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Art of the Adept #1
The Choice of Magic
Alternate cover edition of ASIN B07W7X9VY6
The ancient magic of wizards was anything but dark. It was the enlightenment that lifted humanity from the squalor of superstition, and the worship of fell spirits and capricious gods, but those days are gone. The shining glory of the sorcerers burned away the subtlety of wisdom, replacing it with easy power, held only in the hands of the elite—a new age built upon the elemental supremacy of aristocrats and the ignorance of the masses.
But this will change, for the greatest power comes with knowledge, and the deeper teachings of wizardry have not been utterly lost. The last wizard of the old tradition still survives in solitude, nursing tired grudges and waiting for death.
His passing might have gone unnoticed, but for the imposition of a youth too stubborn to accept his refusal to take an apprentice. With a new student comes new hope, and that hope has caused old powers to stir again. That the world will change is inevitable, but the shape of the future is anything but certain.
The ancient magic of wizards was anything but dark. It was the enlightenment that lifted humanity from the squalor of superstition, and the worship of fell spirits and capricious gods, but those days are gone. The shining glory of the sorcerers burned away the subtlety of wisdom, replacing it with easy power, held only in the hands of the elite—a new age built upon the elemental supremacy of aristocrats and the ignorance of the masses.
But this will change, for the greatest power comes with knowledge, and the deeper teachings of wizardry have not been utterly lost. The last wizard of the old tradition still survives in solitude, nursing tired grudges and waiting for death.
His passing might have gone unnoticed, but for the imposition of a youth too stubborn to accept his refusal to take an apprentice. With a new student comes new hope, and that hope has caused old powers to stir again. That the world will change is inevitable, but the shape of the future is anything but certain.
626 pages, ebook
First published August 16, 2019
1281 people are currently reading
8297 people want to read
About the author
Michael G. Manning
30 books2,086 followersMichael Manning was born in Cleveland, Texas and spent his formative years there, reading fantasy and science fiction, concocting home grown experiments in his backyard, and generally avoiding schoolwork.
Eventually he went to college, starting at Sam Houston State University, where his love of beer blossomed and his obsession with playing role-playing games led him to what he calls 'his best year ever' and what most of his family calls 'the lost year'.
Several years and a few crappy jobs later, he decided to pursue college again and was somehow accepted into the University of Houston Honors program (we won't get into the particulars of that miracle). This led to a degree in pharmacy and it followed from there that he wound up with a license to practice said profession.
Unfortunately, Michael was not a very good pharmacist. Being relatively lawless and free spirited were not particularly good traits to possess in a career focused on perfection, patient safety, and the letter-of-the-law. Nevertheless, he persisted and after a stint as a hospital pharmacy manager wound up as a pharmacist working in correctional managed care for the State of Texas.
He gave drugs to prisoners.
After a year or two at UTMB he became bored and taught himself entirely too much about networking, programming, and database design and administration. At first his supervisors warned him (repeatedly) to do his assigned tasks and stop designing programs to help his coworkers do theirs, but eventually they gave up and just let him do whatever he liked since it seemed to be generally working out well for them.
Ten or eleven years later and he got bored with that too. So he wrote a book. We won't talk about where he was when he wrote 'The Blacksmith's Son', but let's just assume he was probably supposed to be doing something else at the time.
Some people liked the book and told other people. Now they won't leave him alone.
After another year or two, he decided to just give up and stop pretending to be a pharmacist/programmer, much to the chagrin of his mother (who had only ever wanted him to grow up to be a doctor and had finally become content with the fact that he had settled on pharmacy instead).
Michael's wife supported his decision, even as she stubbornly refused to believe he would make any money at it. It turned out later that she was just telling him this because she knew that nothing made Michael more contrary than his never ending desire to prove her wrong. Once he was able to prove said fact she promptly admitted her tricky ruse and he has since given up on trying to win.
Today he lives at home with his stubborn wife, teenage twins, a giant moose-poodle, two yorkies, a green-cheeked conure, a massive prehistoric tortoise, and a head full of imaginary people. There are also some fish, but he refuses to talk about them.
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Eventually he went to college, starting at Sam Houston State University, where his love of beer blossomed and his obsession with playing role-playing games led him to what he calls 'his best year ever' and what most of his family calls 'the lost year'.
Several years and a few crappy jobs later, he decided to pursue college again and was somehow accepted into the University of Houston Honors program (we won't get into the particulars of that miracle). This led to a degree in pharmacy and it followed from there that he wound up with a license to practice said profession.
Unfortunately, Michael was not a very good pharmacist. Being relatively lawless and free spirited were not particularly good traits to possess in a career focused on perfection, patient safety, and the letter-of-the-law. Nevertheless, he persisted and after a stint as a hospital pharmacy manager wound up as a pharmacist working in correctional managed care for the State of Texas.
He gave drugs to prisoners.
After a year or two at UTMB he became bored and taught himself entirely too much about networking, programming, and database design and administration. At first his supervisors warned him (repeatedly) to do his assigned tasks and stop designing programs to help his coworkers do theirs, but eventually they gave up and just let him do whatever he liked since it seemed to be generally working out well for them.
Ten or eleven years later and he got bored with that too. So he wrote a book. We won't talk about where he was when he wrote 'The Blacksmith's Son', but let's just assume he was probably supposed to be doing something else at the time.
Some people liked the book and told other people. Now they won't leave him alone.
After another year or two, he decided to just give up and stop pretending to be a pharmacist/programmer, much to the chagrin of his mother (who had only ever wanted him to grow up to be a doctor and had finally become content with the fact that he had settled on pharmacy instead).
Michael's wife supported his decision, even as she stubbornly refused to believe he would make any money at it. It turned out later that she was just telling him this because she knew that nothing made Michael more contrary than his never ending desire to prove her wrong. Once he was able to prove said fact she promptly admitted her tricky ruse and he has since given up on trying to win.
Today he lives at home with his stubborn wife, teenage twins, a giant moose-poodle, two yorkies, a green-cheeked conure, a massive prehistoric tortoise, and a head full of imaginary people. There are also some fish, but he refuses to talk about them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 439 reviews
June 2, 2020
A new favorite of mine. A must-follow-series!
In this one we got:
- An interesting system of magic (wizards-sorcerers-warlocks-herbalism-turyn)
- Nice dynamics
- Not too an RRMartinesque murder of characters but they do take hits
- Things happen
- Characters are well-written and likable / or not and paradoxically interesting because of that.
Too easy read but it's okay. Not everything needs to get written by dear old Kant.
Q:
The king terrified him, and the king was completely mad. (c)
Q:
“I’ll make an ass of myself wherever I please... My face is just tagging along for the show.” (c)
Q:
This is so wrong, he thought desperately. I’m about to be choked to death and all I can do is fantasize about my faery aunt. Where did I go wrong? (c)
Q:
You’ll either learn or I’ll bury you in the garden out back to feed my plants. There is no middle way. (c)
Q:
You’re going to be a great wizard someday, skillful and well-educated ... But you’ll probably still be dumb as a stump. (c)
Q:
“I just can’t do it!”
“That’s the spirit! ... Accept your own incompetence and you’ll never be disappointed.”
... “Shouldn’t you be encouraging me?”
“Where’s the fun in that?” (c)
Q:
“I’m not going to warn you again,” said the old man. “Take these ugly-ass soldiers and turn around. I don’t like killing, but I’m not above improving the world by getting rid of fools.”
...
“Why don’t you step up here and try me out if that’s what you think, you hairless flesh-bag,” sneered Arrogan. “I was dealing with scum like you long before your father paid your mother to sleep with him.”
...
I’ll gladly tell you my name,” said Will’s grandfather, “but then I couldn’t let you live. Last chance. Would you rather hear my name or keep breathing?” (c)
Q:
If you didn’t learn about such things, you couldn’t yearn for things you would never be able to have. (c)
Q:
“For one hour I’ll freely and honestly answer your questions while you do the same. At the end of that time we end our discussion under an oath of peace. I will offer you no harm and you will do none to me.” (c)
Q:
“Grandfather would have lost his mind if he heard you say that.”
“He hated sorcerers,” explained Erisa.
“And the fae,” added Will.
“And deer,” said his mother, beginning to smirk.
“And fools,” said Will.
“Don’t forget the king,” said Erisa.
“The nobility,” added Will.
“And most people in general,” finished his mother, grinning. (c)
Q:
If you’re going to keep doing things like this, I’d just as soon kill you myself and get it over with! (c)
Q:
“Think about what you do. If that big heart of yours gets you into a fight, you might not be the only one bleeding at the end. Your friends might wind up bleeding for you.” (с)
Q:
“I’m not an aristocrat,” ...
“I know that, otherwise I’d be kissing your ass instead of cussing you, dumbass,” (c)
Q:
“People like me can do anything we want to people like you. You realize that, don’t you? We don’t need proof or approval for our cruelty, either. Justice is irrelevant when you deal with nobility...” (c)
Q:
Soldier, if you don’t know who your friends are, you’re dumber than I thought... (c)
Q:
He could hear his grandfather’s answer in the back of his head, All of that comes second to the fact that you’re a mentally challenged half-wit. (c)
Q:
You can talk?”
“Most people are surprised when they discover I can speak,” (c)
Q:
“It just struck me that way. My entire world has been turned upside down and in the middle of it all you’re telling me that you think the doctor wants to enslave you. I may have been blind, but you’re dense, Will. Has anyone ever told you that?”
Will smirked. “Yes, all the time. My grandfather never let five minutes go without reminding me. And I never said ‘enslave,’ I said make me her servant. I don’t think she’s evil per se.” (c)
Q:
His body felt light, almost ephemeral. He had been forced to wear the heavy gambeson for months and the mail shirt for the past few weeks. Without them it seemed as though he floated over the ground. (c)
Q:
“I thought you died, Sergeant,” said someone not far away.
“In your dreams, Corporal,” said the indefatigable Sergeant Nash. “I was not given permission to die. Until I am, I will be here with your sorry ass. Now, get up!” (c)
Q:
Shut up, he told his inner coward. (c)
Q:
“Do you know what it is?”...
“There’s a lot I don’t know. Are you feeling better?” (c)
Q:
All mages are fundamentally the same, but they have their differences. Wizards focus more on knowledge than the amassing of power; warlocks deal mainly in things of the flesh to attain their goals. (c)
Q:
“I think she’s crazy,” said Sammy one day as they were weeding the garden. “She stares at you like she’s going to eat you.”
“You’ll protect me, though, won’t you, Sammy?” said Will, only half-joking. (c)
Some editing mishaps didn't discourage me from reading:
Q:
He had spent it all buying good for his mother, and he hadn’t yet been paid for the past week. (c) Food must have been meant in this one.
In this one we got:
- An interesting system of magic (wizards-sorcerers-warlocks-herbalism-turyn)
- Nice dynamics
- Not too an RRMartinesque murder of characters but they do take hits
- Things happen
- Characters are well-written and likable / or not and paradoxically interesting because of that.
Too easy read but it's okay. Not everything needs to get written by dear old Kant.
Q:
The king terrified him, and the king was completely mad. (c)
Q:
“I’ll make an ass of myself wherever I please... My face is just tagging along for the show.” (c)
Q:
This is so wrong, he thought desperately. I’m about to be choked to death and all I can do is fantasize about my faery aunt. Where did I go wrong? (c)
Q:
You’ll either learn or I’ll bury you in the garden out back to feed my plants. There is no middle way. (c)
Q:
You’re going to be a great wizard someday, skillful and well-educated ... But you’ll probably still be dumb as a stump. (c)
Q:
“I just can’t do it!”
“That’s the spirit! ... Accept your own incompetence and you’ll never be disappointed.”
... “Shouldn’t you be encouraging me?”
“Where’s the fun in that?” (c)
Q:
“I’m not going to warn you again,” said the old man. “Take these ugly-ass soldiers and turn around. I don’t like killing, but I’m not above improving the world by getting rid of fools.”
...
“Why don’t you step up here and try me out if that’s what you think, you hairless flesh-bag,” sneered Arrogan. “I was dealing with scum like you long before your father paid your mother to sleep with him.”
...
I’ll gladly tell you my name,” said Will’s grandfather, “but then I couldn’t let you live. Last chance. Would you rather hear my name or keep breathing?” (c)
Q:
If you didn’t learn about such things, you couldn’t yearn for things you would never be able to have. (c)
Q:
“For one hour I’ll freely and honestly answer your questions while you do the same. At the end of that time we end our discussion under an oath of peace. I will offer you no harm and you will do none to me.” (c)
Q:
“Grandfather would have lost his mind if he heard you say that.”
“He hated sorcerers,” explained Erisa.
“And the fae,” added Will.
“And deer,” said his mother, beginning to smirk.
“And fools,” said Will.
“Don’t forget the king,” said Erisa.
“The nobility,” added Will.
“And most people in general,” finished his mother, grinning. (c)
Q:
If you’re going to keep doing things like this, I’d just as soon kill you myself and get it over with! (c)
Q:
“Think about what you do. If that big heart of yours gets you into a fight, you might not be the only one bleeding at the end. Your friends might wind up bleeding for you.” (с)
Q:
“I’m not an aristocrat,” ...
“I know that, otherwise I’d be kissing your ass instead of cussing you, dumbass,” (c)
Q:
“People like me can do anything we want to people like you. You realize that, don’t you? We don’t need proof or approval for our cruelty, either. Justice is irrelevant when you deal with nobility...” (c)
Q:
Soldier, if you don’t know who your friends are, you’re dumber than I thought... (c)
Q:
He could hear his grandfather’s answer in the back of his head, All of that comes second to the fact that you’re a mentally challenged half-wit. (c)
Q:
You can talk?”
“Most people are surprised when they discover I can speak,” (c)
Q:
“It just struck me that way. My entire world has been turned upside down and in the middle of it all you’re telling me that you think the doctor wants to enslave you. I may have been blind, but you’re dense, Will. Has anyone ever told you that?”
Will smirked. “Yes, all the time. My grandfather never let five minutes go without reminding me. And I never said ‘enslave,’ I said make me her servant. I don’t think she’s evil per se.” (c)
Q:
His body felt light, almost ephemeral. He had been forced to wear the heavy gambeson for months and the mail shirt for the past few weeks. Without them it seemed as though he floated over the ground. (c)
Q:
“I thought you died, Sergeant,” said someone not far away.
“In your dreams, Corporal,” said the indefatigable Sergeant Nash. “I was not given permission to die. Until I am, I will be here with your sorry ass. Now, get up!” (c)
Q:
Shut up, he told his inner coward. (c)
Q:
“Do you know what it is?”...
“There’s a lot I don’t know. Are you feeling better?” (c)
Q:
All mages are fundamentally the same, but they have their differences. Wizards focus more on knowledge than the amassing of power; warlocks deal mainly in things of the flesh to attain their goals. (c)
Q:
“I think she’s crazy,” said Sammy one day as they were weeding the garden. “She stares at you like she’s going to eat you.”
“You’ll protect me, though, won’t you, Sammy?” said Will, only half-joking. (c)
Some editing mishaps didn't discourage me from reading:
Q:
He had spent it all buying good for his mother, and he hadn’t yet been paid for the past week. (c) Food must have been meant in this one.
September 7, 2019
Main character is annoying
I really wanted to like this book, the writing was well done and it had some great characters. The problem is with the main character. He makes stupid and rash decisions over and over. I kept hoping that he'd mature but no. I wanted to like it but the main character is stupid and you can't fix stupid.
I really wanted to like this book, the writing was well done and it had some great characters. The problem is with the main character. He makes stupid and rash decisions over and over. I kept hoping that he'd mature but no. I wanted to like it but the main character is stupid and you can't fix stupid.
August 24, 2019
Well written but some big gaps
This book is well written and a reasonable length. However the main character eventually becomes unbelievable. Without giving the plot away, becomes the sole heir to a library of knowledge but decides to ignore that in favour of running around like a chicken. Refuses to learn, constantly beaten and abused by those in power so he keeps risking his life to help them and goes back for another beating...even the stupid learn eventually but not our manic character. He’s the kind of slave who stays up at night fixing the overseers whip when the overseer keeps breaking it whipping him during the day because it’s the “right thing to do”.....
This book is well written and a reasonable length. However the main character eventually becomes unbelievable. Without giving the plot away, becomes the sole heir to a library of knowledge but decides to ignore that in favour of running around like a chicken. Refuses to learn, constantly beaten and abused by those in power so he keeps risking his life to help them and goes back for another beating...even the stupid learn eventually but not our manic character. He’s the kind of slave who stays up at night fixing the overseers whip when the overseer keeps breaking it whipping him during the day because it’s the “right thing to do”.....
October 5, 2019
This is garbage. There's no reason whatsoever for that boy to join the army, and yet he does just because the plot demanded it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2020
“Kill a prophet, and suddenly he's a martyr. If I'd left him alive, he might have lived long enough for them to figure out what a needle-dicked bug-fucker he was. Instead, killing him just poured oil on the fire.”
★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★
3 magical stars for Manning!
The Choice of Magic is a good book. It has great and complex characters, a well-constructed plot, and just enough magic to make the story interesting. If you're into learning wizardry from an almost five-hundred-year-old man who insults his apprentice on a daily basis, this is the right book for you. Be warned, however, that it's not very action-packed. The plot drags on and on sometimes, which made it a tough read in my opinion. Maybe the author wanted to save the exciting parts for the following books?
Anyway, I’m still glad to have read it, even if I won’t finish the series, and can definitely recommend it!
★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★
★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★
3 magical stars for Manning!
The Choice of Magic is a good book. It has great and complex characters, a well-constructed plot, and just enough magic to make the story interesting. If you're into learning wizardry from an almost five-hundred-year-old man who insults his apprentice on a daily basis, this is the right book for you. Be warned, however, that it's not very action-packed. The plot drags on and on sometimes, which made it a tough read in my opinion. Maybe the author wanted to save the exciting parts for the following books?
Anyway, I’m still glad to have read it, even if I won’t finish the series, and can definitely recommend it!
★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★
January 18, 2020
I understand the appeal of writing characters that are rude, ignorant knobs; let’s face it, the real world is stuffed with them, so it makes the fictional world seem more authentic. That’s precisely why I don’t like reading about them, however. If that’s what floats your boat, though, there’s plenty to like about this book which is otherwise well-written. I just didn’t want to hang out with Will, or anyone else in the book, any longer.
June 10, 2020
This is a review for the entire Art of Adept series. If anyone has come here after reading the Mageborn series, this isn't half as good. This book isn't set in the Mageborn universe, so reading that series isn't necessary, though if you haven't read it i would suggest to ahead and read that first, its much much better than this one.I will segregate the review into pros and cons.
Pros:
Manning retains his pace in this book. This moves along pretty fast similar to his other books. The magic system is similar to pseudo science concepts and is decently done. Its a rule based system again well developed and explained.
Cons:
****Spoilers********
The problem with this series is the characterization of the protagonist. In some parts he is shown to be incredibly dense, while in others he is extremely smart, and in most cases extremely lucky. Even if you let this go, there are other larger issues such as most of the times there is not strong motivational factor for protagonist to risk his life. Yet he seemingly does so in a lot of situations and emerges out the victor because of pure luck. Overall the series does not have a strong antagonist and hence the entire end goal scenario is missing. Suddenly you have a very powerful antagonist who shows up in the third book and even he doesn't have any strong motivations to do all the things he does. And finally the biggest issue i found with this series is that all the time the protagonist keeps harping on how slavery of any kind is bad and finally when he has a chance to end it he just lets it go for reasons even he is not clear. The series completely loses it way into the third book and finally ends on a whimper.
So read this if you have nothing else to do, but if you haven't read the Mageborn series, i would seriously recommend that one, its much more fun and amazingly welldone.
Pros:
Manning retains his pace in this book. This moves along pretty fast similar to his other books. The magic system is similar to pseudo science concepts and is decently done. Its a rule based system again well developed and explained.
Cons:
****Spoilers********
The problem with this series is the characterization of the protagonist. In some parts he is shown to be incredibly dense, while in others he is extremely smart, and in most cases extremely lucky. Even if you let this go, there are other larger issues such as most of the times there is not strong motivational factor for protagonist to risk his life. Yet he seemingly does so in a lot of situations and emerges out the victor because of pure luck. Overall the series does not have a strong antagonist and hence the entire end goal scenario is missing. Suddenly you have a very powerful antagonist who shows up in the third book and even he doesn't have any strong motivations to do all the things he does. And finally the biggest issue i found with this series is that all the time the protagonist keeps harping on how slavery of any kind is bad and finally when he has a chance to end it he just lets it go for reasons even he is not clear. The series completely loses it way into the third book and finally ends on a whimper.
So read this if you have nothing else to do, but if you haven't read the Mageborn series, i would seriously recommend that one, its much more fun and amazingly welldone.
August 18, 2019
Truly Awesome.
I just finished this book(in one sitting) and now I’m contemplating how on earth will I get up in 3 hours for work. Curse you again Mr. Manning and I look forward to the next book!
I just finished this book(in one sitting) and now I’m contemplating how on earth will I get up in 3 hours for work. Curse you again Mr. Manning and I look forward to the next book!
August 18, 2019
This author........
I thought I had another good read to start with this new series. However, I wish I had not read this book. This book left me wishing it was a thousand pages longer or that he had finished the entire series before publishing the first book. I enjoyed this more than the start of the mage born series. This book will get anyone hooked on this author and unfortunately he has not written enough books yet. After you’ve read his books go and read Patrick Rothfuss as you what for the second book in this great start of a new series.
I thought I had another good read to start with this new series. However, I wish I had not read this book. This book left me wishing it was a thousand pages longer or that he had finished the entire series before publishing the first book. I enjoyed this more than the start of the mage born series. This book will get anyone hooked on this author and unfortunately he has not written enough books yet. After you’ve read his books go and read Patrick Rothfuss as you what for the second book in this great start of a new series.
October 5, 2020
MC is too stupid
January 6, 2021
As another reviewer put it...how ever did I wake up for work this morning?
An often used story line of a young boy being tutored in magic by a cantankerous master...yet more.
Having read the Mageborn series some years ago and having enjoyed it thoroughly, I only realized after finishing this book that it was the same author. Had I known I might not have started reading this book on a sunday afternoon with the result of landing up carrying on almost through the night.
This book should come with a no-sleep warning.
On that note Mr. Manning...please hurry up with the next one.
An often used story line of a young boy being tutored in magic by a cantankerous master...yet more.
Having read the Mageborn series some years ago and having enjoyed it thoroughly, I only realized after finishing this book that it was the same author. Had I known I might not have started reading this book on a sunday afternoon with the result of landing up carrying on almost through the night.
This book should come with a no-sleep warning.
On that note Mr. Manning...please hurry up with the next one.
January 2, 2020
Rating 4.0 stars
This is one of those stories that I didn't like in the beginning and then it grew on me until by the end I actually liked it. The story follows the main character Will. He shows that he has some magical talent and is sent to live with an old hermit that lives in the woods who also might be his great great grandfather if you added a bunch more greats. In this world there are many different types of mages. Warlocks who make pacts with demons to get power. Sorcerers who use elementals to gain power, and wizards use use there own magic. Wizards now are considered to be the weakest of the 3 but that is not how it used to be. His grandfather is a wizard and hates sorcerers even more than warlocks. The grandfather is a huge asshole and berates Will all the time. He also doesn't tell Will why he is making him do what he is doing. Since I like to put myself in the MC place, I was very upset by this. I like to know why I am doing something more than most and I would not put up with being treated as he was. Then the story unfolded. We learn about the Fae and what happened to his grandfather to make him this way.
This is one of those stories that I didn't like in the beginning and then it grew on me until by the end I actually liked it. The story follows the main character Will. He shows that he has some magical talent and is sent to live with an old hermit that lives in the woods who also might be his great great grandfather if you added a bunch more greats. In this world there are many different types of mages. Warlocks who make pacts with demons to get power. Sorcerers who use elementals to gain power, and wizards use use there own magic. Wizards now are considered to be the weakest of the 3 but that is not how it used to be. His grandfather is a wizard and hates sorcerers even more than warlocks. The grandfather is a huge asshole and berates Will all the time. He also doesn't tell Will why he is making him do what he is doing. Since I like to put myself in the MC place, I was very upset by this. I like to know why I am doing something more than most and I would not put up with being treated as he was. Then the story unfolded. We learn about the Fae and what happened to his grandfather to make him this way.
August 20, 2019
A New Masterpiece
Manning's years of practice in his Mageborn series have truly paid off in this thrilling start to a new series. The far more refined writing had me forgetting I wasn't reading something by Brandon Sanderson or another master of fantasy with 20 years experience. Continously entertained and gripped in this new story the whole way through. Cannot wait for the next installment. Manning is fast climbing the ranks and will surely be known as a master of fantasy himself soon.
Manning's years of practice in his Mageborn series have truly paid off in this thrilling start to a new series. The far more refined writing had me forgetting I wasn't reading something by Brandon Sanderson or another master of fantasy with 20 years experience. Continously entertained and gripped in this new story the whole way through. Cannot wait for the next installment. Manning is fast climbing the ranks and will surely be known as a master of fantasy himself soon.
August 20, 2019
Excellent new storyline
It’s rare indeed when a writer knows how to complete a long storyline and start something completely fresh and new. Bravo Mr. Manning. This book has almost nothing in common with his previous universe, from basic natural principles to characters, and yet it is still just as engrossing and the writer keeps his habit of creating characters that the reader will relate to. Now I have to wait for the sequel....
It’s rare indeed when a writer knows how to complete a long storyline and start something completely fresh and new. Bravo Mr. Manning. This book has almost nothing in common with his previous universe, from basic natural principles to characters, and yet it is still just as engrossing and the writer keeps his habit of creating characters that the reader will relate to. Now I have to wait for the sequel....
August 20, 2019
Top class epic fantasy
I enjoyed every minute of this, a fantastic beginning to a new series from Michael. Interesting magical systems, good world building, and some really appealing characters. The obligatory grumpy old wizard is hilarious, and there's a few interesting women with fully realised characters.
I think it'll appeal to fans of Tad Williams, Robin Hobb, Duncan Hamilton and many others.
I enjoyed every minute of this, a fantastic beginning to a new series from Michael. Interesting magical systems, good world building, and some really appealing characters. The obligatory grumpy old wizard is hilarious, and there's a few interesting women with fully realised characters.
I think it'll appeal to fans of Tad Williams, Robin Hobb, Duncan Hamilton and many others.
August 18, 2019
Books like this from author Manning are why I am a fan. Well paced, interesting characters and intriguing situations. Though the ending seemed to violate the rules of the protagonist it makes an acceptable cliff hanger. I hope he doesn’t take too long to write Book 2 in the series. I recommend his other writings. Check them out too.
February 15, 2020
Abandoned 6 chapters in.
This is YA, so I give it some leeway in consistency issues and plotting. Even with this wide margin, the snake scene feels off.
Then by chapter 6, there is a sudden change in the texture of the writing and if there is one thing a writing can do to complete take me out of the narrative, it's the usage of 21st century expletives in a fantasy setting. Rule of thumb: drop the swears, if you have to use them, invent your own time-period/setting sensitive ones.
This is YA, so I give it some leeway in consistency issues and plotting. Even with this wide margin, the snake scene feels off.
Then by chapter 6, there is a sudden change in the texture of the writing and if there is one thing a writing can do to complete take me out of the narrative, it's the usage of 21st century expletives in a fantasy setting. Rule of thumb: drop the swears, if you have to use them, invent your own time-period/setting sensitive ones.
August 19, 2019
Another amazing book by Mr. Manning!
I usually hate leaving reviews but I am a big fan of Mr. Manning., anything that benefits his career benefits my library. I was afraid that after the conclusion of his previous works that his next book would suffer. That wasnt the case at all! This is a phenomenal book! I really like his new spin on the concepts of magic.
I usually hate leaving reviews but I am a big fan of Mr. Manning., anything that benefits his career benefits my library. I was afraid that after the conclusion of his previous works that his next book would suffer. That wasnt the case at all! This is a phenomenal book! I really like his new spin on the concepts of magic.
August 19, 2019
Another great book by a great author.
I wasn’t sure if this book would live up to my expectations after the mageborn saga but it has easily. As with any great book I was sad to reach the end and can’t wait for the next one. Keep up the great work Mr. Manning.
I wasn’t sure if this book would live up to my expectations after the mageborn saga but it has easily. As with any great book I was sad to reach the end and can’t wait for the next one. Keep up the great work Mr. Manning.
June 4, 2020
I know its a staple of childrens stories but Ive had my fill of stories where the writer doesnt know how to make anything happen without making one or more normally intelligent characters act with willful stupidity.
Read
August 11, 2023DNFed before the plot even took off because there was an old man (who was clearly going to stick around for a while) who took it upon himself to input multiple swear words into every single one of his sentences. Aside from the pointless and entirely unnecessary profanity, though, the book did look like it had potential.
August 7, 2021
I have mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed the world building, the magic system and the overall storytelling; unfortunately and more importantly I really didn’t like the MC... at all. He behaved like an impulsive child throughout the story, I actually gave up on believing he would improve halfway through the book. His only redeeming quality in my opinion is that he can be funny and I found his interactions with his grandfather hilarious. This could have been a 5-star read but the MC’s actions brought that down. The worst part is that I think he mostly behaved like that just for the plot and not for any real reason. I’m still deciding if I’ll read the next book. Hopefully he matures and stops being so gullible and loose lipped ( I mean it seems like he literally can’t stop himself sometimes).
November 22, 2019
In short. Worldbuilding is great. Plot is interesting. Author has got good writing style.
But everything is destroyed by main character who is idiot (-1 star) who is constantly rescued by strong author's plot armor (-1 star).
MC doesn't grow. He is adult-kid who is self-righteous and imposes his righteousness on other people. He regurarly plunges into dangerous situations without thinking only to be rescued by luck.
He is also great danger to his family. He has secrets that no other mage has. But he is giving those secrets left and right! He is not even thinking about his mother that his enemies know about that he posses dangerous knowledge or place where his family lives.
I had to drop the book because MC is way too stupid and insufferable to read.
But everything is destroyed by main character who is idiot (-1 star) who is constantly rescued by strong author's plot armor (-1 star).
MC doesn't grow. He is adult-kid who is self-righteous and imposes his righteousness on other people. He regurarly plunges into dangerous situations without thinking only to be rescued by luck.
He is also great danger to his family. He has secrets that no other mage has. But he is giving those secrets left and right! He is not even thinking about his mother that his enemies know about that he posses dangerous knowledge or place where his family lives.
I had to drop the book because MC is way too stupid and insufferable to read.
August 17, 2019
I’m looking forward to the next one!
The last few Manning books have been a little downhill I think but this one is a fine return to form!
I loved the idea of suppressing mana (“turyn”) as a key to longevity and control, it’s a neat twist on the usual cultivation-type nurturing of a source.
I’m looking forward to the next one!
The last few Manning books have been a little downhill I think but this one is a fine return to form!
I loved the idea of suppressing mana (“turyn”) as a key to longevity and control, it’s a neat twist on the usual cultivation-type nurturing of a source.
I’m looking forward to the next one!
August 19, 2019
A great new story
Been following this author ever since the blacksmiths son, and i have to say i didn't think it could get better than the mageborn series, but this book has changed my opinion on that. This was a great nee story which has loafs of promise for future, as long as the goddamn cat doesn't ruin it first.
Been following this author ever since the blacksmiths son, and i have to say i didn't think it could get better than the mageborn series, but this book has changed my opinion on that. This was a great nee story which has loafs of promise for future, as long as the goddamn cat doesn't ruin it first.
August 20, 2019
This is another excellent start to a series by Michael Manning. His mageborn series turned me on to this author and is in my top 5 high fantasy series I have read. This new series and first book has just as much promise even if he drove me crazy and made me find a rare Welsh cat legend. Lol. Read this book
August 27, 2019
The choice of magic
Amazing book, what a great writer! This was one of the best I have read in a long time. I hope he has more coming in this series. It was so funny I had to set the book down several time lagging so hard. Other times I would weep. That is the sign of a food book! Thanks Michael G. Manning!
Amazing book, what a great writer! This was one of the best I have read in a long time. I hope he has more coming in this series. It was so funny I had to set the book down several time lagging so hard. Other times I would weep. That is the sign of a food book! Thanks Michael G. Manning!
September 12, 2019
A Good Read
I've read a few other books by Mr Manning and I've enjoy them a lot but so far this is my favorite series. Mr Manning knows how to use the perfect amount of blending story growth and action together. Adding one or the other to much and the book get boring but does it right and that makes for a great book.
I've read a few other books by Mr Manning and I've enjoy them a lot but so far this is my favorite series. Mr Manning knows how to use the perfect amount of blending story growth and action together. Adding one or the other to much and the book get boring but does it right and that makes for a great book.
September 15, 2019
Impressive, entertaining and thoroughly engrossing
Sometimes, there are books you skim to see what happens. Other times, you go to Wikipedia to get a summary.... then there are books that are just a great read - every page. This is one of those books. Great characters, engaging plot, meaningful dialogue and encounters...
Sometimes, there are books you skim to see what happens. Other times, you go to Wikipedia to get a summary.... then there are books that are just a great read - every page. This is one of those books. Great characters, engaging plot, meaningful dialogue and encounters...
September 17, 2019
Loved this book! It uses the tropes of many fantasy stories but twists then just enough to make it interesting. The author even mention many of these tropes in the book itself to illustrate that this isn’t going to fall into those tropes (or is it??) that question alone is what kept me turning the pages.
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