No demons. No angels. No fairies or mythical beasts of the forest. The only fantastical element in The Wizard Within is Magic itself, a sentient being that lives within all of creation. This truth has been hidden from Eli Stone his whole life, leaving him unprepared to transition from homeless addict to becoming The Red, a leader intended to Pair with his counterpart Thorne Rios and Awaken the magic that has been suppressed in Seattle for over twenty years.
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: Borys’s elaborate plot spins through realms of magic, adventure, and quests for self-awareness, as Eli Stone discovers he has otherworldly powers—powers that come with a dark history and dangerous undertones. Throughout his journey, Eli is continually shocked by the people he meets, his connection to their hidden world, and his past that seems to seep into every moment of his present.
Prose: Borys writes clear, efficient prose while delivering striking worldbuilding. The setting is convincing, with a clearly defined magic system that operates under its own rules and makes perfect sense within the context of the story.
Originality: The Wizard Within thrums with magic, danger, and flashy worldbuilding. Nearly every character in the story possesses unique abilities to help them navigate Borys’s supernatural world, but the book still manages to stay grounded in contemporary times.
Character/Execution: Borys’s cast is immense and satisfyingly diverse, with several characters to track along with their unique magic abilities. The standout of course is Eli, a troubled young man with a heartbreaking past, who will appeal to readers as he grows into his own and learns the limits of his powers—and how they play into who he really is. Thorne, the counterpart to Eli in many ways, dances in and out of the narrative smoothly, their magnetic draw to each other well-wrought in Borys’s capable hands.
Date Submitted: April 17, 2024
