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Mage Hunters #3
The Intron Code
A death mage at large. A magical weapon of mass destruction. A city in peril.
In the aftermath of the destruction of Trubuilt 187 prison, Cass and her team of mage hunters discover that the death mage Kel and her protege Fly are moving forward with their plans for power and domination. Even worse, more rogue mages have emerged from the shadows, some allied with Kel and some in competition with her for the power that the mysterious Intron Code can bestow.
Can the Mage Hunters unravel the mystery of the Intron Code and defeat the death mages before the entire city is torn apart?
Third in the innovative and action-packed “Mage Hunters” series, “The Intron Code” will keep you turning the pages until the explosive conclusion.
Readers who are fans of Jim Butcher, the TV show “Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD”, or anyone looking for a unique and thrilling spectacle of magic and firefights will find “The Intron Code” to be a good read.
In the aftermath of the destruction of Trubuilt 187 prison, Cass and her team of mage hunters discover that the death mage Kel and her protege Fly are moving forward with their plans for power and domination. Even worse, more rogue mages have emerged from the shadows, some allied with Kel and some in competition with her for the power that the mysterious Intron Code can bestow.
Can the Mage Hunters unravel the mystery of the Intron Code and defeat the death mages before the entire city is torn apart?
Third in the innovative and action-packed “Mage Hunters” series, “The Intron Code” will keep you turning the pages until the explosive conclusion.
Readers who are fans of Jim Butcher, the TV show “Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD”, or anyone looking for a unique and thrilling spectacle of magic and firefights will find “The Intron Code” to be a good read.
- GenresUrban Fantasy
428 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 3, 2019
7 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 14, 2023
An excellent end of the trilogy. It's fast, violent, but darker moments are balanced with humor and strong character work.
November 29, 2021
So, so good. Does not disappoint!
The third book in the Mage Hunters series. Highly recommended, this was a fabulously action filled story, with loads of fun to be had by all.
The third book in the Mage Hunters series. Highly recommended, this was a fabulously action filled story, with loads of fun to be had by all.
August 8, 2019
The Intron Code, by Andrew C. Piazza, is a 2019 publication and book 3 of the thrilling Mage Hunters series. You will want to check out the other two books in the series before picking up The Intron Code.
Set just a few months after the events of Resurrection Day, The Intron Code continues the story of Cass Wheeler and company trying to track down Kel, the murderous and mysterious mage who barely escapes from Trubuilt 187 at the end of Resurrection Day. Now a part of the FBI (in an uneasy alliance), Cass and her team must unravel Kel's masterplan and put an end once and for all to Kel's diabolical reign of terror. Trapped between powerful death mages and an unsympathetic FBI, Cass and her teammates will need all the spirit, skill, and gumption they can muster to pull this one off.
After reading Resurrection Day, I praised that novel for its originality and excitement, and must also do the same for The Intron Code. I didn't think it was possible to improve on Resurrection Day, but I'm here to say that The Intron Code does so, and reads like a steroid-enhanced, Red Bull-chugging, bucking Bronco-riding, heckuva good time. Once again, we get an expertly mixed cocktail of urban fantasy, action thriller, and horror; and the mixture could not be more effective. I was amazed by the author's ability to keep outdoing himself over the course of the rather lengthy novel. Just when you think the action and excitement can't get any more manic, Piazza shifts into yet another higher gear, and the car never runs out of gears! I also appreciate how the plot brought the three books of the series full-circle.
Mr. Piazza continues to mold the characters from the series into more and more compelling people. We finally get some much-needed backstory on Kel and her motivations, as well as Lysette, though her backstory is placed in kind of an odd place--right at the end of the novel. All the characters are rendered well and are appropriately lovable/loathsome. A couple of times, I did roll my eyes at some quips from Mickey or Jolly, though the comic relief was usually welcome. The author also delves a little deeper into the lore of how the magic works, and why some people are magic users and why others are not. In future books in the series (more on that in the next paragraph), I would like to see these ideas explored more.
At the conclusion of The Intron Code, the series comes to a place where it can end gracefully, or keep going and further develop characters and ideas within the universe. I'm fine either way. I've enjoyed the books so far, and would not feel cheated if they don't continue, but would gladly continue reading the series if it continues in the future. Frankly, the series is one of the most original I've read since Harry Potter, and I believe there is ample room to keep exploring exciting ideas. What is *not* an option is for Andrew Piazza to stop writing books--lest We The Readers come and kick down his door and demand more. Whether they're Mage Hunters novels or creepy historical horror or anything else, that's all fine. Whatever he writes, I'll read. And after you pick up some Piazza novels yourself, I'm sure you'll agree Andrew Piazza is one the most unique and interesting storytellers working today.
Set just a few months after the events of Resurrection Day, The Intron Code continues the story of Cass Wheeler and company trying to track down Kel, the murderous and mysterious mage who barely escapes from Trubuilt 187 at the end of Resurrection Day. Now a part of the FBI (in an uneasy alliance), Cass and her team must unravel Kel's masterplan and put an end once and for all to Kel's diabolical reign of terror. Trapped between powerful death mages and an unsympathetic FBI, Cass and her teammates will need all the spirit, skill, and gumption they can muster to pull this one off.
After reading Resurrection Day, I praised that novel for its originality and excitement, and must also do the same for The Intron Code. I didn't think it was possible to improve on Resurrection Day, but I'm here to say that The Intron Code does so, and reads like a steroid-enhanced, Red Bull-chugging, bucking Bronco-riding, heckuva good time. Once again, we get an expertly mixed cocktail of urban fantasy, action thriller, and horror; and the mixture could not be more effective. I was amazed by the author's ability to keep outdoing himself over the course of the rather lengthy novel. Just when you think the action and excitement can't get any more manic, Piazza shifts into yet another higher gear, and the car never runs out of gears! I also appreciate how the plot brought the three books of the series full-circle.
Mr. Piazza continues to mold the characters from the series into more and more compelling people. We finally get some much-needed backstory on Kel and her motivations, as well as Lysette, though her backstory is placed in kind of an odd place--right at the end of the novel. All the characters are rendered well and are appropriately lovable/loathsome. A couple of times, I did roll my eyes at some quips from Mickey or Jolly, though the comic relief was usually welcome. The author also delves a little deeper into the lore of how the magic works, and why some people are magic users and why others are not. In future books in the series (more on that in the next paragraph), I would like to see these ideas explored more.
At the conclusion of The Intron Code, the series comes to a place where it can end gracefully, or keep going and further develop characters and ideas within the universe. I'm fine either way. I've enjoyed the books so far, and would not feel cheated if they don't continue, but would gladly continue reading the series if it continues in the future. Frankly, the series is one of the most original I've read since Harry Potter, and I believe there is ample room to keep exploring exciting ideas. What is *not* an option is for Andrew Piazza to stop writing books--lest We The Readers come and kick down his door and demand more. Whether they're Mage Hunters novels or creepy historical horror or anything else, that's all fine. Whatever he writes, I'll read. And after you pick up some Piazza novels yourself, I'm sure you'll agree Andrew Piazza is one the most unique and interesting storytellers working today.
May 10, 2021
THE INTRON CODE is the third installment in Andrew C. Piazza's Mage Hunters series filled with greed, magic and a small team of super heroes. This is a series definitely for fans of tactical urban fantasy adventures with non-stop action that moves at a furious pace. The narrative shifts smoothly from third person to varying characters’ first person points of view, just watch the section titles. So get ready for some fast and furious action, police inept prolicies and supernatural monsters all combined to bring us great writing and compelling characters.
Cass and Dread have miraculously survived the attack on the prison they were incarcerated in. Now they been paroled following the attack and working with the FBI, but being felons they cannot carry weapons. As Kel decides her next step in becoming the death goddess, our heroes are the only ones that have any chance to stop her - umm, paroles, no weapons, what the?
As this story smoothly wraps up, it leaves us the possibility of further adventures. We all know that just as one evil is stopped,, another one raises its head - it's a never ending cycle. So don't be surprised if our heroes are soon back to saving us all from the next evil.
I did receive an ARC from the author and this is my freely given, honest review
Cass and Dread have miraculously survived the attack on the prison they were incarcerated in. Now they been paroled following the attack and working with the FBI, but being felons they cannot carry weapons. As Kel decides her next step in becoming the death goddess, our heroes are the only ones that have any chance to stop her - umm, paroles, no weapons, what the?
As this story smoothly wraps up, it leaves us the possibility of further adventures. We all know that just as one evil is stopped,, another one raises its head - it's a never ending cycle. So don't be surprised if our heroes are soon back to saving us all from the next evil.
I did receive an ARC from the author and this is my freely given, honest review
April 20, 2021
The author concluded this trilogy with an action-packed thriller that rocketed along like “The Fast and the Furious”. That action and storyline were great. What made it even better was the way the author let us see inside each character to learn who each character actually was under all the emotional armour and to figure out what motivated each character to choose what they chose. Their individual paths to doing the right thing did not begin in the same place or wind along the same twists but they did end in the same goals. Cass, Dread, Jolly, Shifty and Mickey – I really want to see what this wreck team does next. (Hint, hint, Mr. Piazza!)
I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 3, 2020
This is outside of my normal type of books but I really enjoyed the One Last Gasp and decided to try more by Mr Piazza. I am very glad I did.
Loved the mashup of genres in this series. Action, fantasy, police procedural, and supernatural monsters all combined with great writing and compelling characters.
Loved the mashup of genres in this series. Action, fantasy, police procedural, and supernatural monsters all combined with great writing and compelling characters.
April 30, 2021
What a great story and conclusion to the series.
Packed with action and fantastic characters.
The book had an amazingly satisfying ending that left the door ajar for continuing adventures for Cass and her team.
I do sincerely hope that Mr. Piazza returns to this gang at some point in the future.
If he doesn't that's fine....I thoroughly enjoyed the series and especially the final book.
Packed with action and fantastic characters.
The book had an amazingly satisfying ending that left the door ajar for continuing adventures for Cass and her team.
I do sincerely hope that Mr. Piazza returns to this gang at some point in the future.
If he doesn't that's fine....I thoroughly enjoyed the series and especially the final book.
May 14, 2021
I can't believe all the action that takes place and how fast it happens. I love the way the author lets you hear from each character as the story goes along. I love the characters and how they worked as a team. This book is one of those you have a hard time putting down. I highly recommend the entire series and I would love to see another series with these characters.
April 24, 2021
The Death Mage, Kel, is determined to
conquer and destroy the whole world.
The Mage Hunters lose one of their own
trying to stop her.
Will they succeed ? CAN they succeed ?
Read to see the answer.
Enjoy !!
Phyllis S.
conquer and destroy the whole world.
The Mage Hunters lose one of their own
trying to stop her.
Will they succeed ? CAN they succeed ?
Read to see the answer.
Enjoy !!
Phyllis S.
April 20, 2023
Great blend of Science and magic
What started as a short story really turned into a great trilogy. Well written and intriguing blend of science, magic and tactics. If you like dungeons and dragons with some dystopian future thrown in I highly recommend this series.
What started as a short story really turned into a great trilogy. Well written and intriguing blend of science, magic and tactics. If you like dungeons and dragons with some dystopian future thrown in I highly recommend this series.
April 29, 2021
Another excellent entry from Mr. Piazza. Fun and entertaining, it wraps up the story, though leaves us the possibility of further adventures.
January 29, 2023
Such a treat!
My new favorite author!! Tremendous fun reading this series. The characters are fleshed out and so enjoyable to follow. Just a ton of fun and hope it continues
My new favorite author!! Tremendous fun reading this series. The characters are fleshed out and so enjoyable to follow. Just a ton of fun and hope it continues
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews