Elazar the Magician

Masks of Eternity, Book 1

By: Clayton Wood

Narrated by: John Pirhalla

Destined to be an apprentice of Elazar the Magician, Magnus’s future is destroyed when his best friend Tyrus betrays him. Magnus can only watch as everyone he loves is destroyed by the terrible power of Tyrus’s magic Kagi mushroom. Magnus barely escapes with his life, spending the next two decades running from his horrible past.

Now a famous actor, Magnus drowns his horrible memories in booze and an endless string of beautiful women. But when Tyrus returns as a marauding tyrant hell-bent on ruling the world, Magnus must fulfill his destiny to become a magician, and face his former friend in an epic battle to the death!

Immerse yourself in a mind-blowing, psychedelic fantasy adventure filled with action, adventure, incredible magic, and unforgettable characters!

©2021 Clayton Wood (P)2023 Clayton Wood

Lots of cruelty for not much payoff

The story starts with two friends finding a mushroom that grants magic. One of them believes in magic, the other only accepts science. For the first five chapters, it's unclear whether magic really exists. Also, it's illegal to have one of these mushrooms unless they are given by Elazar ... who is a minor side character.

And then the horrible stuff starts happening. Lots of people die horrifically.

And then a sudden 20+ year time skip. Soon, more horrible things are happening.

It's reasonably well-written and the performance is fine. But there is a lot of emphasis on odd things without much payoff for them.