Book Review: "An Inheritance of Magic" by Benedict Jacka

 

The super-rich control everything—including magic—in this thrilling and brilliant, contemporary fantasy from the author of the Alex Verus novels.

The wealthy seem to exist in a different, glittering world from the rest of us. Almost as if by . . . magic.

Stephen Oakwood is a young man on the edge of this hidden world. He has talent and potential, but turning that potential into magical power takes money, opportunity, and training. All Stephen has is a minimum wage job and a cat. 

But when a chance encounter with a member of House Ashford gets him noticed by the wrong people, Stephen is thrown in the deep end. For centuries, the vast corporations and aristocratic Houses of the magical world have grown impossibly rich and influential by hoarding their knowledge. To survive, Stephen will have to take his talent and build it up into something greater—for only then can he beat them at their own game. - from Netgalley.com 

I received this eARC from Netgalley.com and am providing an unbiased review.

Before I say anything, I am a big fan of the Alex Verus series that this author has blessed the reading world with, so starting a new series, with a whole new concept of magic, was basically a no-brainer to request to read. Thankfully, I was chosen, and am so happy!

This first book in what looks to be a good series, has our main character in a pit of depression. Well,  he's stressed, living paycheck to paycheck, in bare minimum housing, sulking in the memories of a mother that abandoned him , a father that taught him a little magic then disappeared, and he is alone (except for a cat) in the world. From there, that chance encounter opens his eyes more to the real world around him, and a glimpse of how those with magic tend to be in powerful positions - family or otherwise. Thus begins his immersion into this new world, learning more about magic than he could even guess at before.

Jacka's writing style ahs always been easy to read, and flows well in the tale he weaves. This version of the magic system is so different than the Verus series yet different from so many other writings, it is like a new concept. I don't know how to describe it, but to me it seems to make sense, and I am curious about certain effects, which may come out in future books. Though the world building and description were good, I felt a little out that there was not much going to the description of the main character. Maybe it is something that will be expanded on later, but we do have the bare bones and was enough to enjoy the tale.