Applied Leverage

The Origin Key Series, Book 1

By: Aaron Sher

Narrated by: Brandon J. Peterson

Connor Rourke is one of the little people, supernaturally speaking: a psionic in a world of mages. He's happy being the top—okay, just about the only—supernatural locksmith in the Boston area. He doesn't aspire to adventure or heroism, but he's about to get pulled in whether he likes it or not (spoiler: he doesn't).

When he stumbles across a secret that was never meant to be known, he gets in trouble with forces far beyond him. Mixed up in a conflict between factions he can't match or understand, he'll have to find a way to survive for himself and those he loves. Along the way, Connor will learn secrets hidden for centuries, face and defeat threats to his life, and ultimately tackle an enemy who could annihilate him with a thought—and wants to.

Applied Leverage is a new urban fantasy novel set in an innovative world full of action and vivid characters. For fans of the genre, this is a must-listen.

©2024 Aaron Sher (P)2025 Aaron Sher

Smart urban fantasy with crisp pacing

A fast, clear urban fantasy that blends blue-collar competence (locksmithing, surveillance, breaking-and-entering logistics) with a tightly explained magic system built around focuses, channels, and backlash. The action set pieces escalate cleanly: from bar chaos to heist to pursuit, while the plot keeps adding concrete stakes (the safe, the notes, the wooden figure, and rival factions). The Boston-area setting feels grounded, and the shift to the hidden artisan village expands the world without losing momentum. Character work is functional rather than deep, but it supports the story’s forward drive and makes the procedural problem-solving satisfying to follow.

A Fun Urban Fantasy

There are really not any surprises with this story; it remains a very decent feel good story of wise cracking hero using his wits and a little help for his friends to get through what amounts to one very long and very bad day. The characters were easy to empathise with and the world building was interesting. In fact, the only real issue I had was the production quality where some of the splices dropped the overall volume and sound quality ... but the narration was generally good enough that such was only a minor irritation (so I rounded down for the performance and up for the overall score). At any rate, I will probably pick up the next installment in the series. There is enough mystery remaining to drive the rest of the series ...

I was given this free advance review/listener copy (ARC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

#AppliedLeverage #FreeAudiobookCodes #TheOriginKey

Fantastic

Applied Leverage by Aaron Sher is a wonderful fantasy story. Brandon J. Peterson did a wonderful job with the narration. The story is funny, entertaining, enjoyable, interesting and paranormal. Applied leverage is the first story in The Origin Key series. I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. Highly recommend

One job... a complicated messed up adventure

Received an audio copy from the narrator to review, this is and honest review. Brandon James Peterson does a great job in elevating author Aaron Sher's witty humor that's threaded throughout this urban fantasy into a glorious adventure that was excellent to listen to. It suppose was to be a quiet evening in a bar that only those with supernatural abilities know about; for Connor Rourke being entertained by some Mages playing with fire as they drink will very amusing after he finds himself roped into from what seemed like a simple job. It turns into an absolute, fucking shitshow that puts Connor's life in constant peril it leaves his head spinning... if he was doing it all alone is one thing but how other women are just on deep as he is- and Connor would be an asshole of he didn't do all he can to protect him, his allies and friends and innocent people that could be collateral damage if one powerful Mage's bat shit crazy plan is achieved.

Hopefully once the dust settles, Connor can get back to bring a simple supernatural lock smith and not get shot at... or anything else dangerous.


A great series is just getting started.


Highly recommended.