Aberterrene · Book 2
Social Sorcery
"The greatest invention begins with trusting the people beside you."
"The greatest invention begins with trusting the people beside you."
Zaquocorin Flickerwhizzle is the greatest artificer the world has never known. Recently retired from Mysti Messages, he now has the time but lacks the materials to build what could be his greatest invention: a messaging system better than his former employer ever made. While contemplating his plans over a meal at his favorite inn, a cute, chubby young gnome interrupts to beg for his assistance in becoming an artificer.
Zaq’s world is turned upside down when the reclusive gnome buckles to Wyndi’s request and takes her and two others on as apprentices. If Zaq wants to fulfill his dreams, he’ll need to learn that mentorship is a two-way street. But opening up to others is hard after being betrayed in the past, and his reckless decision to send the group out of Ryefeld on a quest to get the materials may have dire consequences. Who knows what dangers may lurk in the wild woods and dark caves? There could be unimaginable horrors—or even spiders.
What follows is a quest for grimbark wood, mana crystals, and rare mana conduits — involving an ancient forest negotiation, a cave full of danger, a beaver named Doodles, a fairy-cooked dinner, and a network of slate tablets sending messages into the unknown. When the first major test of the device explodes spectacularly, Zaq is certain the dream is finished. But three young artificers show up the next morning with tea and pastries and a spider metaphor that changes everything.
If Zaq and his apprentices can find a way to work together and trust one another, they may create something beyond anything Zaq could have invented alone—something capable of changing the entire world of Aberterrene.
Social Sorcery returns to the world that brought you Distilled Magic. In this stand-alone cozy fantasy, we experience the city of Ryefeld during the Harvest Festival, evade a black cat, explore with a giant beaver, and experiment with steampunkesque artificery. Opening your heart is the first step toward success.
I hesitate to put content warnings on a cozy fantasy novel because something cozy shouldn't have content warnings or trigger warnings. However, I also know that everyone has different life experiences, and what may be perfectly cozy for some may send others into a dark place by surfacing bad memories.
As such, I included this statement at the beginning of the Social Sorcery novel. I errored on the side of caution and listed things I believe may impact people, even if they only have a minor appearance in the book. I personally believe most should not be negatively impacted, but you, the reader, know your life better than I do.
This novel includes a character dealing with and overcoming fat-shaming and low self-esteem. It is a minor point in the story with a positive resolution, but those triggered by such things should take care. While on an adventure, a lizard-like creature is killed, and a component is harvested from the corpse. This may be disturbing to some, but it is a brief portion of the adventure. During one scene, a cat sustains a minor injury, but I assure you, she turns out well. This novel describes the consumption of alcohol (whisky) for relaxation and, at one point, escapism. Finally, for those with arachnophobia, spiders play an essential role in the story, but they are quite friendly.
The novel's dominant tone is warm, hopeful, and joy-forward. These elements are present but are not the center of the story.
Click any character to learn more about them.
Zaq
Social Sorcery
Wyndi
Social Sorcery
Frank
Social Sorcery
Flek
Both Books
Choose the format that fits your cozy reading ritual.
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Audio
Narrated by Alexis Vandom, a transgender woman. Her performance brings warmth, wit, and genuine heart to every character.
Social Sorcery is available to libraries through standard distribution channels. If your library doesn't carry it yet, most systems have a simple online purchase request form, just ask for the book by title and author. Libraries are one of the best ways to discover indie authors, and every request matters.
★★★★★
Social Sorcery by Alex Peachy is an absolute delight — equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and wildly inventive.
★★★★★
I loved Distilled Magic, but I really loved this one! It is just the definition of a cozy fantasy.
★★★★★
This was such a great cozy comfort read! Anyone who owns a cat will giggle about the cat in this.
★★★★★
This was so cozy!! I absolutely loved how the world was very dungeons and dragons but while being low stakes.
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Meet Flek before Ryefeld — as a young goblin who finds his first real home at TQ House in Chubug, while the extraordinary Trinx is busy brewing a few potions that will change the world.
Explore Distilled Magic