Sufficiently advanced magic refers to a concept that originates from Arthur C. Clarke's third law, which states that "any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." This concept has been applied to the world of fantasy literature and gaming, where magic is depicted as a form of advanced technology. In this context, "sufficiently advanced magic" describes a type of magic that is so powerful, complex, and advanced that it appears to be beyond comprehension or explanation. It implies that magic can be so sophisticated that it mimics the capabilities and effects of advanced technology, blurring the line between science and magic. This concept is often utilized in fantasy works to create a sense of wonder and awe.
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It s as if the author anticipated certain plot holes and implausibilities and instead of just embracing it after all, the entire story is his fabrication, he can do what he wants and we d more or less go along with it or dropping in a few subtle counters, he periodically has characters explain ad nauseam in the text why certain things were were not the case. It even includes teleportation possibilities, invisibility powers, a mysterious book that writes back to the holder, and occasionally monsters even leave jewels or secret weapons after defeat.
This concept is often utilized in fantasy works to create a sense of wonder and awe. It allows authors to explore the limits of imagination and push the boundaries of what magic can do within the realm of their stories. By presenting magic as a form of advanced technology, authors can introduce seemingly impossible feats and create intricate magical systems that adhere to logical rules and principles.
Sufficiently Advanced Magic by Andrew Rowe (Arcane Ascension series #1)
I read Sufficiently Advanced Magic for the Self Published Fantasy Blog Off. It was promoted to the finalist stage by Bookworm Blues and is the first novel in the Arcane Ascension series. It sits nicely within the LitRPG subgenre of Fantasy and it gripped me from the very start.
In similar fashion to books such as The Magician's Guild, The Name of the Wind, and A Wizard of Earthsea - a large percentage of the narrative takes places within a mysterious educational establishment where professors teach their students magic. Before potential students can even step foot within this sort-of Mage's college they have to pass a Judgement. This entails entering a Spire, progressing through certain puzzle-focused, trap-ridden, and monster-haunted rooms. These areas were reminiscent of a The Legend of Zelda or a Skyrim dungeon and although the willing participants are only young and often inexperienced, the dangers are as real as the consequences are. There are no retries or extra lives here, death is final therefore many wide-eyed, budding scholars never leave the tower.
In the first person perspective, we join the action as Corin Cadence, the 17-year-old son of a noble house enters the death trap tower. Coming from a formidable family of magic-wielders he has been trained well for his Judgement, hoping to escape the towers tests and achieve his attunement. An extra weight bearing on his young mind, however, is that his brother entered this very tower numerous years ago. His brother never exited and is presumed deceased. Corin wishes to analyse as much of the tower as he can and search for clues regarding his sibling's disappearance. Following on from this, one of his main ambitions for joining the college is to obtain powers and a skill set that will aid him in hopefully rescuing his brother whom Corin refuses to accept is dead. He believes that to do this he will have to venture to the top of the Spire.
Corin is an intriguing character to follow. He is a witty, over-analytical and sometimes confrontational young gentleman who is always commenting on how he must research things further. This over interest in researching and studying everything a teacher or friend would say further was strange and almost annoying to begin with yet upon completion, I believe it's intentional and just shows how fast his hyperactive mind works, how he is inquisitive in nature, and how any nugget of information he comes across could help him find his brother. I perceived that his mind is his real power, however, I won't say too much about his magical class, levels or capabilities as that is enjoyable to find out as the story progresses. Although he is not really a "people person" and despises physical contact, he is the glue that moulds the other main characters together during Sufficiently Advanced Magic. The other players in the ensemble are well-crafted yet my personal favourites were the ambitious summoner Sara, who is also Corin's step-sister, and the cocky swordfighter Deryk who knew Corin's brother.
You do not need to be a gamer to enjoy this book. I am not too familiar with tabletop RPG gaming and although I'm sure this story borrows many elements; to me, the magic scheme is unique and detailed - it is well described as it is introduced and then explained throughout the story. It includes an extremely large amount of possibilities and it seems that Rowe only scratches the surface of them in this first entry. Demons and Gods can be summoned, mysterious magical weapons can be wielded, different classes and powers of spells can be cast. It even includes teleportation possibilities, invisibility powers, a mysterious book that writes back to the holder, and occasionally monsters even leave jewels or secret weapons after defeat. I won't try and expand on the above apart from that those powers/abilities are probably only the tip of the iceberg. Rowe explains it all phenomenally well so it never seemed overwhelming or confusing. During the middle of the book, he almost explains it too well. This section did seem to drag a bit too much and perhaps could have been streamlined.
It is a lengthy book which might put some younger readers off yet I think Rowe may have stumbled across a story that perfectly fits in that illustrious middle ground of appealing to both YA and adult fantasy readers. As well as the above-mentioned complex magic-scheme, it features exhilarating duels, Guardian showdowns, political unrest, betrayal, and a potentially looming war. With all this going on perhaps the Gods and almighty beasts will play their hand in current affairs. It also includes a potential LGBT storyline. The world seems great in its breadth but in Sufficiently Advanced Magic the majority of the action is consigned to 3-4 areas including the college and the tower. I'm intrigued to see where the cast venture next in this world following the extraordinary finale. The last couple of pages were amazing, completely unexpected, and have made me eager and anxious for the next book in the Arcane Ascension series. Sufficiently Advanced Magic is LitRPG excellence that is highly recommended, it already has a huge following and I can see why it is a #SPFBO finalist and r/stabby award winner.
8/10 LitRPG excellence that is highly recommended
Sufficiently advanced magic can be portrayed in various ways across different fantasy works. It can involve complex spellcasting rituals, the manipulation of natural forces or elements, the creation of magical artifacts with intricate mechanisms, or even the ability to reshape reality itself. Magic systems that employ this concept often require a deep understanding of the principles that govern the magical world and may involve extensive training or study to master. The notion of sufficiently advanced magic also raises questions about the nature of magic and its relationship to science. It challenges the conventional perception that science and magic are mutually exclusive, suggesting instead that they can coexist or even intersect. This exploration of the convergence of science and magic adds depth to the worldbuilding and can provide opportunities for characters to navigate the boundaries between the two. Overall, the concept of sufficiently advanced magic allows authors to explore the possibilities of magic as a form of advanced technology within their fantasy worlds. It offers a way to expand the scope and capabilities of magic, creating a sense of wonder and fascination for readers and players. By presenting magic as intricately designed and governed by logical rules, it adds depth and complexity to the storytelling, enhancing the overall immersive experience of the fantasy world..
Reviews for "Sufficiently Advanced Magic and Technology: Bridging the Gap"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Sufficiently Advanced Magic". The world-building was confusing and the magic system felt convoluted. I couldn't connect with the characters and found them to be quite one-dimensional. The pacing was slow and I felt like the story didn't have a clear direction. Overall, I struggled to stay engaged and ended up feeling unsatisfied with the reading experience.
2. John - 3 stars - While "Sufficiently Advanced Magic" had some interesting concepts, the execution fell flat for me. The writing style was dry and lacked emotion, making it difficult to become invested in the story. The plot felt disjointed at times and the constant focus on the magic system became overwhelming. I also found the dialogue to be stilted and unnatural. Unfortunately, this book just didn't live up to the hype for me.
3. Lisa - 2.5 stars - I had high hopes for "Sufficiently Advanced Magic", but I ultimately found it to be a disappointment. The world-building was intricate, but it overshadowed the plot and character development. The pacing was uneven, with long stretches of exposition and not enough action. The main protagonist, while having potential, didn't undergo significant growth throughout the story. Overall, I was left feeling unfulfilled and wishing for more substance in this highly anticipated novel.
4. Michael - 2 stars - "Sufficiently Advanced Magic" was a struggle for me to get through. The writing style was overly descriptive, bogging down the narrative and making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. The magic system was complex to the point of being confusing, and I often found myself lost in the details. The characters lacked depth and their interactions felt forced. I wanted to enjoy this book, but unfortunately, it fell short in many aspects.