An Inheritance of Magic was a great read for me, that I got through within a matter of days.

For once, I feel like going into this series without reading any of Jacka’s previous work (the Alex Verus series) might have played to my favour - as otherwise I feel it would have been a lot more confusing taking everything in. Set in London, AIOM was a fresh change from the usual fantasy that I read - where I felt I was really immersed with the setting and could imagine myself in a lot of the places mentioned.

One of my favourite aspects of this book was Stephen’s character development throughout the book - I hope this is something that we continue to see. Stephen went from appearing lost, in a dead end job, to realising what he wants to do with his life… to an extent. This gives such a coming-of-age feel to the book, even though it’s not quite a YA book but it is truly a story of following your own path.

What brings AIOM down from a 5 to a 4 star read for me was a combination of 2 things. First, was that the narration often felt a touch long-winded when Stephan was explaining the aspects of Drucraft (this was saved for me by the fact Jacka often made it feel as though we were learning with him). Secondly, there was a horrific moment in chapter 7 that almost made me put the book down completely (this is your warning to power through but perhaps read in private). However, I am glad that I didn’t give up with this one, and will definitely be picking up the next book when it’s released.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing this ARC!

Title: A Magical Page-Turner of Inheritance and Intrigue

"An Inheritance of Magic" by Benedict Jacka takes readers on a thrilling journey into a world where magic and intrigue collide, delivering a captivating and spellbinding narrative.

Jacka's storytelling prowess is on full display in this novel as he continues to explore the enchanting magical realm he has crafted. The story introduces readers to a memorable cast of characters, each with their own unique abilities and complexities. The depth of character development is commendable, allowing readers to become deeply invested in their lives and destinies.

At the core of "An Inheritance of Magic" is a riveting plot filled with twists, turns, and a web of secrets waiting to be unraveled. Jacka expertly blends elements of mystery, adventure, and magic, creating a narrative that keeps readers eagerly turning the pages. The pacing is well-structured, offering moments of tension, discovery, and emotional resonance.

What sets this book apart is Jacka's exploration of themes like destiny, family, and the choices that shape our lives. As the characters grapple with their roles and responsibilities in a world brimming with magic, readers are invited to contemplate the complexities of their own existence.

Jacka's writing style is both evocative and immersive, painting a vivid picture of the magical world he has envisioned. His descriptive prose and attention to detail breathe life into the enchanting settings and creatures that populate the story.

While "An Inheritance of Magic" is part of a larger series, it can be enjoyed as a standalone work, offering a self-contained story while hinting at the broader universe and mysteries yet to be unveiled. This accessibility allows both dedicated fans and newcomers to savor the narrative.

In conclusion, "An Inheritance of Magic" is a masterful fantasy novel that enchants with its rich storytelling, well-drawn characters, and thought-provoking themes. Benedict Jacka's ability to craft intricate worlds and deliver compelling narratives remains a hallmark of his work. Whether you're a devoted follower of his previous books or new to his writing, this novel is a must-read that promises magical adventures, intriguing mysteries, and a tale that lingers in your imagination long after you've finished reading.

It didn’t take me all that long to get through this one – not because it’s a particularly short book, at 384 pages, it isn’t. But because I simply couldn’t put it down. Right from the beginning, I was firmly on Stephen’s side. Jacka writes put-upon young heroes well, though Stephen is less hard-edged than Alex Verus. But then Stephen has been brought up by a loving father, whereas Alex spent his childhood in the clutches of a highly abusive, power-crazed mage.

Though Stephen has had a hard time of it. His father suddenly disappears when he is eighteen, leaving him destitute. He manages to get by bumping along the bottom of the economic ladder with a series of dead-end, poorly paid jobs, while still studying drucraft – the form of magic that is used in the urban fantasy backdrop, set in contemporary England. As Stephen gets caught up with the Ashfords, a great deal of the story is taken up by his desperate attempts to garner more magical power and skill, without having any lessons. His innate magical ability isn’t particularly strong – but he has talents that give him options to manufacture some defences – he hopes.

Because he’s all too well aware that his first encounter with House Ashford won’t be the last – and he’s determined to get to a point where he can begin to fight back. This is truly a David and Goliath struggle – and I love the fact that Stephen doesn’t go looking for trouble, but does his very best to hunker down and keep himself safe. Because it tends to fray my sympathy when our clearly underpowered, untutored protagonist decides to plunge headlong into a confrontation s/he can’t possibly win – which happens far too often for the sake of the plot in SFF.

In addition to having a really strong, sympathetic protagonist narrating his story in first person, what also sets this book apart is the highly detailed and complex magical system. Again, Jacka has been clever in how he delivers all the information regarding the magic to his readers. We care about it, because Stephen spends his time trying to build some magical defences for the next time a certain van with tinted windows draws up in his street.

I couldn’t put it down. Though I give due warning – Jacka leaves this one with a doozy of a cliff-hanger (think of Novik’s ending of A Deadly Education) so I’m desperate for the next book in the series. And I’ve come away with something of a book hangover. All in all, this is one of the reads of the year for me and comes very highly recommended for urban fantasy fans. Or any kind of fantasy, really – give it a whirl. While I obtained an arc of An Inheritance of Magic from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
10/10

The first book in a new Urban Fantasy series by the author of the Alex Verus series. Unfortunately, this means that despite getting to know the young MC of this series and finding out what the background-quest will be, there is also a magic system that needs explaining. This results in a lot of info-dumps in between the slightly bog-standard UF plot: 'orphaned' (probably) chosen one needs to learn to use his magic all by himself, he also wants to find his parents, and is embroiled in a fight between the young members of one of the 'ruling' magical families.

Despite the sometimes long-winded info-dumps I’m looking forward to the second book in the series. But I really hope there won't be a repetition of what happened in chapter 7 - what happened to Hobbes (the cat) in chapter 7 of the book nearly made it a 'freezer book' for me.

There's was a OH-NO moment in this story that nearly made me stop read but even if you think something horrible is happening don't stop.
I loved Stephen, the hero of this story, Hobbes, and Colin's friends. A very gifted young man with a complex family story, a lovely cat (Hobbes) and a group of loyal friends. You never know what will happen when you discover a world of magic pratictioners, rivalries and powerful enemies.
It could be a YA but Stephen is more mature than a 18 yrs old and I thoroughly enjoy how he was able to deal with the problems and how he was able to learn.
The magic system is fascinating, there's some elements of ceremonial magic and some of alchemy.
London is is the perfect setting for this story.
I loved it and thoroughly enjoyed it but I cried buckets at the oh-no moment
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Absolutely loved this! I know some Jacka fans will find this a bit blasphemous but I definitely enjoyed it more than the first Alex Verus book! This is a whole new urban fantasy magic world with a new MC. I liked him as the underdog and I’m really looking forward to seeing this series pay out. This first book in the series is really just a showcase of the new world and a setting the scene for all that’s to come. I’m definitely *in* for the long haul! Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

I had a blast reading An Inheritance of Magic. It’s entertaining and immersive. All thanks to a relatable protagonist, his struggles, the accessible writing style, and, of course, his feline companion.

I would describe it as an urban fantasy with elements of progression fantasy. Much of the story revolves around protagonist’s efforts to become more capable and skilled. But let’s start at the beginning.

The story is narrated in the first person by Stephen Oakwood. He is a poor low-class kid from east London with a few (but loyal) friends and no family. His father disappeared, and his mother abandoned him when he was just a child. If something happens to him, no one will care. Why would anything happen to him? It turns out members of a rich family have an issue with some of Stephen’s skills and ancestry.

Stephen has been practicing Drucraft for years. With a moderate success; his Sigls (magically powered items) are as strong as a flashlight. Lacking formal education or funds to secure a tutor, he relies on his intuition and untapped potential. He embodies a classic underdog archetype and has to outsmart enemies that are wealthier, stronger, and more influential than him. And in London, the super-rich control everything, magic included.

Drucraft is no longer the domain of skilled practitioners; it has turned into a profitable industry, with corporations holding all the cards. Stephen’s assets include a low-wage job (fetching documents from the basement), a cat, and determination. With some luck, though, he makes do.

An Inheritance of Magic relies on familiar urban fantasy tropes and doesn’t break a new ground. Its strength lies in excellent execution, Jacka’s ability to write a likable protagonist and good pacing. The story feels deeply human; Stephen wants power to protect himself and Hobbes (cat) and live his life as he chooses. He wants to find his father and have a family again. He also tries to unlock the full potential of his Drucraft abilities.

Are there potential weaknesses? Indeed, there are. Drucraft is a well-researched magic system with lots of detailed rules. We learn about the rules, the world, and families alongside Stephen. This occasionally slows down the pacing. The same applies for Stephen’s “upgrading” and search for new Wells (places filled with Essentia) - it gets repetitive.

While I usually dislike hard magic systems, I liked Drucraft and the social commentary that comes with it. Anyone rich enough or with good connections can gain access to powerful magical abilities. Heck, they can literally order them out of a catalogue. Wealthy aristocratic families wield all the power. They also make sure the rich remain rich while those aspiring to improve their lives continue to struggle.

I’m genuinely intrigued and determined to read the sequel as soon as it becomes available.

First of all I would just like to thank NetGalley, Benedict Jacka and Little Brown Book Group UK for an ARC of "An Inheritance of Magic” in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first novel by Benedict Jacka, so I don’t have any of his other works to compare this to.

Told from the sole perspective of protagonist Stephen, we follow him on his pursuit of the magical art of Drucraft.

I know this is the first book in a new series and that more often than not, first books (especially in fantasy) have to set up new lore and include the world-building for the rest of the series. However, in this book, I found there to be just too much info dumping. It seemed incessant. Although ultimately it wasn’t hard to follow or remember- it was just that it made the story rather dull.

However, that being said, this is the first I’ve read of Benedict’s writing, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that I really liked his style. His prose is very easy to read and I can definitely see why his writing is so popular.

The only other thing I found slightly lacking in this novel was the actual plot. I still can’t really distinguish what the actual plot concept was. It got very repetitive at times and then by the end of the book, nothing of much value seemed to have happened? It left me a bit puzzled because it seemed as though there was no solid foundation that the book was being built on.

As well as this, none of the characters had any appealing qualities and a lot of the mysteries in the book were never resolved- as I’m assuming these revelations will be revealed in the later books.

I will say though that I absolutely loved Hobbes the cat. He was star of the show for me.

I enjoyed this book. It is targeted for a younger audience.
It didn't grip me, and I didn't enjoy as much as I thought i was going to, it just fell a bit flat.

An Inheritance of Magic or... When All It Takes to Wake Up Your Magic Ability is the Threat to Your Cat's Wellbeing.
I can relate to that.

Benidict Jacka is the often- uttered name for anyone who craves for more of books like Dresden Files. Alec Verus is its little brother, and some dare even say they prefer it. And in all honesty, I do plan checking out that series, but when I saw this one I decided that I actually want to dive into his writing completely blind. In hindsight, it may have been the wrong thing to do.

Basic premise: Stephen is a young man working a dead-end job, living in terrible conditions who spends all of his time trying to learn a Drucraft, magical manipulation of spiritual matter. It's the only thing he shared with his father who disappeared three years ago and he hopes that as long as he keeps teaching himself he will get closer to knowing what happened to his father. All of that changes when he is approached by the scions of powerful and wealthy Ashford family who all want to use their long lost relative for their own purposes.

So, let's break this one down.
If I have to point the one, single thing that ruined my enjoyment in reading this book it would have to be the magic system or to be precise, the info-dump. I understand that first book in a series carries the burden of explaining how the world works to the reader, but this one was done with the pedantry of Brandon Sanderson and the Robert Jordan level of minutiae of Stephen's everyday learning and finding out things about Drucraft and none of the excitement of either of those. It's just Stephen discovering new thing about how magic works, then going back home and practicing. then we repeat the whole process and it's, in my opinion, what actually stifled the plot because for a long time I felt like we, and Stephen, were just tap dancing- a lot of flashy movements and none of the progress. I expected plot to focus more on Ashfords and this Succession/Knives Out drama they have going on and how Stephen is wrapped in all of that especially because all of them have the personality of corresponding Lannister. In comparison, Stephen tribulations after the event that should have spur him into action was just a lot of... realizing things about Drucraft and in comparison, not as eventful as that. Hopefully things will change in next book.

-The other thing that sealed the deal were characters, always the true Litmus test for me.
Stephen's point of view for the most part was ok, he is likable and not problematic, but in dialogue and scenes with others- his friends in particular- he was generic, most bland version of a character who doesn't really stick in your mind. The scenes with his friends were cringiest with all the questions and puns and jokes about girls and it read not like something teens really do, but like something adults think they talk about. Ashfords on the other hand, have the potential of being colorful villains, but we don't get to see a lot of them with the exception of one (TW> if you are sensitive toward scenes of cruelty towards animal, proceed with caution) and if we can judge by her actions... we're up for a ride with them. Just not in this book. Majority of the book Stephen is actually alone, in his apartment with his cat, the most impactful character in this novel.
-With that being said, the basic premise is fine. There is the potential for the story to develop in more interesting direction hopefully with Stephen engaging more with his relatives and possibly going to magic university to study Drucraft. Now there is a story I want to read, with other influential magic families involved mixed with the overreaching mystery arc of Stephen's parents. And as a newbie, I can tell you that Jacka's writing was really easy to get into. Alex Verus series is still on my radar, but perhaps not in immediate future. :)

All in all, there were some good things lurking in this novel, but things I didn't like overshadowed the one I liked and it affected my overall enjoyment. Two stars mean that book is ok, which I would say it's fair, but nothing more than that.

Thoroughly enjoyable! Immensely refreshing. I am looking forward to more. Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the Arc of An inheritance of magic by Benedict Jacka.

Stephen Oakwood is just about managing to live in London and make a life for himself. After his mother abandoned him as a toddler he is brought up by his father who begins to teach him to use his inherited magical abilities until at the age of 17 his father disappears leaving only a vague note behind. Stephen is at a cross roads in his life deciding to take his civil servant job more permanent or try to make something with his magical abilities. This pretty much goes out the window when a member of his long lost “family” turns up and quickly pulls him into a world of money, power and dynastic politics.
I really enjoyed this, the first third of the novel is fast paced and quickly sets up the new world, the second third slows a bit a Stephen gets to grip with his powers and the main plot goes on the back burner for a while. The last third brings it all back online rounding everything out and dropping clues for the direction of the next book. I thought it was interesting that Jacka blended two very different worlds; the mundanity and grinding nature of living in London on next to nothing and the obscene wealth and privilege of a chosen few. Stephen also has non magical friends who are his most intimate relationships and he has to balance how much he tells them with how much he is willing to risk them. So there was interesting stuff going on here that I haven’t really seen in urban fantasy much or at all, it was a refreshing change.

I have an inherent bias when reading fantasy. I tend to prefer fantasy written by women, with female protagonists. So I started reading this with some trepidation and was blown out of the water. It really was that good.

Stephen Oakwood is a 20 year old struggling with self-sufficiency in the wake of his fathers disappearance. He works a menial temp job and shares a room in an overcrowded house in London because that is all he can afford. He goes to the pub every week with his friends from school and his best friend is his cat Hobbes. He is a normal British working class youth apart from one minor thing. He dabbles as a hobby in low-level magic, something taught to him by his dad. This is a world where magic is just beneath the surface and is a rarely talked about skill that has been capitalised and already almost been made redundant by cheap technology. But one night, everything changes. He is approached by a teenage girl who is a member of an aristocratic magic family, one is he is descended from through his absent mother who he knows little about. She sees him as a rival and it is through this that he decides to hone his craft, coming up against obstacles in his way of poverty and lack of social standing.

The magic system in this is so interesting and this is one of the books main strengths. This is not a fast-paced book, it has some action scenes but a lot of the book follows him trying to learn and hone his craft and work out how to monetise it. I actually loved this, I found myself absorbed by his hunt for magic wells, him trying to figure out solutions on how to create things to better his and his cats life. It was very academic in a way, that the focus was the pursuit of knowledge and his motivations behind it. This is without a doubt an origin story and one that is going to be told through a series of books, so I feel this book is going to be marmite for some people. But the world building was meticulous, you were learning alongside the character and I loved that it felt very rooted in reality. His experience of being in his twenties was very realistic, the struggle between reconciling your passion with your need to pay the bills. Dude just wants to get by and have a good life with his cat. I can relate to that!

I couldn’t put the book down, read until the small hours of the morning and when I finished immediately looked up when the second book was coming out.

I think this will be a hit with anyone who likes Olivie Blake and Dark Academia novels or anyone who grew up on Harry Potter but felt as an adult that it was unrealistic and wish fulfilment.

An easy 5 stars for me.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. I have not read the authors previous series but I really loved this book and read it in single day! I love a good magic system, and the level of detail and insight we get into it is something I really enjoy. I also loved Stephen as a character. There is no chosen one in the book, who suddenly develops super powers and has everything placed in their lap, this is a hero who faces the same struggles as the rest of us and has to fight to get what he needs. I can see why some people might not enjoy the pace of the novel, but for me it was perfect and really sets the scene for future books. Recommended for anyone who loves magic systems like those found in Sanderson's books.

This was a fun start to a new series by the author of the Alex Verus books. It’s an urban fantasy again, set in a version of present day London where magic is controlled by the rich and powerful. Stephen Oakwood’s father disappeared three years ago and since then he has been surviving on a series of dead end jobs while continuing to practise the ‘drucraft’ skills his father taught him. Somehow, he comes to the attention of a powerful family and his life is completely turned upside down.
I really liked the character of Stephen and the magic system. The author has obviously thought the system through and it’s an interesting take on magical use in the modern world. I enjoyed Stephen’s efforts to master his craft although Hobbes is obviously the stand-out character and Stephen’s determination to save his cat was a good illustration of his personality.
While I enjoyed it, it didn’t stand up to Jacka’s previous novels. It felt more like a YA novel rather than the ‘dark fantasy’ that the publicity blurb says that it is. There was a bit of violence but no real feeling of darkness. There is a also a lot of information dumping so that we understand exactly how Stephen is creating his sigils which I’m not sure I needed.
I am intrigued enough by the set up in this novel to read any future novels when they appear and hopefully there will be a bit more depth to the characters and plot.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers, Little Brown Group, for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was really excited to get approved for this but unfortunately it was just ok. Not necessarily anything wrong with that but I expected more. Unsure as to whether I will continue on.

I adored the Alex Verus books and had thought this would be something similar. Maybe I was expecting too much, or maybe expecting more Alex Verus under a different guise. I did enjoy the book but it did fall a bit flat for me. It cannot be easy starting a new series after such a well loved one but I will keep with it and hope that I want more to the next one in the series.

I loved Benedict Jacka’s last series so much. So was excited when I found this first book in his new urban fantasy series. This book suggests this is going to be another belter of an action packed, adrenaline rush, ride. There’s quite a bit of setting up our knowledge of the magic system used here. But there is also that smooth, snarky humour and power battle feuds that provide such entertaining reading. I gobble up this book in one bite. Can’t wait to see what comes next. Thank you to Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

dnf @ 15%

This year, I'm not handing out high ratings too easily. But the thing is, my TBR has grown so much that I can't afford to keep reading books I'm not enjoying even a little bit.

By the time I hit the 15% mark, I knew I had to drop this book. The story felt dull, the main character didn't click with me, the humor just was too cringy, and even the bits of the magic system I glimpsed didn't grab my attention at all.

I haven't read a ton of Urban Fantasy, and after giving this one a shot, I guess I'll be more careful when picking out books from this genre next time.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC.

Set in modern day London, An Inheritance of Magic follows the story of Stephen Oakwood, a magician – or Drucaster – eeking a living through his minimum wage job. He spends his time attempting to perfect his drucraft – the art of solidifying magical ‘essentia’ into solid crystals called sygils that empower the wearer with various skills. Most drucrafters buy their sygils ready-made at exorbitant prices – limiting magic to the super rich. Even employment within the drucrafting world is based very much upon who you know, not what you know.

This was my first book by Benedict Jacka and I rather enjoyed it. Neither the plot nor the writing is particularly complex. We also perhaps spend a little too much time in the head of the protagonist; ideally a few more scenes with other characters would have been beneficial (I’m not sure his cat, epic as he is, counts). A promising start to a new series nonetheless.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.