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Code of Rainbow #1

Soaring Flame and the Dragon-transcending Magimal

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This is the first book of a teen fantasy book series that nurtures the bloom of MAGIC in the soil of SCIENCE - something rarely attempted. The transition from magic to science will be bit by bit, so the early books do read like a "mainstream" magic fantasy.

Soarame has a pair of special eyes. He can see magic elements in this world, which are supposed to be invisible. This enviable gift of his could reveal the truth of the world, but it also puts him in danger.

Many animals in this world possess magic power, so they are called “magimals” - dragons as examples. Soarame fortunately got a baby magimal as his best friend, but they got into troubles together - troubles that were a lot bigger than dragons.

Could they survive?

271 pages, ebook

First published December 19, 2016

788 people are currently reading
1881 people want to read

About the author

Weiqi Wang

3 books112 followers
Weiqi is a scientist with an explorer's spirit. Holding a Ph.D. from the University of Oxford, he embarked on an enlightening sojourn across Europe that led him not just through laboratories, but also into the realm of imagination. Setting foot on American soil, he began his U.S. journey in Rhode Island before an epic cross-country expedition to Stanford University. There, he immersed himself in complex data science projects alongside the NIH (National Institutes of Health).

His blend of scientific curiosity and quiet fascination with the magical led him to a unique hypothesis: the hidden intersections between science and magic. He invites you to consider unexplained phenomena—like ball-lightning—that linger at the fringes of our scientific understanding, nudging us towards a sense of wonder and openness.

It is this nuanced perspective that Weiqi Wang pours into his enchanting series, Code of Rainbow. This world is a harmonious blend of magic and science, breaking new ground by inviting us to reimagine the boundaries between the two. Primarily tailored for young readers, the narrative unveils its scientific underpinnings progressively, ensuring it captivates a broad audience. Dr. Wang’s work subtly coaxes us into seeing the awe in both magic and science, inviting readers of all ages to join an extraordinary adventure that both entertains and enlightens.

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5 stars
303 (55%)
4 stars
130 (23%)
3 stars
66 (12%)
2 stars
21 (3%)
1 star
26 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
Profile Image for Ashley Daviau.
2,218 reviews1,050 followers
August 1, 2017
I want to start this review by stating that I received a paperback copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This in no way changes or affects my review.

While I did enjoy this story for the most part, I did have some issues with it that affected my enjoyment of the story. The biggest one being that it was a bit slow to start and failed to grab my attention at first. I'm a huge fan of books that really steal your attention right from the get go and I was a bit disappointed on that front.

I did also find the writing a bit stiff and stilted. In some places it was actually jarring and cut the flow of the story and the dialogue quite frequently. But then in other places it flowed so nicely and almost seemed like it was written by a second person so it left me feeling a little confused.

But other than that I did very much enjoy this story! The concept is incredibly unique, it really drew me in and is really what saved this story for me. The idea of the different kinds of magic was really intriguing and the way the different levels worked was interesting. And I absolutely fell in love with the magimals, they're definitely my favourite part of this story!
Profile Image for Bookread2day.
2,539 reviews63 followers
July 1, 2017
Weiqi Wang is a fabulous writer writing about magic. There can be more than one type of philosophy to explain the world. One of them is called science. Another one spells M-A-G-I- C . I love reading about magic. I ladore the front cover of this book which was drawn from scratch by Mr. Jiawei Wu from Dalian Info Tech Ltd. The author had written this book while studying in Oxford. Here is the best news. To receive book 2 the ebook version for free, subscribe on the book website www.codeofrainbow.com
Profile Image for Irene ➰.
970 reviews87 followers
July 26, 2017
4/5

"There can be more than one type of philosophy to explain the world
One of them in called science
Another one spells as M-A-G-I-C"


HUGE thanks again to Weiqi for sending me a copy!

This was a very pleasant surprise. It started is a super cool way, where we get introduced to our little protagonist, Soarame.
I really don't want to spoil anything about the plot because it's a super magical adventure and it's even cooler if read like I did it, pretty much blindly, there's 100% the surprise effect like that!

I don't want to jump to comparison too, I know that's natural, but this story is completely different, has its own type of magic!
I found it unique and well detailed. It's very easy to get into it and to want to know more and live the action with the characters.
I even took the Kindle at work with me because I couldn't wait lol
This type of world will always attract me, let's be honest here, and it's very easy for me to enjoy all these stories, but this one stands out among the many out there, it was very well studied too.
There's the thing that I like the most in books which is the "story behind a story" concept, where we learn a little more of the characters and places slowly, while reading.

