First Passage (The Path-Forgers Chronicles)

First Passage (The Path-Forgers Chronicles)

A dystopian fantasy world where magic, and technology co-mingle and otherworldly species are known of by a small few. Those with magic try to keep a low profile at threat of losing opportunities, relationships, or disappearing entirely. Nathan Clouse is a resilient young man with unique magic and a troubled past. After escaping an abusive home he has been living amongst a group of outcasts and working odd jobs to support himself. He hopes that one day his skills as an inventor will pave the way to a better life. Everything changes one night when Nathan is attacked by strangers and then betrayed by the person he thought closest to him. Now on the run for his life, he must rely on new friendships , and his mentor to help him uncover the truth of his past before it's too late. A fast-paced, action-packed dystopia that fulfills the premise's high expectations First Passage by Morgan Fitzgerald-Lorah is a dystopian fantasy set in a world where magic and technology co- exist, yet the use of magic comes with grave consequences. Nathan Clouse, a young man with unique magical abilities, has struggled to escape a traumatic past. His father had become an abusive drunk after his wife was sent to a mental institution. The best thing Nathan could do for himself was escape. Now living with the Preduals, Nathan makes a decent living working short side hustles for the black market. However, his world is turned upside down when two agents attack him. Nathan is forced into hiding again, relying on new friendships and confronting his past. As he grapples with the threat of losing everything, First Passage explores powerful themes of betrayal, survival, and the conflict between embracing one's identity and the dangers of societal rejection. Fitzgerald-Lorah has created a rich world with this magical, technological atmosphere. Readers are going to love the novel's fast-paced plot, complex characters, and high-stakes drama. The advancement of technology has allowed society to thrive, but magic remains an unknown and dangerous force, feared by the public and repressed by those who possess it. Everything belonging to the magical side resides in the black market. This uneasy coexistence shapes the world's harsh, dystopian landscape, where anyone with magic must hide their abilities or face persecution. For Nathan, it's a daily experience. He walks around with mysterious powers and people who are trying to take him down for it. The whole "magic vs technology" mirrors the "dreams vs. logic" theme. For example, Mark, one of Nathan's newly-found companions expresses his dream to become a car designer, and his mother quickly shoots down the idea for a profession more "useful" to society. Nathan dreams of becoming an inventor with his magic. But with the way things are currently in his world, he has to keep his interest on the down-low. What is possible from imagination versus what has already been done plays a big role in this book, and it's all the better for it. Fitzgerald-Lorah's action sequences read like a Marvel script. The action swings by so fast you feel like you've been thrown or punched! Her writing style is fun and seriously engaging, and Nathan's mysterious past creates a sense of genuine anticipation on the reader's part. First Passage is a short read and you won't want to miss a word. Readers are going to love Nathan's journey, especially because of the well-imagined side characters who go with him and the world's immersive lore. The book carries tons of potential for sequels too. One thing's for certain in the end: Morgan Fitzgerald-Lorah holds the magic for great storytelling. Independent Book Review Nathan barely escapes with his life after his abusive father attempts to end it, stabbing him just right under his left collarbone. He seeks asylum in the blackout zone with the outcasts of the city, surviving by scavenging and selling his findings in the black market for years until one day two men attempt to kidnap and kill him. The failed assault leaves him once again barely alive and sets him on a course to find secrets about himself and his past that he never even expected. I love Morgan Fitzgerald-Lorah's choice of cover; it caught my eye the instant I saw the book; the hero's features hidden by the hoodie and the magical glowing orb give mysterious and fantasy vibes, which is my cup of tea. However, the title didn't give away anything about the storyline, and I still don't get its connection to the book after reading it. The author completely takes me off guard at the beginning of the story when I find the storyline happening in the future in a dystopian society. She skillfully creates a futuristic sci-fi setting without exaggerating it and subtly blends it with fantasy and magical elements in a very convincing and outstanding way. She seamlessly draws the reader into her imagined world in a few seconds without dwelling for long to over-describe and explain how things work, but she provides the necessar