They say never to judge a book by its cover, but that is exactly what I did. I saw the cover of this book on the back of The Third Alternitive magazine two years ago and thought that it would be something I would like. And I was right. This is an excellent book, one of the best in recent years.
It enters into the action straight away and is fast-paced, clever and sharp all the way through. The sequenses describing fights are breath-taking, superbly well written. The characters are well formed and believable. The story is the first in a trilogy, but it doesn't leave you feeling empty. You know you've read a book as it gets right into the story from the begining and stays there.
The use of magic as (possibly) a symbol of money, greed, power in modern life is a great stroke.
A most enjoyable read. Recomended.