirates looking for loot. This time, the group uses bribes more than their weapons.
The story does end in a couple of cliffhangers so I’m hoping the third book will be out quickly.
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