Manipulation Audiobook By Sean Oswald cover art

Manipulation

Magic Eater, Book 1

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Manipulation

By: Sean Oswald
Narrated by: Giancarlo Herrera, Hannah Schooner
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Tad doesn't have any memory before waking up on the beach, apparently the sole survivor of a shipwreck. All he has from his past is a necklace with a symbol no one recognizes.

After growing up in the orphanage, he takes a job managing inventory for a merchant catering to adventurers. He knows he's a bit off, the world just smells different to him.

When he's confronted by a group of adventurers with more power than ethics, he learns that it's been magic he is smelling all along. As the confrontation builds he learns that he can eat that same magic, but it isn't enough to keep him from being taken.

Waking up in a dungeon, he quickly learns they are more than monster filled pits. They are tools of the Great System and just maybe doorways through the multiverse.

Now he must struggle to prove his worth, grow in power, and master his strange ability, all complicated by the fact that the enchantments on his gear might just be alive.

©2025 Sean Oswald (P)2025 Royal Guard Publishing LLC Action & Adventure Epic Fantasy Adventure Parallel Universe
Immersive Worldbuilding • Engaging Storyline • Excellent Narration • Intriguing Concept • Confident Writing
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This is definitely a book you need to check out. It breaks the typical fantasy mold. The MC does not use magic actually is the complete opposite the story. Also does a good job is slowly evolving the MC overtime and building up his power. I look forward to book to to see what happens next. You definitely need to check this book out.

Now this is a fantasy story!

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I enjoyed it very much and am looking forward to the next book! I really hope it picks up from the second this one ends or at least with the day or something. now months or weeks. the Way it ended with not finishing the Arc between the two and you will know who I'm talking about and won't spoil it now it different and I get it's a book that's the start of a bigger narrative but we could have had a small encounter before the end of the book set up or interlude with just what happened to her when she Left Tad's room that evening! but wonder book definitely a great start and looking forward to the next part of his adventure 🤔

the whole way I asked myself one thing.

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really good writing really slow reader you have to turn up the speed at minimum 1.5x

amazing story

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A new way to look at litrpg. It’s got it all. Character building is really unique. I enjoyed the book . Now waiting on book 2.. Tim V

Loved it.

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this book was amazing! loved the characters and their progression. I can't wait for the next one in this series

Awsome

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fun to hear Oswald audiobbok in duet narration. as always Sean writes an incredible story. can't wait for book 2

great story and narration

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I have to say that this series was a lot of fun. a crafting class that uses his abilities for combat is done but this was done in a fun way that I want more

a great new series by Oswald

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As a big fan of Sean Oswald’s Welcome to the Multiverse series, I picked up Magic Eater: Book 1 expecting similar LitRPG mechanics — and I wasn’t disappointed. While I’m not sure if it takes place in the same universe, the DNA feels familiar: a progression-heavy narrative with system prompts, interface elements, and a slow but rewarding power climb.

This book stands on its own though. The protagonist starts out extremely weak and gradually uncovers mysteries that tie into his strange status. The pacing works — a nice blend of action, progression, character introspection, and enough time spent with supporting characters to give the world texture, but not so much that it pulls focus away from the MC. Oswald nails the balance again.

🔸 Mild Spoilers Ahead

Now, my one gripe: the MC’s lack of curiosity about his clearly weird character sheet is a little hard to buy. He’s got obvious outlier traits and access to information that practically screams, “You are not normal,” but his reaction is kind of... nothing. There's a passivity to him at times that doesn't quite gel with the tension of the story.

Also, his chosen path — focused on buffing enchantment items — felt underwhelming compared to what could have been a more inventive route. It does come together eventually, but early on it feels like a missed opportunity. Add to that a bit of the tired “reluctant hero” trope (“I just want to be a shopkeeper...”), and yeah, I rolled my eyes a few times. I’m not asking for cocky power fantasies, but I prefer my MCs to have a bit more drive in worlds where strength is everything.

That said — the writing, worldbuilding, and system design are great. Oswald’s style is confident and immersive, and the story kept me engaged the whole way through.

Final Verdict: 5 stars. Despite a few quirks, Magic Eater hits all the right LitRPG notes and is a strong start to what looks like another killer series from Oswald. If you liked Welcome to the Multiverse, this is a no-brainer.

Oswald Delivers Again in a New World

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enjoyable and intriguing concept for a story. I could definitely tell this book was a set up for a much bigger and more engaging story

enjoyable

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Manipulation

Tad has no memories from before he woke up on a beach clutching a pendant. With no known family, he grew up in an orphanage before getting a job with a merchant to manage inventory. It helps that he has always been able to smell magic. That was when an adventuring party decided that he would be joining them in the dungeon to help sniff out magic items, whether he wanted to or not.

This is the start to a great litrpg series! The magic system is well defined and the enchantments even more so. Tad is a very interesting character and I’m looking forward to seeing him develop more. It is not official, but I suspect that this series will be attached to Welcome to the Multiverse. One side note, the bonus chapter at the end is a preview for a different book all together. Giancarlo and Hannah Schooner do a great job with the duel narration.

Content Warning: none in Manipulation, but language in the bonus chapter

How to eat magic

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