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The Craftsman and the Wizard
The craftsman has waited centuries to fulfill his oath and aid the sons of man in their hour of need. He is the last of the sons of Ivaldi, the mighty dwarfs of Norse mythology who forged the weapons of the gods. Now, at last, he is called to ride out over land and sea, across the realms of Hell, and even through time itself to fight an ancient evil that refuses to die. But he is not alone.
Unbeknownst to him, another has been called to join in the fight. But as a youth of only seventeen, born bent of spine and withered of limb, in a harsh and unforgiving world, will he find the courage he needs to be the wizard he is destined to be?
The Craftsman and the Wizard is a classic tale of fantasy where the unlikeliest of heroes, armed only with truth and courage, love and self-sacrifice pit themselves against the darkest of arcane terrors – and almost live to tell the tale. Come along on a whimsical escape into a world of what might have been, where you will learn that the weak can become strong, that good can triumph over evil, and that love is so powerful, it can even slay a god.
Unbeknownst to him, another has been called to join in the fight. But as a youth of only seventeen, born bent of spine and withered of limb, in a harsh and unforgiving world, will he find the courage he needs to be the wizard he is destined to be?
The Craftsman and the Wizard is a classic tale of fantasy where the unlikeliest of heroes, armed only with truth and courage, love and self-sacrifice pit themselves against the darkest of arcane terrors – and almost live to tell the tale. Come along on a whimsical escape into a world of what might have been, where you will learn that the weak can become strong, that good can triumph over evil, and that love is so powerful, it can even slay a god.
211 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 5, 2020
21 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Joel Newlon
7 books15 followersJoel Newlon was born in Ankh-Morpork and started out as a jewelry delivery person in the red-light district of downtown Mordor. Nowadays he makes his home in northern Xanth, where he spends all day exploring the finer points of typewriter alchemy accompanied by his wife and editor Ashleigh, his sidekick Laika the dog, and his personal conduit to the darker addresses of the netherworld, Pyewacket the cat.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 6, 2021
Spoiler free review: The craftsman is a dwarf who helps apprentive Asmund and his master Rangwald defeat evil. An exciting fantasy read set in a Norse mythology universe. I loved the characters and found the plot very engrossing.
May 30, 2021
Firstly my thanks to Joel Newlon for taking the time to contact me and allow me the opportunity to read a copy in an exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved the coming together of this quest. Beautifully written - a world full of engaging characters and so much fun to read.
"You escort animals to Valhalla. You fight Valkyries. You take casual strolls on the road to eternity, and faced with the agent of your bloody, screaming, doom, you say, 'Oh, hello.'"
~ when the Craftsman meets Garmr
In brief:
Children are being stolen from their beds in the dead of night by a demon and no one can stop them.
A young apprentice Wizard hears the children in his dreams and his master tells him that he must take on this quest. Reluctantly; Asmund finds himself on the road.
A dwarf (the last of his line) and his trusty steed - Trufflesbane the loyal boar, also find themselves on the quest.
My thoughts:
How the Craftsman and the Wizard stories intertwine keep the pages turning and the reader invested. It kept me guessing as to how they were going to come together.
I must admit; in the beginning I found it difficult to like Asmund- but as the character grew and the quest took form it was difficult not to like him.
Newlon has created such a wonderful story steeped in magic and mythology. Characters that I recognise from the stories in Norse mythology really are brought to life. The characters are likable and the story stays with you as you finish the book.
I would also like to add here that the chicken made me cry with laughter. I don't know why. It just tickled me. In my opinion; if a story can make you laugh and yet also feel emotion such as the sorrow of the characters - the author has done a 5 star job.
I need to purchase a copy so it can sit on my shelf.
I absolutely loved the coming together of this quest. Beautifully written - a world full of engaging characters and so much fun to read.
"You escort animals to Valhalla. You fight Valkyries. You take casual strolls on the road to eternity, and faced with the agent of your bloody, screaming, doom, you say, 'Oh, hello.'"
~ when the Craftsman meets Garmr
In brief:
Children are being stolen from their beds in the dead of night by a demon and no one can stop them.
A young apprentice Wizard hears the children in his dreams and his master tells him that he must take on this quest. Reluctantly; Asmund finds himself on the road.
A dwarf (the last of his line) and his trusty steed - Trufflesbane the loyal boar, also find themselves on the quest.
My thoughts:
How the Craftsman and the Wizard stories intertwine keep the pages turning and the reader invested. It kept me guessing as to how they were going to come together.
I must admit; in the beginning I found it difficult to like Asmund- but as the character grew and the quest took form it was difficult not to like him.
Newlon has created such a wonderful story steeped in magic and mythology. Characters that I recognise from the stories in Norse mythology really are brought to life. The characters are likable and the story stays with you as you finish the book.
I would also like to add here that the chicken made me cry with laughter. I don't know why. It just tickled me. In my opinion; if a story can make you laugh and yet also feel emotion such as the sorrow of the characters - the author has done a 5 star job.
I need to purchase a copy so it can sit on my shelf.
October 11, 2021
One Sentence Summary: In the Two Rivers, children are stolen from their beds during the new moon, so a master craftsman and a wizard make their way to the village to slay the evil and save the children, but on separate journeys.
Overall
The Craftsman and the Wizard offers a solid traditional fantasy with a great deal of heart and soft edges. Told primarily by Dvalinn, the craftsman, and Asmund, the wizard, it felt like two different stories laced together with a common purpose. It was a little frustrating waiting to see when they would meet and when they would finally get around to helping the children. The journey felt entirely too slow, though I do have to admire how neither character turned down a request for help. There are what felt like many side quests, which just made me want to hurry them up and save the children, though that might also just be the mom in me, but it was still interesting to read the craftsman’s journey into Norse mythology and Asmund’s journey into believing in himself.
Extended Thoughts
In the Two Rivers, young children are snatched from their beds in the middle of the night during each new moon. Begun when a stone was removed from a field, the village has descended into fear with many fleeing and others hoping and praying their child wouldn’t be next. One desperate father, one who had been told tales of the craftsmen of the Great Hall by his father, travels to seek help.
The craftsman, a dwarf named Dvalinn, is the last of his brothers left in the Great Hall. He finds the father’s request worthy and embarks on a quest to gather the materials he requires to create the weapon he will need to defeat the evil stealing the children. With magical items and a special boar on his side, his quest takes him from a small village of women who seek freedom from prejudice to halls of the dead of Norse mythology. His is an enchanted journey of sacrifice and magic.
Elsewhere, wizard apprentice Asmund lacks all confidence in both his broken, twisted body and his seemingly lackluster powers, but his dreams call him to the Two Rivers to save the children and vanquish the evil. After a period of self-doubt, he embarks on his quest with a protector, but things quickly turn against him and he is beset with problems and comes across people who require his aid, though he does pick up a lovely traveling companion named Kolga. His is a quest full of magic and the mundane.
Upon reading the description for The Craftsman and the Wizard, I expected a delightfully traditional fantasy quest with a motley group of characters. Instead, this is actually a journey of two characters, one a male dwarf and one a male wizard who eventually acquires a female traveling companion. They neither know of each other nor travel together, which made me feel like I was reading two different stories headed in the same direction instead of a single cohesive story.
The story is told mostly from the craftman’s and Asmund’s perspectives, until Kolga joins Asmund and gets to tell part of the story from hers. It was a little confusing when her perspective was brought in as I had gotten used to getting the story from the craftsman and the wizard, and I still feel a little ambiguous about the addition of a third perspective halfway through when the initial two served well enough. As a matter of fact, I felt like I missed out on some of Asmund’s magical growth because Kolga was unable to speak to those particulars. I also didn’t really feel like she added much to the overall story besides being a love interest, and even then it felt far too rushed to be authentic.
There are a lot of similarities between the craftsman and Asmund, as well as some differences that helped set them apart. I loved how they both worked hard to help those in need that they came across, though it made me feel impatient, like they were taking up so much of their time helping others when there are these kids and their parents who really, really need their help. It made me frustrated that the story dragged on with so many side quests and there was no real tension about needing to be away to deal with the actual problem in the story. Still, I have to applaud them, at least a little, for not leaving people behind in a lurch. But what I did really like was the way they initially approached the shared quest. The craftsman very nobly agreed to do whatever necessary, as though it were his solemn duty and he would do anything to help the children. The wizard came off as whiny and weak, but was guilted into the quest, so I had to admire his journey and how he grew into himself and gained confidence. What bothered me the most, though, was that the craftsman being called almost exclusively “the craftsman” made him feel distant to me. It was hard to not see him as much beyond something of a dwarf demigod. He felt less like a being and more like a thing, so it was difficult to get to know him. Asmund, though, the reader gets to know in spades.
It was interesting to view this world through such two different eyes. The craftsman brought in the mythology as he encountered beings from Norse mythology and even journeyed into and through Hel. Much of his journey wasn’t based in the mundane world, making it really interesting and adding a nice layer of magic and myth. At the same time, I’m not quite sure how it actually fit into the human world this book crafted. There isn’t much god worship and not much reference to anything mythological besides the dark being stealing the children. So it ended up feeling like two worlds and two stories smashed together. As interesting as I found the mythology and how in-depth this book went into it, I think I enjoyed Asmund’s journey more. It was entirely human as he encountered a crazy king and simple farmers. I really enjoyed reading his evolution as he traveled across the land, even if the landscape failed to change much over his approximate month-long journey. It did feel more traditionally fantasy, which made it easier for me to actually focus on all of Asmund’s good deeds and his growth as a person and wizard. I think my favorite part of Asmund’s character was that he has some physical disabilities that have affected all areas of his life so he must travel by horse and cart. It made the journey feel slower, but I also appreciated getting to see more of the landscape. And I liked that he wasn’t perfect and fully able-bodied.
The magic in The Craftsman and the Wizard was probably my favorite part and, again, I must discuss it in terms of both the craftsman and the wizard. The craftsman felt very much like a demigod. He’s a master craftsman with a deep knowledge of all things Norse mythology. He has the power to create great weapons. The only thing that makes sense to me is that he must have some strong magical or god blood in him. His characterization makes me think god, but his treatment in Hel makes me think mortal. Either way, the things he’s capable of is incredible. Similarly, Asmund has some very impressive magic. But it felt very at odds at what he said about his powers at the beginning, though I can see how his physical disabilities made him doubt himself. His magic is incredible and powerful and must be a wonder to behold. But it does also ask for a price. I really enjoyed the push and pull he felt between having to use his magic and having to deal with a price that was sometimes higher than he wanted to pay. I couldn’t quite tell if his power grew over the course of the novel or if he was just short changing himself, but I really loved it when he used his magic because he felt quite different from the Asmund the reader first meets.
Overall, The Craftsman and the Wizard offers a solid traditional fantasy. It has a great deal of heart and softened edges. It showcases the good in people. The two main characters (mostly) never shied from helping. But it did feel a little plodding and I felt like I was reading two different stories that were spliced together. It was a little baffling to me and I couldn’t help wondering when the two would meet up and go on the quest together. There was also a decided lack of tension as both the craftsman and the wizard took a great deal of time to get to the Two Rivers and only one seemed to prepare at all for how to save the children. As a reader, I often became frustrated with them, but also had to grudgingly applaud their good souls.
Thank you to Joel Newlon for a review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Overall
The Craftsman and the Wizard offers a solid traditional fantasy with a great deal of heart and soft edges. Told primarily by Dvalinn, the craftsman, and Asmund, the wizard, it felt like two different stories laced together with a common purpose. It was a little frustrating waiting to see when they would meet and when they would finally get around to helping the children. The journey felt entirely too slow, though I do have to admire how neither character turned down a request for help. There are what felt like many side quests, which just made me want to hurry them up and save the children, though that might also just be the mom in me, but it was still interesting to read the craftsman’s journey into Norse mythology and Asmund’s journey into believing in himself.
Extended Thoughts
In the Two Rivers, young children are snatched from their beds in the middle of the night during each new moon. Begun when a stone was removed from a field, the village has descended into fear with many fleeing and others hoping and praying their child wouldn’t be next. One desperate father, one who had been told tales of the craftsmen of the Great Hall by his father, travels to seek help.
The craftsman, a dwarf named Dvalinn, is the last of his brothers left in the Great Hall. He finds the father’s request worthy and embarks on a quest to gather the materials he requires to create the weapon he will need to defeat the evil stealing the children. With magical items and a special boar on his side, his quest takes him from a small village of women who seek freedom from prejudice to halls of the dead of Norse mythology. His is an enchanted journey of sacrifice and magic.
Elsewhere, wizard apprentice Asmund lacks all confidence in both his broken, twisted body and his seemingly lackluster powers, but his dreams call him to the Two Rivers to save the children and vanquish the evil. After a period of self-doubt, he embarks on his quest with a protector, but things quickly turn against him and he is beset with problems and comes across people who require his aid, though he does pick up a lovely traveling companion named Kolga. His is a quest full of magic and the mundane.
Upon reading the description for The Craftsman and the Wizard, I expected a delightfully traditional fantasy quest with a motley group of characters. Instead, this is actually a journey of two characters, one a male dwarf and one a male wizard who eventually acquires a female traveling companion. They neither know of each other nor travel together, which made me feel like I was reading two different stories headed in the same direction instead of a single cohesive story.
The story is told mostly from the craftman’s and Asmund’s perspectives, until Kolga joins Asmund and gets to tell part of the story from hers. It was a little confusing when her perspective was brought in as I had gotten used to getting the story from the craftsman and the wizard, and I still feel a little ambiguous about the addition of a third perspective halfway through when the initial two served well enough. As a matter of fact, I felt like I missed out on some of Asmund’s magical growth because Kolga was unable to speak to those particulars. I also didn’t really feel like she added much to the overall story besides being a love interest, and even then it felt far too rushed to be authentic.
There are a lot of similarities between the craftsman and Asmund, as well as some differences that helped set them apart. I loved how they both worked hard to help those in need that they came across, though it made me feel impatient, like they were taking up so much of their time helping others when there are these kids and their parents who really, really need their help. It made me frustrated that the story dragged on with so many side quests and there was no real tension about needing to be away to deal with the actual problem in the story. Still, I have to applaud them, at least a little, for not leaving people behind in a lurch. But what I did really like was the way they initially approached the shared quest. The craftsman very nobly agreed to do whatever necessary, as though it were his solemn duty and he would do anything to help the children. The wizard came off as whiny and weak, but was guilted into the quest, so I had to admire his journey and how he grew into himself and gained confidence. What bothered me the most, though, was that the craftsman being called almost exclusively “the craftsman” made him feel distant to me. It was hard to not see him as much beyond something of a dwarf demigod. He felt less like a being and more like a thing, so it was difficult to get to know him. Asmund, though, the reader gets to know in spades.
It was interesting to view this world through such two different eyes. The craftsman brought in the mythology as he encountered beings from Norse mythology and even journeyed into and through Hel. Much of his journey wasn’t based in the mundane world, making it really interesting and adding a nice layer of magic and myth. At the same time, I’m not quite sure how it actually fit into the human world this book crafted. There isn’t much god worship and not much reference to anything mythological besides the dark being stealing the children. So it ended up feeling like two worlds and two stories smashed together. As interesting as I found the mythology and how in-depth this book went into it, I think I enjoyed Asmund’s journey more. It was entirely human as he encountered a crazy king and simple farmers. I really enjoyed reading his evolution as he traveled across the land, even if the landscape failed to change much over his approximate month-long journey. It did feel more traditionally fantasy, which made it easier for me to actually focus on all of Asmund’s good deeds and his growth as a person and wizard. I think my favorite part of Asmund’s character was that he has some physical disabilities that have affected all areas of his life so he must travel by horse and cart. It made the journey feel slower, but I also appreciated getting to see more of the landscape. And I liked that he wasn’t perfect and fully able-bodied.
The magic in The Craftsman and the Wizard was probably my favorite part and, again, I must discuss it in terms of both the craftsman and the wizard. The craftsman felt very much like a demigod. He’s a master craftsman with a deep knowledge of all things Norse mythology. He has the power to create great weapons. The only thing that makes sense to me is that he must have some strong magical or god blood in him. His characterization makes me think god, but his treatment in Hel makes me think mortal. Either way, the things he’s capable of is incredible. Similarly, Asmund has some very impressive magic. But it felt very at odds at what he said about his powers at the beginning, though I can see how his physical disabilities made him doubt himself. His magic is incredible and powerful and must be a wonder to behold. But it does also ask for a price. I really enjoyed the push and pull he felt between having to use his magic and having to deal with a price that was sometimes higher than he wanted to pay. I couldn’t quite tell if his power grew over the course of the novel or if he was just short changing himself, but I really loved it when he used his magic because he felt quite different from the Asmund the reader first meets.
Overall, The Craftsman and the Wizard offers a solid traditional fantasy. It has a great deal of heart and softened edges. It showcases the good in people. The two main characters (mostly) never shied from helping. But it did feel a little plodding and I felt like I was reading two different stories that were spliced together. It was a little baffling to me and I couldn’t help wondering when the two would meet up and go on the quest together. There was also a decided lack of tension as both the craftsman and the wizard took a great deal of time to get to the Two Rivers and only one seemed to prepare at all for how to save the children. As a reader, I often became frustrated with them, but also had to grudgingly applaud their good souls.
Thank you to Joel Newlon for a review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
May 8, 2021
The Craftsman and the Wizard was a fun read. I wasn't sure what to expect going in, but I enjoyed the quest nature of the story and the way tropes were both used in traditional manners and subverted. It felt, a lot of the time, like reading an old epic or saga, which was helped by the influence of Norse mythology that pervades it. The Craftsman is one of the dwarves of myth, and a lot of his journey involves other Norse figures, which was quite fun to see. What I struggled with was the way the two main characters don't really cross paths until the very end, which in some ways was fitting, but I was hoping they would meet sooner. That's just a preference of mine. And the other thing is that, while the protagonists were well rounded, all of the more villainous characters felt very one-dimensional, and I could not really see any motivation for their actions other than them being evil and corrupt. But I still enjoyed the adventure.
April 22, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and Silver Eel Publishing for this arc.
If you like classic fantasy mixed with a healthy doze of Nordic mythology, you’ll want to pick up a copy of this book.
It reads like several folktales weaved into one Grand Tale complete with Gods, Godesses, Trolls, Dwarfs, Mad Kings, Wizards, Destinies and so much more. And Joel Newlon does so in a refreshingly new manner with interesting characters, who (almost (which isn’t a bad thing!)) all manages to grow and evolve during the tale
It was a truly delightfull read, and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
If you like classic fantasy mixed with a healthy doze of Nordic mythology, you’ll want to pick up a copy of this book.
It reads like several folktales weaved into one Grand Tale complete with Gods, Godesses, Trolls, Dwarfs, Mad Kings, Wizards, Destinies and so much more. And Joel Newlon does so in a refreshingly new manner with interesting characters, who (almost (which isn’t a bad thing!)) all manages to grow and evolve during the tale
It was a truly delightfull read, and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
December 29, 2020
Fantastic! I bought the paperback after reading it KU so I could keep it on my bookshelves!
This sweet and epic adventure story was just what I needed to ring in 2021 on a hopeful note!
What a great read. Newlon is an expert world-builder in this debut novel that wove fantasy elements with historical norse mythology seamlessly (there’s even a bit of romance!!)
It was so refreshing to follow our unlikely heroes on their journey to conquer an evil demon who steals children. There were many interesting side-quests along their way and I was on the edge of my seat waiting for their paths to finally cross.
This was just what I needed: loveable heroes, realistic and strong female characters, the classic good vs evil struggle, love over hate, an epic journey, a touch of humor, magic aplenty! Five stars from me. I can’t wait to read next from his author.
This sweet and epic adventure story was just what I needed to ring in 2021 on a hopeful note!
What a great read. Newlon is an expert world-builder in this debut novel that wove fantasy elements with historical norse mythology seamlessly (there’s even a bit of romance!!)
It was so refreshing to follow our unlikely heroes on their journey to conquer an evil demon who steals children. There were many interesting side-quests along their way and I was on the edge of my seat waiting for their paths to finally cross.
This was just what I needed: loveable heroes, realistic and strong female characters, the classic good vs evil struggle, love over hate, an epic journey, a touch of humor, magic aplenty! Five stars from me. I can’t wait to read next from his author.
March 12, 2021
Joel Newlon brings us epic fantasy at its finest with The Craftsman and the Wizard! When an ancient evil rises again, a wizard, a dwarf, and a farmhand must team up to stop it. It sounds like your standard quest set up, but Newlon pours so much originality into each character and situation. I loved seeing the struggle of the wizard coping with disabilities, or the various (and often unexpected) forms of evil in the land! This was Dungeons and Dragons meets a more uplifting version of Game of Thrones, all wrapped around the central theme of love, and I loved every bit of it! If epic fantasy with dynamic characters and imaginative monsters is your meat pie, come questing with The Craftsman and the Wizard!
January 11, 2021
This book is about heroes-- mythical, legendary, everyday, accidental, and all shades in between. It's a coming of age story for a young wizard. A last adventure for a venerable craftsman. A story about many different kinds of love. There are gods and goddesses. Ancient evils. Sentient animals. Good friends, tyrants, all kinds of magic and numerous interlocking stories of loss and redemption. It's hard to categorize everything this novel is, but it broke my heart and put it back together multiple times, and I'll definitely be thinking about it for some time to come.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 19, 2020
Wow, an excellent book from a new author and the perfect antidote to the dumpster fire that has been 2020. Of course I love seeing female characters written realistically and with agency in any story, and this book did a great job with that. It's clear that a lot of research went into the ancient Norse aspects. Overall a really optimistic and enjoyable read.
June 3, 2021
I will ** absolutely ** be looking
for more of this author's work !!
I was eagerly reading each page,
looking forward to the next one.
When I read the last page, I was
disappointed that I had come to
the end of the story.
I hope you enjoy it as much as
I did.
Phyllis S.
for more of this author's work !!
I was eagerly reading each page,
looking forward to the next one.
When I read the last page, I was
disappointed that I had come to
the end of the story.
I hope you enjoy it as much as
I did.
Phyllis S.
January 4, 2022
“The Craftsman and the Wizard” begins when a farmer seeks out the help of Dvalinn the Craftsman, a dwarf who has waited centuries to fulfill his oath. The man’s daughter has been taken by a demon along with other children from his village. The Craftsman sets out on his quest with his faithful boar, Trufflesbane, and his skill as a gifted and determined artisan is soon tested.
Overall, I enjoyed this story overall. The tale is told through two main points of view (the craftsman’s and Asmund’s) with other voices also peaking through. The two points of view push the pacing of the tale and provide introspection into the development of the characters including significant growth on Asmund’s part. I thought this to be well done and structured in a way that made it easy to follow. I also really enjoyed all the allusions to Norse mythology. It is very hard to write the rest of this review without any spoilers, but I will try to do so... Find the full blog review at heatherlbarksdale.com
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
Overall, I enjoyed this story overall. The tale is told through two main points of view (the craftsman’s and Asmund’s) with other voices also peaking through. The two points of view push the pacing of the tale and provide introspection into the development of the characters including significant growth on Asmund’s part. I thought this to be well done and structured in a way that made it easy to follow. I also really enjoyed all the allusions to Norse mythology. It is very hard to write the rest of this review without any spoilers, but I will try to do so... Find the full blog review at heatherlbarksdale.com
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
January 2, 2023
Very good book. Incorporates the feelings of reading an old tale in with modern writing techniques nearly flawlessly. I could nitpick things, but I would hate for minor gripes to tarnish what is, as a whole, one of the best books I've read this last year. I've had plenty of people hand me books and ended up putting them down and never picking them back up. I am glad to say this was one I finished gladly.
I will end it by saying that Joel and his wife are wonderful people who I am honored to have made their acquaintance. If you get the chance, I encourage you to at least meet them. Their neat people.
I will end it by saying that Joel and his wife are wonderful people who I am honored to have made their acquaintance. If you get the chance, I encourage you to at least meet them. Their neat people.
June 10, 2022
I received a copy of this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked THE CRAFTSMAN AND THE WIZARD. It felt like a modern retelling of a myth I should already know, despite being completely original. I read a review saying that Newlon is trying to be Tolkein, but I very much disagree. I felt the tone and style was more reminiscent of a Nordic saga. My only critique is that I wish Kolga had been a bit more fleshed out as a character and that we'd gotten a slower burn with the romance, which felt rushed.
I really liked THE CRAFTSMAN AND THE WIZARD. It felt like a modern retelling of a myth I should already know, despite being completely original. I read a review saying that Newlon is trying to be Tolkein, but I very much disagree. I felt the tone and style was more reminiscent of a Nordic saga. My only critique is that I wish Kolga had been a bit more fleshed out as a character and that we'd gotten a slower burn with the romance, which felt rushed.
May 21, 2022
I thought this was a good read. It took me a couple of chapters to get into the story but then found the story very engaging. An interesting intertwining with Norse mythology adds to the tale.
March 23, 2023
2.5 stars
April 1, 2023
Loved it
I bought this for my son and he loved it, so I had to read it for myself. It's a great story and well written. I loved it. I can't wait to read the prequel.
I bought this for my son and he loved it, so I had to read it for myself. It's a great story and well written. I loved it. I can't wait to read the prequel.
November 29, 2023
Wonder story!
Has a nordic flair about it. Well written, maybe a few typos, but well worth reading. Cant wait to read the next book!
Has a nordic flair about it. Well written, maybe a few typos, but well worth reading. Cant wait to read the next book!
March 13, 2024
Loved it
I gave this book five stars because this is the type story I enjoy. I look forward to the next book in this series. How will the Craftsman fit in?
I gave this book five stars because this is the type story I enjoy. I look forward to the next book in this series. How will the Craftsman fit in?
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews