The Magician's Workshop, Volume One

The Magician's Workshop

by Christopher Hansen, J.R. Fehr

Everyone in the islands of O’Ceea has a magical ability: whatever they imagine can be brought into existence. Whoever becomes a master over these powers is awarded the title of magician and given fame, power, riches, and glory. Journey with a group of kids as they strive to rise to the top and become members of the Magician’s Workshop.

Layauna desperately wants to create beautiful things with her magical powers, but all she can seem to do is make horrible, savage monsters. For years she has tried to hide her creations, but when her power is at last discovered by a great magician, she realizes that what she’s tried to hide might actually be of tremendous value.

Kai just wants to use his powers to have fun and play with his friends. Unfortunately, nearly everyone on his island sees him as a bad influence, so he’s forced to meet them in secret. When one of the creatures they create gets out of control and starts flinging fireballs at their town, Kai is tempted to believe that he is as nefarious as people say. However, his prospects change when two mysterious visitors arrive, praising his ability and making extraordinary promises about his future.

Follow the adventures of Kai, Layauna, and a boatload of other characters as they struggle to grow up well in this fantastical world.

This is an alternate cover edition for B01MQGHGBH

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

247 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 8, 2016

About the author

The first glimmering Chris Hansen had that there was far more to reality than he had ever imagined occurred six days after his ninth birthday. “Christopher!” cried a wise, old sage. “Life is full of deep magic. Miraculous things happen all around us.” Chris looked around him and asked, “Where? I don’t see anything spectacular.” The man held out a pair of glasses. “Here, put these on.” The boy placed them over his eyes and—“Whoa!” He was gobsmacked by the Wonder he saw. But it lasted only a moment. The man vanished in a flash of starlight and the lenses melted and trickled down his cheeks.  Then a message was sung into his ear, “Go and seek what you have seen.” Full of expectation and childlike optimism, Chris set out. To his great joy, this quest has led him to discover many more glimmerings of this miraculous Wonder, often in the most unexpected of places.

Reviews

[Vishnu Chevli · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Edited - Added Author Interview Link]

If you think thoroughly before creating a magical world, you will bring a good fantasy story to your reader. "The Magician's Workshop" by Christopher Hansen and J. R. Fehr is one such wonderful series. If marketed and promoted properly this can create a huge fan following. Book is yet to come in printed format, I got free copy in exchange of unbiased review. Though I have scheduled it to read after a 30-40 days according to pipeline, but I cannot resist it after reading first two chapters.



O'Ceea is a magical lang where people can project things as per their imagination. Though anyone can project things in O'Ceea, only those having permission from authority can project legally. Otherwise person will be punished. Anyone below 16 cannot project publicly until he gets recognition. As per law set in their world at age of 16, girls & boys will eligible for examination. The most important factor during this test is standing in front of a system/device/magician called as puller who will decide whether person has any of the 9 colors in him or he is a without color (people without color known as void). This ceremony is celebrated on grand level and called as color ceremony. Apart from puller test, person can go through other test and earn chips which will be useful for professional guilds.

Now coming to main story. It is about five teenagers Layauna, Kai, Weston, Talia, Kalaya, Kaso from different region and clan who are on the verge of becoming adults as per O'Ceea's regulations. Each person has their own strength, weakness and pasts. In this volume they just gathered at Color ceremony. Things will be continued in next part.

Detailed Review Link - http://chevusread.blogspot.in/2017/01...
Author Interview Link - http://chevusread.blogspot.com/2017/0...

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christopher Hansen and J.R. Fehr are sharing the Magic of Reading for kids of all ages with a fabulous Giveaway!

Click on Banner to enter for a chance to win the two volume series or a $10 Amazon Gift Card

Imagine living in a world where everyone has the same magical ability! That is the world Christopher Hansen and J.R. Fehr have created for younger readers as well as the young at heart! THE MAGICIAN’S WORKSHOP: VOLUME 1 is a delightful trip into a world limited only by one’s imagination, or in this case, by one’s imagination and abilities. Follow one group of children as they attempt to be the best of the best and gain entry into the elite group of the Magician’s Workshop.

Feel yourself being pulled into another world as the foundation is laid and filled in with atmosphere and characters that will spring to life. Just like in the “real world,” we struggle to fit in, to find what we do best and that is exactly what this group of young adults must do. Through illusion, they must bring their magic to life, testing their powers, their strengths and weaknesses while learning to work together with their peers.

Off course they will receive sage advice for their elders, but will they listen? Will they trust in themselves to bring their magic to life and push it to the limits to create the perfect illusion? There will always be time for fun and games, but not going too far may be a problem as these kids reel in some out of control powers and learn to work together to create the perfect illusions.

