Tim Susman

I came across this as part of the Storybundle on Magic Schools, a sub-genre I've always enjoyed - learning more about the world around you however strange it seems. This was a particularly good example! Even though it's also in a historical setting which I'm generally not so keen on.

Kip is a Fox-Catalonian, a human-fox mix created by a Magical Feat a hundred odd years ago, but as far as he knows the first of his kind, any Catalonian-kind to attempt to join the human-only Sorcerer's guild and show more learn the secrets of magic. He knows he has some ability, because he can already summon magic, as can a small percentage of humans, but its the control he needs to learn. Facing extreme prejudice he learns as best he can along with his best friend an otter (not normally an animal that associates with foxes, but there's also reference to mice etc, so many of their normal traits are ignored) and another new recruit testing the acceptance of the Master, a girl names Emily.

The setting is colonial america, with Independence just starting to be considered by the uprising Separatist Movement, and obviously the parallels to slavery are clear and obvious, but not massively belabored. It works well, it's a clever setting interesting characters, the expected bully, reluctant and unbelieving teachers, and wider back-story that slowly emerges.

Looking forward to the rest of the series show less

I really enjoyed the premise and the world building. Fantasy, romance and mystery are my jam and this mashed them all together. Very fun. I read it in one day.

A magical world, an intriguing plot, and an excellent character arc are waiting inside this book. Nivvy is a great MC, and he changes a lot over the course of the book. Bella is interesting, and I was dying to know more about her story once she was introduced. The magic system is unique and well-developed, and adds to the richness of the world. A very big part of this story revolves around telling stories, and how those stories can impact and change things, which I found interesting. It all show more kept the plot moving along pretty smoothly from start to finish. I'd absolutely love to read more stories and adventures set in this world in the future! show less

There's a lack of subtlety in "Common & Precious"; Susman tends to hammer his points (and in a few places, his characterizations) home with a bit of a heavy stroke. This is not to say they're made badly; but (for example) the nth time Barda's thoughts go on about how competent Kara is you're wishing he didn't repeat himself. While he's not subtle, he's also not clumsy; the villains aren't cardboard cutouts and the characterization works. Susman keeps up the tension as well; a happy ending show more (such as it would be on the setting of New Tibet) is never certain, and the pacing flows. His over-enthusiasm for the books' obvious message doesn't really get in the way of this, or of the book's emotional impact.

New Tibet is an ice world colony, populated by anthropomorphic animals and riddled with poverty and organized crime. The class differences are stark but the atmosphere is not quite as oppressive as in "Breaking the Ice", an earlier short story collection (including one by the author here). The anthropomorphism of the characters isn't heavily used, apart from fitting into the clear class distinctions, but the furred animals are a good fit for the icy setting; Susman has an excellent world.

There's some interior artwork along with the book, as usual for Sofawolf's offerings; it's well drawn and does add a bit to the book. A good work of science fiction. show less