City of Dark Magic

A Novel

By: Magnus Flyte

Narrated by: Natalie Gold

Cosmically fast-paced and wildly imaginative, this debut novel is a perfect potion of magic and suspense.

Once a city of enormous wealth and culture, Prague was home to emperors, alchemists, astronomers, and, as it’s whispered, hell portals. When music student Sarah Weston lands a summer job at Prague Castle cataloging Beethoven’s manuscripts, she has no idea how dangerous her life is about to become. Prague is a threshold, Sarah is warned, and it is steeped in blood.

Soon after Sarah arrives, strange things begin to happen. She learns that her mentor, who was working at the castle, may not have committed suicide after all. Could his cryptic notes be warnings? As Sarah parses his clues about Beethoven’s "Immortal Beloved", she manages to get arrested, to have tantric sex in a public fountain, and to discover a time-warping drug. She also catches the attention of a 400-year-old dwarf, the handsome Prince Max, and a powerful US senator with secrets she will do anything to hide.

City of Dark Magic could be called a rom-com paranormal suspense novel - or it could simply be called one of the most entertaining novels of the year.

©2012 Magnus Flyte (P)2012 Penguin Audiobooks

Critic reviews

“This deliciously madcap novel has it all: murder in Prague, time travel, a misanthropic Beethoven, tantric sex, and a dwarf with attitude. I salute you, Magnus Flyte!” (Conan O'Brien)

“The most wickedly enchanting novel I’ve ever read and also the funniest. A Champagne magnum of intrigue and wit, this book sparkles from beginning to end.” (Anne Fortier, bestselling author of Juliet)

“An entertaining mix of magic, mystery and romance, it’s one of the most original novels released this year.” (CNN.com)

Thrills, Art, Magic, Beethoven, Romance and Prague

This is one of the best books I've 'read' in years. I bought it out of interest in the city of Prague, land of my ancestors... and also the art angle sounded interesting. Little did I know I was in for a Ride. One interesting twist after another, great characters, wonderful discussions of long lost art/music/pick something precious, it's probably in this book. Then throw in Cold War CIA operatives, and really, why wasn't this book longer?

And... Who is Magnus Flyte? I've been trying to find another book by the author, and wow, another mystery! Magnus, if you are out there, reading this, please write another books soon. You are my new favorite author, and I already miss the characters in this book.

My advice, buy this book. You will be entranced, entertained and engaged.

Not fantasy

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The sprinked-in sex is not at all neccessary, nor does it add to the story. It makes the characters more flat.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The relations to actual history, especially music, is novel and believable. The description of prague is great and makes one feel really there. The romance is boring, the bad-guy in the story too simple.

What does Natalie Gold bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The characters are good and distinguishable, I really like the accents she manages to speak with.

Could you see City of Dark Magic being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Well, Tom Hanks, if he were a woman -- it is sort of Da Vinci Codish...

Any additional comments?

The good guys are well drawn and get a character. The bad guys are a bit in contrast to that, more flat and a bit obvious. The story itself is build quite straight, too. The author lays out secrets in the beginning of the book and resolved them one by one in the end, more or less believable. Quite a straight story with few surprises.

From the title I somehow expected a bit more fantasy-style, but it is not much so. The Magic in the title relates more to what I would call Mysticism.

Ok But....

Would you try another book from Magnus Flyte and/or Natalie Gold?

No I wouldn't.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Have less history facts. The book is for history buffs.

Which scene was your favorite?

None

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No

Any additional comments?

Just too tedious to listen to but I am determined to finish it.

Exceptional!

Where does City of Dark Magic rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's in a category along with Deborah Harkness' books, Discovery of Witches and Shadow of Night.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed that the author historical facts into the fantasy in a seamless way to evoke a truly possible existence! I can't wait for the next book from this author!

Good read

I enjoyed this story as well as the reader. It took a little while to get into the book but once I did I was hooked. This book makes you think and has some bit of mystery worked in that keeps you captivated. Good book all around.

Amazing

This … so much interest, thought, realism and fantasy in one novel. Definitely check this out!

Fun story with something for everyone

Whether you like romance, female independence, science fiction, musicology or historical novels you will find something to like in this book

Change Title to 50 Shades of Dark Magic & Sex

Enjoyed the book because the narrator added an extra star to the overall rating. The story has great potential but bogs down with efforts to bring in serious science. The sex scenes were really out of place. Felt like I was reading 50 Shades of Dark Magic instead of this book. However, liked it enough that I will give Book 2 a go.

confusing narration

never heard anyone pronounce "museum" like this narrator and it distracted from story. narrator also chose to use two very different sounding voices as there were 2 perspectives but both of those perspectives were in the 3rd person again this confused me. never really got into feeling for the main characters but the supporting characters were interesting.

Weird but good.

more like 3 1/2. This was weirdly interesting. Kind of all over the place but in the end it worked well enough that I'll read the next one. I'm not sure I was in love with the narrator enough to listen to another, I'll have to think about it, but I will read it. I think what I liked most were the characters. The plot was odd but as I say interesting.