What do you think?
Rate this book
Waldo Rabbit #1
The (sort of) Dark Mage
The story of a young man named Waldo who grows up in a world where monsters, the undead, and dark magic are a part of everyday life. He is forced to go on a journey to prove himself, and soon discovers that his beliefs don't fit into the wider world.
This is a light fantasy that is heavy on the humor with some romance and action as well. It has mature themes and language and is aimed at an adult audience.
It is filled with everything a fantasy reader would want; dark magic, betrayal, zombies, vampires, a journey of discovery, secret plots, beautiful big breasted women, and murderous flesh eating rabbits.
Just kidding about the rabbits.
I'm saving them for the sequel.
This is a light fantasy that is heavy on the humor with some romance and action as well. It has mature themes and language and is aimed at an adult audience.
It is filled with everything a fantasy reader would want; dark magic, betrayal, zombies, vampires, a journey of discovery, secret plots, beautiful big breasted women, and murderous flesh eating rabbits.
Just kidding about the rabbits.
I'm saving them for the sequel.
Audible Audio
First published April 5, 2013
226 people are currently reading
1374 people want to read
About the author
Nelson Chereta
22 books280 followersNote from Amazon page:
If you would like to sample some of my fiction writing free of charge (including the first five chapters of the next novel) you can visit here, http://www.fictionpress.com/u/609521/.... If you are interested in trying my fanfiction go to, http://www.fanfiction.net/u/1308758/l.... Though it being fanfiction the stories will be harder to follow if you are unfamiliar with the source material.
If you would like to sample some of my fiction writing free of charge (including the first five chapters of the next novel) you can visit here, http://www.fictionpress.com/u/609521/.... If you are interested in trying my fanfiction go to, http://www.fanfiction.net/u/1308758/l.... Though it being fanfiction the stories will be harder to follow if you are unfamiliar with the source material.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 191 reviews
December 19, 2013
First, if you are reading this to see if you should read "The (sort of) Dark Mage", stop right now and go and read it.
No really, I'm not joking, stop reading this dumb review and go buy (or if you have to, beg, borrow or steal) "The (sort of) Dark Mage!"
And if the previous lines made you laugh, chuckle or even smile, I can guarantee you will like the book... SO GO READ IT ALREADY!
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Ok, so originally I gave "The (sort of) Dark Mage" four stars because the editing wasn't perfect and there were a few mistakes in the printing. I know mistakes have nothing to do with the story but I have a hard time giving a perfect score to a less the perfect book... But when I found out this was self published I had a change of heart, I'm not going to dock a writer a star because they didn't want to drop a couple of grand to get a professional editor to look at their book. Also the mistakes were few and far between...
The humor is reminiscent of an Americanized Discworld novel. Lots of witty little jokes and observations are offered via Waldo's (the main character) perspective as a Black Wizard. Democracy is described as mobs of commoners running around claiming to be a government. Being called "nice" is an insult etc. I don't want to give anything away but if you like quirky humor this book is for you.
If I had to complain about one thing, I'd say the perspective changes were a little abrupt sometimes. I mean I was reading this book on a kindle paperwhite and if your going to change perspectives for less than a screen full of writing you need to figure out if that shift is really that important, and if it is, by all means flesh it out some!
Overall this is one of the most enjoyable books I've read all year. I am extremely disappointed the sequel isn't out yet as the book ends on a (sort of) cliff hanger ;) and I would very much like to read the next one.
Mr. Chereta if you are reading this, you have set the bar very high and I expect you to surpass it! I look forward to the completion of "After the Rabbit" and will purchase it as soon as it appears in the kindle store!
No really, I'm not joking, stop reading this dumb review and go buy (or if you have to, beg, borrow or steal) "The (sort of) Dark Mage!"
And if the previous lines made you laugh, chuckle or even smile, I can guarantee you will like the book... SO GO READ IT ALREADY!
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Ok, so originally I gave "The (sort of) Dark Mage" four stars because the editing wasn't perfect and there were a few mistakes in the printing. I know mistakes have nothing to do with the story but I have a hard time giving a perfect score to a less the perfect book... But when I found out this was self published I had a change of heart, I'm not going to dock a writer a star because they didn't want to drop a couple of grand to get a professional editor to look at their book. Also the mistakes were few and far between...
The humor is reminiscent of an Americanized Discworld novel. Lots of witty little jokes and observations are offered via Waldo's (the main character) perspective as a Black Wizard. Democracy is described as mobs of commoners running around claiming to be a government. Being called "nice" is an insult etc. I don't want to give anything away but if you like quirky humor this book is for you.
If I had to complain about one thing, I'd say the perspective changes were a little abrupt sometimes. I mean I was reading this book on a kindle paperwhite and if your going to change perspectives for less than a screen full of writing you need to figure out if that shift is really that important, and if it is, by all means flesh it out some!
Overall this is one of the most enjoyable books I've read all year. I am extremely disappointed the sequel isn't out yet as the book ends on a (sort of) cliff hanger ;) and I would very much like to read the next one.
Mr. Chereta if you are reading this, you have set the bar very high and I expect you to surpass it! I look forward to the completion of "After the Rabbit" and will purchase it as soon as it appears in the kindle store!
November 21, 2016
Just couldn't do it. The writing was so, so awkward and bad. It comes across as the author's personal Mary Sue, except that it makes it even woooorrrsseee. Every woman who gets introduced is described as attractive (and usually full-figured and curvy) from the main character's point of view... even if the woman in question is his sister or mother. I have been told by my husband who read the whole book that later, the main character tells his wife that she has the second best pair of breasts he has ever seen - topped only by his mother's. HOKAY.
But yeah. There was so much of the "Hello mother. I am going to do this thing mother." "Yes son. I will be proud of you son." "Thank you mother." "Goodbye son." (that conversation is a paraphrase, but the amount of "mother"s and "son"s that happens is not an exaggeration.)
Maybe the story is interesting. Who knows! I could not get past the atrocious grammar, spelling, dialogue, weirdly incestuous relationships, character division between Real Characters and NPCs who just spouted random nonsense like they were choosing all the options on an RPG conversation wheel, and what I can only assume was an ever-increasing misogynistic bent.
I COULDN'T DO IT GUYS.
But yeah. There was so much of the "Hello mother. I am going to do this thing mother." "Yes son. I will be proud of you son." "Thank you mother." "Goodbye son." (that conversation is a paraphrase, but the amount of "mother"s and "son"s that happens is not an exaggeration.)
Maybe the story is interesting. Who knows! I could not get past the atrocious grammar, spelling, dialogue, weirdly incestuous relationships, character division between Real Characters and NPCs who just spouted random nonsense like they were choosing all the options on an RPG conversation wheel, and what I can only assume was an ever-increasing misogynistic bent.
I COULDN'T DO IT GUYS.
August 30, 2014
Don't let the title fool you (or the comments the book is funny). This is fore-mostly an excellent and unique story, it is *also* hilarious.
The unique premise is that the protagonist comes from a long and illustrious line of evil mages and necromancers, from a country *of* evil mages and necromancers, and wishes nothing more than to be one himself. The fact he's not evil serves as a great source of some of the humour in the book.
The protagonist is sent on a coming of age test to make a name for himself, but the test is altered from the norm to be almost impossibly difficult (the the ruling class of evil wizards made the adjustment to demonstrate he's unsuited to rule with them).
The entire setup works effortlessly to create an interesting and humorous story.
The unique premise is that the protagonist comes from a long and illustrious line of evil mages and necromancers, from a country *of* evil mages and necromancers, and wishes nothing more than to be one himself. The fact he's not evil serves as a great source of some of the humour in the book.
The protagonist is sent on a coming of age test to make a name for himself, but the test is altered from the norm to be almost impossibly difficult (the the ruling class of evil wizards made the adjustment to demonstrate he's unsuited to rule with them).
The entire setup works effortlessly to create an interesting and humorous story.
June 16, 2017
THE (SORT OF) DARK MAGE is a fantasy parody about an evil wizard (not really) who is the last remaining member of the Corpselover lineage. Basically like the Malfoys back in a time when magic meant something more than going to a posh school, all the elder siblings to Walder Corpselover have gotten themselves killed trying to prove themselves worthy.
Waldo is more Neville Longbottom than Draco, though, and is thoroughly unqualified for the position as heir to the most prestigious of all evil wizarding families. Sensing this, his mother Lilith has become even more overprotective so her rivals demand he be sent on a suicidal quest to prove himself.
Waldo must tame three Great Monsters, steal a dragon age, and kill a knight when even one of these tasks would get him killed. Thankfully, Waldo's gentle nature (as much as he denies it) is it's own kind of defense and he ends up getting his first Great Monster, a chaste succubus named Alice, by accidentally marrying her in the first town he visits.
It's all downhill from there.
I absolutely love this book and give it extremely high marks. This is pretty much the same feeling people have described reading my Supervillainy Saga or how I felt with the Hard Luck Hank series. Its basically a nonstop series of laughs stemming from Waldo's failed attempts at being a bad person and Alice's equally unsuccessful attempts to make Waldo a good person. It's a joke which sometimes wears a bit thin but, mostly, holds up throughout the book.
If I were to make a comparison, it's pretty much the Addam's Family or Munsters with the fact Waldo is a liberal Goth kid who is mostly harmless despite being arrogant and snooty. Mind you, all the other Dark Wizards in the world really are evil but he's just a liberal open-minded oddball who happens to live in a world which consists of either Mordor or oppressive theocratic religious states. It's a bit of a cheat that the White Mages are all racist bigots but "killing all monsters for God" is hardly a new idea in a Dungeons and Dragons-themed world. It is D&D themed too since the magic functions on Vancian principles of memorization, cast, forget.
That's not a bad thing.
My favorite character of the book happens to be Lilith, Waldo's mother. Maybe I'm a sucker for beautiful dark-haired older women necromancers but I had an image in my head of her as Monica Belluci and that was a very nice image. I love how she's perfectly suited to be the kind of evil wizardess villain in another fantasy setting but works here as Waldo's dotting mother. Other supporting characters work well like Elsa and the Archlich but a lot of Waldo's quest remains unfinished at the end of the book. This is clearly a story which will take at least a trilogy to complete.
Are there flaws? A few. The book doesn't indent its paragraphs and basically reads more like a blog than a more traditional novel. This kind of thing doesn't bother me as independent publication comes with these sorts of things and Lord knows I've made a few errors in my time. Likewise, the joke of "Waldo says something horrible about his homeland like it's perfectly normal and Alice is appalled" wears a bit thin at times. Finally, the book ends in what feels like the middle of the book rather than a proper climax.
Still, I found The Sort-Of Dark Mage to be incredibly fun book and I immediately bought the second one. I debated between giving this book four stars or five but decided to ere on the side of how much entertainment I got out of this book, which was considerable.
9/10
Waldo is more Neville Longbottom than Draco, though, and is thoroughly unqualified for the position as heir to the most prestigious of all evil wizarding families. Sensing this, his mother Lilith has become even more overprotective so her rivals demand he be sent on a suicidal quest to prove himself.
Waldo must tame three Great Monsters, steal a dragon age, and kill a knight when even one of these tasks would get him killed. Thankfully, Waldo's gentle nature (as much as he denies it) is it's own kind of defense and he ends up getting his first Great Monster, a chaste succubus named Alice, by accidentally marrying her in the first town he visits.
It's all downhill from there.
I absolutely love this book and give it extremely high marks. This is pretty much the same feeling people have described reading my Supervillainy Saga or how I felt with the Hard Luck Hank series. Its basically a nonstop series of laughs stemming from Waldo's failed attempts at being a bad person and Alice's equally unsuccessful attempts to make Waldo a good person. It's a joke which sometimes wears a bit thin but, mostly, holds up throughout the book.
If I were to make a comparison, it's pretty much the Addam's Family or Munsters with the fact Waldo is a liberal Goth kid who is mostly harmless despite being arrogant and snooty. Mind you, all the other Dark Wizards in the world really are evil but he's just a liberal open-minded oddball who happens to live in a world which consists of either Mordor or oppressive theocratic religious states. It's a bit of a cheat that the White Mages are all racist bigots but "killing all monsters for God" is hardly a new idea in a Dungeons and Dragons-themed world. It is D&D themed too since the magic functions on Vancian principles of memorization, cast, forget.
That's not a bad thing.
My favorite character of the book happens to be Lilith, Waldo's mother. Maybe I'm a sucker for beautiful dark-haired older women necromancers but I had an image in my head of her as Monica Belluci and that was a very nice image. I love how she's perfectly suited to be the kind of evil wizardess villain in another fantasy setting but works here as Waldo's dotting mother. Other supporting characters work well like Elsa and the Archlich but a lot of Waldo's quest remains unfinished at the end of the book. This is clearly a story which will take at least a trilogy to complete.
Are there flaws? A few. The book doesn't indent its paragraphs and basically reads more like a blog than a more traditional novel. This kind of thing doesn't bother me as independent publication comes with these sorts of things and Lord knows I've made a few errors in my time. Likewise, the joke of "Waldo says something horrible about his homeland like it's perfectly normal and Alice is appalled" wears a bit thin at times. Finally, the book ends in what feels like the middle of the book rather than a proper climax.
Still, I found The Sort-Of Dark Mage to be incredibly fun book and I immediately bought the second one. I debated between giving this book four stars or five but decided to ere on the side of how much entertainment I got out of this book, which was considerable.
9/10
July 23, 2013
One word: Genius - pure genius
December 10, 2015
Light-hearted and funny - yes really, this is a book about a Dark Mage, I'm not kidding - I've had quite a bit of fun reading Nelson Chereta's first book in the series.
The self-published work comes with the usual weaknesses. The beta- and proofreaders did an acceptable job, but the end result is by no means perfect. That's the only reason why I don't rate this book any higher, because its entertainment value would have warranted it.
In the end, the only thing I felt unhappy about, is that the book was so short. That's a strange thing to say after reading 125k words, but time flies when you're having fun.
The self-published work comes with the usual weaknesses. The beta- and proofreaders did an acceptable job, but the end result is by no means perfect. That's the only reason why I don't rate this book any higher, because its entertainment value would have warranted it.
In the end, the only thing I felt unhappy about, is that the book was so short. That's a strange thing to say after reading 125k words, but time flies when you're having fun.
June 21, 2013
A fun read.
This book doesnt take itself too seriously, the humor is sometimes quite dark but fun for all that. I especially like the chapters covering Waldo's mother, her meeting with the council and the interview of the "poisondagger" magelet was very amusing.
Lets hope the next book in this series is just as much fun.
This book doesnt take itself too seriously, the humor is sometimes quite dark but fun for all that. I especially like the chapters covering Waldo's mother, her meeting with the council and the interview of the "poisondagger" magelet was very amusing.
Lets hope the next book in this series is just as much fun.
September 23, 2016
Comical and enjoyable
The book has lots of humor about an evil wizard who is not, but really kind of wants to be, and his first quest. Still some editing issues but overall still easy to read.
The book has lots of humor about an evil wizard who is not, but really kind of wants to be, and his first quest. Still some editing issues but overall still easy to read.
May 13, 2017
Take a gold fish out of water, a really good fish that doesn't have a mean bone in it's body.... and raise it in a shark tank!
When it's all big and mature throw it back with the other gold fishes!
This is this story, Waldo (seriously, Waldo?) is the son of one of he most powerful dark mages in the land.... sadly he takes after his father that was a white mage though so he is more of a disgrace then anything.
The book follows his (mis)adventures as he is sent on a quest to prove his worth to his family and "dark" community.
The book is funny and as you expect from a story like this it's the innocent that goes "grrrrr I'm mean, I'm evil, fear me!!!!" and is about as threatening as a little bunny with things going wrong at every turn and his bunny ears flopping and going "why me?"
Now the book is charming and a light read, not so bad as most YA books... I did have a few issues that soured it for me though, like how the character's personalities didn't fit their own backstory (aka Alice).
Alot of the characters actions here happened because, just because, no reason or ryhme, it was more like - insert pratfall here - kind of thing, also her actions and the use of the word Darling so often remined me of Lum from Urusei Yatsura, they kind of have the same personality and origin stories, just one is an ogre and the other is what you'd expect to find in a brothel.
Thing is Lum was raised as daddy's princess, she can be headstrong, flirty and a bit of a queen bee being raised the way she was... also in her case she was used to men lusting after her so her husband ignoring her charms made him more desirable (then she hurts him accidentally or on purpose because Rumiko Takahashi made all her female characters rather abusive to their spouses for comedy's sake)... here it made no sense with her being a slave her whole life and shamed privately for what she was, that kind of person wouldn't act like the world owed her and she would not physically abuse her husband IN PUBLIC when he openly admits how amazing she is and how he likes her, the only reason for her to do it is to make you the reader laugh!
Another thing that annoyed me was this was set up as a 5 book series from the start... yaaaaahhhh no....
Over all I enjoyed it for what it was, I would recommend it for someone younger that could see beyond it's faults (and probably never watched Urusei Yatsura!) The audiobook is well preformed to so giving it an extra star just for that 4/5 from me.
When it's all big and mature throw it back with the other gold fishes!
This is this story, Waldo (seriously, Waldo?) is the son of one of he most powerful dark mages in the land.... sadly he takes after his father that was a white mage though so he is more of a disgrace then anything.
The book follows his (mis)adventures as he is sent on a quest to prove his worth to his family and "dark" community.
The book is funny and as you expect from a story like this it's the innocent that goes "grrrrr I'm mean, I'm evil, fear me!!!!" and is about as threatening as a little bunny with things going wrong at every turn and his bunny ears flopping and going "why me?"
Now the book is charming and a light read, not so bad as most YA books... I did have a few issues that soured it for me though, like how the character's personalities didn't fit their own backstory (aka Alice).
Alot of the characters actions here happened because, just because, no reason or ryhme, it was more like - insert pratfall here - kind of thing, also her actions and the use of the word Darling so often remined me of Lum from Urusei Yatsura, they kind of have the same personality and origin stories, just one is an ogre and the other is what you'd expect to find in a brothel.
Thing is Lum was raised as daddy's princess, she can be headstrong, flirty and a bit of a queen bee being raised the way she was... also in her case she was used to men lusting after her so her husband ignoring her charms made him more desirable (then she hurts him accidentally or on purpose because Rumiko Takahashi made all her female characters rather abusive to their spouses for comedy's sake)... here it made no sense with her being a slave her whole life and shamed privately for what she was, that kind of person wouldn't act like the world owed her and she would not physically abuse her husband IN PUBLIC when he openly admits how amazing she is and how he likes her, the only reason for her to do it is to make you the reader laugh!
Another thing that annoyed me was this was set up as a 5 book series from the start... yaaaaahhhh no....
Over all I enjoyed it for what it was, I would recommend it for someone younger that could see beyond it's faults (and probably never watched Urusei Yatsura!) The audiobook is well preformed to so giving it an extra star just for that 4/5 from me.
June 4, 2017
From the title, it's pretty clear it's comedic and we're not dealing with a strong character.
It's fun and laughable. Waldo is a shut in and sheltered. He comes from an odd and evil family. He is forced to go on a quest or trial. And he goes off on his quest. It's fun and silly. His perceptions are warped and weird. He's stubborn but nice.
That's really the gist of it. It's a simple story where the protagonist goes on a really hard quest and tries really hard to succeed. The protagonist is a nice person but tries to be evil from his evil family background. There's also sweet and funny romances. I like it. This is the good part.
The not bad and not good part is that there's a lot of cliche or Mary Sue type of stuff. There's also reference and whatnot. It's up to you.
The bad part is nothing makes any sense. But, you can usually just brush over it and accept it. If you don't really think too deep about it, it's fine. If you do think into it, you'll probably give this book a negative 10. But, if you continue and read Book 2, those problems will shine. I wasn't able to finish Book 2. Perhaps, I will try later.
It's fun and laughable. Waldo is a shut in and sheltered. He comes from an odd and evil family. He is forced to go on a quest or trial. And he goes off on his quest. It's fun and silly. His perceptions are warped and weird. He's stubborn but nice.
That's really the gist of it. It's a simple story where the protagonist goes on a really hard quest and tries really hard to succeed. The protagonist is a nice person but tries to be evil from his evil family background. There's also sweet and funny romances. I like it. This is the good part.
The not bad and not good part is that there's a lot of cliche or Mary Sue type of stuff. There's also reference and whatnot. It's up to you.
The bad part is nothing makes any sense. But, you can usually just brush over it and accept it. If you don't really think too deep about it, it's fine. If you do think into it, you'll probably give this book a negative 10. But, if you continue and read Book 2, those problems will shine. I wasn't able to finish Book 2. Perhaps, I will try later.
September 20, 2013
3.5 stars. I think Chereta was trying to be like Robert Rankin/Christopher Moore but didn't quite make it. The book has some amusing parts, and the plot is definitely unique, but it reads like he's trying too hard. I'll probably read the next one if it's cheap enough, because I'm pretty glad this one was free.
September 7, 2014
Fantastic. I've never been more compelled to write a review in my life. This book was simply stated amazing. Magic, succubus, orcs, ogres this book had it all. It was dark humor at its best. Go out and read this book then recommend it to everyone you have ever met.
October 18, 2022
The sort of Dork Mage kept me interested but, the evil dragons and rabbits and sorcery amidst witchcraft and trickery done with magic can be a bit much.
April 24, 2019
Much to my surprise, I did enjoy the book...A bit unusual maybe, but I thought it humourous in a subtle way and entertaining.
April 29, 2018
Fun, epic fantasy spoof. 3.5
Waldo Corpslover is the last living child of the most ruthless Dark Mage of their time, and now he must go on his first quest to prove himself. Except waldo isn't all that suited to be a dark mage. His main talent is healing and wards, he's not evil, and can't even do the smallest bit of necromancy. So yeah he is screwed when his quest entails claiming three beasts, killing a knight and stealing a dragon's egg.
This was a fun if not terrible original comedic-fantasy. Most of that humor comes from Waldo himself and is sheltered upbringing in an 'Evil Castle'. Add all his bumbling interactions with a trope riddled wider world and an entertaining cast of secondary characters and you get a decent fantasy comedy.
Waldo Corpslover is the last living child of the most ruthless Dark Mage of their time, and now he must go on his first quest to prove himself. Except waldo isn't all that suited to be a dark mage. His main talent is healing and wards, he's not evil, and can't even do the smallest bit of necromancy. So yeah he is screwed when his quest entails claiming three beasts, killing a knight and stealing a dragon's egg.
This was a fun if not terrible original comedic-fantasy. Most of that humor comes from Waldo himself and is sheltered upbringing in an 'Evil Castle'. Add all his bumbling interactions with a trope riddled wider world and an entertaining cast of secondary characters and you get a decent fantasy comedy.
March 12, 2016
Well. Here's a book that would have gained immensely from editing and from some final brushing.
The problems with the story are numerous: Waldo's survival to the start of the story with the family background and personality he has seems rather fantastic, perhaps verging on unbelievable. The same goes with some of the political and social climate of the world. Some of the conversations between Waldo and Alice - particularly where Waldo or Alice explain the realities of life - also seem rather unconvincing. I didn't get the feeling that I was actually hearing two people talking as much as getting poorly concealed exposition.
In story, the headline "The (sort of) Dark Mage" pretty much tells you how well-brushed the story is: it's a description, not a name. The same goes for the whole book: at times it feels more like a rough draft of events and not a story per se.
But the book did do something well: I did like how Waldo's and Alice's chemistry. I liked how the white wizards were race supremacists (alas, the dark wizards could have used similar shading - they were now far too cartoony) and some of the way magic system operated seemed a good one. The book was also partially funny and the world had some development potential. I also liked the First Quest: Waldo's special quest seemed a great built-in reason to travel from place to place that often seems lacking in books like these.
All in all, I don't think this series was for me. Waldo was too much of a snowflake, much too naive even for the background he had and the story was way too rough, stopping way too often to explain how Waldo's culture had no nudity taboos or how slavery is natural etc.
The problems with the story are numerous: Waldo's survival to the start of the story with the family background and personality he has seems rather fantastic, perhaps verging on unbelievable. The same goes with some of the political and social climate of the world. Some of the conversations between Waldo and Alice - particularly where Waldo or Alice explain the realities of life - also seem rather unconvincing. I didn't get the feeling that I was actually hearing two people talking as much as getting poorly concealed exposition.
In story, the headline "The (sort of) Dark Mage" pretty much tells you how well-brushed the story is: it's a description, not a name. The same goes for the whole book: at times it feels more like a rough draft of events and not a story per se.
But the book did do something well: I did like how Waldo's and Alice's chemistry. I liked how the white wizards were race supremacists (alas, the dark wizards could have used similar shading - they were now far too cartoony) and some of the way magic system operated seemed a good one. The book was also partially funny and the world had some development potential. I also liked the First Quest: Waldo's special quest seemed a great built-in reason to travel from place to place that often seems lacking in books like these.
All in all, I don't think this series was for me. Waldo was too much of a snowflake, much too naive even for the background he had and the story was way too rough, stopping way too often to explain how Waldo's culture had no nudity taboos or how slavery is natural etc.
June 12, 2014
Der Schreibstil dieses Buches lies mich glauben, ich hätte ein Kinderbuch erwischt. Falsch gedacht. Auch wenn der Schreibstil nicht mitreisst, die Charaktere tun es. Es ist keine Geschichte mit komplexen oder verzwickten Handlungen, aber es macht soviel Spaß, den Protagonisten Waldo auf seiner Reise zu begleiten.
Waldo Corpselover, siebtes Kind aus einer Dark Mage Blutlinie, hätte ein schönes Leben haben können, wären nicht alle seine älteren Geschwister mehr oder minder tot, was ihn unerwarteterweise zum Erben der Familie machte.
Um als Dark Mage anerkannt zu werden, muss Waldo zuerst seine "First Quest" hinter sich bringen und macht sich auf in die große, weite - und völlig andere - Welt.
Gewohnt, dass Sklaven und Bürger vor ihm bzw. einem Dark Mage kauern, findet er sich plötzlich in einer Umgebung, in der er von einem Fettnäpfchen ins nächste wandert. Unnötig zu erwähnen, dass das mit den Zaubersprüchen ebenfalls nicht so funktioniert wie gedacht.
Dieses Buch hat mir soviel Spaß gebracht, dass Band 2 nun sofort im Anschluss gelesen wird.
Leichte Sommerlektüre. Volle 5 Sterne.
Waldo Corpselover, siebtes Kind aus einer Dark Mage Blutlinie, hätte ein schönes Leben haben können, wären nicht alle seine älteren Geschwister mehr oder minder tot, was ihn unerwarteterweise zum Erben der Familie machte.
Um als Dark Mage anerkannt zu werden, muss Waldo zuerst seine "First Quest" hinter sich bringen und macht sich auf in die große, weite - und völlig andere - Welt.
Gewohnt, dass Sklaven und Bürger vor ihm bzw. einem Dark Mage kauern, findet er sich plötzlich in einer Umgebung, in der er von einem Fettnäpfchen ins nächste wandert. Unnötig zu erwähnen, dass das mit den Zaubersprüchen ebenfalls nicht so funktioniert wie gedacht.
Dieses Buch hat mir soviel Spaß gebracht, dass Band 2 nun sofort im Anschluss gelesen wird.
Leichte Sommerlektüre. Volle 5 Sterne.
July 22, 2017
I've read a lot of fantasy. It's difficult to find something refreshing at that point and Waldo Rabbit delivered. The premise: The most poweful female dark mage in a ruthless and evil empire has an affair with a white mage. Their son is her heir and a lot is expected of him. He must be the epitome of a dark mage: ruthless, calculating and destructive. However, he is tainted by his father and is inherently kind, decent and talented only in healing and protection spells. Hilarity ensues - if you have a dark sense of humour. Some of the book's aspects may not be taken as lightly by some readers as the main character is still an anti-hero, if a comical one.
The book is simple and unpretentious, a light and enjoyable read with a funny and original premise. There were punctuation and spelling mistakes but nothing too aggravating. Characters use too modern language at times. The second book went from humorous to outright silly at times and the modern language problem was more noticeable, but as a whole I enjoyed it too.
The book is simple and unpretentious, a light and enjoyable read with a funny and original premise. There were punctuation and spelling mistakes but nothing too aggravating. Characters use too modern language at times. The second book went from humorous to outright silly at times and the modern language problem was more noticeable, but as a whole I enjoyed it too.
June 16, 2014
To say I laughed my ass of would be an extreme understatement. Maybe this book isnt going to change the world but Nelson Chereta knows exactly what he's got and uses it very well. This book is full of dark humour, some cool magic, some fun and witty romance even in unexpected places; and every character is a joy to read even Walter which I'm sorry but that takes skill when not only do you want to feel sorry for him but similarly wish his own mother would kill him.
February 24, 2014
It was terribly fun and amazing I recommand it xD
August 9, 2023
Slapstick comedy. A reasonably good read but a little too childish for me to enjoy and with the added drawback that it just ends halfway through the story.
April 23, 2020
The story is SO unfinished after book one. It was fun to read in a quirky kind of way. I enjoyed the idea of Waldo, wanting to be a dark mage so badly, altough he obviously isn't evil. But there is too little story arc, this book should have continued for another 100 - 200 pages. I can't comment on the editorial weaknesses other people mentioned as I listend to the audiobook and it was really well done. However, I don't think I am going to read the other parts simply because I hate forced cliffhangers and it think the idea will get monotonous over time.
June 2, 2021
This is amazing!
This has the right mix of self-deprecating humour and oddball characters. Several section I just stopped and reread because they were so funny (the part with the rabbit). I am very much looking forward to more.
This has the right mix of self-deprecating humour and oddball characters. Several section I just stopped and reread because they were so funny (the part with the rabbit). I am very much looking forward to more.
October 3, 2021
Fun little fantasy / magicky read.
This one is just the first of a series.... so the story's not complete.
Witty and laugh-out-loud moments.
Characters stick with you!
A little redundant/repetitive at parts but makes for easy, lite read/listening (Narration is very good!)
This one is just the first of a series.... so the story's not complete.
Witty and laugh-out-loud moments.
Characters stick with you!
A little redundant/repetitive at parts but makes for easy, lite read/listening (Narration is very good!)
February 20, 2024
This silly book was a lot of fun, excellent for tired weeks.
August 19, 2018
Okay, this is a weird one.
It certainly is not a "good" novel. In fact, it is not really a novel at all. It is part of a novel.
Why?
Because it has no story arc...
...okay, let me explain.
The novel is about a young Dark Mage going on his first quest to prove to his family (and thereby make his mother proud) and the ruling council of Dark Mage Country that he is worthy - both to be a Dark Mage and to lead his family when the time comes. Nothing new under the sun, right?
However, since he has strange (non-Dark-Mage-ian) talents and shows no talents whatsoever in the Dark Arts (what a weakling! what a disgrace!), they set him impossible tasks for the quest. These come in (let's say) five parts. He sets out to strange lands (to him) and tries to fulfill them, making new enemies along the way.
...and then it suddenly stops. He has just fulfilled the first two tasks (the first three being three parts of a big one), has just made a new enemy - and then it stops.
The story arc has not even reached its zenith, nor any place where stopping would be acceptable or good, regarding writing. Yes, this creates a cliffhanger. But not in a good way. The story just stops at a place where it is not finished, and the reader is left with questions. Not left in a situation of tense excitement and suspense. Just like "okay, we have run out of space in this book, make sure to read on in the next one".
Even for part of a umpteen-alogy, each separate part should have its own story arc, coming to some kind of a close at the end. And with regards to a metaplot, the ending of one of its parts should still be significant, somehow.
Bad form, really.
So this is not a novel. This is the first part of probably a novel. Not sure how many parts it will have.
There I go, ranting and raving about this detail, which irks me to no end. And I haven't even gotten to the content and the writing style, and whatnot. So let's go over the rest of it a bit more quickly...
Writing style:
Not good or interesting, but decent; easily readable/digestible
Editing:
Horrible or non-existent; typos or missing words abound; in some places names are mixed up, which is confusing; should have had proper copy editing
Story:
Not that innovative; entertainingly spun, though.
Characters:
The main character is nicely constructed. A dark mage (not really) who thinks his world view is the only correct way (strong reining week, non-magic-wielders being no more than slaves and/or property, taking what one wants, killing and subdueing others as proper way of showing strenght and worth, etc.) - and, not surprisingly, his world-views constantly clash with those of the rest of the world. And get him in all sorts of trouble and situations he doesn't really understand...
Other characters are nicely constructed, as well. Some are still a bit two-dimensional, but there is potential for that to change for the better.
This is a weird one, because I somehow enjoyed reading (and want to read on). Easily digestible, not that intriguing, but quite nice. It started off oh so bad (with the necromancer families named Corpselover, Poisondagger and other ridiculous names), but then this got turned on its head (others making fun of these names). And the story and characters kind-of grew on me.
Dammit! I HATE when that happens...
It certainly is not a "good" novel. In fact, it is not really a novel at all. It is part of a novel.
Why?
Because it has no story arc...
...okay, let me explain.
The novel is about a young Dark Mage going on his first quest to prove to his family (and thereby make his mother proud) and the ruling council of Dark Mage Country that he is worthy - both to be a Dark Mage and to lead his family when the time comes. Nothing new under the sun, right?
However, since he has strange (non-Dark-Mage-ian) talents and shows no talents whatsoever in the Dark Arts (what a weakling! what a disgrace!), they set him impossible tasks for the quest. These come in (let's say) five parts. He sets out to strange lands (to him) and tries to fulfill them, making new enemies along the way.
...and then it suddenly stops. He has just fulfilled the first two tasks (the first three being three parts of a big one), has just made a new enemy - and then it stops.
The story arc has not even reached its zenith, nor any place where stopping would be acceptable or good, regarding writing. Yes, this creates a cliffhanger. But not in a good way. The story just stops at a place where it is not finished, and the reader is left with questions. Not left in a situation of tense excitement and suspense. Just like "okay, we have run out of space in this book, make sure to read on in the next one".
Even for part of a umpteen-alogy, each separate part should have its own story arc, coming to some kind of a close at the end. And with regards to a metaplot, the ending of one of its parts should still be significant, somehow.
Bad form, really.
So this is not a novel. This is the first part of probably a novel. Not sure how many parts it will have.
There I go, ranting and raving about this detail, which irks me to no end. And I haven't even gotten to the content and the writing style, and whatnot. So let's go over the rest of it a bit more quickly...
Writing style:
Not good or interesting, but decent; easily readable/digestible
Editing:
Horrible or non-existent; typos or missing words abound; in some places names are mixed up, which is confusing; should have had proper copy editing
Story:
Not that innovative; entertainingly spun, though.
Characters:
The main character is nicely constructed. A dark mage (not really) who thinks his world view is the only correct way (strong reining week, non-magic-wielders being no more than slaves and/or property, taking what one wants, killing and subdueing others as proper way of showing strenght and worth, etc.) - and, not surprisingly, his world-views constantly clash with those of the rest of the world. And get him in all sorts of trouble and situations he doesn't really understand...
Other characters are nicely constructed, as well. Some are still a bit two-dimensional, but there is potential for that to change for the better.
This is a weird one, because I somehow enjoyed reading (and want to read on). Easily digestible, not that intriguing, but quite nice. It started off oh so bad (with the necromancer families named Corpselover, Poisondagger and other ridiculous names), but then this got turned on its head (others making fun of these names). And the story and characters kind-of grew on me.
Dammit! I HATE when that happens...
January 3, 2022
Warning. Escalating violence and graphic torture. Child abuse, cruelty, and torture.
Fair is fair. I ran into this in a series by Blaise Corvin that many other people consider "a best read" and was highly recommended by authors I continue to read and respect. As with that series, even though I was uncomfortable with it, I discounted the graphic violent accounts and did 4 and 5 star ratings for the creative storyline and writing skill until I reached a point that was simply too much for me. In this case, it was when I read volume 5.
I believe I used the word 'escalating' in the review title. Unfortunately, as with the Corvin series, that is the case wth this series. I can look past a lot. I believe authors deserve to be given broad license. However, no matter how in synch with the storyline or true to the characters, graphic descriptions of child abuse, cruelty, and torture are absolute NOPE points for me. Especially when there is no counter balance and when it serves no purpose other than a very descriptive experience of perverted pleasure on the part of the perpetrators. This series reaches that point in the 5th book. IMO it was absolutely unnecessary due to a very detailed occurrence in an earlier part of the same volume.
⭐The one star rating is to catch the attention of the readers who share my NOPE point. I think they deserve fair warning. I"m very careful with 1 star ratings. Generally, I do my best to make sure that the rating won't cause damage to the author. Because of the way Amazon attaches writer support and perks to ratings, I generally don't post anything below a 4 or 5. I don't think this author will be harmed. Neither was Blaise Corvin.
Fair is fair. I ran into this in a series by Blaise Corvin that many other people consider "a best read" and was highly recommended by authors I continue to read and respect. As with that series, even though I was uncomfortable with it, I discounted the graphic violent accounts and did 4 and 5 star ratings for the creative storyline and writing skill until I reached a point that was simply too much for me. In this case, it was when I read volume 5.
I believe I used the word 'escalating' in the review title. Unfortunately, as with the Corvin series, that is the case wth this series. I can look past a lot. I believe authors deserve to be given broad license. However, no matter how in synch with the storyline or true to the characters, graphic descriptions of child abuse, cruelty, and torture are absolute NOPE points for me. Especially when there is no counter balance and when it serves no purpose other than a very descriptive experience of perverted pleasure on the part of the perpetrators. This series reaches that point in the 5th book. IMO it was absolutely unnecessary due to a very detailed occurrence in an earlier part of the same volume.
⭐The one star rating is to catch the attention of the readers who share my NOPE point. I think they deserve fair warning. I"m very careful with 1 star ratings. Generally, I do my best to make sure that the rating won't cause damage to the author. Because of the way Amazon attaches writer support and perks to ratings, I generally don't post anything below a 4 or 5. I don't think this author will be harmed. Neither was Blaise Corvin.
May 10, 2014
Dass Helden zu einer Queste aufbrechen und mehrere Aufgaben lösen müssen, ist nichts Neues in einem Fantasy- oder Abenteuerroman. Wie Nelson Chereta das Thema in seinem humorvollen Fantasyroman "The (sort of) Dark Mage - Waldo Rabbit Series 1" angeht, allerdings schon.
Waldo Corpselover ist der Erbe einer der sieben großen Familien dunkler Zauberer des Reichs Alteroth. Wie alle dunklen Magier ist es ihm bestimmt, zu Beginn seines Erwachsenenlebens auf eine Queste in eins der benachbarten feindlichen Königreiche zu reisen, um dort seinen Ruf als dunkler Magier aufzubauen, Feinde zu töten und mit Schätzen heimzukehren. Nur leider ist Waldo etwas ... anders. Getötet hat er noch nie, Foltern liegt ihm fern und seine dunkle Magie geht häufiger mal schief. Das geht so weit, dass die anderen dunklen Magier von Alteroth beschließen, Waldo auf seiner Queste vor ein paar schwierige Aufgaben zu stellen, um den fast schon weißen Magier endlich loszuwerden. Nicht nur dass er 3 große Monster unter Vertrag nehmen und einen Ritter besiegen muss, er soll auch noch mit einem gefährlichen Drachen oder einem Drachenei zurückkommen. Waldo ahnt, dass seine Queste nicht einfach werden wird. Doch wie schwer sie wirklich ist, wird ihm langsam klar, als er seinem ersten Monster Alice, eine junge, attraktive Bardame, begegnet, die sein Vertragsangebot für einen Heiratsantrag hält.
Eine tolle und ungewöhnliche Fantasygeschichte mit einem außergewöhnlichen "Helden", Spannung und Humor. Einfach klasse!
Waldo Corpselover ist der Erbe einer der sieben großen Familien dunkler Zauberer des Reichs Alteroth. Wie alle dunklen Magier ist es ihm bestimmt, zu Beginn seines Erwachsenenlebens auf eine Queste in eins der benachbarten feindlichen Königreiche zu reisen, um dort seinen Ruf als dunkler Magier aufzubauen, Feinde zu töten und mit Schätzen heimzukehren. Nur leider ist Waldo etwas ... anders. Getötet hat er noch nie, Foltern liegt ihm fern und seine dunkle Magie geht häufiger mal schief. Das geht so weit, dass die anderen dunklen Magier von Alteroth beschließen, Waldo auf seiner Queste vor ein paar schwierige Aufgaben zu stellen, um den fast schon weißen Magier endlich loszuwerden. Nicht nur dass er 3 große Monster unter Vertrag nehmen und einen Ritter besiegen muss, er soll auch noch mit einem gefährlichen Drachen oder einem Drachenei zurückkommen. Waldo ahnt, dass seine Queste nicht einfach werden wird. Doch wie schwer sie wirklich ist, wird ihm langsam klar, als er seinem ersten Monster Alice, eine junge, attraktive Bardame, begegnet, die sein Vertragsangebot für einen Heiratsantrag hält.
Eine tolle und ungewöhnliche Fantasygeschichte mit einem außergewöhnlichen "Helden", Spannung und Humor. Einfach klasse!
August 21, 2023
Decent read with a great sense of humor but not respectful of my time with its dragging plot.
I wasn't a fan of the sexual themes. I'm no prude and have read plenty of erotica books but here it just felt out of place. It's also really came out of nowhere for me as I didn't see any big warning signs that it was going to be a sexual fantasy kinda book from the summary. The succubus character pops up and It sorta fell into those weird sexual tropes commonly seen in male erotica but never quite goes far enough for this book to really be considered a erotica as nothing extremely explicit never happens.
The plot also really just goes stagnant for like 80% of the book. I felt like I was just constantly waiting for the next big plot point to move along. It meanders too much for my liking.
The characters were decent except the succubus. The succubus just brought on too much sexual male erotica tropes that were eye-rollingly immature. The wizard main character though is cute and brought on a good fish out of water sense of humor to the world.
World building and overall writing was great too. Great descriptive writing that was easy to visualize and a world that made I could make sense of.
I dont think I'll be returning to this series ultimately though. The ending just was so unfinished that i was too annoyed. It doesn't end on a cliffhanger it just ends without any plot threads being wrapped up. It feels like the next chapters were just missing. I would have appreciated some plot points concluded to give some sense of a full book here.
I wasn't a fan of the sexual themes. I'm no prude and have read plenty of erotica books but here it just felt out of place. It's also really came out of nowhere for me as I didn't see any big warning signs that it was going to be a sexual fantasy kinda book from the summary. The succubus character pops up and It sorta fell into those weird sexual tropes commonly seen in male erotica but never quite goes far enough for this book to really be considered a erotica as nothing extremely explicit never happens.
The plot also really just goes stagnant for like 80% of the book. I felt like I was just constantly waiting for the next big plot point to move along. It meanders too much for my liking.
The characters were decent except the succubus. The succubus just brought on too much sexual male erotica tropes that were eye-rollingly immature. The wizard main character though is cute and brought on a good fish out of water sense of humor to the world.
World building and overall writing was great too. Great descriptive writing that was easy to visualize and a world that made I could make sense of.
I dont think I'll be returning to this series ultimately though. The ending just was so unfinished that i was too annoyed. It doesn't end on a cliffhanger it just ends without any plot threads being wrapped up. It feels like the next chapters were just missing. I would have appreciated some plot points concluded to give some sense of a full book here.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 191 reviews