I loved this book. It was cool that the setting wasn’t the same as every other book. It was nice in an urban fantasy it took place on a college campus, in the desert, in worlds outside our own, in the Philippines and then in Japan. Its obvious the author either has experienced these places or done a lot of research. It made the world seem bigger and smaller all at the same time. I liked the main character, but I LOVED Umi. There was a lot going on with her. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.

Man was this book a reader’s joyride or what? Its like someone took a really good alternate world tale, a lost prince yarn, a coming of age story, and an old mystical ninja movie, and threw them in a blender with the TV show Deadly Class and out came a book that just kicked ass. I kept checking my completion rate as I read because I just didn’t want it to get done. Read it. Its not Tolstoy—but I wouldn’t have read it if it was.

The author put a lot of work into this, detailed world-building and likeable characters. He also imbued the MC with a witty sense of humor in his thoughts even as he is confronted with the most ghastly situations.A thoroughly enjoyable read that has me looking forward to Volume 2!!

Oh my god
this book had me laughing so much at times that my wife was looking at me like I was crazy. It had a good plot, read quick, a magic system that actually made sense and really made you like the characters. I’ll read the next one for sure.

Wow, I really enjoyed this book: it’s quirky and original. The characters are so well created. Dalton’s baptism of fire – in the world he didn’t know he belonged in – is a whirlwind of action. Umi is amazing – loved her too. Well, all the cast are great – couldn’t put the book down! Can’t wait for the next.

This has the feel of a Charlaine Harris book, if told from a male perspective. It was engaging, fun, had me on edge, and it was nice to see a bit of unrequited love in a category where sex scenes are so tawdry. When I read through it, it seemed like one thing carried you to the next and the next, but looking back the author did a great job delivering a great plot all wrapped up in a pretty little bow.

Good book, new take on magic and UF.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. Interesting magic and settings, a lot more blue collar magic than many, which I enjoyed. Good story. There is a lot of “non standard” stuff here, not the same old tropes. Good magic, interesting magic society that’s
A fresh take from the same old stuff, neat settings in the desert drive between AZ and LA. Unusual character backgrounds, some Filipina amd other so again a fresh take, not the same old stuff. All this combines for interesting and memorable.
Looking forward to reading 2nd book.

One of the best books of this type I have read. Looking forward to the next one. Highly recommended. Read it in one sitting.

Loved it! I am waiting to pounce on the next book! I read a LOT in this genre (hundreds between Kindle (2015) going back to the mid 80’s. What I like: great characters, humor, adventure some new wrinkles on magic. I’m caught up in the story!
I read this in May 2021. Please publish a sequel!
Thanks for a great novel!

I just finished this book and I have to say I loved it. I liked the cover so much I swiped it from my boyfriend before he even had a chance to read it—girls rule, ha. Anyway, one of my friends on FB picked it up in a reading group and she was telling me how much she liked it and I am glad she did or else I would have let him read it first—and he takes FOREVER to read a book. It turned me into a zombie since I worked all night last night and read it all today. It was worth it. I’ll look forward to the next one.