Review of Paragon Exordium

Post by **Rajnee Varma** » 16 Oct 2023, 05:16

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Paragon Exordium" by Mikel Melwasul.]

4 out of 5 stars

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Paragon Exordium by Mikel Melwasul is a captivating fantasy novel set in modern-day Georgia. One fine day, something horrible happened—the earth shook and the sky shattered—leaving the people devastated amid the explosions, debris, dead bodies, and injured people while mysterious, talking predators with purple blood and yellow eyes roamed the city of Paragon. There is no power and no means of communication left, as the satellite towers and all electronic gadgets are nonfunctional. Captain Peter from a private military organization kills a basilisk with the mysterious sword gifted by Dr. Walker, an old lady and a family friend who, in reality, is an ancient dwarf thousands of years old. While the restoration work continues in the town, several rescue parties leave in search of survivors and essential supplies. Peter's party reaches Atlanta, where a city of elves has somehow appeared and merged with the city, causing destruction and chaos. In addition, the city is occupied by vile orks. The novel narrates the adventurous story of good against evil in a realm of magic where dwarves, elves, orks, vampires, and tree people interact, armed by their own form of magic, spells, and traditions.

Each of the characters is crafted fantastically, complete with their physical features, emotions, and vulnerabilities. Dr. Walker and Peter are the central characters, and the author has woven an intricate web of magic around the different species and their peculiar traits. Dr. Walker explains the difference between good magic and witchcraft, and her imparting the knowledge to Sarah is also well illustrated. The vivid description of the different colorful attires and the characteristics of each species is quite imaginative and fascinating. But most of all, I liked the author's scientific approach to explaining magic as the flow of arcane energy that can be controlled and used as desired.

The raw emotions of an orphaned teenage boy pulled into war, the hostility and apprehension of town people towards magic, and the grief of soldiers losing their fellow men are portrayed realistically, and readers will feel empathy with the characters. I would not say that I disliked anything about the book, but there are certain things that intrigued me. There is no hint as to why Peter grinned devilishly after he killed someone or something, although he is portrayed as a man of good character. Why and how the different worlds collided is also not clear, but maybe there will be a sequel to the novel. I also found the editing lax and noticed several errors and typos. My overall rating for the book is 4 out of 5 stars.

This is a novel with a huge canvas and requires full concentration to remember the complex storyline and a large number of characters. But it is a worthwhile book to invest your time and money in. I would recommend it to lovers of fantasy with a logical mind, but not to young readers due to the details that may be disturbing for them. Readers will definitely enjoy it and expect a sequel to the story.

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Paragon Exordium
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Stephen Pokoo · Post by **Stephen Pokoo** » 18 Oct 2023, 07:09

I see this book is already available on Amazon. I guess it's a must-purchase. Great review.

Chandrakant Patel · Post by **Chandrakant Patel** » 18 Oct 2023, 08:25

The author's scientific interpretation of magic as the flow of arcane energy is commended. The book successfully conveys raw emotions and realistic character interactions, evoking empathy from readers.

Azaz Raja · Post by **Azaz Raja** » 11 Feb 2024, 07:08

Thanks for the insightful review of "Paragon Exordium"! Your analysis of the characters, world-building, and magical elements provides valuable insights. It's great to hear about the book's strengths, like its well-crafted characters and imaginative world. Your critique of the editing and unanswered questions adds depth to your review. Readers will find your perspective helpful in deciding whether to dive into this captivating fantasy world.

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 12 Feb 2024, 15:43

This novel's modern interpretation of magic is interesting and the story seems engaging, so I hope the author does proper proofreading to prevent distractions while reading it. Thank you for your great review!