Guest Review: MODERN MAGIC by Anne Cordwainer

Modern Magic

by Anne Cordwainer

ISBN-10: 0615255639

ISBN-13: 978-0615255637

Paperback, 360 pages

February 15, 2009

Clotho Press

Reviewed by Cynthia Murphy

I’m not a big fan of fantasy novels. It’s just not my favorite genre (although I do have to admit an addiction to the Harry Potter series.) So, it may seem surprising that I even picked up Anne Cordwainer’s story cycle, Modern Magic. I may not be a huge fantasy fan, but I am a fan of good writing. Modern Magic is a well-constructed story cycle that held my attention from beginning to end.

John and Liz Prospero are part of a long line of sorcerers. John is one of the most powerful sorcerers in his family’s history, but Liz is a mundane. “Mundane” replaces “muggle” as the term for a non-magical person. Liz may not possess magic like her brother, but she still faces the challenges that result from their magical heritage. Modern Magic is written as a story cycle rather than a standard novel. The narration alternates between John and Liz. This is an effective storytelling device because it highlights the differences between the mundane and magical worlds and develops the characters.

John and Liz seem like polar opposites at first. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes obvious that they share a common link to the magical world, regardless of Liz’s mundane status. The Prospero family is known as magical renegade hunters. Basically, they are magical crime fighters. A “renegade” sorcerer is a sorcerer who has decided to use his magic for evil purposes. Fighting magical crime sounds very much like fighting normal crime; it’s just more dangerous.

A large part of the plot revolves around the magical justice system. Modern Magic is set in America at the start of the twenty-first century. Even in this modern setting, sorcerers rely on a family-based system of justice. When a renegade is caught, he is turned over to his family. They are responsible for all of his future actions. The system is antiquated and extremely difficult to manage in modern times. The Prosperos old family friend, Scott Narragon, has a plan to change the system. He wants to combine sorcery and modern justice to provide a universal system for fighting crime. His plan comes under fire from everyone, including John. For John, a universal system would make things easier, but it would also mean changing his attitude about his duty to his family. Although John finds the current system a burden in his own life, he refuses to shirk his duty. As magical crime increases, John begins to realize that a more modern justice system might be necessary.

There is quite a bit of violence in this book. It is an action-packed fantasy thriller, so that should definitely be expected. The exciting climax features yet another intersection of the magical and mundane worlds. Cordwainer throws in a terrific plot twist as the cycle draws to its climax. (I won’t ruin it, but it really is surprising.) Cordwainer does a great job of pacing this story cycle. The action never lags, but she takes plenty of time to develop the characters. That makes the action even more exciting because the reader cares about the characters. For example, John may a jerk at times, but I really wanted him to win because I understood his character.

Modern Magic could have easily been an American knock-off of Harry Potter. However, Anne Cordwainer has done a masterful job of creating her own magical world. A few similarities exist, but Modern Magic stands on its own as a solid entry in the fantasy genre. I’m not even a big fan of the genre, but it kept me interested and entertained from beginning to end.