Kakistocracy

The Conradverse Chronicles, Book 2

By: Alex Shvartsman

Narrated by: Patrick Boylan

If you do it well, lying is every bit as effective as magic.

Conrad Brent has no innate magic, so he bluffs a lot and uses a myriad of magical items to protect Brooklyn from monsters and arcane threats. As a member of the Watch, the group that protects the mundane humans from such dangers, he risks his life on a regular basis. Sometimes twice before lunch. Sometimes during lunch, when he dares order his food from a street cart.

After regaining his position in the Watch, which he’d temporarily lost due to the machinations of of evil-doers, Conrad doesn’t want to take any risks he doesn’t have to. But now his boss is missing, there’s a totalitarian new regime in City Hall oppressing all magic users, and the mayor has aligned himself with a diabolical villain.

In order to save the day, Conrad must team up with a recovering necromancer to mediate a dispute between two ancient enemy factions, solve a mystery of a warded house adjacent to a cemetery, and stand with his friends against tyranny--that is, if the interdimensional fae assassins don’t get him first.

©2023 Alex Shvartsman (P)2023 Alex Shvartsman

More and merrier

Conrad Brent’s remarkable adventures continue in the sequel to The Middling Affliction. Shvartsman elaborates on his highly inventive, magical alt-New York, where his hero is once again out of his depth and beset from all sides… A lot of fun and I look forward to more of Conrad’s escapades.

Another Hilarious Conradverse Chronicles Story

Kakistrocracy is an amazing, well-written, hilarious tale by the incredibly talented Alex Shvartsman. This is the second book in the Conradverse Chronicles series. You never know whether books in a series are going to continue to be just as good as the first (especially if you find the first tale immeasurably enjoyable). In this case, Mr. Shvartsman has outdone himself. The protagonist Conrad continues with his efforts to safeguard the citizens of NY, and during his (mis)adventures, he grows as a character in ways you'd never expect.

The writing in this story is phenomenal. The escalating tension climbs higher and higher, and just when you think the story might be nearing its end, there's a new twist. There are the beginnings of a subtle (but deep) romance, highly intelligent humor (that will have you literally laughing out loud), and references that touch on our current world in the best way.

Readers/listeners will thoroughly enjoy this story, and writers/authors will enjoy the masterclass Mr. Shvartsman teaches with every word, scene, and chapter. Patrick Boylan is a fabulous narrator, bringing these characters to life with unrivaled skill. He's been a perfect choice, and I sincerely hope he stays on for the rest of this series (however many entries Mr. Shvartsman gifts us with).