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Mana Arts Saga #1
Web of Secrets
A hacker uses her unique skills to unlock the secrets of mana arts and spacetime.
Mana artists rule the world, and the path to power is a well-kept secret, restricted to state-approved programs and schools.
Akari Zeller will never be a mana artist. Not if society has its way. She's a Bronze with no money, no family, and no connections. But technology is advancing too. And to a skilled hacker like Akari, no secret is safe forever. The dark web holds the keys to true power, advancement, and her only chance of survival.
Mana artists rule the world, and the path to power is a well-kept secret, restricted to state-approved programs and schools.
Akari Zeller will never be a mana artist. Not if society has its way. She's a Bronze with no money, no family, and no connections. But technology is advancing too. And to a skilled hacker like Akari, no secret is safe forever. The dark web holds the keys to true power, advancement, and her only chance of survival.
- GenresFantasy
432 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 19, 2025
171 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 17, 2025
Reviews are for readers. I wrote this on my phone and there will be typos, sorry.
This is a fun, solid start to a series that has a lot of potential, but definitely has room to grow. I'd recommend giving it a try, and I think overall its an enjoyable book that could lead to some really interesting things.
The good-- characters are clear, distinct, and have personality. Prose is clean and without issues that impacted readability. The world is interesting.
Areas I think this book struggled--
First, I wish the society and setting and history was better explored. The pacing was also a bit off but overall doable. The character switches weren't always super clear and/or third person omniscience seemed to apply to too many characters in the same scene, which often caused me some confusion. A lot of the themes and tropes have been done many times before, and seem to rely on your previosu knowledge of them rather than bringing fresh information or descriptions or take.
Other than that, the largest issue I had with this book is rhat it is too close Will Wight's Cradle (which, admittedly, I love). Cradle was mentioned as a comp for this book, but it doesn't have enough to separate it, and the inevitable comparison just makes me miss Cradle rather than appreciate this book. Though this general type of magic system and tropes are common in the genre, the specific combination in this book is too close a match to feel fresh, and the plot and set up follow uncomfortably similar high points. It is so similar that it's impossible not to compare them. The aspects that are different-- modern world, school setting, classism-- are not explored thoroughly enough, and the characters aren't as engaging or lovable.
If you aren't familiar with Cradle, SPOILERS FOR CRADLE BELOW, which is technically not a spoiler for this book, but sort of is sooo use your judgement.
Everyone is born with madra (mana), and trains it to grow their reserves and develop new ways to use it-- in early stages, it bolsters the body, and eventually it can be used in different techniques to do extra-natural things like throw projectiles, make a shield, make illusions, or have super strength. Every one is born with "pure" mana, and chooses later to aspect their mana, which affects the techniques they can use-- water artists, dream artists, etc. As people grow their mana, they eventually move up tiers-- copper, iron, jade, gold, lord, sage are some of the names of the tiers. Moving up in tiers sometimes requires putting pressure on your mana core, and upper levels require a personal revelation.
A boy who was born with an innate mana deficiency is ostracized by his community, and is forbidden from learning about the sacred arts (mana arts) because it would be pointless/he's too weak. He survives by effectively skirting rules and learning what he can on his own. He gets secret information from an outsider/mystical very skilled mana artist that growth WELL beyond the understanding of his people is not only possible, but commonplace everywhere but his small, magically isolated region. Though his people have always believed they are the only humanity left and everywhere outside their valley is wild/extinct, the boy decides to leave his society and seek out more knowledge and opportunities.
He meets a no-nonsense girl (more powerful than the bounds of his society's understanding) who's master was kidnapped and murdered by the locals-- though the master was much more powerful, he was trusting and prideful, thinking the locals wouldn't be powerful enough to contain him. The girl is still in the area because she's trying to retrieve her Master's spirit, and the locals are trying to hunt her down saying she's a criminal. The girl tells the boy that there's something weird going on in his region that limits the power growth of the people in it (In his region, power is capped at the foundation stage, but everywhere else, the foundation stage is only literal children-- higher are commonplace). The girl agrees to help the boy grow beyond the knowledge and ability of his people, and together they retrieve her Master's spirit then escape the weird isolated bubble area the boy is from.
The concept of dual cores and being able to have two kinds of mana is even described.
This is a fun, solid start to a series that has a lot of potential, but definitely has room to grow. I'd recommend giving it a try, and I think overall its an enjoyable book that could lead to some really interesting things.
The good-- characters are clear, distinct, and have personality. Prose is clean and without issues that impacted readability. The world is interesting.
Areas I think this book struggled--
First, I wish the society and setting and history was better explored. The pacing was also a bit off but overall doable. The character switches weren't always super clear and/or third person omniscience seemed to apply to too many characters in the same scene, which often caused me some confusion. A lot of the themes and tropes have been done many times before, and seem to rely on your previosu knowledge of them rather than bringing fresh information or descriptions or take.
Other than that, the largest issue I had with this book is rhat it is too close Will Wight's Cradle (which, admittedly, I love). Cradle was mentioned as a comp for this book, but it doesn't have enough to separate it, and the inevitable comparison just makes me miss Cradle rather than appreciate this book. Though this general type of magic system and tropes are common in the genre, the specific combination in this book is too close a match to feel fresh, and the plot and set up follow uncomfortably similar high points. It is so similar that it's impossible not to compare them. The aspects that are different-- modern world, school setting, classism-- are not explored thoroughly enough, and the characters aren't as engaging or lovable.
If you aren't familiar with Cradle, SPOILERS FOR CRADLE BELOW, which is technically not a spoiler for this book, but sort of is sooo use your judgement.
Everyone is born with madra (mana), and trains it to grow their reserves and develop new ways to use it-- in early stages, it bolsters the body, and eventually it can be used in different techniques to do extra-natural things like throw projectiles, make a shield, make illusions, or have super strength. Every one is born with "pure" mana, and chooses later to aspect their mana, which affects the techniques they can use-- water artists, dream artists, etc. As people grow their mana, they eventually move up tiers-- copper, iron, jade, gold, lord, sage are some of the names of the tiers. Moving up in tiers sometimes requires putting pressure on your mana core, and upper levels require a personal revelation.
A boy who was born with an innate mana deficiency is ostracized by his community, and is forbidden from learning about the sacred arts (mana arts) because it would be pointless/he's too weak. He survives by effectively skirting rules and learning what he can on his own. He gets secret information from an outsider/mystical very skilled mana artist that growth WELL beyond the understanding of his people is not only possible, but commonplace everywhere but his small, magically isolated region. Though his people have always believed they are the only humanity left and everywhere outside their valley is wild/extinct, the boy decides to leave his society and seek out more knowledge and opportunities.
He meets a no-nonsense girl (more powerful than the bounds of his society's understanding) who's master was kidnapped and murdered by the locals-- though the master was much more powerful, he was trusting and prideful, thinking the locals wouldn't be powerful enough to contain him. The girl is still in the area because she's trying to retrieve her Master's spirit, and the locals are trying to hunt her down saying she's a criminal. The girl tells the boy that there's something weird going on in his region that limits the power growth of the people in it (In his region, power is capped at the foundation stage, but everywhere else, the foundation stage is only literal children-- higher are commonplace). The girl agrees to help the boy grow beyond the knowledge and ability of his people, and together they retrieve her Master's spirit then escape the weird isolated bubble area the boy is from.
The concept of dual cores and being able to have two kinds of mana is even described.
February 13, 2025
A tangled web that demands your attention
Not enough stars
Deserves more stars. So I’ll say this at the gate if you are a fan of cradle, this is for you Cradle. If you don’t know what that book is, you need to read this book and that book. So what do we have here? We have a story about progression growth with a female MC and a male MC. It’s the typical progressive structure. We might expect in a universe, but it’s the universe that’s going to get you. Modern day was computers in high school, but so much more. You will find yourself digging deep and questioning what you’ve read you will find yourself like the characters in this book, wondering how the world truly works. You will find yourself wanting to read more and guess what you can once you’re done with this book. Royal Road literally has the next few books in the series up already. 2-4 are going to come to KU once you finish this book you’re going to want to read them immediately. As I said this book deserves a higher rating, but I can’t go any higher than 5.0 enjoy.
Messages to the author
Spoiler
Spoiler
Spoiler
Spoiler
Spoiler
I always write a message to the authors who get me with a good book and this one got me. First, I’m immediately going to start the next book on Royal Road. I didn’t have any issues with this book. Really I thought a few plot points were dead giveaways. Cradle, if you’ve ever read that book reads almost too much like this. It’s almost too obvious that there’s an outside world and somethings going on here. I know that that’s hard to hide. However, there were other instances where it was painfully obvious what was next. Ragalia getting caught painfully obvious even when it appeared, she might die and she didn’t die way too obvious. Her going back to save him again, obvious written all over the place. The fact that they would survive obvious how she would do it that wasn’t clear, but it was obvious that it would happen. I felt that way about some other instances in the book as well don’t get me wrong. It was still great writing, but it was obvious what was going to happen it just wasn’t obvious how it was going to happen. Still as I said really good how we got there even if it was predictable where somehow going to get here. Of course I made recommendations online telling others to go read the book immediately I’m off to go. Read the next several books and thank you for your work.
Not enough stars
Deserves more stars. So I’ll say this at the gate if you are a fan of cradle, this is for you Cradle. If you don’t know what that book is, you need to read this book and that book. So what do we have here? We have a story about progression growth with a female MC and a male MC. It’s the typical progressive structure. We might expect in a universe, but it’s the universe that’s going to get you. Modern day was computers in high school, but so much more. You will find yourself digging deep and questioning what you’ve read you will find yourself like the characters in this book, wondering how the world truly works. You will find yourself wanting to read more and guess what you can once you’re done with this book. Royal Road literally has the next few books in the series up already. 2-4 are going to come to KU once you finish this book you’re going to want to read them immediately. As I said this book deserves a higher rating, but I can’t go any higher than 5.0 enjoy.
Messages to the author
Spoiler
Spoiler
Spoiler
Spoiler
Spoiler
I always write a message to the authors who get me with a good book and this one got me. First, I’m immediately going to start the next book on Royal Road. I didn’t have any issues with this book. Really I thought a few plot points were dead giveaways. Cradle, if you’ve ever read that book reads almost too much like this. It’s almost too obvious that there’s an outside world and somethings going on here. I know that that’s hard to hide. However, there were other instances where it was painfully obvious what was next. Ragalia getting caught painfully obvious even when it appeared, she might die and she didn’t die way too obvious. Her going back to save him again, obvious written all over the place. The fact that they would survive obvious how she would do it that wasn’t clear, but it was obvious that it would happen. I felt that way about some other instances in the book as well don’t get me wrong. It was still great writing, but it was obvious what was going to happen it just wasn’t obvious how it was going to happen. Still as I said really good how we got there even if it was predictable where somehow going to get here. Of course I made recommendations online telling others to go read the book immediately I’m off to go. Read the next several books and thank you for your work.
July 1, 2025
That was absodamnlutely fun! I loved Akari and Kalden so much... Akari was born a Bronze she's a Student, a Hacker, and she's Tough, and she's not willing to take guff from anyone, especially those so into themselves, the Silvers and Golds all so high and mighty what a load of garbage. And then there's Kalden a Gold but surprisingly a nice guy! And the two bond, actually become friends as both stuggle to learn Mana Art to fight. From a series of video clips Akari found on the Dark Web! The Dark Web! Wowza so many secrets to uncover, secrets within secrets! Akari is determined to not only learn Mana Art but against all odds she's gonna break through raising her level to Silver and beyond!
So grab this find the secrets and have fun! Luckily I've already downloaded the next book!
So grab this find the secrets and have fun! Luckily I've already downloaded the next book!
February 10, 2025
Love this world!
I am so in love with this story! The whole world has been created, and you are there. The character development continues to grow. My favorite part is that you can not guess what comes next, and yet you are not going off in unnecessary sus stories. It's sensible and not farfetched at all. I'm moving on to the next book!
I am so in love with this story! The whole world has been created, and you are there. The character development continues to grow. My favorite part is that you can not guess what comes next, and yet you are not going off in unnecessary sus stories. It's sensible and not farfetched at all. I'm moving on to the next book!
August 5, 2025
Wow awesome book
This was a fast-paced book that I couldn't put down. It had great magic and a mystery that's being solved as you read. Book 2 most likely continues to solve the mystery. Books like this. I call crack !
This was a fast-paced book that I couldn't put down. It had great magic and a mystery that's being solved as you read. Book 2 most likely continues to solve the mystery. Books like this. I call crack !
January 20, 2025
similar to cradle
I like this book so much it has urban fantasy setting with hard magic system. And I feels a lot like cradle yaayeee.
I like this book so much it has urban fantasy setting with hard magic system. And I feels a lot like cradle yaayeee.
January 25, 2025
excellent writing!
I loved these books. I’m 84 years and enjoyed every moment of this man imagination. Carry on David Musk. Congratulations.
I loved these books. I’m 84 years and enjoyed every moment of this man imagination. Carry on David Musk. Congratulations.
March 8, 2025
Truly hard to put down
A must read that keeps you entertained from start to finish and wanting more immediately.
I can't wait to read Book 2.
A must read that keeps you entertained from start to finish and wanting more immediately.
I can't wait to read Book 2.
September 16, 2025
not your cookie cutter trope
A Dark City/The Village progression story! Many ways this can go while maintaining a progression arc. This is a difficult line to walk as with these stories once you know the twist it can greatly effect your perspective. Hopefully the author will not hold the ‘twist’ hostage through the series
A Dark City/The Village progression story! Many ways this can go while maintaining a progression arc. This is a difficult line to walk as with these stories once you know the twist it can greatly effect your perspective. Hopefully the author will not hold the ‘twist’ hostage through the series
February 4, 2025
I'd have called this more YA than progression fantasy, there's not yet any sort of game system or much of a litrpg feel about it.
There is very much a matrix vibe to the story, our little enclave is cut off from the rest of the world and there's a lot of history there. The mana thing took a while to get into, and I find it really hard to split my attention between a holy new way of measuring time by day or month, but retaining our hours of the clock. That sort of incongruity really gets under my skin.
Apart from that which is a personal niggle, there was no problem with the plot, it crackled along at a great pace. The tropes are there - poor kid at the bottom trying to rise, rich kid helping her with a foiled love interest of another rich kid, all-powerful super teacher, questionable parentage, supposedly impossible things our heroin learns to do. In that regard, there's not too much in the way of originality here. But this is simply the opener to a series, and the wielding of this mana could well elevate Musk into a pretty potent spot if he runs with it. I look forward to finding out more.
There is very much a matrix vibe to the story, our little enclave is cut off from the rest of the world and there's a lot of history there. The mana thing took a while to get into, and I find it really hard to split my attention between a holy new way of measuring time by day or month, but retaining our hours of the clock. That sort of incongruity really gets under my skin.
Apart from that which is a personal niggle, there was no problem with the plot, it crackled along at a great pace. The tropes are there - poor kid at the bottom trying to rise, rich kid helping her with a foiled love interest of another rich kid, all-powerful super teacher, questionable parentage, supposedly impossible things our heroin learns to do. In that regard, there's not too much in the way of originality here. But this is simply the opener to a series, and the wielding of this mana could well elevate Musk into a pretty potent spot if he runs with it. I look forward to finding out more.
April 23, 2025
Like a cross between a knockoff of Cradle and [insert any generic YA fantasy novel]. I'm stunned I even finished this first book given how devoid of personality it is.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews