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Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite
“Welcome to The University of Corporeal and Ethereal Studies, where the mysteries of the universe are solved one class at a time. This dynamic citadel stands vigil over the town of Byndal from atop Mount Dareo, a beacon of discovery thrust up to the cosmos and Beyond.” The University of Corporeal and Ethereal Studies (Students of Madness, Book 1) by Wolfgang Edwards centers on several students of the unique institution through eight interwoven stories. Rogue automaton, time travel, alchemy, oneironautics (dream travel), dangerous and numbing psychedelic process and much more.
The premise is impressively original, imaginative and gripping. Initially, I thought this would be a purely steampunk sci-fi novel, but the concept is more than that, teasing the boundary that separates fringe science and its mainstream counterpart while incorporating dark fantasy horror. The plot is well-thought out and just as imaginative as the premise. Despite its name, the University has its share of bureaucracy and the world-building is laden with dogmatic teachings, overbearing families, greed, inequality, and other societal problems. The protagonists have to rise above all these and battle their inner demons at the same time, while trying to accomplish their ultimate goal at the University. Wolfgang Edwards does a great job of weaving the stories together.
Eccentric, dark, and with solid characterization, this debut for Students of Madness series is an absolute joy to read and hard to put down. Edwards is an excellent storyteller, and I look forward to reading more about brilliant minds challenging the bounds of logic and sanity.
