Drake

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I found myself drawn into this book as a fun, easy read that I knocked off in a few hours. I was fully prepared to dislike this book, but I found myself liking it despite my initial expectations.

Honestly, this subgenre has tipped over into formula and cliches. So, we have a magic user - in this case a Diabolist/Summoner - living in a run-down part of London with a snarky/smart-alecky magical prop - in this case, a nine-inch tall fetish of a burned man - a put-upon romantic figure, demonic urban villains and supernatural assistance.The story flows well and comes together nicely. Don Drake is the summoner in question and he a barely competent ne'er do well who can do very little without the assistance of the Burned Man.

In this book, Drake finds himself in debt to the demon/ganglord Wormwood, pursued by the Furies and protected by a mysterious and sexy blonde named Trix who swings a mean flaming sword.

I find my reaction to this book somewhat puzzling. Drake is a loser without moral qualities. He uses his summoning as a hitman for demons and thugs, and he doesn't seem to have much in the way of qualms until he kills a child by accident. In calling demons and using the Burned Man - which is simply the spatiotemporal manifestation of a demon in deepest Hell, Drake must be damned himself, but he doesn't seem overly concerned. Nonetheless, Drake comes across as a slacker, rather than evil or ruthless. At times, Drake actually reaches deep and shows himself to have some nobility left, although why this is the case, I don't know.

Although this is the first book in a trilogy, the threads are wrapped up in this book, although there clear points for plot development.

The writing is well-done and the action moves along at a nice clip. Even cliches and tropes can be enjoyable when done with verve and style.