I liked the world building a lot, the whole story does not take place in the same spaces, we "travel" a little and like that it's never boring.
The set of characters is well balanced, there's a little bit of everything and a lot of personalities mix together.
It's full of -magic- action and the book never slows down, I never thought: "this part is boring", never.
I enjoyed every page especially the ones that take place in the school and of course the whole finale!

It's a highly recommended read for all my magical friends that want to read something "lighter", but this does not mean less exciting ;)
Profile Image for Khurram.
2,291 reviews6,686 followers
August 1, 2025
Magic, science and adventure

This is an awesome first book of the series. I loved it is saw several links and influences. I love and agree with the idea of magic and science being so interconnected, related and in some cases being the same.

Soarame has always been different. He sees colours nobody else can. His uncle is worried but when a visitor explains and takes Soarame into a new world beyond his imagination. A new school, new friends, enemies, rivals and challenges. However, will he and his friends survive the adventure? What secrets will be revealed and what are yet to come?

If you are a fan of Avatar, Harry Potter, Pokémon, or magic and adventure this is a must-read series. Great side characters each with their quirks, secrets. I do like the shyness and emotions between the characters (some of whom are too young to realise), but it does so seeds for the future. I can wait for the next book.
Profile Image for NAT.orious reads ☾.
933 reviews411 followers
December 16, 2019
1 STAR ★✩✩✩✩

DNF.
I wasn't expecting to be totally mind-blown by this book. That even after 39%, reading this would feel like torture, I didn't count on either. Although I think the universe might carry a lot of potential, the writing was bland, the plot uneventful and the characters boring.
Profile Image for Montzalee Wittmann.
5,108 reviews2,317 followers
May 10, 2018
Code of Rainbow: Soaring Flame and the Exotic Magimal by Weiqi Wang is a book for teens or middle grade kids. I am not either of those and found the story very intriguing. If you are a Harry Potter fan, you might enjoy this book. There are similar aspects such as magical abilities, school for learning these gifts, and amazing characters. The rest is totally different and unique with lots of fascinating fun, action, and adventure.
6 reviews2 followers
January 29, 2017
Awesome

Real good books I am glad that I gave it a chance I really liked it a whole lot awesome
6 reviews1 follower
March 4, 2017
5 stars

Great book. Really awesome. Need the second book now. One of the most original And best books I have read.
Profile Image for BAM doesn’t answer to her real name.
2,031 reviews452 followers
July 2, 2017
Many thanks to Weiqi Wang for the free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

Strong 3.5 stars out of 5

This book was simply delightful. It reminded me so much of the original 6 Magic:the Gathering books with the whimsical battles and strong bonding between characters. Wang obviously has an overactive imagination that has been put to excellent use here. I picture a little kid obsessed with Pokémon and D & D who wanted to create a well rounded magical world; and that would not be complete without a dragon. Success!
I could have rated it a **** if it hasn't been for a pet peeve: grammar. The book could use some sharper editing. Words are omitted; past and present tenses are used within the same paragraph; slang is big, which I took to be a form of expression for the teenage characters, but even the adult wizard teachers were a bit loose and over familiar with their speech. I think with a bit of focus on the verbiage this could be a promising beginning to a new fantasy series.
Keep writing, Wang!
4 reviews1 follower
February 26, 2017
What a great book, it really stirred my imagination. It wS

Was a truly enjoyable book and I want to read the next Kindle book by this author. ThaNk you for this opportunity.
1 review
April 6, 2017
I enjoyed reading this book, especially the way that the author write so that it makes you wanna ready more and can not stop! It has a harry potter feel.
Profile Image for Tommy.
14 reviews8 followers
September 26, 2019
Amazon says: "If you like JK Rowling or Brandon Sanderson or both, you will love this book."
That is a lie. JK Rowling started her novels VERY roughly, but it wasn't this rough. Comparing this to a Sanderson novel indicates the person typing that has never read anything by Sanderson.

This book was barely "OK" and I'll attempt to briefly address a few reasons.

1 The writer is obviously not a native English speaker nor did he have an editor with a solid grasp of grammar, tense, or word use. The phrasing is immature and many times very much out of place in the world the author is attempting to build. Much of the included text feels jarring or stuttering when read. It's not a smooth read at all.

2 The setting is a bit simplistic. The author would like to attempt to blend science and magic, I think, but doesn't ever pursue the science aspects. There is an attempt to address some thousands of years of history, but the emphasis always ends with magic being the decisive factor for progress. The addition of devices for 'common folk' which are magically driven through crystals is never explained. It feels like he wanted to meld science and magic but doesn't quite know how it works in his own world. It doesn't work well and feels tacked on. Modern scientific terms and ideas that are not appropriate for the setting clash with story elements. Example: It's not a camera, it's a mamera. I'll just let that sit there.

3 The characterization is all over the place. The main character is not developed enough for me to care other than it is the main character. There are a multitude of other characters. The main characters "father" is developed enough in the first part of the book only to be completely out of the picture before the story really gets started. As for the number of characters once the protagonist gets to school, there are too many. The male characters all are developed more than the female characters. The female characters seem to be background window dressing. I do not recall a scene in which the female characters are not being pulled/pushed/hidden behind the boys, in almost every situation. Not a single strong female in the bunch and I do mean a bunch. Wait, there was a single female teacher shown as strong, but also cold, aloof and mostly uncaring. Also one of the girls helped/solved an issue, but it wasn't her, it was magical equipment she was carrying. Overall, poorly done. A few deus ex machina situations didn't help the characters develop or provide any depth.

Not a book I would recommend unless you wanted examples of the above issues.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Trish.
2,767 reviews39 followers
August 4, 2017
I was given a copy of this book by the author, in return for an honest review.

This book has a very manga-like feel, with an interesting take on magic: coloured dots, representing different elements, like grey for wind magic and purple for lightning, with the mage school organised by those elements. I also like the idea that some animals naturally have their own magic (hence the magimals of the title), a bit beyond the usual fantasy familiars. The story is fairly standard “special young boy goes to mage school” stuff, and to me it suffered from there being too many characters – Soarame (aka Soaring Flame) quickly gains a group of something like ten friends, plus there are a variety of antagonists, so keeping everyone straight is something of a challenge. However, the writing is very visual and descriptive, and I found I could picture the magic - it would probably make a great graphic novel.

The language is pretty basic, chatty and informal, with elements of gamer speak (levelling up for magic grades) and the way five-year old Soarame of the first two or three chapters speaks was a bit off-putting, as his phrases were too mature. That said, I know I wouldn’t try to write a book in a language other than my native one, and I suspect that a lot of the issues here would be solved by working with a native English-speaking editor to really bring out the author’s ideas.

All in all, I enjoyed the book and liked the world, which has a lot of potential for future development. I’ll be curious to read any other stories Weiqi Wang sets in this universe.
Profile Image for Cheryl Joy Szalkowski.
185 reviews2 followers
June 29, 2018
Code of Rainbow book 1

Wow I love this book. I couldn't put it down i got so engrossed into the story. The author really organized this book well and it is really well written. The book was easy reading and very entertaining. I enjoyed this story a great deal. I bought both books to this series so I can re-read them as many times as I want. I recommend this book to family and friends.
Profile Image for Contrarius.
621 reviews92 followers
December 30, 2016
Here's the first paragraph of this book, quoted from the free Kindle sample I just downloaded this afternoon:

"Filton worked very hard in a small rural town as a tree feller, because his job couldn’t really make him rich yet he had a baby boy to feed. Bad news is he was living all by himself, so he sometimes need help from his friends, who once promised him but didn’t really help a lot. Filton never complaint; he really loved the boy, whose name is Soarame."

This is barely even English. And the constant tense changes are already giving my brain whiplash.

Cmon, authors. Google Translate and Babel Fish do have limitations.

This is another book being promoted through sock puppetry. As I promised, I will make sure to review every book that I see advertised in this manner. Don't be fooled by fake "reviewers" -- if you see a book with only a couple of ratings, look at the members who left 5 stars and check out what date they joined and what other books they have rated -- if any. Credibility is built over time, and none should be given to "reviewers" who join just to hawk a specific book.

Oh, and btw -- there are FOUR books that have been given separate listings on GR, with only slightly different names on each listing. Gee, do ya think they're really all the same book? ;-)
Profile Image for Garth Mailman.
2,462 reviews8 followers
November 14, 2019
As with too many free books I’ve been offered this one is in desperate need of good editing. That said the fantasy world created here is engaging and the characters come alive on the page. Initially it seems written in the style of a child’s fairy tale.

The opening section is engaging but then Soarame goes to magic school and suddenly comparisons to Harry Potter or Earthsea rear their ugly heads. Learning magic for this wizard is easy, navigating the social minefields of his classmates another matter. That most of his fellow Water wizards are female.... That his tutor of seven years and the head wizard are personal friends can’t hurt. And always it seems there are loudmouths and bullies.

I’m not a literary critic but the writing style here seems academic and turgid. Finishing the book was an effort of ploughing through the text.
Profile Image for MXGRLS.
41 reviews3 followers
July 12, 2019
Caught ! Again! As a 64 year old grandmother, I often read YA books

Before I give one to any 4 of my grandaughters. Expecting stories of romance or magic or both. I'm not usually overjoyed by this task. But I must say. I recommend this whole heartedly.!! Only problem now? How to get all the series!!
16 reviews
June 21, 2017
Wow. Half Potter half Pokemon

Great story. The concepts are awesome. My biggest complaint is some of the grammar errors. A little additional editing would fix that.
12.5k reviews186 followers
July 17, 2018
What an amazing book. Sort of Harry Potter, but with a magical feeling all it’s own. Totally delightful in every way.
Profile Image for Leda.
167 reviews17 followers
May 8, 2019
It was a fine start of a colorful adventure.
Profile Image for Heather.
21 reviews2 followers
May 3, 2018
So Much Fun!!

I had a few issues with some minor clunkyness of writing, this was a fun and gripping book!
Soarame seems fairly "adult" for his given ages, but I've met other kids like him.
The world is super well-rounded, magic system is complex, but well thought out, and OMG!!!! I want a Magimal now!
I am looking forward to digging into the next in the series!
1 review
April 10, 2017
The book is great and I liked it a lot. That said, I did notice the author is better at expanding the story than starting it - not to say the beginning of the story is bad, but it has just a bit more info than what we need to know, thus slowing the pace down somehow. Although after reading further I did realize that the info before was actually all paving for the big picture, suggesting that the story line is longer than one book can hold (and in the end, it showed it's a sequel).
When the story developed a bit, it grew really well and I'm addicted since Soarame had the egg, till the dramatic ending. So in general it is a great book for sure, and I look forward to the next book in the line.
Profile Image for Lag.
38 reviews1 follower
September 8, 2019
With all the high reviews and the low price I thought I would venture forth and see what this fantasy book was like. Now I know. Despite impressive academic credentials the author has created a loose collection of simple fantasy tropes with Pokemon characters thrown in to entertain the young readers and not what I would consider Teen and YA readers. The book has a simple plot that lurches along with too many close calls and dialog. When all is lost the day is saved by some outside force or hidden ability of one of the MCs or teammates.

I would recommend this for 12 and under except for an occasional adult word or reference.

This is an OK book for an advanced 10-12 year reader who is new to fantasy ... as long as they get it on sale.
Profile Image for Lady The Owls.
389 reviews1 follower
September 11, 2019
What a fun and adventurous story. Loved the action and all the magic. What a great little world build that evolved as it went and the characters that just blossomed. I can not wait to read the next book. So many unanswered questions I have to find out the answers too.

Merged review:

I have fallen in love with this story. Lots of magic and science to boot and scary adventure. Makes it so much a good read. I love adventure and magic
31 reviews3 followers
April 12, 2017
Harry Potter Jr

Reminds me of Harry Potter, you have young wizards, remarkable creatures that the young students bind to. The students have different powers. It's a fun read. you have an evil wizard, a school that trains the new wizard to claim their powers, what more could a reader ask for. I know the second story to read. Waiting for it now.
174 reviews1 follower
June 8, 2019
Loved this!

Very unassuming and then you get sucked in. Gotta love a read like that. Not going to tell you the story line. That would take all the fun out of reading it yourself. Characters are charming and it is well written.
Profile Image for Margaret.
777 reviews5 followers
July 30, 2019
Magic is one philosophy that explains the world. What a pleasure to read Code of Rainbow: Soaring Flame and the Exotic Magimal (Code of Rainbow #1) by Weiqi Wang ! Reading about magic is always fun, but this first book in the series is quite original and highly entertaining. I just know the series will get even better and better!
63 reviews1 follower
April 6, 2019
I really enjoyed this book!

Great world building and lovable characters. It's a good read for all ages. For anyone who likes stories with magic and friendship with fun and adventure!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews

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