Spider-Man is one of the most iconic superhero characters of all time. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, Spider-Man made his debut in Amazing Fantasy #15 in 1962. He quickly became a fan favorite with his relatable personality and unique spider-themed powers. One aspect of Spider-Man's abilities that has always intrigued fans is his "spider-sense." This sixth sense alerts Spider-Man to danger, allowing him to react quickly and avoid harm. It's often portrayed as a tingling sensation at the back of his head, giving him a split-second warning before danger strikes.
That’s where the fun of the whole thing comes in, as she takes Jack to the times and places where magic made life, well, magical – before the forces of rational science rewrote history for their own purposes.
Not of natural causes, but by being ruthlessly stamped out by some very mysterious secret masters of the universe who plan to control everything and everyone. The people who don t believe in magic tend to become gibbering wrecks whenever it appears which in Jack s line of work turns out to be frequently and often.
It's often portrayed as a tingling sensation at the back of his head, giving him a split-second warning before danger strikes. Another fascinating aspect of Spider-Man's powers is his ability to stick to walls and ceilings. This ability, dubbed "wall-crawling," is often attributed to microscopic hairs on his fingers and feet that allow him to adhere to any surface.
Review: For Love of Magic by Simon R. Green
For Love of Magic by Simon R. Green
Format: ebook
Source: purchased from Amazon
Formats available: hardcover, ebook, audiobook
Genres: fantasy, historical fantasy, urban fantasy
Pages: 240
Published by Baen on May 2, 2023
Purchasing Info: Author's Website, Publisher's Website, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Bookshop.org, Better World Books
Goodreads
History isn’t what you think it is. It’s been rewritten to remove all the magic. Together, two people decide to put things right. A new novel of magic, history and true love from Simon R. Green.
When they fall in love, it’s magic!
History can change and has changed. Magic was and is real.
Once upon a time, there was a forgotten era of magic and monster. But the remnants — and all memory — of the old world have been replaced by the sane, the scientific, and the rational. But sometimes the magical past isn’t content to stay past. That’s where Jack Damian comes in. It’s his joy to protect our present from the supernatural remnants of an earlier time, a different history. It’s his job to make the past safe.
Jack is called to the Tate Museum, where dozens of people have disappeared beneath the surface of a painting. While investigating, he finds himself smitten with a mysterious art expert Amanda Fielding. But Amanda has plans of her own, and soon the two are traveling through time — back to the Roman Empire and then forward through history, from King Arthur’s court to Sherwood Forest. As they explore histories past as written and overwritten, the balance of magic and science shifts, and the choices the two make could change the world forever.
My Review:
The fun of For Love of Magic begins with the title, as there are SO MANY possible interpretations. And all of them are applicable and all of them are fascinating.
In the beginning, Jack Daimon doesn’t love magic. In fact, his job is to eliminate whatever bits of it sneak into our rational, scientific world. But he does fall head over heels in love with Amanda Fielding the moment he meets her – in the middle of closing up an abyss to an extremely nasty and highly magical place. And there’s more magic in that meeting – and in Amanda herself – than initially meets the eye.
Jack Daimon is the Outsider, the one person who exists outside of magic AND the various and sundry organizations and armies that are attempting to stamp it out. His job is to eliminate the chaos of magic whenever it appears.
He’s very, very good at his job. But his job requires that he have an open mind about pretty much everything. The people who don’t believe in magic tend to become gibbering wrecks whenever it appears – which in Jack’s line of work turns out to be frequently and often.
What Jack doesn’t know when we first meet him – and he first meets Amanda – is that magic is dying. Not of natural causes, but by being ruthlessly stamped out by some very mysterious secret masters of the universe who plan to control everything and everyone.
For fun, profit and their own benefit, of course.
Jack is magic’s – and Amanda’s – one last chance to set things right before it’s too late. But first he has to learn a lesson. Or two. Or ten. Whatever it takes to stand up and hold his ground in the face of everything he’s ever believed – and every force that has ever tried to remake the world in its own dry, humdrum, ruthlessly rational and utterly tyrannical image.
There’s supposed to be magic in the world. It’s Jack’s job to stand his ground so that Amanda has the chance to bring it back. If he can. If he decides he should. If he can make up his mind – and his heart.
Escape Rating A-: I had a great time with For Love of Magic, but whether you will or not probably depends on how much you like snarky characters with even snarkier commentary – even though this Jack isn’t filled with nearly as much of the snark as some of the author’s previous protagonists.
Jack isn’t nearly as snarky as Gideon Sable or Eddie Drood, because Jack needs a sense of wonder to make his way through the magical mystery history tour that Amanda takes him on. Her plan is to convince Jack, or use Jack, or a bit of both, to bring the magic back before it – and she – are gone forever.
That’s where the fun of the whole thing comes in, as she takes Jack to the times and places where magic made life, well, magical – before the forces of rational science rewrote history for their own purposes.
She doesn’t work through logic, because that’s the enemy’s strategy. She grabs for the heart, both Jack’s and the reader’s, by going back to times and places that were filled with wonder. She makes this adventure a tour of what rational science has reduced to mythical Britain, and draws Jack to Camelot and Sherwood Forest. Not to show him that magic will make things perfect – because human beings are NOT perfectable. But by showing him that some things are worth fighting for and that one of those things is a world that is not reduced to humanity only.
So she gives him a dream – and she gives it to us too. All the better because it hits a few contemporary issues squarely on the nose – and promptly punches them several times.
Like much of this author’s work, it does borrow a bit from his vast canon, but not in any way that’s overt or requires previous familiarity. Personally, I saw elements of Shadows Fall and Hawk and Fisher, as well as the Nightside. But then I also felt like I was seeing bits of the Iron Druid’s perspective, and Amanda was often referred to by some of the same terms that that series uses for the Morrigan.
By throwing King Arthur and Robin Hood, Boudicca and Gloriana, Frankenstein and Faust, into the mix, it stirs up a heady brew of the possibilities of where magic in the world might take us – if we still have the chance to let it. And that always makes for a fantastic read!
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It's a skill that sets Spider-Man apart from other superheroes and adds to his versatility in combat and movement. In addition to his physical abilities, Spider-Man is also known for his intelligence and resourcefulness. As Peter Parker, he is a brilliant scientist and inventor, using his knowledge to create web-shooters and other gadgets. These tools further enhance his crime-fighting abilities and allow him to navigate the city with ease. Spider-Man's powers and abilities are often referred to as "spider magic" by fans. While they may have a scientific explanation within the fictional universe, their fantastical nature adds a touch of magic to the character. It's this combination of relatable humanity and extraordinary abilities that has made Spider-Man a timeless and beloved superhero. Overall, Spider-Man's powers and abilities, often described as "spider magic," have captivated audiences for decades. From his spider-sense to his wall-crawling and web-shooting skills, Spider-Man represents the perfect blend of science and fantasy. Whether swinging through city skylines or battling super-villains, Spider-Man continues to inspire and entertain fans around the world..
Reviews for "The Magical Lessons of Responsibility and Sacrifice Taught by Spoder Man"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to watch "Spoder man magic" after hearing all the hype, but I was quite disappointed. The story felt disjointed and rushed, and the magic tricks were underwhelming. The humor also fell flat for me, with forced jokes that didn't land. Overall, it didn't live up to the high expectations I had and left me feeling unsatisfied.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I found "Spoder man magic" to be a complete waste of time. The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, and the magic tricks were unimpressive. The characters lacked depth, and I couldn't connect with any of them. The dialogue was cheesy, and the attempts at humor were cringe-worthy. I regretted spending money on this movie and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Chris - 2/5 stars - As a fan of magic, I was excited to see "Spoder man magic," but it fell short of my expectations. The magic tricks were predictable, and I've seen them done better in other movies. The storyline was also weak, and the film relied heavily on special effects to compensate for its lack of substance. Overall, it was a mediocre movie that failed to leave a lasting impression.
4. Michelle - 2/5 stars - "Spoder man magic" was highly anticipated, but it ended up being a letdown. The plot lacked originality, and the magical elements felt cliché. The pacing was inconsistent, with slow moments followed by abrupt action scenes that didn't flow well. The performances of the actors were decent, but they couldn't save the overall subpar execution of the film. I expected more from this movie and left the theater feeling disappointed.
5. Alex - 1/5 stars - I really don't understand the hype surrounding "Spoder man magic." The story was weak and poorly developed, and the magic tricks were unimpressive and lacked creativity. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to stay engaged. Overall, it was a forgettable movie that I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on.