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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
Mother of Learning: Arc 1 is web serial that follows Zorian, as he becomes trapped in a time loop and must use this unprecedented event to harness his abilities to break free.
The story starts off quite slow as it's laying the foundation of the world and providing subtle information of Zorian and the people he interacts with. However the latter three quarters of the book is immensely gripping as it commencement of the time loop and how Zorian deals with it while developing his mage abilities.
Zorian's character development is relatable and refreshing. As he starts out very introverted and feels like he is set to a high standard at home and at the academy due to his successful brothers. However within the time loop Zorian becomes more extroverted with teachers and students not by choice but to develop his magic and his skills by learning what he can from each individual. Zorain's relationship with his family is also developed as he has overbearing and critical parents and an annoying little sister. You see how he starts to understand his little sister and family more which was an amazing touch within the narrative of the story.
This is a great read and very underrated. I can't wait to continue my journey within the other three arcs to find out what happens to Zorian and if he is able to break free of the time loop.
The story starts off quite slow as it's laying the foundation of the world and providing subtle information of Zorian and the people he interacts with. However the latter three quarters of the book is immensely gripping as it commencement of the time loop and how Zorian deals with it while developing his mage abilities.
Zorian's character development is relatable and refreshing. As he starts out very introverted and feels like he is set to a high standard at home and at the academy due to his successful brothers. However within the time loop Zorian becomes more extroverted with teachers and students not by choice but to develop his magic and his skills by learning what he can from each individual. Zorain's relationship with his family is also developed as he has overbearing and critical parents and an annoying little sister. You see how he starts to understand his little sister and family more which was an amazing touch within the narrative of the story.
This is a great read and very underrated. I can't wait to continue my journey within the other three arcs to find out what happens to Zorian and if he is able to break free of the time loop.
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence
Moderate: Cursing, Blood
Minor: Suicide
Arachnophobia
Mother of Learning by Domagoj Kurmaić is a charming, engaging, enjoyable story about Zorian, a 15-year-old quiet, studious teenager, with some magical talent who finds himself trapped in a time loop – think Harry Potter meets Groundhog Day.
We first meet Zorian on the day he leaves to begin his third year at the magic academy, where he is rather anti-social, preferring to be left alone with his studies, and focused on improving his magical skills to escape his family (who have made it clear that he does not meet their exacting standards, especially when compared to his older brothers). It is a typical school year until the night of the Summer Festival where *something* happens and Zorian finds himself waking up at home to restart the month (and begin the time loop).
The prose (except for a few exposition dumps) is simple and direct, serving the narrative well. Time loop stories can go badly wrong, however this one was well executed, with each “restart” showing Zorian first coming to terms with the reality of the situation, then “powering up” by learning as much magic as he can as he tries to prevent the *something* from happening, while trying to find out the mystery behind the origins of the time loop. Each restart was unique and interesting enough to keep the story moving and not feeling stale or repetitive.
While the narrative lacked in world building and explanation of its lore (it was hinted at), Zorian’s character development was done well. At the start of the story, Zorian is not particularly likeable: he’s moody, anti-social, angsty, and focused only on himself. However, as Zorian finds himself trapped in the time loop, he not only gains new magical abilities, but he also develops human ones as well, learning compassion and patience, building relationships, and becoming more likeable. Due to the nature of time loop stories, the other characters aren’t given much opportunity to grown, however, the reader does get to see glimpses of the various aspects of their personality/history through the numerous restarts.
Note of caution whilst reading: Mother of Learning was originally published as a web serial and then reedited, split into four volumes (called arcs), and published in traditional book format by Wraithmarked. As such, the arc tends to end rather abruptly – luckily all arcs are now available so there’s no waiting to continue the story. Also, story does start out rather slowly as Zorian goes through his first month at the academy, with the pace picking up after a few restarts.
Trigger warning: Spiders.
Mother of Learning is a well crafted time loop story that was a very entertaining read.
We first meet Zorian on the day he leaves to begin his third year at the magic academy, where he is rather anti-social, preferring to be left alone with his studies, and focused on improving his magical skills to escape his family (who have made it clear that he does not meet their exacting standards, especially when compared to his older brothers). It is a typical school year until the night of the Summer Festival where *something* happens and Zorian finds himself waking up at home to restart the month (and begin the time loop).
The prose (except for a few exposition dumps) is simple and direct, serving the narrative well. Time loop stories can go badly wrong, however this one was well executed, with each “restart” showing Zorian first coming to terms with the reality of the situation, then “powering up” by learning as much magic as he can as he tries to prevent the *something* from happening, while trying to find out the mystery behind the origins of the time loop. Each restart was unique and interesting enough to keep the story moving and not feeling stale or repetitive.
While the narrative lacked in world building and explanation of its lore (it was hinted at), Zorian’s character development was done well. At the start of the story, Zorian is not particularly likeable: he’s moody, anti-social, angsty, and focused only on himself. However, as Zorian finds himself trapped in the time loop, he not only gains new magical abilities, but he also develops human ones as well, learning compassion and patience, building relationships, and becoming more likeable. Due to the nature of time loop stories, the other characters aren’t given much opportunity to grown, however, the reader does get to see glimpses of the various aspects of their personality/history through the numerous restarts.
Note of caution whilst reading: Mother of Learning was originally published as a web serial and then reedited, split into four volumes (called arcs), and published in traditional book format by Wraithmarked. As such, the arc tends to end rather abruptly – luckily all arcs are now available so there’s no waiting to continue the story. Also, story does start out rather slowly as Zorian goes through his first month at the academy, with the pace picking up after a few restarts.
Trigger warning: Spiders.
Mother of Learning is a well crafted time loop story that was a very entertaining read.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
No matter how good the plot was it does not justify the insufferable nature of the MC in the first iteration of the time line
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Great Book
If you like time travel stories this is definitely a solid read. Starts off a bit slow to build the world but it picks up and stays interesting. Author does a great job of not spending a bunch of time on meaningless details in the time loops.
If you like time travel stories this is definitely a solid read. Starts off a bit slow to build the world but it picks up and stays interesting. Author does a great job of not spending a bunch of time on meaningless details in the time loops.