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The Potionmaster
From the author of The Castle of 1,000 Doors comes the first book of The School Beneath the City trilogy, the story of three magical students destined to save the world.
For the first time in the history of Wunder's School for Brewing Excellence, three students are tied for valedictorian. To break the tie, Dr. Wunder issues a the student who makes the best final potion will earn the coveted title of Potionmaster.
But as the students compete, an ancient evil is rising from a long overdue slumber. It's a magic even Dr. Wunder can't stop. And the students pitted against each other might become the world's only hope for survival.
For the first time in the history of Wunder's School for Brewing Excellence, three students are tied for valedictorian. To break the tie, Dr. Wunder issues a the student who makes the best final potion will earn the coveted title of Potionmaster.
But as the students compete, an ancient evil is rising from a long overdue slumber. It's a magic even Dr. Wunder can't stop. And the students pitted against each other might become the world's only hope for survival.
- GenresFantasy
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 30, 2024
2 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Kenny Gould
6 books21 followersKenny Gould is the founder of Hop Culture Magazine and a food and beverage writer for Bon Appetit, Thrillist, Time Out New York, and more. He also writes fantasy fiction. Follow him on Instagram at @thekennygould.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 8, 2025
This book was such a wild ride!
Underground Potions School.
A magic contest.
Magical creatures.
And wild chaos everywhere!
I couldn’t put it down, and the ending has me begging Kenny to get to work on book2!!
Underground Potions School.
A magic contest.
Magical creatures.
And wild chaos everywhere!
I couldn’t put it down, and the ending has me begging Kenny to get to work on book2!!
July 23, 2024
As an apothecary/potion making fantasy fan, I was immediately looking forward to this book as soon as I read the title, cover, and premise.
Each chapter delves into one character's PoV (retains 3rd person PoV wording). So per premise, expect this book to be a multi-character focused story. I'm usually not a huge fan of the "switched PoVs" format, but "The Potionmaster" proved to be an exception with its intriguing characters, exploring character conflicts with each other, and motives in ambitions and adversities.
Keep in mind, this book does not delve heavily into "how potions are made." There's one character's chapters/PoV, where it briefly describes making potions sometimes, but it's not a focus of the book, even in the early chapters. That is part of the reason I couldn't give this 5 stars but that's just me and what I like about potions/apothecary. Nonetheless, the utilization of potions as the source of character conflict and revelations is a well executed idea.
I agree with one of the other reviewers that it gets really good towards the last parts of the book. The stakes ramped up and a newer setting got me invested into whenever book 2 comes out.
Overall enjoyable story and experience. I wish more potion/apothecary centered stories like this were made even though it's more on the action and overall story than the process, itself. Thank you again to the author, Kenny Gould and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this while I post this on GoodReads as well.
Each chapter delves into one character's PoV (retains 3rd person PoV wording). So per premise, expect this book to be a multi-character focused story. I'm usually not a huge fan of the "switched PoVs" format, but "The Potionmaster" proved to be an exception with its intriguing characters, exploring character conflicts with each other, and motives in ambitions and adversities.
Keep in mind, this book does not delve heavily into "how potions are made." There's one character's chapters/PoV, where it briefly describes making potions sometimes, but it's not a focus of the book, even in the early chapters. That is part of the reason I couldn't give this 5 stars but that's just me and what I like about potions/apothecary. Nonetheless, the utilization of potions as the source of character conflict and revelations is a well executed idea.
I agree with one of the other reviewers that it gets really good towards the last parts of the book. The stakes ramped up and a newer setting got me invested into whenever book 2 comes out.
Overall enjoyable story and experience. I wish more potion/apothecary centered stories like this were made even though it's more on the action and overall story than the process, itself. Thank you again to the author, Kenny Gould and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this while I post this on GoodReads as well.
October 31, 2024
The Potionmaster is a fast and fun MG/YA fantasy read that I picked up after seeing Kenny Gould do a local book talk. I'll definitely be adding this one to my classroom. I can see many of my students enjoying it.
What I liked:
- This is a fast paced page-turner, and I was able to tear through it pretty quickly.
- I was invested in the stories of the three main characters, and there were some fun supporting characters in each of their chapters.
- The world building, while a little derivative, was intriguing, and I'm interested to see where Gould takes his next books in the series.
What didn't quite work for me:
- There were a few too many characters with their own POV chapters. While I appreciated that all of these characters did add to the world Gould was trying to build, it also got a little confusing trying to keep track of everyone and everything that was going on.
- The pacing was a little uneven, especially in the last third of the book, which I felt moved VERY quickly and ended a bit abruptly.
Overall, though, I'm looking forward to the next book in the series and will certainly be recommending this one to my students.
What I liked:
- This is a fast paced page-turner, and I was able to tear through it pretty quickly.
- I was invested in the stories of the three main characters, and there were some fun supporting characters in each of their chapters.
- The world building, while a little derivative, was intriguing, and I'm interested to see where Gould takes his next books in the series.
What didn't quite work for me:
- There were a few too many characters with their own POV chapters. While I appreciated that all of these characters did add to the world Gould was trying to build, it also got a little confusing trying to keep track of everyone and everything that was going on.
- The pacing was a little uneven, especially in the last third of the book, which I felt moved VERY quickly and ended a bit abruptly.
Overall, though, I'm looking forward to the next book in the series and will certainly be recommending this one to my students.
August 24, 2024
This book was quite a pleasant read
The magic system is really interesting and I hope next book talks about it even more. The characters are easy to connect to and well written. I was intrigued enough to keep reading the book and the explanations are clear and given at the right time.
All in all, a pleasant book, I can't say I was personally super impressed, because it's not totally my style, but it's a good book and I would 100% percent recommend to someone who likes academy vibes, trials and a bit of mystery.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-book copy in exchange for my honest opinion
The magic system is really interesting and I hope next book talks about it even more. The characters are easy to connect to and well written. I was intrigued enough to keep reading the book and the explanations are clear and given at the right time.
All in all, a pleasant book, I can't say I was personally super impressed, because it's not totally my style, but it's a good book and I would 100% percent recommend to someone who likes academy vibes, trials and a bit of mystery.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-book copy in exchange for my honest opinion
August 23, 2024
Review originally on Netgalley: Great read for anyone who likes a magic school with a student vs. students (vs. student) competition that wants a bit more edge. Set in New York City threaded with magic and danger, this book took a little while to get on its feet but once the world was established it flew by!
July 12, 2024
What a awesome read... I was planning on giving The Potionmaster 4 stars until I got to about the last 10%, and then BAM! Just like that it became a 5 stars book all the way. Seriously, I really need to read book 2 right now!!
July 18, 2024
This book is a fantastic introduction to a new world of magic and fantasy. It reads a bit like Harry Potter in grad school, with very high stakes, some fantastic villains and an interesting magic system that I’m excited to explore further. Ends in a way that will have you begging for the next book!
ARC from NetGalley in exchange for honest review.
ARC from NetGalley in exchange for honest review.
August 4, 2024
Excellent fantasy novel: well plotted, interesting magical system and world building. I liked the setting and the fleshed out characters
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
August 20, 2024
I haven't read a fantasy that good in I don't know how long. Reminiscent of Harry Potter but at the same time, a completely new idea. I'm looking forward to reading the rest in the series!
August 12, 2024
Such a great book! It definitely reminds me of Harry Potter. The characters are developed well and the suspense made it hard to put down. I can’t wait to read the second one when it comes out!
August 3, 2024
I don't know if it's because I've been reading lots of, to put it simply, trash lately, but *The Potionmaster* feels like a refreshing glass of water on a sunny day.
(Can't think of a better metaphor right now, don't judge me...)
It has fairly simple world-building, and the author knows exactly how and when to explain things that may be confusing to the reader, without ever doubting their intelligence. It's certainly refreshing in a world where infodumping and zero-nuance novels feel like the norm.
The characters are also well thought, distinct from each other, and their motivations are clear. I especially liked how the way they approached the challenge—creating a potion that symbolizes the greatest good—speaks a lot about who they are as people. (What I didn't like was how quickly they forgot about the challenge itself, but due to the events that transpired, I guess it should be expected.)
But among the good, there's also the bad. I wish the protagonists' relationships with one another were more fleshed out. Considering the incredible amount of potential due to their clashing personalities, it strikes me as odd that their interactions felt very short and superficial, and the evolution of these relationships was too fast (Isla and Waldo, for example, had like three encounters?? Even when Isla thought he saved her life, lol).
But aside from that, the book is amazingly great. It's one of the few novels I've read that manages its time properly. It makes you want the sequel not because it didn't have time to develop, but because the world presented by Gould is just that interesting.
Fun, creative, and a must-read if you like urban fantasy. Can't wait for part two!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, Spiderhead press for this ARC in exchange of an honest review!
˚ ༘✶ ⋆｡˚ Pre-reading!
Save me book set in a magical academy, save me
it did save me 🙏🙏
It has fairly simple world-building, and the author knows exactly how and when to explain things that may be confusing to the reader, without ever doubting their intelligence. It's certainly refreshing in a world where infodumping and zero-nuance novels feel like the norm.
The characters are also well thought, distinct from each other, and their motivations are clear. I especially liked how the way they approached the challenge—creating a potion that symbolizes the greatest good—speaks a lot about who they are as people. (What I didn't like was how quickly they forgot about the challenge itself, but due to the events that transpired, I guess it should be expected.)
But among the good, there's also the bad. I wish the protagonists' relationships with one another were more fleshed out. Considering the incredible amount of potential due to their clashing personalities, it strikes me as odd that their interactions felt very short and superficial, and the evolution of these relationships was too fast (Isla and Waldo, for example, had like three encounters?? Even when Isla thought he saved her life, lol).
But aside from that, the book is amazingly great. It's one of the few novels I've read that manages its time properly. It makes you want the sequel not because it didn't have time to develop, but because the world presented by Gould is just that interesting.
Fun, creative, and a must-read if you like urban fantasy. Can't wait for part two!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, Spiderhead press for this ARC in exchange of an honest review!
˚ ༘✶ ⋆｡˚ Pre-reading!
Save me book set in a magical academy, save me
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews