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Dawn of Wizards #1
The First Wizard
Before wizards, the races of magic held the power...
and enslaved humans.
Ian and Vic are brothers. Their lives are simple, and while they might long for excitement, happiness can be found in a hard day's work, a sunny day, or the smile from a pretty girl.
Their lives are turned on end when their village is attacked and they are taken as slaves, destined to labor under the watchful eye of their captors.
The strife that had long dominated much of the world had found them.
Things would never be the same.
Read on and discover how the first wizard came to be.
From international bestselling author Jeffrey L. Kohanek comes a fantasy epic filled with twists, magic, and discovery, certain to keep you enthralled and repeatedly saying "just one more chapter."
Download now. Your next great adventure awaits!
and enslaved humans.
Ian and Vic are brothers. Their lives are simple, and while they might long for excitement, happiness can be found in a hard day's work, a sunny day, or the smile from a pretty girl.
Their lives are turned on end when their village is attacked and they are taken as slaves, destined to labor under the watchful eye of their captors.
The strife that had long dominated much of the world had found them.
Things would never be the same.
Read on and discover how the first wizard came to be.
From international bestselling author Jeffrey L. Kohanek comes a fantasy epic filled with twists, magic, and discovery, certain to keep you enthralled and repeatedly saying "just one more chapter."
Download now. Your next great adventure awaits!
- GenresFantasyEpic Fantasy
500 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 24, 2023
2650 people are currently reading
3130 people want to read
About the author
Jeffrey L. Kohanek
79 books532 followersI love fantasy, adventure, and magic. More than that, I adore my readers.
My books are written to entertain -- fantasy adventures filled with compelling characters, spectacular magic, thrilling action, constant intrigue, and a sense of discovery. I equate them to the "Marvel Movie" version of fiction, intended to be a fun escape.
I would love to have you join me and my quirky characters for one outrageous adventure after another. With over a million published words, my author journey has just begun.
Best wishes,
Jeff
_________________________________
Jeffrey L. Kohanek grew up in rural Minnesota where comic books sparked his young imagination, inspiring fantasies of heroes with super-powers saving the day. His tastes later evolved to fantasy epics featuring unlikely heroes overcoming impossible odds to save worlds born from the writer's imagination.
Now residing in Las Vegas, Nevada, Jeff uses that imagination to weave tales of engaging characters caught in fantastic plots to inspire young adults and the child within us all.
_________________________________
"Would you like FREE books and access to exclusive content? Join my author newsletter, which frequently includes special offers and inside info on my books.
Join at www.JeffreyLKohanek.com and download a free eBook today." -Jeff
"I LOVE to hear from readers and fans. Connect with me through email or social media."
Email - author@JeffreyLKohanek.com
Facebook - /JeffreyLKohanek
My books are written to entertain -- fantasy adventures filled with compelling characters, spectacular magic, thrilling action, constant intrigue, and a sense of discovery. I equate them to the "Marvel Movie" version of fiction, intended to be a fun escape.
I would love to have you join me and my quirky characters for one outrageous adventure after another. With over a million published words, my author journey has just begun.
Best wishes,
Jeff
_________________________________
Jeffrey L. Kohanek grew up in rural Minnesota where comic books sparked his young imagination, inspiring fantasies of heroes with super-powers saving the day. His tastes later evolved to fantasy epics featuring unlikely heroes overcoming impossible odds to save worlds born from the writer's imagination.
Now residing in Las Vegas, Nevada, Jeff uses that imagination to weave tales of engaging characters caught in fantastic plots to inspire young adults and the child within us all.
_________________________________
"Would you like FREE books and access to exclusive content? Join my author newsletter, which frequently includes special offers and inside info on my books.
Join at www.JeffreyLKohanek.com and download a free eBook today." -Jeff
"I LOVE to hear from readers and fans. Connect with me through email or social media."
Email - author@JeffreyLKohanek.com
Facebook - /JeffreyLKohanek
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
April 28, 2024
Couldn’t finish
I got 43% of the way through and decided to cut my losses. This book has three major flaws.
1) A lack of character development- The characters lack nuance. They seem to have one driving motivation and nothing else.
2) Characters that act in less than believable manners based on the context. For example, the MC guesses that the Drow ambassador is up to no good and his first thought is that I should report him to the authorities. The same authorities that murdered his father, enslaved him and the rest of his family and keeps him separate from his best friend.
3) A plot that evolves glacially. I made it 43% of the way in and the MC who is supposed to be the first wizard has done nothing but learn Dwarfish.
With regard to number one, the characters a fairly shallow. It’s really hard to care about any of them.m
I got 43% of the way through and decided to cut my losses. This book has three major flaws.
1) A lack of character development- The characters lack nuance. They seem to have one driving motivation and nothing else.
2) Characters that act in less than believable manners based on the context. For example, the MC guesses that the Drow ambassador is up to no good and his first thought is that I should report him to the authorities. The same authorities that murdered his father, enslaved him and the rest of his family and keeps him separate from his best friend.
3) A plot that evolves glacially. I made it 43% of the way in and the MC who is supposed to be the first wizard has done nothing but learn Dwarfish.
With regard to number one, the characters a fairly shallow. It’s really hard to care about any of them.m
May 17, 2024
I almost never take the time to write reviews, but this book is so poorly written that I had to. The prose is pedestrian and sophmoric, the characters predictable and without development, and the plot based on uninspired tropes. Terrible world building with a terrible magic system. Something I do less than write a review is not finish a book, but I couldn't bring myself to finish this one. I made it just over 50% through and decided to stop wasting my time. In fairness, I probably shouldn't have read it after Sanderson. Do yourself a favor and go read Sanderson.
October 2, 2023
Jeff Kohanek masters the type of book where people come together or are thrown together by circumstance, then somehow part by choice or by force to establish their own parts of the tale, then at some point in the series come back together to round out a book or the series. It creates intrigue.
The main character Ian’s village is attacked and many people are killed. He and his brother, Vic, were trying to figure out life before the attack, and their choices are now gone. They have to figure out how to live in new, sad circumstances and whether they can do something about it.
There’s danger, magic, some romance (no detailed sexual description), battles, monsters, and more. Something about the writing in the book seemed different, maybe a little higher level or more formal than Jeff’s other stories. Maybe because Ian is an exceptionally intelligent character, the writing reflected it. That threw me off for a bit, I get caught up in language, then I got more and more into the story.
A flaw to me was that they become friendly with the leader of those that attacked the village and killed many - that was a bit hard for me to accept just because he didn’t want to do it.
I feel there is some mystery to Ian and why he is small and weak as there is a reference to some conversation with his mother. We’ll see if I’m right in later books! This book has a resolve to its main story but leaves so much more to tell. I’m ready for it!
The main character Ian’s village is attacked and many people are killed. He and his brother, Vic, were trying to figure out life before the attack, and their choices are now gone. They have to figure out how to live in new, sad circumstances and whether they can do something about it.
There’s danger, magic, some romance (no detailed sexual description), battles, monsters, and more. Something about the writing in the book seemed different, maybe a little higher level or more formal than Jeff’s other stories. Maybe because Ian is an exceptionally intelligent character, the writing reflected it. That threw me off for a bit, I get caught up in language, then I got more and more into the story.
A flaw to me was that they become friendly with the leader of those that attacked the village and killed many - that was a bit hard for me to accept just because he didn’t want to do it.
I feel there is some mystery to Ian and why he is small and weak as there is a reference to some conversation with his mother. We’ll see if I’m right in later books! This book has a resolve to its main story but leaves so much more to tell. I’m ready for it!
May 9, 2024
I wouldn't read again or another book but someone may like it
Reads as though it is a disjointed plot summary of a video game. Writing and sentence style could use work
Reads as though it is a disjointed plot summary of a video game. Writing and sentence style could use work
July 24, 2024
Tropes on tropes on weird grammatical choices.
Another coming of age, magical origin story about an inexplicably smart kid who survives by luck (or plot armor). It's not a bad story, and most of the characters are decently written, but there are so many seemingly pointless events that occur throughout that have absolutely no connection to the rest of the book. The actual "first wizard" event doesn't even happen until the last 48 pages.
On top of the mediocre story, the extremely odd and inconsistent lack of contractions in the written dialogue is, personally, infuriating.
Either use them as a person would in spoken dialogue like normal, or don't. The way contractions are used in this book makes the dialogue seem stilted, forced, and awkward. It's like the author tried to avoid using them for some unknown reason, but didn't totally succeed at taking all of them out of the final edit.
I wouldn't recommend this book unless you're looking for a book to kill a couple of afternoons and have nothing else to read.
Another coming of age, magical origin story about an inexplicably smart kid who survives by luck (or plot armor). It's not a bad story, and most of the characters are decently written, but there are so many seemingly pointless events that occur throughout that have absolutely no connection to the rest of the book. The actual "first wizard" event doesn't even happen until the last 48 pages.
On top of the mediocre story, the extremely odd and inconsistent lack of contractions in the written dialogue is, personally, infuriating.
