Aaron Oster

The basic premise of this book was interesting enough. It's set in a world where everyone becomes either a mage or a super (warrior with magic powers) by the time they turn 16, and very rare individuals like the book's protagonist become both. Unfortunately, it all falls apart in the execution.

The main character is so overpowered that there's no real tension in any of his fights. On top of that, despite the fact that he's supposedly 16, and was raised on the streets, he knows less about sex (or women) than any male who wasn't raised in seclusion by an order of celibate monks should. There's the fact that despite being an orphan who grew up on the streets, he's the best (and seemingly only) friend of the daughter of the city's lord, but how the two ever met, let alone became best friends, is never addressed. It's also a bit of a mystery as to how he even survived on the streets as he is incredibly naive, has no money, seems to have no job, no mention is made of his being a beggar or thief, and he seems to have no friends or acquaintances beyond the lord's daughter. The worst part is that all of the villains, other than two youths who are just a bully and a sex offender, are so cartoonishly evil that you expect them to start twirling their mustaches as they let loose a sinister laugh.

This was definitely a waste of my time.… (mehr)