- ISBN13: 9780765317278
- Condition: New
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Product Description
Nicodemus is a young, gifted wizard with a problem. Magic in his world requires the caster to create spells by writing out the text . . . but he has always been dyslexic, and thus has trouble casting even the simplest of spells. And his misspells could prove dangerous, even deadly, should he make a mistake in an important incantation.
Yet he has always felt that he is destined to be something more than a failed wizard. When a powerful, ancient evil begins a campaign of murder and disruption, Nicodemus starts to have disturbing dreams that lead him to believe that his misspelling could be the result of a curse. But before he can discover the truth about himself, he is attacked by an evil which has already claimed the lives of fellow wizards and has cast suspicion on his mentor. He must flee for his own life if he’s to find the true villain.
But more is at stake than his abilities. For the evil that has awakened is a power so dread and vast that if unleashed it will destroy Nicodemus… and the world.
The Mad Hatter @ 1:16 am
Blake Charlton has done the extraordinary with Spellright. He has managed to use all the tired tropes of classic Epic Fantasy (magical books, dragons, a school for wizards, and a boy who didn’t fulfill his destiny) and make them all feel fresh and engaging. Plus he does it with a main character, Nicodemus Weal, who you can’t help but to root for.
The dragons, although they happen off screen, are quite inventive as are the various animated helpers that swarm the keeps and grounds of Starhaven, which is the school in question. Nicodemus is an apprentice spellwright also known as authors who suffers from a form of magical dyslexia known as Cacography, which is based off the authors own battles with it. Of course the story also involves prophecies about a special Wizard who could be a a great hope to the land or harbinger of the demons of the past who wish to control the world.
There are a few bumps in the road, but most are forgivable in the name of fun escapist Fantasy. The pacing was a little stop and go, especially in the first third. The magic systems while also the strongest and most original part of the book are initially a bit confusing, but about 100 pages in a much clearer explanation is given. This could have come a tad sooner, but it probably would have slowed down the pacing of the story if it had. Also, at one point the main villain comes off a a little too much like a bad Bond nemesis by over explaining himself and the plot, which was on the excessive side. More than one soliloquy happens like this. This problem may stem from the author trying not to drag things out. Lastly, the fight at the end of the story was worth waiting for, but the very last section felt a little tacked on and Eragon-like. Still Charlton at least condensed a fairly long time frame in a short number of pages instead of stretching a training story into a whole other book as Paolini did.
There are many different wizard factions each with their own view points and magics. The histories shared from each group were quite fascinating, although there is plenty left to reveal in future installments. Charlton has also sneaked in one of my favorite and criminally underused mythical constructs, which I’d love to mention but he went through pains to make it a big reveal. The style is heavily influenced by the likes traditional Epic Fantasy from Feist, Le Guin, and Tad Williams so don’t go expecting some gritty, harsh Fantasy. Blake is being evocative of something more playful yet every bit as Epic as all the aforementioned names. A whole lot of foreshadowing goes on, which was expected given it is planned trilogy.
Even though Spellwright is Charlton’s debut it certainly doesn’t show many freshman jitters, but he has left himself room to grow. If you’re a fan of classic style Epic Fantasy this will be a must for you. I give Spellwright 8 out of 10 Hats. Spellwright is definitely in the running for debut of the year so far and it would be surprising if it wasn’t still near the top by the end. Now he’s gotten me all in the mood to read some classic Robin Hobb.
Amanda Makepeace @ 1:53 am
I’m one of those readers that doesn’t want to feel as if I’m journeying through The Lord of Rings again, only with different costumes and names. These concerns left me when I began reading Spellwright. Blake Charlton has managed to write something new and original within the accepted framework of Epic Fantasy, and he does it flawlessly. I was enthralled with the magical world he created; its history, cultures, gods and demons. The intricacies of the different magical languages was like nothing I’d encountered before.
Not only is this novel filled with magic, action and adventure–but it leaves you second guessing every character’s motives. I experienced several OMG! moments throughout the book. Nothing is fully revealed till the end! I did feel a pang of disappointment for the main character, Nicodemus, but I know his journey has only just begun, and now I can’t wait to read more!
J. Troke @ 2:11 am
In Spellwright, Blake Charlton created a magical system unlike any I’ve read before, and it’s refreshing to see a new take on a central theme found in most fantasy novels. I won’t give away any of the plot for those like me who actually like going into a novel with little or no knowledge of what is going to happen, but I really want to say how excited I was to see such a novel magical system–one based on written words that you can make physically real–and how well it was developed throughout the story.
As a long-time reader of fantasy novels I have to say that this book is one of the most unique and engaging stories I have read in quite some time. Not since reading The Sword of Shannara or The Wheel of Time have I been so excited to get involved in a new series. For those out there who enjoy the classic epic fantasy stories you won’t be disappointed!
David C @ 3:40 am
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1J6GE94Z6ANNT Hi, I really liked Spellwright, and here is a video review of me talking about the book and how much I liked it.
Brett @ 4:46 am
“Spellwright”, the first novel by Blake Charlton, is a fun and often inventive read that will remind many extensive fantasy readers of writers such as Brandon Sanderson and Raymond Feist. Charlton combines a unique magical system with an interesting cast of characters to create a story that, while sometimes afflicted with “new writer” issues (like some troubles with pacing), is still an entertaining addition to the fantasy genre.
Charlton sets his novel in a fictional world where words have power, and spellwrights (the wizards of this world) can use magical languages to change their environment and even imbue inanimate matter with life and thought. In the world, he sets his main character, Nicodemus, a boy once thought to be a prophesied savior until it was discovered that he is plagued by a condition familiar to Charlton and one that is utterly devastating for magic based on the written languages – dyslexia (called “cacography” in the novel). However, there is more than meets the eye regarding his condition, and as other forces converge on his home (the academy of Starhaven), Nicodemus uncovers truths about himself and the rest of the world that will change his life and that of others forever.
As mentioned above, this is Charlton’s first novel, and it shows at times. The beginning of the book has some issues with pacing and structure – chapters end a little awkwardly, the characterization varies a bit in quality, events don’t entirely seem to flow. It’s not bad, but it is noticeable. That said, the book noticeably improves in quality as you continue reading it, until by the end of the book the prose and characters are a match for more established fantasy writers like Brandon Sanderson (who shares a similar style of prose in his “Mistborn” trilogy).
Nonetheless, it is a solid read, and a particularly accessible one – I would especially recommend it to those looking for fantasy novels for first-time fantasy readers, young adults (Charlton’s book does not have profanity or any real sexual content), or both. While it is not the equal of some of the fantasy “greats” (like George RR Martin, or Robert Jordan), it is a good fantasy novel, and well-worth your purchase.