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Magic Eater #4
Courts
One set of enemies has been dealt with, and Tad has made his way to a new town with a new shop. He's made some great friends and found a happiness he didn't know existed.
If only life were that simple. His heritage is pushing into his life and choices will have to be made. That and those who want a piece of him have become even more powerful.
Will he ever find the quiet life he wanted so much? Although, perhaps the bigger question is whether that's still the life he wants?
If only life were that simple. His heritage is pushing into his life and choices will have to be made. That and those who want a piece of him have become even more powerful.
Will he ever find the quiet life he wanted so much? Although, perhaps the bigger question is whether that's still the life he wants?
762 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 5, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 1, 2026
Too freaking long for what is accomplished. MC is also kinda annoyingly selfless, although it really isn't selfless to ignore your followers when they tell you to protect yourself first, and it's for their sake. Story is basically good, but needs better pacing and for the MC to calibrate his priorities.
February 9, 2026
5 🌟 Read on KU.
June 10, 2026
The best book in the series so far but still sloppy in fundamental ways.
This is the best book of the series so far. A nice balance of combat, plot, and crafting (if that’s your thing). However, this series still suffers from some glaring issues.
The first is a minor gripe. A personal pet peeve. It’s the allusions to the English language, whether it be acronyms, phrases, homophones, spelling, etc. These characters are NOT SPEAKING ENGLISH. What are the odds two homophones in English are also homophones in the language of the characters in the context of the story? What are the odds they have the same phrases? What are the odds they use a similar writing system? Basically zero. But they’re in this series. A series set in a multiverse with other series by the author that includes the planet Earth. So even if you wanted to give some bend-over-backwards explanation for this context error, it doesn’t make sense because Earth exists in the story’s context. This specific context error is something many authors engage in. I won’t count off for it unless it’s egregious, and I think I only noted two or three instances in this book.
Second is the whole magical shop episode. What’s the purpose of any of this? It’s to facilitate the plot development of the overall story, but the author fails to make this decision make any sense for the MC and his gang in the context of his story. For instance, he doesn’t need money so he’s selling his inventions super cheap. But his own captain buddy has been trading these ovens Tad made and sells in his shop for a couple of gold for literally 10,000 gold apiece. So here’s the first plot hole with the shop. The resale value, why wouldn’t everyone just clear out his inventory and resell it and retire? He gives an oven to a baker who could just sell it and retire as it represents decades of work for them. Makes no sense either why an adventurer wouldn’t buy a weapon let’s say, then sell it for a couple thousand times more than they paid for it, then come back and buy another.
The next plot hole is that Tad is keeping the fact he’s making these items himself a secret as that ability is unheard of in his world, only dungeons supply enchanted items. But where does Tad get his ovens and lamps and weapons to enchant? The local smiths and crafters. So here’s buys a dozen swords from a local smith then enchants them and sells them in the same town, and no one is gonna notice a maker’s mark or the style of the smith?
What the author tried to do was move the plot forward while playing homage to a desire expressed by his MC earlier in the series, a desire he’s not actually gonna ever fulfill as this is a classic epic-trope progression series (looking at you Jake’s Magical whatever). Instead of weaving all this together which takes skill as an author, he just drew lines between where he wanted to go and how he got there and didn’t care if it made sense. He wanted to progress the story and also maintain this idea that enchanting is super rare, the latter decision I still don’t understand why that matters to the author.
Third, as usually we spent a lot of time crafting. I know some people really enjoy that, and I too can at some point. But not when it all boils down to concentrating really hard and the plot armor of a system just making everything work and granting whatever skills (catch all term here) needed to make it happen. That’s what this author does.
Fourth, though I REALLY honestly appreciate that there is some preparation for fights, mainly crafting and some strategy, in the noble fight, the combat boils down to a magical plot device granted for a few minutes or whatever, and the lawgiver fight boils down to plot armor. Just totally lazy writing. About as unimaginative as it gets.
Fifth, I don’t understand the pace of this story at all. The pace of progression contradicts the world building. Now, it doesn’t necessarily for the MC as his “super rare” enchanting class allows him a path to rapid XP gain by crafting new types of stuff. But it doesn’t explain how his gang levels up so fast does it? In a universe where people spend decades to get to where they all get to in a few months? I just have to ask why? As an author, you control the story. Why does the timeframe need to be so short? Why can’t you tell this same story over years? Imagine how easy it would be to fix the problems around this contradiction as well as the magical shop plot holes by just spreading out this same story over years instead of weeks. So many authors do this and I don’t get it. A slower time frame doesn’t mean a slower pace. You can write a fast-paced story within the context of a many years or decades plot.
Ultimately this book is better than previous iterations, and I rated all of those two stars. So I will give this one a bonus. But much of the problems with this series and this author’s decision making are still glaring and are holding this series back. On a scale of F to S tier, it’s a D. Average.
This is the best book of the series so far. A nice balance of combat, plot, and crafting (if that’s your thing). However, this series still suffers from some glaring issues.
The first is a minor gripe. A personal pet peeve. It’s the allusions to the English language, whether it be acronyms, phrases, homophones, spelling, etc. These characters are NOT SPEAKING ENGLISH. What are the odds two homophones in English are also homophones in the language of the characters in the context of the story? What are the odds they have the same phrases? What are the odds they use a similar writing system? Basically zero. But they’re in this series. A series set in a multiverse with other series by the author that includes the planet Earth. So even if you wanted to give some bend-over-backwards explanation for this context error, it doesn’t make sense because Earth exists in the story’s context. This specific context error is something many authors engage in. I won’t count off for it unless it’s egregious, and I think I only noted two or three instances in this book.
Second is the whole magical shop episode. What’s the purpose of any of this? It’s to facilitate the plot development of the overall story, but the author fails to make this decision make any sense for the MC and his gang in the context of his story. For instance, he doesn’t need money so he’s selling his inventions super cheap. But his own captain buddy has been trading these ovens Tad made and sells in his shop for a couple of gold for literally 10,000 gold apiece. So here’s the first plot hole with the shop. The resale value, why wouldn’t everyone just clear out his inventory and resell it and retire? He gives an oven to a baker who could just sell it and retire as it represents decades of work for them. Makes no sense either why an adventurer wouldn’t buy a weapon let’s say, then sell it for a couple thousand times more than they paid for it, then come back and buy another.
The next plot hole is that Tad is keeping the fact he’s making these items himself a secret as that ability is unheard of in his world, only dungeons supply enchanted items. But where does Tad get his ovens and lamps and weapons to enchant? The local smiths and crafters. So here’s buys a dozen swords from a local smith then enchants them and sells them in the same town, and no one is gonna notice a maker’s mark or the style of the smith?
What the author tried to do was move the plot forward while playing homage to a desire expressed by his MC earlier in the series, a desire he’s not actually gonna ever fulfill as this is a classic epic-trope progression series (looking at you Jake’s Magical whatever). Instead of weaving all this together which takes skill as an author, he just drew lines between where he wanted to go and how he got there and didn’t care if it made sense. He wanted to progress the story and also maintain this idea that enchanting is super rare, the latter decision I still don’t understand why that matters to the author.
Third, as usually we spent a lot of time crafting. I know some people really enjoy that, and I too can at some point. But not when it all boils down to concentrating really hard and the plot armor of a system just making everything work and granting whatever skills (catch all term here) needed to make it happen. That’s what this author does.
Fourth, though I REALLY honestly appreciate that there is some preparation for fights, mainly crafting and some strategy, in the noble fight, the combat boils down to a magical plot device granted for a few minutes or whatever, and the lawgiver fight boils down to plot armor. Just totally lazy writing. About as unimaginative as it gets.
Fifth, I don’t understand the pace of this story at all. The pace of progression contradicts the world building. Now, it doesn’t necessarily for the MC as his “super rare” enchanting class allows him a path to rapid XP gain by crafting new types of stuff. But it doesn’t explain how his gang levels up so fast does it? In a universe where people spend decades to get to where they all get to in a few months? I just have to ask why? As an author, you control the story. Why does the timeframe need to be so short? Why can’t you tell this same story over years? Imagine how easy it would be to fix the problems around this contradiction as well as the magical shop plot holes by just spreading out this same story over years instead of weeks. So many authors do this and I don’t get it. A slower time frame doesn’t mean a slower pace. You can write a fast-paced story within the context of a many years or decades plot.
Ultimately this book is better than previous iterations, and I rated all of those two stars. So I will give this one a bonus. But much of the problems with this series and this author’s decision making are still glaring and are holding this series back. On a scale of F to S tier, it’s a D. Average.
January 9, 2026
Book four
I was so frustrated by this book. I really wanna like it I really really do.
1 of the Greatest things about this style of book is that you get to watch the character grow and struggle to make their choices you know will I pick this skill over this skill will it make me better or worse or indifferent.
In this series levels don't matter skills don't matter nothing matters. I'll explain it to you He is considered a child by the Fay but he can make Ascendant quality items. That also grow. The world tree and the endless dungeon and the system itself hold his hand and wipe his butt. Anytime he gets an actual danger the plot armor gets so thick that he suddenly boosted To divine levels of power just long enough to win the fight.
Levels don't matter because he's at level 100 and something and very easily killing Level 350 430 enemies. He's much faster than they are. Give this were true for the Faye humans never would have beat them in battle periods have run them off multiple worlds where law and order rule.
Skills don't matter because it doesn't matter what skill or trade he picks The system turns around and gives him the ones he doesn't pick Or keeps giving him the option to pick him again. So there's no struggle to choose what's next he's gonna have it all anyway.
The Struggles that Ted ocean has when crafting Are just not believable. And oh my god the descriptions go on and on and on and take forever. I spent more time skimming pages out of pure boredom Then I did enjoying the story.
He does wind up losing 1 of his retainers But he immediately gains a gnome. I did like The Easter egg for leeroy Jenkins. I also kind of think that there was a little bit of homage to the author Apollo Thorne and blaze corvin. Because 1 of the characters was named Apollo and the other was named blaze I don't know who The character KT might have been modeled after but I figure it's a female author.
I thought we were finally gonna get rid of the character fara You know the rogue running around with a short sword and a knife you know sneaky and stabby the lizard girl. She gets killed But The plot armor is so thick that it actually extends to her and the main character Burst of godly might brings her back to life But he can't bring the retainer that got his head cut off back to life. Because he wasn't an important character.
He's so powerful and Awesome that he's able to change the time flow in his dungeon to give him enough time to totally deck himself out in cool armor and make a couple of little trinkets For his subordinates. He really needs to revamp all of their gear completely but he never does. His dungeon can make the premier medal for holding enchantments he could make them all entire suits of armor With weapons But he doesn't.
He constantly whines about wanting to sell simple enchanted items to the public. He sold a few items to some adventurers. That's about it. Oh no there was 1 miner he sold a lamp to.
So he never does actually sell anything to the regular people. Also dude is it terrible boss. Oh please don't call me prince call me tad I'm your friend. No you are a prince which means you're retainers have to kiss your butt and blow smoke up your butt Anytime you tell them something stupid like that. Boss you need to act like it. Boss you need to act like . Boss you need to act like it. That doesn't mean you have to be mean or standoffish just be a good boss stop trying to be everybody's buddy. And seriously what is the deal with him immediately spilling his guts to just about every new person he meets. He did it with the grand mage or whatever he was he did it with the gnome there was 1⁄3 character that I can't remember I mean he just spilled all his secrets though they seemed like a good guy on a whim I told him everything. Tad is a moron and should die!
They aren't your friends they're your employees. All your All your secrets just because you All your secrets just because you feel like they're a good person.feel
3/10 The plot armor is too thick. None of the stats none of the traits none of the skills actually matter. There is no struggle. And the descriptions when he's crafting take way too long their pages long. They don't need to be that involved.
I was so frustrated by this book. I really wanna like it I really really do.
1 of the Greatest things about this style of book is that you get to watch the character grow and struggle to make their choices you know will I pick this skill over this skill will it make me better or worse or indifferent.
In this series levels don't matter skills don't matter nothing matters. I'll explain it to you He is considered a child by the Fay but he can make Ascendant quality items. That also grow. The world tree and the endless dungeon and the system itself hold his hand and wipe his butt. Anytime he gets an actual danger the plot armor gets so thick that he suddenly boosted To divine levels of power just long enough to win the fight.
Levels don't matter because he's at level 100 and something and very easily killing Level 350 430 enemies. He's much faster than they are. Give this were true for the Faye humans never would have beat them in battle periods have run them off multiple worlds where law and order rule.
Skills don't matter because it doesn't matter what skill or trade he picks The system turns around and gives him the ones he doesn't pick Or keeps giving him the option to pick him again. So there's no struggle to choose what's next he's gonna have it all anyway.
The Struggles that Ted ocean has when crafting Are just not believable. And oh my god the descriptions go on and on and on and take forever. I spent more time skimming pages out of pure boredom Then I did enjoying the story.
He does wind up losing 1 of his retainers But he immediately gains a gnome. I did like The Easter egg for leeroy Jenkins. I also kind of think that there was a little bit of homage to the author Apollo Thorne and blaze corvin. Because 1 of the characters was named Apollo and the other was named blaze I don't know who The character KT might have been modeled after but I figure it's a female author.
I thought we were finally gonna get rid of the character fara You know the rogue running around with a short sword and a knife you know sneaky and stabby the lizard girl. She gets killed But The plot armor is so thick that it actually extends to her and the main character Burst of godly might brings her back to life But he can't bring the retainer that got his head cut off back to life. Because he wasn't an important character.
He's so powerful and Awesome that he's able to change the time flow in his dungeon to give him enough time to totally deck himself out in cool armor and make a couple of little trinkets For his subordinates. He really needs to revamp all of their gear completely but he never does. His dungeon can make the premier medal for holding enchantments he could make them all entire suits of armor With weapons But he doesn't.
He constantly whines about wanting to sell simple enchanted items to the public. He sold a few items to some adventurers. That's about it. Oh no there was 1 miner he sold a lamp to.
So he never does actually sell anything to the regular people. Also dude is it terrible boss. Oh please don't call me prince call me tad I'm your friend. No you are a prince which means you're retainers have to kiss your butt and blow smoke up your butt Anytime you tell them something stupid like that. Boss you need to act like it. Boss you need to act like . Boss you need to act like it. That doesn't mean you have to be mean or standoffish just be a good boss stop trying to be everybody's buddy. And seriously what is the deal with him immediately spilling his guts to just about every new person he meets. He did it with the grand mage or whatever he was he did it with the gnome there was 1⁄3 character that I can't remember I mean he just spilled all his secrets though they seemed like a good guy on a whim I told him everything. Tad is a moron and should die!
They aren't your friends they're your employees. All your All your secrets just because you All your secrets just because you feel like they're a good person.feel
3/10 The plot armor is too thick. None of the stats none of the traits none of the skills actually matter. There is no struggle. And the descriptions when he's crafting take way too long their pages long. They don't need to be that involved.
January 9, 2026
Substantial book, 10 🦄 Rating!
I normally read through books in a day or 2, but with most of Mr. Oswald's, I need a bit more time. With some books, I feel the need to sit with them and let the story soak in. I'm not sure how to describe it. This book isn't a snack to scarf down in an hour like it's popcorn. It's a full 5-course meal to take one's time on and savor.
So, our boy Tad Ocean, (not his real name) is growing by leaps and bounds. His abilities grow and stretch each time he settles in for a crafting session. Back in book one, he forfeited a chance to be a mage with a limited spellbook in favor of becoming a crafter and having access to an unlimited number of spells and abilities. So he can "cast" spells, sorta, but only through items.
It has become a huge boon for him and his team.
"Courts" is a great read for anyone of any age, gender, etc. It's entertaining, fun, and has different viewpoints to think about.
I found NO errors!!! Zero misspelling, punctuation, fact, or any other kind of error. It was *glorious*.
Character development and world building are well done. More threads are being drawn into the weave with every book. I can't wait to see what happens next!
Solid ten (10!!!) unicorn rating. (Very rare)
🦄 🦄 🦄 🦄 🦄 🦄 🦄 🦄 🦄 🦄
I normally read through books in a day or 2, but with most of Mr. Oswald's, I need a bit more time. With some books, I feel the need to sit with them and let the story soak in. I'm not sure how to describe it. This book isn't a snack to scarf down in an hour like it's popcorn. It's a full 5-course meal to take one's time on and savor.
So, our boy Tad Ocean, (not his real name) is growing by leaps and bounds. His abilities grow and stretch each time he settles in for a crafting session. Back in book one, he forfeited a chance to be a mage with a limited spellbook in favor of becoming a crafter and having access to an unlimited number of spells and abilities. So he can "cast" spells, sorta, but only through items.
It has become a huge boon for him and his team.
"Courts" is a great read for anyone of any age, gender, etc. It's entertaining, fun, and has different viewpoints to think about.
I found NO errors!!! Zero misspelling, punctuation, fact, or any other kind of error. It was *glorious*.
Character development and world building are well done. More threads are being drawn into the weave with every book. I can't wait to see what happens next!
Solid ten (10!!!) unicorn rating. (Very rare)
🦄 🦄 🦄 🦄 🦄 🦄 🦄 🦄 🦄 🦄
February 24, 2026
Good book, misleading title
A good series so far.
Given the current pacing not sure 5 books is enough without it ending up being rushed at points. The Title "Courts" I think is a little misleading as you spend a lot of the book waiting for him to interact with the Courts and he doesn't. Don't get me wrong very much enjoying the series but this entire book was a couple of fight scenes and a gear building montage.
A good series so far.
Given the current pacing not sure 5 books is enough without it ending up being rushed at points. The Title "Courts" I think is a little misleading as you spend a lot of the book waiting for him to interact with the Courts and he doesn't. Don't get me wrong very much enjoying the series but this entire book was a couple of fight scenes and a gear building montage.
May 21, 2026
When I first started reading this, my eyes would glaze over when it came to Tad doing his enchanting, but the more books I read, I get it. This is a good series and it gets better with every book. I like the fact that Tad is almost overpowered at first but then still humble (not always). I do feel like he is missing something though. He has emotional attachments to his "followers" but I feel like he needs something more. All in all I can't wait for the next book in the series.
March 24, 2026
bling
An enchanter in a world without enchantment (or enchantment only available at the end of a grueling dungeon) really breaks the balance. And for all the spells Tad can scribe, imbue and enchant, he only uses a fraction of his powers.
The Big Bad shows up almost by happenstance, and turns out there’s another the climactic battle right after that one.
An enchanter in a world without enchantment (or enchantment only available at the end of a grueling dungeon) really breaks the balance. And for all the spells Tad can scribe, imbue and enchant, he only uses a fraction of his powers.
The Big Bad shows up almost by happenstance, and turns out there’s another the climactic battle right after that one.
July 3, 2026
I went through the first 4 bks of this series with keen satisfaction and swiftness! I am enjoying learning about Tad, his adventures and his Fey background. His magic and power is cool and he is really growing. I like the direction this story is going and can’t wait til he finally meets Silas from WTTM.
January 5, 2026
Another fantastic read
If you are looking for a long running group of series, you found it. This is a branch of the series welcome to the multiverse. It's a great read with fantastic world / universe building, and well developed characters.
If you are looking for a long running group of series, you found it. This is a branch of the series welcome to the multiverse. It's a great read with fantastic world / universe building, and well developed characters.
January 11, 2026
Fantastic
Tad’s adventure continues. The descriptions of his enchanting are engaging and a very interesting take on magic we don’t often see. I’m very curious to see how his story develops and what happens next with the fey courts and the human religion.
Tad’s adventure continues. The descriptions of his enchanting are engaging and a very interesting take on magic we don’t often see. I’m very curious to see how his story develops and what happens next with the fey courts and the human religion.
January 12, 2026
Awesome fun
Very well written progression fantasy, the writer skilled enough that even the "stats" are interesting. This book is almost nonstop action, and I'm looking forward to the next one in the series.
Very well written progression fantasy, the writer skilled enough that even the "stats" are interesting. This book is almost nonstop action, and I'm looking forward to the next one in the series.
January 18, 2026
Loads of advancement
The power of the MC as well as the plot takes a sizable leap forward in the fourth book. Tad’s crafting and battle ability both play a major role in this segment. Well written.
The power of the MC as well as the plot takes a sizable leap forward in the fourth book. Tad’s crafting and battle ability both play a major role in this segment. Well written.
March 8, 2026
good but….
I like these books so far. The story is interesting and I like the characters. But I do have to say, the crafting parts, although somewhat informative, need to be seriously edited and paired down. They are mind numbingly boring.
I like these books so far. The story is interesting and I like the characters. But I do have to say, the crafting parts, although somewhat informative, need to be seriously edited and paired down. They are mind numbingly boring.
April 13, 2026
Great book has a few issues
It would be nice if he wouldn’t write every battle the same way
And the crafting details get a little weary
And not so much stats, please the books are about 200 pages less without all that
It would be nice if he wouldn’t write every battle the same way
And the crafting details get a little weary
And not so much stats, please the books are about 200 pages less without all that
August 19, 2026
Good read
I,think I finished this one faster than the last one. There was a lot to take in here. I realize that I am coming to this series after it crossed with the next one so it might be that I am trying to get to that point but this was an easier read than the last one.
I,think I finished this one faster than the last one. There was a lot to take in here. I realize that I am coming to this series after it crossed with the next one so it might be that I am trying to get to that point but this was an easier read than the last one.
January 13, 2026
Another Good One
Really enjoying this author’s writing. Good action with the good guys beaten up but still victorious. Looking forward to what happens next for the MC.
Really enjoying this author’s writing. Good action with the good guys beaten up but still victorious. Looking forward to what happens next for the MC.
January 16, 2026
Go Ted go! Really enjoying this series. Ted ought to spread his wings a little more though. If you got it - flaunt it.
January 25, 2026
Great read as always.
Its a little slower and more enchantment heavy than action oriented but a lot of cool stuff happens and is set up, and the easter eggs are magnificent.
Its a little slower and more enchantment heavy than action oriented but a lot of cool stuff happens and is set up, and the easter eggs are magnificent.
February 1, 2026
Gggrat book and series
Tad is quickly growing in power and understanding his heritage. Well-written story and an interesting world. I cannot wait for the next book
Tad is quickly growing in power and understanding his heritage. Well-written story and an interesting world. I cannot wait for the next book
March 13, 2026
I really enjoyed this overall; the character development is very enjoyable along with the story progression. It just gets better with each book. I definitely can't wait for the next one.
April 21, 2026
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews