The Wizards of Central Park West: Ultimate Urban Fantasy 1

by Arjay Lewis

He went from detective to wizard in a flash. Can he master his magic in time to thwart Armageddon?

Eddie Berman wants his old job back. Ever since the detective rushed into a bust without backup, he's been wasting his talents in Central Park. But after investigating a bloody murder causes him to accidentally touch a powerful stick, he's summoned to a new calling by a magical, disembodied head…

Entrusted with a staff from the Garden of Eden itself, Eddie learns that wizards are real and the apocalypse is coming. With his old job and a trip to Aruba looking farther and farther away, the detective must learn magic, uncover a rogue sorcerer, and confront something called "the great evil" before New York becomes a literal nightmare.

Can Eddie protect and serve an impossible world, or will his first day on a new beat be his last?

The Wizards of Central Park West is the first book in a series of urban fantasy novels and the winner of a 2018 National Indie Excellence Award. If you like heroic journeys, magical world building, and tongue-in-cheek humor, then you'll love Arjay Lewis' fantastical new vision of New York City.

Buy The Wizards of Central Park West to spell out a new urban adventure today!

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Fantasy

651 pages, Paperback

Published March 5, 2018

About the author

Arjay Lewis: actor, magician, and multi-award-winning author. I have spent my life as an entertainer, amusing people as a street-performer in the 1970s; a Broadway and casino artist in the 1980’s; a party performer in the 1990s and 2000s; a cruise ship performer in the 2010s.
Stories have always been in my mind, and I have been writing since the 1990s. My reason to write is simple: to entertain. I write the type of books that I like to read: murder mysteries, strange tales of unnatural gifts, odd happenings and horror.
Please visit my web site and sign up for my mailing list to be “in the know” for upcoming books. Visit me on Facebook, Twitter, or my Amazon Author page.
And thank you for reading. You are the reason I write.

Find him on social media @arjaylewis and @arjaylewiswrite

Reviews

[Kateblue · Rating 1 out of 5]

I stopped at 1%. I considered not writing a review, but then decided that I needed to warn people.

An interesting yet unnecessary description of Central Park was immediately followed by a wizard battle containing gratuitous gruesome descriptions of body parts being removed and of dismemberment. I write, therefore, to say I'm sorry I read any of this book.

I don't care how good this book is, I'm not reading more. Unfortunately, I paid $2.99 for it, apparently. And I have two more of this author's books that I got for free. I won't be reading them, either.

You've been warned.

[Aly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what an exciting book! This book has a little bit of everything in it for me. Wizards, Magic, Witches and so much more keep me reading more in this story. I loved every minute of it. This is a new author for me and I'm impressed by this fun and powerful book. It was long page -wise but I didn't notice it one bit while you were caught up in the world of magic and more. *This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.*

[C.E. Clayton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wizards outside of the standard of epic fantasy is hard to pull off. Or at least I think so; wizards just feel a bit sillier in a modern setting then say, mages or witches. But Lewis brings these wizards of fable, with their flowing robes and magical staffs, out of that traditional fantasy environment and into an urban setting. And not just any urban setting, but New York’s Central Park! The author is very aware of these tropes though and crafts an adventure that is rather tongue-in-cheek so if you were worried that actual wizards in New York was going to be a bit ridiculous, don’t worry, that’s by design!

The story follows Eddie, a detective who, along with his partner Luis, have been demoted to the Central Park district due to some beef they have with the FBI stationed in the area. When Eddie and his partner come across a gruesome murder though, everything changes. And I do mean it’s gruesome so be prepared. Lewis is primarily a horror author and there are instances where that really shines. But the very first chapter of this book depicts that grisly murder and it can be jarring so just be forewarned. There are some moments of violence after that, but none nearly as detailed as that first chapter. Once Eddie touches the mysterious walking stick next to the deceased, he is summoned and pulled into the world of the wizards, their incredible powers, and their coven. Under the tutelage of Marlowe, Eddie learns how to wield this new power he finds himself with, while also struggling to keep his new world a secret from his old one—including his wife and partner. But for as long as this book is ( it's over 600 pages!) the story-line is pretty simple and this was a very easy read to get through (it only took me a few weeks).

