Book Review: A Criminal Magic by Lee Kelly
A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Saga Press (February 2, 2016)
Length: 432 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
The year is 1926. In our real world, America would have been in the throes of the “Prohibition era”, a time in the twenties to early-thirties marked by a nationwide ban on the sale, production and importation of alcohol. But in the world of A Criminal Magic, it is sorcery and its related activities and products that are ruled illegal by the passing of the 18th Amendment.
However, the attempt to clamp down on the “evils” of magic only resulted in creating new types of crime—and lots more of it. Activity in the criminal underworld has exploded, with smugglers transporting magical contraband into the country from overseas. Gang bosses have also set up secret dens in the cities where customers can indulge in clandestine magic shows while guzzling the “shine”, an ensorcelled beverage with euphoric but highly addictive effects. In the middle of this are two young people who come from very different beginnings, but both end up walking the path that leads them to working for the notorious Washington D.C. criminal organization known as the Shaw Gang.
Speaking of which, their story brings to mind that old adage about the road to hell being paved with good intentions. Both Joan Kendrick and Alex Danfrey are on this journey for similar reasons, hoping to atone for past sins—except the former is in it to do right by her family, while the latter is seeking redemption and revenge. To keep her cousin and little sister fed and sheltered, Joan agrees to work as an entertainer in the Shaws’ finest club, the Red Den. Alex’s history on the other hand is much more complicated, being the son of a businessman who was convicted for racketeering for the mob. A trainee in the Federal Prohibition Unit, Alex was well on his way to becoming just another apathetic and dirty cop when he is suddenly offered the opportunity to turn his life around by acting as a mole to infiltrate the Shaws.
A Criminal Magic offers genuine entertainment. The atmosphere, the suspense and the gorgeous magic is all there, and for the most part it was a smashing hit with me. I am always crazy for alternate history because it is such a thrill seeing what authors can do with the time period, and I just love having new experiences in general. In that sense, this book was everything I wanted and definitely took me on a wild ride. So many of the ideas here electrified me, from the sorcerer’s shine to magical teamwork! It’s an ambitious novel to be sure, but while a thousand and one things could have gone wrong, Kelly pulled it all together beautifully. It was an absolute joy to read her elegant prose and storytelling.
Was the book perfect? No, though I have to say it was damned nearly so. I was most disappointed that the Roaring Twenties didn’t come through as fully as it could have, falling just short of being convincing or immersive. Aside from the occasional mention of men in fedoras and awkward insertions of “dame” in the dialogue, this novel could have taken place anywhere and anytime else. I was able to also foresee most of the story because of its rather shallow plot involving the same old power struggles and betrayals, a timeworn scenario considering how predictably it features in every other gangster movie ever made. If mob films happen to be your thing, you might find portions of the novel overly simplistic and not particularly original (like Alex’s recruitment before graduation and his subsequent stint in prison to increase his credibility, for example, which was plot point a straight out of The Departed.)
Character development also felt a little thin for supporting characters, though Joan and Alex were written very well. Still, they were hard to embrace wholeheartedly because I found both to be so naïve and, in Joan’s case, so self-absorbed. It’s interesting how my feelings for them at the end of the book were a complete turnaround from how I felt about them at the beginning. I loathed Alex with every fiber of my being when he was first introduced, but by the final chapters he had become a favorite. Meanwhile, my opinion of Joan started high but fell with every wrong move and weak excuse she made. Their romance didn’t feel right to me either, almost like forces outside the fourth wall were pushing them into the relationship instead of letting it occur naturally.
Of course, these are all minor issues. None of them are even close to deal breaking, and the book’s magic and stunning climax and conclusion also made up for a lot of them.
A Criminal Magic is an example of great storytelling, with an extraordinarily unique vision. While it didn’t quite meet all my expectations, it’s still a solid novel that I would recommend to others without hesitation. My first book by Lee Kelly was a great experience, and now it’s got me eyeing my copy of her debut City of Savages with hungry curiosity!
The BiblioSanctum 
Oh I love how the period was made with the period the magic and all, it’s something I always love a lot and I confess that even if I didn’t know about this one now I’m quite curious! thanks lady!
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I hope you’ll get a chance to check this one out! Something tells me it would be right up your alley!
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I am curious, but, dunno, not clicking with anything this morning
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I have those days. I usually just add anything to my list that seems interesting 🙂
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This sounds like an interesting read! I haven’t watched many mob movies, so maybe the foreseeable plot won’t bother me? Anyway, I’m looking forward to getting to read this. Great review!
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Don’t get me wrong, it’s fun even for the mob movie film buff, but yeah the story would probably feel less predictable if you’re going in with fresh eyes! Either way, I hope you like it 🙂
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I will be keeping an eye open for this. Great review!
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Awesome! If you read it, let me know!
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Yes, this was great fun! I had trouble with the characters too, particularly Joan, but the world building was so cool. I didn’t mention it in my review, but I had the same reaction about the roaring twenties time period, it just didn’t feel like that era at all. But over all a really good read:-)
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Joan was so infuriating at times, and I didn’t know why it annoyed me so much until I read your review and YES, at times her attitude made this book feel very YA, and not in the good way. Loved the ending though, I don’t think I would have wanted it any other way (and not least because I thought it was the best thing for Alex 😉 )
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One of those titles that keep surfacing lately and that make me curious: despite some of the imperfections you mentioned it might be worth a look – if nothing else to satisfy my burning ned 😀 to know what it’s all about!
Thanks for sharing.
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The historical time period and the concept behind the novel alone makes this one worth reading. I mean, Prohibition Era except magic is banned instead of alcohol? It’s creative twists like these that make me so happy to read fantasy 🙂
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I might look for this one on audio
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Do you know if there will be an audiobook? I hope so, I know her first book (also Saga Press) had an audio edition!
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You had me at this being set in the 1920’s but with it being a prohibition era for magic. I love reading books set in that time period. I don’t think I’ve ever ran across a fantasy set in the time era though and this one sounds really great.
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There’s just something so irresistible about the Roaring Twenties. Gotta love that atmosphere, the way people dressed and talked. I can’t recall in recent memory reading any other books set in this era until this one, so it felt pretty special.
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I know! I love it. I’ve read a handful from that time era. I think my favorite is the Mary Russell series by Laurie R. King.
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1920’s and magic and a good review from you -sounds like something I would like. A woman who does what’s necessary for her family makes me even more interested
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Agreed, though part of my issue with Joan is that I think she carried that a bit too far – doing right by family is good, but maybe not to the point of selling your soul to the mob 🙂
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Historical fantasy AND a standalone? Heck yes! Plus it’s always interesting to see characters you hated at the beginning turn into the fan favourites, and vice versa. Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of this!
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Looking forward to your thoughts when you do! And funny how it works with characters, isn’t it? Usually I expect characters to grow on me as I read, it’s not so great the other way 🙂
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Sounds excellent and I just read another glowing review over on Tammy’s – the groaning wishlist groans yet again!
Lynn 😀
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My TBR has long stopped groaning, being well on its way through the shrieks-of-pain phase now hahaha 😀
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