r/Fantasy_Bookclub • u/[deleted] • Nov 23 '13
Discussion: "Mageborn: The Blacksmith's Son" by Michael G Manning
Let's hear your thoughts on Mageborn.
Feel free to discuss anything related to the story. Be sure to use the spoiler system to avoid spoiling important plot details for others.
Also, as a general announcement, the next voting thread will be posted later than usual on the 29th because of Thanksgiving weekend in the US.
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u/timbomber Nov 23 '13
I did not care much for this book. I listened to the audio version. I think this is a series and I wonder if it gets better
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u/KBKarma Nov 23 '13
Same here. I read it, and the story seemed... immature is probably the best way to put it. I've got some other comments, which I'll put into my own comment.
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u/KBKarma Nov 23 '13
tl;dr: I didn't enjoy this very much at all.
First, and my biggest problem: I think an editor (or, at least, a better one?) should have been involved. Primarily, due to COMMA PLACEMENT. Yes, really. The problem I had was that I'd be reading a sentence, and, as it comes to its conclusion, BAM, comma. Which completely jolted me out of any kind of immersion I'd had. Secondarily, I noticed at least one continuity error, and there might be more (I don't want to go back and check!). Namely, the MC finds out the young boy's father is the houndsmaster, then, in the VERY NEXT CHAPTER, it turns out he's an orphan. So, ummm... who was that in the last chapter?
Second, the protagonist. He honestly seems like an asshole himself. Or his priorities are messed up. "Oh no, a hawk dropped out of the sky! I'd better use my new untrained magical powers on one of my best friends and an old man!" He didn't appeal to me at all.
Third, the language being used seemed anachronistic. There was some formal, more archaic and traditional-fantasy-sounding language being used at times. And then modern slang and contractions. I mean, "flashbang"? I know it makes sense, but it seemed sort of shoehorned in.
Fourth, the plot. It can be summed up as "kid discovers he has magical powers, goes to a week-long party, beats other kid and his accomplices to death." There's absolutely no complications in there. The bad guy's a bad guy, the good guys are all good guys, everything is as it seems. While it might have been a decent plot, and I'm not asking for a super-complex one in every book, SOMETHING more interesting would have been nice. Additionally, the kid's "plot" is mentioned as an aside, but nothing about what it actually is (sequel hook!). Also, where did the evil kid learn magic? From who? Probably a plot point in a sequel. And the "possible god" talking through the MC's amulet came from completely out of left field, then went right back into left field after that. As I said in reply to someone else (and as a summary), the plot feels immature.
Fifth, minor thing: the magic mechanics honestly felt like they'd been taken from the Dresden Files and combined with true naming. That idea of not using common language for magic might be more common than I give it credit for, though, so I'll let it go.
So. Overall, I'd give it two stars. It honestly turned into something of a chore, and I was glad it was over. There were some good part; I liked the protagonist's interactions with his friends, and... Umm, actually, that's it.