Induction: Above and Below the Making of a Magus

by Daniel M. Comito

347 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 1, 2026

About the author

Daniel Comito was born and raised in Seattle, where he lives today, a happy native of the verdant Pacific Northwest. He has a voracious appetite for reading and a passion for the classics of antiquity. His writing is informed by a lifelong fascination with magic, philosophy, mythology, and the hidden history of ideas, drawing inspiration from classical literature, Eastern wisdom tradition and the rich currents of Western esotericism.

When he is not writing, Daniel can be found mountain biking, rock climbing, practicing Taoist arts, reading Tarot, or speaking Italian. He has worked for many years as a cardiac RN and is fortunate to be married to an excellent partner in crime.

Reviews

[Patrick Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Induction: Above and Below The Making of a Magus draws the reader in effortlessly. Be prepared to travel into a world that is vividly alive before your eyes. Many books are imaginative but rarely are we blessed with an author such as Mr. Comito, who creates a wholly constructed Reality. The World Below is at once familiar and beguiling. As a reader I wanted to know more. Thus drawing me further and further into his story.

Action and adventure aplenty, yet it is the relationships which are the core of his tale. It is a brave soul who conjures up the likes of Goethe and Casanova as main characters. Mr. Comito performs this historical figure theurgy with nuance and aplomb. His characters are as real as you and I. We know them because they are us.

Beware, Comito is just as Wiley as Plato, weaving story into story into story and Philosophy into Magic and all the while staying esoteric.

This is the type of book that will not allow you to put it down even though you want to read more slowly so as to not let it end too soon. I have read Induction twice and will read it again. I highly recommend you get a copy and keep track of how many times you read this remarkable book.

[Stefan Nagel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The transition from Michael to Gustavo is handled with fascinating depth, exploring themes of identity, memory, destiny, and personal transformation. The magical world is richly imagined, with memorable characters, engaging mentorship, political intrigue, and exciting action that all contribute to an immersive reading experience.

What stands out most is the emotional core of the story. Gustavo's unexplained longing and recurring dreams add a powerful layer of mystery that balances the magical adventure with genuine human emotion. The gradual unfolding of the larger mystery leaves readers invested in both the characters and the world they've come to inhabit.

Overall, this is a creative and well-crafted fantasy that offers an engaging blend of magic, adventure, and emotional depth. Fans of epic fantasy, magical academies, and character-driven stories will find plenty to enjoy. I look forward to seeing where Gustavo's journey leads next.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The idea of going through a portal to another world is not a new one, but Induction: Above and Below the Making of a Magus puts a fresh spin on the old trope. Written in first person, the protagonist is escorted through his adventures of self discovery by none other than Goethe and Casanova. Yes, that Goethe and Casanova.
On his journey to find his other half, the protagonist travels through a post-renaissance, European style landscape crossing paths with characters from history, literature and mythology. A number of whom mean to block his path to self discovery. Induction is filled with fun, adventure and mystery, making it hard to put down from cover to cover.
Recommended for lovers of fantasy, magic and anyone with a particular interest in that period of time. Actually, just recommended for anyone who enjoys a good read.

[John Jeffcott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I reviewed this book as it was being written. It had me deeply engrossed with each chapter as this very complex plot twisted and turned. It presents a world between what we imagine to be Heaven and Earth that seems that it might have been experienced by the author himself under a different name in which we see in such books as Dante's Inferno. This is not a book for light reading. This is a meaty and mysterious story that will sit with you long after it has been read. For readers who seek a classic in the making, this book will bury itself in your psyche long after you have read it. And it will hold you until the end.

[Rachel Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating, mythic escape!
Induction: Above and Below, the Making of a Magus is a beautifully woven story that feels like a modern Greek myth. I thoroughly enjoyed the psychological exploration of the divided self, which added an incredible depth to the main character's journey. It’s a wonderful, immersive world to lose yourself in. Highly recommended!

[Reader]

I do not yet know the book; I am acquainted with the author: insightful, inquisitive with an appetite for the unknown. Such people tend to bring the right things to discourse: insightful imagination and questions that aren’t burdened with limiting ties to realism.
This book should be an involving read.

[Tina Sawdust · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and original take on the underworld. I really enjoyed the camaraderie between the characters and all the whimsical and magical life this story brought about. Truly enjoyed reading this book.