HARD MAGIC by Larry Correia, Book I of the Grimnoir Chronicles

I got this book for one reason, it was narrated by Bronson Pinchot whom I had come to admire as being among the very top flight of audiobook performers after listening to his excellent rendition of MATTERHORN by Karl Marlantes. 

From the very start the story grabbed me. The characters are well drawn by author Correia , and given distinctive voices by Pinchot that are spot on for their personality. Whenever a new character speaks the voice makes them immediately identifiable. This is a tightly plotted story but in a completely over-the-top magic super-hero action movie sort of way and is a lot of fun. As with many contemporary magic novels, magic has certain rules to obey, and the back story of this one gives the manifestation of magic powers a science fiction explanation. 

Setting the story on the 1930s is a nice touch; mostly because it affords the author the chance to introduce the hard-case tough guy lingo of noir movies in an alternate history venue. There are many memorable witty one liners in this movie, er book. This listening experience is much like a movie. I listened to it while making a long road trip and the hours just seemed to pass without any trouble. I became so engrossed in the plot that I could vividly imagine the action scenes in my head as the image out my windshield changed only ever so slowly. 

Bronson Pinchot delivers a superb performance in his narration of this novel. He ranks with the very best audiobook narrators. He is right up there with Todd McLaren in ALTERED CARBON, Craig Wasson in 11-22-63, or Jonathan Davis in THE SHADOW OF THE TORTURER. I try to seek out narrators that do more than deliver a competent, well articulated reading of a novel. I look for a performance, a one man show. Here I found just what I was looking for. Sit back in your driver’s seat, head for the open road and enjoy the show.