I had to return this book.

The MC is just so cringe worthy. You want him to grow and do something but he doesn't he spends the entire book being used. Pathetic over and over. It was a cool idea but then throw away side characters (well more like run away side characters because he literally runs away from places like 3 times in the book) who you get like a little blurb about and then nothing about their past. He doesn't actually connect to anyone. Then the whole book the MC is straight and shows no interest in the other sex, then there is one random gay kissing scene which I think it is supposed to be like actual love not a fling but like I said not explained for more than a sentence, and then all of a sudden the MC is straight again and never talks to the guy or anything wth didn't you love him and care just so deeply for him? I don't have a problem with one or the other but like no context no reason for it and then it was just left there like it never happened. This happens with other parts of his character, he will act chivalrous but then not save best friend. He vomits because he caused pain to a rabbit but he will mass slaughter human like water people with giant lighting bolts and not bat an eye. It is like the author tried to sneak in random troupes and edgy plot twists that have no substance and just happen so they author could say he put them in his book. It was really frustrating.

21 people found this helpful

Surprisingly Well Written

I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of writing in this story. The magic system is well thought out enough to explore how such a system interacts with the physical world in ways similar to other natural phenomena. I also enjoyed that the relationships between characters managed to always be genuine. Character interaction was in service to character development, not just plot development. I look forward to the next installment of the series.

6 people found this helpful

Wonderful Start to Intriguing Book Series

This was a lovely start to this series. It had notes of Rothfuss' Name of the Wind with its school setting and awesome main character. The magic system is probably the most unique and mathematics that I've read in a while, but still pretty easy to grasp. Spencer Dillehay was also a wonderful narrator and I can't wait to hear more from him - his voice sometimes reminded me of Nick Podhel who is my favorite narrator and an instant buy from me!

5 people found this helpful

Cancer Mage - basically, Hashtag Radiation

it's a just 'OK' the story and writing are pretty good the narrator leave a bit to be desired. I'm reviewing mostly though most of the book. it's like a 5.5 out of 10, if that help.

4 people found this helpful

Its good.

Valentine definitely put a lot of thought into how magic could exist in a world that follows the same physics as our reality. The main character has a chosen one quality, and the the over all plot was very original. I found this book sitting in the LGBTQ category. I'm always excited to see positive LGBTQ+ representation in books however this one felt a bit forced. The romance and build ups of tension simply wasn't there. While the character romances were definitely foreshadowed (or at least suggested) in some chapters it felt lackluster upon on impact and almost forced. I understand this isn't a romance novel and I'm happy it isn't, but that area was a bit grey. Subtly can go a very long way. The universe these characters live in feels almost as if everyone is possibly bisexual and the backlash of sexual orientation seemed not to exist. Then again who knows, maybe in this book filled with magic, malice and monsters, it doesn't follow the same rules of religious dogma and implicit biases as our own universe. Overall it was a good read and I look forward to later installments. Lastly one thing that caught me off guard where most writers fall short, is J.P. Valentine executed a fantastic ending that left me curious and wanting more.

4 people found this helpful

Another author who follows after Mercedes Lackey

I really want to like this series. it's a coming of age story for a truly unique magician I'm this world, but the hard magic system that the author so painstakingly crafted is really dampened by the fact that they seem to be following the Mercedes Lackey approach toward their LGBT protagonists by giving them shockingly tragic story arcs that force me to put the book down because I can't stand the depressing state of their characters treatment anymore. the first book touches on it to an extent, but the rabbit hole of sadness just grows ever deeper during the second and third book to the extent that I will not be finishing the series. You have been warned.

1 person found this helpful

Great book!

Great book and the narrator did a great job. The only thing I didn't like was the pronunciation of a few words like inexorable. Every time it was used I had to take a couple seconds to understand what they said.

1 person found this helpful

Solid Story, interesting Magic system, LGBT rep

I enjoyed the story and the voice acting, I want more! Declan our protagonist is curious and active but can be a bit flat or one dimensional in his pursuits, some supporting characters fall into this too. But the world building and lore is strong. And we have some much needed bisexual representation! Over all I highly enjoyed and am curious to see were Declan and this fantasy world go. If you want a decent coming of age story with action, fantasy and lore to immerse yourself in, this is the one. Reminded me of a Shounen adventure manga mixed with D&D. Fantasy fans are welcome!

1 person found this helpful

Overly complicated

This could have been fun, but it's not. Instead of giving us a world to live in and characters to care about. We get explanation after explanation about how the magic works. That's about it for half of the book. So I stopped.

a good read

i liked it however the point of view was difficult to me as it seemed to switch between 3rd person and 2nd person. The characters are generic but their world building is really good.