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Reviewed by Mary Clarke for Readers' Favorite
The Tale of the Orphan Magician by Dr. Bill Senyard tells the story of Amaratzim, a land where dragons, trolls, dwarves, and humans clashed after a rebellion against the Great King. Narrated by an ancient Sakalon dragon, Rahgornah, it talks about Raziel, a young street magician who believes his parents are dead after being targeted by authorities in Buzah for loyalty to the Great King. Raziel was raised with dragons and now leads a group of outcast teens known as "Street Shadows." He learns that Dolos, a manipulative gorgon, is trying to cause political conflict between the Garden City and the continent of Amaratzim. As he is drawn into the conflict by Noomai, a member of the King's secret service (ESS), Raziel and his allies have to carry out strategic plans to restore peace and stability in the region.
One of the things I loved about this book was how well the characters were developed. The secondary characters, especially Major Sterling, Eiren, and Noomai, played their roles perfectly. The idea of "father-longing" as the main cause of social and personal brokenness caught my attention. I felt bad for Raziel; his emotional struggles and pain he felt due to the loss of his parents touched me. I love the writing style; the scenes were organized, and the settings were explained well, bringing the mystical world to life. The pace flowed smoothly with suspense that built gradually. The storytelling style used, with Rahgornah narrating, gave the book a unique feel, almost like a late-night tale being shared around a fireside. The Tale of the Orphan Magician by Dr. Bill Senyard covers themes of deceit, reconciliation, pain, conflict, and unity. I recommend it to young adults and readers who enjoy books about belonging and redemption.
