Legend Has It (Pax Arcana Series #5)

by Elliott James

Overview

Legend Has It is the fifth novel in a series which gives a new twist to the Prince Charming tale. The first four novels are Charming, Daring, Fearless & In Shining Armor.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316302371
Publisher:	Orbit
Publication date:	04/18/2017
Series:	Pax Arcana Series , #5
Pages:	448
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.25(h) x 1.25(d)

About the Author

An army brat and gypsy scholar, Elliott James is currently living in the Blue Ridge mountains of southwest Virginia. An avid reader since the age of three (or that's what his family swears anyhow), he has an abiding interest in mythology, martial arts, live music, hiking, and used bookstores.

Editorial Reviews

"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

From the Publisher

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.

Kirkus Reviews