An Inheritance of Magic

The first in Jacka’s (Risen) “Inheritance of Magic” urban fantasy series, skillfully narrated by Will Watt, finds the 20-year-old Stephen Oakwood searching for answers about his family’s past. Magic, called drucraft, is real, though its existence is hidden from most of society. Stephen has been on his own since his father went into hiding, leaving him to continue practicing his secret drucraft skills. An encounter drags him into the world of the aristocratic magical Houses that rule the world’s economy, causing him to fight for survival and search for opportunities to increase his skills. Watt’s expressive performance immerses listeners in Stephen’s story as told from his first-person point-of-view. He captures Stephen’s emotions, most notably during a heart-wrenching scene surrounding his pet cat that may have listeners shedding a tear or two. Watt taps into the characters’ unique personality traits and gives each a voice to match. Quick pacing heightens the urgency of many scenes and keeps the story moving through the slower sections.