I really enjoyed reading this book and this series is really developing nicely. I didn’t quite like it as much as De Castell’s Greatcoat series, but the writing style, characters and plot are similar enough (whilst being entirely different) for me to really enjoy this. I can’t wait to read the next one!

Oh I just love this series. I loved getting back to this world and finding out more! I especially liked the Charmcaster and getting to see more of that person (ha no spoilers, just confusion!). And seeing some more Argosi and more of the politics of the universe.

The plot was again tightly written and letting you have just enough to try and guess some of what’s going on but not so much you could actually succeed 😂👍🏻. I also really like that we tie up some previous going’s on.

Kellen’s journey of self discovery towards the end was just lovely, and so heart breaking in so many ways. And him and Rechis were as always fantastic!! Reichis is my favourite, always. So violent and angry. I love him. Though I think he may actually be mellowing ;) (ow! Reichis! Don’t bite me!)

And seeing more of Ferius and her ways and her awesome relationship with Kellen is always fab. I love her too 😍 and her frustration with the Jan’Tep hehe.

I can’t wait for the fourth book (and how much do I love that it’s not a long wait?!) and to see what Kellen does next. I also hope we get more back story of the why’s of things that happened in both this book and Shadowblack.
***
Review will go live on my blog on 16th may.

This is the best book of the series so far.

We’re back with Kellen, Ferius and Reichis, they are travelling to Gitabria and finding the victims of the obsidian worms, curing as they go. With one final victim in Gitabria left to cure.

On the way they are chased by a mage who is after Kellen, but as the mage gets closer all is not as it seems, the mage runs right past them. It turns out that the mage is being chased by the Berabesq Faithful, who are religious zealots. They help the mage and it turns out its someone we know.

They then travel to Gitabria where they are having a kind of world show, where people come to show their inventions and the other countries come to bid for the right to use them exclusively. While watching the show, Kellen sees someone from the academy it turns out that Cressia is the daughter of the most famous inventor, of Gitabria. Cressia is the last victim of the obsidian worm.

This story is more in-depth and there’s more world building we get to see more of the secondary characters personalities, we learn more about Ferius. We also learn more about the Jan’Tep and what they are willing to do and Kellen becomes more perceptive and not just an immature 17 year old.

I really liked this story and could not put it down for long, I can’t wait for the next one, October can’t come fast enough.

I haven’t yet found another YA series quite like the Spellslinger series. It’s a very sarcastic and witty series of books, and the characters are always doing something hilarious or charging into danger. So I was very excited when Charmcaster arrived in the post. It is absolutely, positively stuffed to the seams with action and it seems as though there are enemies on all sides at this point. It was very entertaining to read, with so many things going on and so many intricate twists and turns in the storyline. Each book in this series usually takes me several days to get through, simply because it is so action packed that I sometimes feel a bit worn out. If you’re like me, and a fight scene or big plot twist in a book just as you’re about to try and go to sleep is apt to keep you up at night, then it might not be the best book for you to pick up late at night. Still. there’s so much going on that it is really hard to put it down, even for a moment. And those twists towards the end… man, those just weren’t fair. I’m still reeling a bit to be honest.

The worldbuilding was also a big draw for me. Charmcaster extends the magical world de Castell has created, showing us some tasty glimpses of new cities, cultures and societies. What works really well is how the magic system and traditions are woven in so excellently. Each new area we arrive at looks so different, that it is a genuine pleasure to explore them.

If there’s anything that holds the book back from gaining full stars, it is the magic system. As much as I like the creativity which gleams through in every line of this book, I do sometimes struggle to understand or picture the magic in this series. There’s a lot of magical jargon, and because there seems to be lots of different types of magic and fake magics, then it seems a bit impossible to keep up with at times.

Overall, I’m giving Charmcaster an 8/10. It’s a very funny and thrilling book, and there’s a whole heaping extra portion of action packed into this one, but the magic did make me feel a bit flummoxed at times. Still, I’m very excited at the prospect of book four coming out later this year.

I must say, out of the three books in this series, this is my favourite by far. I feel like the first two books have been good, but there’s always something a little off. I think possibly having the time in the first two books to develop the characters and the relationships between them allowed this story to really flourish. It has just the right level of the wit and the whimsy that are so prevalent in the first two books, but for the first time, I actually fell for Kellen as a character. Not in a romantic sense (he’s just not my type) but his emotional storyline in this book was by far the most profound. Where book two made him seem like the kind of teenage boy I would not like to be friends with, this time around he felt more mature, with a sense of self-awareness that wasn’t present in the previous books. Don’t get me wrong, Kellen hasn’t suddenly become a perfect hero, but I think anyone who loves the characters in this series loves them because they are flawed.

The cast of additional characters is still as amazing as ever. Ferius continues to be a superb mentor, while still being an excellent character in her own right, I still find myself laughing out loud at some of her dry remarks. Reichis, our favourite homicidal squirrel cat, remains true to himself. You can see as the books have developed, that these characters are a labour of love, they are distinctive and they have clear responses to different situations. This is so character driven as a series and it just works.

We also have the addition (or re-addition) of a couple of female characters which is always a great thing (one of them is a love interest I suppose, but more on that later). I can’t talk about the latter of these two characters without spoiling anything but suffice to say my love of complex ‘villain’ characters was definitely sated.

One of my criticisms of Shadowblack was that a good portion of the book was given over to romance, or as I put it ‘mooning’. While this book has a little of that still, it was so small in comparison to the rest of the action taking place that I didn’t mind it whatsoever.

Speaking of action, this book has it in spades. There’s theft, kidnapping, emotional blackmail and more. What I was impressed with was that, while there are a good number of combat scenes and our band of ‘heroes’ doesn’t always win, this didn’t have the sense of being a series of mindless punch-ups interspersed with travelling scenes. The more combat heavy moments serve the plot and help to develop character rather than just being a means to make the book grittier.

These are fun books to read, they have entertaining dialogue, amusing characters and a general sense of whimsy, though I don’t mean to suggest a kind of Alice in Wonderland setting. This book, I  felt, best balanced that humour and fun with giving the characters more difficult choices and spurring them to be more than they were in the previous books. In a series of six books, this is an interesting way to reach a midpoint, one would expect to end a trilogy and then begin a similar series. However, in this case, I think it worked out for the best.

My rating: 4/5 stars

I received a digital advanced review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Quality Rating: Three Stars
Enjoyment: Four Stars

These books are still fun, but it's the world rather than the action that keeps bringing me back.

Each story in this series has its own plot, sure, but they do feel quite repetitive. But that's also where the world-building really shines through because despite it being predictable it's still really engaging. I feel like an attempt was made at the end of Charmcaster to raise the stakes by just adding a couple more climaxes, but they kind of cancelled each other out. I'd rather than longer climaxes with a bit more magic, but that's just me. Undeniably, though, this is a series that benefits from its desire to wander; you just want to keep exploring and discovering and the best thing about these books is that it is more than happy to take you on that adventure.

I like how the relationships still feel like they're growing. Again, it's an aspect of the world-building, but it's pulled off well. The Argosi and how their culture is rubbing off on Kellen especially. Deus ex Argosi is arguably in play, but you can see how far our protagonist has learnt from it. Again, it is something that is changing even if the structure isn't, so it's definitely worth coming back to these for me. I just can't help the feeling that I'm waiting to be given a twist I didn't see coming.

In theory, these female characters are awesome, but Castell just cannot write their personalities in the scenes themselves. Past Ferius, they're flat and typical and it's so frustrating because they're varied and powerful! I mean the representation alone is wonderful; genuinely, so many characters are female it's a joy to read. And they're in positions of power, positions of courage, positions of intellect. But damn, their dialogue does not reflect it unless they're playing the bad guy.

Still enjoying the series, still coming back to it, but I'm waiting for the big twist.

Kellen's mission now is to destroy the mystical parasites passing off as Shadowblack, which enrages the mages who use them to control their victims.

The book starts with a sense of urgency, and the push and pull between our trio is more prominent. But so it their camaraderie, even if they won't admit it. We see/learn more about the places of this world and its people.

Always witty with the narrative, Castell has graced us with enduring in their likability characters. You smirk, chuckle, even laugh out loud with their antics. But you also care a lot for what they've been and will go through. The story changes, yet remains the same in its charming intelligence. It keeps getting bigger and more dangerous for our unlikely heroes. And the surprises, full of jaw dropping moments, keep on coming.

Something I love about this series is that every book so far is an adventure in itself, each and addition to the larger story, and there is no middle book syndrome.

I want a squirrel cat and the next book in this series, pronto!

Shadowblack was easily one of my favourite reads last year, so i came into this one with a lot of excitement and high expectations. Luckily it didnt disappoint. This is yet another winner for Sebastien de Castell - its a hugely enjoyable book.

Its fast paced, with great characters, a cracking prose and witty dialogue. The developing relationship between the 3 main characters is a joy to read.

This may not have quite hit the heights of book 2, but it was great fun, and i am already excited to get my hands on book 4 later this year.

Whilst I enjoyed the first two books in this series, Charmcaster was brilliant and, in my opinion, the best book in the series so far. I absolutely loved it. It completely tackled the slight issue that I had with the previous two books in that the pacing at the beginning of those felt a little slow. I did not have the same problem here, the pacing was fantastic throughout.

This book launches with a fantastic action scene that fully immersed me in the story from the moment I started reading. I loved the visuals at the start of this book. The whole 'storm' scene really blew me away (no pun intended).

My number 1 bad-boy Reichis is back in all his furry glory in this book. I love him so much!!

Reichis broke my heart in this book - I almost cried twice and one of those reasons was because of this feisty little devil and then I laughed out loud during a scene where he's practically high.

"You have pretty eyes.' he said, staring up at her.
'What did he say?' she asked me. When I translated, she gave him a smile. 'Well now, aren't you the sweetest little-'
'I'd really like to eat them.' The squirrel cat's head swivelled towards me. 'Can I eat her eyes, Kellen? I'll give them back later, I promise."

I adore Kellen and Reichis's relationship. It's so beautiful and gets stronger in each book. It may be weird that the relationship I love the most is between a boy and a squirrel cat, but I don't care! They're perfect together, and I need a stern word with the author as to why Reichis suffers so much in every single book!

"You stink,' the squirrel cat said. 'You too,' I replied. That, in a nutshell, is our relationship."

Kellen is also at his best in this book. We finally see how much he's learned from Ferius, Reichis and everything else he's had to face and overcome. He really steps up his game in this book and shows us just how much potential he has.

I also love that we find out more about Ferius's past in this book. I desperately wanted this at the end of the last book and it was perfect how it came together during this leg of the journey.

We see the return of a few characters from book 1, one in particular that I wasn't too pleased about, but we'll see where that goes.

There's so much more emotion in this book than there is in the previous two instalments. The bond between Kellen and Ferius, and Kellen and Reichis is much more prominent in this book and it's beautiful to see, especially after travelling with the trio over these three books.

Also, does anyone else ship Ferius and Kellen or is that just me? I have no idea what the age difference is but I love them together.

"I stopped for a second, holding on to that laugh. It contained everything I loved about Ferius Parfax, and everything about her that made me crazy."

How can you not ship this??

I also felt like this book had much more humour, which really helped lift the pace compared to the others.

Kellen picks up a few new tricks in this book and after the ending that just messed me up, I'm really wondering where this story is going to take us next. Roll on book 4!!

The third instalment from the Spellslinger series and it is as good as the first two.
We have Kellan the Spellslinger continuing on his journey along with his sarcastic side kick Reichis the Squirrel Cat who lets ne honest is a thief and wants to eat everyone's eyeballs. He brings humour to the book when needed. From start to finish this book is full of action and choices that Kellan has to make, be these ones about loyalty, honour and family and you can't say the decisions are easy.

You have some old favourites returning with Kellan Ferius the Argosi as well as my favourite character Reichis. You also meet along the way a few other strong characters some you like some not so much.

Overall a fantastic fantasy world that has you at the edge of your seat one minute and the next laughing at the antics of one Squirrel cat. The world building from Sebastien de Castell is out of this world and you can actually picture the world and the characters in it.

definitely recommend to fellow fantasy lovers with a hint of adventure, sarcasm and wit.

This is probably my least favourite in the series so far, but that's not to say I didn't enjoy it. Personally I felt this book was a little slower than the previous two and it took a while for the action/excitement to come into play.
I still really enjoyed the interactions between the characters, Kellen's character growth and Reichis' snark (which is still my favourite thing about this series) so I liked going on this journey with them.
The way this one ended definitely makes me think that the next in the series will be full of adventure and I'm looking forward to see what's next in store for the gang.

I really loved the first two books in this series, and Charmcaster is a worthy installation. With extra development about Kellen's life in the six months or so since the last book, as well as some history on Ferius Parfax, his mentor, and an unwinding story that hints at even greater things to come in the next three books.

This book is full of the snark, wit, and terrible incompetent main character that I loved in the first two books. Reichis is his usual thieving, chittering, violent self, and Kellen is incompetent but still loveable. Ferius is bewildering and cool, and the reintroduction of a few characters we've seen before added depth and nuance to the story.

Kellen and his crew have travelled to a new country this time, Gitabria, a nation of traders and inventors, and unsurprisingly they run into a whole heap of trouble once more. Thieving, spellslinging, card painting, and banter all make reappearances, and I loved every word of it.

I can't wait for the fourth book in the series, Soulbinder, and I'm going to have to check out de Castell's adult series, Greatcoats, to tide me over in the mean time.

Also to add, the cover artist has knocked it out of the park again. Charmcaster's cover puts Reichis to the fore, and the internal illustrations are also spectacular. Big thumbs up to Hot Key books' art team!

Thank you to Netgalley, Sebastien De Castell and Bonnie Zaffre for my arc of Charmcaster.

Publication Date: 17th May 2018

Oh how happy I am to be back in the world of Kellen, Ferius and Reichis! I stumbled upon this series last year when the first book Spellslinger was on offer in Asda. I've been hooked ever since. I'm so glad Charmcaster ended the way it does as it guarantees there will be another book in this series and I can't wait! Plus the covers look beautiful so even though I read the 2nd and 3rd as arcs I'll still be buying them for my shelves and a reread.
Kellen, Ferius and Reichis are being tracked across the desert by a mysterious mage. But when things take a turn for the worst and the mage is kidnapped by religious nuts, Ferius decides they need to go on a rescue mission. What they find changes the path of their destinies once again. Heading out to the city of inventors, the gang including its two new members are on the hunt for a mechanical bird which has shown up as a discordance in the Argosi's cards.

Charmcaster was just as fast paced as the first two novels which I absolutely love. There's nothing like a book you can't stop reading and can't put down. All of the characters in this series are so great and I love the banter between them, particularly where Reichis is concerned!
It was also great to learn a little more about the different cultures within the world the characters inhabit. There's still a lot of interesting world building to get through and each novel gives you a taster of the secrets the Jan'Tep in particular are hiding.

I can't wait to see what happens with next with Kellen and the rest of the gang, and if you've not read this series yet, what are you waiting for???

The author's writing does not stumble; from the opening to its conclusion, this is a rollickingly good read. At the end of each book, the reader is left wanting more. There are twists and turns galore; the only one that was obvious was the identity of the red mage, but I can live with one slip. The writing style remains very tight with a highly structured plot that migrates seamlessly from one event to the next. The strong characterization is at the core of the writing, what becomes noticeable is that within every relationship there is always tension or something that repels. There seems to be no point at which anything becomes comfortable and sedate. This is obviously great from a plot point of view as there is always the opportunity for some action or word to move the story forward. The downside is that it is a frenetic pace and if it wasn't for the excellent storytelling there would come a point where credibility becomes strained. There is nothing extraordinary about the world building but what there is is rich and fits well with the storyline.

One of the things that are apparent is that there is no identifiable endpoint to the overall story; what we do know is that the shadowblack continues to grow and the world becomes a less safe place to be, but as to there being a goal or what one might look like, this remains in the mind of the author. I guess we will have to wait for the next book.