This was a really interesting start to a series packed with action, the paranormal, magic, and alchemy. The main character Janzen Robinson, wasn't half bad either with his troubled past, quick wit and quirky sense of humour. Janzen used to belong to a group of monster hunters until his group was wiped out by the very monsters they were hunting. His new job as a courier takes him to the house of the would be damsel in distress, a very good looking, with curves in all the right places kind of damsel in distress (these descriptions were emphasized heavily and many times throughout the book) who is coincidentally being targeted and hunted by monsters. Enter our ex-monster hunter Janzen, and voila, out of retirement he comes. Our hero of course, has a little help from his friends, a deaf decorated ex-military guy, a half elf, and various other beings that could go bump in the night.

The story took a while for me to get into but the last 100 pages saw me hooked. I really enjoyed the dialogue, in particular, Janzen's inner monologues/arguments with himself. He's actually pretty hilarious. The plot jumped around a bit too much for me and I think the author dragged this out more than necessary. I really enjoyed the ending and I look forward to reading the second book when it comes out.

An interesting fantasy, I'd recommend to older readers and hard-core fantasy.

I really really wanted to love this book, but I just didn’t like it. The plot and the characters didn’t draw me in at all.

Lawrence Davis is what would happen if Rick Riordan dropped YA and Greek mythology and turned to adult urban fantasy instead. Blunt Force Magic is hilarious, smart and overall a pretty great fantasy read with an undertone of mystery.

The fantasy element was fun and all (I mean, it's urban fantasy - it has monsters and vampires and magic and all that jazz), but what really kept me reading was the writing style and the dark humor that was, in all honesty, right up my league. Janzen is a self-aware, very likable lead with a mild douchebagery tendencies, who I was very much rooting from the very first page. I mean, all of the characters were pretty great.

Blunt Force Magic also features quite a bit of diversity. I can't really tell if it was well executed since I don't really know what's considered offensive when it comes to disabilities. But it was there which shouldn't be a privilege in today's literature but I felt like I should give it some recognition and appreciation it nonetheless.

If you are looking for a fun urban fantasy, I say go for this. Seriously. I don't think you'll regret picking up Blunt Force Magic.

I love series. I love how the authors put soo much of themselves and time, effort, blood, sweat, tears, etc. into creating their own universes and then share them with us. I hate series that are never finished or take over a decade or two to finish, especially when books are published years, and years, and years apart. (cough, Robert Jordan, George R.R. Martin, Terry Goodkind). I even stay away from series now unless the author has proven they are a reliable publisher or finished the series. I slipped up once (Rothfuss) and now am firmly stuck waiting with the throngs for the next morsel of story.

With that being said, "Blunt Force Magic" by Lawrence Davis is really great. The main character is really fun, sarcastic, relate-able, and perfectly aware of his foibles. While he gets that he is the underdog and perhaps not soo likable, he's willing to put himself on the line for his beliefs, which I think is really all you can ask of a book. Bucking the hero paradigm (you know, the attractive, muscle bound, romantic interest, super smart, fast, friend to all stereotype) and giving us a narrator/protagonist that is prone to mistakes and human errors really works for the kind of story and world that is presented. I was truly transfixed by the storyline. The mixing of the world we know with a magic imbued underbelly (so to speak) is done expertly. I couldn't put it down! I want to know more about all the characters, I want to know the history, I want to be able to dive deep into this world and explore it! Like I said, really great. Given that this novel is the first of a trilogy, I am hoping the next one comes out soon and is just as great at this one. Really an enjoyable read.

3,5 stars

I loved the authenticity of the main character and the self-deprecating humour. I struggled with the action scenes, though, they were sometimes confusing and I couldn't always follow what was happening.

But I still enjoyed the heck out of this book.

Urban fantasy, good world building, fast paced, good read. I didn't really connect with the MC. I mean, it was good and all that, but I found it a bit too gritty, too much fighting, and not much else.

Aside from that, I got slightly ticked off by this being a man protecting the pretty damsel in distress kind of story. She only got to redeem herself in the end, but pretty much throughout the book, she was a useless damsel. The other women characters might've made up for it, but even tho they were ultra powerful, they were too busy being neutral to be interesting. Most of the time.

It was still an enjoyable book. I like the idea of artificing. Janzen was a good quick on his feet thinking character, and the action was great too, if you go for that.

Disclaimer: I received a copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A surprising and fun new novel and I will be intrigued to see more books in this series. The story was enjoyable, the pacing good and the characters are distinct and interesting. While it has also offered a decent first look into a new world there also appears to be plenty more to explore and I will be happy to read the next book in the series.

I will be very interested to see where this series goes as it could go either way but my hope is that the series doesn't fall into following a series of clichés but stays a little more fresh and distinct. A few things towards the end made me worry that the story would start to adopt to many story elements that have already been done to death.

This book - the protagonist and his weird humor in particular - reminded me a lot of Kevin Hearne's Iron Druid Chronicles.

