The Sorcery Code: Volume 1

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

I'm Looking For Volume 2 Already

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

What I love best about The Sorcery Code: Volume 1 is the different series of events that occur through out the book. Never once was I stuck and not knowing what was going on or just board trying to rush through the book. Then as I am listening to this audio book the picture appear in my head so clear because there was so much detail and very precise with everything that it was like watching a movie in your mind. The imagery is this book is very amazing.

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

I would compare The Sorcery Code: Volume 1 to The Dream Hunter by: Sherrilyn Kenyon, because both are along the fantasy line, also they both incorporate the dream world along with their initial story line. That is there common ground. With The Sorcery Code: Volume 1 being told on dry land and The Dream Hunter told on water adds to the perspective look at everything which would be one of their many differences. I find that amazing and very appealing, being a person that looks for all the different experiences from different authors in different books. It's always better hearing more than one type of opinion and thought life about certain things especially when the author almost has the freedom of just letting it all be reviled through the story.

What about Emily Durante’s performance did you like?

Emily Durante's performance was very spectacular. She didn't have the voice that would put you to sleep from listening to it for a long period of time. She keep you interested with her narration and all the voices that she did to make sure that you new the differences in characters. She read at a very good pace so that your hearing kept up with your mind.

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

I would listen to this book all in one sitting if I had the time to just focus on this book alone with out any distractions. This book was packed with a lot of mind piquing events and thoughts that were never to much that you got board or over whelmed.

Any additional comments?

To all true book readers and people that like to get lost in the book, this is a book that should be include in your library of books. Never a dull moment.

16 of 18 people found this review helpful

A couple of words

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Honestly, I would. It is a very good fantasy story that easily captures your attention, it uses an easygoing language (I am from Romania and I had no effort whatsoever understanding the books' lines) and the story evolved step by step, slowly being more and more immersive untill the moment that you are just sucked in. Can't wait for volume 2!

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

Trying to avoid to make too much of a spoiler, I will refer to the starting part of the book. I am still surprised about the way Gala appeared in the story, and the way she absorbed every bit of information around her.

What does Emily Durante bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She uses a tender voice that gives you the comfort to calmly enjoy this audiobook, but not in a boring way so you would fall asleep after a while. She knows how to maintain the ballance and she slightly changes her voice tone enough so you can easily find out when a different character is speaking.

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

Magic isn't something to fiddle with.

Any additional comments?

Just waiting too see how the second volume will be!

10 of 12 people found this review helpful

Enthralling Read

The book, The Sorcery Code, is a very intriguing and enthralling story. One of the best parts of the book is the beginning/introduction since that sets the pace and sequence of events that the entire story follows throughout. The narrator, Emily Durante, did a great job reading. She has a natural ability of keeping the listeners captivated and anticipating the next scene. Listening to this masterpiece, I was in awe sheer as it had so many compelling scenes as well as the clear attention to detail of each scene that was evident in the narration of the story. This is one audiobook worth listening to – whether you listen to it in one reading or in sessions, you are still able to capture the essence of the characters and their world. I would most certainly listen to the book once more, perhaps in sessions this time, and will certainly read and listen to the next volume.

9 of 11 people found this review helpful

Fantasy Masterpiece

I love fantasy and this is a great book! The story is well written with great characters and the performance is great too! I highly recommend this book!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Fast paced

Where does The Sorcery Code: Volume 1 rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

So far, this book would be near the top of my pile of books I have ever reviewed.

What did you like best about this story?

I really liked the authors style of writing, and how she weaves the different stories together for form the narrative.

What does Emily Durante bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She brought a whole new world to me. A peasant and lord type realm, where it is the sorcerers who are the reigning power. I love the details about where they were living, in addition to magical items like their flying chaise.

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

I listened to this book in one day. Every moment that I could I had this playing. While I was driving, doing dishes, and playing with my son I was also listening to this story.

Any additional comments?

I feel that you will not be disappointed if you buy this book to listen to.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

The Sorcery Code: A Epic Fantasy Novel

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

I would consider the audio version just as good as the print version, really liking the narrators use of her voice to convey different characters.

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

Most probably the events starting at the Colosseum and ending in the aftermath of the fight against the soldiers.

Which scene was your favorite?

That would be the scene where Gala meets the soldiers outside the inn.

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

High magic and Intrigue!

Any additional comments?

I really liked this fantasy story about the couple Blaise and Gala and the other two main characters Augusta and Barson in this tale of magic, danger and intrigue. The way the magic is made to work in this world is very much making me think of the sorcerers as programmers manipulating matter instead of software, and this to me is a very fresh and new way of depicting magic in novels and gives the authors lots of ways to make the story full of both obstacles and advantages for the characters. For a big part of the story I couldn’t figure out what would happen next as there was so many possible ways that the characters could act and still feel real and true to their personal agendas.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

An enchanting tale...

This book tells the story of a world in which sorcerers act as the ruling class over the peasantry- which is something Blaise, master sorcerer and former prominent member of the Sorcerers’ council, strives to change. To make magic more accessible to one and all, Blaise immerses himself into finding a way of bringing magic to the people- only it doesn’t exactly take the form he expects- the result? The beautiful and perfectly formed Gala- an inquisitive and intelligent woman that becomes subject to Blaise’s infatuation from their very first dramatic and revealing meeting. It soon becomes very apparent that Blaise’s creation is capable of far more than he could ever have imagined.
Blaise is instantly bewitched by his creation and seeks to find out the level of her magical abilities, however releases her into the world under the watchful care of trusted friends Esther and Maya in order to prevent the powerful and inexperienced Gala from drawing too much attention to herself and wreaking havoc. However is Gala ready for the world? And is the world ready for Gala? Obviously not, for as soon as Augusta (Blaise’s ex fiancée) gathers info on Gala’s existence she seeks to eliminate the ‘creature’ with the help of Barson (her lover) and the Sorcerers’ Council. However a web of deceit and manipulation begins to form as everyone ruthlessly seeks their own ambitions and intentions whilst trying to capture the “creature”. Will Augusta succeed in getting rid of Gala and all of her mysterious charm and increasing power and influence? You have to read and find out.
From beginning to end this book is extremely intriguing and captivating. Gala’s character is mysterious and seductive, the combination of innocence and incredible power makes for a very interesting read. The interaction between the characters’ story lines are also very interesting and is written in a excellent way that conveys all the tensions and emotions between them. A very cleverly written book!

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

One of the best I have read!

I have read a lot of books before and this was my first time to try an audio-book, it was a very nice experience and exceeded my expectations. It had an amazing story line and will make you feel a set of different emotions! I wish I have found this book earlier, as I was fan of books under this genre for a long time. The narrator did a great job and was perfect for the story. The beginning got me hooked to read it more. I felt like I was in a different world while hearing story of the book. Each of the characters was interesting and their roles were just perfect. For me the execution and concept were nicely done. I definitely recommend this book to those who likes fantasy. I’m waiting for the second volume of the book already!

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Thoroughly Enjoyed The Sorcery Code

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would recommend this audiobook to a friend because even if you are not a huge fantasy fan, it is still very enjoyable to read.

What did you like best about this story?

The hints of romance throughout the book and the climatic ending.

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

I have not listened to any of Emily's performances before; however, she did a wonderful job. I was interested in the story throughout the book.

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

Due to time constraints, I was unable to listen in one sitting. However, given the opportunity I would.

Any additional comments?

Pick it up, you won't be sorry.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

A Five Star Addition to Fantasy and Magic

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

I found myself completely immersed to the very last page, it held my attention completely as the concept is unique, refreshing and well written. A five star addition to the genre of fantasy and magic. The plot grabs you immediately, leaving no room for vague wording, then transitions into each chapter carrying intrigue to what will happen next. The book carries themes of deceit, manipulation and classism rivaling the protagonist.

What did you like best about this story?

Each character is distinctively developed and brought to life with their own personality. My favorite characters and their relationship being Gala presented as a passionate spirit laced with a hunger to see, feel and experience the world while renewing Blaise’s own faith and fascination. Listening to the growth in their relationship and their journey to the end of the book together faced with unforeseen circumstances. Circumstances that leads the book to be unpredictable and demands your interest from chapter to chapter.

What about Emily Durante’s performance did you like?

Emily Durant covered the book so smoothly and complimented the storyline to its truest essence

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

Yes definitely! It completely captured me and was easy to follow.

Any additional comments?

Overall the book is a great read/listen as the characters intertwine with each other in both history and present, constantly collaborating or colliding to present graphic action scenes and suspense. I completely endorse and recommend this book especially for fantasy fans or the general readers it will have you hooked!

3 of 4 people found this review helpful