I was pretty happy with this book in general as it was a fun read and fairly engaging. It did remind me of another book series from another author but only in the comedic sense. The characters were all real defined and interesting and in some ways the support characters were stronger and more memorable than the main character. 
 Main character Gerald Dunwoody is a wizard of the 3rd level and seemingly incapable of any real magic or holding a job. He tramples through life until he answers an ad for a court wizard out of necessity. Desperate for work, he forgets to ask the important questions and accepts the position out of hand not realizing his life was about to change forever. Accompanied by his companion Reg, a female talking bird with a history and support from his genius wizard friend Monk Markham, Gerald finds himself in a political situation like no other. 
 Karen Miller writing as K.E. Mills does a good job of creating a believable world and comical but yet serious situation to create her series in that keeps the readers nose in the book and wondering what is coming next. With a limited setting, Miller does what most authors don't which is to tell a real story about characters, growth and companionship. My only real complaints are the lack any real sense of time period and a twist that seemed fore shadowed but led a different direction. It's hard to imagine what the world looks like except for a couple points in the book in which Miller gets a bit more detailed. 
 All in all it is a good book with solid character development and a story that compels you to keep reading to find out what happens. A solid 3 1/2 stars out of 5 for me as it is a light read. It is definitely worth the read and following up with the other books in the series.