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It's... Kind... of Magic: Book one of four of Magical Modernity
An infinite universe yields infinite possibilities, and not all realities are as laborious as the one we find ourselves trapped. In another set of dimensions, a world analogous to our own grinds the wheel of monotonous life, but to a different beat. In this parallel land, elves, dwarves, goblins, and halflings live just like you do, in mind-numbing tedium, desperate to make it though the working week and blow their wages on drugs, fags, and booze. Just like you.
Just...like... you...
Once upon a time, magic thrived in this wondrous world, a land of witches, warlocks, and wizards. Magic, in harmony with Mother Nature, powered the land, but magic has fallen out of fashion, shunned in favour of WiFi, flat-screen TVs, and instantly downloadable hardcore German megaporn in ultra-high definition. But technology comes at a price. With the inexorable march of progress, the world reaches breaking point. The icecaps melt, the forests disappear, and reality TV dominates. The end of the world is near and a hero is needed... Dan Smith, a nerd of the highest order, isn't convinced he's the Chosen One, nor is anyone else except one man, the mighty Gambledolf. The ancient wizard assembles a merry bunch of adventurers: an elf from the trees, a dwarf from the hills, and a centaur from a field to accompany Dan on a mighty quest. They adventure to the North to retrieve the Last Sword of the Fairy King, a catalyst of magic that can reverse global warming and save the world. All that stands in their way are the forces of evil, for there's likely a dark lord involved.
There usually is.
Just...like... you...
Once upon a time, magic thrived in this wondrous world, a land of witches, warlocks, and wizards. Magic, in harmony with Mother Nature, powered the land, but magic has fallen out of fashion, shunned in favour of WiFi, flat-screen TVs, and instantly downloadable hardcore German megaporn in ultra-high definition. But technology comes at a price. With the inexorable march of progress, the world reaches breaking point. The icecaps melt, the forests disappear, and reality TV dominates. The end of the world is near and a hero is needed... Dan Smith, a nerd of the highest order, isn't convinced he's the Chosen One, nor is anyone else except one man, the mighty Gambledolf. The ancient wizard assembles a merry bunch of adventurers: an elf from the trees, a dwarf from the hills, and a centaur from a field to accompany Dan on a mighty quest. They adventure to the North to retrieve the Last Sword of the Fairy King, a catalyst of magic that can reverse global warming and save the world. All that stands in their way are the forces of evil, for there's likely a dark lord involved.
There usually is.
- GenresFantasy
286 pages, Paperback
Published March 20, 2018
About the author
M.J. Jackman
4 books9 followers"M.J. Jackman is one of the most talented, exciting, and hilarious writers to explode onto the British fiction scene in the 21st century," was what M.J. Jackman hoped to read in the papers after the release of The Sid Tillsley Chronicles.
He hoped his books would bring celebrity status, which, in turn, would bring fast women, hard drugs and liquor, and then slower, more understanding women.
Since the release of The Sid Tillsley Chronicles M. J. Jackman has successfully installed a patio area into his garden.
He hoped his books would bring celebrity status, which, in turn, would bring fast women, hard drugs and liquor, and then slower, more understanding women.
Since the release of The Sid Tillsley Chronicles M. J. Jackman has successfully installed a patio area into his garden.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 9, 2020
This book made me laugh (a lot). It also made me feel little bit guilty for laughing at some of the content. Well written funny story, sensitive souls may be a wee bit offended.
March 17, 2018
possibly the funniest book i have read this year.
MR Jackman goes from strength to strength, developing his art with every new book.
many books are said to be "laugh out loud" in their publicity blurb, this one, (as were his previous 3 books, The Sid Tillsley Chronicles) genuinely is.
he is probably my favourite author at the moment, and if he keeps up the standard of his first four books, he will remain so, now that Pratchett is no more.
it may not be classical literature, because it is accessible to all, and all the better for that!
in short, buy it in whatever form you normally buy your books, it may not improve your mind, but it will certainly improve your day!
and if, like me, you have a weak pelvic floor, wear your Tena pants before you start reading it!
MR Jackman goes from strength to strength, developing his art with every new book.
many books are said to be "laugh out loud" in their publicity blurb, this one, (as were his previous 3 books, The Sid Tillsley Chronicles) genuinely is.
he is probably my favourite author at the moment, and if he keeps up the standard of his first four books, he will remain so, now that Pratchett is no more.
it may not be classical literature, because it is accessible to all, and all the better for that!
in short, buy it in whatever form you normally buy your books, it may not improve your mind, but it will certainly improve your day!
and if, like me, you have a weak pelvic floor, wear your Tena pants before you start reading it!
April 7, 2018
One problem with fantasy is it's not relate-able. Great that you have a magic wand and caper with elves and goblins in a far off uncanny-valley land, but what does that mean to me in a world of performance reviews, donor kebabs and the casual evil of certain budget airlines.... Is not a thought that ever occurred to me until I read It's (a) Kind of Magic (enough .... to hold off litigation from Queen's lawyers?). Blending fantasy themes with urban banality has been... kind.... of tackled by Pratchett, Rankin and... and... BUT not quite like this. Have you heard the one about the stabby elf, the sartorial dwarf, the harassed small humanoid and the suspiciously familiar beardy wizard? toss them in a world of pub car parks, murderous air travel and global pollution and add in a quest worthy of middle England and you start to get the picture.
The dialogue is as witty and sharp as we've come to expect from Jackman, this also feels like his slickest novel to date. The comedic pastiche of the fantasy archetypes don't stop you from rooting for the protagonists . Highly entertaining. Surprisingly effecting. And I discovered a hitherto unrealised hatred of centaurs called Steve. May our paths never cross...
The dialogue is as witty and sharp as we've come to expect from Jackman, this also feels like his slickest novel to date. The comedic pastiche of the fantasy archetypes don't stop you from rooting for the protagonists . Highly entertaining. Surprisingly effecting. And I discovered a hitherto unrealised hatred of centaurs called Steve. May our paths never cross...
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews