Book 1 in the Hellequin Chronicles.How do you keep the people you care about safe from enemies you can’t remember?Ten years ago, Nate Garrett awoke on a cold warehouse floor with no memory of his past—a gun, a sword, and a piece of paper with his name on it the only clues to his identity. Since then, he’s discovered he’s a powerful sorcerer and has used his magical abilities to become a … magical abilities to become a successful thief for hire.
But those who stole his memories aren’t done with him yet: when they cause a job to go bad and threaten a sixteen-year-old girl, Nate swears to protect her. With his enemies closing in and everyone he cares about now a target for their wrath, he must choose between the comfortable life he’s built for himself and his elusive past.
As the barrier holding his memories captive begins to crumble, Nate moves between modern-day London and fifteenth-century France, forced to confront his forgotten life in the hope of stopping an enemy he can’t remember.
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Crimes Against Magic
The Hellequin Chronicles, Book 1
By: Steve McHugh
Narrated by: James Langton
This is an outstanding book! Read these books in order! This starts this great series in which Nate can’t remember his past. He knows he has powers but he just doesn’t know how powerful he really is or who he really is… it is so exciting. The characters are awesome and as more is revealed, the better it gets! All of these characters are so awesome. The author is telling two tales at once, one in the past and one now. It is for a reason later… The plot is so good and all weaves with later books. Great fantasy, characters, lots of action, fantasy, and the freshness is so thrilling! I am absorbing it all! I am trying to squeeze as much Hellequin Chronicles time in as possible!
The narrator is sooooo perfect for these books. I have listened to them so much, I almost start to talk British, lol. For this midwest American gal that would be something!
This book is fun, fast-paced, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. Anyone who has read a book in the urban fantasy detective genre will have no trouble following the story. However, there are a lot of players in this mystery that not only goes back 10 years to when Nate lost all of his memory, but even further back to ancient Greece. I was happy for the recommendation, and I liked it.
A somewhat dirtier and sexier British version of the Dresden Files is the best way I can describe this novel. Nathan Garret is a professional thief who has supernatural powers and works for a vampire living in the London Underground. He gradually discovers he’s a LOT older thank he thinks he is and that he is the mortal enemy of Mordred the son of King Arthur. Also, something akin to a supernatural hitman. I enjoyed the book which is firmly in the noir territory and involve lots of gorgeous women throwing themselves at Nathan.
It’s very much a wish fulfillment sort of book and I don’t have any problem with that. Actually, my favorite parts of the book were the flashback scenes during the pre-French Revolution period. I admit, I do actually like the fact that the books aren’t a tease. When Harry Dresden is confronted with hundreds of beautiful nymphs, witches, and whatnot who want to try his wand–Harry ends up saying no. Nathan says yes. Perhaps it’s just a wee bit more believable to me.
I also like all the side characters that are memorable and entertaining. This feels like it’s actually set in a realistic London.
This one joins the Dresden Files, Sandman Slim, Iron Druid Chronicles and Nightwise as the very best of Urban Fantasy. Great characters with depth and writing that isn’t formulaic with childish plots like much of the genre today.
This is an outstanding series, full of originality.
Spoiler alert!
When Ivy say “I know what you are. You’re the thing the monsters fear. Merlin’s assassin.” I got hooked. What a great line. And the concept he came up with to explain the gods and titans was very original.