The Sorcery Code: Volume 1

A Fantasy Novel of Magic, Romance, Danger, and Intrigue

By: Dima Zales, Anna Zaires

Narrated by: Emily Durante

Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Once a respected member of the Sorcerer Council and now an outcast, Blaise has spent the last year of his life working on a special magical object. The goal is to allow anyone to do magic, not just the sorcerer elite. The outcome of his quest is unlike anything he could've ever imagined - because, instead of an object, he creates Her.

She is Gala, and she is anything but inanimate. Born in the Spell Realm, she is beautiful and highly intelligent - and nobody knows what she's capable of. She will do anything to experience the world...even leave the man she is beginning to fall for.

Augusta, a powerful sorceress and Blaise's former fiance, sees Blaise's deed as the ultimate hubris and Gala as an abomination that must be destroyed. In her quest to save the human race, Augusta will forge new alliances, becoming tangled in a web of intrigue that stretches further than any of them suspect. She may even have to turn to her new lover Barson, a ruthless warrior who might have an agenda of his own...

©2013 Dima Zales (P)2013 Dima Zales

Magic, Love and War

Would you consider the audio edition of The Sorcery Code: Volume 1 to be better than the print version?

I like more the audio edition because you can build the scenes in your mind while closing your ayes.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favourite character was Gala, of course. Although there were many things she did not know, she quickly learnt them. She is a mixture of intelligence and innocence.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favourite scene was the very first, when Blaze, amazed at what he had created, looked at her expecting some kind of explanation. The description of Blaze and Gala's reactions and the woman's appearance is very accurate. I loved that scene.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A story where magic becomes real

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend this amazing story to all those that love fantasy novels. The descriptions are very detailed and allow you to close your eyes and build the scenes perfectly. I really loved it. Also the narrator's voice is deeply captivating, which is very important since as it is an audiobook, and the story goes through your ears.

A must read for fantasy lovers .....

Would you listen to The Sorcery Code: Volume 1 again? Why?

I would listen to The Sorcery Code again for sure because of the way it is narrated by Emily Durante. The narration pulled me into the story and apart from narration the character of Blaise is just very unique.

What did you like best about this story?

The best thing I like about this story is how Blaise wants to make magic more available for the common people and break the barrier between common people and sorcerers. Also the flow of story pulls you in and keeps you interested.

Which scene was your favorite?

I really like how the story starts with Blaise and his creation Gala and then more characters Augusta (Blaise’s ex-fiancé) and Barson (Augusta’s lover) come into the story and provide a punch. The character of Augusta and Barson is very strong and noteworthy. Other important aspect of this book was how the story switches between all these characters and how all of them grow out.

Any additional comments?

I really want to see more of Augusta as she is my favorite character in the book and I just cannot have enough of her. I think this is a wonderful start to a series with beautiful and powerful characters and interesting story line I am just waiting for the next part to come out and see how the characters and story shapes. If you are looking forward to have a good book go for this you won’t regret it.

5 stars for this book!

Any additional comments?

I really loved this book! It's surprisingly well written. There's an incredible amount of depth to just about everything, you get to find out more about all the characters, locations. The narrator did an amazing job bringing the story to life. As I am listening to this audio book,it is as if I am almost watching a vivid movie play in my head. If you love magic and fantasy, then you definitely have to give this book a shot! Highly recommended!

Love the book, dislike the Narrator

I read this book when it was first released. The audio book was awarded to me in one of the author's giveaways. I was thrilled to be getting a new audio book as I love to listen AFTER I have read the book. I love the book. Dima Zales has done an awesome job creating a new way to work magic, and a new world. He has developed some lovely characters. That being said, this narrator almost ruins it. Her inflection is not natural, and I had to rewind multiple times because I got caught up trying to figure out what would make this woman sound more natural. At times, she reminded me of the automated voice from the phone company.
Fortunately, I knew I liked the book and really wanted to hear it, and so was finally able to overcome the narrator's intonation. I would suggest that they find a new narrator for the next book.

Great fantasy, and great voiceover

If you could sum up The Sorcery Code: Volume 1 in three words, what would they be?

Fun, Fast, Exciting

What did you like best about this story?

The story moved quickly, feeling like a fantasy book should. The mix of action and romance worked well, and the story was loaded with suspense and intrigue as the various characters made their journeys and converged together to change their world. I particularly enjoyed this stories use of four viewpoints, and felt quite at ease with the transitions between them. Seeing the characters interact with each other in this manner was very interesting, and really showed the dynamics of the characters. The characters seemed to develop well throughout the story, and I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. The system of magic was unique, and something I loved hearing about. Rarely are new ideas seen in Fantasy, so seeing something fresh, and listening to how it works was quite refreshing.

Which scene was your favorite?

I loved the scene in which Gala had her first encounter with the soldiers.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, extreme reactions, but I felt I wanted to constantly listen to it.

Any additional comments?

I am excited to see what happens in the coming volumes of this series!

An enchanting tale of sorcery and magic

What made the experience of listening to The Sorcery Code: Volume 1 the most enjoyable?

This is a book I will be returning to again and again as the story was compelling and the emotional conflict between characters was realistic.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The character of Gala, specifically was captivating and you could hear the turmoil of emotions portrayed in her voice. It was particularly poignant to see how her initial childlike fascination was slowly dulled by the frustrations and realities of events that she went through. I was moved and enchanted by her mixed emotions during the scene where she is surrounded by soldiers.

Have you listened to any of Emily Durante’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No I have never listened to Emily Durante's other performances.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listened to this book whilst I was winding down at night. I found myself staying up later because I wanted to hear what was going to happen next.

Any additional comments?

I am very much looking forward to the sequel.

An Intriguing New World

Would you listen to The Sorcery Code: Volume 1 again? Why?

I would like to hear more from the author, rather than listen to this one again. This first listen makes me want to get more, not repeat, though another listen would certainly be worth it.

What did you like best about this story?

Without revealing too many spoilers, I liked best the problematic hierarchy between sorcerers and peasants throughout the story. It lends a modern-day commentary on economic and class struggles that we all know, yet through a new and imaginative perspective. As well, the chapters are written from the perspective of the four principal characters, which gives the listener a full understanding of the motives and inner-thoughts of four very different people.

What about Emily Durante’s performance did you like?

Emily Durante makes the story come alive through her varied, yet well-paced, voice acting and narration. Her slightly low register gives her narration a calm, consistent tone, as well as the ability to take on male and female voices.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

The events of the story are both amusing and exhilarating, and I found myself grinning and frowning along with the characters. Despite the sorcerer’s non-human abilities, each character seems to be a familiar face to which I could relate and understand. This pulled me further into the action of the story, and I only wish that the story didn’t have to end. I listened to the audio book on the bus and train, and The Sorcery Code: Volume 1 made for a very pleasant passing of time. I’m looking forward to Volume 2!

Any additional comments?

The Sorcery Code: Volume 1 implants the reader/listener in the middle of a magical world that seems to have already existed for many years. The characters are well rounded and fully developed, the magical world is complex and highly interesting, and the story line seems refreshing and well paced. The newly created Gala is a perfect character through which readers/listeners can discover the fantastic, unique world of Sorcery Code just in time for the exhilarating action to come.

CLIFF-HANGER

Any additional comments?

Great story line, maybe one day I will pick up the next book. However the ending just leaves you hanging. Its like getting to the climax and as soon as the climax ends so does the book. Example its like huuuummmppp dddaaaayyyyy!!! or rather more like, "huuummmmmppp."

Man magics up a naked woman. Didn't see that comin

What did you love best about The Sorcery Code: Volume 1?

The unique approach to how magic works. Too many writer leave magic to wide open. I thing there need to be defined parameters without making it look like there are defined parameters.

What other book might you compare The Sorcery Code: Volume 1 to and why?

It reminds be a bit of Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay, in that the magic users are principal characters in a world ruled by magic users. That does kinda make sense in a way.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

I felt the performance conveyed the characters in an accurate manner. There was nothing I disliked about them.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. Like I said, not super, but not bad either.

Any additional comments?

Not a super fantastic epic, but not a bad read by any means. There is the familiar idea of a beautiful woman that a man just whips up himself and her discovering her "super powers" but the resulting events and the involvement other minor characters makes for a more unique experience. The most interesting thing about this universe is the way magic works. It's unique and is approached as if the magic users were programers as the title suggest.

A Great Fantasy Adventure!

What did you love best about The Sorcery Code: Volume 1?

The Sorcery Code enchanted my completely, right from the first chapter! I will try to briefly summarize why I believe I thoroughly enjoyed this book, without giving too many spoilers, but to understand it, you must read it.

The story starts in media res, that is in the middle of happenings, as Blaise tries to conjure a magical artifact which. Straight away, we are drawn into the action, and we share his surprise when instead of an inanimate object he finds a beautiful naked girl. Now, Blaise’s intentions are gradually revealed, and I just loved the realistic representation of the caste system in which there is no chance of switching between the classes – if you are born without magical powers, you are doomed to poverty. Blaise’s intentions are such that he wants to eradicate this barrier between the classes, bringing equality to all people. However, even such a skilled sorcerer as Blaise is confused with the appearance of Gala. I don’t want to spoil your reading, or listening experience, so I won’t reveal anything else about the plot itself, but I will try to focus on other things.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Sorcery Code: Volume 1?

Well, the first scene of Gala's creation might as well be the most memorable - for all the confusion and amazement. It is also a great device to take in the reader.

What about Emily Durante’s performance did you like?

. I enjoyed even more as I could employ my imagination to the highest level by listening to the smooth voice of Emily Durante – and I am very pleased to say that her interpretation made the characters all the more lively and vivid, beautifully expressing both their good and bad sides, their vices and virtues. World was also built carefully and complexly, and I appreciated how almost no detail was considered unimportant, from the social organization to the relationships between individuals. If there was an audiobook which made me feel I am a part of an imaginary world, this is the one.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I laughed a few times at Blaise's remarks, and from time to time, I was touched, but it hadn't affected me in the way that I would cry.