The Choice of Magic

Art of the Adept, Book 1

By: Michael G. Manning

Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds

Length: 20 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2019 Michael G. Manning (P)2020 Podium Audio

Where’s the second book

Great book highly recommend. Audible doesn’t seem to have number two though, which is disappointing.

Awesome!

I could not stop listening. I enjoyed as much as I enjoyed the Dawn of Wonder. Awesome book amazing Narrating. I laughed alot!

Fantastic Series, even bought the books

This is a great series - was a little slow in the beginning but quickly ramped up to where I couldn't stop listening. I'm eagerly waiting for the 4th book to come to Audible and due to some anxiety I was having (I was emotionally invested - yea, I know) I ended up getting the actual kindle books to keep reading. It's a great series, I wouldn't say the MC is OP necessarily, he just keeps finding himself in really crappy situations and having to do the right thing is always the harder road. Is a great series to escape into, love Grumpy Grandpa and some of the curses he comes up just has me rolling laughing sometimes... Narration was fantastic as to be expected from Reynolds who we all know is amazing.

fantastic

the writer definitely makes you enjoy the building of his main char excited to listen to the next book.

Loved the Narrator but...

The Author knocked it out of the park.

i really enjoyed the character development. Dialogue is well-written, and the well hidden morsels of clues for the climax of the book is very gratifying.

I really enjoy that while the main character suffers, there is a weight behind his certainty. We become stronger with Will.

Suffice to say the Author built sufficient tension to make me worry for characters. They also seamlessly changed the point of view such that it feels like it matures with Will.

I really enjoy the magic system. It is well thought out, establishes itself and resolves it's own mysteries as a matter of course.

i am gleeful when I approach the next book. i have high expectations and desperately hope that the the clever use of Equivalent Exchange rewards me for my investment.

I know we are unlikely to interact. However I must thank you profusely for the story you have provided. Should you read this, your efforts are very much appreciated from someone seeking the escape of great fiction.

Entertaining with slow parts

Great narration
Funny
Some parts were rather boring though
Good character development
Will probably continue the series because I can’t stand not to finish

Great start.

Great start to a story. Really looking forward to the next one. Hopefully it comes out on audible soon.

Enjoyable Story

I enjoyed this story. The authors concept of the Faye in particular and his general world building were interesting to me. I also love the cat creature whatever it is. I will probably listen to the other books for this reason as well as the superb narration. The protagonist's relationship with is grandfather reminded me a bit of the Belgariad but the irascibility of the grandfather was a bit hit or miss for me. It seems a very difficult character trait to portray well because it can so easily go over the top .Also his mother's character struck me as inconsistent. The woman who ran away from home, slung beer in a bar, studied herbology, and had a baby out of wedlock somehow now seems a bit of a shrinking violet.

Great set up for an amazing book series!

Michael G. Manning sets up a world that pays homage to the classic fantasy worlds while making it totally his own. While this book makes you question where the series is going as a whole, it does just enough to keep you in raptured while not giving away the whole plot to the series like many heroes journeys do. for that I give the story a 5 out of 5.

this series is quite good so far!

I enjoyed this book immensely. The story kept me interested and the characters are three dimensional.
there are a few frustrating aspects of the story, but I think it was caused by the author trying to move the storyline head. I believe it could have been more thought out. but aside from that the story is very good. the issues I'm referring to are some of the interactions between the main character and his "grandfather." their relationship and interactions with each other did not always seem believable...
excellent voice acting.
overall the book is well worth your time and credit. I am looking forward to continuing the series. from what I have been reading of the next book the quality continues to increase as it does with similar multi book epics and this genre.