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Science of Magic #0.5
The Applicant
When Chris learns that Rune Corp employees are expected to master not only the latest technology but also magic, Chris wants a job there more than ever. But first he must prove that he's the best candidate for the position.
Note: This is a fantasy adventure story of approximately 15,000 words (45+ average Kindle pages) and is the prequel to the novel, "The Conservation of Magic."
Note: This is a fantasy adventure story of approximately 15,000 words (45+ average Kindle pages) and is the prequel to the novel, "The Conservation of Magic."
49 pages, ebook
First published August 10, 2013
25 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Michael W. Layne
13 books37 followersMike lives in Northern Virginia with his dogs, Elsa and Baloo. He is still not sleeping nearly enough.
If you'd like to get in contact with Mike, please email him at mwlayne@gmail.com.
And please leave a review here or on Amazon if you feel so led. They are the coin of the realm nowadays, and Mike would love to hear your thoughts.
If you'd like to get in contact with Mike, please email him at mwlayne@gmail.com.
And please leave a review here or on Amazon if you feel so led. They are the coin of the realm nowadays, and Mike would love to hear your thoughts.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 13, 2014
I liked it. Very interesting, I can't wait to read his follow up books (The Conservation of Magic & The Equilibrium of Magic).
November 9, 2023
what a fascinating story
With a worthy twist. Just enough magic, technology, and character build up. Dragons in a way I have never imagined.
With a worthy twist. Just enough magic, technology, and character build up. Dragons in a way I have never imagined.
May 16, 2017
Chris is fresh out of college and hoping for a job at the prestigious---and mysterious---Rune Corporation. He's one of three candidates for a single position, but he's confident he can make the right impression. Unfortunately, the application starts going weird quickly . . .
This is a bit rough, but the overall world is interesting. Given that this is basically a novella about a single day's experience, it makes sense that the applicants themselves don't have a whole lot of background, apart from Chris, but it does mean it was harder to get a feel for their characters. However, with most of the focus remaining on Chris and the woman interviewing them all, this still worked okay.
It does do the job of getting me at least somewhat interested in the larger world. I had a lot of questions about how exactly humans were supposed to help with the language process (although the job in question being for an interface designer does make that particular part easier to understand). The mystery portion is weaker because there isn't a lot of opportunity to set up who might be the culprit before everything comes out.
Overall, since this was a free read, I think it's worth checking out. It's an easy way to see if the magic or the characters grabs you. The preview for the next book at the back does imply the actual series doesn't follow Chris, though, for what that's worth. I rate this book Recommended.
See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
This is a bit rough, but the overall world is interesting. Given that this is basically a novella about a single day's experience, it makes sense that the applicants themselves don't have a whole lot of background, apart from Chris, but it does mean it was harder to get a feel for their characters. However, with most of the focus remaining on Chris and the woman interviewing them all, this still worked okay.
It does do the job of getting me at least somewhat interested in the larger world. I had a lot of questions about how exactly humans were supposed to help with the language process (although the job in question being for an interface designer does make that particular part easier to understand). The mystery portion is weaker because there isn't a lot of opportunity to set up who might be the culprit before everything comes out.
Overall, since this was a free read, I think it's worth checking out. It's an easy way to see if the magic or the characters grabs you. The preview for the next book at the back does imply the actual series doesn't follow Chris, though, for what that's worth. I rate this book Recommended.
See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
May 6, 2014
The Applicant, while a standalone short, works also as the lead-in to a longer work by Layne, who does a decent job setting up his characters and setting in this work.
Creating a fantasy world can be daunting and Layne chooses the approach of treating his main concept directly, as though the concepts ought to be familiar, sprinkling in facts and concepts along the path of the narrative but without long stretches of expository text. The absence of info-dumps will be sure to be appreciated by fussier readers.
The resulting short story is economically told and helps the reader determine whether they are ready for more. If they are, his follow-on novel, The Conservation of Magic is available. Fans of high fantasy mixed with the contemporary world will find much to enjoy.
Creating a fantasy world can be daunting and Layne chooses the approach of treating his main concept directly, as though the concepts ought to be familiar, sprinkling in facts and concepts along the path of the narrative but without long stretches of expository text. The absence of info-dumps will be sure to be appreciated by fussier readers.
The resulting short story is economically told and helps the reader determine whether they are ready for more. If they are, his follow-on novel, The Conservation of Magic is available. Fans of high fantasy mixed with the contemporary world will find much to enjoy.
September 10, 2016
Kindles brīvversija. Protams. Šis ir atkal īsais stāsts, turklāt tāds kā ievads nākamajai šī autora grāmatai "The Conservation of Magic: A Science of Magic Novel (A Modern Epic Fantasy Adventure Series Book 1)", kas, acīmredzot, iesāk kaut kādu maģiskās tēmas grāmatu ciklu. Vēl domāju, pirms šo lasīt - bet, ja nu iepatīkas? Tad nāksies pirkt arī šī cikla tālākās grāmatas, jo tās vairs nav brīvversijas.. Tomēr noriskēju.
Un man paveicās - nākamās grāmatas lasīt tomēr nenāksies. Lai arī sākums bija visai interesants, tomēr uz beigām sajūsma noplaka, jo laikam jau īsti nav mans žanrs. Turklāt beigas tā īsti nemaz nepienāca, vienkārši grāmata beidzās, bet stāstam nekāds loģisks pieturas punkts netika pielikts.
Un man paveicās - nākamās grāmatas lasīt tomēr nenāksies. Lai arī sākums bija visai interesants, tomēr uz beigām sajūsma noplaka, jo laikam jau īsti nav mans žanrs. Turklāt beigas tā īsti nemaz nepienāca, vienkārši grāmata beidzās, bet stāstam nekāds loģisks pieturas punkts netika pielikts.
June 29, 2015
Captivating
A exciting prequel to a story of magic and fantasy destined to be a captivating adventure series for the young and old.
A exciting prequel to a story of magic and fantasy destined to be a captivating adventure series for the young and old.
March 10, 2017
A goods start
Just enough to cause you to want more. What is the driving factor to bringing humans into the world of magic?
Just enough to cause you to want more. What is the driving factor to bringing humans into the world of magic?
April 20, 2017
Intriguingly different and quite enjoyable!!!
May 13, 2019
This novella was an interesting start to the Science of Magic series. Chris shows up to interview for a job with two other candidates. It's all top-secret, hush-hush in the proceedings as the interviewer shares that magic does exist and goes on to show them an example. This presumably sets up the books that are to come so it will be fun to see where it all goes.
July 22, 2020
Really more of a 3.5.
This is a solid story. Not so much a great one, but a decent start to the series.
I'm not sure when (or if) I'll ever get to the rest of the series, but I found this worth my time to read.
This is a solid story. Not so much a great one, but a decent start to the series.
I'm not sure when (or if) I'll ever get to the rest of the series, but I found this worth my time to read.
September 12, 2025
It’s an interesting story that is mixed with AI, sci-fi and magic.
December 19, 2025
Totally different!
This book is unlike anything I've ever read. Very unique and interesting story. Can't wait to read the next book.
This book is unlike anything I've ever read. Very unique and interesting story. Can't wait to read the next book.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews