For those who don’t know about SPFBO (the Self Published Fantasy Blog Off) – this is a competition created and run by Mark Lawrence.  The competition is now in its tenth year and you can find out more about all the other entrants and judges over on Mark Lawrence’s blog.

I separated my books into three batches which you can find here, here and here.  Having read the first 25% (at least) I’ve chosen five books that I intend to read further before choosing potential semi finalists to pass to the Critiquing Chemist to read. Today I am posting my fourth SPFBO review for Touched by Magic by Celine Jeanjean.

I had such a good time reading Touched by Magic.  This is the first in an urban fantasy series, it’s a relatively short instalment and there is, as you would expect for an opening book, a feeling of the stage being set.  But, the pacing was good, the storyline was interesting and I liked the characters.  I’m always on the lookout for something new and I would definitely like to read more from this world.

We are introduced to the character of Apiya, one of the magic touched.  Apiya has very little magic and the little she has is of a very gentle nature. Consequently, she lives a fairly sheltered life under the protection of a much more powerful Mayak.  Apiya is a barber to the supernatural but she’s keen to begin seeing more of this world and her wish is granted when she becomes the custodian of a Pari-pari egg, an undertaking that  is much more dangerous than it first appeared.

Apiya lives in Panong, an island that provides a home to many supernatural creatures.  In this world we have the Mayak – magically powerful that covers a range of different creatures such as the pontianak, kitsune, etc. I loved the Asian influence that comes through easily as the story progresses, not just by references to food and clothing, etc, but also the coming together of different cultures that lead to am impressive and diverse cast and some interesting and new creatures.

The characters are easy to like. Apiya tells the story well, alongside her witty remarks you can see she’s modest and doesn’t overplay her own abilities.  If she’s in a sticky situation she knows it and she’s very aware of the shortcomings of her own magic.  She has a magic touched friend called Chai, a powerful Mayak boss called Mr Sangong and a trusty dog called Hunter (for the cat lovers out there – never fear, there is a talking cat at the Barber’s shop – because of course  there is (and it has a cockney accent being from London).  On top of this we have the introduction of a Mayak character, a businessman known as Sarroch who is easy on the eye, although we don’t yet know is true form – but, I must stress, there was no romance here, it has potential to develop in that direction in future instalments but that might not necessarily be the case.

The story is very easy to fall into and the pacing is pretty much consistent.  I mean, this is a short book so there isn’t too much time for hanging around or hand holding – although I thought everything was well laid out.

Put simply, I enjoyed this one and I’m keen to read more.

I received a copy from the author, for which my thanks.  The above is my own opinion.

My review for Fortitude’s Prize by Ceril N Domace, The First Assignment by Billy Kramer and River of Crows by NP Thompson can be found here, here, and here.