Blank Canvas

The Runic Artist #1

by Ellake

Where there is a Rune, there is a way!

Nate is a kid from Sydney, Australia who spends his free time indulging in his one true love - art. Graffiti specifically. That is until his 'hobby' catapults him into a new world filled with danger and magic.

Finding himself alone in a forest that is clearly not on Earth, he must learn to navigate this new world and more importantly, the System that governs it. Armed with nothing but his trusty penknife and a Legendary Class, Nate will fend for his life. He'll conquer dungeons, discover runes and be drawn into battles against enemies he didn't even know he had, all while making new friends along the way. Torn between returning to his old life and the friends he left behind, or making a new home in this world filled with magic, he will have to decide where his heart truly lies. No matter what he chooses he'll leave his mark - and hopefully - a little art.

Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Young Adult

466 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 30, 2024

Reviews

[Oluwademilade · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have a major pet peeve and this book has it.

Blabber mouth MC.

Why does Nate feel the need to open his mouth so much?!?

[Clayton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mediocre

The story and world itself are very interesting. That being said, the MC is fairly annoying and feels more like a side character. It honestly felt like the author started making the lesbian best friend more the main character than the MC is towards the end. Even going so far as to break one of the only system laws to bring her along in the future.

The MC was extremely irritating. He has absolutely no drive and just kinda floats along where he is pushed. He is constantly duped and made to be a fool, even by his own familiar! One of the most annoying things though is the MC constantly talking about his “traumas! Seriously this kid whined so much about stuff that I felt like I should be charging by the hour to keep reading his therapy sessions!!

The inconsistencies of the MC are extremely off putting as well, he goes from acting like he is very intelligent and articulate, to being a complete clueless moron in the span of a single paragraph.

This book/MC is a perfect example of taking an awkward theatre kid and giving them magic. Doesn’t really want to do anything but whine and make his “art”. If the plot armor wasn’t battleship hull worthy, he would’ve been dead within the first 10 minutes of the book and it just kept piling up.

[Shanan Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Runic Magic for the Win

A very good 1st book. The main character is likable, and his sidekick is so much fun. The whole runic magic that the character learns is very engaging and interesting. I only gave 4 stars because there are a lot of "lost in thought" moments about his past that seamed to drag on and on. A minor reason to lose a star, but it became a little annoying after paragraph after paragraph. Overall, I can't wait for book 2.

[Benjamin Sigman · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was fun!

[Rush Dar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written litrpg story with magic, dungeons, and a likable main character, Nate. The story starts slow until Nate meets Frick. From that point onward, the comic duo sped up the story until the crescendo of the main battle event. The only mistakes of the entire novel were a couple of skill/class descriptions that I had to review a couple of times to understand the lengthy descriptions. It's a great story, and I'm waiting for the sequel.

[Lorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book

I like the main character and the story. It's a good isekai adventure with a good hook at the end. I look forward to the next book.

[Richard A. Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good!

Great story, even better characters. Please continue the series. I love the details on the magic. Thank you for your work.

[Paul Clemons · Rating 4 out of 5]

think like a reader, not an author

Most if not all fantasy readers when in a new fantasy world and given a magical storage device would immediately check it. Not look for water because there might be a canteen or something inside. Not look for traps, sleep, draw or anything else except possibly dealing with the system because that is normal. The only reason the mc doesn’t is because they think like the author and know what is in the storage device without checking. The mc finally checks it when the author knows the contents are needed. The story setup was brilliant but the rest of the book average with some plot holes with the inn and annoying decisions and logic by the mc.

[Ford Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

For Young adults at best. Boring plot filled with holes and poor dialogue.

If you're you're a very young reader maybe this book would seem good. It's sort of a convoluted mess. The main character is clueless but at times has more adult knowledge and wisdom when it suits the plot. The plot itself is boring and full of plot holes. For the first 100 pages of the book the main character speaks to one person with the dialogue of two or three pages. That's over 100 pages of zero dialogue to start the story. The main characters introspection is way over explained on everything he does and as a young teenager would never have the wisdom or capability to have those intellectual insights. The first real dialogue starts not with a supporting cast character but with a system spirit familiar to the main character. However this familiar gets its language from the main character so it uses modernism and all of its dialogue completely ruining any form of fantasy immersion, although the familiars dialogue is supposed to be humorous, it's contrived, predictable and boring to the point of insufferable. I have no interest in reading book two in the series. Maybe if you're a very young reader this book would seem adventurous, but as an adult reader it's boring and flat with weak writing, dialogue and very predictable lot lines. Overexplained hot mess with a confusing magic system that creates more filler than uniqueness to the characters. Very forgettable story.

[Jim Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had issues with this

Turned out to be a good story. Well thought out and the magic platform seems to work

My biggest issue is that the M.C. Didn't tip. Even nobles tip though it may be copper rather than gold.

[Gareth Otton · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of my biggest frustrations with the LitRPG genre is the number of books that go out of their way to create a fantastic premise that sets them apart from other novels in the genre, but then discard that premise to tell a traditional LitRPG adventure story.

This book opens strong, setting up our protagonist as someone born to our world but with an innate affinity for magical runes that plays out through artistic talent. His latest graffiti artwork is not just aesthetically pleasing, it is coincidentally the exact shape of a runic spellform that will create a portal that pulls the protagonist to the workshop of a god. There, he learns that he can't get home, but he is now part of a world full of magic, and his innate understanding of magic runes gives him a significant advantage.

By this point in the novel, I was really excited about where this story was going. There was enough character work on the main protagonist to make him a perfect candidate for an isekai story. The premise of his artistic talent giving him the potential to be a natural talent at runic magic was a fantastic set-up for a story, and the god's interest in Nate hinted at the endless potential of where this story could go.

It was, therefore, highly frustrating to have Nate enter your generic LitRPG dungeon tutorial where he learns how to use magic to have adventures, and all that set up is thrown away. His artistic skill becomes little more than a gimmick, his character work comes to a sharp halt, and the path he takes going forward is your bog-standard LitRPG Isekai adventure story set up.

I kept reading to the 60% mark to see if I could power through, but by this point, I realised all my interest in this story had gone. It's such a shame because this had the promise to be so much better. For the life of me, I will never understand why new authors in this genre go to such great lengths to create unique and interesting premises just to turn their stories into formulaic copies of existing books, hitting every trope in the genre along the way.

[Spencer Walther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Runic Artist is a phenomenal book. I got the first one on Audible and really enjoyed it. It's a really fun premise executed really well on top of a great narration. The MC's powers are really unique and I like that they lean into his past as an artist. Little interactions like him giving townspeople sketches of themselves really help flesh him out. They're just really lovely little interactions that make him more likeable and showcase his skill as an artist. I think the book really flourishes as the cast increases in size. The characters each have voices that stand out and it's fun watching them clash and interact with one another. There are injustices and framings which are plot points which really get me riled up when done well (which Ellake definitely succeeds at).

As for things like grammar and style, there really isn't much to be said beyond that I noticed nothing egregious. It reads completely competently. Keep in mind though that the author is Australian, so some spellings aren't the same as American English.



-Minor Spoiler-

There's both a magic academy and a tournament arc coming up next. Both of which are two of my favorite settings/troupes. And I'm really happy to see him continue on alongside his little party. I'll be picking up the next book as soon as it hits audible.

[Sundeep · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had plenty of interesting twists — for example, the manner in which Nate was isekai-ed, the introduction to the new world and so on. Crafting is one of my favorite things to read in progression fantasy worlds and the Runic twist in this novel was cool to see being employed. The skill synergies and evolutions, along with the discussions and experiments needed to reach them were shown splendidly well.

The physical part of the worldbuilding started out promisingly but it was a bit limited since the entire book took place in a town and we got only a few glimpses of other places — given the direction of the plot, this will naturally improve. Writing was easy to follow and characters were to my liking. The sassy spirit was a great addition, as were MC's friend and a few others from the Adventurer's Guild.

Apart from cool action, there were plenty of nice slice-of-life stuff as well. It was good to see Nate's artistic side improve along with his magical skills. Overall, this was a good start to the series and I'm looking forward to see how the rest shapes up.

[Donald Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent series. Plot is well executed if not the most original. MC is very original and relatable.
The two books currently available in this series could stand on literary merit with out the LitRPG elements. (These comments apply to both books, and despite the seeming negatives below I am looking forward to the next volume.)

While the stat sheet repetition is not prolific enough to say that it is padding, one does have to question why it is there. At not time does there seem to be any meaning to the numbers other than just comparing them to the past iterations. No explanation at to math or logic that gives the numbers meaning. While there are explanations for the skills the logic is often faulty or fuzzy. LitRPG systems should have a solid foundation as do various RPG games such as DnD this one like most of those published does not.

[Michael Marciano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad

Really the book could have been four stars Maybe even five however the other purposely makes the protagonist Do stupid things and I really hate plot armor. The main example of this would be the protagonist seems to have a fairly solid understanding of physics and yet never attempts to anchor his shield or almost never which makes it worse cuz he actually does anchor it a couple of times. Causing him to be knocked around the battlefield by pretty much any and everyone. In reality it's a very least he could form the shield into the shape he needs and drive it into the ground. This is just one example.

[invisiblemonki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something Different

It's nice to see a bunch of good ol' genre ideas remixed into something original. I was very impressed with how I haven't seen this exact mix happen before. Really cohesive and novel, while being familiar in all the tropes. And the writing is good. I like that the MC can be petulant and damaged but still heroic. There was a little bit of plot grease, but it kept the pacing up, so it works out. Over all, don't miss this exciting new adventure. Get in on the ground floor, it's gonna be good.

[Liz K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Title - GREAT start to a fascinating series!

The title and blurb description motivated me to try this book. I had not gotten past the 1st paragraph, when I “was hooked”. It’s an insanely creative plot with fascinating characters. Ellake deserves high praise for not only creating a primary character that you’ll quickly bond with, but also creating support characters who have their own depth and stories. Ellake’s ability to weave these threads into a world which captures you from the book’s beginning makes him a “real author to watch”. I’m eagerly awaiting Book 2!!

[Dantegideon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The actual story bits of this are pretty good, but unfortunately most of the book is made-up crafting cobblers which really starts to drag around halfway through. I don’t care too much about him levelling up a piece of wood and I certainly don’t want to read about it more than once. And the art thing has precisely two uses; he can draw runes real fast, and he occasionally does a painting which again, doesn’t work too well in prose. It’s just more crafting in the end. So a bit disappointing but worth seeing where it goes next.

[Adrien · Rating 2 out of 5]

Amazon will prevent your review from showing if they don't like what you have to say.

This book is too silly, and it has the same problem with characters that most new books have. Every woman has to be strong and thrust in your face as the best warrior and so on. The main character shits his pants at the sight of a strong female warrior. The main battle involves and strong female warrior verses a strong female warrior. Then of course our loser MC draws the strong female warrior and fantasizes about her. These artists are putting their fetishes in the books they write..

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awsome

Loved this book. I want more and soon. I like the detail and delve into the skills and the effort to improve them without the need to battle continually. My kind of series and book. The MC is of good moral fiber, so to speak and fun to read about. Side characters and world political map slowly exposed by book end, but the first half is a blissful grind and survival. Enjoy it. I did.

[Tyrel Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boring - this reads like it's an early litrpg or written by someone who hasn't read a lot. Most things are explained at least 2 times, repeating the titles and rarity of skills, so much handholding instead of storytelling.

MC just talks and talks, then when the story starts up again, he'll have random thoughts to tell you step by step of a magical process he thought of which ANYONE living in the world would also do.


DNF

[Starr · Rating 2 out of 5]

First 18 minutes of word vomit 🤢 then way to much detail and woo-woo I skipped around hoping it would get better..98% of the time if you don't connect with a book within the first 20 minutes i gave it it's a No for me plus most artists are weird sorry but they are on another planet than most people 1 1/2 hours but nate thinks way to much 😉 it's overkill this book has potential but nate messed it up with his blah blah blah blah blah. AND to much explanation on everything dnf.. I tried

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

legen…wait for it…dary

Teen artist suffering from Super Generic Orphan cliche syndrome ( both parents killed in car crash ) accidentally gets whisked to a fantasy world, just being non-magical and a planeswalker is enough achievement for the System to give him a Legendary class.

Fumbles his way through a Dungeon with a familiar, winds up overgeared and possibly overpowered (if he has time to study and prepare).

[Arthur King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, likeable MCs, weak plot, but still a fun read. Book was on the short side, though. I'm hard pressed to say it's worth an audible credit. It would be very easy for frick to go from abrasive and uncultured to annoying. Still, a very strong first attempt from a new author.

Also, the narrators are great. Will look for more of their work.

[Andrew Mohlmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read that builds over time.
The frantic pace keeps you asking if you have time to read just one more chapter.
The world feel cohesive and the rules of the universe have an internal consistency to them. This allows you to trust the author and just enjoy the ride.
Looking forward to the next book.

[John-Torleif Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed it

The beginning of Nate’s journey here, was well paced, and plotted. I liked how his artistic interests are tying into the development of his powers. I have to wonder if the Wanderer doesn’t have some yet to be discovered reason for being near this world, and sending Nate there.

[That Guy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Childish and boring

The positive reviews for this book are bots or they didn't read it. The MC is annoying and very immature, the action scenes make no sense, insane plot armor, a super annoying familiar/sidekick, childish dialogue, the list goes on and on. On top of all that... It's just boring.

[James Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book

When I first saw this, I thought it was going to be good, I was wrong. It was excellent. It easily was one of the best books I've read this year.

I can't recommend this book enough.

[Troy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the story, needs editing

Enjoyed the book and am looking forward to where the story goes next.

Needs an editor, lots of grammatical errors. But for the most part, they do not take away from the story.

[Scott Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. Bloody brilliant.

One of the more engaging reads of the genre. An MC easily invested in, a road to mastery much less travelled, and action enough to satisfy all but the most bloodthirsty readers. Well done. Get the sequel done!!!