Arcanus

by Ali Eke

Before the Great War, battles were fought and won with magic. In
a world where magic courses through the veins of every single
human being, a single mage could take on an army of thousands,
and a single family could conquer an empire. But even magic could
not hold back the tides of science and industry, and modern warfare
was born. Since then, the imperial powers of Russia and Great Britain
have begun amassing weapons of both magic and science in an
arms race against each other. A tenuous peace has remained thanks
to the efforts of Bastion, a global diplomatic organization of mages
dedicated to maintaining order across the world.

It is eighteen-year-old Kibo Kozlov’s dream to join Bastion, just like
his father before him. But some dreams aren’t meant to be, as
Kibo had never been able to control the weave of magic. He had nearly
given up hope, that is until he stumbled upon a bizarre artifact that might
change the course of history—both his and the world's.

Genres: Science Fiction

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 12, 2022

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book but wanted to learn more... sequel it is, I suppose 😆 it did get confusing at times. Overall, I really enjoyed this book!!

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Ali K. Eke's thrilling debut novel, Arcanus, fantasy, and science fiction genres coalesce, creating an innovative landscape where science and magic coexist, albeit via a strained relationship. This tension is navigated by the Bastion, an organization with the challenging task of maintaining equilibrium, ensuring no entity gains overpowering dominance.

Our protagonist, 18-year-old Kibo Kozlov, ambitiously aspires to follow his father's legacy as a mage within the Bastion. However, his lack of overt magical abilities is an obstacle he can't seem to overcome. On the brink of abandoning his dreams, an unexpected encounter with a mysterious artifact reignites his hope, revealing latent capabilities within him. This discovery invokes the question: could Kozlov hold the answer to averting a potentially catastrophic war?

One of the most commendable aspects of Arcanus is Eke's prowess in crafting a vibrant and credible world steeped in extensive history spanning millennia. The depth of the lore is astonishing for a debut novel, constructing a world that feels authentic and lived-in, despite its fantastical elements.

Kozlov, while fitting the familiar "Chosen One" trope, is a compelling protagonist. His occasional stereotypical traits are balanced by his tenacity and humility. His unfolding powers lend the narrative a coming-of-age quality as Kozlov's development and maturation take center stage.

The plot captivates the reader with its consistent entertainment value. After initial world-building, Eke focuses a significant portion of the narrative on Kozlov's training, evolving him from an eager aspirant to the hero he yearns to become. This meticulous character development is refreshing in an era dominated by brief training montages, contributing to a sense of authenticity in Kozlov's progression.

Eke's prose is evocative without being overly embellished, maintaining a steady narrative pace. The story expertly interweaves action sequences with introspective character moments sprinkling in occasional humor. I would love to have seen further development of a few of the book's subplots. However, it is important to remember that this is primarily Kozlov's tale, and the broader series context provides ample opportunity for these subplots to unfold in future installments.

Arcanus is an exciting blend of science fiction and fantasy, and Eke has skillfully established a robust foundation for a potentially captivating series. As such, I eagerly anticipate the next installment. This novel comes highly recommended for both seasoned and budding fans of the genre.

[Anthony Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alright, listen up, folks! Ephraim Friedman here, and I gotta say, "Arc anus" sounds like a real hoot of a book, but lemme give you the lowdown.

So, you got this world where magic's pumping through everyone's veins, and mages are like the heavyweight champs, taking on armies and conquering empires. Sounds like my kinda place, you know? But then, bam, science and industry come along, and we got ourselves some modern warfare. Talk about a buzzkill.

Now, we got Russia and Great Britain duking it out, amassing all sorts of magical and scientific gizmos in a good ol' arms race. But don't you worry, there's this Bastion group, like a bunch of magical diplomats, trying to keep the peace. That's where our hero, Kibo Kozlov, comes into play. He's just a young buck, dreaming of joining Bastion like his old man. But there's a twist – Kibo can't control his magic. Bummer, right?

But wait, there's more! Kibo stumbles upon some crazy artifact that might just rewrite the whole darn history book. Now, that's got my attention! I'm all for a good twist in the tale, and this "Arc anus" thing seems like it's got twists for days.

So, if you're into a mix of magic, mayhem, and a dash of history, give "Arc anus" a whirl. Who knows, maybe Kibo will pull a rabbit out of his hat and save the day. Just remember, folks, there's nothing like a good magical escapade to spice up your reading list.

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5-3.75) This is a really tricky one to review. I enjoyed a lot of aspects of this book - the plot was engaging, the characters were good, and I am excited for the next book. That being said, there are a couple of things that let this book down. Firstly, the writing is hit-and-miss. Whether it is grammatical errors or sentences that absolutely make no sense (one particularly egregious sentence comes about a third of the way through this book), this book needed proofing. Additionally, I wish there was a deeper exploration of some of the plot points. I'm thinking specifically about arcanus's origins, Kibo's missing father, and Siris's complex relationship with power. I suppose these may be explored in more depth in future books, but the end result left me feeling like something was missing. That being said, I did enjoy reading this book, so would recommend it.

[Louise · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kibo wants to join Bastion in the hopes to follow his father's footsteps and hopefully bring him home. Kibo finds himself conveniently in a cave, where Arcanus is introduced: a triangle that has attached itself to Kibo and can communicate via Kibo's mind. The training programme takes place for the rest of the story; but, while this is book 1, it felt too long.


I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Denis · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read. I love the concept of magic being part of warfare, the incorporation of artificial intelligence, and I really appreciated the storyline.
Now on the opposite side, I found a few sentences that did not make sense, I thought I was tripping but I noticed from other reviewers that they encountered the same thing. Also, character development and descriptions of such were left too much to the imagination. Other than that not a bad book.

[Mamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoy reading about magic, however; this story also encompassed science, industry, cultural aspects of society and a diplomatic organization striving for peace. The introduction of Arcanus was delightful and I enjoyed his contributions.

[Tunc Cihan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wonder where he got his inspiration and imagination from?
Offers a highly immersive adventure and experience

[Eric Nieves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Book!

[Elif Demirci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. Recommend.

[Michael Skolnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great sci-fi novel. Really enjoyed my time reading and can't wait for the sequel

[Parth Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book 📖 👍

[Yuan Xuan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. Highly recommended to read during travel and weekend.

[Harsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting narration. Definitely a good read!

[Jess]

DNF - started off great then I was bored

[Cole]

Pretty good, a little slow at the beginning but towards the end of the book it picked up and the final couple of chapters it really picked up.

[oguz yildiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done

Excellent read, nice story ..Highly recommended.Very good Scifi fiction, I enjoyed reading it. Arcanus is one of the best.I am waiting for the next book