First Sorcerer

Written by Kyle Johnson

Narrated by Basil Sands

The Singularity-the merger of man and machine into a greater whole-is finally within humanity's grasp. When programmer Jeff Lawing gets the opportunity to join Singularity Online, the world's first realistic VRMMO and the testing ground that will lead to the Singularity, he leaps to accept.

Singularity is much more realistic and darker than Jeff had imagined, though. As a Sorcerer, his arcane magic is limited only by his imagination, allowing him to craft powerful spells forged from his desires. As the only Sorcerer in the game, he'll need to carve his own path, with only an ancient specter as his guide.

Will his new powers be enough to see him through the deadliest training quest he's ever encountered, or to protect him in a fallen realm filled with undead? Does the have the courage and passion he needs to seize the mantle of First Sorcerer?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Nov 24, 2020
• ISBN: 9781705275740

Reviews for First Sorcerer

[Madhav Deshpande · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Singularity Online #1 First Sorcerer by Kyle Johnson is a lackluster entry into the crowded and formulaic LitRPG genre. While it attempts to create an immersive virtual reality setting, the novel falls short in many areas, leaving readers with a sense of disappointment.

One of the major issues with Singularity Online is its unoriginal and predictable plot. The story follows the typical "chosen one" trope, with the protagonist, a socially awkward teenager, stumbling upon a virtual reality game that turns out to be more than meets the eye. The progression of the story is formulaic, with the protagonist easily overcoming challenges and obstacles, making the plot lack any real tension or surprise. The plot twists are telegraphed from a mile away, leaving readers underwhelmed and craving for more originality.

The characters in Singularity Online are also disappointingly one-dimensional. The protagonist, despite his supposed social awkwardness, easily adapts to the virtual reality game and becomes an all-powerful sorcerer in no time. His motivations and reactions are simplistic, and the side characters are underdeveloped and forgettable. There is a missed opportunity to explore the emotional depth and complexity of the characters, which leaves them feeling flat and uninteresting. The lack of character development further hampers the reader's ability to fully engage with the story.

The world-building in Singularity Online is another area that falls short. While the virtual reality setting has potential, it is poorly explained and lacks consistency. The game mechanics, such as leveling up and acquiring skills, are generic and fail to stand out among the plethora of similar LitRPG novels. The magic system, while initially intriguing, is not fully explored, leaving readers with unanswered questions and a sense of unfulfilled potential. The real-world setting outside of the game is also underdeveloped, with missed opportunities to explore the societal impact of virtual reality technology.

The writing style in Singularity Online is serviceable, but not particularly memorable. The prose is simplistic and lacks descriptive language and sensory details that could have enhanced the immersion in the virtual world. The dialogue is stilted and lacks depth, failing to fully capture the nuances of human interaction. There are also occasional inconsistencies and errors, such as typos and inconsistencies in the game mechanics, which could have been caught with better editing and proofreading.

Despite its flaws, Singularity Online may still appeal to die-hard fans of the LitRPG genre who are willing to overlook its shortcomings. The familiar tropes and game mechanics may provide a sense of comfort for readers who enjoy repetitive and formulaic stories. However, for readers seeking originality, depth, and complexity, Singularity Online falls short and fails to deliver a truly engaging reading experience.

In conclusion, Singularity Online #1 First Sorcerer by Kyle Johnson is a disappointing addition to the LitRPG genre. Its unoriginal plot, one-dimensional characters, inconsistent world-building, and mediocre writing style leave much to be desired. While it may still have some appeal for dedicated fans of the genre, it fails to stand out among the vast array of similar novels. With a lack of originality and depth, Singularity Online is a forgettable entry in a saturated market, leaving readers craving for more creativity and innovation.