I think what kept me from really loving this book, however, was how simplistic the story-line was, and while I love a book with a plot line that’s easy to follow, this was almost too easy for me personally. Eddie, his wife, his partner, most characters outside of Marlowe and Drusilicus felt either flat or unbelievable as people to me, so I had a hard time connecting and getting invested in them, their struggles with other characters, or the dangers they faced. At times the story felt more like a road map around New York and New Jersey, which may be a lot of fun if you’re a local to those areas, but I’m not so the list of street names and directions made little sense to me and slowed down the action. Also, even though Eddie is a detective and butts heads with the FBI, this isn’t really a police procedural during the investigative portions of the book. Neither the police nor the FBI really operates under standard protocol when investigating anything (or doing their jobs for that matter), which also applies a bit to the magic training montages that Eddie goes through. For being so new to the craft, he picks up on techniques and can do things the centuries old wizards can’t, which kind of diminished their awesome power in my eyes.

The book does maintain a nice, steady pace though, which does make it a very fast read to get through. I wasn’t ever bored, and it was fun to see how these old, classic fantasy wizards operated when faced with a modern era wizard in Eddie. I liked the twist at the end with who was really responsible for the murders in the park and how it all connected back to why Eddie was summoned in the first place. All the wizards had fun personalities, I just wish I could get into the main cast more, but I always felt at arm’s length from them and their families. The concept of this book is great, and definitely has some “Bright” vibes, I just wish it had captured more of my attention, or gave me more feels one way or another while reading, which is why I’m giving this 3 stars. It was a good read, don’t get me wrong! It was just missing that special something for me personally. But if you are looking for a rather humorous urban fantasy with some dark moments and some really incredible magic, then you may enjoy “The Wizards of Central Park West”, and thanks to the author for providing a copy for an honest review!

[Mike Siedschlag · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a print copy of The Wizards of Central Park West from author Arjay Lewis for review.

This book surprised the "H-E-double toothpicks" out of me. I'm not sure what I was expecting but the NYC setting kind of threw me. Author Lewis does an outstanding job of blending myth and magic with a contemporary setting.

Our reluctant hero Eddie (the detective) doesn't just think outside the box, he seems to live there. He takes in stride (more or less) the bizarre goings on of his magical mystical new colleagues while investigating a murder. He definitely becomes the alpha male in his new group, whether they like it or not.

He winds up in a fight to (you guessed it) SAVE THE WORLD from the EVIL ONE. While offered many opportunities to compromise his values he holds fast. Great supporting characters like his wife and his partner, flesh out the story and provide relief from the intense drama.

Lots of action both normal and paranormal, interoffice politics, mythic/magic politics, some sexuality though very mild.

This would make an awesome movie, I think Delroy Lindo would make a great Eddie Berman.

Great sword and sorcery in a contemporary setting! Enjoy!

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading The Wizards of Central Park West by Arjay Lewis, my first thought was that this is what would happen if Harry Potter and Law & Order had, by some weird magic, had a baby. It’s not a story I think anybody asked for, but if he or she takes the plunge, I don’t believe that anyone will come up with any issues for its existence. In fact, I can almost guarantee that such a reader will come through the other end of the tale grateful for having read it. However, as someone who has been somewhat spoiled on the relative brevity of the earlier volumes of J.R. Rain’s Samantha Moon: Vampire for Hire: a series with the same pedigree, experiencing the well-rounded and lengthy cop drama mystery that Lewis has packed into this bit of urban fantasy fare was at the same time awkward, and yet engrossing and –pun intended– spellbinding.

Eddie Berman is a down-on-his-luck homicide detective, busted down to beat cop in New York City’s Central Park along with his partner Luis Vasquez after a bust goes wrong. But after the duo uncovers what appears to be the brutal murder of a homeless man under seemingly impossible circumstances, Berman, during the investigation, stumbles upon a powerful magical staff carved from the very Tree of Knowledge from the Garden of Eden, of which he is declared to be the next bearer by the very disembodied head of the murdered man. And thus, the practical, down-to-earth Eddie is thrust into a world of magic and sorcery, mentored by the wise, and yet sometimes naïve wizard Marlowe. A newcomer to the ways of magic and sorcery, he is made aware of the purpose behind this and other subsequent murders: the presence of a powerful demon who seeks to rise again and bring about the apocalypse … and is being secretly aided by one of their own. With other wizards doubtful of the wisdom of his sudden election into their ranks, and the struggles of maintaining the veil of secrecy putting a strain on his friendship, career, and marriage, Eddie must learn how to put his newfound powers to use along with his cop’s intuition and skills in order find a way to stop the supernatural culprit before civilization is destroyed.

The overall tale is certainly a great deal to unpack, and Lewis handles this with absolute skill. The secret world of the wizards is complex and mysterious, and even humorous, from Marlowe’s TARDIS-like home to the running gag of talking to squirrels. Lewis weaves together hard and soft magic systems in a way that never feels unbalanced or like any kind of “hand waving” to simply move the plot along. Though there are a great deal of elements of magic that are somewhat vague, the detailed explanation of the functions of the staffs and the use of magical artifacts like talismans to enhance or keep magic in check gives enough detail to the powers of these wizards and their limitations so that magic never comes off as any kind of a deus ex machina, or a cheap means to an end. Everything that is vague is balanced by stringent detail in other areas, from potions to Marlowe’s explanations of will and intent make the magic a truly wondrous thing, and Eddie’s surprising growth in its mastery, along with his expanding realization that as a wizard, his life can never be truly “normal” again, feels completely organic and believable.

A colorful array of characters awaits any reader who opens the pages of this magical mystery, from the wise and grandfatherly Marlowe to the dependable Luis, the snobbish Drusilicus, and Cerise, Eddie’s wife and steadfast rock of Gibraltar, to name only a few. Each is fully fleshed-out and a joy to experience, even those with less endearing personalities and villains leap from the pages and stay in your mind. Eddie’s juggling his family life and fragile career in the face of his newfound mystical responsibilities, Marlowe’s unshakeable patience and amusing inexperience with the modern world, and Luis’ confusion and excitement as Eddie’s “apprentice” and right hand man are a joy to read, with very natural dialogue. Not a single character feels underused, making Wizards a rare treat for me. The ability to keep such a superb level of sophistication in the cast is the mark of a truly talented writer. And on the fact of the villains being just as well-conceived as the protagonists in mind, I do want to give accolades to Lewis for making the big mystery of the true villain’s identity such a well-played game. Even in other mysteries that I have read about or seen on TV, I have never puzzled so hard on this conundrum as I did in this book. The demon Abraxas alone is truly frightening and believable, though somewhat one dimensional until the full scope of what he is and the machinations surrounding him are ultimately revealed –albeit in a somewhat whiny manner, but the true power behind him was an engagingly complex endeavor to work out, and the mastermind’s motives in both scenarios presented are surprisingly complex, though the first one did manage to tip the author’s hand somewhat.

One more thing that I felt was very well done was the author’s attention to detail in the surroundings, especially those of Central Park. And of course, these descriptions serve an important purpose in the later chapters of the book. However, this does also work against the story somewhat, as the true drawback to this heavy descriptiveness is that such detail orientation does cause the story to drag in places. Lewis, at times, gets somewhat carried away with the histories of the respective locales and the rich details of their physical features and respective pasts that it sometimes feels as if he periodically fails to gauge how important or unimportant these details are to the story. It makes for great visual writing, but ultimately pulls the plot down in spots, making the book feel longer in parts than it ought to be. But even though the reading is hardly brisk, with the visual descriptions occasionally affect the pacing, it is not uncomfortably dense. Still, Lewis uses this detailed description to build on the great mystery of the story brick upon brick, with each piece of evidence putting the puzzle together in something of a slow burn, making the slowness of that pacing just right in just as many spots as it is problematic, and with refreshingly few to no typos or grammatical errors.

In spite of its slowness to start and occasional detail orientation to distraction, I feel that The Wizards of Central Park West has just what any fan of urban fantasy, or even a good mystery will want. With twists and turns aplenty, and with characters and plot threads that both shed greater light to the overall mystery as well as lead to a few frustrating yet nonetheless thought-provoking dead ends, in the unfolding case, it well deserves its many accolades, and opens up an amazing hidden world that I’m not hesitant to say, nearly rivals that of Harry Potter in some ways. And with more stories in this series coming down the pipe, it has certainly piqued my interest as to where Eddie’s new life as a wizard will take him. And I want to be along for the journey, and hope that any fan of urban fantasy will be as well. 8/10; Well Recommended

[PAR · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third novel I have read by Arjay Lewis – and I sure hope he keeps writing as I want to keep reading his works. In this novel Mr Lewis takes a second generation lieutenant from New York City and turns into a wizard overnight. Now I am picturing Danny Reagan from Blue Bloods. He is devoted to helping his fellow man. Now he is introduced to the world of wizards. His new mission is to save the human world from an evil force. His initiation into this strange new world or wizards grants him powers far beyond any that he could have imagined. As you can imagine keeping this new role secret from his partner and family is a stressful. His first mission is to solve the Central Park West murders of a homeless man, a diplomat, and a crime boss. Arjay has written a novel that presents the reader with twist and turns at every page. He leads the reader down a long winding road, one in which you think that you have found the murderer only to find out there is a new angle! This novel has a unique story line that keeps you turning the pages. I recommend this novel and would read more novels by this author. This is the third novel I have read by Arjay Lewis – and I sure hope he keeps writing as I want to keep reading his works. In this novel Mr Lewis takes a second generation lieutenant from New York City and turns into a wizard overnight. Now I am picturing Danny Reagan from Blue Bloods. He is devoted to helping his fellow man. Now he is introduced to the world of wizards. His new mission is to save the human world from an evil force. His initiation into this strange new world or wizards grants him powers far beyond any that he could have imagined. As you can imagine keeping this new role secret from his partner and family is a stressful. His first mission is to solve the Central Park West murders of a homeless man, a diplomat, and a crime boss. Arjay has written a novel that presents the reader with twist and turns at every page. He leads the reader down a long winding road, one in which you think that you have found the murderer only to find out there is a new angle! This novel has a unique story line that keeps you turning the pages. I recommend this novel and would read more novels by this author. I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book. I am not required to leave a review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[Ramona Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wizards of Central Park West is an incredible book written expertly by Arjay Lewis. This book is probably one of my favorite books that I have read to date! I found this author through the "In the Mind" series that I can only highly recommend and figured I should read his other books, and I did not regret that decision one bit! My biggest complaint about the book is that it had to end.

This author has a spellbinding way with words that draws you in from the very first page. He comes up with very well developed and thought through plot that is intricate and makes sense. The "whose done it" mystery is captivating and kept me glued to the pages. I for one had an incredibly difficult time putting this book down. There was never a dull moment and the pace of the book was plain perfect. I never felt like the story was dragging out nor did I feel like the author was trying to rush me through the story, which is important to me.

Eddie is an extremely likable and relatable character. His heart is at the right spot and he will stop at nothing to "protect and serve". I could read and entire series about this character. Eddie is a strong character and stays true to himself even when thrown into this crazy new world he is discovering. Thankfully he has an amazing family who supports him, as well as his partner Luis and another favorite character of mine, Marlow. The foe in this story is also strong and quite hidden until it is time to reveal who it is. The author gives you quite a few options and it is rather difficult to pick who you think it is.

As you can tell I am a huge fan and I can only highly recommend this book and works from this author period! He is articulate and knows how to write an amazing and unique story, what else can you possibly ask for! I am off now to purchase "The Muse" which I heard a lot of great things about .... That review will be posted once I have read that as well.

[Freda · Rating 5 out of 5]

When homeless man is ripped to pieces in Central Park West, Lt Eddie Berman & Sargent Luis Vasquez are called in to investigate. The homeless man is not what he seems, he is a Wizard who goes by the name of Riftstone and in the shopping cart he always pushed around, Eddie finds a a special walking stick and the head which speaks to him and says “You have been summoned!”. Because the stick has chosen Eddie he finds that his life changing. He has become a Wizard too and the walking stick is a magic staff. Although he doesn’t know the first thing about magic. A man named Marlow contacts him, he is the leader of a coven and one of the five who carry the sticks of the elements, fire, water, earth, air and spirit and they are the only ones who can banish the demon named Abraxas, the one who ripped Riftstone to piecesand now he is trying to kill all five, with Eddie now becoming the fifth with the staff of fire. Abraxas is not working alone as they found out there was a Warlock controlling him. He must learn fast to save his own life, the lives of his family and ultimately the world. I did enjoy this book, but it is not one I would read in one go as it is not usual read. I would class is as a Fantasy for teen and young adults. I passed it on to one of my teenage grandchildren to read and she loved it. She said she would absolutely recommend it. For this reason, I gave it 5 stars.

[Christopher Schmitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arjay Lewis’s new urban fantasy hits all the marks for the genre.
Lewis’s story of wizards disguised as homeless people of New York centers mostly around Central Park which may be hiding more secrets than anyone in the real world understands. Police detective Eddie Berman is working a murder case and winds up with a staff made of magical wood tracing back to Eden.
Of course, suddenly becoming a wizard isn’t all unicorns and fairy dust. Not in any world ever written by Lewis, who typically delves hellish depths for inspiration and this book is no different. The world building is great and seamless and the book blends the mystery with the magic; readers tag along as Berman tries to unravel the mystery of the “great evil” that threatens the wizards, central park, and the world at large.
One part Harry Dresden, one part Fantastic Beasts, a heavy dose of Dr. Strange, and all fun. It evoked similar feelings that had when watching Bright on Netflix, which I thought was a great approach to the urban fantasy genre (although more overt in its world blending).
I’d give this one a solid consideration if you’re looking for a good Springtime read. I got a free copy in exchange for an honest review at my Inside the Inkwell blog.

[Amy Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark and Magical

Yes, this book is very magical, bringing the reader to be transported to a whole new world of magic. There was a real balance of darkness and realm of fantasy with lightness and humor. Lewis brought the characters to life, as he penned the amazing story for these grand characters. Eddie, a police detective, is one of those characters who enters a new realm right in the middle of Central Park, as if he is the chosen one. I was entranced by this story, and it has a great sense of magic and fantasy while also being in the modern world. Couldn't put it down.

[Linda J. Grindstaff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the last book, so far, by Arjay Lewis I had not read, and I am so happy I did read it. It is a story about good vs evil. Yes, it does have wizards in abundance and also has a few more paranormal characters. The characters are well fleshed out and so real, I'd like to have shaken their hands! This book has something for everyone especially those of us who like some paranormal along with a good mystery/thriller. As usual, Mr. Lewis knows his stuff about writing, magic and the paranormal. You cannot go wrong with this or any of his other works because they all ROCK!

[C. Ledlum · Rating 5 out of 5]

CAL

I enjoyed every minute reading this book. It was fun when the story had the characters jumping back and forth between the fantastical and the mundane. I needed a break from reading and viewing stories full of uncertainty and angst even though they eventually had happy endings. This book was fun I like magic coupled with the prophecy of Armageddon. I highly recommend this book to others and look forward to reading more by Arjay Lewis.

[Braulio Castellanos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal story, well laid out and well written! Criminal mystery, wizards and magic all mixed well make for a interesting story. I found the book hard to put down. Great descriptions, plausible stories and great explanations. The story begins with the death of what appears to be a homeless man who turns out to be a wizard. The twist and turns of the investigation are compelling especially so with the involvement of the the wizards. A truly great real.

[Elvira D Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story

I loved this book. I had to put it down too many times to deal with real life, I would think about it when I was unable to take the time to read.
I have never been to NY, never had the desire to go . I live in Phila Pa , we have Fairmount park. Now I can’t wait to visit Central Park and learn more of its history.
This author is a brilliant story teller.

[Nancy Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down.

I don't often write reviews. A book has to be really bad, in which case I want to warn folks off, or amazing. This is the latter. Characters I can see if I close my eyes, plot that twists and turns. And even a stuffy bureaucratic, who ends up a good guy. If you like to laugh, and open your imagination, read this book.

[Ginny B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good. It was slow and irritating in places, but mostly due to seemingly unnatural character interactions/situations. But for character development and the story, it was a fun and kept me reading even when I should have gone to bed. The character of Central Park finally gives me a reason, other than Broadway, to visit New York.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read! Inventive with a good magic system and plenty of intrigue. Very good NYC feel. Quick read with good pacing. Mystery kept the plot flowing well. I definitely want more of this series.

[Tim Shepard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Torn on this one

The book itself is decent. It just seems to drag in too many places. The concept was great but the writing is what I felt needed improvement.. Oh well.

[Kitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good... just not one of my favorites.

[Daniel Brehm · Rating 5 out of 5]

What clever way to make fantasy more relevant! I loved this book. Its a great read with interesting characters and plot. Enjoy.

[Susan Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Wonderful writing and an eye for detail, many thanks Mr Lewis for a great reading experience. Well worth your time anyone who reads this post!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! I hadn't heard of this series but stumbled across it. This book had great characters, interesting plot, and lots of great twists and turns. Highly recommend it.

[Sharon Graff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Done Sir!

The book felt like a nice visit back in time with a police procedural, spiced with twist of wizardry. This story was hectic with plenty of action, interesting characters, and plot surprises. The characters were archetypes of middle class or blue collar workers of mid twentieth century.