Magic has always been a fascination for many people throughout history. From ancient civilizations to modern-day societies, the idea of harnessing supernatural powers and performing spells and incantations has captivated the human imagination. While magic is often associated with entertainment and trickery, there is another aspect of magic that is rarely discussed – its potential for survival. Magic survival refers to the use of magical practices and rituals to enhance one’s chances of survival in various situations. This concept has been a part of human culture for centuries and can be found in different forms across different cultures and traditions. Ancient civilizations believed in the power of magic to protect themselves from harm and ensure their survival in challenging environments.
Too many death magics have been abused for the decades of wizard war.
The spirit living in nature becomes a demon by remnants of the magics that pervaded it, and it devours all living creatures.
Not just with Varic, but none of the characters get a backstory making it hard for me to connect with any of their motives which takes away the weight behind their decisions and actions. It s kind of a In Medias Res introduction, where we enter the book right in middle of a grand spell ritual as given in synopsis to grant the MC, Varic more magic, but the spell has unintended consequences.
Ancient civilizations believed in the power of magic to protect themselves from harm and ensure their survival in challenging environments. They performed rituals and cast spells to ward off evil spirits, protect their crops from pests, and heal the sick. In some cases, magic was also used to foretell the future and make informed decisions that could impact survival, such as predicting the weather or the outcome of a battle.
Review: The Captain (The Last Horizon, #1) by Will Wight
On a little-known planet, Archmage Varic Vallenar casts a grand spell to empower himself with the magical abilities of his alternate selves. The ritual works too well, granting Varic not only the magic but also the memories from six lives.
Including their gruesome deaths.
Now, Varic has power greater than any wizard in galactic history, but he knows that won’t be enough. The enemies he faced in those alternate lives were apocalyptic in scale. Terrors of technology and magic. Nothing that he, or anyone, can defeat.
Sun-eating extra-dimensional insects, shadowy secret organizations, genetically enhanced alien super-soldiers, ruthless mega-corporations, and hordes of cyborg undead all lurk in the darkest corners of the galaxy, and Varic knows that any of them can become a world-ending threat at any moment.
All these are beyond any wizard, no matter how many spells he’s mastered or how many interstellar warships he’s rallied to his cause. Hopeless, Varic finds himself trying to preserve what little he can from the coming doom.
Until he hears rumors of a mythical starship, an invincible vessel of heroes made to do battle against galactic threats.
A ship called The Last Horizon.
Review:
So, finally I got to read one of my most anticipated reads of the year. Certainly was a shock and a source of joy to myself and many fans that Will Wight decided to release a new series before finishing off Cradle with Waybound. But then having read, Cradle and The Traveler’s Gate by Will, pretty sure everyone was eagerly awaiting for this.
To start with, this is a Science Fantasy and set in a world different from Cradle and The Traveler’s Gate. the books is set in a futuristic society which blends the sci-fi elements of interplanetary travel, starships, hyper/sub space travel etc but also has traditional magic elements of Archmages, elemental magic, wands, mantles etc. Also the books is not a Progression Fantasy (like Cradle) and feels closer to traditional sci-fi/fantasy books.
It’s kind of a In Medias Res introduction, where we enter the book right in middle of a grand spell ritual (as given in synopsis) to grant the MC, Varic more magic, but the spell has unintended consequences. With magics, he gets the life experiences of those alternate versions of himself. This being a two edged sword as with the power come knowledge of all the impending doomsday scenarios faced by the alternate versions. So, off goes Varic to ensure his current dimension does not suffer the same fate, but then the enemies his alternate versions were so powerful and formidable that not even with his newfound powers, he’s not sure of success. As he despairs, he comes across news of the mythical The Lost Horizon, a renowned starship of ancient lore surfacing. And there on begins the plot. Nothing is simple as he faces hurdles and has to push his own limits to both unlock the powers of the starship and face his ultimate nemesis, with not just his own fate, but the fate of entire galaxy depending on his wand and gun.
It’s a fun book to read as the events pick up from get go and we are treated to space battles and awesome magic spells. The pacing is taut and there is no lag between the events as things spiral out bigger and not necessarily better.
On the flip side, this is book not without it’s flaws. Personally for me, the biggest drawbacks are the lack of gravitas both in worldbuilding and character development. Since the book beigns with Varic getting OP, I felt the lack of backstory a serious detriment to understand what kind of person he is, what drives him etc. Not just with Varic, but none of the characters get a backstory making it hard for me to connect with any of their motives which takes away the weight behind their decisions and actions. On a similar note, the world has no explanation on why science and magic co-exist peacefully, why scientists have accepted the magical nature of Aether, why someone is able to summon elemental/water magic even in space etc. Sadly, “it’s magic” isn’t a satisfactory answer to patch these flaws. It lacks the humour of Dross as the Lost Horizon comes across more as duplicitous and annoying more than cheeky or fun.
This is just the first book, so I’m still hopeful that the flaws will get fixed with proper explanations in the coming books. Despite the flaws, the books hints of a fascinating, rich and diverse world and characters and I’ll eagerly await the release of “The Engineer” to see where this adventure takes me.
About Arun
Loves over the top action, overpowered MCs, epic battles and happily ever after endings! The Michael Bay fan of book world. Reads various subgenres including GameLit, LitRPG, Progression, Superhero, Cultivation and whatnot’s….with a soft spot for Western & Steampunk. Extra points for snarky/dark humour. Doesn’t favor romance and grimdark that much. Lives in Garden State. Follow me @jackclaver
A ship called The Last Horizon.
In more recent times, the idea of magic survival has been explored through literature, movies, and games. Fantasy novels often depict characters relying on magic to navigate dangerous quests or battles, utilizing spells and enchantments to overcome obstacles and stay alive. Popular franchises like "Harry Potter" and "The Lord of the Rings" have showcased the power of magic as a tool for survival in the face of great peril. In real life, the concept of magic survival has also found its place. Some modern practitioners of magic believe in using spells, rituals, and charms to protect themselves from harm and ensure their survival. This can take the form of creating protective amulets, performing rituals for personal safety, or seeking guidance from supernatural entities for decision-making. While the efficacy of magic survival may be debated, it is important to recognize the role of belief and intention in these practices. For many, magic provides a sense of control and empowerment, which can be crucial in challenging situations. Whether it involves invoking ancient deities or harnessing personal energy, the act of performing magic can instill a sense of confidence and resilience that can aid in survival. Magic survival is a multifaceted concept that encompasses various beliefs, rituals, and practices. While it may be rooted in ancient traditions, it continues to capture the imagination of people in the modern world. Whether viewed as a form of entertainment or a serious endeavor, the concept of magic survival highlights humanity's eternal quest for power, protection, and ultimately, survival..
Reviews for "Transforming mundane objects into magical tools for survival"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Magic Survival IOW". The storyline was confusing and poorly developed, making it hard to follow and care about the characters. The writing itself was also subpar, with glaring grammatical errors and a lack of descriptive language. Additionally, the pacing was off, with long stretches of nothing happening followed by rushed action scenes. Overall, I found it difficult to engage with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Mike - 1 star - "Magic Survival IOW" was a complete waste of time for me. The concept sounded interesting, but it was poorly executed. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any depth or growth throughout the story. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to connect with the supposed emotional moments. The world-building was also lacking, with little explanation or exploration of the magical elements. I was left feeling unsatisfied and frustrated with this book.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Magic Survival IOW", but it unfortunately fell short for me. The plot was predictable and lacked any surprises or twists. The characters felt flat and uninteresting, making it difficult to invest in their journeys. The writing style was also quite bland, lacking any unique or engaging prose. Overall, I found this book to be forgettable and wouldn't recommend it to those looking for an exciting and captivating read.
4. David - 1 star - "Magic Survival IOW" was not what I expected at all. The pacing was incredibly slow, with long stretches of exposition and little action. The dialogue was stilted and unrealistic, making it hard to connect with the characters. The world-building was also weak, with little explanation of the magic system and its rules. Overall, I found this book to be a chore to read and wouldn't recommend it to others.