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A review by mhedgescsus
The First Binding by R.R. Virdi
1.0
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0/5 stars. The worst book I have ever read and the most blatant rip-off of another book (Name of the Wind) that I've ever read!
I am legitimately angry at goodreads that they force me to give a minimum of 1 star for this book, as it deserves a big fat 0 stars. Not only is the book extremely poorly written, but it's over the top plagiarism is borderline criminal. Instead of giving a review of this book, I am going to share with you all the things directly stolen from Name of the Wind. Beware spoilers below (however, if you've read Name of the Wind none of these are spoilers, as these books are identical outside of this one being horribly written).
1. The first paragraph talks about "stillness".
2. The poetry of the writing is an attempt at identical style of writing.
3. It starts in an inn
4. The protagonist is young and wise beyond his years
5. The story is about a mythic hero who is telling his life story using a framing narrative
6. The main character has a magical cloak that is made by fayries.
7. The inn is attacked by demons.
8. He is a musician.
9. He is in a theater group.
10. They have someone holding a story/song hostage from them.
11. Their parents are both killed by an evil ancient being who is trying to stop their story from being told via a play in public.
12. There is a love interest who holds secrets who sings.
13. The relationship with this girl is cringey.
14. He has a magic teacher in the first act with a long training montage.
15. The teacher dies immediately after training him.
16. The boy is too clever for the teachers liking.
17. He then goes on for several chapters to have an "Oliver Twist" adventure.
18. He cannot let anyone ever have his blood because of what other magic users can do with it.
19. He finds out that the magic school he wants to attend is way above his station in life.
20. The protagonist claims their story is a major tragedy.
21. He pisses off teachers at this school, and the one who eventually teaches him is offbeat and kookie.
22. The university admissions scene is virtually identical.
23. As he advances through school the characters are given items that denote how far they have advanced.
24. The magic they learn at the beginning is associated with a candle.
25. Their powers are elemental in nature.
26. The magic is about "splitting the mind" in one, and "folding the mind" in the other.
27. There is an addictive drug that turns teeth white.
28. When abilities are pushed too far it can put themselves and others in danger.
29. There is a religion where the ultimate creator is said to have come in the form of a mortal body, with the aid of a moral human mother, and is known as the son himself.
This is plagiarism pure and simple, and R.R. Virdi should be ashamed of himself.
0/5 stars. The worst book I have ever read and the most blatant rip-off of another book (Name of the Wind) that I've ever read!
I am legitimately angry at goodreads that they force me to give a minimum of 1 star for this book, as it deserves a big fat 0 stars. Not only is the book extremely poorly written, but it's over the top plagiarism is borderline criminal. Instead of giving a review of this book, I am going to share with you all the things directly stolen from Name of the Wind. Beware spoilers below (however, if you've read Name of the Wind none of these are spoilers, as these books are identical outside of this one being horribly written).
1. The first paragraph talks about "stillness".
2. The poetry of the writing is an attempt at identical style of writing.
3. It starts in an inn
4. The protagonist is young and wise beyond his years
5. The story is about a mythic hero who is telling his life story using a framing narrative
6. The main character has a magical cloak that is made by fayries.
7. The inn is attacked by demons.
8. He is a musician.
9. He is in a theater group.
10. They have someone holding a story/song hostage from them.
11. Their parents are both killed by an evil ancient being who is trying to stop their story from being told via a play in public.
12. There is a love interest who holds secrets who sings.
13. The relationship with this girl is cringey.
14. He has a magic teacher in the first act with a long training montage.
15. The teacher dies immediately after training him.
16. The boy is too clever for the teachers liking.
17. He then goes on for several chapters to have an "Oliver Twist" adventure.
18. He cannot let anyone ever have his blood because of what other magic users can do with it.
19. He finds out that the magic school he wants to attend is way above his station in life.
20. The protagonist claims their story is a major tragedy.
21. He pisses off teachers at this school, and the one who eventually teaches him is offbeat and kookie.
22. The university admissions scene is virtually identical.
23. As he advances through school the characters are given items that denote how far they have advanced.
24. The magic they learn at the beginning is associated with a candle.
25. Their powers are elemental in nature.
26. The magic is about "splitting the mind" in one, and "folding the mind" in the other.
27. There is an addictive drug that turns teeth white.
28. When abilities are pushed too far it can put themselves and others in danger.
29. There is a religion where the ultimate creator is said to have come in the form of a mortal body, with the aid of a moral human mother, and is known as the son himself.
This is plagiarism pure and simple, and R.R. Virdi should be ashamed of himself.