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nmcannon 's review for:
In the Name of Magic
by Chris Bedell
After following Chris Bedell on Twitter and playing several Twitter author games with him, I was eager to pick up In the Name of Magic.
Magnifico is a nation ruled by a monarchy and populated by both magical and non-magical people. Times are hard, as the economy has tanked following the end of a brutal war with the goblins in the neighboring country. In a direct mirror to the 2008 recession and the 2016 USA election, Princess Vivian steals the throne, murders her royal parents, and blames non-magical people for the economic problems. During these turbulent times, Maximillian and his friends hope they can keep their heads down and survive. Unfortunately, fate has a lot in store for them. Katherine's non-magical parents are killed by the Queen's wolves and she is forced into hiding. Maximillian finds and falls for Vivian's brother, the lost Prince Stefan. Everyone questions their friendship with Taylor when he starts spouting fascist, racist nonsense.
As you can tell from the summary, In the Name of Magic deals with many heavy topics, and I love how Bedell embraces the fantasy genre's ability to mimic and mirror real world happenings. Locking up people because they are Jewish or queer or neurodivergent or brown or immigrants is just as ridiculous as locking up people for not being able to magically toast bread with their hands. Many of Maximillian and Taylor's conversations have played out over social media, as once solid friendships strain and snap. In addition, the characters truly act their ages. Sometimes, Maximillian makes irrational decisions, but he's eighteen and stressed from hiding his friend from murderous police wolves. The youthful romance between Maximillian and Stefan feels organic, and their chemistry sparks off the page.
Other reviewers have noted Maximillian's generally laid back attitude and narration. His character did remind me of The Dude from The Big Lebowski, if the character was stuck in a magical dystopia. It does jar with the bleakness of Magnifico and the dire situations. On the other hand, it feels like a realistic coping mechanism. I don't really know what to make of it.
All in all, a solid read for those who want some reality in their fantasy. Have fun, friends.
Magnifico is a nation ruled by a monarchy and populated by both magical and non-magical people. Times are hard, as the economy has tanked following the end of a brutal war with the goblins in the neighboring country. In a direct mirror to the 2008 recession and the 2016 USA election, Princess Vivian steals the throne, murders her royal parents, and blames non-magical people for the economic problems. During these turbulent times, Maximillian and his friends hope they can keep their heads down and survive. Unfortunately, fate has a lot in store for them. Katherine's non-magical parents are killed by the Queen's wolves and she is forced into hiding. Maximillian finds and falls for Vivian's brother, the lost Prince Stefan. Everyone questions their friendship with Taylor when he starts spouting fascist, racist nonsense.
As you can tell from the summary, In the Name of Magic deals with many heavy topics, and I love how Bedell embraces the fantasy genre's ability to mimic and mirror real world happenings. Locking up people because they are Jewish or queer or neurodivergent or brown or immigrants is just as ridiculous as locking up people for not being able to magically toast bread with their hands. Many of Maximillian and Taylor's conversations have played out over social media, as once solid friendships strain and snap. In addition, the characters truly act their ages. Sometimes, Maximillian makes irrational decisions, but he's eighteen and stressed from hiding his friend from murderous police wolves. The youthful romance between Maximillian and Stefan feels organic, and their chemistry sparks off the page.
Other reviewers have noted Maximillian's generally laid back attitude and narration. His character did remind me of The Dude from The Big Lebowski, if the character was stuck in a magical dystopia. It does jar with the bleakness of Magnifico and the dire situations. On the other hand, it feels like a realistic coping mechanism. I don't really know what to make of it.
All in all, a solid read for those who want some reality in their fantasy. Have fun, friends.