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AudibleInk - Digital Magic
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List Price: $19.95
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Manufacturer: Dragon Moon Press
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FREE SHIPPING on Orders over $25!
Average Customer Rating: 
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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813
EAN: 9781896944883
ISBN: 1896944884
Label: Dragon Moon Press
Manufacturer: Dragon Moon Press
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 288
Publication Date: 2008-08-01
Publisher: Dragon Moon Press
Release Date: 2008-07-25
Studio: Dragon Moon Press
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Editorial Reviews:
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The Fey are gone... and with them, magic. At least, that is how things seem at the conclusion of the award-nominated novel Chasing the Bard. ~ Lord what fools these mortals be. ~ Penherem is a quaint, sleepy English village where people go to escape the 21st Century. Hiding from the world of laptop computers, the Internet, and wireless communication, is Ella. A writer, now barren of ideas and drive, she resigns herself to a quiet life of solitude. Everything changes with the arrival of a shapeshifting thief. Suddenly, everyone begins to change--from the local librarian to the lady of the manor--revealing their true natures and dangerous secrets. Something in this sleepy English village is awakening... something that might be better left alone.
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating: 
Summary: Technological, Science Fiction Fantasy Sequel
Comment: Pip Ballantine set the bar high with Chasing the Bard. This challenged her, I think, especially as she sought to take that world into a science fiction future. I had a hard time getting into the story through the first half of the book. While I could see some connection to characters in Chasing the Bard, I had a hard time understanding the relations and that kept me out of the story a bit.
The story is told from multiple perspectives, but these seem disjointed and incoherent, even though I knew that the story had a mystery behind it and as happens with good mysteries, the threads of the story would come together by the climax.
Ballantine presented herself with the heavy challenge of setting the story far enough in the future that she had new technologies and even social settings and interactions to explain; I had a hard time understanding these references and the relations to the story and the individual characters. By the second half of the book, however, the settings became familiar and I could stay immersed in the story much better.
Similarly, the characters and relations to Chasing the Bard really shined in the second half of the book and I became engrossed in the tale. In the last few chapters, I couldn't stop turning the pages or finding out how each heavy plot twist would be resolved.
I had a hard time getting into Digital Magic, but I was extremely happy I stuck with it and finished it out. I think it lacked some of the wonderful heroism, love, and magic of Chasing the Bard, but Digital Magic was still a good read.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Blown Away Again by Ballantine
Comment: I originally listened to the audio book of Chasing the Bard, which was absolutely incredible. My high expectations were more than borne out by the sequel. The quality of the writing, the completeness of the world, the vividness of the characters, and the strength of the plot come together in a stunning whole. I hesitate to say much more specific than the official synopsis because I enjoyed the book most watching all events unfold as they happened, and I would hate to deprive anyone else of that whirlwind experience. (Macha, we are definitely not in run-of-the-mill fantasy anymore.)
One caveat is that while it seems possible to read and enjoy Digital Magic without having read Chasing the Bard, you should read that book first if you plan to read it at all. I recommend that your experience with both books be pure, and certain events from Chasing the Bard are discussed in Digital Magic; albeit obliquely, but enough to clue in innocent readers about the previous book. Both books may be satisfactorily read individually, but I emphasize that both books will be better if read together.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Making the cut
Comment: I learned about this novel after reading Chasing the Bard, which is the original work [a most excellent novel as well] by this author.
While I enjoyed Digital Magic, I think it was not quite what I expected upon completion. The story was captivating but in my personal opinion it was not as good as Chasing the Bard. Maybe the original set the bar too high?
The story concerns the offspring of William Shakespeare and her continuing the fight for the Fae in modern England. Most of the characters are new as the period has changed, but we do see at least 3 of the characters from the Bard. You will need to read them in order to follow the longer story lines.
I recommend this novel as I will no doubt be reading any subsequent work that should follow. This book is good for an afternoon's enjoyment and I read it in about 4 hours.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Astounding novel!
Comment: Let me state it simply, buy and read Digital Magic by Philippa Ballantine. This is a fantastic novel and one you will be glad you invested your time in. I listen to many podcasts and had heard Ms. Ballantine's excellent story "Chasing the Bard". When Digital Magic was released I decided to purchase it as an act of appreciation for free podcasts.
I have never made a better decision. This book is amazing. It is exactly what I look for in a story: complex, well written characters that you want to get to know, a premise that is entirely original and unique, and a plot that will keeping you turning pages even when you have other responsibilities calling your name.
Many of the other reviewers have given glimpses of the story, so I do not feel that need, but I can not recommend this book highly enough. Be prepared to clear a space on your bookshelf for Ms. Ballantine and pray she writes faster in order to fill that space up! BUY THIS BOOK.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A Cyberpunk Faerytale
Comment: In 2004, Philippa Ballantine brought to the world her historical fantasy, Chasing the Bard. Four years later, she returns with a sequel that -- if you blink -- may have you asking "Is this the same writer?" Whereas her first novel was a tapestry of Fey folklore, Renaissance pageantry, and epic battles, Digital Magic is a dark, gritty mystery set centuries ahead of its predecessor. It's still the writing of Philippa Ballantine; but instead of swords and ancient sorcery, we dive deep into a world where technology is the weapon of choice and spells are cast not through incantation but through computations and code.
Pip's talent was evident in Chasing the Bard. With this title, her talent has evolved. Digital Magic was a delight for the senses: tearful moments of regret, blood-chilling terror, and sensual moments of intimacy. Even without reading Chasing the Bard (although you can hear it for free as a podcast), you can appreciate and enjoy the intrigue Ballantine weaves both in the waking world and the virtual one.
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