1.5/5 stars! I was super disappointed in this book. It was toted as adult urban fantasy, but I wouldn't even categorize it as a strong YA story. This also felt fairly problematic...I don't know just felt like the author may not respect people or be a safe place for marginalized people. I don't think I'll read anything else by them.

| A Gripping Urban Fantasy Start

Imagine if Harry Potter grew up with a rough understanding of magic, lost his only mentor, and had to craft his skills alone. Now, replace wands with energy-powered Sigls and add a fierce loyalty to a cat, Hobbes, who becomes the target of villains. That’s An Inheritance of Magic by Benedict Jacka.

Stephen Oakwood is a 20-something underdog from East London scraping by after his father vanished. His natural talent for Drucraft magic sets him apart, but the wealthy elite control the system, keeping people like Stephen struggling. When his cat is attacked, Stephen channels his grit and determination into growing his powers, seeking revenge, and uncovering the mysteries of his past.

Jacka’s world-building shines with its blend of relatable class struggles and intricate magic. While the pacing slows during Stephen’s training and discovery of magic “wells,” the personal stakes and social commentary keep it engaging.

Stephen is a likable protagonist whose journey feels raw and real. His bond with Hobbes adds emotional depth, and his relentless drive to defy the odds is inspiring. This book combines urban fantasy with progression fantasy elements, offering a compelling start to a promising series.

Despite minor pacing issues, An Inheritance of Magic is an addictive read for fans of gritty, character-driven urban fantasy. Bring on the sequel!

DNF*

Thanks to the publisher for the chance to read this free book.
Unfortunately I've tried to started it multiple times and I've always found myself blocked to go on.
Probably this style is not my cup of tea or not enough appealing to go on with the reading.

An Inheritance of Magic by Benedict Jacka.

3 STARS.

Slightly disappointed with this one, I have to say. I've enjoyed Benedict Jacka's previous series but this seems to fall short. I'm not sure why but it feels half developed. This could come better in later books but for now, I'll keep waiting.

I need to do a mea culpa here, because it took me so long to read this book! And the problem is that before requesting this one, I read the first book of the other series by the author, and it was a meh experience. I enjoyed it, but not as much as I expected. But then I saw this one on NetGalley and it was intriguing, so I decided to request it because “well, I still enjoyed the other one and it was written a long time ago. I think the author matured a bit, at least, and the premises of this one sound just too good to be true!” And it is a valid reasoning, right? But then I kept procrastinating because the other book wasn’t so good, so what if this one isn’t, either? That is a valid thought, too, but it is the exact opposite of the previous one! Sometimes I don’t make sense even to myself!

That said, it was all for nothing, because I really enjoyed this one! Comparing books to other books seems the theme of today’s reviews, so here we go: this book reminded me, from time to time, of Sufficiently Advanced Magic, and sequels. But in the best possible way. It reminded me of a lot of the things I love about this series (and since we are talking about it… go and read it, pretty pretty please!). Especially because we see the MC experiment with its magic and learn more about his powers. It is a sort of progression fantasy, I think.
It is slow going, at least in some moments, that’s true, but to me, it was really worth it! I love when we get to see a character learning things, and working for them. I am there for it, and I want more of this kind of book!!
And the author, at the beginning of the book, clearly says that this is a sort of introduction to this new world. And you should heed his words, because this is exactly what this book is.

That said, Stephen is an interesting character, I don’t know if he will stay with me for a long time (Hobbes yes, Stephen I don’t really know), but I liked him, and I like his attitude and his dedication. I think he is a good choice for an MC, and I love that he has some really loyal friends! I would have loved to see more of them around. The bad ones in this book are mostly the rich people, and in this part, the book is not really so original, it is highly plausible and it works amazingly well, but the reasons behind everything that is happening to Stephen are not the most original ever.
I was almost forgetting an important thing about Stephen: the author is not really good with him. I mean, Jacka makes him suffer quite a lot, poor guy! I really felt for him. You can really feel the unfairness of it all, especially because this poor guy was just trying his best to carry on with his life, but the world (or better, some really despicable people) decided differently.

Last but not least, there is a big trigger warning: there is cruelty toward an animal. And I really hope that Stephen would make them pay in the next books. I don’t really care that this can make me a bad person, I am here for the retribution!

This is a nice start for a new series, with a complex magical system, a slow pace, and a pretty decent MC. I had a great time with it, and now I can’t wait to get my hands on the second book!

Benedict Jacka did a lot of legwork to flesh out the worldbuilding and the lore of his secret magical world, while simultaneously keeping it grounded with the urban backdrop to the setting. I really liked Stephen Oakwood as a protagonist—he often creates his own problems, but he is quick on his feet and manages to think his way out of them. Plus, he's a dedicated cat dad. Who can dislike a cat lover?

An Inheritance of Magic is interesting start to the series and I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC copy of this book, in exchange for this honest review.

This is a story about Stephen, a 20 year old livng in London whose Mum and Dad have both left him at separate times and he works an agency job he doesn't enjoy to make barely enough money to cover his bills and feed his cat and also he does magic. That is how the book feels when you first get informed that Stephen in a "Drucrafter" basically a wizard. The magic is split into different types and different people can use different types. It turns out that Stephen's estranged Mum is high up in a very wealthy and powerful magic family, and his relatives don't want him getting any funny ideas about inheritance. I wasn't really drawn into the story, Stephen didn't seem all that likeable as a main character, and although it's told from his perspective I still don't really feel like I know all that much about him except that he wants to get better at using magic! Also there is a VERY graphic section of the book involving animal abuse which I had to step away from for a while as it blindsided me and was not in keeping with the tone of the rest of the book. I'm not sure I'd read the next instalment of the series, although maybe as this is book one there is a lot more setup in this and some story will follow?

An interesting start to a series - Jacka has to do quite a lot of legwork here to set the scene and to build a compelling magic system - which doesn't leave quite enough room for character and action. However, Jacka is such a good author that it almost doesn't matter - and having loved his previous series, I've no doubt this one will go on to be absolute magic.

Stephen Oakwood is a 20-year-old whose life is a bit of a mess. Sure he has his cat and his health, but he hates his job, is barely getting by and has no time for his true passion - the Drucraft he can only practice at night. Also his father went missing and Stephen is desperate to find him but has neither the time nor the resources to start searching. Until a chance encounter with a girl gets him noticed by the wrong people, the powerful House Ashford. And suddenly Stephen's life is changing - but can he really go up against the wealthy elite? Or will those he loves pay the price for his high dreams?

Okay the short of it I enjoyed this one, its a quick, easy read with a relatable enough protagonist in Stephen. But I was a bit disappointed at the same time. I'm a huge Alex Verus fan, its one of my favourite urban fantasy series and I was missing the action and snark in this one. Stephen is a bit boring in places, he fades into the background against some of the more larger-than-life side characters. There were times I really did feel for him but at the same time often found myself more worried about his cat than him.

In regards to Drucraft I can't say I'm a fan of how this was described. It's almost a little too well thought out in places and it lost a bit of its magic because the system became so convoluted.

I adored Stephen's cat - and here I am going to put a spoiler warning because I went into this blind and I REALLY didn't like this portion of the book.

In one chapter Stephen's cat is really badly hurt - to the point where the reader isn't sure if he'll live or not. He does, but his journey back to health is awful and I really could have done without this section if I'm honest.

All in all though this was an interesting first in a series and I'm hoping now the boring explanation bits are out the way the action will start up fast and furious in book 2.

Many thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for the ARC.

I was hoping to enjoy this novel, as I read many great reviews, but unfortunately, I did not like it at all. It takes ages for the action to start, and the book is filled with descriptions that do not bring much into the story. I understand this is the first book in a new series, and the magic system has to be explained, but that could be done in smaller chunks intertwined with action.

I am very thankful for the opportunity to review this book and I apologise for the delay in my feedback.

I have been trying to read this for a few weeks now and I have decided to stop around the 10% mark. My reasons for not finishing are my enjoyment and the writing style. I haven't been enjoying the writing of the book, it feels as if it hasn't been edited, with thrown information that doesn't make much sense.

If the writing had been different, more engaging, I think this could have been an interesting story.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this advanced copy.

My first read of Benedict Jacka books, and loving it so far.

I really don't like leaving negative reviews, that's why I'm probably going to only post this to Netgalley. I've been really excited for this book but unfortunately it really fell short for me. I've managed to read it whole, but it wasn't a good journey.

The main protagonist is 20, and maybe it's because I'm older than him, but man, he and his group of friends sounded like high school boys. The action is pretty scattered and it could have been interesting, but something about the narration style made me really uninterested in the plot and the reveals weren't good in my opinion. Reading about a MC basically creating problems for himself wasn't a good time. And I'm sorry for being salty, *SPOILERS*, but man, having an outdoor cat and then being shocked it got hurt is a thing I really hate in both books and real life. I'm following a few animal rescue groups and letting your cat out is beyond my understanding, I'm sorry if that's a controversial opinion, but after seeing so many photos of mangled cats I'm not sure you could have different thoughts. I know that's very personal, but sorry, I'm not gonna cheer a character for 'saving' his pet after having him in a very unsafe and uncontrolled environment and I'm really passionate about it. If you're having a world with magic, I think asking for common sense in it isn't too much?

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for granting me access to the arc and I'm really sorry that review is so negative, but honesty is really important for me.

Rating: 3.5 stars, mainly because it ends so abruptly. If it ended nicer, 4 stars would be closer rating.
Pace: Fast
Genre: Fantasy

I enjoyed this book, it's very easy to read and fast paced. I read it pretty much in one sitting. It's been a while since a book kept me that engaged.

Magic system is interesting and it plot happens in current time in London. Magic is not completely secret, most people don't know of it but it can be freely talked of.

I really liked that there was no romance in the book, so much of recent fantasy is very romance focused, it's refreshing to read something that isn't. While book is marked as adult, I find style complexity to be more fitting into young adult.

What I really disliked is how book ended when it got very interesting. Very huge cliffhanger!

I can't wait for the next book! I feel we will learn what makes Stephan so good at magic, I expect his mother was not away by choice and that his father is involved in something related to this magic without sigils. I believe his father's involvement will be a reason for Stephan's powers. I am also curious how the priest is involved as it feels like he is someone who used to be very involved but left.

Dark academia, magic and wealth.

I liked the premise and the characters, But the plot felt very dull. I didn't see the story moving forward, and wasa bored for most of it. I did like the concept of the magic and the wealthy being in a whole other world of their own, but ultimately this book didn't intrigue me.

If you enjoy slow paced books, you might like this one. I would recommend it to those interested in YA fantasy more so than adult.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the e-arc!

This first book in a new series based on Stephen Oakwood’s journey of discovery as a magical being in a 21st century urban Britain is really engaging. Jacka has thought through the magic system, that runs largely un-noticed alongside the regular world we all live in, very carefully: it is very effective and believable.

Stephen is an outsider eeking out a living while trying to practice and improve the magic skills taught to him by his father - before that father mysteriously disappeared. And where is his mother? Well that is an interesting thread in the voyage of discovery that both character and reader take together.

When other magical beings with their own agendas intrude on Stephen’s humdrum existence, his world opens up, giving him purpose, but also putting him - and by extension his pet cat and his non-magic friends - in peril.

I am anticipating joining the next instalment of Stephen’s journey with great excitement and curiosity.

An Inheritance of Magic is a starter to a new urban fantasy series by Benedict Jacka, the author of Alex Verus novels (I didn't read any of them), and good to see the author's note that this series is completely unrelated to his previous works and will continue for the next decade or so.

So what is this, you wonder if going to like it or not

Imagine this

What if Harry Potter didn't get to Hogwarts and somehow with his father's help alone, he found out about his power, Voldemort was more charming, Dumbledore in church, and you are not gonna believe it but there was a crazy Beatrix too...

Do you like it?!

Well, that wasn't bad, even fun for a start.

Stephen Oakwood inherited the natural talent of magic that causes enemies to follow him after his father disappears. Unwanted he finds out about the magical high society and gets in trouble with them.

AND now it's the time I give some spoilers that you should have to know, I would be glad if someone had told me,
Stephen has a cat, Hobbes instead of Hedwig, he got hurt and the description of his recovery was so terrifying. Happily, Hobbes will be okay, everything is fine, gosh I got a headache reading that part!

Overall, this was a fun and engaging read and I liked the storyline, Stephen and Hobbes. I am excited to see where the story will go.

I would like to thank Little, Brown Group UK via NetGalley for ARC. As always, my review is my honest opinion.

Benedict is perhaps best known for his Alex Verus series of urban fantasy books. Here though he starts a new series.

An Inheritance of Magic focusses on Stephen Oakwood. Told in the first person, Stephen is a young adult struggling to make a living in a modern London. He’s pretty much an outsider – his Mum didn’t want anything to do with him when born and his Dad disappeared a while back, although he did leave a cryptic letter.

In this world magic exists, although not so that most people would notice. In fact, anyone with the basic skills can use magic – known as drucraft – providing that they can pay for it. Magic is reached through the creation of and use of sigls – something that Stephen has been able to do since he was little, although not very well. It certainly doesn’t help his current lifestyle, living in shared accommodation with his cat Hobbes for company.

