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The Sorcerers' Scourge #1
Lone Survivor
My name is Ian O’Rourke, and the main thing you need to know about me is that I’ve never cracked anybody’s skull who didn’t deserve it.
In fact, I hate to fight. Until a few weeks ago, I was a peace-loving wheat farmer, but two sorcerers slaughtered my closest kin and sent me running for my life.
A clan of druids in Boulder, Colorado agreed to take me in—on one condition—that I learn fighting magic and protect them against their own sorcerers.
Now I’m a deadly weapon in the making. My fists, staff, and spells are the tools of my new trade. It’s a nasty job, bruising and often bloody, but at least it's honest work.
And soon, I’ll be able to go after the bastards who killed my kin and make them curse the day they attacked the O’Rourkes.
Book two in the series, Sanctuary, is available in the Kindle Store. ASIN B06WLMCN6W. Book three in the series, Vengeance, is also available. ASIN B06XCCP63Q. And thanks for reading!
In fact, I hate to fight. Until a few weeks ago, I was a peace-loving wheat farmer, but two sorcerers slaughtered my closest kin and sent me running for my life.
A clan of druids in Boulder, Colorado agreed to take me in—on one condition—that I learn fighting magic and protect them against their own sorcerers.
Now I’m a deadly weapon in the making. My fists, staff, and spells are the tools of my new trade. It’s a nasty job, bruising and often bloody, but at least it's honest work.
And soon, I’ll be able to go after the bastards who killed my kin and make them curse the day they attacked the O’Rourkes.
Book two in the series, Sanctuary, is available in the Kindle Store. ASIN B06WLMCN6W. Book three in the series, Vengeance, is also available. ASIN B06XCCP63Q. And thanks for reading!
237 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 15, 2017
314 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
About the author
Michael Arches
22 books23 followersMichael Arches moved to the Denver, Colorado area in the early 1980’s, and he has never left. Before coming to Denver, he had lived in eight different places, but he and his wife settled down in Colorado and raised their family here. The natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains attracted him here in the first place, and he’s still finding precious jewels in them there hills to write about.
https://www.facebook.com/mrarches
https://www.facebook.com/mrarches
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 29, 2017
I'm being gracious by giving this two stars.
The main character, an adult, watches his parents and other relatives get slaughtered in the first couple pages of the novel and he sits back and does nothing. Shows almost no emotion about it either. That should be the turning point in his life but it's pretty much glossed over.
This book is full of plot holes. The more you think about things the more the story falls apart more and more. I spotted a few editing errors, like double words, missing words, and other minor things. Those don't bother me. The writing itself wasn't poor, however the ACTUAL STORY was terrible. We've all read plenty of books and watched movies where the villains are mere caricatures, but in this book the villains aren't even real characters. They're just random names you read. They get introduced and then vanquished three pages later. No characterization, no motive, nothing. Just cannon fodder.
The book also has a moronic magic system that isn't properly explained, in fact all of the world building is dreadful. I could go into more detail but I don't really think it's worth it.
The main character, an adult, watches his parents and other relatives get slaughtered in the first couple pages of the novel and he sits back and does nothing. Shows almost no emotion about it either. That should be the turning point in his life but it's pretty much glossed over.
This book is full of plot holes. The more you think about things the more the story falls apart more and more. I spotted a few editing errors, like double words, missing words, and other minor things. Those don't bother me. The writing itself wasn't poor, however the ACTUAL STORY was terrible. We've all read plenty of books and watched movies where the villains are mere caricatures, but in this book the villains aren't even real characters. They're just random names you read. They get introduced and then vanquished three pages later. No characterization, no motive, nothing. Just cannon fodder.
The book also has a moronic magic system that isn't properly explained, in fact all of the world building is dreadful. I could go into more detail but I don't really think it's worth it.
May 2, 2018
Interesting action packed story
The story starts off with a peaceful family being attacked. The hero has a long road ahead of him as he struggles to learn about his powers, in order to defend himself and others; he always knew he was a witch, but he never practiced and preferred farming.
What I found interesting is that he is a true modern American, in that he is of mixed descent (including Native American) of various ethnicities and religions. This turns out to make his learning a little more confusing and difficult in some ways, yet ultimately it is this blend which makes him incredibly strong and grants him abilities typically not seen together in one individual. In many ways, the same can be said of our country, we do not all agree and sometimes clash as we work through issues, but ultimately we are stronger for it and try to agree on the best overall path forward.
I am hooked now! I really hope the rest of the series is as good. :)
The story starts off with a peaceful family being attacked. The hero has a long road ahead of him as he struggles to learn about his powers, in order to defend himself and others; he always knew he was a witch, but he never practiced and preferred farming.
What I found interesting is that he is a true modern American, in that he is of mixed descent (including Native American) of various ethnicities and religions. This turns out to make his learning a little more confusing and difficult in some ways, yet ultimately it is this blend which makes him incredibly strong and grants him abilities typically not seen together in one individual. In many ways, the same can be said of our country, we do not all agree and sometimes clash as we work through issues, but ultimately we are stronger for it and try to agree on the best overall path forward.
I am hooked now! I really hope the rest of the series is as good. :)
June 19, 2017
Magic forms collide
A hero emerges in a world where magic forms and systems are in conflict. Witches battle Sorcerers with styles handed down through the ages. Duels are common and the loser is stripped of power,may be made a slave or killed. The protagonist has some surprises for his opponents....
A hero emerges in a world where magic forms and systems are in conflict. Witches battle Sorcerers with styles handed down through the ages. Duels are common and the loser is stripped of power,may be made a slave or killed. The protagonist has some surprises for his opponents....
October 17, 2021
Have you ever wondered what is like to survive an ambush? How about how it feels to have to fight when you are raised as a pacifist? This novel gives me a really good idea of what's like in the context of a contemporary hidden good versus evil war. Worth reading for young adults and urban fantasy lovers.
June 2, 2017
Great book
Really enjoyed Ian's change into the fighter he needed to become. Also the strength his Osage heritage helped so much more than the Experts who tried to place their on own heritage.
Really enjoyed Ian's change into the fighter he needed to become. Also the strength his Osage heritage helped so much more than the Experts who tried to place their on own heritage.
May 26, 2019
Decent read. Not amazing but decent
Decent read. Not amazing but decent. If you’re looking for a quick between releases of your favorite authors I’d recommend it.
Decent read. Not amazing but decent. If you’re looking for a quick between releases of your favorite authors I’d recommend it.
November 4, 2021
Good
Very good I shouldn't have to say more lol more words!? man this so annoying how about perfect did that satisfy your 20 word minimum 🤔😤
Very good I shouldn't have to say more lol more words!? man this so annoying how about perfect did that satisfy your 20 word minimum 🤔😤
May 15, 2017
Lone survivor
Awesome story of a boy becoming a man as he faces challenges in a world that is new to him.
Awesome story of a boy becoming a man as he faces challenges in a world that is new to him.
May 19, 2020
Great start to a new series.
March 29, 2017
Different
Kindle Unlimited - Yay!
I don't know that this ranks in my all time favorites, but I really enjoyed the time I spent reading it. It's just "different" enough that it stands out. The MC is truly multifaceted and reasonably OP. He still has to work hard to understand and realize those exceptional potentials. Ian has a maturity that so many heroes in these types of books seem to lack. Refreshing.
The cultural layers are well represented and something I haven't come across before. There's suspense and action without the interminable gut wrenching angst that so many authors seem to get stuck on.
Nicely told and well written. Thank you.
Kindle Unlimited - Yay!
I don't know that this ranks in my all time favorites, but I really enjoyed the time I spent reading it. It's just "different" enough that it stands out. The MC is truly multifaceted and reasonably OP. He still has to work hard to understand and realize those exceptional potentials. Ian has a maturity that so many heroes in these types of books seem to lack. Refreshing.
The cultural layers are well represented and something I haven't come across before. There's suspense and action without the interminable gut wrenching angst that so many authors seem to get stuck on.
Nicely told and well written. Thank you.
April 20, 2017
My review
There are a few mistakes first the emotions arent there or just not where you can fell it's be leave a bold
The magic si stem was crap
Repeating info like it thinks I'm an idiot
There are a few mistakes first the emotions arent there or just not where you can fell it's be leave a bold
The magic si stem was crap
Repeating info like it thinks I'm an idiot
April 25, 2017
Mid 20's protagonist acts, talks like a 10 yr old. Very superficial book.
Even for free I couldnt finish this, reading to less than 50 percent. The 20 something hero watches his entire family get killed but it doesnt bother him much, he can still crack inane comments about being a Republican and how silly Denver liberals are. More than once. He trains to be a warrior for GOOD, to fight the EVIL other guys. Losers become SLAVES of the winners!😱😱😱😱😱. Matriaral hot witches line up to ... you know what ... but he's so cute and coy. And he has powers unlike any other, and heals animals too! And he has a six pack, and loves animals and picnics and the great outdoors. Wow.
Has to be a YA attemp. I cant recommend for any age group.
Even for free I couldnt finish this, reading to less than 50 percent. The 20 something hero watches his entire family get killed but it doesnt bother him much, he can still crack inane comments about being a Republican and how silly Denver liberals are. More than once. He trains to be a warrior for GOOD, to fight the EVIL other guys. Losers become SLAVES of the winners!😱😱😱😱😱. Matriaral hot witches line up to ... you know what ... but he's so cute and coy. And he has powers unlike any other, and heals animals too! And he has a six pack, and loves animals and picnics and the great outdoors. Wow.
Has to be a YA attemp. I cant recommend for any age group.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews