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Aldwyn's Academy: A Companion Novel to A Practical Guide to Wizardry
Enter a school for magic where even the first day can be (un)deadly...
On the very first day of school at the world-famous Aldwyns Academy for Wizardry, fledgling wizard Dorian Ravensmith finds himself immersed in a mystery. White wolves have been attacking incoming students. Ghosts are haunting the Snapping Dragon Gardens. And the professors lurk in the halls, whispering about a shadowy wizard who seems to be behind it all.
That night, Dorian spies a figure creeping into the Snapping Dragon Gardens and and he follows, certain that with the help of a few magic items and simple potions, he can catch the culprit by daybreak and return a hero. But as hobgoblins, banshees, and a terrifying dragon try to stop him at every turn, Dorian discovers that he's stepped into an (un)deadly trap that could not only destroy his future as a wizard but also the beloved wizardry school.
On the very first day of school at the world-famous Aldwyns Academy for Wizardry, fledgling wizard Dorian Ravensmith finds himself immersed in a mystery. White wolves have been attacking incoming students. Ghosts are haunting the Snapping Dragon Gardens. And the professors lurk in the halls, whispering about a shadowy wizard who seems to be behind it all.
That night, Dorian spies a figure creeping into the Snapping Dragon Gardens and and he follows, certain that with the help of a few magic items and simple potions, he can catch the culprit by daybreak and return a hero. But as hobgoblins, banshees, and a terrifying dragon try to stop him at every turn, Dorian discovers that he's stepped into an (un)deadly trap that could not only destroy his future as a wizard but also the beloved wizardry school.
- GenresFantasy
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
2 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Nathan Meyer
38 books4 followersNathan Meyer is 36, married, and a father of two sons. In addition to several short story and anthology sales to places like Carnifex Press and Pitch Black Publishing, he has a multi-book contract in the Executioner series, which allows him to write full time.
Nathan lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, with his wife and sons. At various times in his life he has been an infantry soldier, wildland firefighter on a rappel crew, a commercial fisherman in Alaska, an EMT, worked security at Vegas casinos, and been a nurse. In addition to chasing his sons he enjoys reading, picking up heavy things, playing chess, history, and arguing with people on the Internet.
Nathan lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, with his wife and sons. At various times in his life he has been an infantry soldier, wildland firefighter on a rappel crew, a commercial fisherman in Alaska, an EMT, worked security at Vegas casinos, and been a nurse. In addition to chasing his sons he enjoys reading, picking up heavy things, playing chess, history, and arguing with people on the Internet.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 1, 2022
D&D Adventure time!
A older novel but still a very good one for lovers of D&D. Aldwyn is a novice wizard sent to school to learn magic,though he would rather be a warrior like his father. He soon finds himself in a dire situation where he could lose his school,and his life. A very good read .
A older novel but still a very good one for lovers of D&D. Aldwyn is a novice wizard sent to school to learn magic,though he would rather be a warrior like his father. He soon finds himself in a dire situation where he could lose his school,and his life. A very good read .
November 13, 2015
Aldwyn's Academy takes place during Dorian Ravensmith's first day and night at his new school of wizardry. It is the story about a boy who doesn't really want to be a wizard like his mother, but would rather follow in his father's footsteps and become a warrior. He feels that he is being forced to become an Information wizard, which is not something that he desires. While at the school, after he gets in trouble for throwing Stench Stones at Helene, he discovers that he may actually have some talent in magic, but not in Information Magic, but rather in Destructive Magic. Oh, won't his mother be upset at that?
The entire book takes place during Dorian's first day at the academy. The story is quickly paced and full of a lot of action and adventure. Aldwyn's Academy, which is fully described in the book, A Practical Guide to Wizardry, is such a cool place and I was hoping to follow Dorian throughout his first year at the school, but that was not to be. Since the book only takes place during his first day, we never get to learn if he takes up Destructive Magic, what type of familiar he will get, how his friendships with Caleb and possibly Helene will grow, or what his life will be like at the academy. In other words, I wanted more from the story that I got.
On the other hand, I really enjoyed learning about Dorian's first day and how he goes about saving Helene from an evil creature. Who took Helene's familiar? I won't tell you here. All you really need to know is that the person is an expert at Death Magic, otherwise known as Necromancy. This form of magic is forbidden at Aldwyn's Academy. Because of Helene's heritage, which is the secret she is keeping, she gets sucked into the evildoer's plans.
Overall, Aldwyn's Academy is a great first book and a wonderful companion novel to A Practical Guide to Wizardry. Now, I want to know more about Dorian Ravensmith and follow his throughout his years at Aldwyn's Academy. I can only hope that there will be more books about him in the future. Let's keep our fingers crossed.
I rated this book an 8 out of 10.
The entire book takes place during Dorian's first day at the academy. The story is quickly paced and full of a lot of action and adventure. Aldwyn's Academy, which is fully described in the book, A Practical Guide to Wizardry, is such a cool place and I was hoping to follow Dorian throughout his first year at the school, but that was not to be. Since the book only takes place during his first day, we never get to learn if he takes up Destructive Magic, what type of familiar he will get, how his friendships with Caleb and possibly Helene will grow, or what his life will be like at the academy. In other words, I wanted more from the story that I got.
On the other hand, I really enjoyed learning about Dorian's first day and how he goes about saving Helene from an evil creature. Who took Helene's familiar? I won't tell you here. All you really need to know is that the person is an expert at Death Magic, otherwise known as Necromancy. This form of magic is forbidden at Aldwyn's Academy. Because of Helene's heritage, which is the secret she is keeping, she gets sucked into the evildoer's plans.
Overall, Aldwyn's Academy is a great first book and a wonderful companion novel to A Practical Guide to Wizardry. Now, I want to know more about Dorian Ravensmith and follow his throughout his years at Aldwyn's Academy. I can only hope that there will be more books about him in the future. Let's keep our fingers crossed.
I rated this book an 8 out of 10.
November 28, 2010
You need to like Dungeons & Dragons if you're thinking of adding this book to your reading list. It's not really a story--more like a string of action scenes--and the magic will make no sense whatsoever if you haven't played the game (and, to be honest, I'm only guessing that a thorough knowledge of the game will help readers make heads or tails of the plot). Not for the casual fantasy reader.
October 17, 2013
Loki zipped through this longish chapter book in one day. He read morning to night, whenever he had the chance, and that's what I like to see! There are more in the same set (different characters, same world maybe?) that he's excited to read next.
This book is a companion to the Practical Guide series from Dungeons & Dragons.
This book is a companion to the Practical Guide series from Dungeons & Dragons.
May 6, 2015
I would recommend this book for those who enjoy fantasy stories. It reminds me a bit of Harry Potter and Indiana Jones. It has plenty of engaging action as well as characters that I came to care about. If there are more books to follow this one, I look forward to reading them.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews