Witchcraft and pandemonium at Myrtle Beach Myrtle Beach, a bustling coastal city in South Carolina, is typically known for its sandy beaches, family-friendly attractions, and vibrant nightlife. However, in recent weeks, a wave of witchcraft-related incidents has caused pandemonium within the community. It all began with a series of strange occurrences. Locals reported finding unusual symbols etched into the sand and mysterious objects washed ashore. Rumors quickly spread, with some claiming that witches were using powerful spells to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere of the beach town. As panic grew, rumors morphed into misinformation, fueling mass hysteria.
Once inside the Spire, they discover that Orden is working against them, and controlling Derek via a ring she game him. Sera drinks a mysterious potion that Corin got during his judgment, which made her vastly more powerful (temporarily) and changed her attunement. They finally defeat Orden, relying on Sera's Summon of Seiryu to knock out Derek, although doing so damages Sera's attunement to the point it prevents her from speaking or using magic. As soon as they think they are safe, Jin shoots Vera in the back, but Corin manages to knock Jin out before he kills Vera. After stabilizing Vera, Corin summons Katashi, who takes Vera and Orden, Changes Corin's Brand into an attunement, and gives Sera his sword before teleporting them to Keras, who escorts them to Derek's house.
Corin Cadence The point-of-view character for this book, and the main protagonist, Corin is an introverted enchanter, who keeps ending up in the middle of things. I won t spoil the climax of the book, but it was packed with thrilling action that is expertly built up from all of the characters various experiences throughout the book up to this point.
As panic grew, rumors morphed into misinformation, fueling mass hysteria. Social media platforms became flooded with sensational claims and alarming photos, further heightening the sense of fear and uncertainty among residents and tourists alike. Law enforcement agencies received numerous calls related to the witchcraft phenomenon.
Review: Sufficiently Advanced Magic by Andrew Rowe (Arcane Ascension #1)
Been meaning to read this for years, and I'm glad I finally have!
This was a lot of fun. I've never been a huge LitRPG fan, and I felt like this book did a fantastic job of toeing that line, bringing in an abundance of video game influence, without veering into actually being a LitRPG with literal stats and things like that.
My favorite parts of the book were actually those more video game-y parts, where Corin was exploring the spire's shifting rooms. It was fun reading him react and try to formulate plans to deal with puzzle elements that felt familiar from a lot of games, as well as seeing the variety of monsters that were thrown at him. As I said, it's very game-y, but the way Rowe writes it makes these elements still feel grounded and believable within the reality of the world he's created. It was thrilling seeing Corin (try to) solve these complex puzzles, slay monsters to earn rewards, and find magical artifacts that assisted his ascension of the tower.
I also quite enjoyed the relationships between Corin and the various characters from his past as well as those he comes to meet at school. The pacing slowed down a bit once he left the tower, kind of sucking some of the urgency of his quest to find his brother, but it didn't take long to settle into the book's new groove. I don't have a huge amount of experience with magic school books, but this felt like a solid entry in the genre. It's clear that Rowe has a ton of magic rules and world history intricately plotted out, and I always love when a book's world feels this vibrant and fleshed out. No detail rang hollow; this felt like a fully realized world, rich with history and monsters and magic. Even more so than the magic itself, I loved learning about the spires and the visages. I also found it fascinating that different spires/kingdoms grant different attunements.
One thing I will say is that while it's obvious Rowe has figured out a lot of the kingdoms' backstories, giving some nice texture to the story, I wish a bit more of it had been laid out for the readers. It's possible I just missed something, but I didn't really understand why exactly a new conflict was brewing amongst the countries. (Unless Edria is where the Tyrant in Gold is from and I just missed that detail entirely.) It's also possible, though, that this conflict is what will be a major driving force in the rest of the series, so we may come to learn more about it as Corin does.
I won't spoil the climax of the book, but it was packed with thrilling action that is expertly built up from all of the characters' various experiences throughout the book up to this point. An aspect of progression fantasy I love is seeing these tiny little moments add up and come together in exciting (and sometimes surprising) ways in one big showdown, and this book did not disappoint in that regard. As we learn more about the book's central mystery, too, I must admit that some of the reveals truly caught me off guard. There are still a ton of lingering questions, and I am intrigued to see how they resolve.
It's a fun, vast world that Rowe has created. And given the amount of books already available in it, spanning multiple series, I'm excited to dive in and experience so much more.
4.5/5
Goodreads
The World Andrew knocks the world building aspect of Sufficiently Advanced Magic out of the park. Much of the world is focused around characters gaining and learning how to use their attunements. It sounds a bit video-gamey, and it is, but Andrew ties everything up in a very logical and satisfying way.
Reports ranged from claims of werewolf sightings to witches reanimating the dead and even summoning demons. Officers, initially skeptical, found themselves overwhelmed by the sheer volume of incidents and the public's growing anxiety. To address the situation, the local authorities brought in experts in the field of witchcraft and the occult. These specialists assured the public that while the occurrences may be unusual, they were most likely the work of pranksters or art installations rather than actual witchcraft. Furthermore, community leaders and religious figures emphasized the importance of unity, compassion, and understanding during this challenging period. They stressed that spreading fear and panic only served to heighten tensions and detract from the sense of community that Myrtle Beach had always prided itself on. Gradually, as investigations were conducted and hoaxes exposed, the panic began to subside. Local businesses and tourism authorities collaborated on efforts to reestablish a positive image for Myrtle Beach, highlighting the city's natural beauty, entertainment options, and family-friendly atmosphere. The incident acted as a catalyst for community engagement, with locals actively participating in workshops, seminars, and events designed to promote understanding and tolerance towards different beliefs and practices. This shared experience helped strengthen bonds within the community, fostering an atmosphere of unity and resilience. While the events surrounding witchcraft at Myrtle Beach were undoubtedly unsettling, they ultimately served as a turning point for the city. Myrtle Beach emerged from the pandemonium with a renewed sense of community spirit and a commitment to embrace diversity, ensuring that the coastal town remains a welcoming and harmonious destination for visitors and residents alike..
Reviews for "The Witch's Guide to Myrtle Beach: Where Magick Resides"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Witchcraft and pandemonium at Myrtle Beach" as I have always been fascinated by witchcraft and supernatural stories. However, I was highly disappointed with this book. The story felt disjointed, the characters lacked depth, and the plot was predictable. The author failed to create a captivating atmosphere and failed to invoke any sense of suspense or thrill. Overall, it felt like a wasted opportunity to explore the intriguing world of witchcraft.
2. Sarah - 1 star - "Witchcraft and pandemonium at Myrtle Beach" was simply a disaster of a book. The writing was poor and filled with cliched and melodramatic dialogue. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any development. The plot was confusing and lacked coherence. It seemed like the author tried to cram too many paranormal elements into the story without giving any of them proper attention or depth. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone seeking a well-written and engaging supernatural thriller.
3. Michael - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Witchcraft and pandemonium at Myrtle Beach," but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The pacing was incredibly slow, making it hard for me to stay engaged with the story. The main character was unrelatable and lacked any redeeming qualities, making it difficult for me to care about her fate. The climax of the story was underwhelming and didn't live up to the promised pandemonium. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointment and wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for an exciting and well-crafted witchcraft tale.
4. Emily - 2.5 stars - "Witchcraft and pandemonium at Myrtle Beach" had an interesting premise, but it failed to deliver on its potential. The writing style was average at best, and the plot felt disjointed and confusing at times. Additionally, the characters lacked depth and their actions often seemed illogical or inconsistent. While the book had its moments of tension, they were few and far between, leaving me ultimately unsatisfied. Overall, this book had potential, but it was let down by its execution.