The issue is that magic costs money. The best sigls cost thousands or even millions of pounds and are unsurprising kept as closely guarded secrets by those in power. They are used by the government, by the military and most of all by corporations who have the money, manpower and resources to control and limit their use. It’s a world run by the privileged.

Much of this reads like a Young Adult novel. The main characters are all young, and there’s a sprinkling of contemporary references throughout usually involving social media that I think young adults will appreciate. Stephen is (of course!) an outsider, one of the under-privileged who has not the funds to develop his latent talents. He cannot afford to go to the universities that nurture such abilities, nor has he the social connections to gain access to the Great Houses that seem to run the magic network.

Much of the magic system reads like a different version of Pokémon Go!, whereby magic can be accessed or topped up in wells, centres of magical power that often pop up at random. Benedict has clearly spent a lot of time thinking about how the magic works and much of the book is spent explaining how Stephen manages to find these wells and develop his own abilities.

Stephen himself comes across as a realistic young man, trying to make a living. I thought that the idea of monetarising magic was interesting, perhaps a logical extension and a commercial consequence to the capitalist world we live in.

With this in mind then, it should not be a great surprise to find that as the book progresses Stephen finds that he has a personal connection with House Ashcroft, one of the world’s most powerful Magic houses. He is noticed by the arrogant but fiercely intelligent Head of Ashcroft House, Charles Ashcroft. (For some reason I imagined Charles, the, as actor Charles Dance, which seemed appropriate.)

This has consequences for Stephen and those around him, not just House Ashcroft, who will do anything to maintain or even expand their own positions. This includes cousins Lucella, Tobias and Calhoun of House Ashcroft in an interesting power game whereby Calhoun is the natural successor to Charles, but Lucella and Tobias are determined to usurp him – and want to use Stephen to do so. This creates an interesting political and social dynamic where the characters are detailed enough to make them interesting, but are also enigmatic enough to have secrets which will no doubt be explained in future novels.

I also liked the setting. I got quite a feel for the setting of this modern-day London as a real place, although with added magic, although beneath the glossy surface it is at times not a world that is particularly enjoyable.

However, it would be remiss of me not to mention that there is one horrific act of cruelty which is not pleasant and may not be easy to read. It is important to the story, but may be quite upsetting to some readers.

In summary then, An Inheritance of Magic is a great read that uses its setting to tell us something new in urban fantasy. It’s accessible and generally entertaining, but with that point mentioned above, with enough originality to keep the pages turning and leave the reader wanting the next book as soon as possible. A good start to a new series.

A fun read, if a bit YA for my liking.
The protagonist is relatable but slightly childish. The cat companion - best character In my opinion!
However Stephens motives are clear and definitely relatable on that front, he wants a better life for himself and for his cat and to be out from under the thumb of the rich.
There's nothing groundbreaking new here, but the execution of the novel is done well, and it was a greatly enjoyable easy read.
I liked the idea behind the magic and the fact the rich and weathly can use it to gain more power. It felt like magic added to the social commentary, a kind of magical realism.
I loved the character development and liked we got to learn and develop with him.
Overall a strong read, if nothing outstandingly special

As a fan of the Alex Verus books and of Benedict Jacka, I was beyond thrilled to get the early copy.

It didn’t disappoint at all! It was a wild ride and it definitely sets the tone for the rest of the series.
It’s an urban fantasy, with a refreshing and new magic system. Jacka describes it perfectly without overloading the reader with details all at once. It’s complex, yes, but it doesn’t read as such. It has great tension and action scenes.

In a world where only the very rich control magic and have access to the tools to perfect its use, Stephen Oakwood lives a quiet life. He has the potential and talent for magic, but without money, training or influence, he lives with a minimum wage and his cat. When he meets a member of a very powerful family, he’s dragged into a world where everything is allowed in the quest for power. Stephen will have to use all the weapons in his arsenal, work to learn more and be willing to risk everything to come out on the other side… alive.

Jacka created once again a very likeable main character. Stephen is funny without even trying, and I rooted for him the whole time. He’s pulled into this world against his will and even when everyone is out to get him, he has the strength and the intelligence to manoeuvre himself through. It was a pleasure to get to know him and to see him work so hard to protect what he loves. Discovering how his mind works was a treat!

I can’t wait to see how the rest of the story unfolds!