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I take chances on books sometimes because there is essentially no risk to them. You can get a book randomly or based on a recommendation and try it out. You can read a few pages or chapters and if it doesn’t keep your attention you can move on to something else. Crimes Against Magic by Steve McHugh was recommended to me by a friend and I did not move on to something else. In fact, I just bought the second in the series known as the Helliquin Chronicles and I can’t wait to continue the exciting journey of its main character Nathan Garrett who is a badass sorcery.

Crimes Against Magic takes place in a world filled with all the fantastical tropes of all the fantastical fantasies that have permeated the fictional landscape for centuries. Werewolves, Vampires, Sorcerors, Psychics, mad scientists, and of course Gargoyles all exist in a version of modern-day England that doesn’t seem to notice. The book makes it out that all these creatures have extensive fights but it never really reaches the non-fantasy humans in an alarming way. I am not sure if the world simply accepts these creatures because they are so numerous or because they hide their identities with camouflage and magic. As a reader, I am completely missing the point with this thinking because it doesn’t matter.

Nathan Garrett is introduced in this book as a charismatic thief that uses wind magic to suck the air out of people to make them pass out. He is hired to steal one of the last remaining original copies of the ancient story of the Iliad from some wealthy collectors. This act takes him on a journey that will lead him back to the evil corporation that took his memories and left him for dead ten years ago. The book takes place in two time periods, modern-day London and fifteenth-century France, and as Nathan starts to unravel his surprisingly long history the reader too learns more about who Nathan really is. He is much more than a thief and has more power than simply making wind.

Nathan also has a neighbor by the name of Dani who is a troubled teen that he ends up having more in common than originally suspected and he ends up having to take care of her after her mum is killed in front of her eyes. The killer seems familiar to Nathan but it will only become clear after he gets Dani to safety. Throughout the book, Nathan’s friends all seem to get caught up in his troubles and as his friends get hurt his rage ascends and his commitment to learning the truth culminates in fighting the ancient nemesis he forgot he had. He can also control fire magic so that should help.

This book is not complicated but it has just enough mystery and suspense to create a driving momentum that makes it easy to keep reading and to keep guessing as to what will happen next. The author does a great job doling out new world-building elements and clues to keep you wondering how deep the story goes and how many interesting creatures are involved. The main character is developed steadily upward in a way that is very satisfying and fun. There is plenty of action and tons of fun violence without the story getting too bleak. With plenty of humor and personality from the main character which makes the whole thing feel grounded and relatable. It is like Harry Potter meets The Witcher meets Jason Bourne. Just fun stuff!

The writing is straightforward and unpretentious. It is easy to read and has fairly short chapters, which I like a lot. I highly recommend this book and I can’t wait to continue the series as it offers a fun escape into a fantasy world where anything can happen.

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