The content of a recent review from WS Bookclub (Instagram book reviewer) is below the book cover:
“This is one of those books that is high on entertainment value. Bradan is an extremely long-lived, magic-wielding ne-‘er do well who just wants to hang out with his band, sell art, and get by. Okay, so his idea of doing a music video at Stonehenge ends up being a very bad idea and a bunch of angry drug lords crash his art-selling gig, but really he’s just a good guy. Or good guy adjacent. The fact that trouble seems to follow him around is just a bonus for the reader. He somehow manages to tick off not just multiple people, but multiple realms. With both drug lords and fae angry at him, his life has gotten pretty complicated.
There was a lot to love about this book. First of all, while it is technically not the first book in the series, it is absolutely fine to read it first (I did). Secondly, it gets going quickly. Characters are introduced, and just enough information is given to explain who they are if they showed up in previous books. There is no long, drawn-out backstory shoveled in where it isn’t needed. But what I enjoyed most was the creativity of the author.
I can say with confidence that I have not read anything like this book at all. Bradan is one of those characters whose slightly slippery morals are delightful to read about. The cast around him is equally great, though. I quite liked Connie, the ghost who hung out in Bradan’s car. The whole idea made me grin. The situations Bradan finds himself in are unique, to say the least. They’re also wonderfully described.
Of course, this isn’t what I’d consider a comedic book. There’s action aplenty, as well as a fair bit of relationship issues. It all manages to keep just the right tone, though, and the pacing is great. The Lords of the West End: A London Fantasy is just flat-out fun. Highly recommended.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a review copy of this book. It does not affect my review in any way, which is honest. The Lords of the West End: A London Fantasy is available now.”
I write modern fantasy novels that are hopefully both exciting and literate. These novels include an on-going series about a near-immortal magician who grew up in Camelot and grew famous in San Francisco's 'Summer of Love'. He's still having adventures to this day described in The Lords of the Summer Season, The Lords of Powder, and The Lords of Oblivion. The books can be read in any order.
As author S Alessandro Martinez has stated about the series:
"Lords of Oblivion
A 1500-year-old wizard. A pair of savage druids raised from the dead. Modern day San Francisco. A wolf that takes no gruff. Blaisdell creates a fascinating world in this magical realism novel with smart writing, complex characters, and clever use of history and mythology. I was sucked in from the very beginning. I look forward to more of Bradan and Tintagel's mystical adventures.
Lords of Powder
Merlin's former apprentice, Bradan, is back! The 1500-year-old wizard, who is sometimes too smart for his own good, returns for another exciting adventure, this time in 70s Miami as he takes on the criminal world of drug trafficking. Blaisdell's smart, fast-paced writing and use of fascinating history and mythology keeps you on the edge of your seat as Bradan uses his wits, charm, and illusions to navigate the modern era and get himself into plenty of trouble.
Lords of the Summer Season
Being Merlin's former apprentice and living for 1500 years is bound to make you a few enemies. Travel back to the 60s with Bradan the wizard and his otherworldly wolf Tintagel. As Bradan juggles careers as a professor and musician, he must defend himself from his greatest threat yet: a literal god. Blaisdell continues with his clever, skillful, and imaginative writing that will keep readers eagerly turning the next page. My favorite of the Bradan books, Blaisdell dives deeper into the Arthur mythology, and brings the reader even more elements of magic and folklore, all the while weaving an entertaining tale of gods, wizards, ghosts, and 60s acid rock. Thoroughly enjoyable!"
Besides the literary side of my life, my background includes membership on a scientific advisory board for a non-profit professional organization promoting the biomedical and digital health business community in the greater Los Angeles area.
I’ve authored both basic research publications and business management articles focusing on the bio/pharma industry. My Ph.D. is in Biochemistry from the University of Minnesota where I also conducted post-doctoral research in microbiology. And my BS is from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) with a double major in chemistry and cell biology.
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Peter W. Blaisdell, Fantasy Author 