Mana Mirror: The First Gate

Mana Mirror, Book 1

By: Tobias Begley

Narrated by: Neo Cihi

When Malachi Baker stumbles into an offer of apprenticeship from the esteemed and powerful Occultist Orykson, he's left in shock and jumps at the chance to learn... Even if it means taking out a few loans.

Unfortunately, his new teacher sees him more as a tool than a student. He has set Malachi near-impossible goals before he becomes worthy of Orykson's full attention, and Malachi's innate power is only somewhat above average.

Worse, it turns out that Orykson has enemies more powerful than Malachi had ever imagined—and now their attention has landed solidly on him.

Torn between the mage who can offer him everything, and a strange old woman who offers him the chance to guide his own path, Malachi is left scrambling to find his purpose as a new mage.

You can expect slow-burn to power, slice-of-life, and queer content.

©2024 Tobias Begley (P)2024 Podium Audio

good

The story is is well written and I love the magic building and the magic system

One of my favorite series given a very good performance in audiobook form

One of my favorite series given a very good performance in audiobook form, overall, I am very happy with the title

A great beginning to a new world

A great fantasy story with a transmasc main character handled very well. I can't wait for the next book!

Loved This So Much!

What a fantastic listen! The narrator did such a great job at bringing this to life. This was my first book by Tobias and I will definitely be checking out their other series. The magic system used is unique along with the many characters that are introduced. I'm excited to see where this story goes and to learn more about the history of the world and the backgrounds of some of the other people.

Wonderful queer story

Tobias Begley has done it again! They've written a great story I would have maimed for (if not outright killed for) growing up. They have expertly woven another fun, queer story in a rich, magical world that I want to see more of in the future. The characters are fantastic, the magic is fun and intuitive, the story is cute. Like their other books, this ticks every box I look for in a story and more.

Exactly as described,

This book is a slow-burn to power, magic progression, with slice of life and queer content. It is written fantastically. The voice actor is great and fits the character well, and the representation is solid, yet not overbearing. It's a unique magic system, and reminds me of the Minecraft Mod Botania, very cool.

Well written, great plot.

I love the setting and the characters. I love Malachi's growth throughout the story.

Average magical storybook

The World Setting is Probably the most interesting thing about this. About advances in society and technology and So on but What if there's almighty immortal magi that were a part of the system. it leads to a lot of Questions of how the world ended up in the setting with the clues we get from the past because it sounds like there is a bunch of immortal magi warlords in the past, but somehow someone did something to Advanced society and get the all powerful immortal magi to Stop being Dictators. the Magic system is also in depth and Pretty open but at the same time is pretty standard and All over the place. There are a lot of characters. It's probably one of the better parts About the book Personally I can't really relate To the main character, but he was alright. His family, his teachers and so on are pretty good. the plot of the book is lucky Kid gets picked by big shot mage. Then slice of life adventures of being an apprentice. that sums it up pretty good.