#Review - Sorcery Reborn by Steve McHugh #Urban #Fantasy

Series: The Rebellion Chronicles #1
Format: Paperback, 366 pages
Release Date: November 28, 2019
Publisher: 47North
Source: Publisher
Genre: Urban Fantasy

He doesn’t need a weapon. He is the weapon.

After losing his powers in an epic battle between good and evil, former sorcerer Nate Garrett finds himself living as a humble human in Clockwork, Oregon. While the world thinks Nate is dead, his friends continue to fight against Avalon and the evil it’s intent on spreading.

Avalon’s forces turn up in Clockwork, and Nate’s frustration grows with every passing day his magic doesn’t return. He finds himself trying to stop Avalon’s plans while hiding from enemies who would destroy everything in their path to see him dead.

Avalon’s darkness begins to threaten the people Nate cares about, and an old nemesis returns; magic or no magic, he has no choice but to fight. But will Nate see his magical powers reborn before the entire town—and everyone he loves—is destroyed?

Sorcery Reborn is the first installment in author Steve McHugh's The Rebellion Chronicles. This story marks the official return of Nathan Garrett, but it doesn't ignore Layla Cassidy or the rest of the cast of characters who readers have followed via The Avalon Chronicles. If you are a fan of the authors, then you've probably already read the Hellequin Chronicles featuring Nate and many of the same characters. So, as a summary of sorts, Nate was presumed dead thanks to Mordred (See Scorched Shadows). When he awakens, Nate no longer has his powers as a sorcerer. 

Nate has come back at the right or wrong time depending on who you ask. The world is at war. Arthur has told the world of the existence of non-humans and has set out to exterminate anyone who disagrees with him. That includes Nate, Selene, Tommy, Olivia, Mordred, Hades, Diana, & Remy. Nate is told that since he is human now, he can't let anyone know that he is alive and has no powers. If you've read the previous series, you know that a blood ritual was created preventing anyone from leaking the fact that he is alive to the wrong people, namely Arthur and Hera who both want him dead permanently. 

So, Nate moves to Clockwork, Oregon where he hopes that his powers will return sooner, rather than later. Nate has a pretty boring life until Nazi's, because of course we have to have Nazi's, appear and upturn the apple cart. Nate can't stay away from trouble for long. The so called Knights of Avalon are led by a thug named Robert who is upset that his ex left him and embarrassed him. It's risky for Nate to get involved since he's supposed to be keeping a low profile. It's even worse than he thinks when it's revealed they actually work for Avalon, Arthur's group that is intent on controlling every known realm including Earth.

The world has progressed quite significantly in the two years Nate was in hiding. Now that he is back, I think we can be assured that the rebellion against Arthur, Hera and their allies will be taken up in earnest. Thanks to his "friend" Chris Hopkins (not his real name), Nate has to figure out who his father is thus discovering why his powers haven't returned. For readers of the Hellequin series, this is a major point but also a let down since it's pretty apparent who Nate's father is. Nate, Chris, Medusa, Isis, and others battle to save Portland from Avalon and send a loud message to Arthur. 

Meanwhile, Layla has embraced her abilities and accepted her role as a leader to an eclectic team - a werewolf, a human, a shadow elf, a dwarf, a Titan and a sabre-toothed panther. Her team already helped defeat Arthur's allies in Helheim, but the search for shadow elves and dwarves continues in earnest. After a tip from Seshat, the teams heads to Jotunheim, a realm inhabited by giants. Unlike many of her friends (minus Harry) Layla wasn't born into this world. She was thrust into this life and it will be interesting to see what the long-term effects of her extraordinary experiences will be. 

This series is set in a world already well built in Hellequin books as well as the Avalon Chronicles. It is complex, rich and brilliant and you definitely not be bored with the fight scenes, or the action in both Nate and Layla's worlds.

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