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Wizards of the Mound
256 pages, Paperback
Published March 30, 2024
2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 14, 2024
Audre Lord once said, “Guilt is not a response to anger; it is a response to one’s own actions or lack of action.” In Ray Clifford Martinez II’s Wizards of the Mound, no one knows this better than the protagonist, Lazlo Redthorn.
During his life, Lazlo was many things. A soldier, a mentee, a scholar, a powerful mage, and most importantly, a Judge. However, his promising career is thrown off the beaten path when he makes a wrong call that leads to disastrous consequences, the guilt-ridden man exiles himself from the Academy he dutifully served to live out the remainder of his days teaching wayward students in his castle, Bacre Stronghold.
However, his self-imposed exile from the Academy ends when he receives the word that the Academy’s Headmaster, and his mentor, Master Ebus Nordau, passed into the veil. Unable to make sense of his mentor’s passing, Lazlo returns to Wizards of the Mound Academy with his mentee, the Academy’s previous rising star, Kazren Drita, and his old friend and druid, Tansya, to uncover the mystery of his mentor’s death.
One thing that surprised me going into reading Wizards of the Mound was that this felt more like a police procedural, with Lazlo and Tansya acting as the lead detectives trying to unravel the mystery of Master Ebus’ demise, versus the standard fantasy affair, which is refreshing to read.
The character interactions were great and managed to show various facets of Lazlo depending on who he was interacting with. From his mentor/mentee relationship with Kazren along with himself as the mentee and Master Ebus as the mentor, his friendship with his faerie dragon companion, Alisa, and his evolving relationship with Tansya, just to name a few.
The worldbuilding that author Ray Clifford Martinez crafted was superb. I was impressed with how seamlessly integrated magic felt in this world. It’s always a challenge to make anything magical fit in a world and have it make sense and feel natural but the author does a magnificent job in this aspect. The action scenes were done very well. They were engaging, easy to follow, and didn’t get over-descriptive.
Another aspect that I enjoyed was Lazlo dealing with his guilt over the events that led to his self-imposed exile, but also his grief, not only due to the past events but also the death of his beloved mentor. Everything, from his actions, and his emotions, to how he reconciled with them felt like a very realistic response.
From the outset, Wizards of the Mound impresses with its strong writing, likable characters, well-thought-out magic system, and engaging plot. It gains a magical recommendation from me. – Elijah B.
During his life, Lazlo was many things. A soldier, a mentee, a scholar, a powerful mage, and most importantly, a Judge. However, his promising career is thrown off the beaten path when he makes a wrong call that leads to disastrous consequences, the guilt-ridden man exiles himself from the Academy he dutifully served to live out the remainder of his days teaching wayward students in his castle, Bacre Stronghold.
However, his self-imposed exile from the Academy ends when he receives the word that the Academy’s Headmaster, and his mentor, Master Ebus Nordau, passed into the veil. Unable to make sense of his mentor’s passing, Lazlo returns to Wizards of the Mound Academy with his mentee, the Academy’s previous rising star, Kazren Drita, and his old friend and druid, Tansya, to uncover the mystery of his mentor’s death.
One thing that surprised me going into reading Wizards of the Mound was that this felt more like a police procedural, with Lazlo and Tansya acting as the lead detectives trying to unravel the mystery of Master Ebus’ demise, versus the standard fantasy affair, which is refreshing to read.
The character interactions were great and managed to show various facets of Lazlo depending on who he was interacting with. From his mentor/mentee relationship with Kazren along with himself as the mentee and Master Ebus as the mentor, his friendship with his faerie dragon companion, Alisa, and his evolving relationship with Tansya, just to name a few.
The worldbuilding that author Ray Clifford Martinez crafted was superb. I was impressed with how seamlessly integrated magic felt in this world. It’s always a challenge to make anything magical fit in a world and have it make sense and feel natural but the author does a magnificent job in this aspect. The action scenes were done very well. They were engaging, easy to follow, and didn’t get over-descriptive.
Another aspect that I enjoyed was Lazlo dealing with his guilt over the events that led to his self-imposed exile, but also his grief, not only due to the past events but also the death of his beloved mentor. Everything, from his actions, and his emotions, to how he reconciled with them felt like a very realistic response.
From the outset, Wizards of the Mound impresses with its strong writing, likable characters, well-thought-out magic system, and engaging plot. It gains a magical recommendation from me. – Elijah B.
December 30, 2024
Ray Martinez’s Wizzards of the Mound is a delightful blend of classic fantasy charm and modern wit, offering a fresh take on a world brimming with arcane secrets and flawed heroes. From the opening chapter, Martinez pulls readers into a richly imagined setting where ancient magic isn’t just a tool—it’s a responsibility, a burden, and occasionally, a source of chaos.
The story introduces a cast of memorable characters, each with their own quirks, secrets, and endearing flaws. The protagonist—equal parts clever, stubborn, and haunted by past mistakes—feels instantly relatable. Martinez excels at crafting dialogue that sparkles with personality, blending humor and heartfelt emotion seamlessly.
One of the standout elements is the world-building. The titular Mound isn’t just a location; it’s a character in its own right, with an atmosphere that feels both mystical and menacing. The lore unfolds gradually, leaving enough mystery to keep readers hooked while avoiding heavy-handed exposition.
Thematically, Wizzards of the Mound explores loyalty, sacrifice, and the unintended consequences of wielding power. There’s a refreshing honesty in how the characters wrestle with their choices, and Martinez doesn’t shy away from moral complexity.
While the plot maintains a steady pace with plenty of twists, it’s the relationships—both friendships and rivalries—that truly shine. Martinez has a knack for balancing high-stakes action with quiet, emotionally resonant moments.
In short, Wizzards of the Mound is a spellbinding read that feels both timeless and fresh. Whether you’re a long-time fantasy fan or dipping your toes into the genre, this book delivers magic, heart, and a touch of mischief. Highly recommended!
The story introduces a cast of memorable characters, each with their own quirks, secrets, and endearing flaws. The protagonist—equal parts clever, stubborn, and haunted by past mistakes—feels instantly relatable. Martinez excels at crafting dialogue that sparkles with personality, blending humor and heartfelt emotion seamlessly.
One of the standout elements is the world-building. The titular Mound isn’t just a location; it’s a character in its own right, with an atmosphere that feels both mystical and menacing. The lore unfolds gradually, leaving enough mystery to keep readers hooked while avoiding heavy-handed exposition.
Thematically, Wizzards of the Mound explores loyalty, sacrifice, and the unintended consequences of wielding power. There’s a refreshing honesty in how the characters wrestle with their choices, and Martinez doesn’t shy away from moral complexity.
While the plot maintains a steady pace with plenty of twists, it’s the relationships—both friendships and rivalries—that truly shine. Martinez has a knack for balancing high-stakes action with quiet, emotionally resonant moments.
In short, Wizzards of the Mound is a spellbinding read that feels both timeless and fresh. Whether you’re a long-time fantasy fan or dipping your toes into the genre, this book delivers magic, heart, and a touch of mischief. Highly recommended!
January 1, 2026
4.5* but i can’t do half stars on goodreads and i didn’t want to ruin the perfect score it has right now
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews