Sufficiently Advanced Magic by Andrew Rowe (Arcane Ascension #1)

Reviewed by Sam!

What I drank prior: YO. It’s Super Tuesday. This is my third review. I have now had 1.5 bottles of wine. I’m lol’ing at the coverage rn on CNN. As someone who lives and works (and has grown up) in the DC area… this is more widely watched than the superbowl and I know tomorrow is gonna be really fun to watch.

Goodreads Overview:

Five years ago, Corin Cadence’s brother entered the Serpent Spire — a colossal tower with ever-shifting rooms, traps, and monsters. Those who survive the spire’s trials return home with an attunement: a mark granting the bearer magical powers. According to legend, those few who reach the top of the tower will be granted a boon by the spire’s goddess.

He never returned.

Now, it’s Corin’s turn. He’s headed to the top floor, on a mission to meet the goddess.

If he can survive the trials, Corin will earn an attunement, but that won’t be sufficient to survive the dangers on the upper levels. For that, he’s going to need training, allies, and a lot of ingenuity.

The journey won’t be easy, but Corin won’t stop until he gets his brother back. 

Drunk Overview: This is an rpg in a novel. In this world, Corin goes into the spire to get his attunement (basically what magic he’s going to be blessed with), fights some things that remind me of the mucinex guy, and ends up accidentally setting loose criminals that could cause the end of the world as he knows it. No pressure. Corin ends up with basically the “inventor” attunement, which daddy hates so much he legitimizes his bastard sister (who he didn’t know was his sister) and goes off to magic school. Things kind of go from there.

Spoiler-free Thoughts: I was 50/50 on this book. For a self-published book, it was great. It needed to shed probably 100 pages because it fucked with the pacing, but otherwise I loved the world and the story.

Characters: Corin is a new foster child of mine. He dumb but I love him anyway and he has my protection. He and his squad are just a bunch of nerds trying to live their lives and I love it. His sister Sara is great, trying to be what her new daddy wants her to be, but also remembers growing up with Corin. Patrick, who is my actual son, is precious and also awesome. Jin (I think it’s Jin) is broody and scratches the broody angsty itch for me. Marissa is AMAZING and I love that the strongest of them is a woman. And then there’s Derick. I looooove Derick. His a goddamn delight.

Plot: Like I said before, this book had pacing problems, but I still liked it. This book has some amazing moments. Patrick and Corin’s literal bonding moment? Jin’s proposition? Marissa’s realizations? Derrick’s LIFE?! Oh my god I loved it. We also get some bits that are hilarious. So funny. 

PS. If this book doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, I don’t know what does. I audibly gasped. (lol I almost wrote hangover)

Writing Style: It felt like a video game. If you’re not a gamer you may not enjoy this. It was also so much telling, not enough showing.

World Building: I loved it. It was a great world. It was absolutely and 100% told to me, not shown to me, but I still thought it was cool.

What to pair it with: A vodka soda. If you’re told in advance what it is, you know what you’re gonna get.

Rating: 3/5 shots.

COMMENT DOWN BELOW: Thoughts on self-published books? Comment below if you’re pro- or anti-

Until next time, we remain forever drunkenly yours,
Sam