Spellslinger - book 1

Magic is a con game. Kellen is moments away from facing his first game's duel and the start of four trials that will make him a spellcaster. There's just one problem: his magic is gone.As his sixteenth birthday approaches, Kellen falls back on his cunning in a bid to avoid total disgrace. But when a daring stranger arrives in town, she challenges Kellen to take a different path. Ferius Parfax is one of the mysterious Argosi - a traveler who lives by her wits and the three decks of cards she carries. She's difficult and unpredictable, but she may be Kellen's only hope...The first in a rich and compelling fantasy series bursting with tricks, traps and a devious talking squirrel cat.

"Gloriously escapist fantasy."
Observer

"A larky, twisty fantasy adventure"
Sunday Times

"One of the best young-adult novels I've seen in a long time."
Philip Womack, Literary Review

The story continues in "Shadowblack".