Too much mooning

I listened to all 3 books and my only real complaint was that the author had Cisco crying over that Emily chick way too much. He spent way too much time justifying Emily’s actions. Otherwise it is a pretty decent book. I just need Cisco to develop and learn more. I’ll keep listening.

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The dead don't die so easily

We start out on the mean streets of Miami, where necromancy, dark magic, and supernatural creatures are just a part of the daily grind. Domino Finn's "Black Magic Outlaw" series, comprising the first three books – "Dead Man," "Shadow Play," and "Heart Strings" – is an exhilarating ride through the life of Cisco Suarez, a necromancer with a flair for the dramatic and a penchant for getting into life-or-death situations. Narrated by Neil Hellegers, this audiobook series offers a unique and captivating experience for urban fantasy fans.

At the start of Book One, "Dead Man," we are introduced to Cisco Suarez, a charismatic and enigmatic necromancer with a taste for the supernatural. This gripping series kicks off with Cisco waking up in a dumpster, bewildered and disoriented. But the shock doesn't stop there; he soon realizes that he has been dead for ten years, with no memory of how he died or what transpired during that time.

Cisco's transformation is both mysterious and captivating. He now possesses new abilities, new tattoos, and a lot more muscle than he remembers. The icing on the cake is the menacing presence of the Haitian voodoo gang, who claim to have killed him just the day before. Cisco's journey begins here, and it's anything but ordinary.

Cisco's character is a complex blend of wit, snark, and self-awareness, making him relatable and endearing. He embraces his unconventional life as a necromancer, shadow charmer, and black magic outlaw, and his perspective on it all is both humorous and thought-provoking.

Throughout the series, Cisco is determined to unravel the mystery of his own death, leading him into a dangerous world of dark magic, voodoo, and conspiracies. His friends are being targeted, his family brutally murdered, and a host of formidable enemies seek his demise. However, Cisco isn't one to back down easily; he's a survivor, a fighter, and a witty observer of the chaos around him.

Domino Finn masterfully builds a narrative filled with tension, suspense, and action, delivering a fast-paced plot that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The plot is often intense and filled with elements of voodoo, necromancy, the occult, and magical violence. Cisco's journey is not only a physical one but also an emotional exploration as he comes to terms with his past, lost friendships, family tragedies, and a sense of purpose.

Neil Hellegers' narration brings Cisco Suarez to life in a way that is truly immersive. His ability to capture Cisco's snarky personality while maintaining his likability is truly commendable. Hellegers provides a voice that resonates with Cisco's character, drawing listeners into the story with ease.

The "Black Magic Outlaw" series takes an unexpected and exciting turn in Book Two, "Shadow Play." Cisco's struggle for identity and vengeance intensifies, and the storyline delves deeper into the mystical and mythical. We are introduced to a host of intriguing characters, from ghosts and mages to creatures with glowing red eyes.

One of the most captivating elements of the series is its blending of diverse cultures and mythologies. Miami, a melting pot of people from all over the world, serves as the perfect backdrop for this narrative. Finn seamlessly weaves in elements of Cuban culture, Taino mythology, and more, creating a rich and immersive world for Cisco to navigate.

Furthermore, the introduction of new races like minotaurs, satyrs, and mermaids in Book Three, "Heart Strings," adds an extra layer of excitement and intrigue to the story. While the variety of creatures might seem disparate at first, Finn manages to tie them all together in a way that keeps the series fresh and ever-evolving.

While the "Black Magic Outlaw" series offers a captivating and engaging experience, there are a few areas that could use some improvement. One recurring point of contention is Cisco's constant reference to his full name. While it can be seen as a humorous quirk, some listeners may find it excessive and bordering on being too clichéd. The frequent repetition of his full name feels like a constant reminder, which can become a bit tiresome.

Another aspect that could have been enhanced is the central or South American magical influence. Despite the potential for an in-depth exploration of this rich and diverse magical world, the series primarily focuses on necromancy and shadow magic, with less emphasis on cultural diversity. Additionally, the introduction of nether creatures in Book Three may come off as somewhat abrupt and disconnected from the earlier books, potentially leaving some listeners feeling that these elements were shoehorned into the storyline.

Lastly, the surprise betrayal in the series isn't as surprising as one might hope. The identity of the betrayer is somewhat predictable, which can diminish the shock value that such a revelation should have provided.

One of the strengths of the series is Cisco Suarez's character. Unlike many protagonists in urban fantasy, Cisco is far from perfect. He is a snarky wizard with a penchant for making questionable decisions, which makes him all the more relatable and endearing. His imperfections and vulnerabilities add depth to his character, and his struggles and resilience make for a compelling journey. He's really a cut-off-his-face-to-spite-his-toes kind of guy. His damn the consequences and dogged pursuit of revenge tells you everything you need to know about him.

Cisco's challenges are far from insurmountable, and he frequently finds himself overpowered and outnumbered. This aspect adds a layer of realism to the narrative, allowing listeners to connect with his character on a more personal level. The non-stop action, supernatural encounters, and high-octane battles keep the story engaging and entertaining throughout the series.

In Domino Finn's "Black Magic Outlaw" series, the action never stops, the mysteries are never-ending, and the supernatural elements are boundless. Cisco Suarez, the snarky and complex protagonist, takes listeners on a rollercoaster ride filled with magic, danger, and self-discovery.

While the series has its quirks and some minor imperfections, it more than makes up for them with its thrilling plot, diverse characters, and the unique world Finn has crafted. Neil Hellegers' narration breathes life into Cisco's character, making this audiobook series an enthralling and highly enjoyable experience for fans of urban fantasy.

So, if you're looking for a captivating, action-packed, and humor-filled journey through the mystical underworld of Miami, look no further. "Black Magic Outlaw" is the perfect addition to your audiobook collection, offering an exciting and magical escape into a world where the line between the living and the dead is blurred, and where one man, Cisco Suarez, stands ready to defy all odds. Don't miss out on this spellbinding urban fantasy adventure!

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good book offer a suggestion

Darkness is his weapon of choice absence of light. I noticed he is blinded quite often in your storytelling being blinded is a sort of darkness in itself,
weave that into your story

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great story

loved all the characters in all the plot twist. hope to find more. thank you

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2 people found this helpful

great start to a series!

I enjoyed the action, story and banter! The performance was also great with the lines delivered just as would imagine in my mind.

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first loo3

The story and performance were both good. I'm looking forward to the next book.

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Neil Hellegers is amazing narrater

I honestly don't know if these books would be as good as they are to my ear holes if it was not for Mr. Hellegers. His transition from character to character is just amazing. You can tell when he transitions into another character. The storyline is great. I couldn't predict what was coming next and that is always nice. His writing style is great and the universe he brings us into is unique. It brings mythology and fantasy into a very versatile plot line. 5 Stars all around.

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3 people found this helpful

Cool magic, lame hero

I got through the first and second books, but by the third book; the way the author continuously writes about the angst of this character and how people are reacting to him is super cringe. It begins to sound like the ramblings of someone so insecure, that they are saying self assurances out loud to themselves, even though they don't believe it. It is extremely grating. I couldn't finish it very quickly because I had to keep putting it down after these scenes. They threw me off entirely.

I loved the characters despite that, and the way it ended has me wanting more.

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Have short term memory problems? This is for you.

I like the overall story but the guy from 50 first dates who loses his memory every 10 seconds could follow the plot. The author rehashes who all the characters are and how they fit into the story, especially the main character way to much. it's not just between books, but through out each book the plot is rehashed repeatedly.

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Good as a set, but maybe not as individual books

I feel that together these books actually made a pretty good story arc, but individually I think they might fall just short. I do enjoy one of Domino Finn's other stories, and I do enjoy Neil Helliger's narration skills so getting into this box set was easy for me.

The Cons however are that the story can be very predictable, and Helliger's Latin accent was not very convincing during the moments where he spoke a little bit of Spanish, which kind of took me out of the moment. Even with that in mind, Helliger gets four stars throughout all three books. As far as the story: 3/4/3.5 stars respectively in book order.

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