The Wizard's Secret

The Sorcerer's Saga, Book 2

By: Rain Oxford

Narrated by: J. Scott Bennett

Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Ayden Dracre, the youngest son in a family of notorious sorcerers, is content with his magical studies until Merlin leaves Caldaca in order to find a way to break his curse. While waiting for Merlin's return, Ayden makes a mistake that causes him to question his magic.

He soon discovers both his aunt and Merlin are in danger, and in order to save them, Ayden is pushed further than ever before. With two powerful enemies and a dark presence haunting him, Ayden will have to be very careful about who he trusts. Meanwhile, Merlin must rely on Ayden when his past returns to threaten his future.

©2016 Rain Oxford (P)2016 Rain Oxford

Merlin needs a hug!

What did you love best about The Wizard's Secret?

The back story was very well written though a bit sad. I loved it and cant wait to listen to the next one.

What did you like best about this story?

The characters are too cute

fantastic

hard to believe, it was even better than the first one! I can't wait to get the next one. I want to find out if he breaks Merlin's curse. I can't wait! the story was great. the characters are great. the narration was perfect! I found it all very enjoyable and entertaining!

What an interesting backstory for Merlyn!

Any additional comments?

Not that I’m a huge Merlyn scholar or anything, but I think we always get the snapshot of the mythical wizard’s life from when he was with King Arthur. Oxford has created an upbringing that shows him becoming the powerful magician we all know him to be.

This is the second book in the The Sorcer’s Saga which follows Aiden, a boy with light and dark magic. He lives in a world where sorcerers only have dark magic and wizards only have light magic. There are also a handful of other magic users like necromancers, seers, magicians, and mages. Aiden is unique and struggles with accepting himself and finding his place in society. I recommend starting with the first book and then pushing on with number two as the events take place directly afterward.

The theme of good and bad is applied toward magic in this series in a way that I think readers can use to contemplate the trappings of our world. As Aiden tries to use only his good wizard powers he finds that sometimes his bad sorcerer powers are the only means of achieving good deeds. I can imagine plenty of situations where readers of this middle grade adventure would contemplate this concept in their lives. Perhaps someone gets into a fight to defend a classmate from bullies, for example (don’t fist fight, kids, it’s bad for your knuckles).

I have heard plenty of audiobooks narrated by J Scott Bennett and I love the voice he uses to narrate this series. I found myself listening carefully while driving down country backroads on a road trip, trying to pick out proof that the voice was the same as the one from some southwestern novels. The character Gamork is close, but all the others are from another world entirely. Great job, Bennett!

I received a free copy in exchange for a review. Any review. That fact that it’s a good one is because the book is good. Which has nothing to do with how awesome I am. You’ll have to find that out for yourself @S_Shane_Thomas on Twitter.

I’ve already got my copy of book 3 and I’m going to listen to it with my 9 year old son. He’s going to love it! If you enjoy all ages sword and sorcery and elaborate world building, the Sorcer’s Saga is a good series for you.

A Likable YA Novel

Although I’m an adult and not the target audience for “The Wizard’s Secret,” I have other works by Rain Oxford that I like, so I just wanted to check out her latest release. “The Wizard’s Secret” is a likable YA book that I think will satisfy its target audience. I didn’t find it compelling enough to go get book one, but it’s still a good book. J. Scott Bennett does a wonderful job with the narration as well. All-in-all, well done.

Finally, this audio book was provided by the narrator at no cost in exchange for an honest review, courtesy of Audio Book Blast.

The Wizard's secret

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed the first book and the 2nd book is just as good. The plot is not that hard to follow and that makes the story enjoyable to listen to.

What does J. Scott Bennett bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Great job of the narrator

Light, Enjoyable Read That Continues the Story

I received a free review copy.

It is a fun book that continues the story. I like the humor, the surprises, and the life lesson of accepting oneself. I felt there were some time travel paradoxes and it was a little slow when giving the backstory of Merlin but overall it was a light, enjoyable read. I look forward to seeing where the story goes in the installments that follow.

A great second book, every bit as good as first

I was excited to listen to this book because I really enjoyed the first book in the series. This is a great epic fantasy including fairies, zombies, sorcerers, Merlin, and more. As a bonus, this book is totally family-friendly without being juvenile, and it is appealing across the age spectrum. Though I listened to this audiobook, narrated by J. Scott Bennett, by myself, I know the rest of my family will enjoy it, too, so I'll give it another listen with them on our next big road trip. This book is fun and fast-paced with interesting characters, which narrator Bennett brings to life. (I really enjoy all of Bennett's narrations). I can't wait for the next book and highly recommend it for fans of fantasy, as well as people who are looking for an entertaining adventure for any age.

A mix of Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland

I really enjoyed this funny and quirky story, that has a good mix of fantasy and paranormal creatures. Usually the fantasy and paranormal genre shouldn't be mixed, but the primary audience for this series is tween/teen/young adults, so it works fine here. I'm sure also many adults will enjoy it and it could be rated like the first Harry Potter Book - it's for everyone!

I felt I was in a world of Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland at the same time. We're in the Endless Forrest where you can get in but not out. We meet all kinds of creatures and the creatures/characters are well-developed. We'll also get into the world of Merlin and eventually Merlin and Aiden will have to work together. I also loved how Aiden was developed - his personality and his back-story. Very well-plotted!

J. Scott Bennett was extraordinary in his performance and made everything come to life in a spell-binding way. I've listened to his performance before and will bet on, that this is his best performance so far. I loved his voices and humor-filled narration.

*This book was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review.

Aiden's (Mis)Adventures Continue

I really liked the first book in this series. Aiden is perfectly clueless and way too nice for his own good. This time around, he manages to befriend a necromancer with a sneezing problem. Doesn't seem like much of a problem, but you never know what, or who, you'll raise from the dead if you sneeze at the wrong time.

And then the book takes a left turn for a bit and the point of view is switched to Merlin. Those portions of the book were well told as well, but they have a different tone since Young Merlin isn't anywhere near as bumbling as Aiden, and therefore, not as subversively amusing.

Still, I love the characters and the world and magic laws that Oxford has built keep me interested. Also, Bennett is wonderful as Aiden.

I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

Great fantasy read

This is a fast paced, enjoyable fantasy tale that follows on well from book one. It tells some of Merlin's back story and leads Ayden on interweaving adventures as he tries to help his friends and discover where he fits in the world and who he wants to be. The characters are entertaining and have grow in depth as the story has progressed. You can not help but like Ayden's unassuming strength and reserved personality, he is funny, somewhat quirky and very likeable. Humour runs through the whole story and the narrator of the audiobook shows this well. J Scott Bennett gives individual voices to each of the characters and his inflection portrays the emotions and excitement well, bringing the characters and the story to life. I enjoyed the narration, the characters and the story as a whole, in this family friendly fantasy adventure tale. I will look forward to the next in the series. I received this audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.