Rating: 3.5⭐️
Ok this is going to be a different sort of review. Mostly because I believe readership might break down differently here . Those who read it one way and then those who see other aspects of the story.
I finished Dog Mage, my first book by James Haddock, and I thought it was a good book. Very entertaining, fast paced fantasy adventure with some interesting magical system elements that I hadn’t really seen explored before.
The magic is certainly very thoughtfully crafted and I love how it is fitted into the narrative in multiple ways.
The plot of Jack, orphaned as a small child, finding his magic to becoming one of the most powerful mages in the known Kingdom is oddly straightforward. Jack as his magic grows and accumulates objects that helps his with his magical abilities has streamlined his approach to his life. Continue forward doing what he wants as his own person, if anything tries to get in his way more than once? Then he brutally and efficiently eliminates them, by dog, knife, whatever means necessary.
Turns out Jack is a bit of a psychopath. Not that it’s ever even remotely hinted at here. That’s my take on him.
But Jack’s answer to about everything is death, (not animals, just people, sometimes in mass quantities) in multiple ways, starting from childhood. And he’s not wasting any time, thought or emotion on it.
He chooses to change his face, name, and “character “ easily. Jack’s a chimera. That’s how he presents himself…to me. Often to others as well.
Which actually doesn’t bother me much because the story is a fantasy adventure. And had Haddock left it simply at magical battles where Jack is always the shining hero, where he vanquishes hundreds of enemies by himself, where it’s Jack in his fabulous glowing armor doing impossible things, well, it’s fun, and superficial.
But then there a romantic component and it gets problematic. Spoilers.
There’s an older princess to escort to a ball, looking for a matrimonial match. Jack’s her guardian/escort as assigned by the king. It’s a short time frame. Without any real sense of this couple having any real connection or time with each other, it’s “instalove”.
Other stories have done this. Not the issue. However,Jack isn’t one for the stationary life and he’s got things to do.There’s turmoil afloat so he needs to leave and do stuff. A man’s gotta do what he’s gotta do. Or Jack does whatever. Because that’s what Jack does.
She says no, don’t go and many other things in the same vein. None of which land well with him.So he’s done, he abandons her, engaged and all. No talking. She’s cut off, as are her folks he calls family. No contact.
Two yrs later. She’s been miserable and pining. He hasn’t given her a thought ( literally that what he said).
Someone royal else gets them together and he’s oh, I guess I missed you (she’s crying her eyes out). Let’s get together again. Wink.
Yeah,the psychopath says it’s convenient for him you’re back. And his projects are well underway. So it’s phase two. Doesn’t this make you feel all cozy? Huh. I see a bunch of flags.
Because I don’t think it’s supposed to be taken that way.
To quote the description:
“So, let the bodies fall where they may; you’ve been warned.”
Buy link
Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comThe Dog Mage – Haddock, James: Kindle Store
Blurb
My name, well, they call me Jack. Though I’ve been called and named other things. Kings have named me, though that has sometimes gotten me into trouble. You see, when a king names you, he wants something. Nothing is free. Anyway, I’m an orphan. Fortunately, I’m a mage. That doesn’t make up for not having parents, but it helps . . . except when it doesn’t. The problem with being a . . . child mage is that everyone wants to use you for their own ends. The guilds, for instance. Not just one guild, all of them, everyone is looking for an edge, including me. My strongest talent is music, though no one sees that. What they do see is that my music . . . renews things, makes them new.
One of the first things I renewed was a pair of full-sized wooden dogs. I renewed them so well that they came to life and became my protectors.
Circumstances forced me to protect myself from those who would force me to work for them. Unfortunately, bodies were left on the floor, and I was forced to leave one city for another. I became too good at protecting myself, and the bodies kept piling up. That’s when the king and his spymaster took notice of me. They saw me as a means to an end and wanted to use me as a weapon against their enemies.
The problem was, their enemies weren’t necessarily my enemies, and I hate being forced to do things against my will. So, the bodies that piled up were of those who tried to force me into bondage. All I wanted was to be left alone, but no one seemed to understand that.
So, let the bodies fall where they may; you’ve been warned.
Matron Publishing
Publication date
November 6, 2025
Language
English
Print length
230 pages
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 