Ruby Achera just wanted a nice, quiet drink at her family’s casino in Magic City. The Mist Casino sits just above a kemana with an interior that would make a ghost feel right at home. Of course it does.
After all, Magic City has to compete with nearby Vegas. A different kind of magic.
Ruby is just back from University for the summer, catching up with an old friend when everything changes with a BANG!
A series of small blasts are exploding all around her. Chips are flying through the air. Someone wanted to announce their arrival in town. But who?
Ruby is about to get drawn into a battle for control of Magic City. They just made the fight personal. Is the Ebon Dragon Casino next?
Will Ruby’s secrets get in her way?
What waits at the end could change her life forever, if she survives the journey.
For action, magic, snarky banter, martial arts, mystical creatures, and high intrigue, take a vacation to Magic City!
I’m TR Cameron, science fiction author. I’ve been an avid consumer of the genre since I was six, I think, when I broke the seal on my Dad’s copies of the Asimov Foundation books. It’s been all downhill since then.
I have a day job that I love most days, and writing is pretty much my only consistent hobby. When I find time that’s not already filled with my wife, my daughter, my writing, my work, or dodging the affections of our clowder of cats, you can find me playing video games (currently Dishonored 2 – I’m a little behind the times on this one), watching things (Marvel movies, American Gods, Agents of Shield, Justified, The Expanse, Gotham), playing board games, or, naturally, reading.
My favorite authors in Sci-Fi are David Weber, Jean Johnson, John Scalzi, CJ Cherryh, and the giants: Asimov, Pohl, Bear, Heinlein, etc. I read a lot in other genres too, and am a big fan of Matthew Woodring Stover, Michael Anderle, Jim Butcher, and I could go on and on and on. If I had to choose one favorite, though, it would be Stephen R. Donaldson, whose Thomas Covenant series was transformative for me.
Probably my pie-in-the-sky dream for my writing career is that someone would make a movie or television show of my books and I could be a part of the production. Sure, unlikely, but a clowder-dodger can dream, right? My more practical dream is that I can keep writing and both entertaining and connecting with my readers for years and years to come.
Stop by www.trcameron.com to join my readers' group and get more fast-paced action in the Chaos Shift Cycle Universe for Free!
Like the previous book, Mystical Alley Groove that I reviewed just before, this book is also written by T.R. Cameron and Martha Carr. Both books are urban fantasy, no surprise there, but I felt I enjoyed this book more than Mystical Alley Groove.
The story felt more coherent, I felt the main protagonist had more karma and overall it just felt better put together.
When reading this book my interest staid with the book and less on whatever I was watching on TV at the same time. After all, these books are really light and effortless reading so the TV stays on while reading.
Ruby is a pretty cool character that does not shy away from doing some bad guy ass kicking which is the way I like my heroes or heroines.
The story is okay so far. I just hope it does not turn too messy and unfocused as was my feeling when I read the other book mentioned above.
It is the first book in a series and, although it did not exactly give me that wow feeling, I feel more confident with this book that I might pick up another book in this series.
This just didn’t work for me. I liked the protagonist, but I wasn’t all that enthused by the myriad of self centred characters floating around her, nor did I like Idryll all that much either. The ‘quest’, the casino robbery, and then the alternate characters POVs at the end frustrated me.
Perhaps I wasn’t in the right head space for reading this, but it just didn’t grab my attention.
So, a bunch of mysticals run casinos in Ely Nevada. The MC, is the daughter of the mist elves that own one of the casinos. Her parents raised her to hide her elfness, without full disclosure why. The world just assumes she’s human. Right when she thinks she gets to branch out and be who she thinks she wants to be, destiny steps in and decides for her. There are many elements to this tale that I love but what stands out the most for me is the snarky humor. It’s just spot on and uplifting even in the most grueling of scenes. Also very noteworthy is this authors use of magically enhanced artifacts. It’s not a matter of stumbling upon ancient talismans, this storyline brings the creation to the forefront. The MC herself is just learning the extent of what she can and can’t do so in true James Bond style, she has her gadgets! The supporting characters play huge roles in this storyline . The MC gains a partner she never asked for ,Idryll, who is so unique I totally need more about her. As a first book in a shared universe , this tale did exactly as expected! It grabbed my attention, entertained me, intrigued me, and definitely left me wanting more! All my reviews are always voluntarily written.
I should have loved this book. A new type of magical world, elves, dragons, atlanteans, dwarves set against casinos. I should have loved this book with the rich world building and intricate details about the setting. I should have loved this book for a lot of reasons, but I didnt. I think a large part of it was because, Ruby was constantly referred to as She and it was discombobulating. The main character was constantly described in the third person and not the main person. I didnt like how little was explained to her and she was constantly in the dark. She didnt seem to have a lot of interpersonal relationships. She was supposed to be close to her family and develop bonds with roommates but it was all in the passing and she had very few deep bonds or relationships. Maybe there is so much happening in the book that they didnt have time to delve into it. Idryll was a central character but also unemotional as a deity shapreshifter person might be. For me, emotions were missing a lot from the book. She isnt pictured on the cover with the white hair which earned her the moniker of Ghost.
A Defender Rises is the first book in the Magic City Chronicles by TR Cameron, Martha Carr, Michael Anderle.
A decent start to a new series but filled with many holes and not nearly enough answers. We get a small glimpse at the mastermind behind all the dastardly plans spoiled by our lovely MC. But do not possess the knowledge behind the most important aspect, at least in Ruby’s case, the venashima and what it’s conclusion will bring.
It’s interesting enough, but I wish we’d had more introspection into the important characters surrounding her life. This honestly feels like half of a book, with all of the important explanations redacted.
I imagine Ruby will eventually, in some form, work to an alliance or as a part of the Paranormal Defense Agency. Most likely becoming some sort of vigilante for her area, or private detective that is at least amicable with this government organization.
The main mystery being Idryll and the part she plays in Ruby’s future and designation once she’s fully faced her trial in the venashima.
This was a great start to a new-to-me Oriceran series.
It was almost nothing like any of the previous series I've read, and caught my attention immediately, although I could see TR Cameron's writing style in the story, and was pleased to read more of his works.
A lot went on, here, but it sets the pace for what's coming next, presumably.
I'm very much looking forward to reading book two of this series: 'A Magical Alliance', so I can see just how Ruby and Idryll are going to bring justice to those killed in the Casino bombing.
I'm also avidly curious to see just how Ruby is going to set up her business, that's been mentioned a few times now - and who, apart from Idryll, will be joining her! Lol
As I'm feeling very impatient, I'm going to finish up this review: 'Yes! It's a great book, so grab it - in fact, grab the whole series, as I'm certain it's going to be just as good, if not more so, than this first book has promised!'
Once I've finished book two, I'll catch you on the flip side, and let you know what I thought about it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I think the book is solid and will be a good read for a lot of people. Saying that, I may or may not continue the series myself. Don’t get me wrong there isn’t anything wrong with it I just don’t like books that come from an outside perspective myself as it’s harder for me to feel connected to the characters. Despite that the book is based in a solid world and builds the characters and places up as it goes so no long wait to get into the action. I’m my mind I keep explaining the book as a mashup or love child of DCs Arrow and lord of the rings, think ELF vigilante. However, this is book one so it could grow and change many ways in the future books. Give it a shot and you might find your next favorite series.
... which I love about Anderle stories, but I'm having a hard time connecting with the heroine. It seemed quite a build-up of drama about visiting her family so it was completely anti-climatic when we were introduced to a normal and loving family dinner. Likewise, the garage used for a portal could have used up far fewer words. It appeared the author was building toward a mystery, but again it fell flat in the revelation of a mundane purpose. She just wanted to hide what she was doing. Maybe I got lost in all the words and explanations, but I'm not sure why she needs to find a location to portal from sometimes but at other times just opens portals to her various rooms from wherever. I'll continue to the next book with lower expectations.
I gave this book a very high (for me anyway) 5.5. I enjoyed the setting and it was so refreshing for the main character to have to work at/think thru a prob before taking action. Also there were penalties (logical one also) for using magic. It was not a cure all and sometimes way better to use non magical means to get the result needed. The addition of a mostly unknown (at this time) ally added a conscious with plenty of sass to her already over active one. Having to keep multiple parties unaware of diff activities added spice. Not knowing any better, the casino settings sounded believable once you make the basic assumptions given.
Ruby is a mist elf who wears a human illusion and pretends to be adopted by her biological parents. Her parents own a casino. Ruby meets a friend at another casino after graduating with her masters in mixing magic with technology. While meeting her friend, explosions and what appears to be a robbery start. Ruby stops the robbery and attempts to get justice for those killed by the explosions. Much action, a quest on Oceran, and a new partner complicate the situation.
Much actIon and snarky dialog are involvled. Eagerly awaiting the next book!
The initial scene is good. Individual caught in proximity to violent attack acts heroically. Following this the rest is Anderle formula. Our heroine is suddenly superbly equipped, trained, shielded, enhanced, granted a magical guardian to overcome anything the bad guys pull. In addition our heroine who wins the aforementioned guardian because of her high character continues to be rude and dismissive of it. The more the story progresses the less endearing our hero becomes even in light of her good deads.
I liked the storyline of this book. The main character is a hero, and not an undercover damsel. You can tell that the author is trying to lay a foundation of something big, that will be explained in other books. There was a storyline that was quasi complete. No romance was here and on that tip - the “girl digs scars” comment lays the foundation of the character being gay or bi or misdirection?That is not clear.
Yet another new series begins. A disguised girl elf (gelf ?) fighting crime and such in a cat mask and suit. Her sidekick is a magical shapeshifter disguised as a large cat. And there’s an elfin sensei who has taught Ruby to fight and wield magic. And it’s a surprisingly good read. I now will locate book 2 and once again enter this world of magic and mysterious characters.
Portraying human her whole life but no idea why mean using her innate elf magic is complicated but when a casino is robbed she can't help but wade in...this begins a adventure completely different. New friends, unknown enemies, interfering family and action galore...this story will grab you from the very beginning and not let you go...and leave you needing the next installment quick!!
Kick-ass heroines working in secret to safeguard humans and Oricerans alike
Another great start to a series tied to the Oriceran world interacting with Earth and its humans. This time, based in the casino world, a young heroine gets to test her magical and combat mettle against dangerous threats and enemies. This is a wonderful introduction to two main characters that will appear in other series of the Oriceran world as well, an origins story of their partnership.
I enjoyed the magic stuff and it was nice that not everything worked out perfect. Characters were wonderful. It's snowing here and I don't like driving around in it. I've wrecked one car in the snow and don't want to do two. Of course, it was my own fault. It don't matter if it's four wheel drive, don't drive 65 mph. Slick will get you every time.
This tale proves that the combination of Cameron, Carr and Anderle producers great story. I have not been disappointed by many of theirs titles. The world they have created is rich with adventure and magic. The characters are shaping the story in such a manner that you are feeling that they're part of your world.
This is a great new series beginning in the Oriceran Universe. I liked the blend of magic and engineering that is showcased here. We get a glimpse of Oriceran homeworld too. I am looking forward to adding to the team hopefully in the next book.
In have had this book in my To Be Read pile for a month or so, then bought the second book. So time to get reading! Great story line, fun easy read. The fact that it is in one of my favorite universe's helps as well. I loved TR's last series and am going to start book 2 now! Happy.
Not the greatest but is a decent read. Good characters and I really liked the mc until she got a partner and suddenly everything just seemed to be too easy. Doesn’t help that the partner doesn’t seem very likeable? Just sort of changed the whole tone of the book midway and not in a good way. Oh well.
I have to laugh right off the start when a medical person asked if they could cut her shirt off... and she says might as well the EMT driver already stretched the hell out of it..... really?? 'Cause, apparently, there's a bullet hole in it too!!! LMAO Already wondering about this book choice... LOL.
What if batman was a magical girl and robin was a magical tiger. If you're into all things oricerian even not this series will grab you and take you on a roller coaster ride of adventure.
Ruby is different from the other heroines in Oriceran enough so to make me happy. The way things are going make for all kinds of mystery.... And the snark is first rate as always!! Howard S (The S stands for Super Fan)
There is always someone who will kill to get what they want. Fortunately there are also someone who will stand against them. Ruby is one of these people. Next book please.
Once again i find myself excited to start another adventure with TR Cameron. There is great character development action and an in depth story line thats not so deep you can't enjoy the read
This was a first novel for me by these authors, I enjoyed the world building and learning about Ruby, the heroine and her tiger companion. The story was interesting and full of adventure and action. I look forward to reading book two.
This story was thoughtfully written and action packed! I loved how descriptive everything was,bayou could easily imagine how everything looked and acted. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
I enjoy urban fantasy and this book has definitely wet my appetite for more. Onto the next book in the series… I love how the main character is developing so far and I got hooked when there was an interesting mix of supernaturals in a unique way.
A new author and new characters in the beloved Oriceran universe. The characters are a blast and it's obvious that we are just getting to know them. A great read! I highly recommend it.