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Enchanters Of Xarparion #1
Mind Forged
Alex Martin was just a Blacksmith’s apprentice in a small farm town, who accidently enchants a cooking pot; I mean who doesn’t do that every now and then? But suddenly he finds himself on his way to Xarparion, the premier teaching academy for wizards on the planet! Just one small problem… He’s an Enchanter!
Unlike other mages that can cast fireballs and summon elementals, and other cool stuff, Enchanters are only able to craft magic items. Once he gets there he finds he is in a class all of his own, literally! He’s the first Enchanter born in 700 years! And the dark forces of power wish it had been a lot longer, like never!
Meanwhile, completely unknown to Alex, mysterious forces of light are also in play and are grooming him for a run at a Necromancer whose undead hordes control half the world! To help him he acquires, a half crazed mentor, an unwanted pixie and a hot sword slinger girlfriend that fights the zombie apocalypse every night in her sleep!
And if those three weren’t enough to drive anyone crazy, the rest of his friends might! Mischievous fashion conscious druid girls, a dwarf, dragons, a talking sword, and the occasional marmot fill out the cast of characters for this adventure!
Unlike other mages that can cast fireballs and summon elementals, and other cool stuff, Enchanters are only able to craft magic items. Once he gets there he finds he is in a class all of his own, literally! He’s the first Enchanter born in 700 years! And the dark forces of power wish it had been a lot longer, like never!
Meanwhile, completely unknown to Alex, mysterious forces of light are also in play and are grooming him for a run at a Necromancer whose undead hordes control half the world! To help him he acquires, a half crazed mentor, an unwanted pixie and a hot sword slinger girlfriend that fights the zombie apocalypse every night in her sleep!
And if those three weren’t enough to drive anyone crazy, the rest of his friends might! Mischievous fashion conscious druid girls, a dwarf, dragons, a talking sword, and the occasional marmot fill out the cast of characters for this adventure!
376 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 14, 2014
79 people are currently reading
514 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
August 12, 2015
Might be ok for young adults, but it read like it was written by a 14 year old (maybe it was?). There were some good ideas here, and I did finish the book, but I don't think I'll read another from this author without some pretty convincing reviews.
It could also be that this is the author's first book, and they'll get better from here, but the writing style (while not terrible) did get annoying sometimes with the way it shifted perspective. The pace needs some work, too - alternating between too fast and too slow. There was way way too much written about food - and not in a good way that makes you hungry, more like in a bad way that makes you bored. The characters were pretty slim and there are a ton of useless ones that could be interesting, but just did nothing. And for me, there were a lot of plot elements that just didn't make sense or feel believable. Feels like a book without an editor.
The ending was another non-ending, just cutting off in the middle of things. Very unsatisfying.
It could also be that this is the author's first book, and they'll get better from here, but the writing style (while not terrible) did get annoying sometimes with the way it shifted perspective. The pace needs some work, too - alternating between too fast and too slow. There was way way too much written about food - and not in a good way that makes you hungry, more like in a bad way that makes you bored. The characters were pretty slim and there are a ton of useless ones that could be interesting, but just did nothing. And for me, there were a lot of plot elements that just didn't make sense or feel believable. Feels like a book without an editor.
The ending was another non-ending, just cutting off in the middle of things. Very unsatisfying.
March 19, 2014
This is such a cliché. The author was trying way too hard to make the main character funny and it just did not work for me. Also the pace of this book is just too quick. Another thing that irks me is that everything the hero does and gets is just perfect from the way he automatically can do magic plus he gets these premonitions or rather knows things with no reason. Give the guy some friction or something that makes his life difficult not some one dimensional bully in school. I really don’t know if I will be waiting for the next instalment.
October 20, 2015
I can't believe I finished the whole thing. From the very beginning this novel reads as if the author had just finished a very bad D&D game where the DM was ruthless and everything bad happened so he compensated with a fantasy novel in which there is no seeming risk, no danger, and everything good happens to the main character. It's just basically over the top. I'll not even go into the grammar and writing style, which I'm fairly good at ignoring by getting into the story.
