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Mechanized Wizardry #1
The Wizard That Wasn't
Never trust a wizard.
They’re all filthy, addle-brained con artists peddling superstitious nonsense. Horace Lundin doesn’t believe in their magic. The Petronaut technician works with steel and steam in the workshop, maintaining the mechanical suits of armor his masters wear. There’s nothing magic can do that technology can’t do better.
So he thinks, until he witnesses the power of wizardry first-hand.
That fateful day gives Lundin and his Petronaut colleagues an idea. What if magic didn’t have to be chaotic and messy and unreliable, like the wizards who practice it? What if it could be as simple as throwing a switch? Putting their resources and their reputation on the line, the technicians cobble together a music-box magician, programmed to speak the arcane words punched out on its disks…
…and it works.
But the Petronauts can't hide their discovery in the workshop for long. There’s danger brewing in the city of Delia. When Princess Naomi is laid low by dark magic, her only hope for survival may rest with Horace Lundin and:
"The Wizard That Wasn’t."
A novella-length adventure full of action, magic and humor.
They’re all filthy, addle-brained con artists peddling superstitious nonsense. Horace Lundin doesn’t believe in their magic. The Petronaut technician works with steel and steam in the workshop, maintaining the mechanical suits of armor his masters wear. There’s nothing magic can do that technology can’t do better.
So he thinks, until he witnesses the power of wizardry first-hand.
That fateful day gives Lundin and his Petronaut colleagues an idea. What if magic didn’t have to be chaotic and messy and unreliable, like the wizards who practice it? What if it could be as simple as throwing a switch? Putting their resources and their reputation on the line, the technicians cobble together a music-box magician, programmed to speak the arcane words punched out on its disks…
…and it works.
But the Petronauts can't hide their discovery in the workshop for long. There’s danger brewing in the city of Delia. When Princess Naomi is laid low by dark magic, her only hope for survival may rest with Horace Lundin and:
"The Wizard That Wasn’t."
A novella-length adventure full of action, magic and humor.
130 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 24, 2011
1 person is currently reading
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 31, 2012
It's always a pleasure to discover a new indie author who knows how to tell a good story.
The Wizard that Wasn't moves along at a good pace. There's always something happening, and the stakes are always high - and always personal for the characters. The characters, in turn, are distinct, their motivations are clear, their conflicts are understandable.
There's humour, but also drama. Sometimes there's humour and drama at the same time, as when the protagonist is shut in a closet running a machine that he hopes will rescue the princess, and has to come up with ever wilder excuses about what he's doing in there so as not to get shut down.
I listened to Ben Rovik's zestful reading on Podiobooks, and as soon as I'd finished I bought the ebooks of both this and the sequel (which I'm currently enjoying).
If you want to see what it looks like when dieselpunk-fantasy is done well, get hold of this one.
The Wizard that Wasn't moves along at a good pace. There's always something happening, and the stakes are always high - and always personal for the characters. The characters, in turn, are distinct, their motivations are clear, their conflicts are understandable.
There's humour, but also drama. Sometimes there's humour and drama at the same time, as when the protagonist is shut in a closet running a machine that he hopes will rescue the princess, and has to come up with ever wilder excuses about what he's doing in there so as not to get shut down.
I listened to Ben Rovik's zestful reading on Podiobooks, and as soon as I'd finished I bought the ebooks of both this and the sequel (which I'm currently enjoying).
If you want to see what it looks like when dieselpunk-fantasy is done well, get hold of this one.
May 13, 2019
A pleasant surprise. Well written, with a memorably different setting and magic system and vivid characterisation. Rovik isn't blowing any minds with the plot though, and that's why it falls short of five stars from me.
May 12, 2019
•podiobook/libre vox•
I loved the podiobooks because some of them had sound effects - like this one.
Steampunk fantasy written the right way. I started this one then switched to another steampunk with supernatural. I REALLY liked this one more!
The characters were fun and lively. The narration (by the author) was engaging. The world building was subtle and wholesome. The plot moves along flawlessly and quickly.
Strongly recommended. I need more great story telling like this!
I loved the podiobooks because some of them had sound effects - like this one.
Steampunk fantasy written the right way. I started this one then switched to another steampunk with supernatural. I REALLY liked this one more!
The characters were fun and lively. The narration (by the author) was engaging. The world building was subtle and wholesome. The plot moves along flawlessly and quickly.
Strongly recommended. I need more great story telling like this!
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August 30, 2019Hmm, not as interesting as I thought it'd be based on the description. It feels more like an introduction, rather than an entire book. A bit long for an introduction, I know, but there it is. More character development, more world building, and of course, more magic tech would make this a much better book.
Regardless of all of that, it's a decent read, and if you have some time, and you're looking for something to read, this tale may interest you.
Regardless of all of that, it's a decent read, and if you have some time, and you're looking for something to read, this tale may interest you.
August 16, 2011
Seeing as how this is written by my husband, I think my review should be seen as 100% totally biased. As a result, I'm going to keep this super short. That said, I liked it a lot. He manages to create believable characters within a fascinating plot structure. The first novella is pretty short, so I don't want to give anything away. He starts off with steampunk mecha, then introduces punch-card computing as a way of casting spells. What's not to love?
Did I mention it has great female characters who are not in the plot merely as sex objects or to advance the male characters' stories? And that these characters are female because they happen to be female, not because the story demands it be a story about women.
Did I mention it has great female characters who are not in the plot merely as sex objects or to advance the male characters' stories? And that these characters are female because they happen to be female, not because the story demands it be a story about women.
February 17, 2014
Technically, I started and completed the book, Mechanized Wizardry A Novella. However, here it is renamed The Wizard That Wasn't. I thought the novella continued within this book, but no, it's only been renamed. So, I guess I have completed the story after all.
Petronauts are like our mechanical scientists, they create many useful tools. Then, there are the wizards. The story is about Lundin the petronaut who decides the magical powers of the wizards is hogwash and pageantry until proven otherwise. That actually, there is magic to be gained and used, but the way the wizards go about it, well the results are iffy. Lundin decides to build the perfect wizard.
Wizardry, somewhat steampunky science, treason, treachery, mechanics, and a kingdoms ruler to be saved.
Petronauts are like our mechanical scientists, they create many useful tools. Then, there are the wizards. The story is about Lundin the petronaut who decides the magical powers of the wizards is hogwash and pageantry until proven otherwise. That actually, there is magic to be gained and used, but the way the wizards go about it, well the results are iffy. Lundin decides to build the perfect wizard.
Wizardry, somewhat steampunky science, treason, treachery, mechanics, and a kingdoms ruler to be saved.
July 7, 2013
I liked this story :). Around round good, some humour in it, some good reactions by the characters to their situations, a good premise in the mechanization of wizardry.
I initially found this as a podcast, and quickly switched to the kindle. They aren't quite the same. I'm not saying either is better, I just like text more.
"Clean" writing in multiple senses, and so suitable for young readers, however I'm not a young reader and I enjoyed it too. Well written.
I initially found this as a podcast, and quickly switched to the kindle. They aren't quite the same. I'm not saying either is better, I just like text more.
"Clean" writing in multiple senses, and so suitable for young readers, however I'm not a young reader and I enjoyed it too. Well written.
March 23, 2013
This audiobook was a delight from beginning to end. I had no idea what to expect when I started it, but I was quickly drawn in by the wonderfully original world and intriguing characters. The author's narration is first-rate. I'll definitely be on the lookout for more in this series. If you like fantasy/steampunk that is fun, fast-paced and engaging, this book is for you!
April 6, 2013
This was a fun story, somewhat steampunkish for lack of a better description. I didn't know what direction it would take next. I'm defiantly looking forward to listening to the next book. Congratulations to another independent author, as my wife is also. You can find her on Goodreads as Charity Kountz.
March 28, 2013
Love this book. Action packed, funny, well written. Only complaint, is that nothing beyond the immediate needs of the story was addressed, so we don't really know much about the characters or setting. What we do find out is interesting though.
July 5, 2013
Good book. Cool, interesting story. Nice mix of steampunk and magic.
August 14, 2013
This was a very enjoyable book. I thought some parts were very funny. I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen next. Short but packed a lot in.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews