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Spellslinger by Sebastien de Castell   {Reviewed by STELLA} Looking for a bit of magic and wit? Then Spellslinger might just be the next teen read for you. Kellen from the House of Ke is ready to face his four trials to become a spellcaster. The only problem is that his magic has gone. His bands haven’t sparked and no one seems able to help. Neither his powerful mage parents, his friends who try to help him duel, nor his teacher. Yet Kellen is cunning and able to perform tricks. Maybe it’s all trickery anyway? Why can’t he keep up with his friends or even his younger sister? If he doesn’t succeed, it's a life of shame and servitude as a Sha’Tep. As the trials progress, Kellen has more questions than answers—if he can’t make it in the Jan’Tep world is there a place for him in his hometown? Why can’t he summon the magic when he needs it? And what’s behind all this anyway? Shadowblack. A curse—a powerful one. One which is feared and abhorred. This fantasy builds and twists moment by moment. Kellen is an excellent sixteen-year-old: useless and brilliant by turns—wanting to fit in but ultimately knowing he’s different and will become an outcast. But not so fast in this fantasy world (a series that gets better as it goes on), as we are introduced to our main players. Enter Ferius Parfax—a mysterious redhead cardshark—an Argosi wanderer with a curious pack of painted cards and some sharp-edged ones useful in a fight. She’s sardonic, clever and not above playing dirty when needed so long as it meets her Argosi code of ethics. Why is she here and why is she keeping an eye on Kellen? Even more strangely, Kellen finds an unlikely partner in a squirrel cat. Reichis, who loves stealing baubles and loves an enemy—especially if he can eat their eyeballs, has his own issues and is keen to avenge the Jan'Tep. Reichis will consistently lead Kellen into trouble and always fight alongside him—it's a love/hate bond with each suspicious of the other's motivations and simultaneously deadly loyal. Ultimately, Kellen is destined for the Spellslinger road with his explosive powders, perceptive mind, and small sparks of magic. For answers, he will have to journey further. Luckily there are six books in this series, each more intriguing. Dangerous, exciting and hugely enjoyable, Sebastien de Castell blends ancient civilisations with the wild west in a fantasy that is sure to please.