The (Sort of) Dark Mage

Waldo Rabbit Series, Book 1

By: Nelson Chereta

Narrated by: Gary Furlong

The (Sort of) Dark Mage is the story of a young man named Waldo who grows up in a world where monsters, the undead, and dark magic are part of everyday life. He is forced to go on a journey to prove himself and soon discovers that his beliefs don't fit into the wider world.

©2013 Nelson Chereta (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A fantastic book...Nelson Chereta has a unique talent at writing witty dialogue and engaging characters. He also has that rare gift that manages to successfully infuse humor into the story, without cheapening it." (Fantasy Muse)

Light and funny

This is a great listen especially if you’ve had a lot of heavy listening or reading lately.

funny

funny dark understanding of the magic world, with a little bit much for thinking of a " sorta way" of thinking about things.

Entertaining

This book was a lot of fun to listen to the story was grate. The characters were compelling. And it was time well spent.

Funny and good.

I thought it was a good series especially the contrasting of nature vs nurture with the main character.

So! Good!

New author and narrator for me. Wow I need to get the next book. Funny, clever, and so much irony; a very enjoyable listen 😁 Loving this world Nelson has created and Gary is a great narrator.

love this story

the end made me almost crash .I really loved it so many books don't end well I was happy

delightful

Lives up to the reviews, Can't wait to read the rest! Well written and performed.

DR:Fantasy farsical comedy w/Addams family-esqu MC

Fantasy sustenance farming world where magic exists. Ability to cast magic is hereditary and rare, but even more than that it is guarded zealously by those who have it, as a right of birth and a gift from gods that elevates them over the masses. In a necromancer magocracy ruled by 7 families, the MC, the future head of the family has sets off on his right of passage adventure to prove how good a necromancer (not at all), the worst terror to his enemies he is (Waldo Rabbit, the great and the terrible *chuckles*).

Story is witty through and through . The disconnect between the perception of what is common and the ethical values of black wizards to those of white mages, and the average person is like day and night. Making very disconnected conversations, where each party is thinking that the others are mad and they are the only sane person a plausible reality.

The forethought from political powers in play is at times like a chimpanzee banging two rocks together at times very adequate matching what you would expect. E.g. of former: A mage with aptitude in potion craft, didn't prepare any potions in advance; a spymaster with a wide network of spies and informants sees changing one's clothes to disguise oneself as the enemy and ruin their public reputation as ground opening. E.g. of latter: sabotaging a great family from within by financing rebellion in problematic lands; forming a defensive alliance with magic enforced mutual defense pacts.

Conclusion: 4/5. Listened on Audible included in plus catalogue. Narrated by: Garry Furlong. A master mage from necromancer (dark), Addams familyesqu, family with talents in defensive and potion craft magic (white). 'Waldo Rabbit #1' is a role model for unforeseen (strategic - long term) consequences by protagonists just stumbling around and doing their own (tactical - short term) thing. Terrible value for the length of the book, buying it with USD- 1.80 $/hour ( 19.77$ / 10 hrs 57 mins ).

Values:
Terrible: >1.66 $/hour
Bad: 1 - 1.66 $/hour
Good: <1 $/hour
Dream: 0.4 - 0.27 $/hour

Funny as hell

Dont think i have laughed out loud so much from any book ever. Its a simple book that uses the main characters upbringing as a gag and it works great

Ends abruptly

The story had me laughing aloud, but the ending is abrupt. There are some scenes and language that are inappropriate, so don't listen with the little-ones in the car.