The Master of Magic (The Portal Wars Saga Book 4)

I purchased the first four books of this series (The Portal Wars Saga) based on existing reviews and have read all of them. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed. I didn't find anything likeable about the main characters. Each one just seems to be out for their own interests (though vaguely disguised as "it's for the good of everyone") with little to no development. Supporting characters are introduced to further a specific part of the plot within a specific book and then discarded when they're no longer of use with little to no additional background or character development for them. Meanwhile, the main plot steamrolls along with little, if any, twists or turns. The books are easy to read, but that's mainly because there is little substance to the story. I would not recommend this series.

Make no mistake, the author is teaching his audience based upon examples from human history how the worm can slowly turn.Many times tribes and nation states have found themselves to be the preyed upon, downtrodden, invaded victims of others. Suddenly, through luck or desperation, those who have had the sh*t kicked out of them suddenly discover a new resource or technology. Metal smelting, bronze, the spear, throwing weapons, armor, group tactics, the longbow, the crossbow, combustion weapons, chemical weapons, biological weapons, etc, etc,Through quirks of fates, the victims can slowly become the victors and then eventually, the oppressors (for the best of reasons) as a means of "Defense".This series is awesome!I have never found an author (until now) who can write so well that he has you empathizing with the eventual "bad guys" of a story.*Applauds*

The series started out good, and the writing is very good. The MC starts out like most, undersized and picked on, so you understand his wanting to become strong. Unfortunately the method chosen, Magic, leaches out all human feeling except perhaps rage and ambition. So a reasonably likable MC over the course of the first four books becomes a totally unfeeling ambitious killer with no remorse. For me, that doesn't work so well. The MC is now the person in the story arc I want defeated, so it's hard to stay involved. If you like the MC to be the bad guy with no sense of humor (and I have enjoyed and recommended series where the dude at least has a good sense of humor), then get into this set. You'll love it.

it was a great read i went through the whole book in just a couple hour a little sad i finished it but i can’t wait for the next book

This book was darker than the previous entries, but also very understandable as to why. We finally know how the process of becoming an Arcane Lord works, and it makes sense. We also see Otto's full acknowledgment of the path he's on, and a surprising betrayal.

The mc is developing in an alien fashion. It becomes difficult to sympathise with him. The level of cruelty and genocide is mounting. Reading the next book could be difficult

BookIt was an awful experience. I kept wanting to try to enjoy the Book but it became nausiating bye bye

Another excellent series from James E Wisher. I have the other books in the series so far and they are all excellent. Each book has adventure, suspense, and lots of magic.

That was a ride and a half! Can really start to see something ringing true about Valtan. I'm pretty annoyed he's not dealing with AnnaMaria! I really want her to suffer not so much Abby and the harem idea better come to light, that would be highly entertaining!

Quite an interesting protagonist, f you're tired of reading about naive young protagonists who can do no no wrong. Always pure on their high horse type of thing.Yet it does this without falling into the trap of trying to hard and being an “edgy edgelord” for the sake of appearing “badass” in too many Dark Fantasy archetypes. The refreshing thing is Otto is well, just Otto. Besides the whole ether replacement thing. And he’s quite normal in many ways despite some of his decisions. We can say the same about other characters with questionable acts in the real world as well.Otto is neither the tired pure naive protagonist trope nor the other tired “edgy mysterious cape-wearing badass” with a constant need to prove how badass he is to the reader - or with the whole tired grizzled conflicted all the damned time trope.

Another brilliant story. Loved all the characters. Corrina could possibly be either Otto's downfall or savior. Pity there's not much more of Axel in the story or Wolfric. These stories should appeal to many readers. They're addictive.

A book about tidying up loose ends after the bulk of the war has been won. Not the most exciting book in the series by far but with plenty of ups and downs to make the ride enjoyable.

A great read the story line is very good and full of activitiesYou will enjoy the read like the rest of the series