This story follows twenty-something Janzen Robinson, former monster hunting squad member turned package courier, on his mission to save a pretty young witch who's inadvertently caught the attention of an evil, blood-thirsty and basically invincably creature. Not being the bad-ass he wants to be, Janzen struggles to stay alive himself while desperately trying to keep Maria safe, but unlikely allies start gathering around him - including a deaf ex-soldier and a motherly fae.
Will Janzen and his new crew be able to stop what- or whoever is after them?

Kudos to the author for creating such an intriguing yet completely approachable male lead. I loved that Janzen wasn't one of those almighty, infallible, top-of-the-class super heroes. He was an artificer, but not a very good one. He was just mediocre in most anything he did - working his magic, fighting, interacting with women, his job. But, and that's what made him so interesting to read about, he was incredibly resourceful and had one hell of a big trap.

While his smart-ass quips had me laughing out loud repeatedly, and his on-the-fly decision making made me cheer him on, it was that adorable bromance between him and Grove that really got me.

There was a great story, too, along with some interesting world building, and lots and lots of dark, dry humor.

The only, but rather big issue I had with this book was the pacing. The slow pace and, in my opinion, slightly botched arc of suspense made it seem so much longer than its actual two-hundred something pages, and while overall, this was a very enjoyable read, I did find myself struggling with it quite a few times.
Considering that this was Lawrence Davis's debut, though: totally forgivable.

Amazing start to a new Urban Fantasy series. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book.

I really enjoyed Blunt Force Magic!! For me, it was very reminiscent of Karen Marie Moning. Lots of mystical creatures living in our present time with only a few folks being aware and always fighting to save the sad "Muggles" who have no clue. Our main character Janzen was a breath of fresh air. I appreciated his cynicism and ability to use humor in all situations, especially when fighting for his life or protecting his friends.

The story is well paced with lots of action. The writing is very descriptive without being overly wordy. You do need to pay attention to understand the relationship pieces but that didn't distract me from the story at all.

I definitely recommend this book to all fantasy readers and I will be anxiously waiting to read more of this trilogy! Many thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Excellent protagonist. There often seems to be either the naive innocent, or the hero who is cynical, world weary, and INCREDIBLY talented. Its either Belgarion or Sparhawk, Ben Aaronovich's Peter Grant or Dresden/ Alex Verus.
I like that this hero admit's that he's not best in field. He has given up in many ways, and it's only when his old life literally appears in his face that he is willing to go back.
Strong urban fantasy, strong protagonist. I'd be interested in more

ARC/ebook/Fantasy: I want to thank NetGalley for this ARC in lieu of a honest review. When I saw the cover, which I do judge by, I thought it was a pseudoscience book. I was surprised when reading the summary that it was urban fantasy. This book came out about a month ago, so no spoilers here.

Here is how I felt about the book: I really love the Dresden series and this one is similar. I like the hero Jenzen and his partner Grove. While I understand the necessity of making a "book 1" short & simple to make the reader want more, this book was too simple on character development. Jenzen was not explained enough considering the novel is written in first person, I felt like the narrator should have told me more and made me care more.

Grove was explained even less and the fact he was only deaf several years, not decades, and an apparent loner, he was extremely proficient at reading lips. Then there were several sub-characters that confused me and I couldn't figure out if Kaycee the elf was good or bad. I also had a problem with the world logic. I've read books with the supernaturals in hiding and in the open. I like both realms in my fantasy books. All-in-all, I felt it was an average book. I did like it, but I didn't love it.

Though the cool cover shouts otherwise – at least to me, who thought this was going to morph into epic fantasy, this story is very much within the urban fantasy genre. That said, there are some striking differences that make this one stand out. Yes, Janzen has been selected as an apprentice due to his natural talent – however, that was a while ago. In the meantime, something terrible has happened to his mentor and he has spent the last five years just getting by. Therefore, while he does have raw talent, there is relatively little skill or finesse in his workings. I really like the idea that he is only half trained and that because of his chippy, mouthy character, he is also tricky to help, as he is often his own worst enemy.

That doesn’t stop him plunging into a desperate situation against a very dangerous opponent without too much thought about the consequences. This is partly due to his own bloody-minded nature and partly due to the survivor guilt he still feels.

While I’m always wary of assuming authors necessarily shoehorn their own lives into their writing, I was interested to read that Davis is a war veteran who served in Iraq. The young soldier who befriends Janzen is very well depicted and all the action scenes are effective and realistic.

In short, this one held me throughout. I liked the dynamic and the fact that there was no romantic relationship running throughout – a refreshing change in urban fantasy, these days. I also liked the scrabbling, somewhat desperate nature of Janzen’s opposition to the nasties ranged against him. I particularly appreciated the monsters – especially the stalkers, which are truly terrifying creatures.

All in all, this is a thoroughly enjoyable new series and I very much look forward to reading another slice of Janzen’s adventures – I hope Davies writes quickly. While I obtained an arc of Blunt Force Magic from Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
10/10

A strong urban fantasy debut! Filled with snark, this is a very enjoyable read. A few things could be improved, such as infodumping and worldbuilding, but other than that, this is quite a fun read!

A masterful mix of mystery and magic that deftly combines a multitude of genres into something uniquely enjoyable.

Janzen’s life as a package courier in Cleveland, Ohio isn’t glamorous. He works, hangs out at a hole-in-the-wall bar, and goes home drunk to his dog. It’s a life, just a dull one. Five years ago, Janzen was an apprentice Artificer, living on the edge in a group of practitioners intent on fighting evil, but now he’s alone.

So, Janzen works, drinks, and sleeps. And repeats. Until the day he’s delivering a package and finds himself fighting for his life against a Stalker—a creature from the Abyss—defending a young witch against the dark predator.

Now Janzen must figure out who sent the Stalker, delving into his past for any scrap of help he can find, before the monster succeeds in killing him—and the witch. All in a day’s work, right?

This book. From the first page, I was drawn in by Janzen’s dry, self-deprecating humor and his unflinching honesty. He left the magical life behind years ago, but he doesn’t hesitate to step back into his role when danger threatens a young stranger. This character made the book—but the whole gritty urban fantasy/detective noir feeling didn’t hurt, either. A great read!

(Galley provided by WildBlue Press in exchange for an honest review.)

had a hard time getting invested in this book.

I didn't hate this book, but at the same time I can't say I loved it either. The storyline was interesting, but the characters just didn't grip me at all and I find it very difficult to find the incentive to care about them and finish the book.

I loved it. First, I was so ecstatic to find an urban fantasy novel with a male lead; not that it's a bad thing (far from it), but it's very difficult for me to find a UF book that doesn't center around a kick-ass heroine.

From the opening lines of the book, I started to get a very "Harry Dresden" feel, and I'm a big fan of Butcher's series. I've already recommended BFM to other fans in a Butcher group who are always looking for someone new to read about while the long wait for Peace Talks continues.

Anyway, Janzen is a reluctant hero. After being plucked from a rough childhood by his mentor, Zachariah, Janzen was studying to be an Artificer, someone who works with magic and runes and can create something new by combining this ability with ordinary objects. When his mentor, and the rest of their group, is killed, Janzen loses his way.

When the novel begins, it's five years after this great loss, and Janzen is simply gliding through life, making what he needs to keep himself and his dog fed and housed, but not doing anything to leave a mark on the world. Of course, this is when opportunity comes to almost slice him in the face. When a young woman and her father are attacked by an abominable denizen of the Abyss (a Hell-type level of the universe), Janzen has to become a hero, albeit a reluctant one.

The qualities I love in Janzen mirror what has pulled me in and kept me as a fan of Harry Dresden for the last 15 years. Even though there's some darkness and grit, Janzen has kindness and care for those around him. The man has a rescue dog, for God's sake. My big point is that he's a redeemable man; his biggest struggle is one that every ordinary person can connect to on some level- he's trying to keep his head above water and figure out who he is when he's lost a a big piece of the foundation of his life.

Is he perfect? No. Is he super suave and smooth? GOD, NO. But he's someone who's doing the best he can even though he's bloody, bruised, battered, and way out of his league. I can respect and love a character who shows the moxie and stubborn force of will that he does.

Along with Janzen, we get to meet Grove. Grove is one of the first characters I've "met" in awhile, especially in UF, who has an impairment. I really haven't run into deaf characters very often, and I liked that Davis gave us a hero who could be strong, steadfast, and brave even though he receives the world in a different way than many of us do. Instead of making Grove's deafness into a point of handicap or plot problem, we see Grove and Janzen working together to communicate and finding new ways to work with one another despite the unconventional dynamic.

Overall, the story was easy to follow, and had enough action and intrigue to keep my interest on its own. Davis's world is divided into four parts- the Abyss, the In-Between, the Veil, and the Earth as humans know it. He plays around with the ideas of emissaries and intermediaries whose job it is to observe but not interfere. Neutral entities who make Earth their home, but may not treat it as such. I've always found that an interesting concept, and I'm really curious how that will continue to play out after the events of BFM.

The end is bittersweet, but it opens the door for more Grove and Janzen, who finally seems ready to not only live up to the legacy of his mentor, but to forge his own path. I, for one, am very excited for the prospect of more. My only regret in reading this book now is that I have to wait to see what comes next!

I just love a urban fantasy book with a good lead character. Especially if that protagonist has a sarcastic voice that boarders humorous. I am fully satisfied with this book but I do think I wanted a little something more. It's perfect on its own but I think it's comparison to other authors is what is causing such turmoil for me. Which is why I suggest you don't. Don't try to compare it. Just let it creep in and take over your world with adventures and learn a world completely new.