Last Call, by Tim Powers

 

Scott Crane is a man whose life has been decided by fate and chance. He is something special - professional gambler, recently turned widower, and the son of a man who wants to kill him. Set in Las Vegas in the late 1900s, Scott has unwittingly lost his soul to his father, the current King, through a poker-style game called Assumption. Scott is what is known as a Jack - a powerful figure that could claim the throne and rise to power in a world where ancient Egyptian mythos and tarot cards have an underlying control over reality. Hounded on all sides by both his father and others wishing to rise to the throne, Crane must figure out a way to get his soul back and win this final game of poker.

I really enjoyed reading Last Call, by Tim Powers. I thought that the magic system and the world-building that Tim Powers implemented were extremely interesting and well-made. The story was also very good, albeit sometimes a little confusing due to the extensive world-building. It was intense and kept me on the edge of my seat. The book was great at incorporating neo-western themes with a pagan magical undertone. Overall, I loved reading this book. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys neo-western books or hard fiction.

Reviewed by NK, Grade 12

Glendale Library