December 20, 2019
Rating 4.0 stars
This felt more like a YA story than an epic fantasy. I have been getting into builder/crafter stories lately so this was a good book for that interest. It isn't a new story. The main character Alex is an apprentice smith. His father is the town smith. While working on a pot for a local woman, he somehow imbues magic into the pot. A group of magicians come by and take Alex away to go to the magic school in Xarparion. Each magic user in this world has a specific type of magic they use: Earth, wind, fire, healing, water, etc. Alex is an enchanter, one of only 2 in the world that they know of. The other one is his new master. Enchanters are not able to do magic but they are able to focus and control magic in items. This makes them weak in the eyes of other magic users. Most of the story is Alex going through learning how to control his magic and dealing with other people in the magic community. Everything about this book is simple, which is why I think of it more as a YA story despite Alex being 20 years old. The magic system isn't very complex, the story is one that has been told many times before with nothing that makes it really stand out While I did like the characters they weren't very complex. Alex was pretty much the perfect person, insanely OP but went out his way to be a great guy and do everything. I didn't feel any emotional connection to the story. I sort of knew that things would work out. Despite all that, I surprised at how much I liked the story. It could have been so much better and I have read other stories that were similar that I have not liked. It's not one of those stories that will stay with me long after I read it, but while reading it I did enjoy it. I really can't put my finger on why I enjoyed this book so much for as simple as it was.
This felt more like a YA story than an epic fantasy. I have been getting into builder/crafter stories lately so this was a good book for that interest. It isn't a new story. The main character Alex is an apprentice smith. His father is the town smith. While working on a pot for a local woman, he somehow imbues magic into the pot. A group of magicians come by and take Alex away to go to the magic school in Xarparion. Each magic user in this world has a specific type of magic they use: Earth, wind, fire, healing, water, etc. Alex is an enchanter, one of only 2 in the world that they know of. The other one is his new master. Enchanters are not able to do magic but they are able to focus and control magic in items. This makes them weak in the eyes of other magic users. Most of the story is Alex going through learning how to control his magic and dealing with other people in the magic community. Everything about this book is simple, which is why I think of it more as a YA story despite Alex being 20 years old. The magic system isn't very complex, the story is one that has been told many times before with nothing that makes it really stand out While I did like the characters they weren't very complex. Alex was pretty much the perfect person, insanely OP but went out his way to be a great guy and do everything. I didn't feel any emotional connection to the story. I sort of knew that things would work out. Despite all that, I surprised at how much I liked the story. It could have been so much better and I have read other stories that were similar that I have not liked. It's not one of those stories that will stay with me long after I read it, but while reading it I did enjoy it. I really can't put my finger on why I enjoyed this book so much for as simple as it was.
November 11, 2015
l liked the idea of this book though in execution it was so so it's probably a 2.5 stars. I would have liked to see more done with the enchanter powers the guy makes his iron man suit for himself then a crysis style stealth suit for his girl and that's about it. Having him be a magical q world have been fun. Main guy feels a bit Marty Sue in a lot of ways magical apprentice who doesn't really need teaching learns everything easily has all these amazing powers and everyone loves him bar a couple of bully's will hurt keeps defeating. it was a kindle unlimited which I normally avoid as it's not exactly the mark of quality. still a nice concept I just wish a more capable author had written it.
February 27, 2014
I can not believe this book. I read it in one night. Then the next night I started to read it again at a slower pace. There were some places in the story that I laughed out loud. I wish I could tell you the scene that made me laugh the loudest, but that would be giving you a spoiler. I do not like to do that.
I can not believe the cast of characters in this book. It has the basic finds in a fantasy book with some twists in the characteristics.
Oh well, I will finish up with I can not wait to see what happens next with this group. I wonder what is going to happen as well.
I can not believe the cast of characters in this book. It has the basic finds in a fantasy book with some twists in the characteristics.
Oh well, I will finish up with I can not wait to see what happens next with this group. I wonder what is going to happen as well.
March 6, 2014
Its amazing book and a must read novel. It covers genres- action, fantasy, young-adult, heroism, friendship, and whats more you want? Also its definitely not one timer and you will love to read it again.
About the story..Its not that predictable and even if we know the hero will win or survive, its very interesting to know how the events will unfold! Friends, plot is great and you will not want to give up the book until you not finish it!
Try it out and i am sure you will not be disappointed...
About the story..Its not that predictable and even if we know the hero will win or survive, its very interesting to know how the events will unfold! Friends, plot is great and you will not want to give up the book until you not finish it!
Try it out and i am sure you will not be disappointed...
April 28, 2014
I loved this book! I could not put it down once I started reading it. The characters were cool and I loved how you still don't know what the main character is or what happened in his past to make him the way he is now at the end of the book. The whole story just makes me want more. So if there is going to be a second book I want to read it.
March 29, 2014
While some people think the protagonist was too powerful, the author has stated that, by the end of the saga, it will seem as if he doesn't have enough to take care of the enemies he faces. I cannot wait for the second book. I couldn't put this one down.
October 6, 2014
Interessting, I like the Idea of a more gadget based story, not all fancy fireballs and such
June 1, 2014
Mind Forged is a book about a teenage boy named Alex who's father is a blacksmith and Alex is his apprentice. Alex enchants a pot whci makes it stay away from the mean foster mother. The wizards of Xarparion who are teachers at a wizarding school hear of this and come to bring Alex to Xarparion to teach him how to enchant. When they have a test to see what kind of wizard he is the orb they give him turns bright white and when the light disappears the female figure in a white robe crushes him in a bear hug and tells him he is a enchanter, only the second enchanter known in several hundred years. She is an elf that also is an enchanter.
I like this book and I can not wait till the next one comes out. There have not been a lot of books that have come out recently that have affected me like this one. One strength is that the main character is smart and intuitive and he actually knows what he his doing. One weakness is that the author focuses on the wrong things. For instance he focuses on food more than he focuses on the enchantments. I recommend this to fantasy lovers and people that like a smart protagonist.
I like this book and I can not wait till the next one comes out. There have not been a lot of books that have come out recently that have affected me like this one. One strength is that the main character is smart and intuitive and he actually knows what he his doing. One weakness is that the author focuses on the wrong things. For instance he focuses on food more than he focuses on the enchantments. I recommend this to fantasy lovers and people that like a smart protagonist.
May 19, 2014
I really loved the book because it makes you feel like you are actually there. It is hilarious and made me laugh till I had tears in my eyes. Though some say that Alex is overpowered, well, they are wrong. I hate how books make it to where the character seems like an idiot but in this book he's not. I can't wait to read the second book Return to Sky Raven and the third Heir to Nova. The mystery of not knowing just makes the book series all that sweeter.
March 28, 2014
I really enjoyed the concept behind the story and the idea of the characters. Unfortunately, the character development in the book is almost nonexistent and they are very shallow. With that being said, I will still read the next book in the series because I found myself enjoying the story either way.
May 7, 2014
The book was pretty good but there were a few spelling mistakes. Also there were a few other mistake like an inconsistent point of view in the story. The first one I found was in chapter 2 "Maya" it starts as saying "Maya...." then switches to first person.
