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Wizards of Seattle #1.2
Caretaker
Jason has recently discovered his new category six wizardry was a result of a genetic experiment performed by a secret organization called the Ebullio. Now that he has broken free of their mind control enchantment, suppressed memories float to the surface and he remembers the terrifying abductions and genomic therapy that he and his younger brother, Benjamin, endured. Meanwhile, the Valituras have set their sights on Jason, unleashing powerful curses designed to kill him and his family. As Jason learns more about the Ebullio and the Valituras, he realizes that danger lurks behind every corner and the enemy could be hiding in plain sight. This novella is the second installment of the Wizards of Seattle series.
- GenresUrban Fantasy
102 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2014
5 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
John O'Riley
22 books163 followersThe author, John O'Riley, is an award winning writer. He is an author of both novels and screenplays in the categories of urban fantasy, comedy, science fiction and young adult.
He is the author of the Grumpy Old Wizards series, the Wizard of Seattle series, and the Winters Family Psi Chronicles series. A full listing of all the series in chronological order with book excerpts and descriptions can be found on the official author website at http://johnoriley.webs.com.
When you sign up to be on the mailing list at http://johnoriley.webs.com/new-book-n..., you will always know when new titles are available and will be kept in the loop when there are special offers. You will also receive a short story free when you sign up.
John's movie feature screenplay, Cursed, is an Honorable Mention Winner for the 2012 Screenplay Festival. His most recent accomplishments include the screenplays Cursed, Project Pandora, Pinky Swear, Incipio, and Bad Sister which have been listed as Quarter Finalists, Semi Finalists, and Top Finalists in the 2012 Screenplay Festival, 2012 Filmmakers International Screenplay Awards, 2012 StoryPros International Awards, 2012 Pulsar Sci Fi Screenplay Contest, and the 2012 Reel Authors International Breakout.
He is the author of the Grumpy Old Wizards series, the Wizards of Seattle series, and the Winters Family Psi Chronicles series. You can visit the author website at http://johnoriley.webs.com to see a complete listing with book descriptions and book excerpts.
You can sign up at http://johnoriley.webs.com/new-book-n... to stay in the loop for special offers and to know when a new book is available. The first time you sign up, you will receive a free short story.
He loves reading fantasy, science fiction, and humorous fiction. Some of his favorite authors include Kim Harrison, Jim Butcher, Kay Hooper (Bishop Files/ psychic detective thrillers), Kat Richardson, J.K. Rowling, Angie Sage, Jayne Krentz, and Janet Evanovich. He currently lives in Lynnwood, Washington which is by Seattle and owns a parakeet named Amy. Amy is by far the most polite bird he's ever had as she always quiets down if he takes a nap or needs rest. However, when she wants a treat, she will squawk at him until he takes her out of the cage and gives her millet seeds.
He is the author of the Grumpy Old Wizards series, the Wizard of Seattle series, and the Winters Family Psi Chronicles series. A full listing of all the series in chronological order with book excerpts and descriptions can be found on the official author website at http://johnoriley.webs.com.
When you sign up to be on the mailing list at http://johnoriley.webs.com/new-book-n..., you will always know when new titles are available and will be kept in the loop when there are special offers. You will also receive a short story free when you sign up.
John's movie feature screenplay, Cursed, is an Honorable Mention Winner for the 2012 Screenplay Festival. His most recent accomplishments include the screenplays Cursed, Project Pandora, Pinky Swear, Incipio, and Bad Sister which have been listed as Quarter Finalists, Semi Finalists, and Top Finalists in the 2012 Screenplay Festival, 2012 Filmmakers International Screenplay Awards, 2012 StoryPros International Awards, 2012 Pulsar Sci Fi Screenplay Contest, and the 2012 Reel Authors International Breakout.
He is the author of the Grumpy Old Wizards series, the Wizards of Seattle series, and the Winters Family Psi Chronicles series. You can visit the author website at http://johnoriley.webs.com to see a complete listing with book descriptions and book excerpts.
You can sign up at http://johnoriley.webs.com/new-book-n... to stay in the loop for special offers and to know when a new book is available. The first time you sign up, you will receive a free short story.
He loves reading fantasy, science fiction, and humorous fiction. Some of his favorite authors include Kim Harrison, Jim Butcher, Kay Hooper (Bishop Files/ psychic detective thrillers), Kat Richardson, J.K. Rowling, Angie Sage, Jayne Krentz, and Janet Evanovich. He currently lives in Lynnwood, Washington which is by Seattle and owns a parakeet named Amy. Amy is by far the most polite bird he's ever had as she always quiets down if he takes a nap or needs rest. However, when she wants a treat, she will squawk at him until he takes her out of the cage and gives her millet seeds.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 6, 2015
Awkward, simplistic and stilted
Fair warning, I couldn't finish this book. I read the first one and, although concerned with the writing, I started on this one in hopes of seeing some improvement. In the end, I just lost interest.
Pros:
I was rooting for the good guy characters.
At first, I felt sufficiently interested in the magic system.
Cons:
Very stilted and awkward dialogue. For example, there are many scenes where someone asks "May I come in?", and someone else answers "Yes you may.", the the first person responds "Thank you.". Another example, someone asks "How are you feeling?", the other person responds "I am feeling much better today, thank you for asking.", then the first person says "You are welcome." Not incorrect, just awkward and stilted like the author is trying to teach English as a second language.
Constantly evolving magic system. The rules keep evolving as the story progresses. For example, the rules for what a white night or a level six wizard can do seem to flow too conveniently as needed by the plot. It feels like the author is making it up as he goes along.
Shallow characters. Other than knowing a little about the protagonist, we know virtually nothing about the other characters. It is difficult to determine their motivation.
Too convenient plot devices. For example, suddenly the protagonist develops the ability to use a "special energy" no one has ever heard of, their new house just happens to be above a vortex so that the protagonist can stay there, their house comes with hot and cold running "enchantments" that they can use anytime they want. No one is working for these gifts. There seems to be no rhyme or reason for these devices other than convenience.
After thinking "Oh come on!" too often, I gave up. I would have given it three stars had I been able to finish. Others seem to enjoy it, so maybe you will too.
Fair warning, I couldn't finish this book. I read the first one and, although concerned with the writing, I started on this one in hopes of seeing some improvement. In the end, I just lost interest.
Pros:
I was rooting for the good guy characters.
At first, I felt sufficiently interested in the magic system.
Cons:
Very stilted and awkward dialogue. For example, there are many scenes where someone asks "May I come in?", and someone else answers "Yes you may.", the the first person responds "Thank you.". Another example, someone asks "How are you feeling?", the other person responds "I am feeling much better today, thank you for asking.", then the first person says "You are welcome." Not incorrect, just awkward and stilted like the author is trying to teach English as a second language.
Constantly evolving magic system. The rules keep evolving as the story progresses. For example, the rules for what a white night or a level six wizard can do seem to flow too conveniently as needed by the plot. It feels like the author is making it up as he goes along.
Shallow characters. Other than knowing a little about the protagonist, we know virtually nothing about the other characters. It is difficult to determine their motivation.
Too convenient plot devices. For example, suddenly the protagonist develops the ability to use a "special energy" no one has ever heard of, their new house just happens to be above a vortex so that the protagonist can stay there, their house comes with hot and cold running "enchantments" that they can use anytime they want. No one is working for these gifts. There seems to be no rhyme or reason for these devices other than convenience.
After thinking "Oh come on!" too often, I gave up. I would have given it three stars had I been able to finish. Others seem to enjoy it, so maybe you will too.
December 31, 2014
I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Caretaker is episode two of The Wizards of Seattle series. The story continues a couple of weeks after episode one ended. We see Jason extremely exhausted and pale, which has everyone concerned. But because of the mind control spell placed on him, he contributes it to working long hours, not his actual problem (you’ll have to read the end of episode one). He’s still having difficulty creating spells now that he’s a category six, but continues to persevere. Amy and Benjamin are embracing their White Knight abilities and are getting stronger. Jason is determined to meet Radha, the caretaker of their power center. When he finally meets her, he’s instantly drawn to her.
This series just keeps getting better and better! Now there is mention of the gray angels. I remember them from The Grumpy Old Wizards series. It makes me wonder if all of the category six wizards are going to gather to fight the Ebuillo. I’m looking forward to episode three, I can’t wait to see where John O’Riley is taking this series. This story was so engrossing that I really hated to see it end.
Caretaker is episode two of The Wizards of Seattle series. The story continues a couple of weeks after episode one ended. We see Jason extremely exhausted and pale, which has everyone concerned. But because of the mind control spell placed on him, he contributes it to working long hours, not his actual problem (you’ll have to read the end of episode one). He’s still having difficulty creating spells now that he’s a category six, but continues to persevere. Amy and Benjamin are embracing their White Knight abilities and are getting stronger. Jason is determined to meet Radha, the caretaker of their power center. When he finally meets her, he’s instantly drawn to her.
This series just keeps getting better and better! Now there is mention of the gray angels. I remember them from The Grumpy Old Wizards series. It makes me wonder if all of the category six wizards are going to gather to fight the Ebuillo. I’m looking forward to episode three, I can’t wait to see where John O’Riley is taking this series. This story was so engrossing that I really hated to see it end.
January 19, 2015
I'm back with another series by John O'Riley! If you recall, I really enjoyed his storylines in the past and these two novellas weren't any different. Secret societies, wizardry, mysterious inheritances...it all adds up to a quickly moving story that leaves you wanting to know what happens next. Like his other works, the author fills these novellas with tons of detailed information so it's not difficult at all to see the entire story unfolding in your head. Where it has bothered me in the past, in these, it seems to work. I do have one major complaint though and it's the fact that there is a major story issue in the first novella where the book contradicts itself. I can't describe it further without spoilers and honestly, some readers may just overlook it entirely. For me though, it stumped me and had me reading back and forth to make sure that I'd understood the story correctly. Also, I'm going on the assumption that I didn't receive the final edited stories, so it's entirely possible that this and the grammar/typos were fixed before publication. All in all, another enjoyable read that lovers of fantasy should enjoy.
January 17, 2015
This one picks up about a week after the first episode ended. Jason has been feeling tired and drained and does not know why. t turns out he is under some serious mind control and being used as a blood bag for a vampire he thought was his friend.
Rahda helps cure both Ben and Jason of the mind control. They find out that an organization has been testing on them. That is why they both are having trouble with their abilities.
Jason starts to understand how he is different and how to use it.
This story definitely picks up in this episode. You follow Jason along as he learns more about himself and his abilities. You are on the edge of your seat the whole time.
I truly loved this story and I cannot wait to see what happens next.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Rahda helps cure both Ben and Jason of the mind control. They find out that an organization has been testing on them. That is why they both are having trouble with their abilities.
Jason starts to understand how he is different and how to use it.
This story definitely picks up in this episode. You follow Jason along as he learns more about himself and his abilities. You are on the edge of your seat the whole time.
I truly loved this story and I cannot wait to see what happens next.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
December 19, 2014
Dang - they just keep getting better and better.
Wizards of Seattle series has got to be one of my favorite series!!! John O'Riley is a new author for me to read books from - and I am so glad that I was introduced to his works.
I love how he started this book off right where Inheritance (Wizards of Seattle Book 1) ended. With that said -- please read Inheritance before reading Caretaker!!
Another word of warning, once you start reading these, you will find that they are so hard to put down!!!
I was given a copy of this book for an honest review.
Wizards of Seattle series has got to be one of my favorite series!!! John O'Riley is a new author for me to read books from - and I am so glad that I was introduced to his works.
I love how he started this book off right where Inheritance (Wizards of Seattle Book 1) ended. With that said -- please read Inheritance before reading Caretaker!!
Another word of warning, once you start reading these, you will find that they are so hard to put down!!!
I was given a copy of this book for an honest review.
January 20, 2015
The second book picks right up Jason is so happy with his level six. He found out that a group used a experience on him by using mind control. Jason starts to remember the abduction of his brother Benjamin and himself and the therapy used on them. The Valituras are after Jason and try to kill him and his family! Jason realize that his enemies are closer then he thinks.
I can't wait to read more from John's hands.
I can't wait to read more from John's hands.
November 29, 2015
Awesome
John O'Riley has created an awesome world of wizardry with this series and "Grumpy old Wizards". Loved it so much that I bought both series!
John O'Riley has created an awesome world of wizardry with this series and "Grumpy old Wizards". Loved it so much that I bought both series!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews