Legend Has It

by Elliott James Narrated by Roger Wayne

Overview

For John Charming, living the dream just became a nightmare.



Someone, somewhere, is reading a magic book that is reading them right back. Real life is becoming a fairytale: high school students are turning, quite literally, into zombies, subway workers into dwarves, drug addicts into vampires.



John Charming and his motley band of monster hunters are racing to find the villain of this story, following the yellow brick road through a not so wonderful wonderland. And if they can't find Reader Zero before the book is closed, there won't be a happily ever after again.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"An urban fantasy that features an irreverent, smart-mouthed hero and adventures that are entertaining."—Kirkus

"With each new chapter in his outstanding Pax Arcana series, James ups his game in both excellent character development and world expansion. If you love wisecracks in the face of ultimate danger, then John Charming is definitely your man!"—RT Book Reviews on In Shining Armor (Top Pick! 4.5 stars)

"The Pax Arcana books are seriously good reads. Action, humor, and heart with unexpected twists and turns. If you are (like me) waiting for the next Butcher or Hearne -- pick up Elliott James. Then you can bite your nails waiting for the next James, too."—Patricia Briggs, New York Times #1 bestselling author of the Mercy Thompson series

"Loved it! Charming is a giant gift basket of mythology and lore delivered by a brilliant new voice in urban fantasy. Elliott James tells stories that are action-packed, often amusing, and always entertaining."—Kevin Hearne, New York Times bestselling author of Hounded on Charming

"I loved this book from start to finish. Exciting and innovative, Charming is a great introduction to a world I look forward to spending a lot more time in."—Seanan McGuire, New York Times bestselling author on Charming

"James's world is rich and complex and well worth diving into."—Richard Kadrey, New York Times bestselling author on Charming

"In a saturated literary realm, James's tale stands out for the gritty, believable world he builds...This is masculine urban fantasy in the vein of Jim Butcher and Mark del Franco."—Booklist on Charming

"This debut introduces a self-deprecating, wisecracking, and honorable-to-a-fault hero who can stand up to such established protagonists as Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden and Seanan McGuire's October Daye. Combining action and romance -- with an emphasis on action -- this is a top-notch new series opener for lovers of urban fantasy."—Library Journal (Starred review) on Charming

"Grab some snacks and settle back as splendid debut author James serves up a Prince Charming tale yanked sideways...James's reluctant hero faces threats and danger with a smart-ass attitude that keeps the narrative fast-paced, edgy and amusing. Mark this name down -- you will undoubtedly be seeing more from James!"—RT Book Reviews on Charming

Kirkus Reviews

2017-03-07
The fifth book in the Pax Arcana urban fantasy series takes James' (In Shining Armor, 2016, etc.) cast of characters on a near-catastrophic romp through a reality destabilized by fairy tale and myth.John Charming is a werewolf and monster hunter who was once a member of the Knights Templar, a secret society that works to keep ordinary humans and magic apart. When a half-vampire named Kasia crashes his peaceful summer evening with an ominous message, Charming finds himself dragged into a disastrous supernatural. People in New York City are transforming into monsters out of fairy tales, myths, and the video games and role-playing games they have inspired, wreacking havoc and violence on innocent bystanders. The knights summon Charming to New York, along with his team of friends and fellow monster hunters: Sig, his Valkyrie girlfriend; Molly, who specializes in holy knowledge and exorcisms; and Choo, who acquires cars and weaponry with ease. Along with the mysterious and brutal Kasia, they must find the person causing the horrific transformations by reading them into existence with the help of a magical book. The search for this reader ticks the boxes of serviceable plot points that seem ready-made for television adaptation, with blandly described fight scenes, terrible puns, and tough-guy repartee. The characters are likable but not exceptional, falling neatly into the tropes of both urban fantasy and rougher-than-usual action heroes. The book opens with a strange, imagined interview between Charming and Barbara Walters, allowing for a shameless infodump that catches the reader up on the back story of the series, and most of the novel is narrated in Charming's voice, which might be the strongest and most enjoyable element of the story. An urban fantasy that features an irreverent, smart-mouthed hero and adventures that are entertaining, if not particularly thrilling.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171186814
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	06/05/2018
Series:	Pax Arcana Series , #5
Edition description:	Unabridged

Videos