Either use them as a person would in spoken dialogue like normal, or don't. The way contractions are used in this book makes the dialogue seem stilted, forced, and awkward. It's like the author tried to avoid using them for some unknown reason, but didn't totally succeed at taking all of them out of the final edit.
I wouldn't recommend this book unless you're looking for a book to kill a couple of afternoons and have nothing else to read.
October 17, 2023
The Drow also bear the title of dark elves. That is rather peculiar since they have very white skins and hair. No, their depiction rather stems from the black clothes they don, their ability to wield dark magic (like the singer called Rysdale) and their innate inclination towards treachery and things dastardly.
And it is this Rysdale and his crew of a hundred plus that intend to conquer the city Ra'Thal of the Tahal dwarve clan. By stealth.
It is also this very clan of dwarves that attacked a human city, called Shillings, killing any opposition and enslaving the rest...such as the brothers, Vic and Ian.
So, why would Vic and Ian then elect to help their oppressors when the dark elves raise suspicion of nefarious dealings with the dwarves?
The First Wizard really takes the reader into the far past of the wizardoms world and an enlightening epic adventure that draws one into a fascinating, compelling plot.
Author Jeffrey L Kohanek certainly knows how to keep readers spellbound.
Enjoy
And it is this Rysdale and his crew of a hundred plus that intend to conquer the city Ra'Thal of the Tahal dwarve clan. By stealth.
It is also this very clan of dwarves that attacked a human city, called Shillings, killing any opposition and enslaving the rest...such as the brothers, Vic and Ian.
So, why would Vic and Ian then elect to help their oppressors when the dark elves raise suspicion of nefarious dealings with the dwarves?
The First Wizard really takes the reader into the far past of the wizardoms world and an enlightening epic adventure that draws one into a fascinating, compelling plot.
Author Jeffrey L Kohanek certainly knows how to keep readers spellbound.
Enjoy
December 27, 2023
good book
Definitely worth reading. Jeffrey is an engaging author with a distinct talent for world building. This was my first time reading him, but I immediately sought out his box set and am now chewing my way through those 2000+ pages.
He doesn't try to reinvent the wheel. Mythical creatures are very Tolkien and the setting is very paolini. Please read it.
Definitely worth reading. Jeffrey is an engaging author with a distinct talent for world building. This was my first time reading him, but I immediately sought out his box set and am now chewing my way through those 2000+ pages.
He doesn't try to reinvent the wheel. Mythical creatures are very Tolkien and the setting is very paolini. Please read it.
January 2, 2024
The First Wizard
An excellent start to a promising series. The character build was sufficient to understand the motives, the storyline was compelling and enough to keep me interested . I’m not sure where this is heading , but I’ll definitely going to read book 2.
An excellent start to a promising series. The character build was sufficient to understand the motives, the storyline was compelling and enough to keep me interested . I’m not sure where this is heading , but I’ll definitely going to read book 2.
October 25, 2023
Great story that has two very different brothers whose lives were turned on end in at instant. I love seeing how wizards started and the story is vivid and full of twists and action.
January 2, 2025
Good Read
This is the start of something good! Can't wait to read the next one. It's a slow start, but it's intentional, and it builds the foundation for our main characters.
This is the start of something good! Can't wait to read the next one. It's a slow start, but it's intentional, and it builds the foundation for our main characters.
October 15, 2023
How the First Wizard came to be is a terrific book! I was thrilled and delighted the author decided to write about the origin of the wizards. The tone of this story is very different from the other Wizardoms books, as it should. We are talking wizards after all! I've read all the prior Wizardoms books and this book is just as good in it's own way. We have here , Humans, Dwarves, Elves, magic, odd friendships, intrigue and dangerous situations, all a trademark of this author and how he puts it altogether for exceptionally grand storytelling. . Two brothers, Ian and Vic, taken as slaves when their village is attacked. What they go through as slaves. How they are separated. How they plot escape. This is their story! I was immersed from beginning to end. It is a page turner! This is the kind of story you do not want to put down once you start reading. (I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest opinion of this story). The release date is coming soon so watch for it! You don't want to miss this one!!!
September 8, 2024
Pacing Issues
Overall the writing, world building, and characters are well done but the pacing is absolutely atrocious. The main theme of the book doesn’t happen until, not exaggerating, 90% through. The book goes on several tangents that seem like foreshadowing but ultimately go nowhere. I was not left looking forward to the next book.
Overall the writing, world building, and characters are well done but the pacing is absolutely atrocious. The main theme of the book doesn’t happen until, not exaggerating, 90% through. The book goes on several tangents that seem like foreshadowing but ultimately go nowhere. I was not left looking forward to the next book.
February 23, 2025
Not what I expected
A rather simple story. I found it boring and rather naive . Maybe, with some cleaning up of some small sections, this is more for children age10. For me it did not hold my interest, even though I don't mind reading a well written book for the younger readers once in a while. But then the story has to be well thought out, interesting.
A rather simple story. I found it boring and rather naive . Maybe, with some cleaning up of some small sections, this is more for children age10. For me it did not hold my interest, even though I don't mind reading a well written book for the younger readers once in a while. But then the story has to be well thought out, interesting.
December 23, 2024
A truly underwhelming book. The world building was fine enough with some interesting aspects but other than that it was quite disappointing. Plot moments and emotional moments were completely undercut by the fact that you could see them coming from a mile away with the somewhat depressing foreshadowing. Everything to do with Rina was just weird and made no sense. But I guess that has to do with all of the characters, the hamfisted overt characterization and and very forced character development was very hard to read as a lot of it just made very little to no sense at all.
All of this AND the book being so clearly supposed to be something to do with wizards and their introduction to a world but instead of anything that you would expect you get some random mfer appearing outta nowhere halfway through the book trying to be all mysterious who randomly makes the main character into a wizard 90% the way through the book. Yet another example of something being completely forced and unearned by the characters.
All of this AND the book being so clearly supposed to be something to do with wizards and their introduction to a world but instead of anything that you would expect you get some random mfer appearing outta nowhere halfway through the book trying to be all mysterious who randomly makes the main character into a wizard 90% the way through the book. Yet another example of something being completely forced and unearned by the characters.
June 27, 2024
Not good
I really tried with this book and managed 45% of it but gave up out of boredom. Simplistic plot points that often don’t make sense, such as inviting an enemy to do unknown magic in your own citadel without any consideration to risk? The characters all sound the same with the dialogue being overly simply most of the time.
It has some good elements, with some potential to the world building but also nothing particularly new with dwarves, elves, and humans.
I can only assume this book was supposed to be for young adults and I would avoid if you have any understanding of more complex character interactions.
I really tried with this book and managed 45% of it but gave up out of boredom. Simplistic plot points that often don’t make sense, such as inviting an enemy to do unknown magic in your own citadel without any consideration to risk? The characters all sound the same with the dialogue being overly simply most of the time.
It has some good elements, with some potential to the world building but also nothing particularly new with dwarves, elves, and humans.
I can only assume this book was supposed to be for young adults and I would avoid if you have any understanding of more complex character interactions.
September 1, 2024
Pretty poor plotting and writing.
Basic idea is a fantasy world where there is magic, but it is rare, and the dwarves are at a low state of conflict with elves and enslave humans to do their non-combat work for them. A weak and dreamer apprentice woodworker makes mistakes and is weak, and gets enslaved with his village and gets a chance to grow.
Sounds good, doesn't it? No. The writing is a little off, and the characters are not really fleshed out. And literally nothing much happens after the set up. The hero keeps making poor choices and never learns, and instead of learning or earning magic he just sort of gets warlock powers at the end.
Basic idea is a fantasy world where there is magic, but it is rare, and the dwarves are at a low state of conflict with elves and enslave humans to do their non-combat work for them. A weak and dreamer apprentice woodworker makes mistakes and is weak, and gets enslaved with his village and gets a chance to grow.
Sounds good, doesn't it? No. The writing is a little off, and the characters are not really fleshed out. And literally nothing much happens after the set up. The hero keeps making poor choices and never learns, and instead of learning or earning magic he just sort of gets warlock powers at the end.
March 19, 2024
I won a kindle copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway. I don't know how/why I entered the giveaway since I think the target audience is probably adolescent boys. As a result, it took me quite awhile to finish it.
May 6, 2024
Hoped for more
Went through book expecting development in wizards, but not much till the end. The way he gets magic in end makes me think less like a wizard from end and more like a war lock in dnd.
Went through book expecting development in wizards, but not much till the end. The way he gets magic in end makes me think less like a wizard from end and more like a war lock in dnd.
December 14, 2023
Just not for me
Just not good at all there 😕 😕 MC is a weak boy who has lactose intolerance always crying with no self respect at all.Not s enjoyable read at al
Just not good at all there 😕 😕 MC is a weak boy who has lactose intolerance always crying with no self respect at all.Not s enjoyable read at al
January 11, 2024
DNF at 5%.
The book reads like Warhammer Fan Fiction. Elves, Humans, Dark Elves and Dwarves live very closely together in Patchwork territories and fight each other...
The book reads like Warhammer Fan Fiction. Elves, Humans, Dark Elves and Dwarves live very closely together in Patchwork territories and fight each other...
February 22, 2024
GREAT READ FAST AND FUN.
May 15, 2024
great book
This was a really fun and enjoyable read and I enjoyed the characters very much. Can’t wait for book 2!
This was a really fun and enjoyable read and I enjoyed the characters very much. Can’t wait for book 2!
July 3, 2024
simple but engaging
Nothing extraordinary but easy to read and enjoy. Nothing wrong with drawing on the familiar threads of fantasy literature, it reads like a good D&D game.
Nothing extraordinary but easy to read and enjoy. Nothing wrong with drawing on the familiar threads of fantasy literature, it reads like a good D&D game.
September 21, 2023
A new adventure awaited me, an adventure that threw me around like a rag doll, starting immediately with war and betrayal. And that's only the prologue! Brothers Ian and Vic couldn't be more different. Ian is physically challenged, not handicapped or anything, but a srawny lad, whereas Vic is a strapping, handsome athletic boy. Ian longs for more than being an apprentice making furniture and Vic is content and rather arrogant, if I may say so. An attack by dwaves on their village, has many dead, with Ian, Vic and Ian's crush Rina, captured. That's when Ian discovers something usual, that's when things really get....Before you come to the conclusion that Vic is awful, let me dispel that immediately, he's actually a very nice guy, he actually does love his brother, he actually does want to protect him. There are a few POV's, notably Ian's, Vic's and Rina's. I loved seeing their perspective, I really enjoy various POV's, things look so different from each, given me a well rounded tale. I loved Rina, she's incredibly resilient even with everything she's had to endure, prior captivity and during. She's kind and sweet and genuinely likes our awkward Ian.
Drow and ogres and dwalves and trolls and dragons and griffins, the whole bang shoot come alive in this tale. The characters are simply awesome! Arangar, now King of his clan since the death of Gahagar, has to make tough choices, ones he despises doing, Korrigan is quite a sweetie, he's ashamed of what they had to resort to. I couldn't even begin to describe just how much but each one left a mark on me. Shria-Li is probably one of my favourites, she's sharp and questions everything, always on guard, always observing, always thinking through every gesture, word or utterance. And her gift, good gracious was that a shocker! But Fastellan, grrrrrrrrr! The characters go through many changes, not only physically and mentally but location as well, growing exponentially throughout. I loved seeing Vic and Ian together, their easy love and sibling banter, even when facing the unknown. And golly they certainly faced many a challenge! I got a real giggle when I met Arangoli, not quite the dwalf saviour they anticipated. And Revita! I love what she does with and to Vic. And when they encounter Truhan....oh my word, see what I mean? SO many awesome characters, so many awesome events, so many awesome everything, with the most unlikely of friendships forged, absolutely divine! ! Oh and there's a daring theft...and an even more daring escape.
Jeff brings every manuscript to life, like a beautiful vivid painting, a fully, brightly coloured showpiece, on display to be admired and revered. This new series is something different to Jeff's other books, darker, more raw and just as brilliant! His command of shaping characters is outstanding, his portrayal of them shows their complexity, I mean, would you feel sympathy for a race that killed and imprisoned people? To make them slaves? Yet Jeff does just that, he experty weaves into his story how desperate people are capable of desperate deeds. Well ok, dwaves aren't technically people....but you get me. So dwaves are the baddies right? Wrong! Oh it must be the Elves then, nope, wrong again! Just as I thought, ok, these are the villains, Jeff turns it around and I find myself sympathising with them! Geesh! Talk about twists! I'd be hard-pressed to find an author so talented in twists and turns! A very exciting story, alliances made, alluances sought, the need to survive dire. The intricacies, my word, the intricacies! As if he were a potter sitting at a wheel, moulding, shaping and reshaping , Jeff produced a book of great beauty, one I will treasure as a favourite amongst favourites. I cannot wait for this adventure to continue!
Drow and ogres and dwalves and trolls and dragons and griffins, the whole bang shoot come alive in this tale. The characters are simply awesome! Arangar, now King of his clan since the death of Gahagar, has to make tough choices, ones he despises doing, Korrigan is quite a sweetie, he's ashamed of what they had to resort to. I couldn't even begin to describe just how much but each one left a mark on me. Shria-Li is probably one of my favourites, she's sharp and questions everything, always on guard, always observing, always thinking through every gesture, word or utterance. And her gift, good gracious was that a shocker! But Fastellan, grrrrrrrrr! The characters go through many changes, not only physically and mentally but location as well, growing exponentially throughout. I loved seeing Vic and Ian together, their easy love and sibling banter, even when facing the unknown. And golly they certainly faced many a challenge! I got a real giggle when I met Arangoli, not quite the dwalf saviour they anticipated. And Revita! I love what she does with and to Vic. And when they encounter Truhan....oh my word, see what I mean? SO many awesome characters, so many awesome events, so many awesome everything, with the most unlikely of friendships forged, absolutely divine! ! Oh and there's a daring theft...and an even more daring escape.
Jeff brings every manuscript to life, like a beautiful vivid painting, a fully, brightly coloured showpiece, on display to be admired and revered. This new series is something different to Jeff's other books, darker, more raw and just as brilliant! His command of shaping characters is outstanding, his portrayal of them shows their complexity, I mean, would you feel sympathy for a race that killed and imprisoned people? To make them slaves? Yet Jeff does just that, he experty weaves into his story how desperate people are capable of desperate deeds. Well ok, dwaves aren't technically people....but you get me. So dwaves are the baddies right? Wrong! Oh it must be the Elves then, nope, wrong again! Just as I thought, ok, these are the villains, Jeff turns it around and I find myself sympathising with them! Geesh! Talk about twists! I'd be hard-pressed to find an author so talented in twists and turns! A very exciting story, alliances made, alluances sought, the need to survive dire. The intricacies, my word, the intricacies! As if he were a potter sitting at a wheel, moulding, shaping and reshaping , Jeff produced a book of great beauty, one I will treasure as a favourite amongst favourites. I cannot wait for this adventure to continue!
September 20, 2023
ARC: My honest review
The First Wizard is an EXCITING! INGENIOUS! WHIRLWIND! Of a BEGINNING to what is sure to become ONE HELL OF A FANTASTIC EPIC SERIES!
When it comes to Kohanek’s books I thought I knew what exactly to expect…but…alas…as so often I do…I discovered that I was wrong! So very very wrong. Kohanek was apparently hiding this twisting, turning, completely mind blowing, emotionally wrought story up his proverbial sleeve AND it is COMPLETE AND UTTER BRILLIANCE!
Illian or Ian has never been the big, burly, bronzy type…nope that more describes his older brother Vic. Ian has always been the shorter, weaker, sicklier one. But when the brother’s village is attacked by the most surprising and unanticipated beings—dwarves—the brothers and the rest of the village are taken captive and transported to the Dwarven City of Ra’Tahal where they are forced into slavery. The strong and able bodied men are forced to work the mines in dangerous and deadly conditions and the woman become servants. Lucky for Ian he has discovered a mind for languages and his intellect is valued among the dwarves and he is allowed to train as a translator. But the dwarves are few and beasts are plenty and other races are in search of alliances and Dwarven weapons and soon wicked plans are hatched and betrayal abounds and the brothers ultimately find themselves on a journey of self discovery and perseverance unlike anything they could have ever imagined.
This was one Kohanek book filled with twists upon turns upon betrayal upon secret revelations and it was unlike anything of his I’ve ever experienced. Although more serious in nature I really really enjoyed Kohanek’s ability to embrace a more classic fantasy side. It was wrought with intrigue and hidden cameos and unexpected tie ins and I was unable to put it down!
Strangely…I feel that Ian was suppose to be the main character of the series…and although I really enjoyed his character and I do love me a bookish type hero…I really found myself falling for his brother Vic. He had this loyal steadfastness that I yearn for in my male characters. And I just found him so endearing and exceptionally written.
So yep! The First Wizard is absolute unputdownable epic fantasy perfection and I just can’t wait to see where Kohanek takes this series in the next book! If you love epic fantasy that is the absolute perfect combination of political intrigue, desperation and betrayal, and darkness that leaves you reeling at every turn and yet has just the quintessential degree of hope weaved in to leave you desperate for the next word…sentence…book…then you just have to read THE FIRST WIZARD!
The First Wizard is an EXCITING! INGENIOUS! WHIRLWIND! Of a BEGINNING to what is sure to become ONE HELL OF A FANTASTIC EPIC SERIES!
When it comes to Kohanek’s books I thought I knew what exactly to expect…but…alas…as so often I do…I discovered that I was wrong! So very very wrong. Kohanek was apparently hiding this twisting, turning, completely mind blowing, emotionally wrought story up his proverbial sleeve AND it is COMPLETE AND UTTER BRILLIANCE!
Illian or Ian has never been the big, burly, bronzy type…nope that more describes his older brother Vic. Ian has always been the shorter, weaker, sicklier one. But when the brother’s village is attacked by the most surprising and unanticipated beings—dwarves—the brothers and the rest of the village are taken captive and transported to the Dwarven City of Ra’Tahal where they are forced into slavery. The strong and able bodied men are forced to work the mines in dangerous and deadly conditions and the woman become servants. Lucky for Ian he has discovered a mind for languages and his intellect is valued among the dwarves and he is allowed to train as a translator. But the dwarves are few and beasts are plenty and other races are in search of alliances and Dwarven weapons and soon wicked plans are hatched and betrayal abounds and the brothers ultimately find themselves on a journey of self discovery and perseverance unlike anything they could have ever imagined.
This was one Kohanek book filled with twists upon turns upon betrayal upon secret revelations and it was unlike anything of his I’ve ever experienced. Although more serious in nature I really really enjoyed Kohanek’s ability to embrace a more classic fantasy side. It was wrought with intrigue and hidden cameos and unexpected tie ins and I was unable to put it down!
Strangely…I feel that Ian was suppose to be the main character of the series…and although I really enjoyed his character and I do love me a bookish type hero…I really found myself falling for his brother Vic. He had this loyal steadfastness that I yearn for in my male characters. And I just found him so endearing and exceptionally written.
So yep! The First Wizard is absolute unputdownable epic fantasy perfection and I just can’t wait to see where Kohanek takes this series in the next book! If you love epic fantasy that is the absolute perfect combination of political intrigue, desperation and betrayal, and darkness that leaves you reeling at every turn and yet has just the quintessential degree of hope weaved in to leave you desperate for the next word…sentence…book…then you just have to read THE FIRST WIZARD!
April 26, 2025
This book is atrocious. I have no idea how it has such high ratings, unless there's bots being used to make it appear better than it is.
The writing in this book is poor at best. Readers are being told everything, not shown. Part of being an author is knowing when to show and when to tell, but this book only tells. Many excerpts read like the following: "As they danced, a sense of joy came over him in a way he had never experienced before. He felt alive, free, and uninhibited. The music carried him away, and he lost himself in the moment, feeling as though nothing else mattered in the world." This is an actual quote from the book. Most of it reads like this.
The characters are one-dimensional tropes that are difficult to get invested in or care about. Granted, I haven't finished this book, and I don't intend to, but 8 chapters in, there's not a single distinct personality trait for any of the characters that have shown up. They all speak as though their whole personality is the role they play. The father says fatherly things in the same voice as Ian's whining, in the same voice as Vic's teasing, in the same voice that his mother mothers, and so on and so forth. There isn't a line between how they speak; the only differentiator is what they say. They don't feel like people, they don't feel like characters. They feel like words on a page, husks of what a person is supposed to be.
Nearly forgot how the book immediately points out things, like how a character's "gentle curves and narrow waist," are, "the marked signs of blossoming womanhood." Blegh.
Frankly, I suspect this book was written in part by AI. It reads very similarly to AI stories I've seen. It feels like nothing is happening because we're being given a summary of events, the characters show such little depth that I imagine they won't change in the least from their stereotypes, and overall, it's a waste of time to read this book.
Did not finish; do not recommend. Wouldn't finish this book if it were free.
The writing in this book is poor at best. Readers are being told everything, not shown. Part of being an author is knowing when to show and when to tell, but this book only tells. Many excerpts read like the following: "As they danced, a sense of joy came over him in a way he had never experienced before. He felt alive, free, and uninhibited. The music carried him away, and he lost himself in the moment, feeling as though nothing else mattered in the world." This is an actual quote from the book. Most of it reads like this.
The characters are one-dimensional tropes that are difficult to get invested in or care about. Granted, I haven't finished this book, and I don't intend to, but 8 chapters in, there's not a single distinct personality trait for any of the characters that have shown up. They all speak as though their whole personality is the role they play. The father says fatherly things in the same voice as Ian's whining, in the same voice as Vic's teasing, in the same voice that his mother mothers, and so on and so forth. There isn't a line between how they speak; the only differentiator is what they say. They don't feel like people, they don't feel like characters. They feel like words on a page, husks of what a person is supposed to be.
Nearly forgot how the book immediately points out things, like how a character's "gentle curves and narrow waist," are, "the marked signs of blossoming womanhood." Blegh.
Frankly, I suspect this book was written in part by AI. It reads very similarly to AI stories I've seen. It feels like nothing is happening because we're being given a summary of events, the characters show such little depth that I imagine they won't change in the least from their stereotypes, and overall, it's a waste of time to read this book.
Did not finish; do not recommend. Wouldn't finish this book if it were free.
December 26, 2023
In The First Wizard, the reader is introduced to brothers, Ian and Vic, who are living a simple life, and maybe having that hope for adventure, but that all changes when their village is attacked, and they are taken as slaves. The story starts out a bit slow, but in this case, it is fitting for this story. The reader needs to know about the races of magic, and the world that Ian and Vic live in. It is also a long read, but it is worth it. Imagine being taken as slaves just so someone can dominate you. There is great growth in the world, and the characters, through out the story, and the focus is on the world of magic, the world people live in, and how the First Wizard comes to be. I see that this is a first book in a series, so I do look forward to reading the sequel to this. If you love or even like Epic Fantasies, this is the book you want to read. The author has a grand imagination, and not just for the writing, but the world he takes the reader to. I am a fan of Jeffrey L. Kohanek and want to read whatever this author writes. A reader can get lost in the story, and for this story, that's a good thing. Sometimes you have to look around and see where you are before diving back into the story. The reader just embarks on a superb journey. If you don't believe in Wizards or magic, this book will make you think about that. The First Wizard is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book, to also write a review.
August 4, 2025
As a disclaimer, I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
This is an epic fantasy, spanning untold lands and encountering a variety of creatures. It begins with a human town that is raided by a Dwarven army. Those that are not killed outright are enslaved and dragged to the home of the Dwarves. All is not as it seems. A dark threat is looming, and it may take something entirely unexpected to save them.
I struggled to get through this one. the underlying story is interesting, but it is ambitious and follows too many story lines. While the main story focuses on Ian and his brother Vic, there is a secondary storyline following Rina. However...while it felt like it was building up to something, that particular story didn't have much of a conclusion. I am sure later books in the series will address it, but it felt like extraneous information that made the book longer than it needed to be. I also wish there had been more focus on the fantasy elements. There were a few fantastical creatures, but they were either seen from a distance, quickly dispatched, or had very small room on the pages. It is a very interesting world, and the story was also interesting...it just fell a little short for me, personally.
This is an epic fantasy, spanning untold lands and encountering a variety of creatures. It begins with a human town that is raided by a Dwarven army. Those that are not killed outright are enslaved and dragged to the home of the Dwarves. All is not as it seems. A dark threat is looming, and it may take something entirely unexpected to save them.
I struggled to get through this one. the underlying story is interesting, but it is ambitious and follows too many story lines. While the main story focuses on Ian and his brother Vic, there is a secondary storyline following Rina. However...while it felt like it was building up to something, that particular story didn't have much of a conclusion. I am sure later books in the series will address it, but it felt like extraneous information that made the book longer than it needed to be. I also wish there had been more focus on the fantasy elements. There were a few fantastical creatures, but they were either seen from a distance, quickly dispatched, or had very small room on the pages. It is a very interesting world, and the story was also interesting...it just fell a little short for me, personally.
September 21, 2023
Vic and Ian and two young siblings who live in a remote small village away from the strife of city life, however their lives are soon to be turned topsy turvy when their community is attacked by dwarves who kill many and take the rest of their community including women and children as slaves to work in their mines. Vic is a strong young man who can handle working in the mines however Ian is rather weak, but he is very intelligent and gets picked out to be an apprentice to the chancellor. This is the story of the first wizard, the first human to gain the knowledge and ability to wield magic, thus getting humans on an even footing with the other magic wielders such as the elves and the dwarves who had always treated humans as less than them. This story also shed light on what later became the rise of the wizardom series when human wizards finally came into their own powers. It is another epic adventure story full of battles with sword and sorcery as well as full of the usual banter which Jeffrey Kohanek excels in. I really enjoyed the first book in a new series which I look forward to reading more of.
December 22, 2023
Started off well, but loses a star because it ran out of steam somewhere near the middle. A lot of things happen *to* the protagonist(s), but they don't do much themselves. It felt like they were just being shuffled from one location/plot point to another, without giving them (or the reader) any time to really settle down and breathe. I get it, it's a fine balance between having main characters who are overpowered and just ram through any and all obstacles, and main characters who are passive and just let things happen to them. This book is definitely on the latter end of the scale.
Also, for a book titled "The First Wizard," one would think there'd be more magic in it.
However, having typed all that, it still was well written and entertaining at times, and I'll probably read the second one when it comes out.
Also, for a book titled "The First Wizard," one would think there'd be more magic in it.
However, having typed all that, it still was well written and entertaining at times, and I'll probably read the second one when it comes out.
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