Shards Of Glass

Mage Hunters #1

by Andrew C. Piazza

In the near future, the disciplines of science and magic combine to create an all new industry: returning the dead to life. When a dead wizard brought back to life begins to go insane and kill the innocent, specialized SWAT teams are called in to bring them down. This novella is a unique mix of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and action, and is guaranteed to stick with you long after you finish it.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Horror

245 pages, Paperback

First published November 17, 2012

Reviews

[Blake]

(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I want to change my scoring by 0.50 or more of a star. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)

I liked that the author warns you at the start that the book is written in both 3rd person and multiple first person POV. This is by chapter, with most of it being first person, and its clear what 'voice' and who is speaking from the start, with name tag.

Usually I'm not a fan of more than two POVs, but I found that it worked for me, for this book. Probably because the story was mostly set within a short time span, so for me it made sense to hop over to another character's perspective for a short time. I also feel that the plot itself worked for switching POV, unlike other books where it made no sense to me to suddenly change POV.

I liked the two main POV characters.
I thought the world was interesting and want to learn more about it.

I enjoyed the plot and want to know what happens next.


First time read the author's work?: Yes

Will you be reading more?: Yes

Would you recommend?: Probably


------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)

All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked

Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)

[Marjorie]

This is a review of the expanded, novel length version currently available

Cass and her team are tasked with an almost impossible mission as they are still reeling from their previous mission gone horrible wrong. The team is up against an enemy stronger than any they have faced before and dealing with a serious wild card in their midst. How will they manage to outwit this enemy when they are barely struggling to survive the challenges he has set in their way? Super fast-paced, action-filled, engaging read.

This book flips between first and third person POV as well as the current mission and various character's stream of consciousness which often includes the previous mission. It actually works really well to bring depth to the story without jumping around and interrupting the narrative. This is urban fantasy, but unlike most books where magic and tech are segregated or magic is hidden from most of society, it is very much out in the open in this story.

This is the first book in a series and there is a lot of interesting world building and hints as to future conflicts. The major conflict in this book is resolved, no cliffhanger but a huge new issue is introduced in the final chapters setting up the next book. I'm looking forward to it.

[DianaRaven]

SHARDS OF GLASS  is the first installment in Andrew C. Piazza' Mage Hunters series with political, religious and greed overtones. 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.

This is well-written story with a plot that covers a single incident in a single day of a Reclamation Squad of the Special Weapons and Tactics Unit as they go after out-of-of control magic users. 

I did receive an ARC from the author and this is my freely given, honest review. 

I am looking forward to reading the next installment, Resurrection Day.

[Doty Montgomery]

Bring in Squad Four, their mission- to shut down/ stop Magical Mages: their current- and biggest problems? The corporation Call Revive Tech , yes they are doing a" Lazarus" like experimentation on the recently deceased- what could go wrong? Well, how about Mages, the undead Mages brought back to "life", magical made monsters and mind-bending plot., Now One of Squad Four has become what they are fighting against, make this you guessing throughout... Now another member has become what they fight against.....

[Tryptophan]

Decent world building horrible plot

The plot of this book is a horrible scar on the face of an otherwise interesting world. The fact that they don’t think to try literally the same trick that got them into the building in the first place until the last two pages is so stupid it hurts. Can’t understand how anyone could write a plot like this and think it was in any way worthy of being read.

[Adena Lee]

"All bets with reality are off." I am sure that is NOT something any cop in a dicey situation wants to hear and yet it summarizes this novella so well. What a SNAFU and FUBAR - this is bad enough, but having to deal with politically incorrect supervisors as well? There have got to be better day jobs, except who else is going to serve and protect? Thanks to our people in blue - I do NOT want to do this job myself.

I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lonnie Huff]

This book if full of actions as Cass and her team are sent to stop a Mage who was revived after being dead for a year. The team faces huge obstacles as two other teams have already been killed by the mage. Her team was hoping for some time off after a mission where she was injured and another member killed. But with the death of the other two teams they are called in. The action never stops and if you like action packed books this one is for you.

[David Pospisil]

I was provided with a free ARC copy of this book in return for an honest review.
This story was different from my normal sci-fi.
I don't read many books about magic.
The main characters, Cass & Dread were great.
Lots of action and crazily imaginative creatures created my magic.
I would read on to the next book in the series to see how this plays out.

[Carrie]

Pretty decent urban fantasy

Liked it a lot although I had a funny feeling what was going to happen would. I was honestly hoping that Cass would find a way to move past it. C'est la vie, I guess. No spoilers ;)

[Scott]

Reasonable Read

A bit confusing and slow to start althought i liked the idea and the switch of persepectives wasn't too jarring so something i would go back to and see what else was in store.

[Phyllis]

All I can say is ** WOW ** !!
Settle in for the long haul
because you will bitterly resent
ANY interruptions in your reading.
I can't wait to read the rest of this
series !!
Enjoy !!

Phyllis S.

[Ira Smith]

Disclaimer. I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

That being said, I really loved Shards of Glass. Urban fantasy books aren’t normally what I read, but this book was so well done that it just drew me in. Great plot, a fun read, and I can’t wait to read the sequel.

[Kevin]

Fun read! Well written. I kind of liked the way Andrew shifted from first person to third person perspective throughout the book. Looking forward to reading the second and third books in the Mage series.

[James Learman]

its an interesting premise but needs alot more work to flesh out

[David]

Interesting take on the genre. The ending was also a bit of a twist and a little ambiguous as to what the characters did at the end. I'll look at the other books in the series soon.

[Benjamin Edwards]

Great book

Normally I’m not a big fan of this kind of genre but I must say I will be reading the whole series now. I’m hooked!