A. S.
Norris
Accolades
Accolades
Honorable Mention
General Fiction
Young Adult Fiction
"The Wayward Mage"
"The Forbearing Mage"
1st place- 2023 Winner
Fantasy
"The Forbearing Mage"
2nd place- 2023 Winner
Fantasy
"The Wayward Mage"
2023 Review
4 out of 5 Stars
"The Wayward Mage"
"The Forbearing Mage"
Silver Medal- 2023 Winner
Religious and Spiritual Fantasy
"The Wayward Mage"
Bronze Medal- 2023 Winner
Fantasy- Epic
"The Forbearing Mage"
2023 Finalist
"The Wayward Mage"
"The Forbearing Mage"
Top Reviews
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Thank you!
Grady Harp
Top 100 Amazon Reviewer,
Art Reviewer for Poets
and Artists Magazine
Book 1: The Wayward Mage
"Norris brings to his literary debut his own life of adventurous traveling around the globe and makes a strong impression with this lengthy but solid young adult ‘sword and sorcery fantasy’ book – THE WAYWARD MAGE. Even the name of the principal character – Jack Wartnose – shows clever creativity! And there is promise of more episodes to follow in this series.
One of the many reasons this saga works so well, and will guarantee appeal to the designated Young Adult audience, is Norris’ sparkling wit."
K.C. Finn
Reviewer for Readers' Favorite
"Author A.S. Norris has crafted an engaging work that really establishes exactly what to expect from this series and creates an immersive fantasy world packed with danger and comedic opportunity. There’s something very Terry Pratchett in the way that Norris balances his comedic aspects with the engaging sword and sorcery plot, making his characters believably human in their emotions, dialogue, and connection with one another, but also great figures of fun when they’re put to the test against beasts and villains from the wildest corners of the imagination. I really enjoyed the father-son dynamic and the little hints of what might follow for Jack’s wayward progeny in future books. Christian readers will also likely enjoy the moral level of the tale and its links to spirituality, which is well-balanced so as to underpin the story without overpowering it. Overall, The Wayward Mage is highly enjoyable and recommended fantasy novel for fans everywhere, and I can’t wait to see what more the series has in store."
Book 2: The Forbearing Mage
"Author A.S. Norris picks up the pace with this second-in-series read now that the first novel has well and truly set the scene. I felt the action intensify at once in this tale, and we were right back with Jack, Muriel, and faces old and new as the quest continued in style, wit, and cinematic description. I love the way that Norris crafts dialogue, sparing us the typical Hollywood-esque slickness in favor of the way real people speak, every line sparking a new giggle as we await the inevitable punchlines and chaotic situations that Jack gets himself into. I enjoyed the new plot twists in this tale and found that they complemented and contrasted with the first story well without repeating too many of the same dynamics. Overall, The Forbearing Mage will certainly please readers who enjoyed the first book in the series and whets the appetite for even more from this engaging and enigmatic cast of characters."
Book 1: The Wayward Mage
Maincrest Media
"This hefty sword-and-sorcery will grip readers with its imperfect heroes and hilarious antics, a mix that leads to unpredictable outcomes. Norris weaves a compelling storyline that will keep fans engrossed and eagerly turning pages late into the night. His ability to strike the perfect balance between gripping action and heartfelt moments gives this story depth and emotional resonance. Despite the fantastical elements of the world he weaves, A.S. Norris creates masterful characters who are both relatable and down-to-earth as they deal with problems both magical and mundane."
Book 2: The Forbearing Mage
"The Forbearing Mage manages to demonstrate what makes any fantasy or adventure story great, all while maintaining a subtle religious undertones that will resonate strongly with core readers. In this way, the story serves as evidence that, when you put everything you have into creating compelling characters with complex relationships, you can make them stand out in any genre, any situation, and in any universe. And, indeed, beneath the clever repartee of Norris’s main cast of characters, there is a deeply satisfying complexity in each character that works to establish rich dynamics between them that manage to be fun, emotional, and incendiary all at the same time. As such, when the book’s most significant plot points arise, they feel gripping and organic -- despite the otherwise light-hearted nature of the story. All of this is brought to life on the page by Norris’s playfully elegant prose."
Book 1: The Wayward Mage
Reader's Favorite
Review Highlights
Jamie Michele
Book 1: The Wayward Mage
"Lots of moving parts, but a reader will not find themselves forgetting where the pieces were set."
Asher Syed
Book 1: The Wayward Mage
"What do you do when you've been searching for centuries for the ancient lost tome from the founding mage, Aeturnus? You send Jack! And this, fellow readers is how you make gold in a literary hero's journey, and the Wayward mage by A.S. Norris is gold."
Foluso Falaye
Book 1: The Wayward Mage
"Romance is a significant theme in the book, giving it an adorable feel that makes you want to spend time with a lover...A.S. Norris crafts these characters so skillfully they are lifelike and likable. I can't wait to read about their adventures in the follow-up novels."
Stephanie Chapman
Book 1: The Wayward Mage
"Norris developed excellent characters that were easy to connect with...I recommend the Wayward Mage to readers who enjoy fantasy stories with colorful characters."
Foluso Falaye
Book 2: The Forbearing Mage
"I loved Margaret's addition to the story. She is bold and fiery despite her abusive past involving her stepfather...In a spine-chilling scene involving a fight with extremely tough monsters, I had to remind myself that the threats were only fictional. Norris' ability to create intriguing, humorous chaotic scenes should be studied and made into textbooks. I was completely glued to the book's abundant supply of exciting chaos, whether it was a dramatic court case, a crowd fight that was heavily influenced by alcohol, or an amusing family brawl."
Stephanie Chapman
Book 2: The Forbearing Mage
"The vivid descriptions of every protagonist and the multiple perspectives kept me from putting the book down. The transitions between them were easy to follow."
Luwi Nyakansaila
Book 2: The Forbearing Mage
"Action, adventure, magic, and comedy, The Forbearing Mage brings you all this and more. This is the second installment in the book series, but it can be read as a stand-alone book because A.S. Norris reintroduces the main characters and their skills in the first chapter, written seamlessly into the story. Each character has an intriguing backstory and dinstinct personality. From the surprise ending, it is safe to say Wartnose's adventures are not over, and...I am eager to know where this quest will take him next."
Parul Sood
Book 2: The Forbearing Mage
"The Forbearing Mage distinguishes itself by blending Christian morals and values into the world of fantasy. A.S Norris has skillfully combined these elements throughout the narrative, delivering a refreshing mixture of that attracts readers looking for substance and significance in their entertainment. With their interactions providing humor and lightheartedness against an adventurous backdrop, these well-developed characters take center stage. With captivating narration and immersive visual imagery created through descriptive language, this story keeps you engaged throughout. Immersed in this enchanting world where anything is possible, readers will eagerly turn the pages.”
Top Amazon Reviews
Melanie
Book 1: The Wayward Mage
Verified Amazon Purchase
""This was a fun read, especially with the lighthearted humor spread throughout despite some deeper conflicts and tough life questions that the plot explores. Adventure, magic, thought-provoking plot, and a good laugh. What more could you want?"
Barbara Gilbert
Book 2: The Forbearing Mage
Verified Amazon Purchase
"Jack is beset with all kinds of trouble while seeking the whereabouts of the Tome of Time. Who wouldn't love magic, misadventure and a character who seems to be chased by everyone from the marshalls, the undead, marauders, other interested parties and an unknown daughter who is out to kill him.I am enjoying reading this new kind of magic story that is set in a medieval type timeframe, and a novice mage who wants to prove himself by locating the Tome of Time. It's just that he has to live through it first.A great read that everyone is sure to enjoy. Can't wait to see what's next in the Wartnose Adventures."
S. Johnson
Book 1: The Wayward Mage
Verified Amazon Purchase
"Muriel is my favorite character. I literally laughed out loud during several scenes, because, well, he deserved it.The over all story is well developed and you can really get into the world the author created. It starts off like LOTR novel but adds a lot more gritty Indiana Jones tones to it, which was fun."
Book 2: The Forbearing Mage
Verified Amazon Purchase
""It was great revisiting these characters again on their adventures. It was both interesting and fun to visit and hear about the past adventures, which, by the way, has caught up to him... again.
What I loved the most was his relationship with Muriel. She's still my favorite character."
Marla
Book 2: The Forbearing Mage
Verified Amazon Purchase
"I'm not a big fan of magical tales-but I rather enjoyed the characters and the humor infused in each scene. I bought the first book too after reading this one. I find this book really held my attention and wasn't overly complex like Harry Potter. It was a fun read, as I wanted to get lost in an adventure after work. I'll buy the next one :)"
RAC
Book 2: The Forbearing Mage
Verified Amazon Purchase
"If you're a fan of YA novels with intricate world-building and engaging, fun dialogue, then "The Forbearing Mage" is the book for you! The author's use of dialect for the characters adds an extra layer of authenticity to the world they've created. I particularly enjoyed the descriptive wording and the well-developed characters, including mages, rangers, royals, and more. The dialect used for the characters added to the authenticity of the world and made it more immersive. The internal thoughts of the characters as they prepared for fights were great, and the book kept me engaged throughout."
Carol Hand
Book 1: The Wayward Mage
Verified Amazon Purchase
"First-time author A.S. Norris has built a believable fantasy world. His characters are a group of highly imperfect adventurers who constantly fight with each other as well as with outsiders. Their interactions lead to some amusing scenes during their quest for an ancient book. The quest's leader, Mage Jack Wartnose, is serious about finding the book; his partners are mostly serious about getting paid. The book is long and wordy and it starts slowly, but its quirky characters and intriguing plot keep the reader engaged. A commendable first novel with plenty of opportunities for further adventures in the series."
Clairet
Book 1: The Wayward Mage
Verified Amazon Purchase
"Muriel is my favorite character. I literally laughed out loud during several scenes, because, well, he deserved it.The over all story is well developed and you can really get into the world the author created. It starts off like LOTR novel but adds a lot more gritty Indiana Jones tones to it, which was fun."
Book 2: The Forbearing Mage
Verified Amazon Purchase
""It was great revisiting these characters again on their adventures. It was both interesting and fun to visit and hear about the past adventures, which, by the way, has caught up to him... again.
What I loved the most was his relationship with Muriel. She's still my favorite character."
Deirdre Stokes
Book 2: The Forbearing Mage
Verified Amazon Purchase
"I loved this book as Jack got into more trouble than in the first. Lots of reveal from his past, and the amount of great details in this book has every page turning to tell something great. I couldn't stop reading this story."