How do you solve a murder when the victim and suspects are sorcerers?
Elliot can't escape the feeling he has a connection to his colleagues at Arthan Associates. Even though they all have supernatural powers while he is just another faceless nobody.
When one of the sorcerers is murdered, the others are all under suspicion. No one seems a likely culprit, but their kind are naturally secretive. Who is not what they seem?
As the investigation continues, Elliot's sense of unease grows. What is that familiar feeling? Why does he feel a darkness in his dreams and an echo of violence within? When he discovers the truth, he will have to give up everything.
If he is to stop another murder, Elliot needs to find out who he is.
This novel was written well and was pretty engaging. I enjoyed the sections relating to the past and the memories of others. It was a little weak in places, whereby characters would consistently suspect the wrong person, to be corrected, then further be corrected again etc etc. I've recently read something similar (The Coven by Lucy Fry) and this was actually done a lot better than that, with the same ideas around colour and the types of magic. This was better.
This was a breath of fresh air in the fantasy-thriller genre! The author has crafted a wholly original and unique story set against the backdrop of our modern world, a corporation run by sorcerers, and magical mythology that takes on a whole new twist. The shift in perspective and time that the reader experiences as the author go back and forth between the present-day murders and the buildup of these characters and their relationships months earlier was incredible to read, and gave the tension and pacing as each mystery was revealed slowly but surely even more of an impact.
The characters themselves were the driving force of this narrative. The mistrust and individual quirks each character has with one another as the story builds up was thoroughly entertaining, as was the mystery surrounding protagonist Elliot and his mysterious connection to the other characters and magic as a whole. The unraveling of his story alone and the facets of his own power was so haunting and awe-inspiring, inspiring me creatively in the process as well.
The Verdict
A remarkable, shocking, and nail-biting fantasy thriller like no other, author Will Rice’s “The Sorcerer Within” is a must-read novel of 2021, and the perfect winter read for fans of the fantasy genre. Heart-pounding action and suspense blend naturally into this world of magic and control these characters try to hold onto so hard, and the fate of several characters will have readers desperate to have more of this author’s amazing work.
Elliot is looking for a job. He is the last person in a line of people who are interviewing that day, but before he gets to the front all the positions have been filled. As the other failed candidates are being dismissed, Elliot stays in place and hopes maybe he’ll be interviewed after all. So begins the convoluted tale of sorcery and the quest to find a murderer.
I found this a challenging story to read. The chapters skip around from before an event to after an event and trying to piece everything together slowed my comprehension of what was actually taking place. In retrospect, when I finished reading the book and looked back at the chapters before starting my review everything made perfect sense. I would probably enjoy the book a lot more upon a second reading. The author, Will Rice, does an excellent job of creating the characters to the point they seem real, if a bit eccentric. The timelines he creates are perhaps necessary to develop the plot without giving away the eventual ending, but it does make for a demanding read. If you like a book that will challenge you and deliver a well-written murder mystery wrapped in mysticism you won’t go wrong with The Sorcerer Within.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The sorcerer within is a paranormal and urban fantasy story. It begins with Elliot being recruited by Arthan Associates, a firm of sorcerers governed by Arthan and his girlfriend, Holly. To his own knowledge, Elliot is not a sorcerer, but he seeks answers about his birth parents and identity. The premise is filled with sorcerers and magical mythology. I predominately enjoyed how novel the story was. Original ideas always excite me, and this really took my attention. The descriptive literature and the shift between the present murders and the buildup of the characters created an excellent dynamic that increased the tension of the story. This worked well for me as an avid reader, but if you aren’t into reading that much, this may confuse some readers.
Elliot’s personality is intriguing. His self-discovery, inner thoughts, and dilemma draws you to his character. The story’s pace is fast, and the concept and scenes were enjoyable to read.
I recommend this book to fantasy readers and those who enjoy the world of sorcery.
Elliott gets a job with Arthan Associates, and immediately feels a connection with everyone, which is a surprise, as they are all scorcerers. Then one of them is murdered and Elliott gets drawn into the investigation, finding his life changes beyond his imagination
I liked the premise of this book, and although I did enjoy it, at times I felt I didn’t have any idea what was going on. It’s a fast paced story which goes from character to character and to different times from the murder. It still amazes me where authors get their plots from, and how it all fits together in the end.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
This is a fast paced well written book. The story start with Arthan interviewing people to find a sorcerer. Elliot is hired even though he is unaware he is a sorcerer. One of the sorcerers is murdered and they know the murderer has to be one of the sorcerers. The story is interesting and enjoyable. It does jump time and characters very quickly and can leave you feeling a little lost at times.
I received free ARC copy of this book for an honest review of the book.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading The Sorcerer Within. The fast-paced storyline weaves across the perspectives of numerous characters which makes it a little complex to follow at first but the reward comes as the plot thickens and the book becomes increasingly challenging to put down. Looking forward to a sequel!
An interesting story, that was hard to put down. The characters were a little confusing at first but as the plot developed so did their descriptions. A reasonable fantasy worth reading. It is a fast paced and easy read. I received a free copy from Voracious readers and leave this review voluntarily
An enthralling, ever-shifting mystery, steeped in sorcery. This is a tricky review to write without giving away spoilers. The basic facts are that there are only ever twelve sorcerers, each with a primary power though capable of learning and honing additional magical skills. When one of the twelve is murdered, it has to have been by another of the sorcerers. As the investigation unfolds the different powers of the sorcerers both hinder and help to find the perpetrator before they strike again. There was so much to admire and enjoy about this book. Well-drawn characters, a coherent mythology and set of rules underpinning the world of the sorcerers, sorcery woven seamlessly into all parts of the story, great pacing, and action, betrayal and misdirection in spades. You will have to pay attention to keep up with all the shifts in the story but its well worth the effort. Highly recommended. I received an ARC of this book for free through BookSirens. I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.