Lucas Hale has known of his potential to be a wizard for most of his life, although he’s spent part of it confined on his grandfather’s farm, being brutally trained in combat and alchemy. So, when he’s accepted into the Alisander Academy of Magic, he’s finally given a chance to leave his tyrannical home. The academy’s teachings open his eyes to the boundless potential that magic holds, and the true reasons it’s kept hidden from the non-magical world. But a war is brewing, and the followers of the dark wizard, Malimus, are on the rise again. Lucas soon learns of a horrifying link between his father and Lord Malimus, and he discovers that the world of Isimtor may be responsible for his parents’ deaths. Lucas has to choose a family, or morality?
A book for those that have missed reading about witches and wizards in a school setting. Adventure awaits for those that dare turn the page. Have you missed the adventures that Harry Potter and his friends partook in? I received an ARC of this book. I jumped at the chance to read it. The story starts with Lucas Hale. He is twelve years old, just days away from turning thirteen. He lives with his grandfather, James Hale. Lucas has had a hard life and has known many losses already in life. His mom and dad (Bran & Olivia) died shortly after he was born. No one in the family will talk about it. Lucas lived with his Uncle Mikel and Aunt Clarissa after his mom and dad died. Then he loses his uncle and aunt in a car crash. This is how he comes to live with his grandfather on a farm. Lucas has known all his life that there is magic in the world. His grandfather is gruff and hard on him. Lucas learns the art of conflicion (This is what they call combat training) from his grandfather daily. His grandfather, however, doesn't teach him about magic. Lucas reads books on the history of magic and alchemy while waiting for the day he gets an invitation to Alisander Academy of Magics. Here are a few fun things I loved in this book. There are eight founders of magic. They came through a portal from the world Isimtor to escape the dark magic of the Doerpalen. Instead of outdated wands, magic folk use braccorbs. (They attach to the person's wrist.) The four houses of the Academy are Vagnorth (Ambitious and patient), Lamanor (Cunning and Intuitive), Blasirian (Courageous and bold), and Gotscreed (Intelligent and loyal). No character is safe. Even the main character! Corey Ratliff has written Lucas Hale and the Founder's Key with a nod to the Harry Potter series. However, this book isn't an HP copy. He has taken a few nods to make us fans look for Easter eggs. It becomes a different story for us to love. I recommend reading this book without comparing it to the HP series. He plans on writing six more books for this series and I will be waiting for them.
*I had the absolute pleasure of ARC reading this book*
Lucas Hale & the Founders Key has EVERYTHING we loved about the HP series, and then some!
This author has absolutely blown my childhood/teen years comfort series out of the water! There are a few similarities, yes. But Corey Ratliff has taken wizards and witches and made them his own. I was not expecting to love Lucas this much!
The characters are so much better developed; they’re smarter, they’re more emotionally intelligent, the professors aren’t nearly as crappy, and Lucas grew up with family that actually cares about him.
I enjoyed this book and hope the author continues the series! I hope the later books are more original in essence. While different (and better) then Harry Potter in key ways, it was sometimes predictable due to similarities from the first Harry Potter book. I do think that this first book sets up the remainder books to be uniquely their own.
While the amount of detail is often nice and adds to the story, it is sometimes too much. I love that the author has original names for so many characters, but the constant name dropping of who the MC is sitting next to makes it hard for me to keep essential side character names straight.
All and all a pleasent, enjoyable, and quick read!The author needs to keep writing. I've read most of his books and they are just enjoyable and well written fantasy books and I do think if he keeps plugging away he'll make his break writing.
This is an amazing fantasy book!! The world of witchcraft and wizardry is detailed to where you truly believe you could visit this school at any time. The characters feel like they could be people you meet at any time. The best thing about this is that I kept thinking I knew who the bad person was and then was proven wrong. When the villain is revealed I was stunned!! This is an amazing book for fans of wizarding schools. I am ready for book two already!! This author is amazing!!
A modern take on a classic magical world. The characters are very well developed and feel so real. You feel for Lucas from the first paragraph. As the story progresses, you get a sense that not all is as it seems and leaves you wanting to know what's going to happen next. I'm looking forward to the next book and seeing where Lucas will take us next.
This book is to die for I have waited months to get it and I finished it in 2 days. I can’t wait for book 2. The author has an amazing way with words and the amount of detail is extraordinary. Way to go keep up the amazing work.
A Unique Story with many different ways of thinking.
A wonderfully well-written unique story, with some similar themes as HP, but with better characterisation and world-building, adventure is rampant, and heroes and heroines are built, family dynamics change, history unfolds, and so much more, the Author has created a solid foundation for future writing, maybe creating a series of adventures, who knows?
Does this book have a lot of similarities to Harry Potter? Yes, but that is exactly what peaked my interest when I first saw it on Tik Tok. Did I impatiently await the release and immediately order it the first chance I got? Yes, yes I did. Was I disappointed when I finished reading it? Absolutely not! Am I eagerly anticipating the release of book number 2? Heck yeah I am!