The Magician's Secret: The Coming of Age of a Magician

Illusions of Power #1

by Charles Townsend

Voted Best Fantasy Book of the Year and Best Thriller of the Year by the three million members of the Online Book Club.

Practical Joker Delvin sets up as a magician after being falsely accused of murder and inheriting the murdered magician's magic tricks. But strange things seem to be happening. Is he performing real magic and not just tricks? Is there a secret that he doesn't know? He desperately need to find out.

When the ruthless Princess Jarla hears about him, his problems really begin. She believes his magic is real, and she forces him to join her in trying to stop a war with a neighbouring country.

What is this secret that The Guild of Magician's are so determined to keep, that they kill anyone who learns it?

Delvin will need all his cunning and skill with magic tricks to succeed and survive.

Comments taken from Online Book Club's reader's

"I couldn't put it down."

"Amazing plot...one twist after another."

"Pulsating, nail-biting story...one of the most exciting books I have ever read...masterpiece."

"It is up there with Harry Potter."

"You delve into the world of Delvin and experience the ride of your life."

"Contains interesting Characters...for example Princess Jarla, a fierce, sarcastic, snarky and stubborn woman that scares her enemies and is not afraid of anything."

"If you love a story somewhere between Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and Pirates of the Caribbean, you will enjoy this fantasy."

Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Mystery

279 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 9, 2023

Reviews

[Kalyn Cerce · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 🌟

This book was overall not too bad, I really liked the idea of the story but the execution of the story line and plot was lacking. The characters were interesting to read about it, but I felt very little connection to them. I did really enjoy the banter between Delvin and Jarla, but I found myself getting bored with all of the descriptions of places because I felt them to be unnecessary but overall this was a very cozy, easy to read fantasy and I would definitely recommend to younger fantasy readers 😊

[Anita Radeva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Започнах книгата с очаквания за чудесен магически сюжет, принцеси и кралства, супер сили и смешни ситуации. Донякъде очакванията ми бяха покрити, но уви книгата е написана с наивен младежки маниер, не успява да задържи вниманието на читателя със задълбочени разсъждения или супер силни магически моменти.
Проследявайки премеждията на главният герой Делвин, попадаме в различни ситуации, с тенденция всичко да се влошава и да става по-опасно. На моменти историята ставаше наистина интригуваща, но изведнъж настъпваше развръзка и всичко се решаваше по изключително опростен начин. Много ми допадна второстепенната роля на принцеса Джарла, с мистичния си тъмен и заплашителен образ. Тя вдъхна динамика в иначе тъй обикновения трип на главните герои. Главната завързана история за война между две кралства беше интересна идея, но не достатъчно добре представена, нито нападенията, нито емоциите, нито атмосферата. Като цяло книгата загатва чудесна история за млад магьосник, който уж има потенциал за развиване на способностите си, но ние така и не виждаме кой знае какво от тях. Не мисля, че бих дала шанс на втората част на книгата, която се очаква в някакъв момент.

[Bo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Super slow and very repeatative plot. Was not worth the time reading. Plot had potential but never panned out and was boring. Almost didn't finish...

[Reena · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m rating this book one out of five stars. (1/5)
I initially enjoyed that the reader was thrown into the story right away but I got lost quickly in the events of the first chapters.
In my opinion too much happened too fast and in an unrealistic way. An example for this is that characters who acted a certain way one page, behaved like the extreme opposite the next page.
I was also dissatisfied by the way the narrator portrayed the characters feelings, especially the main characters feelings. Instead of portraying the variety of feelings that accompany for example grief, simple terms were used (sad, angry, happy…). His thoughts and opinions were kept short and were not elaborated further in any way. This made the main character seem two dimensional and made it difficult to feel compassionate towards him. It also resulted in the main character seeming unreasonable and overall gave him an immature/ unlikable and unrealistic image.
He, and the other characters did not feel like real people with depth and their own personalities and opinions, they rather acted how it would fit into the plot and they didn't "stick" to their previous opinions, or we're unnecessarily mean and impulsive.

Because of all of this it was almost impossible to get to know the characters, because not only did the reader not know what they feeling or thinking, because of the constant change in character and impersonal way of narrative, it was hard to know what the characters were like.
The maincharcter in itself was a really dense and annoying character. He often acted without reason and even after one whole book you know nothing about him. We don’t know his age, his past or any of his close relatives and friends because he barely interacted with them, which made it seem as if he didn’t care about them at all. He sometimes acted like a stubborn teenager, sometimes like an adult.

Furthermore, the writing of this book was really unsatisfactory and repetitive. Very simple expressions and words were used and also overused. Variety in ways to begin sentences were rare and often, phrases were used several times. It was overall just very repetitive and boring.
I noted one grammar/spelling mistake.
The first thirty percent of the book also consisted of almost only descriptions of situations and conversations, recounting almost whole chapters in indirect speech. This added to the feeling that the plot felt random and honestly not worked out properly. It also took away from the opportunity to get to know side characters better through their way of speaking and their opinions.
People who were supposedly close to the main character remained unknown to the reader.
A lot of times during the book there were scenes that felt random and didn't contribute to the plot in any way.

The world building was basically nonexistent.
The reader was thrown into the story without really knowing at what time it was and what the general politics were. That information was kind of dumped in the reader half way onto the book as well as way description that had way too many names and were too confusing to actually understand, especially if they're only mentioned once and then pretty much never again.
What was mentioned, were the price of every single thing they bought, which was way too much information after the third time especially since the money value was never once explained.

Often, there were places and events described in a long and boring way. They didn't add to the story at all and just confused the reader because they were described like they were relevant information even though it turned out they weren't.

Also, even though there were no profanities, there were quite a few scenes that were brutal and where people were attacked, killed and threatened in rather explicit descriptions. There was no trigger warning for that.
There was no explicit sexual content, even though it was hinted at some times. I rate the sexual content thus zero out of five.

All in all, the book had few elements that I liked. The general idea of the story was not bad, the execution was simply deeply unsatisfying. The characters and plot felt under composed and not planned throughout.
They acted unrealistically and overall really immoral and mean, as well as immature and impulsive.
The writing was repetitive and constisted of too much indirect speech and too many descriptions.

[O'Train Disene · Rating 1 out of 5]

Moving but directionless. The plot was all over the place that I could not keep up with it. The characters were colourless and were not not attractive, thanks to too much narration and less dialogue. Nothing to offer in the world of magic. I don't understand those who compare it to the Harry Potter series. Guess that they haven't read Harry Potter because there is no way this book is the same as it. It was a mess.

[Dallas Ashbay · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

[Ali Asjad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title : The Magician's Secret
Author : Charles Townsend

Summary

"The Magicians Secret”, by Charles Townsend takes readers on a captivating journey where the realms of magic and reality intertwine. Set in the town of Eldoria the story revolves around a magician who holds the key to a mystical secret. As the plot unfolds, our character, along with a group of individuals embarks on a quest that unravels layers of mystery while testing their beliefs and resilience.

Overall Impressions

Charles Townsend masterfully crafts a mesmerizing narrative that seamlessly blends elements of fantasy with the intricacies of emotions. This novel serves as a testament to Townsends storytelling prowess delivering an enthralling tale that transcends genres. The writing style captivates readers through its descriptions and meticulous attention to detail.

Plot, Pace and Structure

The plot of "The Magicians Secret" is a woven tapestry laced with twists and turns. The pacing is skillfully calibrated, striking a balance between moments and contemplative pauses. The non linear structure adds a layer of intrigue by revealing the characters backstories and motivations.

Character Development

The characters in Eldoria are richly layered, each experiencing growth throughout their journey, within this narrative.
The characters adventure is truly captivating as they wrestle with finding themselves and facing challenges. The other characters play a role, in making the story more intricate adding layers to the plot.

Use of Language and Descriptions

Townsends choice of words is both eloquent and evocative completely immersing readers in the enchanting atmosphere of Eldoria. The detailed descriptions create an experience bringing the aspects to life. Unforgettable quotes and passages leave a lasting impact enhancing the effect of the story.

Emotional Impact

"The Magicians Secret" takes readers on a journey evoking a range of emotions, from awe to heartbreak. Townsend explores themes of sacrifice, love and the consequences that come with possessing powers. There are moments in the story that deeply touch readers causing them to contemplate the complexities of nature.

Themes and Messages

At its core this novel delves into the fascination with the unknown and how belief can bring about transformations. Townsend introduces ideas that encourage readers to question what is real and blur the lines, between magic and truth. The narrative subtly addresses issues, adding depth to its exploration of themes.

Strengths and Weaknesses

"The Magicians Secret" captivates with its enchanting storytelling, developed characters and thought provoking themes. While the intricate plot demands attention from readers it adds to the charm of the novel. Some may find elements a bit challenging to fully grasp.

Recommendation

I highly recommend "The Magicians Secret" for those seeking a blend of fantasy and pondering. Fans of realism and narratives driven by crafted characters will be particularly enthralled by this novel.
The captivating and intellectually stimulating nature of the story makes it a great choice, for those looking for an engaging read.

With a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars "The Magicians Secret" receives praise for its enchanting storytelling, developed characters and profound philosophical elements. Townsends skill, in immersing readers into the world of Eldoria is evidence of the enduring charm that this novel holds.

[Silver_scar · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
The story starts off well with an interesting plot.
Devin is a smart, observant and a brave character. I really enjoyed the raillery between Delvin and Jarla. The characters were interesting to read, the plot was also decent.
Things it lacked was plot and character development, I didn't feel the connection with them. There were not much description about the characters, hence was difficult to understand their perspective.
The first 50 pages just goes on describing his daily routine, and chores working as magician and nothing significant about the plot.
There was an Ubrupt flow of the story line, not very smooth, written in 3rd person, would have been great if it were written in Delvin's pov.
Overall great book, writing was up to standard.
Great dive into fantasy .

[S. Jeyran Main · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘The Magician’s Secret’ is a thriller about Delvin overcoming a tremendous ordeal of proving his innocence on a crime he never committed and a mysterious piece of treasure with magical properties that is wanted by all.

The novel is fast-paced, and you are instantly invited into Delvin’s world. The descriptive nature of the storyline provides details and all the difficulties Delvin and his friend, Jarla, face trying to create peace in the lands.
The connection between Delvin and his friend was exceptionally delightful. It added a certain dynamic to the story, which induced more excitement and enchantment. I appreciated how Jarla brought certain characteristics out of Delvin, making him more relatable and likeable.

The author’s style of writing and the way the scenes were presented was entertaining. If you are into science fiction and enjoy drama, action, adventure, and magic, this book is for you.

[Subarna Banerjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Magician’s Secret by Charles Townsend is a Studio Ghibli-esque coming-of-age story filled with adventure and trickery set in a fantastical universe where actual magic coexists beside the closeup sleight of hand sort. However, unlike most novels of the young adult fantasy genre, Townsend’s novel takes a unique approach to the narrative.

The novel is set in a war-torn land and follows a young teenage boy, Delvin, who sets out to make a living as a magician. Little does Delvin know, that true magic exists and the men who wield this magic are about to hunt him down for a pesky heirloom he inherited from his mentor. As Delvin gets caught up in the intricacies of the war, he meets Princess Jarla and a few other intriguing characters who become his companions on the journey they take to stop the war and thwart the magicians. While doing so, Delvin must also solve the puzzle of this crystal his mentor left him; and what does it have to do with the secret the magicians were using for their purposes?

Throughout the narrative, we see Delvin coming into his own as a magician and surviving the many scrapes he and his unlikely friends get into. Stories following this kind of narrative usually possess tight pacing with a focus on the urgency of the stakes laid down by the plot. They are meant to be exciting reads that keep a young mind engaged. However, Townsend takes a different approach in his novel. A typical novel of this genre would have someone like Princess Jarla as the protagonist, with the reader following her in the quest to stop the war, which would be the story's primary conflict. In contrast, since the reader sees through Delvin’s eyes, the focus is more on the little details of everyday life that they experience and there is a detached tone throughout. While the war is still the main overarching conflict that keeps the plot moving, it is merely a background against which the narrative unfolds. Instead of following the typical fantasy heroine with stakes in the war, we follow Delvin who does not care about it much. And this bleeds through into the narrative.

There is a significant portion of the novel that is devoted to the travels of the group and details of the terrain. This is a deliberate choice since earlier in the novel, there is a scene where Delvin and his friend leave their town to travel to a city to make a living and that is barely given any time on the page. While this detached tone and focus on details of everyday experiences might make the plot slow or tedious for some, it gives a Ghibli-esque quality to the novel which is rare in this genre.

The language of the book is mostly straightforward and simplistic, and the tone is casual. In my opinion, it has all the elements that would make it very appealing to a demographic of young boys who enjoy magic and make them interested in a genre that is primarily dominated by a readership of teenage girls. There is a focus on closeup magic and the main character getting in and out of situations where he has to use his skills of disguise and imagination, it deals with serious issues such as war or gender discrimination but doesn’t linger on them long enough to disturb a reader or draw them away from the “cool” things happening in the story around Delvin.

Aside from Delvin, the side characters are interesting and the female characters are well-written in their own right despite being a story aimed at young boys, which is remarkable. The descriptions of the setting are rich and extensive with accompanying maps, and the plot itself is quite solid and fun.

There is little to no sexual content and no profanity within the pages of the novel. Neither is there any blasphemous or offensive content. My only qualm with this book is that it contains several grammatical and punctuation errors and typos, and it would appear to benefit from a thorough round of editing.

For the aforementioned reasons, I would rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. I would highly recommend this to preteen and teenage boys who take an interest in magic, and to anyone who enjoys young adult fantasy or Studio Ghibli-esque stories.

[NICODESO · Rating 4 out of 5]

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been consumed by stories of circuses, fairgrounds, midgets, and acrobats. There’s something magical about magicians, even if it’s all smokescreens, chicanery, and sleight of hand. So I had to read The Magician’s Secret, written by an author who himself is a member of the Magic Circle.

Charles Townsend's world-building is excellent in this odyssey adventure set in feudal times, with the kingdoms of Hengel and Argent at odds with one another. There are castles, royals, commoners, village elders' trials, and so on, which all contribute to a delightfully immersive reading experience.

The story starts with local prankster Delvin being accused of murdering an old magician, who eventually dies, but not before redeeming Delvin and leaving him a few magical belongings. Delvin and his friend Greg relocate to Hengel, willing to take a chance on the unknown and perform magic shows. The exchanges between the two friends and the inn's owner, Mistress Wilshaw, provide numerous laugh-out-loud moments. Life is beautiful—Delvin and Greg make good money and are popular with the girls, but everything changes after Delvin gets arrested. Princess Jarla believes he has true powers and enlists him to embark on an arduous voyage to Argent with the kidnapped Princess Fionella to stop the war.

As I previously said, the novel is an odyssey, and readers will quickly find themselves transported to medieval villages, dressing in disguise, hiding in haystacks on horse carts, and even using rabbits to distract adversaries. I found some descriptions quite poetic and beautifully understated; for example, the ancient tree under which executions took place was described as having branches that “seemed bare and threatening against the sky.”

The book contains several poignant themes and lessons, including friendships between boys and girls, accepting responsibility for the animal one tames, and having the fortitude to start over in a new location. Many of these will resonate with readers of all ages.

The characters were well-sketched out, and Delvin is particularly likeable—not so much Princess Jarla. It seems like the author wanted to drive home a point about class divisions and power play by repeatedly referring to Jarla kicking her travel companions to wake them up and order them around. For all her feistiness and bravery, there was something crass and unattractive about how she treated people she deemed inferior to her. It’s a cold reminder that commoners are expendable even if they save entire kingdoms and royal bloodlines. They can be paid off for their services through a messenger and banished into oblivion until the next need arises.
That’s just how it is.

This book is suitable for young adults and older teens. While not overtly sexual, it suggests interactions in which characters spend the night together. There were a few editing oversights, but nothing too serious. I found the part where Delvin bumbles through the castle after his capture to be a little long-winded. The same was true for the discussions between Jarla and the Generals, as well as the drawbridge sequences.
Nonetheless, I would rate this book 5 stars because it was a riveting read overall, with a humor quite reminiscent of P.G. Woodhouse.

I'd love to see The Magician's Secret turned into a film and directed by Todd Phillips.

[Abbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Magician’s Secret by Charles Townsend is a fantasy novel that follows Delvin. After accidentally inheriting a magician’s belonging, Delvin moves to Hengel. He planned on being your everyday magician, the kind that tells fortunes and performs at children's parties. He couldn’t have been more wrong when he gets thrust into an adventure with Princess Jarla to stop a war. And throughout this journey, Delvin discovers that there may be real magic behind magicians’ tricks.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I couldn’t put it down. I loved the plot twists because they were unexpected without being over the top. I found the characters to be very likable. I love Delvin. He has a knack for getting himself into bad situations but is clever enough to find a way out. I also really liked the magic system and thought it was excellent world-building. I’ve noticed that many fantasy novels tend to have ridiculously powerful magic along with an overpowered main character. The magicless often have no chance of beating magic wielders. That wasn't the case in this book. Magic provides an advantage to those who wield it, but that doesn't make the wielders unbeatable. And the main character wasn’t more powerful than experienced magicians. I would like to see magic explored further in the next book. I also loved that the book had maps. I love to keep track of the path characters take throughout a story, and the map of the two countries made that very easy. This book is also what I look for in the first novel in a series. Most loose ends are tied up enough for it to feel like there’s a resolution to the plot. But there are just enough loose ends left that it seems like it will be easy to smoothly tie in the next book and keep the reader wondering in the meantime.

The only thing I disliked about the book was the editing. It didn’t seem like it was professionally edited. I found many instances of forgotten commas and some other errors. The errors are mild enough that they didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. The first few chapters also had some awkwardly phrased sentences. The sentences were grammatically correct, but they were a little awkward and disrupted the flow of the story. Thankfully that was only in the early part of the novel.

I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. I wish I could rate it 5 out of 5, but I can’t bring myself to with how numerous the grammar errors were. It's a good story that I thoroughly enjoyed. It just needed to be edited better. I hope the following books in the series will be as well written but better edited.

Most teenagers and adults who read fantasy novels would enjoy this book. There is a caveat to the teenage age range, though. There is no explicit sexual content; however, the author implies that some characters had sex several times throughout the novel. It’s usually as simple as mentioning that a character spent the night with a woman. Those instances usually further the plot. I don’t think it would bother most readers, but parents of younger teens should be aware. Older teens and young adults would probably enjoy the book the most.

I received this book for free to review through Online Book Club.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it.

This book was such a refreshing story to read. Starting from the way the plot was set to the way, the author wrote the book. The book began with a surprise but despite that, the author did an amazing job of setting us back on track quickly. There was no difficulty in understanding what was happening in the plot, from start to end. The author did an amazing job, once again, at concluding the story of the first book yet hinting at the second book. There is no messy cliffhanger but rather a good conclusion for the first book that leaves one satisfied enough to end with this book. That being said, the whole book was set up for the second book and I believe that the second book will help clear some mysteries from the first book. The mysteries from the first book are stand-alone and not super integral in understanding the plot of the first book but that being said, they are super interesting mysteries that I hope the second book covers.

The characters are well thought out and well planned. They act according to their social roles and do not seem to have this flare of fantasy, making them “unrealistic.” By that I mean, they are not exaggerated in their stereotypes but rather blossom into their characters from that set of characteristics applied to them.

I must compliment the author's writing style. At no point did I have any confusion about what was being said nor did I have to take a double read because of confusing stylistic choices. There were a few pleasant new vocabulary that I learned along the way but it did seem overwhelming or overbearing. 

There are a few mature topics within the storyline but the author does not go in depth. I appreciate this because it adds a sense of realism to the story. When these topics arise the characters are often busy with something else and so the topic isn’t explored in-depth. At times mature topics are discussed in depth to add a sense of importance to the scenario but that can sometimes derail the reader from the plot at hand. At no point throughout the story does the author delve too much into something outside the main plot. We follow the main character and we follow his train of thoughts. There is no confusing POV switch where suddenly there is a shift of the character's POV and then extra narration for the sake of world-building. The author does all that but in a smooth transition through the main character's POV. Not only that, but we see the world through the main character's eyes and not the reader's, which is refreshing because there is a set perspective throughout the story. To which, I appreciate. 

The book was amazing and I look forward to reading the second book. If you want a refreshing fantasy story that is quick and to the point, I highly recommend this book. 

[Debora Santo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young magician's unwanted travel adventure

The Magician's Secret is the first book in the now fully published Illusions of Power trilogy by Charles Townsend. Although the story is set in the fantasy genre, the plot is not so much based on magical elements, but rather on strategies and tricks typical of the kind of magicians who perform tricks and illusions in front of an audience.

Plot

The story follows our main character, the young magician Delvin, as he tries to clear his name after being falsely accused of certain crimes. The book is written as a travelling adventure, alternating between cozy and dynamic elements, sprinkled with many opportunities for Delvin to come up with clever deceptions to save himself and his fellow travellers through dangerous situations where they are often on the verge of being caught.

Positives

What I liked about the story is its cosiness, the occasional bickering between the main characters and the many clever and few cute moments in the story.

Space for improvement

Overall, the story has the feeling that many short stories have been inserted into the same larger story and are sometimes not fluidly connected. There are also parts with extensive descriptions with lots of details that seem unnecessary and slow down the pace of the story for no good reason. The magic system is not complex, but is skilfully woven into the plot. However, the world building is not very deep and the characters, aside from a handful of main characters, are not very developed.

Target audience

The book contains no profanity and there are only a few occasions where sexual interactions are vaguely hinted at. Based on the overall writing style and skill of the author, I think this book would be best suited for older teens and young adults. Although the plot itself has potential, it is noticeable that the author does not have as much experience and training in writing and I feel that the author did not receive thorough expert feedback on the draft prior to publication. There are no major errors in grammar or in the plot itself, but there are parts that could have been deleted to improve the pacing of the story without losing important details.

Final rating

Overall, I give this book 2/4 on the 4 point rating scale because it was a good story, but not something I would recommend to other adult fantasy readers. I think it would be good to market the story to a younger audience instead. I rate it 3/5 on the 5 point rating scale as it had an interesting premise and plot, but was just average due to the execution of the story.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through Online Book Club for an honest paid review.

[Rachel Sullivan · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's Wish's and Temu's version of Merlin

I didn't much care for this book, most of the characters were poorly developed, 10 characters were introduced in the 1st chapter alone (40 plus characters throughout the book and we only get to know 5 of them), and most of the chapters are very short where more could have fleshed out cardboard characters. There was no real description of most characters only a small handful of them. The entire time I was asking myself why should I care about these characters? A great number of grammatical errors and the author does not put question marks in a number of sentences spoken in the form of a question.
The magic system is kinda mediocre as not much is shown how it works or why it works the way it does. We are told that only magicians can use magic stones and crystals with no real lore or explanation as to why. In certain area's of the book it was entertaining enough to maintain my interest enough to finish this book. The pacing of the book was lacking pretty hard chapters 2-9. A lot of FILLER... Things didn’t really seem to pick up the pace of the plot until Delvin begins adventuring with Jarla, Maegar, and Grimbolt.
Why I gave this book 2 stars? 1 star was that it was entertaining just enough that I finished reading instead of DNF. The 2nd star was that I liked some of the funny scenes enough to make me smile, but not enough to laugh. A nice plot twist halfway through to keep my interest was helpful. My biggest issues is that most of the characters feel very flat in personality and have no real dimensions to tell them apart. I think a big part of that was the author put one too many characters in this book. Too many characters in such a small book with little to no character arcs or character growth.
I did enjoy the antagonist...the evil magician (who oddly enough as much as he makes an appearance he has NO name!). I will give the author credit that this antagonist came across as very menacing and posed a great threat which was a nice way to keep the story going when it was slowing down too much.
I don't think I would recommend this book to anyone honestly. I think the author should work on their characters, pacing, and story structure as the end felt very anticlimactic. I felt like the climax was glossed over and moved right to resolution. A disappointing read for me.

[Kate Edz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished The Magician's Secret, and I have to say, it was a great read overall. The story starts off with Delvin, who’s a bit of a prankster, suddenly finding himself in a much more serious situation when he’s falsely accused of murder. He inherits all the magical tools from Burlock, a magician who was killed, including this mysterious magician’s stone that has the power to control thoughts.

At the beginning, I found it a bit slow. It took me a few chapters to get hooked, but once Delvin is taken to the palace, things really picked up. I didn’t expect the twist where Delvin and Princess Jarla have to work together to return Princess Fionella to her kingdom. But then there’s another twist—Fionella isn’t even the real princess! The plan to have the maid Maegar impersonate her and go to Hengel made things even more intriguing. Plus, learning about the magician's stone and its power to control minds added another layer of mystery that I really enjoyed.

While reading, I found myself imagining what life was like in the old days, with no electricity, just candles lighting the rooms. The way magicians would entertain people back then was so interesting to think about. It really gave me a sense of how unpredictable life can be. Delvin starts off as just a small-town prankster, but by the end of the book, he’s caught up in this much bigger world of magic and royal intrigue.

One thing I wish had been done better is the character descriptions. I would’ve liked a bit more detail about Delvin, so I could picture him better in my mind. I also think it would’ve been nice if the story had been told from Delvin’s point of view, instead of having a narrator—it would have made me feel more connected to him. And maybe a little bit of romance would have added something extra, but that’s just me!

All in all, I’d give The Magician's Secret 4 out of 5 stars. Once it got going, I found myself really enjoying the twists and turns. I’m curious to see how Delvin’s character will develop in the next book because I feel like there’s a lot more to uncover. If you like fantasy with a bit of mystery and unexpected plot twists, this book is definitely worth a read!

[Diana Chirinos · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of this book didn't hook me at first because I didn't understand much of the plot of what was happening to Delvin, but little by little and as the reading progressed I became more and more immersed until I couldn't stop reading it.
It is light-hearted, comical and has a bit of drama, romance, action, suspense and of course magic and fantasy. The way Delvin is becoming a magician is great even for him. It introduces us to that world of magic where we would not be able to tell which is true and which is the trick.
The way the author writes is easy to understand and the characters are very well described, you clearly imagine what they could be like in real life, from the innocent to the cruelest.
It is ideal for young people since there are no very explicit sexual scenes, but it is assumed that they happen, so parents should be aware of the age at which this book could be read.
The book demonstrates the value of family, of true friendship, what loyalty means, of believing in yourself and your abilities with the conviction to fight for your dreams no matter what, so as always every action has its consequences and that you should take some time before making a decision, especially when you have the power to change and transform lives. The plot is full of secrets and little by little they will be revealed, leaving some undiscovered for the next books, which we hope will be as interesting and captivating as this one.
At the end of the story, it leaves you wanting to continue reading to see what new challenges and adventures Delvin will experience throughout his life as a magician. So it is excellent news that it is a Saga and you can continue reading this author's books and be entertained by the life of Delvin and the other characters involved.
I found it to be an easy book to read so I would rate it a 4 out of 5, I found it to be a charming and fun story, I know it is a fantasy book but there are things that could have been written a little more realistic, especially in terms of to Delvin's emotions.

[Chiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

L'irresistibile fascino della magia ha attirato a sé il giovane Delvin dal giorno in cui ha conosciuto l'incredibile mago Borlock, noto a tutti in città per i suoi trucchi formidabili e le sue pozioni d'amore. Il mago lo aveva preso sotto la sua ala per insegnargli qualche trucchetto, fino a che una notte fatale tutto finì. Delvin non ricordava cosa fosse successo. Tutto ciò che sapeva era di essere andato a parlare con Borlock come faceva sempre dopo ogni spettacolo, e di essersi all'improvviso ritrovato in piedi, con la gamba di una sedia in mano, accanto al corpo incosciente del mago, steso in una crescente pozza di sangue. Aveva appena ucciso la persona che ammirava di più al mondo? O era stato incastrato? Ma da chi? E chi era l'uomo in nero che lo fissava dall'altro lato della stanza? Era forse lui il vero colpevole?

Delvin scoprirà presto di chi si tratta, dal momento che sarà proprio lui ad accusarlo dell'omicidio del grande mago. Fortunatamente la verità viene a galla, e Delvin è libero. Ma si sente profondamente tradito dalla sua città, che era pronto ad accettare la sua esecuzione senza battere ciglio. Così decide di ricominciare altrove. Ciò che non sa è che lo aspetta una nuova avventura, durante la quale scoprirà un enorme segreto che non avrebbe mai nemmeno potuto immaginare, e si ritroverà a fuggire dalle guardie nel tentativo di evitare che scoppi una terribile guerra. Sarà degno di sostituire il mago Borlock? Sarà all'altezza di un tale livello di responsabilità? E la magia è reale per caso, o si tratta solo di trucchi e inganni? Per scoprirlo, leggete The Magician's Secret di Charles Townsend.

Mi è piaciuto davvero tanto leggere questo libro. È una piacevole fuga in un mondo di finzione. È molto facile affezionarsi ai personaggi, soprattutto al protagonista, Delvin, che ha una personalità molto interessante. The Magician's Secret è sorprendentemente realistico per essere un libro sulla magia, e l'autore è stato in grado di fornire un discreto numero di dettagli che hanno reso la lettura coinvolgente. La costruzione del mondo fantastico è brillante (l'autore ha incluso anche delle mappe all'inizio del libro), con parecchi riferimenti che ricostruiscono l'estetica del Medioevo. Ho trovato la natura descrittiva della narrazione molto affascinante, ogni capitolo pieno di dettagli intriganti. Ho anche apprezzato il contrasto con il ritmo piuttosto accelerato della trama. Townsend non ha perso tempo a catapultare il lettore nel bel mezzo degli eventi, e forse è proprio questo che rende la lettura di questo libro così piacevole. Non appena inizi a leggere il primo capitolo, non puoi fare a meno di leggere di più. È scorrevole, e non ci sono punti morti.

Ho trovato alcuni errori, ma piuttosto irrilevanti, a dimostrare il fatto che il libro è stato accuratamente editato. Questo mi porta alla conclusione che questo libro merita non meno di cinque stelle su cinque. Dall'inizio alla fine, Townsend ci ha regalato una bella storia piena di sorrisi, suspense e un notevole elemento magico. Lo trovo perfetto per tutti gli amanti del genere, ma non solo; è ottimo anche per chi apprezza semplicemente una lettura fluida e accattivante e vuole immergersi in una storia magica davvero innovativa. A causa di alcuni episodi brutali però, non è appropriato per i bambini.

[Logan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Magician’s Secret follows a young man during a time of discovering who he is, making a living on his own and being roped into wild adventures. The book began with a great story hook and was very captivating! The book started out with an air of mystery and confusion. As the story progressed I noticed many conversations between characters seemed very forced. The interactions between characters in the beginning did not contain a natural flow of dialogue. The first half of the book was written in a choppy manner. What I mean by written in a choppy manner is the main character jumped from place to place without any real plot purpose. It seemed very sporadic and without any deeper explanation as to why the main character traveled from place to place. The beginning seemed only present to explain what occurs in the second half of the book. The first half of the book lacked its own plot complexity. As the story progressed into the second half, the plot became easier to understand and wasn’t as sporadic. The characters that are introduced throughout the story add great dynamic to the group of travelers that is followed throughout the story. The subtle use of magic also sprinkled throughout added an aspect of fantasy. I really enjoyed the plot twists that occurred during the second half of the book! There were at least two major plot twists that I did not see coming! These plot twists added story complexity rather than just falling flat. They helped strengthen the story and add new characters and issues that got in the way of our main group of characters. As the story wrapped up, it had a satisfying ending. I would liked to see more character development at the very end of the story. For the most part the book had an interesting story. It was hard to get into, but the magic aspect helped pull me in towards the end. I would have loved to see more romance and magic in the story. There were a few spelling errors present, yet not too many.

[Rozzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delvin Farmhand, a common farm boy, one day is left holding some bloody rags which turned out to be Borlock, the magician’s clothes. Delvin called for help but became accused of murdering him instead. Delvin figured he must run away. Luckily, Borlock wakes up and tells everyone that Delvin didn’t hurt him. Before Borlock dies he gifts Delvin with a magic stone that Devlin must protect. Delvin decides to leave Byford for Hengel along with his friend Greg. As Delvin is finding work as a magician, magic isn’t all its cut out to be and lands Delvin in hot water repeatedly, especially when he gets taken by Duke Poldor. His daughter, Princess Jarla helps Delvin escape just to take Fionella her father’s love interest. Delvin, Jarla and Fionella are now on a dangerous quest to return Fionella back home while trying to prevent war and not getting killed in the process too.
What a fantastic harrowing nail-biting fantasy adventure that all ages will instantly love! The phenomenal world building is easy to visualize, the characters magically shimmer with life and the well written story moves along rapidly making it a joy to read! Even magic becomes a character and just part of the book. Of course, in the beginning it did just kind of plop you in the story jarringly with the main protagonist, Delvin holding some bloody rags, yet the quick-fire way Mr. Charles Townsend got Delvin out of that was pretty genius! So yes, I even felt the confusion along with Delvin of what exactly happened. So, it was even a really clever trick in bringing the audience into the story too. I can see this book becoming a tale that young and old will immediately fall for. There are some questions that don’t ever get answered but that is alright and there are even 2 other books to read which yes, I will read just to see what happens with everyone, plus maybe the questions posed will be answered anyway. Do I recommend this story, yes, I do for all ages 12 and up!

[Mel T · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Magician's Secret is the first in the Illusions of Power series by Charles Townsend. This is my first book by this author and I wasn't sure what to expect, however I found myself quickly drawn in to this entertaining tale of magic and adventure. When Delvin's magician friend unexpectedly dies, leaving him all of his worldly belongings including a mysterious crystal, Delvin decides to take the opportunity to start a new life in a new town to try his hand at the craft. Joined by his friend Greg, Delvin settles in a town called Hengel and sets up shop selling potions, telling fortunes and staging magic performances. As he settles into a routine and begins to perfect his technique, Delvin has a few unusual occurrences that make him start to wonder if there is actually some real magic at play. An encounter with a mysterious woman sets off a series of events that change Delvin's life - he is arrested, imprisoned and shortly thereafter broken out by Princess Jarla who flees with him and visiting Princess Fionella of Argent in a quest to return Fionella to her father and stop the war between the two towns. What follows is an adventure filled with suspense, intrigue, mystery and plenty of twists and turns as the companions face challenges and danger while Delvin begins to discover his abilities and secrets of the Magician's Guild are revealed.
I rated this book 4 out of 5 - I felt it had a bit of a slow start, with some scenes and dialog that didn't contribute greatly to the plot. Once the story got going, I found the character development robust, with interesting and quirky characters - Jarla's death nails, Grimbolt ("Captain Grybald to you!") and engaging dialogue. As the story unfolded I found myself drawn in as the adventure and suspense ramped up to an exciting conclusion.
I would recommend The Magician's Secret for all ages from tweens to adults. I'm looking forward to finding out what's next for Delvin, Princess Jarla and Grimbolt!

[Jordi Segura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is relatively interesting, and it was an enjoyable read, but it lacks a few traits that would really help improve it.

While the storyline is engaging and the plot is solid, based on a good premise, the book could use some additional descriptive detail. The settings and characters are often introduced with little description, which makes it difficult to get inmersed in the world the author is trying to create. Without enough imagery or descriptions, the narrative feels somewhat flat and underdeveloped.

Another issue is the emotional tone of the book. Much of the writing is very straightforward or bland, which can make the story feel boring. There are moments that seem like they should carry emotional weight, but they’re presented in a plain manner that doesn’t convey enough feeling. As a result, it’s hard to form a strong connection with the characters or feel truly in their journeys.

Additionally, the structure of the book could use some improvement. The pacing is uneven, and the organization of events sometimes feels irregular. Transitions between scenes or chapters are not always smooth, which can lead to confusion and make it difficult to follow the plot. Readers may find themselves needing to reread sections to fully understand what’s happening, which disrupts the flow of the story.

A small problem was the typos. There were many typos and grammar errors in the book, and that should be taken note of.

Despite these shortcomings, the book does have its strengths. The concept is intriguing, and there are glimpses of creativity and originality throughout. With more attention to descriptive language, emotional depth, and narrative structure, this book could be significantly improved and become a much more compelling read.

In its current form, it may appeal to readers who prefer a more straightforward, raw content style, but those looking for a deep and immersive story might find it lacking.

[Irene Meazzini · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The Magician’s Secret” is undoubtedly an entertaining novel for teenagers, and it is perfect for those who love magic and adventures.
I generally appreciated the writing: the descriptions don’t use too many words but are very effective and the author has a highly immersive narrative style. To some readers the type of description of the environments that the author uses may seem boring, but I like to immerse myself in the story and its setting.
I found the vocabulary used by the author very suitable for the historical period in which the book is set, and I didn’t find any words or sentences that took me out of the atmosphere that had been created.
However, one flaw that I perhaps found was in the dialogues: sometimes they seemed a little too hasty, as if they were an interview rather than a conversation between two characters.
As regards the characters, I think that was done a very different job on each of them; for example, I found that Jarla was characterized very well, while Delvin’s character, the protagonist, didn’t have that convincing characterization as princess Jarla, as mentioned below.
Princess Jarla is my favourite character; she’s tough and doesn’t let anyone push her around and can handle herself perfectly eve on her own.
The world building and the magic system are simple as the plot; the main mystery is precisely how magic work, and this is the most interesting thing of the story, in my opinion, but this takes place in the first half of the book. Perhaps I would have liked this mystery not to be resolved so quickly but to be explored better.
Despite these notes I made, I enjoyed reading it; it’s an entertaining story, a journey story full of different adventures and situations.
It is a story suitable for adults and teenagers, but not for children because there are some violent scenes, especially if Jarla is involved.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I often enjoy fantasy novels and this one did not disappoint. It had a lot of action, humor and interesting characters. I was drawn in from the first page and wanted to know what was going to happen next. It was a fast read and a great escape from a long day at work.

I really fell in love with Delvin right away as he narrowly escapes death and decides to find his way as a magician. Pretty quickly he is set on an adventure to help stop the war between Hengel and Argent. I really enjoyed Delvin's ability to think on his feet and use the art of distraction, a magician's trick, to get through some sticky situations. He is an unlikely leader in that he is quirky, young and obviously not strong or skilled in combat. That made me like him more. I was rooting for Delvin throughout the book and especially loved his relationship with his rabbit, Freda, and his ability to understand that animals are influenced by emotion, not thought, which saves him a few times. I also enjoyed his relationship with Princess Jarla which added some humor.

My main criticism included the author's descriptions of places. The way the author described how Delvin was navigating different geographical locations was stated in a long and confusing way. It was descriptive in a way that came across as confusing which hindered rather than enhanced the narrative. Another concern was how often the description of money was used to purchase things felt unnecessary to the story. I also wanted more insight into Delvin's background. A few more details in the author's character descriptions would have drew me in even further.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting and fun to read. It am looking forward to the next installment in the series.

[Lara Rudolph · Rating 2 out of 5]

Summary:
Following the death of a friend, Delvin decides that he wants to follow in his friend’s footsteps and become a magician. So he set off with his friend, Greg, and Borlock’s possessions to start fresh in Hengel. After a few magic tricks, something started to happen and Delvin was soon wondering if magic was real. This eventually led him to a big adventure with a cunning and strong willed princess. Is magic real? And what are they searching for?

Positive:
I liked how good the storyline was and how the author stuck to the idea he had. The twists and turns made me want to continue reading to find out what happens next.

Negative:
I didn’t like the lack of connection with the character. I didn’t feel a connection with any of the characters in the book and I barely cared if anything happened to them.
I also disliked the writing style because it felt like tragedies just kept happening to the characters even after something bad just happened to them. I do not have anything against the author, Charles Townsend, and will try to read another of his books.

Rating:
I gave The Magician’s Secret a 2 out of 5 stars. The reason I didn’t give the book a 1 is because I personally wasn’t a big fan of the book but it wasn’t so bad and I can see how other people might like the book. I also didn’t give it a 3 because the writing style put me off the book and I almost didn’t want to finish it.

Recommend audience:
I think The Magician’s Secret is best for young adults and people that love fast reads. This book reads easily and fast and will pull a young adult’s and maybe teenager’s attention.

I received a free copy of this book thanks to OnlineBookClub.org and the author.

[Nessa’s Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meet Delvin, a charming trickster turned reluctant magician in The Magician's Secret. After being falsely accused of murder, Delvin takes on the mantle of a deceased magician, complete with a bag full of secrets and magic tricks that might be a bit more real than he bargained for.

This isn’t your average coming-of-age story. As Delvin masters his craft—albeit reluctantly—he finds himself tangled in a web of intrigue, danger, and a lot of very real magic that threatens to turn his world upside down. And just when things couldn’t get more complicated, Princess Jarla enters the picture, believing Delvin’s tricks hold the key to preventing a war. Cue the dramatic plot twist.

What I loved most about this book was Delvin’s witty, self-deprecating voice. He's trying to figure out who he really is, magician, trickster, or something more and honestly, he’s just trying to survive.

The world-building is on point, and I found myself swept up in the political tension, magic tricks, and ever-present sense of mystery. There’s also the added bonus of murderous guilds, royal drama, and a lot of moments that kept me on the edge of my seat.

Delvin’s journey is one of discovery, not just of magic, but of himself, and the stakes have never been higher. Will he solve the magician’s secret before it’s too late?

If you’re a fan of fantasy with a touch of humour, mystery, and high stakes, The Magician's Secret is a must-read! I can’t wait to see where Delvin’s adventures take him next.

[AISYAH NASIR · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never thought I would be so engrossed with the story when I first picked up the book. I managed to read almost 50% of the book in one sitting. Since it is a fantasy book, I expected it to start very slowly and darkly. Yet, I am so grateful that this book is different. I reckon the beginning of the book makes the story stand out to me, which is why I believe the author has done a great job with the plot. At first, I thought some of the events were unnecessary. But as I read through the book, the details strengthened the story and intrigued me to keep reading the next chapter. I absolutely love that it is fast-paced. It prevents the story from getting dreary.

I also appreciate the author for writing the book clearly. It is very straightforward and there is little to no incomprehensible jargon, which I despise when reading fantasy books. Moreover, I think it is genius the way the author implies the belief that magic is indeed real by creating the main character to believe the opposite. It helps people to distinguish between tricks and magic.

Nonetheless, I give this book 4 stars for the beautiful experiences it offers. I really enjoyed reading it and could not wait for the sequel

However, I am disappointed with Delvin, the main character. I could not feel the intensity of his emotion quite well. He lacks emotions and feelings towards certain things in the story. I was confused when he did not have an immense reaction after being blackmailed by Princess Jarla. I do not think his response resembles reality.

[Brittany · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great potential, poor execution

Overall, I was excited to read this for the plot line. A young man thrown into wizardry after a mysterious death and his adventure surrounding finding the killer. However, it’s apparent there wasn’t any editing or rewriting done after the first draft.

The book contains grammatical errors throughout the text, but not anything eye catching enough to affect reading. However, the author could have done with some trimming on all of the extra side plots and “twists” throughout. I think the book would have come together much more smoothly had some trimming been done on the plot complications and been more focused on character development, relationship building, and dialogue.

The main character, Delvin, left much to be desired. Again, the tale is fantastical and Delvin had some many opportunities for development but instead remained very one-note throughout the book. He never seemed particularly bothered every time he was captured, arrested, or thrown into other unsettling situations.

Jarla, I had hoped, would bring some more excitement to the book. However, like Delvin, she never went through any character development and her dialogue was never exciting or shocking for the type of anti-hero character she was throughout.

My hope is with the next installment of this series, the author takes more time to build the characters.

[Brittany Baker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, I was excited to read this for the plot line. A young man thrown into wizardry after a mysterious death and his adventure surrounding finding the killer. However, it’s apparent there wasn’t any editing or rewriting done after the first draft.

The book contains grammatical errors throughout the text, but not anything eye catching enough to affect reading. However, the author could have done with some trimming on all of the extra side plots and “twists” throughout. I think the book would have come together much more smoothly had some trimming been done on the plot complications and been more focused on character development, relationship building, and dialogue.

The main character, Delvin, left much to be desired. Again, the tale is fantastical and Delvin had some many opportunities for development but instead remained very one-note throughout the book. He never seemed particularly bothered every time he was captured, arrested, or thrown into other unsettling situations.

Jarla, I had hoped, would bring some more excitement to the book. However, like Delvin, she never went through any character development and her dialogue was never exciting or shocking for the type of anti-hero character she was throughout.

My hope is with the next installment of this series, the author takes more time to build the characters.

[Halima · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Magician's Secret is a thrilling fantasy story about a young guy who gets into troubles is accused of muder and inherits magic . The book has a great storyline and the characters are designed well even though the other characters backstory isnt explained well but delvin was well developed and I absolutely loved jarla she is so badass. I was somewhat confused at the beginning but that happens when reading fantasy as the settings keep changing i felt like was on an emotional roller coaster and i got to see devlin grow throughout the book and meet good friends on the way it was funny too but I would have loved more romance in the story .The novel wasn't fast paced at all it was prefectly fast paced with the right amount of everything and I actually liked how dramatic the ending was . I would rate the novel 4.5 out of 5
I am writing my own book as well so this really helped with the setup its really well written i felt like i was in the book and part of its world . Overall, it is a very intriguing book that kept me hanging on for the tension filled plot twists . I really liked the book and would recommend if u enjoy reading mystery and magic I would definitely read the other books in the series and write my reviews on them as well because this book was engaging and I just love enchanting stories this book can be read by everyone of all ages