March 11, 2021
A difficult book to rate. The page by page writing is good but the overall story (blacksmith’s son turns out to be a chosen one) and characters (wise old elven teacher, combat specialist dark elf, mischievous pixie) are nothing special. It should also be noted that I am not the best audience for this book since I find stories about high school dating and bullying immature and uninteresting. Also, my favorite fantasy is: hard work matters. I like “crafting” books because generally they involve the MC working to learn a trade for which the MC is rewarded. Here the MC can just imbue items with magical traits and he never fails. First the MC imbues a pot so it won’t cook bad food, then a couple of swords for sharpness. Then the MC gets a swordfighter girlfriend and decides to make her the greatest weapon ever and just does it, no learning curve, no failed attempts. Plus the MC is just given everything: a teacher, an education, ability to fight (MC becomes a master in a matter of days), a magical pixie guardian, super special war horses and a couple of pet dragons. Really the only thing the MC isn’t given is money but I can only assume that is because the MC has no need of money since he is given everything else (room, board, metal, clothes, transportation, work space, etc.) Sure the MC is humble and cooks and does dishes, by why shouldn’t he? The MC clearly has the time to cook and do dishes since he never has to work at anything.
Also, when the war horses show up the MC conveniently remembers the house he is living in is so magical it can just generate stables. This comes across as the author realizing he needs stables but was unwilling to go back and write them in earlier. Especially since this incredible ability for the home to metamorphose didn’t come up all during the months the MC lived there and only comes up when the book is 67% done (literally as Kindle provides such information).
Finally the local bad guy is stupid. In the story there is clearly a local and regional bad guy and the local bad guy is scheming to get money. When scheme is foiled by MC does the bad guy go with plan B, or make subtle inquiry to learn more about his foes? No, the bad guy throws on an illusion of the school headmaster marches straight over to the MC and starts demanding the MC disclose everything thing there is to know about the MC’s armor and weapons.
Bottom line: Not the worst thing I’ve read but story and characters are pretty uninspired.
Also, when the war horses show up the MC conveniently remembers the house he is living in is so magical it can just generate stables. This comes across as the author realizing he needs stables but was unwilling to go back and write them in earlier. Especially since this incredible ability for the home to metamorphose didn’t come up all during the months the MC lived there and only comes up when the book is 67% done (literally as Kindle provides such information).
Finally the local bad guy is stupid. In the story there is clearly a local and regional bad guy and the local bad guy is scheming to get money. When scheme is foiled by MC does the bad guy go with plan B, or make subtle inquiry to learn more about his foes? No, the bad guy throws on an illusion of the school headmaster marches straight over to the MC and starts demanding the MC disclose everything thing there is to know about the MC’s armor and weapons.
Bottom line: Not the worst thing I’ve read but story and characters are pretty uninspired.
May 14, 2018
7/10
A solid story with a some (important) good and some average (unimportant) characters. The world is interesting, although somewhat lacking in depth (a lot of hints to the contrary).
Only downside is the sheer amount of convenience and timeskip. Almost all problems are solved by magic and the book feels more like a giant prologue (which it kind of is) with a fast forward button that is pressed after every chapter. Now this sounds bad, but in a lot of cases this makes the book better, it can however not make up for everything that kind of gets skipped over. Best example is the main couple. You can kind of see, why they like each other and they get a lot of time together, but their initial time and attraction is glossed over a bit.
Still if you like fantasy light-novelesque stories, then this is a good book to pick up.
A solid story with a some (important) good and some average (unimportant) characters. The world is interesting, although somewhat lacking in depth (a lot of hints to the contrary).
Only downside is the sheer amount of convenience and timeskip. Almost all problems are solved by magic and the book feels more like a giant prologue (which it kind of is) with a fast forward button that is pressed after every chapter. Now this sounds bad, but in a lot of cases this makes the book better, it can however not make up for everything that kind of gets skipped over. Best example is the main couple. You can kind of see, why they like each other and they get a lot of time together, but their initial time and attraction is glossed over a bit.
Still if you like fantasy light-novelesque stories, then this is a good book to pick up.
October 25, 2017
This book is absolutely intended for juveniles or very young adults. It starts as a typical coming-of-age story with a young nobody who discovers that they are special. In my opinion, the author omits important story elements because there is basically no growth process, no conflict and resolution. The protagonist goes quickly from a 'nobody' to surpassing all the experts with his abilities. There appear to be almost no rules to magic - or, if there are rules, they're frequently broken whenever it suits the storyteller. After a couple chapters, I was disappointed with how effortlessly the hero achieved his goals. In many cases, he just imagines an outcome, perhaps even subconsciously, and it magically happens.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2020
“My lady, I surrendered the first time I saw your face in my kitchen.”
3.5/5.0 Mind Forged is the first in the Xarparion series. Set in a classic trope filled fantasy setting, it doesn’t really do much to set itself apart from others in the genre. The characters were okay but needed some oomph and I had wished there were much more development to their relationships. The story was nothing spectacular but held my interest. I found myself tearing through the book nonetheless. The trilogy itself is beefy, and it occupied my time for a good while.
3.5/5.0 Mind Forged is the first in the Xarparion series. Set in a classic trope filled fantasy setting, it doesn’t really do much to set itself apart from others in the genre. The characters were okay but needed some oomph and I had wished there were much more development to their relationships. The story was nothing spectacular but held my interest. I found myself tearing through the book nonetheless. The trilogy itself is beefy, and it occupied my time for a good while.
March 31, 2023
Very light entertainment.
I actually quite enjoy this book despite all its shortcomings , it is very YA and you have to suspend your beliefs , Alex is the most ridiculously overpowered MC I have ever met , the timeline is simply silly and some of his abilities defy belief , the characters are all decent but shallow and even the baddies are more amusing than dastardly , I'm going to continue with book two and see were it goes.
I actually quite enjoy this book despite all its shortcomings , it is very YA and you have to suspend your beliefs , Alex is the most ridiculously overpowered MC I have ever met , the timeline is simply silly and some of his abilities defy belief , the characters are all decent but shallow and even the baddies are more amusing than dastardly , I'm going to continue with book two and see were it goes.
January 22, 2019
Loved it
This is one of the first books that I bought when I first got my Kindle. I have reread it several times and enjoyed it each time. Each book is the series just gets better. I highly recommend this series and look forward to reading more books in it
This is one of the first books that I bought when I first got my Kindle. I have reread it several times and enjoyed it each time. Each book is the series just gets better. I highly recommend this series and look forward to reading more books in it
March 15, 2021
Keep this short i liked this series a lot it was fun exciting and characters were charming good and well thought out, loved there interaction especially liked the pixy she ace.
Magic system and world were well written.
Magic system and world were well written.
April 4, 2021
Enjoyable story
While a common plot the setting and characters are interesting and are developing well.
Enough characters in place for side stories in future books.
Worth the read.
While a common plot the setting and characters are interesting and are developing well.
Enough characters in place for side stories in future books.
Worth the read.
March 13, 2018
They Mary sued him so hard that it was physically painful to read that book if it the book was about pure magic I'd understand but he was a blacksmith.
May 21, 2018
Coming of age by unknowns
Good coming of age in calm times before the storm. Oddly engaging characters with good back stories. Three teo one
Good coming of age in calm times before the storm. Oddly engaging characters with good back stories. Three teo one
May 31, 2019
a little bit too young for me and i don't like some of the characters
December 4, 2019
Best Book Ever
This is an inspiring book that shows the ascension of a young blacksmith boy to a powerful warrior and a good person.
This is an inspiring book that shows the ascension of a young blacksmith boy to a powerful warrior and a good person.
June 18, 2020
Ahhhhhh it just got better and better! To be fair he’s a little overpowered after training but that’s how I like my heros
March 8, 2022
Great book
Great book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone
Great book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone
March 26, 2022
Warning do not read before bed
Great story, well written, a real page turner, and me, I got to get up in less than 5 hours, and I'm still considering finding the sequel.
Great story, well written, a real page turner, and me, I got to get up in less than 5 hours, and I'm still considering finding the sequel.
September 11, 2025
A better than average stoy.
Yeah, no porn. It's a decently written story with great humor. I enjoyed it and would let my grandchildren read it.
Yeah, no porn. It's a decently written story with great humor. I enjoyed it and would let my grandchildren read it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews