Alan Baxter’s new book, “MageSign” continues the story of Isiah, the superhuman defender of balance, from “RealmShift.” As the book begins, Isiah is trying to track down the Sorcerer, the man who taught Samuel the blood magic, but the Sorcerer is one step ahead of Isiah. Isiah still has his role doing the work of the Balance, but it’s made clear to him from the beginning, that he’s on his own for this hunt.
While tracking one of the Sorcerer’s lieutenants, “Filthy Frank,” Isiah discovers another ‘superhuman’ also watching the same target. This new contact eventually turns into a potential love interest and new set of allies for Isiah in his lonely, eternal quest to maintain balance among the gods.
Faith, a teenage girl growing up in a conservative family in the Blue Mountains of Australia longs for the city and for the real world. So far though, she’s just whinny and annoying…a pretty typical teenager. However, Faith has ‘potential’ and is quickly involved with the Sorcerer’s gang of bloody henchmen. Isiah will use Faith in his quest, but will she be saved, or will she end up another innocent suffering to maintain the balance?
Because of the blood magic and the presence of the Sorcerer character, this book is a bit more gory and horrific than the first. In fact, “MageSign” and “RealmShift” are difficult to pin to any particular genre. They both have fantastic qualities, they are horrific at times, they involve mythology and mythical characters, and possible alternate histories; they are hard to put a label to, much like Niel Gaiman’s “Anansi Boys.”
The Isiah character is still very interesting. He is powerful and important, yet troubled and at times petulant. Isiah is such a strong character, at times I almost wish the book was written from his personal point of view, but the author does a good job of balancing the evolving story lines and supporting characters, and the shifting of focus adds tension to the narrative. “MageSign” is a great addition by Alan Baxter, and I highly recommend it.
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