Even Gods have their beginnings.

Michel contacted me through Instagram and asked if I would be interested in reading his upcoming novel, Way of the Wizard. After seeing the book was only 280 pages (short for a fantasy), and had a beautiful cover, I decided to give it a go and I am glad I did.

Way of the Wizard follows El, a young teenager who comes from a village where most people never reach adulthood due to extreme poverty. After El loses his mom to sickness, he is given the opportunity to become a seeker and start his journey to become a wizard. However, if he wants the seize the opportunity, he must act quickly and leave everything he knows behind.

The way I would describe this book is as a “perfect palate cleanser” to read in between longer series. The Way of the Wizard is a relatively short fantasy novel with an accessible writing style, lots of action and is fast-paced. In a lot of ways, this novel kind of reads a D&D campaign where a character goes on a wild journey to progress to become a wizard. While I do have some issues with this novel, I found this book to be very entertaining. Whenever I picked up this novel, I read more than 50 pages in one sitting due to its accessible writing style and pace.

While I had a great time with this novel it did feel a bit YA in places (which is not an inherently bad thing in itself). For example, our protagonist experienced the trauma of losing his mother at the beginning of the novel, and consequently, must leave everything and everyone behind on the same day. This is a pivotal event in the novel since it kickstarts the main plot but weirdly, El’s trauma is barely explored at all. The abrupt shift from tragedy to adventure leaves some emotional threads dangling, and I wished El’s trauma was explored a bit more in detail. I do not believe all stories need to focus on mental health in-depth but found it a bit surprising that not more was said about the trauma of losing his mom, especially considering El is a teenager. My guess is that Michel wanted to focus on writing a story with lots of adventure and action, and going into too much detail about the trauma would potentially not have fitted the story tonally. Secondly, this is very much a personal preference, but this story is a fresh take on a progression/quest fantasy, with lots of action and unfortunately, these kinds of stories rarely work well for me.

Nonetheless, I did have a good time with this story. It felt I picked it up at the right time since I rarely end up loving these types of stories. Michel has done a brilliant job at crafting an entertaining, action-packed fantasy that will captivate lots of readers.

3.5 / 5 stars22 s Esmay Rosalyne1,086

This review was originally published on Before We Go Blog

3.5 stars

In Way of the Wizard, Michael Michel smoothly blends epic, grimdark and progression fantasy to create a fast-paced and action-packed adventure full of magnificent creatures, monstrous adversaries, and lots of magical mayhem.

Presented as a chronicler’s tale, an ancient wizard who has ascended to godhood transports us centuries back in time to when they were still a mere teenager without any powers. What follows is an intimate first-person recounting of the young El’s harrowing quest into the dangerous Wildness, where they become a Seeker dead-set on obtaining the Power. And as is warned at the start of this tale: “This road is suffering. Pain will be your guidepost.”

Now, I love me a good chunky fantasy brick to sink my teeth into, but sometimes it is also incredibly fun and refreshing to just get swept up in a propulsive and tight fantasy adventure Way of the Wizard. In under 300 pages, Michel gives an exciting taste of his crazy imagination and impressive storytelling skills, resulting in a wild rollercoaster of a read that will keep you on your toes from start to finish.

The world building immediately drew me in here, especially because Michel infuses this world and narrative with a looming sense of dread from the very first page. Be it the threat of the brutal Stormseye Brotherhood inside the city of Cannalis, the frightening legends about the Wildness, the mystifying scroll that guides El, or the untrustworthy nature of anyone and anything El encounters on their quest, I was just absolutely eating up all the tension and suspense.

I do have to say that I think the character work suffered a bit from the shorter page count and more action-heavy narrative, especially because significant events are rushed through and brushed over in a frustratingly quick manner. To me, it felt El’s entire personality was simply ‘I want to be a Wizard’, and their journey lacked real emotional depth to me. The side characters also felt quite one-dimensional, which made the interpersonal relationships seem a bit insignificant, causing certain twists and turns in the story to fall a bit flat for me.

Still, even without the rich character work and deeper emotional investment that I usually look for in my fantasy stories, I was still quite along for the ride. Michel’s prose is extremely bingeable, but without feeling simplistic or uninspired. In fact, it was mostly the strong prose and the evocative and immersive descriptions of all the wonders and horrors in this story that kept me glued to the page, and I ended up devouring Way of the Wizard in under 24 hours.

The final chapters were extremely pulse-pounding, if a little rushed, leading up to a thrilling ending sequence that still has me reeling. And even though I love the bittersweet nature of this slightly open ending, I am now quite desperate for more stories set in this world, because I feel there are still so many intriguing hidden layers just waiting to be peeled back.

The shorter page count combined with the exciting twists on some of the most beloved fantasy tropes makes Way of the Wizard a perfect introduction to the genre, while also filling long-time fantasy veterans with both comfort and surprise. I would highly recommend this if you are looking to embark upon a fast-paced and action-packed fantasy quest full of mysteries, monstrosities, and magic!

Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Way of the Wizard is scheduled for release on 21 May, 2024.2024-releases indie-and-selfpub17 s Charles Cavendish30 3

Way of the Wizard was an incredibly enjoyable read.

A really fun blend of progression fantasy, fast paced action, monstrous creatures, epic magic and healthy dose of humour too.

Presented as retelling by an ancient wizard, we are transported back to their origins as a mere child ignorant of the ways of magic but not the harsh reality of poverty and oppression.

A full review will follow but I would highly recommend giving the Way of the Wizard a read. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with and certainly hope we will be treated to more stories from this world. 5 s Haney51 2

*I received an ARC of Way of the Wizard in exchange for an honest review*

Way of the Wizard was the adventure I didn't know I needed. This book has so many genres packed into one. Progression, Epic, Grimdark. Everything I love about Fantasy is here. It was a blast.

Full of twists and turns and the unexpected. Each time I felt I knew where El was headed, I was thoroughly put in my place by Mr. Michel.

I will admit that there is a lot going on here and that at times I felt a bit overwhelmed. There is a ton packed in these 280 pages and I think the overall story may have benefited from a break in the excitement at times.

Aside from my one tiny complaint, this book really hit a home run with me and I am officially in search of a Wizards topknot.20244 s Chris97 3

ARC provided by author for honest review. This book was interesting to say the least. I reminds me right off as the same style as The Sun Eater with it being first person past as our narrator is recounting his life’s journey. Our main character, El grows up in the worst of worst conditions and to top it all off, the controlling party is we see in a lot of fantasy, choking the people to make their pockets heavier. El is confronted with a very difficult choice and obviously makes the correct one but not at first. His journey starts out rocky and continues that way for a while. The detail that the author gives to El’s situation helps the reader to understand truly how dire the circumstances are. El knows nothing about the world around him other than what he’s been “taught”. El is looked down on for being different than those around him but from the things he’s learned and experienced, that feeds his desire to be the best and ignore those around him who look down upon him. He comes to the conclusion early on that he will have to do anything and everything in his power and beyond to achieve his goals, even go beyond what he thought comfortable with. El progresses through his journey with lots of very interesting ups and downs. This story is totally different from anything I’ve ever read and in a good way. Once El gets going, I couldn’t put this book down! The story takes yet more turns near the end and El is taken on a journey he didn’t foresee. The ending of this one is a huge cliffhanger but ends in a satisfying finale. I really enjoyed this read and recommend it to anyone looking for a new/different magic system. It’s fast and easy to digest with good characters and a great overall story experience. 2 s Julie Atkinson20

"The law of the gutters sang through my mind. If not richer, bigger. If not bigger, quicker. If not quicker, smarter. If not smarter, dead."

Michael rivals the best of the best with his imagery. One of my favorite examples is "Shadows rose from the earth to grasp the city of Cannalis in twilight as the sun slid into the forested ranges in the distance." Reading his books is an immersive experience where I'm not staring at words on a page but I'm walking alongside El, my senses getting hit with all the same experiences she lives. This story is easy to follow and told from one point of view rather than several. You are learning the world alongside El, peeling back layers of truth as they are revealed to her. I also love that El is not a perfect being. There are experiences and feelings that are more real to me than the main character being altruistic and noble in their quest. I also love golden nuggets of wisdom dropped by wise creatures that I can carry into my own life. For example, in this exchange between El and another character (I don't want to say who, just in case), "'You're saying I need to adopt the Principle of Absolutes in regards to my mother's death.' 'Yes. Your actions around it most of all. What you did was either necessary, and therefore good. Or it was foolish, and therefore bad. It cannot be both. You must choose which, or every decision from here on out will be marred by your questioning.'"

I am very excited for this series. There are some characters that I'm hoping El reunites with in the future to wrap up unfinished business. Overall, I loved this book - another slam dunk by Michael Michel in his storytelling abilities. I haven't been this excited about an author since I was 12 reading JK Rowling.1 Joel MintyAuthor 1 book37

I received an ARC for this book and made a plan to review.

I was not sure on this story early on, but, as I imagine is common with many books, I felt it kept picking up and up and once we hit the 'journey' portion I was invested. I'm a slow reader and I read the final 70% quickly. I enjoyed the book a great deal and would read a sequel to see what comes.

The best attribute here is it reminded me of the great War for the Rose Throne novels by Peter McLean INSOFAR AS the shorter chapters and 1st-person narration really makes the book easy to read. This was a very impressive feat of McLean's and Michel accomplishes it quite well. I *claim* to love huge doorstoppers and mega epic series, but damned if I don't read these shorter, easy-to-follow whippersnappers way quicker and with more glee. The story has a great pace, if sometimes too quick even, and continually compounds and expands on what you know. Plenty of strong action scenes and a unique but tenable premise.

I did have trouble getting into it. I found early events perfunctory or rattled off just to get to the journey, establishing key traits and emotions to figure in later, or to provide motivations necessary. It felt less organic than once the journey started. A big escape scene helped get over this, and then I was intrigued going forward. I felt, perhaps, the story could have started at a different moment and thus started stronger, but am unable to explain exactly WHEN or WHAT to change. Perhaps then it's exactly how it has to be?

In the end, it has a cool concept and a creative, talented author at the helm + magic, mayhem, and a morally dubious quest. That's a lot going for it.1 Matt Stanley11 8

Way of the Wizard is the first instalment of a new fantasy series by author Michael Michel. I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for a honest review.

Personally I have been backwards and forwards with this book, there were some elements I loved and blew me away, and some that I was not so keen on.

The story started exceptionally well, we meet our protagonist and learn about their life, relationships, and the dark, gritty and dictatorial environment they live in.

Certain events occurs which lead to the main character deciding to leave their home and seeking to become a Wizard.

There is an element in the book where the path to achieve this is laid out, I felt this took a lot of the pace out of the book. Personally I found this a little too formulaic for my liking, do A before you can go to B and then complete C.

What felt the second sector of the book sees our protagonist embarking on their journey to becoming a Wizard. Again here I really enjoyed the character development and the conflict with fellow trainees.

In the final third the main character decides to take a different path and unfortunately this again did not work for me. We leave a lot of characters I’d enjoyed, and invested in, picking up a new cast right at the end of the book.

Way of the Wizard is a well written book, I thoroughly enjoyed the worldbuiling. The author really paints a picture of a harsh and unforgiving environment. There were just a couple of points that didn’t work for me.1 Nathan Fantasy Reviews111 23

The tl;dr: Way of the Wizard is a fast-paced and chaotic epic fantasy with storming monsters, chaotic magical battles, and a young man’s quest to be a wizard. This is a tightly plotted, magic-packed, and thrilling adventure ride that I never wanted to get off. Told using first-person POV, the young main protagonist never feels gratingly “teenager”, and allows the book to be a perfectly dark YA/adult crossover adventure. The magic is cool, the battles are cinematic, and the writing is snappy, with Michel’s signature cleverness and moral ambiguity.


My full review:

After storming the indie fantasy world with the epic and dark The Price of Power, Michael Michel switches gears with The Way of the Wizard – a book that is still dark, but a shorter and zanier ride with storming monsters, chaotic magical battles, and a young man’s quest to be a wizard. This is a tightly plotted, magic-packed, and thrilling adventure ride that I never wanted to get off.

The Way of the Wizard follows El, a teenager who lives in a horrifying world where, due to illness, warfare, and more, very few people live long. After his/her/their* mother dies, they decide to embark on a quest to become a wizard. They join a group of magical trainees called the “Seekers” and must now do the seemingly impossible – kill another wizard to claim their power.

*El’s gender is never discussed or made clear in the book. I hesitate to call El “nonbinary” because that is never established, but rather Michel has left it up to the reader to define El’s gender for themselves.

The Way of the Wizard is told in a single, first-person POV of our main character. At first glance, this might seem a big turnoff from this book – do you want to really spend so much time in the head of a teenager? Coming-of-age narratives with annoyingly idiotic young people are a dime a dozen in epic fantasy, so I can understand the hesitation (I had this hesitation too!). I can assuage any fears and ensure that Michel avoids all of the common trappings of the “young protagonist”. While El feels a young person, and not just a thirty year old in a teenage body, they aren’t irritating or grating. Part of this is because Michel’s world is so dark; El has had to grow up in a world where a lot of people die young and this has matured them quickly. They retain some of those “headstrong” tendancies of the young, but strives to make intelligent and logical choices while on a journey with other older characters to seem to lack logic.

Because readers are in the head of a young man, the book can sometimes have the veneer of being a YA fantasy. Any YA feelings are merely superficial, because this book is quite dark. I find this a perfect crossover book for both audiences seeking YA and adult fantasy – it revels in both “genres” (are those genres?), subverting and eschewing the tropes of both adult epic fantasy and the YA coming of age narrative. If you are normally averse to YA, The Way of the Wizard has enough depth to keep you engaged and locked in, while the darkness isn’t so grimdark that it will scare off younger readers. Michel maintains quite the delicate balance, which allows Michel to flex his grimdark muscles (that were only full display in The Price of Power) while also maintaing the fun of epic fantasy.

The Way of the Wizard truly is some of the most fun I’ve had with an epic/high fantasy book in a while because it was just so freaking cool. The wizard battles jump to life of the page, and Michel isn’t afraid his magic to actually be magical. From magical spells to summoning monsters, there are some cinematic scenes in this book that I never wanted to end. Michel is truly in his element here, and The Way of the Wizard is the slightly chaotic, boistorous younger sibling to The Price of Power’s moodier, more methodically constructed nature. While The Price of Power is measured in every beat that it hits, with multiple, intersecting storylines and a huge world, Teh Way of the Wizards zips and zags with abandon – and I cannot help but wonder if (despite how much I loved The Price of Power!) if this shorter and snappier kind of writing is really where Michel’s talents lie. I was never not engaged while reading this book, and I could feel Michel’s eyes light up as he was writing every cool scene, including the emergence of the four armed behemoth from the cover image.

What I also loved about this book is the way that Michel complicated the nature of good and evil without descending into full-on grimdark nihilism. El’s wizard mentor is not good…but also not completely bad either? The entire magic-system is built on needing to take another wizard’s top-knot (mostly through killing them) in order to take on their power. This automatically brings murkiness into all of the proceedings, as our “good guy” El needs to try and justify these kinds of actions. Michel delicately pushes El into morally grey waters without ever making him unable or unpleasant – no easy task!

In sum, The Way of the Wizard is a very different book from The Price of Power, and will ly be seen as the “little brother” because of how we tend to value longer, darker, and more complex works as being more “prestigous” and worthy of our time. I urge readers to check out The Way of the Wizard because this book is so much fun and the pages fly by without even realizing it. The Way of the Wizard also ends on a frusting (in a fun way!) cliffhanger that will definitely keep you awaiting the next book!2 s Ziggy Nixon863 25

Control over beginnings...
Over endings...
And over everything in between.

Though "pure" high fantasy is not my usual fare - at least in terms of absolute number of books read - Michael Michel's "Way of the Wizard" is an exquisitely rendered tale that really fires on all cylinders from the onset. There is mystery, awe, more than a touch of well-placed humor, and creatures of all ilk. In particular, though, it was the beautiful prose that immediately swept me up into this reality, painting a rich picture of a world ruled by wizards and in particular their moody whims and egotistical desires. Whether we found ourselves among the famine-stricken, starving masses or encircled by ogres in a putrid swamp or facing mythical unicorn- sea-beasts, the story blasts ahead with barely a pause as we find ourselves nearly breathless to see what will occur next. To this, the pacing was akin to a fireball blazing across the battlefield, ready to take down a pretender with one quick spell.

Secrets are life and death, the only currency that matters.

Things start off with a deliciously poetic prologue filled with pain, foreboding, and dire warnings. Even the downtrodden nature of those that suffered in "the City" as I'll call it, under the obviously tyrannical and cruel rule of the Stormlords and the Great Archon, is still described with a degree of beauty that belies the terrible conditions of all that try to survive below a certain standard in life. It's a perfect setting to get young El's journey started, with danger at his back and overwhelming sadness filling his heart. And thanks in large part to this interesting beginning, during my first day of reading I found myself glued to my couch until well past the halfway mark, finishing the entire story in barely two full reading sessions!

Wizards are a twisted combination of empty morality and gifted intellect.

The story continues from these first breathless moments, reading as smoothly yet also as brazenly as any adventure of this ilk I've enjoyed in recent years. Watching our young "Jester" not only survive his first steps but eventually grow into a man is in itself an interesting journey, both as he reconciles what is and will be needed to meet his ultimate goals. We are also then present to witness the lessons he is learning along the way about just what will be required, including in terms of skills as well as his own person. Michel also does a magnificent job of surrounding him with well-illustrated cohorts or at least he does so as long as these others manage to survive their daily challenges. Plus the characters of Omatuu and Malthece, the wizards that rule over the motley cabals young El finds himself "partnered" with, provide more than a little insight into what lies before, again both in terms of the powers that must be learned as well as the steeliness one must push around their heart. Even their selfish manipulations and blind ambitions prove to be lessons that cannot be ignored.

If not richer, bigger. If not bigger, quicker. If not quicker, smarter. If not smarter, dead.

Overall, this has the feeling of a very mythical coming-of-age saga, where we're left with some deliciously formulated foreshadowing as well as other "favors" that will no doubt arise again before all is said and done. Just wondering how thoroughly El will manage to succeed in his quest - including maintaining a sense of good above all else - is going to be a thrilling journey for us all. And no doubt this amazingly magical land will show us even more than this first chapter! This will no doubt include a host of both friends and enemies made as well as seeing that promises are kept at all costs. I can't wait for the next adventure to roll out!

Sacrifice immeasurable. Suffering to break the soul. That was the way of the wizard.

Kindly note that the author provided an eARC in exchange for an honest review (further comments pending launch on Amazon France).4-or-more-stars action-adventure fantasy ...more Michael R.Author 6 books7

In Way of the Wizard, author Michael Michel delivers a rollicking fantasy adventure with a ton of heart, not to mention an evocative and immersive setting. This book is a page-turner, a breath of fresh air that one can only hope will have a massive impact on the fantasy genre.

Way of the Wizard is the story of El, who lives in poverty in the city of Cannalis, beneath the oppressive rule of the Great Archon and the Stormseye Brotherhood. Reeling from a personal loss and tired of living in squalor and fear, El opts to flee into the Wildness to become a Seeker of the Power (capitalization intentional), guided only by an enchanted scroll and a burning determination.

In the Wildness, El joins a band of fellow adventurers—Seekers—under the patronage of a ruthless wizard. El wants to become a wizard, but staying alive in a hostile wilderness full of warring wizards and bands of Seekers won’t be enough: El will have to take a wizard’s top-knot.

Characterization is one of this book’s many strengths, not least for the manner in which the author layers in character motivation and development within a relatively fast-paced narrative. El is a conflicted character, torn between the pursuit of the Power and thoughts of Trin, the girl El loves back in Cannalis.

Although this book is the story of El, the secondary characters are well-developed too, and one cannot help but view them as real people. Author Michael Michel paints convincing portraits of hardened but all too human characters struggling to stay alive in a challenging environment.

The compelling characterization of Way of the Wizard certainly encourages reader investment, and this investment is richly rewarded by a fast-paced, thrilling plot replete with adventure and twists and turns. By any reasonable standard, this book is a page-turner, the kind of story that will keep readers flying through the pages.

In addition to deft characterization and plot, Way of the Wizard rewards the reader with prose that is both polished and accessible. Michel has a seasoned eye for evocative descriptions, and yet he keeps his prose so polished and accessible that the overall effect is immersive and compulsively readable.

Way of the Wizard is a fantasy novel, and as such is part of a genre in which world-building is immensely important. Michel’s world-building is wildly inventive and evocative, and yet it also manages to ground itself in familiar elements that will delight lovers of the fantasy genre.

This reviewer was particularly enchanted by the importance of acquiring a wizard’s top-knot, as well as the combination of wizard’s towers, Spirit Gardens, and other fantasy elements. There’s even an economy based on the blood of magical creatures.

With all of this said, this book is an easy 5/5. This is one of the most enjoyable fantasy adventures that this reviewer has ever had the pleasure of reading, and it is my own personal hope that this book proves such a massive success that it will influence trends in the fantasy genre.

In conclusion, Way of the Wizard is a character-driven fantasy action and adventure story of the kind that this reviewer lives to discover. I’d recommend it for anyone who loves fantasy and is looking for an outstanding adventure story.

Excellent work, Michael Michel. As an avid reader and fellow author, I’m looking forward to reading more of your books. Kate Sibson127 5

Way of the Wizard is the first book in a new series by author Michael Michel and what we have is a fairly dark progression fantasy, following the trials of El as they try to become a wizard. It's an interesting set-up and has some very intriguing points in it's favour. There are some things that I was a bit doubtful about but in the end, I did have a great time following El into the wilderness.

Firstly, the worldbuilding is pretty neat. The magic system, or rather how you get the magic in the first place, is quite complex and I feel there has been a lot of work put into it. It certainly is not just a case of "You're a Wizard Harry!". And I d that, theoretically at least, anyone could potentially become a wizard and it wasn't a born into-attributed thing. The way of becoming a wizard feels fairly unique, as I can't remember any other that deal with it in the same way unless you are going back to the OG, Samson himself. It may feel a little contrived (there are some very specific steps in there) but it's no worse than others I can mention. I enjoyed it for what it was and the tension it lent to El's journey.

The story starts in the city of Cannalis and the tyranny of the Storm Lords. Here, most of the population are downtrodden, leaving in squalor and starving while the few live life on the top. It might be the sordid nature of the city and the casual way death is dealt out that lends this book a reputation for Grimdark. I don't think this is Grimdark. For me, there is too much hope in El's journey (although you know things are definitely going to go sideways at more than one point) for it to be true Grimdark. I don't disagree that this is a dark story and there is potential for it to get even blacker still in the series but this, to me, was not Grimdark. Maybe it's progression fantasy; how can it be Grimdark if the protagonist as (long as they are not bas people getting worse) is finding things that they want and makes them stronger? This is only my opinion though.

The characters are a nice mix. I feel that there is a lot of morally grey characters here and it suits the set-up. The progression of El through this minefield was handled well and I will be very interested to see how they fare in further instalments. There are some excellent side characters in this as well; my favourites so far being Dags Grimjaw and Iniogg.

There is a lot to talk about in this fairly short book (just over 275 pages on my Kindle) and I think it would really benefit a book club or buddy read. It would be really interesting to see others perspective on some events and characters. There is a fair bit of travelling involved, which might put some people off, but it wouldn't be a proper progression fantasy without putting in the miles. Also, there is a lot of violence and gore, so that might be another thing to be aware of. In all, I found the Way of the Wizard to be an enjoyable first book, with an intriguing magic system and a great set-up for the series.

I received an advance reader copy from the Author in exchange of an honest review. Thank you. Michael Abbott9 2

Michael Michel has done it again. He actually finished writing another book, and he is preparing to release an onslaught of fiction into the reading realm!

Let's get the %&$#$@ disclaimer out of the way so we can get to the meat of this review: I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for this blindingly bright review!

And I'll just say this... this book has trolls, ogres, and a bloodtrader named Dags Grimjaw. It has rogue wizards, many a Fey creature, and HUMUNGALORS! Humungalors. Fantastic! Tribes of giants descended from the Fey who help protect the earth in this particular story. Honestly, Michel had me at humungalor. So first, I would really to say that Michel has drawn up and described some astoundingly interesting denizens of the world contained in his story. He certainly keeps the reader on his/her toes. Speaking of which, we never get to know if the main character and protagonist, El Truespear (aka Jester) is male or female. How Michel pulled the wool over my eyes for at least half the book is a testament to his writing skills. Great characters: check.

Michel also set his hooks in me early regarding the plot because he wastes no time luring us into the streets of Kelundar. And as we follow El on his quest to become a wizard, we feel everything from despair to elation, and we feel both deeply. We may be familiar with the whole coming of age, newly orphaned protagonist searches for meaning in the quest for magic, but it is how Michel does this that is noteworthy. I mean, to become a wizard, you need another magic user’s pony tail among other things. So yes, the magic system is quite cool, a mix of the physical, mental, and spiritual. I how El moves through these motions, at first just a bumbling idiot but later an adept apprentice, and finally, a conscientious wielder of power. It’s quite a nice trajectory in such a short few pages.

To finish up, I really enjoy Michel’s writing style. I have read some of his other works, and I just find his words just so damn readable. He sets his hooks in you early, and then he probes those wounds with various emotions that prey on us throughout. Yes, we end up caring about El and the rest. It’s a fast-paced, quick read. And a whole lot of fun. As fun as a gaggle of rampaging humungalors.

Go out there and buy this book. It’s stellar. Worth your time. Buy it simply for the fact that Michael Michel is a nice guy, and a funny bastard to boot. You have to further contribute to his writing delinquencies. You must!

Pictured here is the Way of the Wizard by Michael Michel. Humungalors await! Pete Barnable18

I was given an ARC by the man himself, and boy am I glad I asked for it!

I really, really, really enjoyed this book. It was a much different type of beast than his previous work I read (The Price of Power) but just as great. Less grim of a world (so far) and an easier read to just get lost in.

First off, the cover is fantastic.

There are plenty of things to enjoy here. First off, it's a relatively shorter novel which is really what I was looking for, since I just got done doing a different series and this was the perfect follow up to it. The story itself was really interesting. It follows El, who after the death of their mother sets out to become a wizard after being given a scroll. Sounds a lot of other beginnings, but what really got me drawn in was the way in which a person becomes a wizard in this world. It's not going to an old hermit and learning some spells after years of being their glorified slave, then apprentice. The process here involves things that I hadn't encountered before, and even though it's not a big spoiler I'm not going to get into it because I thought learning about it the same time the character does was what made it so interesting.

I also thought the diverse cast of characters made for a very fun read as well. There are humans, ogres, giants; each bringing their own unique spin into the story. It's rare that a giant is the one that gives incredible advice, and the humans are the morally grey (well maybe THAT isn't so rare, we kind of suck, but the giant part is) but throughout the book, he does a great job of flipping things around that kept me sucked in. I feel I read the last 120 pages in 4 hours, it was so incredibly easy to burn through and not feel bored for a second.

I don't looking for things to improve upon especially when I enjoyed it so much but I do with we had more of a certain character left behind at the beginning of the story and the MC's relationship, but it's very obvious that'll be touched upon again in the future books.

Overall though, it was a really fun and easy read, an absolute perfect book to pick up not knowing anything about and just go for it. I highly recommend it, and was super pumped to hear it would be a series; at first I thought it was a standalone, and I was very happy to be wrong about it! Shane Charman18

Wizardry, but nothing before!

The Way of the Wizard, is an epic fantasy, which is fast paced, full of action and very fun to read. The book is only 300 pages and once you start, you can’t stop, easy to knock over in 1 sitting. If you are new to fantasy, this would be a brilliant place to start, it is a story about a wizarding, magical world, but adds a contemporary twist on the stereotyped wizards of old. The cover art draws you in, it instantly stands out from other books, it is a very impressive artwork which complements the book perfectly.

The Price of Power is the book that introduced me to Michael Michels work. The Price of Power is one of my favourite books of all time! The Way of the Wizard was the perfect way for me to get my fix, whilst waiting for book 2! Both books are different in style, The Price of Power is a dark and gritty story with multiple POVs. The Way of the Wizard is an action, adventure seen through the eyes of a central character.

Although the setting and writing style is completely different, it illustrates the versatility of Michael Michel’s writing. Both books are beautifully written, but conceptually different.

The Way of the Wizard is set in an oppressed, brutal world, where life is cheap and survival is everything. How do you escape the streets and advance in such an unforgiving world? We follow the main Character El, as he navigates this cruel world. A streetwise kid and at 16, the eldest surviving member of his family. He is a strong willed, driven person, who strives to be something more. He leaves behind the only world he knows, the only people that truly know him in search of unimaginable power.

This is a great read, I particularly recommend it as a fantasy launching point, or a fast paced book to read between those big meaty epics. I enjoyed reading this book on a flight to Japan! It was a perfect travel companion. The good news is that it is not a standalone book, it is book 1. I am looking forward to watching this world expand even further. Marco Landi390 31

Un Epic fantasy in chiave molto moderna..
Mi è piaciuto molto questo libro, e si vede pure che la scrittura di Michael lim è migliorata ancora di più dal primo romanzo..
El ci racconta come ha fatto a diventare il più potente mago..
La storia è si frenetica e ricca di ritmo, ma già dalle prime pagine Michael è bravo a metterti a tuo agio, calandoti in questo mondo particolare con tutti i suoi strani personaggi in pochi attimi..
Il sistema magico è folle e assurdo, ricco di trovate impensabili: per diventare uno grande mago, occorre uccidere un mago e tagliarli la crocchia di capelli, gettarla in un cratere nel mare, ottenere un tomo di incantesimi, trovare una torre di un mago, farsi dire dove è il giardino degli spiriti in cambio di aiuto e provviste, farsi dare un seme dagli spiriti, germogliare una propria torre di alberi contorti e nascondersi per sei mesi nel nido, imparare a gestire il Potere e poi rinascere come potente mago così da dare battaglia agli altri maghi.. tutto ciò è assurdo, ma funziona e funziona alla grande!!!
Tra fughe e combattimenti, scoperte e incontri, tra giganti, unicorni feroci, minotauri giganti, abomini e varie, la fantasia di Michael è incontenibile..
Certo, avrei preferito un tono ancora più oscuro, folle e cattivo, qualche combattimento magico in più, ma sono sicuro che arriveranno nei prossimi volumi..
Peccato che nella parte finale il ritmo cala un po' e rallenta un filo troppo.. e a livello di trama mancano un po' di colpi di scena, che avrebbero reso il finale più pirotecnico.. e forse alcune scene epiche avrebbero richiesto qualche parola in più..
Ma resta un ottimo libro, e c'è ancora molto della storia di El da raccontare per capire come ha fatto a diventare il mago più potente.. quasi un Dio.. non vedo l'ora di leggere i prossimi libri di Michael..

Ps. Cover semplicemente magnifica l!!! Conrad1 review

I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review
Some small spoilers.

Way of the Wizard by Michael Michel is a well written fantasy adventure that offers an engaging story, strong character development, and immersive world-building. The novel follows El, a young man living in poverty in the city of Cannalis under the oppressive rule of the Great Archon and the Stormseye Brotherhood. Driven by personal loss and a desire to escape his harsh life, El ventures into the Wildness to become a Seeker of the Power, armed only with an enchanted scroll and determination.

In the Wildness, El joins a group of adventurers under a ruthless wizard's patronage. His goal is to survive the hostile environment and ultimately become a wizard himself, which requires obtaining a wizard's top-knot. The story excels in its fast-paced, thrilling narrative filled with adventure and twists, enhanced by Michel's polished and accessible prose. The book's compelling characterization, including well-developed secondary characters, ensures deep reader investment.

Michel's world-building is both inventive and grounded in familiar fantasy elements, featuring intriguing aspects an economy based on the blood of magical creatures and the quest for a wizard’s top-knot. The novel's ending was somewhat abrupt but left me eager for more.

Overall, Way of the Wizard is unique in its original path to power, dynamic character growth, and vivid setting. It stands out as an exceptional addition to the fantasy genre, and I’m eagerly anticipating future books in the series.


Edit: In the book EL isn't given a gender. EL being male is my choice.
Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused. Seraphia1,930 26

Way of the Wizard is that fantasy novel that you sit around and wait on mixed with patience and impatience. LOL! This is the book that you search for and don't even know that you are. Understand, this book is going to grab you from the beginning and keep you page-turning to find out what is going to happen next. Understand, there will be some elements that will be left in the dark, but it's okay to draw your own conclusions.
El is the main character of this story and he's on the cusp of adulthood, but still lacking. All of his family but his mother are gone, and she is dying in front of him. Danger is all around. The Brotherhood tolerates no rebellion and tolerates even less the stories that surround the maiden now long gone. El, when his mother disappears, is given a rare opportunity...to become something more.
This journey he will embark upon is not for the faint of heart, but if he survives it all...his world will forever change.
This book is ridiculously good. You learn a lot about El as the story progresses. He goes from being weak-willed to stronger a little bit at at time. I his gradual evolution, but I especially love the creatures that this author creates throughout this story. I for one was wondering if/when the monster on the cover would appear and let me tell you...I was not disappointed. I couldn't get enough of this book.
Brace yourself for the end...it's a touch abrupt, but it will leave you eager for more. Don't miss out!
5 out of 5 starsaction arc-shelf assassins ...more Tjalli Óðins3 11

"Willingness, that's my strength.That's what separates me from the others."

Way of the Wizard is a story about El, who has to leave everything behind and gamble for the possibility to gain everything she ever wanted.

Growing up in a city ruled by fear, death of her mother, destiny given by The Elder, a wise old man or perhaps just a crazy old beggar.
A quest of doom sounds more pleasant than a doomed death in the streets of Cannalis.

El strides to become a seeker to become a wizard.
But is she up to the seemingly impossible task. With the aid of magic and pure determination, she follows the way of the wizard.

I really enjoyed this read, quick paced, interesting characters, and possibilities for more stories set in this world are intriguing.

I would more information about different cabals, and a world map wouldn't hurt either.

I was hooked after the prologue. I usually prefer slow burn, world building types of stories.
But in between, I to read something shorter before diving back in, and this novel is perfect for that. I never got the feeling that the story was being rushed and a couple of good twists to keep my interest and attention at the highest level.

I received an advances copy as an ARC reader, which I was thrilled about after reading War Song a prequel to Price of Power (I will be diving into PoP soon).

I'm already looking forward to the next book! A.D JonesAuthor 6 books34

This is everything I want in a book about wizards. Be gone with your floppy sleeved robes and pointy hat and give me this - a Grimdark, gritty, bloody, exhausting battle to survive while attempting to rise to heights above everyone else.
The wizards(and seekers) in this universe gave me filth-crusted bodies of taut muscle and battle scars, stinking of damp, earth, and stale sweat as they roam in gangs battling it out with each other.

The lore in this book is great and it really made wizards - something I often find pretty boring - a really enjoyable thing to read about. The Grimdark setting is one I have come to expect from Michel, but this touches on elements of high fantasy, while still keeping it rooted in a bleak and deadly landscape.
El was a really fun lead character to follow, and while we don’t get to learn a lot about him, his drive to succeed really fuels this book and I was behind him all the way as we navigate this continually bleak and bloody world.

I will be honest and say that when I read Michael’s new book would follow a more magical path, I wasn’t expecting to love it but I am very happy to be proven wrong.



1 Ronit J.Author 3 books19

This review was originally posted on SFF Insiders

I signed up to receive a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Michael Michel is slowly becoming one of my favourite authors. His unique writing style coupled with his ability to really get into the character’s head and simulate the experience of what the characters are going through are just two of the reasons that make his books absolutely mind-blowing.

Way of the Wizard by Michael Michel
Way of the Wizard is the first entry in Michel’s new series. A typical everyman-to-hero of legends narrative, Michel grounds El’s arc on a world that is as absurd as it is awe-inspiring. Maybe it’s because I’m playing Elden Ring, but reading Way of the Wizard to me felt a compelling novelisation of a FromSoftware game, where literally everything out there is going to try to kill you.

What I d:
I won’t repeat myself with regard to the writing style and characterisation. They’re exactly as amazing as I had expected them to be. Just the opening sequence, where El is trying to tell his dying mother a story of legends is utterly gut-wrenching. El is faced with an obvious choice that he cannot make. He’s forced to attend a public demonstration, leaving behind his dying mother despite himself. He is weak. He is a nobody. And when he returns, his mother is missing. With the motivations established a slap on the face, Michel dives into the narrative which explodes into a visually absurd grimdark setting of the Wildness.

Wizards warring against wizards, cabals of Seekers looking to become wizards, everything gets bombarded onto you relentlessly, and you’re left trudging through this difficult world hoping to find some satisfaction.

The moments of respite are scarce, with El’s character constantly faced with difficult choices, life-threatening situations, and a world that is as creatively expansive as it is imaginative and wild. The narrative is nothing short of a game where the goals are clear, but the path to achieving them is ridden with dangerous enemies that constantly throw you a few steps behind.

El’s growth throughout the book is impressive. He climbs up the ranks and befriends unly individuals, all the while focused on his two goals—becoming a Wizard and saving his mother and Trin.

Way of the Wizard does a fantastic job of setting up what Michel has planned for this world and its characters.

What I didn’t :
Two things stood out to me in this novel which made my overall experience just a tad bit rough. The first is the writing style.

Now, I know I already praised Michel’s writing style as unique and brilliant. But when you have a world as complex as this one, that writing style can either enhance or hamper your immersion. Unfortunately, it was the latter for me. I still stand by my praise of his writing style, but I have to admit that it overwhelmed me at times, and I had to reread some portions just to make sure I didn’t miss anything.

The second was the cliffhanger in the end. The climax and the ending itself are really well built up and conclude on a satisfying note. However, I felt the cliffhanger could’ve been handled differently. Personally, I don’t cliffhangers, and the way it played out left me with a feeling of incompletion.


Final Thoughts:
Barring the two issues I pointed out, Way of the Wizard is a fantastic start to what I’m sure is going to be an explosive series full of epic moments, Malazan-level grand visuals and an exploration of absurd worlds and bizarre characters that will make up for an absolutely wild ride of a journey.

TL;DR:
WHAT I LIKED: Stunning, rich and visual world-building, fast-paced narrative, compelling story of growth, great set-up for the rest of the series.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE: writing style can hamper immersion, cliffhanger in the end.2024 fantasy-bingo-2024 Mike Voss53 18

Few self published debuts have impressed me as much as last year's THE PRICE OF POWER by Michael Michel. A complicated multi-pov story crafted with grace, aplomb, and exceedingly excellent prose, PRICE was one of my favorite reads of the year in a field of dozens of enjoyable stories. And I've owed Michel a review for months now, as my writing mojo, both fiction and , has eluded me for some time. It seems to have been revived by this new series starter, WAY OF THE WIZARD. being offered in a Kickstarter campaign as I write. For now, I'll suggest you check that out to find out more. If you read and enjoyed PRICE I feel assured you'll this one too, a shorter and faster paced read. And I'll come back to this space on publication day to add my own review of the advance reader copy Michel graciously invited me to read.2024 author-supplied-arc1 Jules14 5

*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

In the words of the Elder, "Don't be thick."
Don't do what I did and start reading this while spawn are awake and vying for attention. Clear your schedule, make a brew and get in your most comfortable reading nook and fall feet first into an epic journey of fantasy, magic and wizardry. Control your fate and absorb this book as you would air.

Once I started to read Way of the Wizard, I knew that El's story was one I wanted to discover uninterrupted..... each time I had to put it down to carry out parental duties my mind was still in the Wildness, awaiting the next part of the adventure.

Michel writes his fast-paced first instalment of El's recounting of his story with incredible imagery and fantastical ingredients for an absorbing read.

I could share my 'Whoa!' moments and my 'Yes!' exclamations, but I highly suggest you experience them for yourself. Now! Lara R.104 3

This was an excellent book I just couldn't put down.

I love the author's writing style and his debut novel last year, this one is also a 5 star read for me.

His new book is not as grimdark as his last, but also on the darker and grittier side. The world El lives in is dark, but hope hasn't died yet
The characters are well written and El (MC) is very able.

What I loved the most is the author's creativity when it comes to the steps you have to take to become a wizard. I'm not gonna elaborate as this would spoiler you, but believe me, I didn't expect it and have never read about something similar.

Easy 5/5 stars for me
Autor del comentario:
=================================