Overall Rating 4.5/5
This series is a refreshing look at magic that is tied to the contemporary world and its technologies. The characters are well fleshed-out in their motivations and controversial tastes through an open-minded main character, introducing marginal world-views without bastardizing them. Overall an exciting and thought-provoking read with fast-paced action and a no-nonsense anti-heroine leading the charge.

read more: http://angeltyuan.blogspot.com/2009/1... ( )

An enjoyable and inventive plot powers this tale along. Unfortunately, the various settings around San Francisco feel more three dimensional and affectionately drawn than the rather flat characters. The lack of engagement I felt with Marla and her various cohorts and enemies means I won't be picking up the next one in this series. ( )

This is an urban fantasy with some really outrageous characters and snappy dialog. The plot is decent – our heroine is on a mission which ends up much more complicated and world altering than she anticipated. I like the strong female protagonist. Despite the fact that this is the first book in a series, I feel like the author has a solid back story for Marla of which you get hints throughout the story. ( )

This book has a main character, Marla the sorcerer, who is barely likable going on a book-length long quest in San Francisco for the cornerstone. If you have ever read any fiction written by a high school aged student, you will recognize it here. Take a main character and have her encounter one obstacle after another in an episodic way getting progressively more, and more difficult. I just never really cared. ( )

I like this series - it takes a different take on the current Urban Fantasy Fad with women protagonists that is currently out there. Marla is a hands on, do anything it takes sorcerer trying to keep her city safe. When a rival sorcerer plans to take her out, she needs to find the Cornerstone, a mythical magical item that makes magic stick - she gets drawn into a battle against a returning God, and a crazy sorcerer who is intent in bringing him back. What makes this series different is Marla's directness in how she deals with the world. She is a kick ass alpha who lets nothing get in her way. The world itself is also well written, theres a lot of reference to how sorcery works within the world, but its hinted at, rather than explained. You don't really know how much the non-magical people know. The magic follows rules, but it isn't really explained, you piece it together as the story goes along. No long world building paragraphs or chapters. My only complaint would be Marla's directness, it is quite refreshing in a character, but at the same time, you just want to slap her on the side of the head and say "Think!".

A great fast read. Not to deep, but still a great read. ( )

I read the free Kindle Edition. It took a little while to get into, but I enjoyed it in the end. It didn't seem like the first book in a series, as sometimes I had the feeling of coming in in the middle of the story.

http://rivkat.livejournal.com/220473.... ( )

http://www.scribd.com/doc/12930948/Bl...

Sorcerer cityswap godfight.

Marla Mason is a sorcerer and sort of anti-superheroic city boss, who has a rival that fancies permanently removing her.

To stop this, she, and sidekicks, are off to San Francisco to find your basic magic rock to try and stop it.

In the process, it appears she has wandered into one of Simon R. Green's Nightside novels, with the cast of outlandish characters. Pornomancers, Technomancers, ex-actor seers, and giant magic train sets.

There are sorcerers in San Francisco of many different flavours, particularly dead ones - as it seems someone is going around collecting their hearts.

Which can only mean one thing - yep, Aztec god summoning time.

There is crazier stuff than that old story to be found here, though. Anyone else ever seen hummingbirds used as weapons?

Anyway, despite the fancy magic cloak, I don't think Doctor Strange, Doctor Fate or Zatanna would be inviting Marla over.

Much more likely to happen with people like John Constantine, Daimon Hellstrom, Jason Blood, or any flavour of the Enchantress, though.

''Holy shit,' he said. 'That was like being some kind of psychotic superhero. I felt like Spider-Man on angel dust.'
Marla crouched beside him so they could talk more easily-he wouldn't be able to stand up for another few minutes, probably. She understood his enjoyment-there were few things more intoxicating than physical power. Because she knew the thrill he was feeling, and because she knew he was a good listener and would understand the importance of this without having the words shouted into him, she spoke gently: 'Yes, but Spider-Man just ties up the bad guys and leaves them for the police. You're not going to do that, B. Mercy and restraint won't even be an option. Do you understand?'
There was a pop as his elbow straightened itself, but he didn't wince, only nodded. 'Right,' he said, subdued. 'I'm going to kill someone, aren't I?''

She's happy to lie cheat, abuse, kill and make smartarse comments to however, if it will help in the keeping the city, herself, and your average people in one piece.

http://freesf.blogspot.com/2009/03/bl... ( )

Pluses: Imagination is awesome, lots of cool stuff going on, definitely different than most of your Urban Fantasy

Minuses: The narrative is too clinical. There is too much moral relativism for my tastes. A lot of stuff shoe-horned in to create shock value, and is just kind of lame. After awhile the cool stuff went away, and we're left with something that was like a cross between American Gods and Anita Blake. Main character isn't interesting, is basically a jerk and a bully

End thought:
Loved the first few chapters. But went down hill very quickly. Every once and awhile the story is redeemed with awesome stuff, but near the end it ran out of steam and the awesomeness was overcome by the flaws. Want to read the rest of the books in the series, but won't want to re-read that one. ( )

Pratt does a superior job in this genre, bringing us new concepts and premises in a genre that can get tired and old after reading so many. Excellent characterization, plotting, and setting, bring this novel all together in a way to keep you up nights. ( )

This is an OK (but with potential) addition to the urban fantasy genre. What makes it different? Well it's at least moderately adult - they go to an S&M party part way through for example, and the lead character starts off at the top of the heap and working to stay there.

Also, the magic has a very explicit cost, particularly the very powerful stuff, which makes it more interesting than you might expect.

The lead character is pretty pragmatic and makes both friends and enemies, but spends a little too long dwelling on how pragmatic she is rather than getting on with it. She's also openly not particularly nice: that might not bother you but it makes me slightly uncomfortable hence the low rating.

Still, it was different enough that I'll probably read the next one to see how it goes. ( )

I just discovered T.A. Pratt and I'm so happy I did! This is the first book in her Marla Mason series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It has some great characters and a creative storyline, and Marla has some cool magical devices. I'm really looking forward to the next book. ( )

http://mentatjack.com/2008/05/29/revi... ( )

Fun, but not great urban fantasy. Pratt does a great job integrating tidbits about San Francisco, and part of the fun of reading this book came from visiting the city within a week of finishing. However, it reads like a sequel, with frequent references to characters and relationships that are not defined, and a reliance on character development that feels like it happens elsewhere, since it isn't in the book I read. I felt like the supporting characters were better developed, and I was almost more involved in them. ( )

Excellent read. ( )