"An Inheritance of Magic" Discuss Everything *Spoilers*

[SFFBC, Ancillary Mod]

Come share all your thoughts about this new book by Benedict Jacka!

A few questions to get us started:

1. What did you think of the world?
2. What did you think of the conflicts?
3. Did you empathize with our main character?
4. What worked or didn't for you?
5. Overall thoughts?

Non-spoiler thread here: First impressions

[Bob]

Jacka has created a new world where magic is a commodity. In contrast to Alec Versus in which the magic was inate and had to be developed. The character is younger probably10 yrs vs Verus and exploring his way. This is in some way acquiring a trove of imbued items in Alex's world

[Kristen]

I just finished the book today. I really enjoyed the world she created and merged it with our world. I loved how she built the world's knowledge without spending a lot of time explaining things. it was all part of the story.
some of those conflicts were childish in a way but also made sense. I really hated it when they beat the crap out of Hobs, that was cruel. But again Hobs was who Stephen was closest to so to really hurt him, that would work. By the end of the book I really dislike Lucila and Tobias. Charles I'm still on the fence about.
I do feel for Stephen at times, but also found some of the back story not logical (dad leaving a 17 year old alone; police not being called, etc). the parts about being broke and living paycheck to paycheck and still not having.enough to live on I can 100% relate to.
overall I liked the book. i hated the cliff hanger and I am very curious about his parents and how that is going to work out.

[Chris]

I enjoyed it overall (3.5 stars), but it did feel padded. The theme of getting stronger took up too much time, and Stephen's thoughts were predictable. The magic system was interesting, and I liked the combination of Stephen's unusual talents and his relative lack of training. The three Ashfords we saw the most were over-the-top villainous; I'm curious to find out more about Calhoun and "Bridget."

[Phil]

Glad to have read this, appreciate it being named for BOTM, which made me aware. The cliffhanger at the end definitely set up the next book, which I look forward to. Enjoyed the DIY nature of Stephon’s sigl building (vs those that are purchased).

[Xan]

I enjoyed it. There was a lot of "setting-up" in this book, yet at the same time managed to be a page turner, at least for me. Neat trick -- hats off to the author. I will definitely read book 2 when it comes out.

[Carro]

I particularly enjoyed all the details of the magic, and how he learned more and also the process of learning. Getting hold of the catalogue of what could be bought was a particularly neat move. Hobbes is splendid. Did rather like the subsidiary characters around the story/

[Tara]

An Inheritance of Magic
After the slowish start, Jacka altered course swiftly revealing an intriguing—if simple—hard magic system or perhaps a hybrid. In an Urban Fantasy no less. It appears anyone can do magic in this world so long as they have enough money or if they are genetically blessed like Stephen Oakwood.

World & Conflict
Urban Fantasy is our world with a bit of the fantastical. That is certainly the case here as AIoM is full of recognizable political, economic, and social-cultural norms. Jacka has mirrored these norms in the magical world where Egalitarianism is eschewed for the all too familiar classist privilege trope. You know the one where Privilege makes you evil! Muhahah!

What Didn’t Work for Me
I found Jacka a scintilla on the sententious with his harping about money and classisms along with a major heaping of stereotypical political and privileged brouhaha. There was also a flotilla of flat, static characters strewn throughout the novel, especially the villains. Other than Stephen, Hobbes, and Father Hawke most are the characters need to seek some serious redemption. Oh well, oops, Colin, he is there for Stephen when needed but for his 20-something mate he spends a whole lotta time telling him to get a real job.

Speaking of Father Hawke—the mentor—I found him a bit open thready. Why did he help Stephen? Why was he—an amateur—guarding a Well? How does he know some much about Drucasting? What is his relationship with Maria Noronha? Come on Jacka, give us something. I suppose that mystery and others (mum, dad) will be solved next book.

What worked for me
Hobbes—my favorite—is beyond charming as Stephen’s only partner navigating this treacherous new world into which they have been plunged. Their interaction and individual and collective development were lovely.
“Mrrraaaaow,” Hobbes said with amusement.
“Stop acting like this is funny,”

Then there was Hobbes, a domesticated sweet-natured tabby went and got metamorphalized! Skadooosh: Kung Fu warrior ninja guardian cat!

Stephen & Magic:
Stephen’s education into and application of drucrafting I found engaging and fun. As to empathizing with Stephen, that emotion didn’t really rise while I was reading. I liked instead that despite what had gone before when he was faced with a crisis (Hobbes brutal attack) he got on with it and through sheer determination found a way to save and protect Hobbes.

Note: Hard magic or Hybrid? People like Stephen and Byron and those mentioned by Father Hawke (divine gifts?) might be outliers and the hard system might hold…maybe, prolly.

Overall
The front loading of information (dump) lagged the story and easily pulled me out of the narrative. For fans of world-building and interesting magic systems—I resemble that—would most likely happily overlook it. There has been a niggle in the back of my brain since I finished reading. I only just now thought (oh!) this novel is just like superhero origin stories and most of them have this exact same niggle causing void: The story is incomplete, a teaser, a dramatic prologue…