A fanciful read told in an upbeat and colorful way, there wasn’t a moment to rest once the ground floor development has been completed. It was absolutely refreshing to see a group learning to work together as a team, losing that it’s all about me attitude.

Are you concerned about what is being offered for younger readers today? Trust me, THE MAGICIAN’S WORKSHOP is a magnetic and fantastical read that will have even the most reluctant of readers hurrying to read “just one more page,” before bed, school, or whatever! Created for children of all ages, prepare for a book that will have you smiling, wanting to try your own magic and trying to exercise patience waiting for the next book in the series. The perfect gift, the gift of magic and adventure, all without leaving home!

I received this copy from J.R. Fehr & Christopher Hansen in exchange for my honest review.

Publisher: Wondertale (November 8, 2016)
Publication Date: November 8, 2016
Genre: YA Fantasy
Print Length: 247 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Magician's Workshop, Volume One (The Magician's Workshop) by Christopher Hansen and J.R. Fehr is a fantasy book for teens and young adults it seemed. I liked the story premise and the plot. The characters were developed but the dialogue was childish at times, even the adults seemed to be talking as if they were children. Overall the story was okay, I liked the magical ability aspect and the fantasy but it just didn't draw me in like other fantasy books similar to this. I was given this book to read and the review was not an obligation.

[Siobhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much like The Magician’s Workshop, I’m going to preface my review. Truthfully, I’m not the biggest lover of stories that are broken into many volumes. I’m impatient and I hate waiting for the next release. I like big chunky reads and prefer to have one long book rather than lots of little ones. I fear breaking stories up into smaller parts can lead to certain things being dragged out too much. Nevertheless, despite all of this, when the authors contacted me for a review I was happy to give the story a try. I may not be crazy about stories told by the volume, but if they’re interesting enough I am willing to give them a try. In this case, I’m glad I gave the story a go. What this amounts to is a piece of advice: do not be put off by the way in which this story is told. It may be told in separate volumes, but the volumes are interconnected, with a promise of a wonderful overall story. Even if you’re not the biggest fan of such a way of storytelling, give this one a go as I did. It is more than worth it.

Now onto my feelings about the book.

The synopsis of this one really grabbed my attention. I love entering new fantasy worlds and the idea of this one really caught my attention. Having read the book, I can honestly say the fantasy aspect did not disappointment me. The world building was wonderful, and I really enjoyed the way in which the magical system worked. I still have a lot of questions, yes, but I feel as though these questions will be answered in the future volumes. This volume works to introduce you to the world and the characters, giving you a chance to understand what you’re entering before you become weighed down with too much information. I admit that there were some aspects I would have liked to know more about whilst reading this one, as it would have made the story easier to understand, but I’m holding out hope that these blank spots exist for a reason. Even after the first volume, you get the feeling everything is wonderfully connected. You don’t know why or how, certain things you have no idea how they will come together, but you are left with the feeling that everything is important. Thus, I’m trusting that these questions are unanswered for an important reason.

Not only is the wold building wonderful, but we also have a great cast of characters. I’ll admit that my feelings are a little bit mixed when it comes to the number of characters we have. Despite this, I did enjoy them all. We follow multiple stories, we get a glimpse into multiple ways of life and this really helped to bring things to life. Seeing such a range of characters works really well in bring the world to life, allowing us to get a large variety of information. It also allows for a very interesting cast, letting us following all kinds of stories. You’re positive they’re all going to become connected in some way, and that every story plays an important role, but at present we don’t have any specifics. I’m super excited to jump into volume two so that I can get some of these answers.

As I said, though, I’m a little bit unsure as to how I feel about all the characters. I prefer it when stories follow a small cast of characters, but I understand that it is necessary in some cases. Take Game of Thrones: I really enjoy that series, and that one follows multiple characters. I feel as though with time I will come to accept it – and I did notice a change as I was working through The Magician’s Workshop – but at first it did seem a bit daunting. It’s a lot to wrap your head around, and you certainly need to be prepared to keep a lot of information in your mind. The authors do a very good job of preventing confusion from occurring, making it clear what is happening in each story line, yet it is still a lot that is happening at once. Due to this, the story will not be for everyone. Once you get into the story it is wonderful – the way in which the story comes to life, the way in which you’re pulled into the lives of the characters – and you’ve left wanting more.

Honestly, I’m super eager to see what comes next. This first volume has certainly pulled me in!

As a final note, I would like to thank the authors for allowing me to read this in exchange for a review. You’ve certainly left me addicted and in need of answers!

[Stace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Nia on www.whisperingstories.com

Given that I’m not normally a fan of YA, I got on really well with this book.

The world building in this book is truly impressive; the world is made up of a series of islands inhabited by humans with the power of creating projections. There’s a distinct hierarchy that determines whether or not people are allowed to use their abilities, the customs vary according to the island they live on but at a certain age, teenagers are expected to display their projections to see if they have Colour.

Teens with Colour then become magicians and are then ranked according to their abilities, those without are labelled ‘Commoners’ and aren’t allowed to project any more.

This book is the first volume, so it feels very much like an introduction to the main characters, of which there are a few. All of the characters are complex and well written, though I did enjoy reading more about some than others – there’s no overlap between the characters so it makes the world seem a lot bigger and also makes the book feel like several distinct stories.

The pacing of this book was rapid fire, alternating between characters after 3 chapters or so which made it easy to keep track of all the different storylines. There’s so much going on in this book that I appreciated the layout otherwise I’d have been lost before I got halfway through!

After the full introductions to the characters are made and we know their backstories, the characters are ready to be tested for Colour…. and that’s where the book ends. The beauty of it is that they haven’t met each other yet, though that feels certain to happen, and we have no idea where the story is going at this point – it’s just been characterisation at its finest.

I really enjoyed this book and may have to grab volume Two while it’s still fresh in my mind!

[Claire Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review can also be found on https://athousandlives123.wordpress.com/

Of all the genres out there Young Adult (YA) is one of my favourites. As a 22 year old, I’m not that far from its target audience. Some define YA’s demographic as stretching even to early twenties. I've always enjoyed YA as the authors do very well at creating whole new worlds with very relatable characters and Hansen and Fehr are no exception.

I was approached to review The Magician’s Workshop and I knew right away that I’d like it. When I read the blurb I was 100% sure.

It’s set in the fictional world of O’Ceea where people can make or ‘project’ whatever they want. You can project flavours onto food to make it taste better, you can project clothes, animals, decorations. Whatever you want. The magician’s of the titular workshop also make Grand Projections of stories to entertain the people of O’Ceea.

The idea of projections really piqued my interest. I wanted to know how humans would behave in a world where you can create whatever you want. It was interesting to read how disconnected with the real world they had become through having this power. In O’Ceea, touching each other had become taboo and people would send touch projections.

The book came with a preface written by Hansen and Fehr. I liked that it gave a little background as to where the story came from and where it’s going, which is something you don’t often get. I think it was important for the authors to let you know that you’re reading only the start of the story. At this time, writing this feels like reviewing the eggs and flour rather than reviewing the whole cake. I’ve read the start of an excellent story and I can’t wait to read Volume 2.

I liked the variety of characters. All of the characters were different and very interesting. There was someone for everyone. There were male and female characters of various personalities so it’s relatable for so many people. I’m more drawn to the strong female characters so Kalaya and Layauna were very attractive to me.

If YA magical fantasy is your thing, then The Magician’s Workshop is a must read.

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review can also be found in Chill and read


All people in the islands of O’Ceea have some magical abilities! Whatever they imagine can be brought into existence, if only they try and practice a little. It is a whole new world with endless possibilities. The most talented people, those who are the masters of projection, they become magicians, gaining power, fame, glory and riches. This elite can work in the Magician’s Workshop, an honor that all people in O’Ceea seek, or at least almost all.

The wonderful world of O’Ceea is described in the first Volume of “The Magician’s Workshop”, along with the stories of Layauna, Kai, Talia, Kaso and the rest of the young adults and aspiring magicians. Their talents are described in the most colorful way, as are their aspirations. However, only those that have Color inside them, will be able to work in The Magician’s Workshop; talent is not enough despite the wonderful projections our little friends come up with. So the have to practice well and believe to themselves.

Fantasy books, describing new, different worlds with all kinds of life and abilities are sometimes hard to digest. This is not the case with “The Magician’s Workshop”. The two authors, have done a great job describing their world, O’Ceea, a bunch of islands left after the great flood, as they call it. The different communities there, have examples of our own world. What is emphasized in the book is the personal work and devotion someone has to apply in order to get their dreams come true! This is one great positive message to our youngsters, so different than the fairy tales about magic. Yes magic exists, but if you want to achieve something, you need to work for it!

Another theme on the book is companionship and cooperation. Some of the book characters are friends against all odds. Even they may not be allowed to hang out with each other, they still do as they would never abandon their friends. Under this circumstances, the gang joins forces to create something big, even if it is only for their own fun. However, when things turn bad, they all share responsibility as they ought to and they don’t put the blame on the outcast one.

“The Magician’s Workshop” is a book that captures the reader’s attention. It is a page turner for sure, as the reader becomes one with the characters and feels for them throughout their journey. It can easily be read by teens, young adults and adults; all those that still have a child inside them longing for some magic. The story ends abruptly, only to continue in the next Volume which is actually already available!

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
This first book has absolutely fantastic world-building. The character cast is really well set up, and the points of view are quite varied, so you get several different angles to view the world from. I find myself chomping my nails to the quick, hoping everything works out for the people involved.
Even the magic system is unique enough to keep me guessing - and that's pretty uncommon. The best part is seeing how the magic system itself causes changes in the people living in this world. So many books try to develop their own "magic system" then insert it into the world afterwards, but this really treats magic as the driving force - the world is shaped around the magic itself and it shows.
I cannot wait to read the next book, and figure out the many mysteries of the setup - the ending is a perfect cliffhanger and the pieces of information you get throughout the book are incredibly enticing.
I would absolutely recommend this to any magic loving fantasy fan.

[Terri Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review**

This book quickly transports the reader into a world of magic and fantasy. The story starts as the main characters are getting ready to test for a spot at the Magician's Workshop. Not everyone on the islands will be able to attend. The story follows several young adults who face some pretty big obstacles. One of the first things I noticed about this story is that even though these characters have to face adult situations, they do it as young adults. Many young adult books these days, have characters who act way older than they should. It is obvious the authors took great care to create a complete world that is different from our world, but very believable. The story evolves with a balance of exposition, conflict, and just plain old excitement. I really liked this book and have added volume two to my TBR and will review it soon.

[Thomas Pujol · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Magician's Workshop, Vol. 1, is in every way an introduction. It introduces the reader to a world, to a broad, yet well defined cast of characters, and it introduces the reader to the gifted authors behind the novel.
The amazing thing is that the reader is not aware they are reading an introduction, and that is what makes it so exciting. Can you imagine reading a story that grips your heart and your imagination, and then having someone come along and tell you, 'that's just the intro, now here's chapter 1"? That is very much the experience of reading the Magician's Workshop.
the first reason for a second reading of the Magicians Workshop is to take account of the efficiency of the writing. For example, reading the first page of Chapter one is like igniting a fire work of curiosity. You are introduced to your first character who is, in many ways, an average teenage girl. However, I dare the reader to examine this first page and see how much information has been artfully, indeed, invisibly crammed into just a few paragraphs. We learn about projections, we learn about the limitations of projections, the commonness of projections, we learn that first and last names are very unique in this world. And as I said, just as many questions are introduced as information is given. Why are the names like this? What other projections are there? Etc., etc.
I have taken this time to analyze this first page because I want the reader to not just enjoy the story, but to sense the care and love that has been put into the pages of this book. That the authors do not want to waste a moment of your time going on and on with descriptions, but will only describe something if it adds to the narrative, and only narrate something if it adds to the world.
Another thing I appreciated was how masterfully the narrative point of view has been used in this book. Many readers may not understand how difficult it is to use a point of view in which every thought of every character is potentially open to the reader. I encourage the reader to sample a portion of the book and see how the authors will give you insight into a characters thoughts, but just enough to whet your appetite more answers: why does the character feel this way? What is the source of this internal conflict? You just told us what Talia was thinking over here, why are you leaving us hanging on what she thinks about this other situation? And on and on I could go.
Finally, the authors challenged themselves (and you), to love characters that are perhaps not that loveable. This can be a painful process for a reader, as the reader may find themselves alienated by the selfishness or cowardice of a character in one moment, and then bashfully admiring them the next. The process can be painful as we find ourselves looking into a mirror of our own faults and weaknesses. However, this is a great place to mention the author's consistent ability to weave in a light-hearted note, even in the darkest chapters.
I mention these brief points in order to agree that this book is indeed a gripping tale; but much more than that. After all, a gripping tale is only engaging as long as certain answers are withheld. So I encourage reader to come for the cliff-hangers, the page turners, the heart grippers, but stay for the authorial skill, the efficiency, the detailed world, the challenging characters, and much more. These are just a few things that come to mind as I reflect upon my first reading of, 'The Magician's Workshop'. I'm sure you will find more.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book introduces you to a group of kids living in the magical islands of O'Ceea. Most of them are dreaming of receiving their colour, being accepted at the Magician's Workshop, i.e. being allowed to officially create projections.

With The Magician's Workshop, Volume 1, authors Hansen and Fehr have created a wonderful fantasy story not only for teens and young adults. It is a very enjoyable and compelling read, drawing you in as you learn more about Kai and the other kids and their clans. Hansen and Fehr carefully elaborated the characters, and their stories and interactions, still leaving the readers room for imagination; I simply adore the blue wallaroo. I was drawn rather close to the kids - it was fun being an invisible friend. The characters are of sufficient depth, believable with their flaws and virtues; the authors' care for each of them shows. The story is very nicely woven and has a wonderful flow. Now I am eager to read volume 2!

This is a book for you if you like magic, urban fantasy, believable and very likeable characters, and/or the teen and young adult genre.

Recommended!

[Namrata Ganti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoo whoo whooosh! That's how the story flowed and finished in a flash of color, before I could find my bearings and return to the surface!

A wonderfully written story of a world where everyone has magic and can do magic, the authors take it one step further into the world of augmented reality. We are introduced to a myriad of people, both old and young and follow them on their various journeys. This book, the first in the series, is mainly an introduction. We are given a glimpse into the islands of O’Ceea and it's inhabitants, their lifestyles and personalities.

The story is well written and though initially it may seem a tiny bit confusing, everything starts to make sense after a while. There are vivid descriptions that inspire the reader to imagine even further than what the authors have already shown us. The concept of projections and the fact that it forms the basis of the plot line makes this idea all the more interesting. It forces us to draw on our imagination and experience a new kind of high while reading. Just imagine being able to create anything that you can think of, make something you dislike taste or smell or even look better! So much fun! As everyone in O'Ceea say, it's mega!

The authors introduce many characters, children around the age of 16 mainly, who are on the verge of being "tested" to find out whether they have "color" in them or are "void". These terms will start to make sense once you read the book! As we meet each character and get to know them, the authors prepare us to embark on a journey that will see these characters traverse through their lives on the paths they are destined for. They are well-developed and many have a complex past with a lot of ups and downs. Each one has their own experiences and talents to speak of. With everyone in this world being able to do even a basic form of magic, it becomes rather interesting to see where the authors take us with this concept. It comes across as a story of growing up, moving forward in life no matter what is thrown at you as well as following your dreams among others.

The story ends rather abruptly, ensuring that once this is finished, the reader will be left wanting for more. Having been given just a taste of the magic, the reader is left hoping for more and more. I really enjoyed this book and will stop my vague review here to avoid jumping into plot explanations and revelations. So jump right in to experience a new kind of magic! Definitely worth the read and will leave you craving for more and more and more!

[Beth Ann Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

YA novel about people living on the island of O'Ceea, each being able to perform magic (projections). Only the truly gifted advance to become honored members of The Workshop. This is the story of young magicians struggling to find their own way in their world.

[TDCbookreviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its a relatively short read but it's only the first volume of a multiple volume series. It's set in an alternate realm, on a span of magical islands. The islands aren't the most interesting thing in the story, as it seems the characters are capable of magical “projections.” These magical projections consist of putting careful thought into the creation of something, and then it becoming real! Well, as real as immaterial light waves are anyways.

The main characters are all around the age of 16, and stand divided on how they feel about having a “color” pulled from them. This color determines pretty much how they're going to live the rest of their life. Some feel that it'll be the greatest thing that's every happened to them, and that they'll bring honor to their family by working their way up to the Magicians Workshop. Others feel just fine building physical things with their hands and heart, and doing away with projections. Whichever way the cookie crumbles these friends all promise that matter what color is pulled they'll stick together. Yet when colors are pulled and magic flies, will that hold true?

The story alone is fantastic. The characters are very diverse, the setting is well described, and I can perfectly visualize everything that's happening thanks to all the vivid details that surround each chapter. I feel that it certainly does lean towards the coming-of-age/young adult genre, and that adds to a lot of the character development. My only problems with the book is overabundance of characters (which in turn caused an excessive amount of perspective switches) and how quickly the story ended in comparison with actual page length. These two specific issues were were mentioned in the preface of the book by the authors, saying that they divided the series into different novels due to mass amount of characters.

My rating for this is 4/5 aside from these aforementioned negatives. If the reader can keep track of the large amount of characters, it's a great fantasy that I recommend to all ages.

[Anindita, A Bohemian Mind at Work · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review on A Bohemian Mind at Work

I chose The Magician’s Workshop after reading the synopsis from the pitch letter which suggested an intriguing concept. A thumbs up for the short introduction to the world of O’Ceea. The authors give the readers a glimpse of their dream. The story follows a relaxed pace; the language targetted at modern day teens. A fantasy reader of any level will be able to follow the book. I can’t say I am a big fan of the narrative developed in the entire book (I am not getting any younger), but some scenes were outstanding. Layauna’s conflict with her family, the forest scenes with Kai and ‘banana’ sequences are some of my favorite scenes. The world is interesting but not as unique as I thought it would be. Not yet. The characters are likable. My favorite is Layauna. However, as I was growing appreciation for her, trying to get into her mind and understanding her, the story shifted to an entirely different set of characters. After Layauna’s chapters, the story tone changed from serious to friendly banter between young magicians with minor conflicts. Those scenes give us an excellent idea of the characters, their eccentricities, and their individual specializations. The magic system of creating projection reminds me of the conjuration and illusion school of magic from World of Warcraft. The authors describe the magic well with imagery and feel. The Magician’s Workshop felt like a quest of collecting raw materials for a magnificent creation, but it remained in the collective stage. I have to read the next one to know if the end product is as fantastic as it promises to be. I love fantasy and prefer books that have a complete story, even if there is an indication of a sequel. 232 pages from my ARC left me wondering where I am standing with the characters and what the main storyline is.

I offer The Magician’s Workshop 3.5 bohostars hoping for a stronger sequel. Going to check out the next one to find out what happens with my Layauna. If you are a young fantasy lover, this is your book. If you are an adult who enjoys middle-grade or YA level literature and seeks some magic in them, this is your book. Just keep in mind the note below.

Note: The authors advise us to read the volume one and two at one go, so we can enjoy a complete unraveling of the plot. I have received an ARC for the first volume, and my review is solely based on that book alone.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world of the Magician’s Workshop might be a future earth reduced to islands, or a magical other-earth hidden far away. But it’s a relatable place filled with believable characters, like a cross between JK Rowling’s Hogwarts and Veronica Roth’s Divergent. Natural dialog, description and action build the world in the reader’s mind, while curious pseudo-quotes add depth, and “Power, Kingdom and Glory” offer longed-for rewards.

Everyday magic is enhanced by a root tasting so vile, only magic can make it palatable. Everyday people are condemned to non-magical lives if they don’t express “color.” Everyday kids play games and prepare for inevitable testing and graduation. But only the best get the best trainers. And only the best of the best make it into the workshop.

The Magician’s Workshop remains a slightly mysterious goal throughout the novel. Part Hollywood, part mystical power, it seems a curious blend of hope and threat. But it’s only attainable for these teens if they achieve something no amount of preparation can give. The novel explores that natural helplessness of growing up, through magical excitement, enticing mystery, and well-balanced threat and promise. It’s so much more than the usual coming-of-age dystopian fantasy—smoother, cooler, and wonderfully wrought.

And it’s volume 1—a book that ends with a satisfying sense of completion, but promises so much more. Volume 2 is surely a must-read.

Disclosure: I was given a copy by a publicist and thoroughly enjoyed the read. Highly recommended.

[Beverly Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Magician's Workshop takes you to a fantasy island where young people practice magic skills similar to our children practicing and developing athletic skills. But you will learn why these magic skills are important to the entire community. The first chapters of the book let you get to know the characters, their hopes and dreams along with their fears and insecurities. But then the action starts and you can't put the book down.

This is a perfect book to share with a child or teenager. Within the fast paced story, with these characters you now feel like you know and identify with, are many opportunities to uncover for discussions of life lessons common to us all. A great book! I will now order Volume 2 and continue the adventure.

[Lexie Conyngham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a rich and entertaining book for young teenagers / middle-grade readers who enjoy fantasy of an imaginative kind. O’Ceea is a world which exists after a great flood, a place made up of groups of islands. In this world the power is with the Magicians and the Guilds: the magicians are people who have a ‘color’ and the guilds are carefully controlled so that no one who does not have all the requisite skills can enter them. But both magicians and guilds operate by carrying out ‘projections’: very little in this world is real beyond a basic ‘threadbare’ clothing or a thin cake for food. Appearances, smells and flavours, even warmth and texture sometimes, are projected on to the base for clothes, food, ornaments, entertainment, embellishments of every basic. The real is no longer valued, nor the skills in making something real. In the course of the book we follow several teenagers who are approaching the time when they will discover what skills or colours they themselves might have, and therefore reach adulthood and work out what they will be able to do with their lives. From a girl who can’t control her vicious but powerful projections to a boy whose father brought his community into disrepute by shedding magic, from an orphan with powers but no sponsor for the ceremony to a kindly but sad girl whose projections come out blue, the characters are interesting and sympathetic and the world a fascinating one, with the underlying debate over the values of real versus imaginary, and the cost of each. My main gripe is with the preface, which appears to be aimed at much younger children than the rest of the book, even explaining how the story is written in several volumes (I suspect many of the readers will be well aware of Harry Potter, for example, and quite at home with volumes). The first volume breaks off just at the beginning of the colour ceremony, and I hurried on straightaway to the second volume, which deals with the colour ceremony and its after-effects. They are various and dramatic, and hint more at something happening in the world which will change the way things are run - in a good way or a bad way is not yet clear. The story is exciting and the characters real: though there are rather a lot of them, the way the books are broken into large chunks means you get to know each group of characters well before moving on to the next group, and don’t end up muddling them. A terrific world and a great series.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every book we read feeds us - for better or worse. This one is for the best.

[Jazz Blackwell]

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It honestly took me way back to the days of my youth, and reading such fantasy gems as Eragon and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone for the first time. The much-welcomed nostalgia, coupled with the beautiful imagery and magical writing style made for an altogether thoroughly enjoyable reading experience.

Now, obviously, this book is aimed at rather a younger audience. However, much like the aforementioned Eragon and Harry Potter books, I see no reason why those of us no longer considered 'younger' can't enjoy it too. If you're looking for a gift for a young reader, this is perfect. If you're looking to delve into the world of fantasy and you're not really sure how to go about it, this is a great place to start. And if you're a seasoned fantasy reading veteran, and you're looking for something whimsical and fun to read - this is still a great idea. Any chance you get to pick this up, I implore you to do so.

You can find a more i depth review on my blog at: http://jazzybookworm.blogspot.co.uk/2...

[Melanie P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

(I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.)

The islands of O’Ceea are like no other. People there have an ability to create projections. You could create anything you can ever imagine but they are only illusions. When someone masters the art of projection, he or she might be on the way to being a great magician. This is the dream most have as the title itself could very well change their lives. The Magician’s Workshop, Volume One follows a group of kids as they aim to rise in their endeavors and follow their dreams to one day be members in The Magician's Workshop, even if some minor mishaps tend to get in their way.

The world that Christopher Hansen and J.R. Fehr have created is phenomenal. I couldn’t get over how intricate everything is. They have definitely not left anything out and have thought of everything in order to make this world as real as it is. The whole way through this book, I was basked in the magic of the story. I have seen every projection and felt every hope and fear in their journey. At one point, I even wanted to know what color would have been pulled from me if I were part of their world. If the authors ever make a quiz that could tell me what color and/or my strengths in terms of projection making, I would love to try it out. And that cliff hanger! I need to get myself the next volume now to see what happens next!

When J.R. Fehr first contacted me about their book, his email was so theatrical and fantastic that I couldn’t wait to see how their storytelling would be. I was definitely not disappointed.

I HIGHLY recommend reading this series. It’s quite the magical ride!
I give this book 5 out of 5!

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first read from author Christopher Hansen was triggered when the author contacted me and asked if I'd like to read and review his book, I'd never heard of him or this book before that contact. A good read with well, but slowly developed characters ( that's not necessarily a bad thing). I'm a character read. I like to know who the characters are and what makes them do the things they do. Over the length of the book the author does that. The story line was a little different, but intriguing and again over the length of the book it grew on you. To sum things up, without any spoilers, this was a good, well written book that makes me want to read more from this author.

[Helen Drake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received the ebook edition of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I want to say that I liked this book so much that I stayed up reading it most of last night and finished it today. The fact that I couldn't stop reading it says a lot for this book! As soon as I finished it, I had to purchase Volume Two in the series as the book does not stand on its own.

What I loved about this book is the premise of people being able to do projections of just about anything. There are taste projections to make food taste better or trick you into thinking a mushroom tastes like a steak, a marshmallow or a piece of fruit. What your house or clothes look like are determined by projections. Magicians can do whatever projections they want but commoners or non magicians are limited in what they can do unless they earn certifications.

Magicians are determined by having a person pull a Color out of them. 16 year olds are tested for color. If they have it, they will be trained as magicians. Without it they will have to figure out how they are going to live their lives. In many cases they go into the business of their clans. All except orphans are part of a clan.

I enjoyed the character development of the young people in the story. I had to buy Volume Two to determine who has Color and will be magicians!

[Jayme Cowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in a week or so and was amazed by how quickly it reads, by the time you finish the end of the book, it feels like the story is just beginning and you are already ready for the 2nd book. I recommend purchasing the second book as well if you purchase this one because your going to want to get started with it right away!

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the most entertaining fictional YA books I have read in a while. I generally lean toward historical fiction, but this book had just enough depth and amusement to keep me reading to the end. If you want sheer entertainment, and a whole lot of magic, this is the book for you. Looking forward to volume 2 and the reveal of the Colors ceremony.

[Amber Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Magician's Workshop dumps you straight into a pile of characters living in their crazy island world where everyone can work magic. And as the characters go about life projecting magic images, flavors and smells, the authors slowly start to introduce some of the difficulties that come in such a fantastical world. What do you think? Would you bother eating real fruit if you could eat something that tasted like fruit instead?

This is such a wonderful book for adults and young adults alike. Even if you are a fully mature adult you will read this and love this novel. I was so excited to move onto book two after finishing this.

5 stars

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The amount of effort that has gone into this book is inspiring. It's a book that doesn't just try to advance a plot, but tries to represent some really worthwhile themes through fully developed characters in a robust and rich fantasy universe. Looking forward to more from Hansen and Fehr.

[Bookish Indulgenges with b00k r3vi3ws · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone in the islands of O’Ceea has the magical ability of bringing whatever they can imagine into existence. At the age of 16, a colour ceremony is performed to test who has mastered their powers and has a good grasp on colours. Thos who pass the ceremony are given the title of magician. Those who fail are referred to as voids. Layauna, Kai, Talia, Weston, and Kaso are striving to their best to be able to pass the test and become members of the Magician’s workshop.

The reason behind me reviewing two volumes together instead of reviewing them individually is that I personally felt that the two volumes make up a single story. When taken individually, nothing much happens in the books, but take them together and you have a wonderfully imaginative story. The first volume introduces the children and help them grow in front of us. The second volume handles the colour ceremony and its effects on the individuals. The theme of the story is individual imaginations and their internal struggles. Like Layauna – who wants to create beautiful things with her power but ends up creating only montsers. The authors have done a fantastic job of building up a brand-new world that is unique. Their narration only helps the readers ease into the story.

My only gripe with the books is its pace. I feel they could easily be clubbed together into one fantastic story if the pace had been handled better. It has enormous potential and the second book leaves an opening for further instalments. I wish to pick up the story further soon.

[Paul Gaskill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was offered this book a few months ago as a swapsie for one of my own. I've been meaning to read it for a while, so I apologise, Chris, that it has taken me so bleedin' long!


Oh, why did I wait? This book dragged me back to my childhood and reminded me of when everything was so much easier. Okay, it isn't quite so simple for the characters in the book, but the tight group of friends that Hansen creates is so relatable. If you'd asked me before I'd read it if it was my kind of book, I'd have said no. But the way the youthfulness is created is really quite refreshing.

Why four stars, then? Simple. The book was great, but it stopped a little too early. I felt like I had read all the interesting build up just to be robbed of an ending. Volume one leaves me wanting to read more, yes, but I needed something extra to make me feel fulfilled.

[Anne Clarence (The Reading Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy for an honest review

This book was an overall a very well written fantasy book, that is very appropriate for middle schoolers or some lower schoolers. There are mild romances, and the book is mainly focused on a specific plot on multiple characters. And this is one of those books that involved many different perspectives; 7 in total (Layauna, Kai, Talia, Jade, Kaso, Kalaya, and Weston). Some of these characters don't even know the other characters, so I am assuming that they would meet somewhere in the second book.

Although the writing was a little bit young and 'child friendly', I didn't find it annoying (unlike some other books) because the plot-line was well written and the world-building is organized, understandable and interesting. And since I haven't read young writings like these in a while I was expecting myself to be bored by it, and that didn't happen. The characters have good narratives and they are realistic which helps them to be relatable, and I find myself connecting to every single one of them despite all the different POVs. In fact, one of the reasons I am not a big fan of multiple perspectives is because it can be confusing at times and often authors failed to connect or engaged with the readers because of the constant switching. Didn't see this problem here. A good book can make a reader feel attach to the characters despite the differences, and I feel like that's what the author did. I am also impressed by how the author managed to give all these characters different tones through the writing, since another possible flaw a writer can make in different POVs is the failure to give these characters distinct tones, different attitudes or general feelings so the readers can identify them. It is hard, since without different voices and sounds it'll be almost impossible, and if it's not achieved readers sometimes wouldn't even realize the perspectives have switched because the tones are exactly the same despite the different characters (trust me, that's possible. It has happened to me for a few times). Take Kai and Kalaya for an example. I can literally feel the age difference between them. I can feel the childishness within Kai when I was reading his perspectives, and then I feel a different feminine maturity when I was reading Kalaya's POV.

I also really enjoyed the plot-line and the world-building. The whole idea of 'colors', 'tests', 'and projections' is very original, and I've never read something like this before.

Even though this book only has mild romance (between Kalaya and her boyfriend, Jaremon), I still suggest this to all my readers (including those who live for romance, like me). A great book and it earn itself four strong stars.