Review of Mother of Learning: ARC 2 by nobody103
When I dove into Mother of Learning: ARC 2 by Domagoj Kurmaic, I was brimming with excitement after the thrilling experience of reading its predecessor just last month. The way the first volume painted a vivid world of magic, time loops, and intricate character development stuck with me, and I felt an irresistible pull to explore what happened next. Spoiler alert: it was just as exhilarating!
Taking place immediately after the cliffhanger ending of the first volume, you’re thrown back into Zorian’s chaotic life as he grapples with alliances and tragedies in a world on the brink of destruction. The narrative picks up seamlessly, which I greatly appreciated—no tedious time jumps to explain. Kurmaic’s ability to create a cohesive story that flows naturally from one volume to the next is one of the series’ highlights.
Zorian’s journey continues to form the crux of this installment. He must navigate not only the complexities of his magical studies but also the threats posed by necromancers, zealots, and creatures bent on wreaking havoc. As he trains harder and dives deeper into unconventional forms of magic, I found myself connecting with his struggle for growth and mastery. One quote that particularly stuck with me was, “Picking on innocent people for the sake of personal training was not the road he wanted to take…” It made me reflect on the morality of power and the choices we make in pursuit of our goals.
Now, while I adored this volume overall, I did have a minor hiccup with its pacing. The first 35% felt somewhat drawn out as Zorian stepped outside the familiar grounds of the magical academy. Though this granted him rich experiences, the info-dump style of world-building made it tricky for me to digest everything. I had wished for more exploration outside the academy, and when it came, I didn’t quite grasp its significance as I had hoped.
Thankfully, once Zorian returned to the academy, the story surged with energy and spontaneity. I could hardly contain my excitement as familiar settings transformed under new stakes and revelations. A notable evolution happened within the supporting cast; characters like Zach, Taiven, and Kirielle became more vivid and engaging. Their growth added depth and complexity that enriched the pacing of the narrative.
Kurmaic excels in crafting relatable, evolving characters, and it was delightful to see everyone, including Zorian, undergo significant transformations despite his repetitive time loop. The line, “My brother is really great… He’s like a hedgehog. He gets nice once you get past his prickliness,” encapsulated the humor and relatability that peppered this serious narrative—a testament to Kurmaic’s skill.
By the end of Mother of Learning: ARC 2, I was left thirsting for more; the revelation behind the time loop tantalized me, paving the way for the subsequent arcs. Fellow fantasy lovers who enjoy rich lore and character-driven plots will find a lot to cherish in this series.
If you gravitate towards stories that highlight personal growth amid fantastical chaos, then you’ll undoubtedly enjoy this book. I certainly plan to continue Zorian’s journey soon—fingers crossed the next installment is as gripping as this one. Happy reading, everyone!
Discover more about Mother of Learning: ARC 2 on GoodReads >>