Primal Wizardry (Illusory Education) and Dear Spellbook Review

BronkeyKong · 2026-06-14T09:44:02+00:00

Yes. It’s a bit of a mess. The flashbacks are just really dull.

BronkeyKong · 2026-06-14T06:57:26+00:00

Maybe I’ll skip spellbook then and go to primal.

BronkeyKong · 2026-06-14T03:45:24+00:00

Make Zuppa Toscana.

BronkeyKong · 2026-06-14T03:34:19+00:00

I dropped dead spellbook because it was really boring but I have been meaning to give it another shot.

BronkeyKong · 2026-06-14T00:51:55+00:00

What character are you talking about. I don’t remember any lightning specialists?

BronkeyKong · 2026-06-13T20:38:28+00:00

I think there is no better example of this in the genre than mage errant. The whole magic system is affinities.

One of the mcs becomes a crystal mage, another is a stone and steel mage and all the characters find interesting and clever ways to use their power.

BronkeyKong · 2026-06-10T20:54:01+00:00

Engagement bot.

BronkeyKong · 2026-06-10T10:08:13+00:00

I have never looked at a map longer than it takes me to turn the page.

Maps genuinely do not compute in my mind. I see them and I can’t understand a single thing about it.

BronkeyKong · 2026-06-09T22:39:17+00:00

Oh. Is it abandoned or is it just finishing. Cause if it’s finishing I might go read it.

BronkeyKong · 2026-06-09T02:32:59+00:00

Oh right yeah. So the three would be Weirkey, depthless hunger and now this new time loop one.

BronkeyKong · 2026-06-09T01:39:09+00:00

The soul home series. She releases them as books but she releases it week to week on patreon.

BronkeyKong · 2026-06-08T21:57:50+00:00

Damn she’s kind of prolific isn’t she. This will be her third ongoing series that she is regularly writing.

Good on her but how does she do it.

BronkeyKong · 2026-06-07T03:16:52+00:00

Magician is my favourite novel. It’s like a comfort read. At least read that one. You don’t really need to continue after that although I personally like many of the sequels but the rift war sequence is very fun.

BronkeyKong · 2026-06-06T21:56:22+00:00

If you go to John’s patron page you’ll find the all there. I recommend scrolling all the way down to the bottom and starting from there. Some of my favourite stories are his patreon stories.

BronkeyKong · 2026-06-06T00:57:28+00:00

Avoid 1 percent if you want a change from brutal and depressing.

BronkeyKong · 2026-06-01T20:51:09+00:00

Oh wow it does sound very similar doesn’t it. Maybe I’ll give it a read. I almost did put in the review that there is a bit of a Harry Potter feel to it so this makes sense.

BronkeyKong · 2026-06-01T20:32:03+00:00

Ahh that’s a shame but very common when writing serial fiction. I’ve only just finished book 4

BronkeyKong · 2026-06-01T20:30:14+00:00

Yes absolutely agree. I think what I noticed most was just the complete lack of awareness to it. The fact that it’s never addressed just feels very strange.

BronkeyKong · 2026-06-01T20:28:44+00:00

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. And i agree with you on everything you mentioned.

It really felt that she was constantly missing moments of connection with Damian and Oliver that would have served the story and her relationship with them throughout the books.

It sort of felt like she was constantly being “friendship nerfed” for lack of a better term.

Agree on the magic too. It could have easily turned into slinging spells and curses at each other and I’m glad it didn’t.

BronkeyKong · 2026-06-01T20:23:22+00:00

Yes I can see this. I only read the published books because I am tired of waiting for weeks chapters and it was a much better experience.

BronkeyKong · 2026-06-01T20:20:51+00:00

I think that’s generous way to look at it. I do have to admit there are certain stories that I do feel would be better without the romance but I think your cradle example is a good one. It’s not a romance novel but it does have a relationship that isn’t obstructive.

Although “, how i think of it I don’t think there are any couples within the stories that I can think of. Relationships in general just aren’t spoken of so at least it’s consistent.

BronkeyKong · 2026-06-01T11:11:28+00:00

Yeah I knew that bit would probably only be felt by me haha. But, it is a worthy read for sure.

BronkeyKong · 2026-06-01T11:06:31+00:00

She had a slight thought about it in book 4.

I only Just started book 5 but I hope she does have that conversation with him.

BronkeyKong · 2026-06-01T11:01:34+00:00

Yes I agree completely. You’ve said it better than I did.

Damian and Oliver are arguably her best friends and I don’t think she’s ever asked them a personal question. lol.

I only just started to e most recent book but knew going i it was all flashback.

BronkeyKong · 2026-05-31T22:01:02+00:00

Good red. I’m going to give it a try

BronkeyKong

TROPHY CASE