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Wunderkinds
Ten children taught themselves the ancient arts, unknowingly surpassing the greatest mages in the land. Then the wizards from the Academy came to town, but not on a recruitment mission. They were there to hunt rogue mages.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 21, 2019
216 people are currently reading
258 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Daniel
105 books17 followersJoseph has been writing novels since he was eleven; it took him almost two decades, over a million “practice” words, and ten books before he mustered up the courage to publish his eleventh.
Joseph spends a good deal of his time working on his books at his house in Illinois where he is often distracted by Lupin–his English Golden Retriever–reminding him to take a break, as depicted here. When he isn’t writing, Joseph can be found giving into his dog’s entreaties to play, or reading anything by Brandon Sanderson, Brandon Mull or Jim Butcher. He also has been spotted playing the occasional tabletop or video game.
Joseph spends a good deal of his time working on his books at his house in Illinois where he is often distracted by Lupin–his English Golden Retriever–reminding him to take a break, as depicted here. When he isn’t writing, Joseph can be found giving into his dog’s entreaties to play, or reading anything by Brandon Sanderson, Brandon Mull or Jim Butcher. He also has been spotted playing the occasional tabletop or video game.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 23, 2019
This was a fun little middle grade book that started out from a writing prompt on reddit. I think the blurb is that prompt, or very close to it. I really like how it evolved from there and got fleshed out from such a simple prompt into an interesting book for kids and teens. I can tell you that while I enjoyed it as an adult, I would have devoured it as a kid.
The world building wasn't the most original ever, with some common fantasy elements, but the author definitely made those things their own. I know some people don't want spoilers, but since the cover has a dragon on it, I can safely say there are dragons, and I liked the way they were depicted. There are also other fantasy people/creatures that you might see in other works, but the author's take on them are fun and work well.
The two main characters are developed well, but we get various stages of development from the other 8 protagonists. Some of them are pretty well developed and we get to know them, although they obviously have some hidden depths we haven't seen yet. Others don't get a lot of screen time, so we don't really know much about them other than what one of the POV characters thinks in passing. It's understandable though, because it's a short book and having 10 fully developed characters wouldn't leave much time for plot or world building in just 250 pages.
The plot had some generic parts to it that are common fantasy tropes, but it's not something that bothers me. I care more if the author can make that common trope interesting and it doesn't ruin my enjoyment if I've seen something like it before. That being said, I would say there are a couple twists and turns that make it different enough to be enjoyed by most people.
Overall, this is exactly what I look for in a middle grade book. Fun, adventure, a little humor, and just plain entertaining. I would highly recommend this to kids probably from 8-13 the most, but it would still be fun for older teens as well as adults who like this kind of thing.
The world building wasn't the most original ever, with some common fantasy elements, but the author definitely made those things their own. I know some people don't want spoilers, but since the cover has a dragon on it, I can safely say there are dragons, and I liked the way they were depicted. There are also other fantasy people/creatures that you might see in other works, but the author's take on them are fun and work well.
The two main characters are developed well, but we get various stages of development from the other 8 protagonists. Some of them are pretty well developed and we get to know them, although they obviously have some hidden depths we haven't seen yet. Others don't get a lot of screen time, so we don't really know much about them other than what one of the POV characters thinks in passing. It's understandable though, because it's a short book and having 10 fully developed characters wouldn't leave much time for plot or world building in just 250 pages.
The plot had some generic parts to it that are common fantasy tropes, but it's not something that bothers me. I care more if the author can make that common trope interesting and it doesn't ruin my enjoyment if I've seen something like it before. That being said, I would say there are a couple twists and turns that make it different enough to be enjoyed by most people.
Overall, this is exactly what I look for in a middle grade book. Fun, adventure, a little humor, and just plain entertaining. I would highly recommend this to kids probably from 8-13 the most, but it would still be fun for older teens as well as adults who like this kind of thing.
August 1, 2024
A delightful YA fantasy novel written by a very talented friend of mine from college! Great for teachers to recommend to students in 5th-8th grade. Has all the elements of fantasy, clever twists, strong vocabulary and sentence structure, and has a few stand out lines that give a powerful message!
August 31, 2019
Unbridled fun, tension,fear and belief\good..
This story lead you down a road of very very interesting twists and turns. The characters are strong Independence and specialized. The unsuspecting leader of the group of friends it's right with the struggles of leadership not develops on her own but recognize why the friends she has gathered to learn magic. It's a story of bravery excitement Swiss turn good evil and the unknowing. It begs you to move forward you and the diving into their story you feel yourself a character of the special 7. Who likes Harry Potter and similar books you enjoy equally this book and story. I may be 68 years old a wannabe English teacher well that's heart I'm a twelve-year-old looking to broaden my experience and my mind.
This story lead you down a road of very very interesting twists and turns. The characters are strong Independence and specialized. The unsuspecting leader of the group of friends it's right with the struggles of leadership not develops on her own but recognize why the friends she has gathered to learn magic. It's a story of bravery excitement Swiss turn good evil and the unknowing. It begs you to move forward you and the diving into their story you feel yourself a character of the special 7. Who likes Harry Potter and similar books you enjoy equally this book and story. I may be 68 years old a wannabe English teacher well that's heart I'm a twelve-year-old looking to broaden my experience and my mind.
April 27, 2019
Not your run of the mill adventure
Molly, Tanner (the miller's son), Miller (you guessed it, the tanner's son), Liam, Helda, Benny, Screech, Gum, Jeb and Ginnie comprised the ten members of the secret seven.
The secret ten just didn't sound as good, and they'd named the group before the three Togo brothers joined.
They were learning magic from the fairies, and getting good at it.
A little too good, apparently.
The wizard came into town seeking out the 100 wizards that MUST be siphoning from the source.
Things go downhill quickly.
Molly, Tanner (the miller's son), Miller (you guessed it, the tanner's son), Liam, Helda, Benny, Screech, Gum, Jeb and Ginnie comprised the ten members of the secret seven.
The secret ten just didn't sound as good, and they'd named the group before the three Togo brothers joined.
They were learning magic from the fairies, and getting good at it.
A little too good, apparently.
The wizard came into town seeking out the 100 wizards that MUST be siphoning from the source.
Things go downhill quickly.
March 20, 2019
Fun adventure story
Joseph Daniel's ability to create a narrative is amazing. In this series he has expanded his pov to two characters rather than just one as in the genie series, and one can see that his writing ability is growing more able.
However it is not perfect yet, as the secret seven is more focused on just two of the ten, and the rest feel like sketches rather than whole characters.
I'm looking forward to the rest of the series!
Joseph Daniel's ability to create a narrative is amazing. In this series he has expanded his pov to two characters rather than just one as in the genie series, and one can see that his writing ability is growing more able.
However it is not perfect yet, as the secret seven is more focused on just two of the ten, and the rest feel like sketches rather than whole characters.
I'm looking forward to the rest of the series!
April 17, 2019
For a book that supposedly started as a Reddit writing prompt, it is actually surprisingly solid. It contains two or three clunky (cringe worthy) story elements, but aside from that it is plain decent fantasy. Decent world building, character development,...
Mind you, this book is fairly short (250 pages), but also be aware it is free. I am currently considering purchasing the second novel in the series.
Mind you, this book is fairly short (250 pages), but also be aware it is free. I am currently considering purchasing the second novel in the series.
May 6, 2019
It's a fun short read. The story is pretty standard for fantasy but interesting enough to keep reading. The characters are mostly one dimensional but the two main characters are more fleshed out and have an interesting story developing. I think it could have been a lot better with some more thought about the background and names to change from reading like a poorly written fantasy to higher quality writing.
May 4, 2019
Wunderkind indeed
Lately I seem to be encountering more stories about young children who exceed all expectations. This story is definitely in that theme. Molly and tanner are fun characters and they tug at your heartstrings with each challenge and each accomplishment. A great opening to a trilogy.
Lately I seem to be encountering more stories about young children who exceed all expectations. This story is definitely in that theme. Molly and tanner are fun characters and they tug at your heartstrings with each challenge and each accomplishment. A great opening to a trilogy.
March 26, 2020
In these times, I was looking for light-hearted fun and this book turned out to be so. Pacing and action and to an extent the magic system was the best selling point. Both POV were okay, though I hope other characters get more screen time and development in sequels. Plot is a bit wonky, but other things made up for it.
June 26, 2019
I liked this book! It's a quick little read, the story moves along well and while it's not breaking any new ground I was more than happy to take the trip over the well-trod fantasy elements here. It's a solid, enjoyable piece, and that's not a bad thing atall. :)
September 13, 2019
Average, ok magic system, but it seems it is missing a certain something in the narration that I can't put my finger on. I will read the rest of the three (Stormdaughter and Fellowships) but I don't have high expectations.
January 15, 2020
Great book vod.
Yo joe...
, great book buddy I really enjoyed it I'm going to recommend it to my friends and to my kids also I thought the first book was awesome I'm off to read the second book thank you.
Yo joe...
, great book buddy I really enjoyed it I'm going to recommend it to my friends and to my kids also I thought the first book was awesome I'm off to read the second book thank you.
May 22, 2019
I really enjoyed this book! The characters were well written and interesting, the plot was engaging. I really got into the story! Thanks for a great read!
June 3, 2019
Great book can’t wait to read the next one
June 9, 2020
I just had a hard time getting into this one. DNF at 40%
July 6, 2020
This ended with a cliff-hanger, but I'm not inspired enough to read the next book in the series. (I had bought as a free box set.)
July 31, 2020
A delightful fantasy read..... I highly recommend for 5th-8th graders who are looking to read a fun fantasy series. This book is wonderfully written.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews