My favorite books on the most developed mechanical magic systems

This book combined the old west with a very thought-out magic system that enhanced the setting. The humor was sometimes tear-drawingly funny for me. The characters seemed alive, complex, and independent. The world seemed real and tangible if not quite like our world. The magic also had a refreshing take and allows for infinite speculation on how the powers might cross-combine. It also had moments of monumental exercises of power as well as monumental limits on powers complicating the storyline.

Again the magic system is very comprehensible with the interplay between order and chaos being the foundation. The development of the main character Beltur as he discovers his relationship to and talent with the interplay of order and chaos magic which is the foundation of how the world works. This book is also grounded in economics and presents deep currents of bigotry and intolerance that must be dealt with in a preindustrial society operating with almost medieval technology, warfare, and gender attitudes. It also addresses how a mage might earn a living in this society where order and chaos magic are a reality while needing to be aware of the limits and energy required to practice the magic without killing themselves. It also addresses some of the very real consequences of war and how magic might be used there as well.

This book introduces you to an alternate version of early US history where everyone has some degree of magic that they call knacks. It goes into detail about the main character beginning to discover his own knack which because he is a seventh son of a seventh son is particularly potent. Because of his potential he is faced with supernatural opposition to either pervert his knack or to destroy him. It is full of ethical and moral dilemmas for him and those he interacts with. It also emphasizes how interdependent people are, even people as powerful as the main character who has the potential to destroy or remake the world through his knack and whose very existence depends on a little girl miles away who can see peoples heart fires acting to save his life from supernatural threats by triggering his own knack with his left-over caul. What really drew me through this book were the moral and ethical choices that the boy needed to make as he matured in mind, body, and talent as well as the potential consequences to himself and the world as he made them.

I found the foundation of the magic to be interesting, where magic existed as additive or subtractive in various degrees and combinations. Most wizardly magic was either or, while some like Confessors and Mord Sith incorporated a combination of both. In addition the author introduces the first of a set of rules about how to use magic which plays an integral part in the story. I also liked the ethical and moral tension inherent in the story, though I will warn anyone I recommend this book to that it is very graphic and like the magic the ethics and morals are very binary. The depictions of scenery were also very engaging though at times seemed repetitive and long-winded. Something else I enjoyed was the development and revelation of the characters' abilities as well as their limitations and the attempt to show innovation in their abilities as a result. For me it showed a refreshing take on how fantasy can be presented in a new light.

In my opinion no fantasy list is complete without something from Tolkien. Though not the first fantasy book I ever read, that would be The Wizard of Oz, at the time it opened to me a world where even the little guy matters more than anyone can know. The magic in general was more mundane and accomplished through little acts of courage in most cases with moments of bright fireworks. It was the team, the comradery, and the relationships that mattered to pull the characters through their challenges and even one person could tip the balance in the end. Since I am fascinated with shape changers having Beorn the Werebear shift the balance of the battle of the five armies really thrilled me, and he was only there because they cultivated a relationship with him just like Gandalf cultivated his relationship with the Giant Eagles. If you can’t tell this book had a powerful and lasting impact on my teen self when I read it and keeps giving back as I reflect on it.