Synopsis
Martin Banks is just a normal guy who has made an abnormal discovery: he can manipulate reality, thanks to reality being nothing more than a computer program. With every use of this ability, though, Martin finds his little “tweaks” have not escaped notice. Rather than face prosecution, he decides instead to travel back in time to the Middle Ages and pose as a wizard.
Review
Off to Be the Wizard by Scott Meyer is a light book, so the emotional weight lands somewhere in the middle. In its place you get a steady stream of simple, pure enjoyment. The tone is almost cozy. Meyer never takes the story too seriously, yet it stays consistently fun to read from start to finish.
The characters are one of the strongest parts of this story. Martin and Phillip stand out in particular, though the whole cast leaps off the page. Following them around is a joy.
Most of the story follows Martin as he discovers this brand new version of the world and tries to find his place in it. Then, about three quarters of the way through, things suddenly get serious. Meyer foreshadows the shift well without giving too much away. The pacing is quick, the story is straightforward, and there are plenty of genuinely funny moments along the way.
The writing is cheeky, cheesy, and a little corny. I loved every bit of it and laughed out loud more than once. Meyer knows exactly how to win over his audience through dialogue.
The worldbuilding is another standout. Meyer takes a simple concept and runs with it, making the story feel whimsical and logical at the same time. As a software engineer, I especially enjoyed the logical restrictions on the “magic.” Many of them reminded me of object oriented programming. The blend of science fiction and fantasy here feels fresh and unique.
Off to Be the Wizard is a delightfully charming story. I highly recommend it whenever you need something lighter that will make you laugh. And if you can, try the audiobook.
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