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Essence Wielder #1
The Serpent Stairs
Dax Nelson was destined to protect the empire. When he’s gifted the power of an unusual essence, everything changes.
The Great Serpent grants a gift of powerful essence to those who come before him. The experience, and the gift, is unpredictable but all have a vision of the Great Serpent so they can understand the purpose of their essence.
Not Dax.
With his new essence, rather than learning from his father, he now must go to the Academy to learn to control his essence. It’s not fire as all in his family possess, but even the most powerful in the Academy don’t know what it is—or what it means for Dax.
And the only thing he remembers from his visit to the Serpent Stairs may be key to stop an attack on the empire, if he can understand his essence in time.
Don't miss the start of a new Progression Fantasy series from bestsellers Dan Michelson and D.K. Holmberg. This is coming-of-age magic academy fantasy with a weak-to-strong progression into power.
The Great Serpent grants a gift of powerful essence to those who come before him. The experience, and the gift, is unpredictable but all have a vision of the Great Serpent so they can understand the purpose of their essence.
Not Dax.
With his new essence, rather than learning from his father, he now must go to the Academy to learn to control his essence. It’s not fire as all in his family possess, but even the most powerful in the Academy don’t know what it is—or what it means for Dax.
And the only thing he remembers from his visit to the Serpent Stairs may be key to stop an attack on the empire, if he can understand his essence in time.
Don't miss the start of a new Progression Fantasy series from bestsellers Dan Michelson and D.K. Holmberg. This is coming-of-age magic academy fantasy with a weak-to-strong progression into power.
490 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 25, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 15, 2024
I cannot even get past the 2nd chapter!! I've already stumbled across AT LEAST five blaring grammatical errors or omissions.
The story may be amazing, but I'll never know because with that many errors before page 25 of an ebook I feel with relative certainty this problem will only continue, and will drive me insane.
Who proofed and edited this book? They should compensate the author for their horrendous job!!
The story may be amazing, but I'll never know because with that many errors before page 25 of an ebook I feel with relative certainty this problem will only continue, and will drive me insane.
Who proofed and edited this book? They should compensate the author for their horrendous job!!
August 27, 2024
A compelling starter
This is clearly the first in a series of. Pivotal characters are introduced, a conflict is set up between knowledge and lust for power. Tension is built up as the central characters work to learn to control their gifts, and learn some truths about their world. I am eager to read the rest of the story.
This is clearly the first in a series of. Pivotal characters are introduced, a conflict is set up between knowledge and lust for power. Tension is built up as the central characters work to learn to control their gifts, and learn some truths about their world. I am eager to read the rest of the story.
October 17, 2024
This is an interesting take on the kid goes to magic school trope and the world defiantly feels bigger then what's going on on campus. You have rebellion and mysteries from the very beginning. you have a kid in AP classes that cant figure out the practical application for his magic and it frustrates him and makes him more likeable.
I am giving the book 2 ratings the overall story with all its questions is a 4 but the writing style is a 3. this is because the MC is kind of angsty and overthinks his lack of practical skill during action scenes and its distracting. Relatable yes but also distracting.
I hope the next book fleshes out other characters. They seem interesting and I want to know how their stories fit in with the mystery and I want the MC to be more confident. maybe if he is less in his head it will fix the pacing for me.
I am giving the book 2 ratings the overall story with all its questions is a 4 but the writing style is a 3. this is because the MC is kind of angsty and overthinks his lack of practical skill during action scenes and its distracting. Relatable yes but also distracting.
I hope the next book fleshes out other characters. They seem interesting and I want to know how their stories fit in with the mystery and I want the MC to be more confident. maybe if he is less in his head it will fix the pacing for me.
September 4, 2026
Sounds Like a Dragon to Me
With Michaelson and Holmberg teaming up for this Essence Wielder series, how could it possibly disappoint? Not going to happen! With the angst of growing up, thinking they should know more than their years, these students face parental and teacher expectations. Who will put their trust in the wrong person? Who will conquer their fears of failure and step up before it is too late?
With Michaelson and Holmberg teaming up for this Essence Wielder series, how could it possibly disappoint? Not going to happen! With the angst of growing up, thinking they should know more than their years, these students face parental and teacher expectations. Who will put their trust in the wrong person? Who will conquer their fears of failure and step up before it is too late?
September 1, 2023
Okay. Controlling "essence" is way too much... The shadowy characters that are introduced JUST when they are needed. A plot that plods along painfully slowly, then, suddenly, it is time to wrap up the book.
As I finished it, I asked myself why I bothered.
As I finished it, I asked myself why I bothered.
October 31, 2023
too much essence
Liked the book but it went on and on and on about understanding the essence to the point I was going to stop reading. Just decided to continue and I’m glad I did the last few chapters were much better reading.
Liked the book but it went on and on and on about understanding the essence to the point I was going to stop reading. Just decided to continue and I’m glad I did the last few chapters were much better reading.
December 30, 2023
Talk to much
Just too much talking and nothing else, the main thing is what is my essence over and over.. They talked a lot even going into a home.. Took two paragraphs to move into a building, just too much!!
Just too much talking and nothing else, the main thing is what is my essence over and over.. They talked a lot even going into a home.. Took two paragraphs to move into a building, just too much!!
February 14, 2024
Self plagerism?
A good read,but after reading another of his series it is the same weather essence or source,the achademy the students, their atypical powers,it is basicaly the same book
A good read,but after reading another of his series it is the same weather essence or source,the achademy the students, their atypical powers,it is basicaly the same book
March 6, 2024
Great plot and that’s about all I can say good about this book. No meat to the story , felt like it was pumped out too quickly.. this was a disappointment could have been Epic. Felt rushed and had little to no depth.
November 15, 2024
good start
Loved the storyline and the focus on essence. Just hoping the books in the series don’t over repeat like other series by these authors have done. But loved the start of this one.
Loved the storyline and the focus on essence. Just hoping the books in the series don’t over repeat like other series by these authors have done. But loved the start of this one.
April 29, 2025
Different magic system
Good story, inventive magic system. No typos or grammar mistakes, but the narrative had hiccups in places. Like part of the story had been edited out. Still, I’ll read the next in the series.
Good story, inventive magic system. No typos or grammar mistakes, but the narrative had hiccups in places. Like part of the story had been edited out. Still, I’ll read the next in the series.
November 13, 2023
Very good one sitting read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
February 15, 2024
Great serpent
This book gets better and better as you move along in it. It just goes to show that determination can make a huge difference.
This book gets better and better as you move along in it. It just goes to show that determination can make a huge difference.
March 13, 2024
Really slow to start off . For me the pace only picked up past the 66% mark. I'm glad I got to the end but it was a lot of work to get there. Hopefully 2nd book is better in pace
April 7, 2024
Gripping saga
I love it I want more of this can't wait for the next book well done to you both see you soon
I love it I want more of this can't wait for the next book well done to you both see you soon
May 27, 2024
Totally enjoyed it! This is a well written and has well developed characters. The story is catching and with the strong characters makes for a very enjoyable read. Great Reading Everyone!
June 6, 2024
Fantastic!
A coming of age fantasy story. The interaction between the characters is authentic and fun.
A coming of age fantasy story. The interaction between the characters is authentic and fun.
September 13, 2024
I love magic and fantasy but this was difficult to finish
January 7, 2025
250 pages of nothing.
10 pages of a MacGuffin and no explanation.
DNF.
10 pages of a MacGuffin and no explanation.
DNF.
April 3, 2025
2.5 rounded up
August 15, 2025
awesome
This book was great to read I can’t wait until the next one hope it is as good as suspense as the first one
This book was great to read I can’t wait until the next one hope it is as good as suspense as the first one
April 20, 2026
Two Authors, Zero coordination
The number of times the protagonist says I can't do something in one chapter then does it in the next, then goes back to not being able...
The number of times the protagonist says I can't do something in one chapter then does it in the next, then goes back to not being able...
July 28, 2026
★★ - Beneath Expectations : Boring | Overhyped | Overdone
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews