Open Sorcery Book Review

Open Sorcery is a book based on the premise of Magic operating like coding in a modern world setting. It executes this premise excellently, both from the feel of how the spells are crafted arduous over a period of days or weeks, to how the magic system as a whole was implemented into and affects the world. The use of magic to artificially enhance physical appearance and attractiveness, or to advertise products, and thus necessitating magic to counter these effects (among a variety of other uses throughout the story) is both interesting and tangible to me.

The narrative itself well paced and fun, with a healthy sprinkling of humor from a collection of likable characters. The chapter to chapter conflicts are well varied and the core question of ‘what is going on here’ that provides the core of the narrative is interesting.

The characters themselves are decently complex, with the main ones being given distinctly human conflicts and motivations that help build empathy as well as sell the world. These motivations/experiences vary across the spectrum, capable of being fun (like a young man trying to flirt with a pair of girls) to more serious and depressing (a woman that a characters loves choosing his brother over him.) Theres other instances of this, but that last one is the largest and with the most effort devoted to it.

I found the ending weak, though, with revelation of what actually happening being rather pedantic for as interesting as the build up was. The climatic battle was also weak, with a significant portion of it being regulated to ‘they fought with epic magic’ before ultimately boiling down to a duel while the rest watched. The duel itself is fine, but lacks the depth and creativity displayed throughout the rest of the book, being just an exchange of spells/power without any additional layers or mind games (which is relevant since the magic of the world if often referred to as being primarily illusionary.)