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The Sorcerer's Torch: Book One of the Moonweld Saga
The empire unravels from within.
Since the king’s death, Queen Vikena has ruled with ruthless vengeance, tearing through rival lands and burning every alliance in her path. Whispers of civil war ripple through the streets. Above it all, the twin moons of Yold draw closer each night… an omen the world has not yet learned to fear.
Rip was never meant to be a hero. He’s a thief, with quick hands, quicker exits, and just enough luck to see another sunrise. But when that luck runs out, he’s captured, condemned, and dragged into the orbit of the Grand Sorcerer—a man whose belief in the empire is beginning to crack.
Then everything changes.
A dark act binds Rip’s fate to the queen’s own daughter, and in that moment, the world shifts. Escape is no longer a choice. It is survival.
Hunted by soldiers, giants, and creatures better left unnamed, they are forced to flee across a land steeped in ancient magic and buried secrets.
But the farther they run, the more the world closes in around them.
Because some forces do not threaten empires.
They unmake them.
Since the king’s death, Queen Vikena has ruled with ruthless vengeance, tearing through rival lands and burning every alliance in her path. Whispers of civil war ripple through the streets. Above it all, the twin moons of Yold draw closer each night… an omen the world has not yet learned to fear.
Rip was never meant to be a hero. He’s a thief, with quick hands, quicker exits, and just enough luck to see another sunrise. But when that luck runs out, he’s captured, condemned, and dragged into the orbit of the Grand Sorcerer—a man whose belief in the empire is beginning to crack.
Then everything changes.
A dark act binds Rip’s fate to the queen’s own daughter, and in that moment, the world shifts. Escape is no longer a choice. It is survival.
Hunted by soldiers, giants, and creatures better left unnamed, they are forced to flee across a land steeped in ancient magic and buried secrets.
But the farther they run, the more the world closes in around them.
Because some forces do not threaten empires.
They unmake them.
- GenresFiction
490 pages, Paperback
Published December 22, 2025
About the author
Bradford Norton
1 book24 followersBradford Norton is a speculative fiction author and a member of the U.S. Coast Guard, where he has served for nearly a decade as an electronics technician. It was during a deployment in the Pacific Ocean that he began drafting The Sorcerer’s Torch, the debut novel of his fantasy series, The Moonweld Saga.
A Nashville native, Bradford holds a B.S. from Middle Tennessee State University and an M.B.A. from Western Governors University, balancing his technical and business background with a lifelong passion for storytelling. He currently lives in Northern California with his wife and their dogs, and is actively working on the next installment of the saga.
For any who wish to, he can be reached at: author@bradfordnorton.com.
A Nashville native, Bradford holds a B.S. from Middle Tennessee State University and an M.B.A. from Western Governors University, balancing his technical and business background with a lifelong passion for storytelling. He currently lives in Northern California with his wife and their dogs, and is actively working on the next installment of the saga.
For any who wish to, he can be reached at: author@bradfordnorton.com.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 26, 2026
Why have I been sleeping on Fantasy?!?! Thank goodness ‘The Sorcerer’s Torch’ woke me up…
I’m new to this genre so I didn’t have much to draw comparison but as I read, I kept thinking of ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘Harry Potter.’ Like if the two had a baby, it’d be this book. And what a beautiful book baby it is, this Throne Potter or Game Harry.
What kept bringing these two series to mind was ‘The Sorcerer’s Torch’s’ combination of the worlds of royalty and magic. It reminded me of Martin’s richly painted land of castles and realms. Kings and queens. War and peace. And treaties amongst kingdoms that came and went like grains of sand through fingertips. It brought Rowling’s writing to mind with its wizardry and mystical creatures. Its potions and spells. Omens and curses. And that it dabbled in darkness but did not dwell entirely within it. It lit a spark with humor and heart throughout.
This book had such a charm to it, not only in the prose but also in the otherworldly setting and often quirky characters. I loved so much about this book, but what stood out most to me were the characters. It was absolutely packed with people to latch onto, whether you loved them or loved to hate them (looking at you Queen Vikena!)
Speaking of Vikena, the Queen of Mean, I just could not resist her. Her razor-sharp wit and cunning cruelty. Her unapologetic thirst for power and control (Yas, Queen). And let's face it she had some pretty sick burns I couldn’t help but enjoy and crack up at. Not to mention her nonchalant savageness toward those who dared to underestimate or cross her, off with their heads (umm, literally). It gave, well…serious Queen energy.
And of course, Elokore was a close second when it came to favorite characters. A messy (in more ways than one), dripping in wine and sarcasm sorcerer. He had me laughing every time he, presto chango, appeared on the page. Pretty sure presto chango is magical lingo, Fantasy newbie here. And I’d be remiss not to mention Rip, an orphaned underdog from birth, accidentally named for death itself. How could anyone not root for the young scrapper making his way through the dark one dagger swipe at a time?!
Absolutely loved this enchanting book, can’t wait for the next one in the series to come out. As ‘The Sorcerer’s Torch’ said “May the torch burn brightly.” Keep ‘em coming!!
Note: If you enjoy reading books by authors with cool dude mustaches, this book may just be the one for you. :)
April 20, 2026
✩✩✩✩✩
The Sorcerer’s Torch is definitely in my top books of all time. It's powered by magic, shadowed by rising danger, and anchored by underdogs who are wildly under-qualified for the chaos they’ve been drafted into. There’s a constant sense of improvisation, like everyone is one bad decision away from disaster and fully aware of it, just trying to figure things out while staying alive.
•─────⋅☾⊱♰⊰☽⋅─────•
The world-building is easy to digest without being monotonous. It bursts with magic, dragons, and adventure. Suspense, sorcery, and political tension propel the narrative at a confident pace. It never drags, or wanders off.
•─────⋅☾⊱♰⊰☽⋅─────•
MMC Rip’s journey, from thief to reluctant captive to an apprentice bound by ancient, relentless forces (honestly, the guy cannot catch a break)— is rendered with depth. His personal growth is interwoven with major twists. FMC Eyla navigates her own turbulent path, wrestling with identity and the precarious balance of trust in her mother, Queen Vikena. Because what’s a little trauma and emotional turmoil between family? When their destinies intersect, the adventure is utterly addictive.
•─────⋅☾⊱♰⊰☽⋅─────•
Another female character, Gerra, sweeps in strong, remarkable, and beautifully flawed.
•─────⋅☾⊱♰⊰☽⋅─────•
Elokore, the wizard, is an absolute standout— his wit and mastery of magic are nothing short of enchanting, and frankly, I would read an entire book of just him being clever and slightly insufferable (in the best way). AND the inclusion of a magical animal companion? Immediate emotional investment. Then his unlikely partner in crime, Alastair! How could anyone not root for the two of them? Their dynamic was easily one of my favorite parts of the book. It carries this refreshing reminder that even in old age, life isn’t finished with you yet. There’s still trouble to get into, still adventures to chase, and apparently, still plenty of room for chaos.
•─────⋅☾⊱♰⊰☽⋅─────•
The magic feels tangible and grounded. Threats loom with genuine menace and the characters themselves are deeply human— their choices matter, bonds are earned, and struggles feel real. There is humor, conflict, and immersive lore woven together seamlessly. It was captivating, and fully transported me into its world.
•─────⋅☾⊱♰⊰☽⋅─────•
I am eagerly awaiting the second installment!
•─────⋅☾⊱♰⊰☽⋅─────•
High-stakes fantasy adventures
Equal focus on male and female leads
Tangible, grounded magic
Dragons (obviously, as they should be)
Magical companions (instant attachment guaranteed)
Character growth and real choices
Political tension and suspense
Heroes wrestling with identity and trust
Witty, charismatic side characters (Elokore supremacy)
Humor mixed with danger
Rich, immersive lore
The Sorcerer’s Torch is definitely in my top books of all time. It's powered by magic, shadowed by rising danger, and anchored by underdogs who are wildly under-qualified for the chaos they’ve been drafted into. There’s a constant sense of improvisation, like everyone is one bad decision away from disaster and fully aware of it, just trying to figure things out while staying alive.
•─────⋅☾⊱♰⊰☽⋅─────•
The world-building is easy to digest without being monotonous. It bursts with magic, dragons, and adventure. Suspense, sorcery, and political tension propel the narrative at a confident pace. It never drags, or wanders off.
•─────⋅☾⊱♰⊰☽⋅─────•
MMC Rip’s journey, from thief to reluctant captive to an apprentice bound by ancient, relentless forces (honestly, the guy cannot catch a break)— is rendered with depth. His personal growth is interwoven with major twists. FMC Eyla navigates her own turbulent path, wrestling with identity and the precarious balance of trust in her mother, Queen Vikena. Because what’s a little trauma and emotional turmoil between family? When their destinies intersect, the adventure is utterly addictive.
•─────⋅☾⊱♰⊰☽⋅─────•
Another female character, Gerra, sweeps in strong, remarkable, and beautifully flawed.
•─────⋅☾⊱♰⊰☽⋅─────•
Elokore, the wizard, is an absolute standout— his wit and mastery of magic are nothing short of enchanting, and frankly, I would read an entire book of just him being clever and slightly insufferable (in the best way). AND the inclusion of a magical animal companion? Immediate emotional investment. Then his unlikely partner in crime, Alastair! How could anyone not root for the two of them? Their dynamic was easily one of my favorite parts of the book. It carries this refreshing reminder that even in old age, life isn’t finished with you yet. There’s still trouble to get into, still adventures to chase, and apparently, still plenty of room for chaos.
•─────⋅☾⊱♰⊰☽⋅─────•
The magic feels tangible and grounded. Threats loom with genuine menace and the characters themselves are deeply human— their choices matter, bonds are earned, and struggles feel real. There is humor, conflict, and immersive lore woven together seamlessly. It was captivating, and fully transported me into its world.
•─────⋅☾⊱♰⊰☽⋅─────•
I am eagerly awaiting the second installment!
•─────⋅☾⊱♰⊰☽⋅─────•
High-stakes fantasy adventures
Equal focus on male and female leads
Tangible, grounded magic
Dragons (obviously, as they should be)
Magical companions (instant attachment guaranteed)
Character growth and real choices
Political tension and suspense
Heroes wrestling with identity and trust
Witty, charismatic side characters (Elokore supremacy)
Humor mixed with danger
Rich, immersive lore
February 23, 2026
“The Sorcerer’s Torch” was such a wonderful read right from the start. Oh, how cunningly Magni, a vule, placed a young thief, Rip, from a prisoner into a squire of Nirum, a pupil to the Grand Sorcerer Elokore the Torch—and ultimately into… well, still waiting to see what he becomes next. All the characters in this fantasy world are incredibly interesting (and funny as well). Just to name a few, hopefully correctly: Rip, Magni the Mad, Queen Vikena, Elokore, Alastair, Princess Eyla, Gerra, Roderick, and many more names. Each of them feels uniquely important and contributes to making this book engaging and exciting.
My favorites were Elokore and Alastair. They make a wonderful duo. Life may be unpredictable for them, but they make it look effortlessly cool and almost simple for us ‘mortals.’ Roderick is also portrayed beautifully; his strength, especially his ability to trust in a kingdom full of deceit, stands out. Certain circumstances bring Rip and Eyla together. Princess Eyla shines in her own way despite facing her own misfortunes. Another favorite is Gerra! And Barnacle—the one-man… err, one-cat team—stole my heart. Magni and the pirate crew, as usual, are the loud and chaotic bunch, which kind of reminded me of Pirates of the Caribbean. The opposing forces (the villains) also play their parts well, adding tension and depth to the story.
It had been a while since I finished a fantasy book in one sitting, but this one kept me occupied with its story. I actually finished it three nights ago and just now found the time to write this review. I absolutely loved it and am eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series. Highly recommending it to all fantasy fans!
My favorites were Elokore and Alastair. They make a wonderful duo. Life may be unpredictable for them, but they make it look effortlessly cool and almost simple for us ‘mortals.’ Roderick is also portrayed beautifully; his strength, especially his ability to trust in a kingdom full of deceit, stands out. Certain circumstances bring Rip and Eyla together. Princess Eyla shines in her own way despite facing her own misfortunes. Another favorite is Gerra! And Barnacle—the one-man… err, one-cat team—stole my heart. Magni and the pirate crew, as usual, are the loud and chaotic bunch, which kind of reminded me of Pirates of the Caribbean. The opposing forces (the villains) also play their parts well, adding tension and depth to the story.
It had been a while since I finished a fantasy book in one sitting, but this one kept me occupied with its story. I actually finished it three nights ago and just now found the time to write this review. I absolutely loved it and am eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series. Highly recommending it to all fantasy fans!
February 3, 2026
The Sorcerer's Torch centres around 4 main Characters, Rip a street thief, caught and forced to make a choice. Elokore, a wizard (my favourite) and a drunk to boot, who has makes a choice to unsettle everything. A young princess who runs away (with a cat) and a Vule named Magni.
Bradford has a real wild imagination and this comes across from the first page to the last. The world and creatures within the book are wild and something that really comes across as you get further into the book.
I enjoyed the book (even though it is not my norm to read) and would highly recommend to anyone who is looking for a world rich with magic and creatures that will have you imagining all sorts.
Well done Bradford, look forwards to the second instalment.
Bradford has a real wild imagination and this comes across from the first page to the last. The world and creatures within the book are wild and something that really comes across as you get further into the book.
I enjoyed the book (even though it is not my norm to read) and would highly recommend to anyone who is looking for a world rich with magic and creatures that will have you imagining all sorts.
Well done Bradford, look forwards to the second instalment.
February 2, 2026
This book stood out to me for its atmosphere — the feeling that something is ending, and no one is fully in control anymore.
The magic feels restrained and meaningful, and the political unrest adds real weight to the characters’ choices. Rip’s journey is more about survival and moral pressure than destiny, which I appreciated. A solid opening to a larger world.
The magic feels restrained and meaningful, and the political unrest adds real weight to the characters’ choices. Rip’s journey is more about survival and moral pressure than destiny, which I appreciated. A solid opening to a larger world.
January 29, 2026
The Sorcerer’s Torch is a strong opening to a new fantasy saga. The world feels well thought-out, with political tension, mythic history, and characters that stand out, especially Rip and the mysterious Magni. The story takes its time establishing the setting, but it never feels dragged out. Rip is easy to follow, and the mix of magic and quiet, underlying tension keeps things moving. The writing is clear and visual, which makes it easy to stay immersed. By the end, it’s clear this is setting up something much bigger.
March 20, 2026
I really enjoyed the world and the characters. This has a classic-fantasy feel, and the adventure kept me reading. The threads of the different characters' stories were balanced nicely and though some headed in different directions, there was always that connection between the different parts.
There's a lot of lore to absorb early on (I do appreciate detailed world building in fantasy) so be prepared, though it stops short of being a lore-dump as it's threaded into the character interactions and story development. There is a point to it all beyond simply being background lore, which gradually becomes evident as the story unfolds.
The omniscient narrator took a bit of getting used to (I'm more used to reading close third-person stories) and the head-swapping threw me off at times, but once I did get used to it, it was mostly fine. The formatting of the dialogue didn't help there (dialogue should move to a new line for a new/changed speaker, or where the preceding action is from a different character than the speaker - this wasn't always followed) - this didn't pop up too much, but I had to re-read a few times to get straight who was talking.
The pacing of the story is good as it builds towards the climax. And while the ending leaves some questions unanswered (it's only Book 1 after all), the ending overall was satisfying. I'll be waiting for the sequel.
There's a lot of lore to absorb early on (I do appreciate detailed world building in fantasy) so be prepared, though it stops short of being a lore-dump as it's threaded into the character interactions and story development. There is a point to it all beyond simply being background lore, which gradually becomes evident as the story unfolds.
The omniscient narrator took a bit of getting used to (I'm more used to reading close third-person stories) and the head-swapping threw me off at times, but once I did get used to it, it was mostly fine. The formatting of the dialogue didn't help there (dialogue should move to a new line for a new/changed speaker, or where the preceding action is from a different character than the speaker - this wasn't always followed) - this didn't pop up too much, but I had to re-read a few times to get straight who was talking.
The pacing of the story is good as it builds towards the climax. And while the ending leaves some questions unanswered (it's only Book 1 after all), the ending overall was satisfying. I'll be waiting for the sequel.
April 9, 2026
This book has it all:
Death of a king, who may or may not have committed infidelity, a queen that is psycho - a new "general" that might be more than a general, a princess that her uncle's are trying to protect, a sorcerer, gods, goddesses, a pickpocket who is trying to save the princess -
At times it felt like it just went to far on the descriptions - and the court politics - it just felt to me that it went on a little bit much -especially at the beginning of the story.
Otherwise, once we get midway into the book it went very quickly with twists and turns - and I can't wait to see if the people who are "dead" are really "dead" and what happens to the queen not to mention Rip-
One of my favorite "lines" is that the sorcerer asks Rip how did you get that name - he was an orphan and "ole gram" ....and then she saw me laying there, the most beautiful baby boy, she had ever set her eyes on, if you'll hear her tell it. A note pinned to my li'l chest read: need home, parents dead, Rip. ...but she figured Rip must be my name. 'you're named after a note left by some stranger on an old baker's doorstep? Rip? R.I.P. as in, Rest in peace? "ooohh-heehe- you were named after an epitaph"
Death of a king, who may or may not have committed infidelity, a queen that is psycho - a new "general" that might be more than a general, a princess that her uncle's are trying to protect, a sorcerer, gods, goddesses, a pickpocket who is trying to save the princess -
At times it felt like it just went to far on the descriptions - and the court politics - it just felt to me that it went on a little bit much -especially at the beginning of the story.
Otherwise, once we get midway into the book it went very quickly with twists and turns - and I can't wait to see if the people who are "dead" are really "dead" and what happens to the queen not to mention Rip-
One of my favorite "lines" is that the sorcerer asks Rip how did you get that name - he was an orphan and "ole gram" ....and then she saw me laying there, the most beautiful baby boy, she had ever set her eyes on, if you'll hear her tell it. A note pinned to my li'l chest read: need home, parents dead, Rip. ...but she figured Rip must be my name. 'you're named after a note left by some stranger on an old baker's doorstep? Rip? R.I.P. as in, Rest in peace? "ooohh-heehe- you were named after an epitaph"
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews