Science, Magic, and Mayhem [Reverse Portal, Progression, Urban Fantasy]

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

"slices of life wrapped in terrible danger" Adelfried, responsible family man and head of his village, has spent the last twenty years studying a source of incredible magical energy known as the Root. But when death and betrayal hurtle him and the Root into the suburbs of America, he is caught in a battle between a ruthless police force and a deadly cult searching for him and the power of the Root. After barely escaping, he makes it to the safety of the Harper family’s home, the one place he can remain hidden. He’ll explain all of this to the Harpers once he learns English, but until then, paying in silver will have to suffice. What to expect: A reverse-portal, urban fantasy told from multiple POVS. Add handfuls of action, adventure, humor, and slow progression. Add a scoop of sci-fi, a dash of slice of life, and a pinch of found family. Blend until rich and creamy. Top with multiple complex story and character arcs. Garnish with an angry shrimp. Read and enjoy. The story is primarily set in our world, think Men in Black, but with magic instead of aliens. Final Chapter release March 31, 2026 and will be stubbed on April 30, 2026. After that it will be released as a two part series in Kindle Unlimited. It will also be released as an audiobook. Please message me directly if you have need more time to complete the story. I am still looking for ARC readers. You can sign up on my website:cazlewis.com Comments from readers: "The interactions were so true to life that it brought up buried trauma, lmao." "Amazing tension", "That's funny as fuck" "dramatic irony is a strong asset to this story, the author uses it fabulously" "blends humor, fantasy, and some mystery into an enjoyable and unique read" "Come for the reverse isekai, stay for the slapping plague!" "Kuddos to you. This made me laugh aloud" "I’m loving the development so far. It’s getting really fun!" "A wild ride you won't forget", "This was hilarious" "Im so sad to catch up. This story is so engaging." "Boobs! I need to get off this shit and touch grass." "This book is an absolute gem" "Epic move by MC. Im really like8ng these characters and am excited to see em all interact" "I'm appalled and grinning. This is so funny." "The sucking part got me so loling that I spooked people around me, it's so funny 🤣 🤣" "I firmly believe this could be the next great fiction, on par with such works as The Name of the Wild, King's Dark Tidings, or the Mother of Learning. So do read it."

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2024
Author: Caz Lewis

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.2/ 5.0
Followers: 682
Views: 161,566

What readers say about Science, Magic, and Mayhem [Reverse Portal, Progression, Urban Fantasy]

“This book is an absolute gem. You can tell the author put a lot of care and thought into the story, balancing the immediate action with the bigger picture perfectly. It's not just another forgettable read—it has real potential to be a standout in the genre.…”
AuthorSeanHallRoyal Road5.0 / 5
“One of the things that really draws me to stories is well thought out magic. The dynamic abilities, research-focused main character, ESP devices, and vivid, specific imagery show a great depth to the magic and systems in this story. I'm curious to see how i…”
ElojkzRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Community Reviews(10)

AuthorSeanHallRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This book is an absolute gem. You can tell the author put a lot of care and thought into the story, balancing the immediate action with the bigger picture perfectly. It's not just another forgettable read—it has real potential to be a standout in the genre.
The writing is a great mix of sophisticated and easy to follow. The author knows just when to dive into descriptions without slowing things down, making the story feel alive. The plot grabs you right from the start, blending fantasy with modern-day elements in a way that feels fresh. The magic system is super interesting, and the main character’s research-driven approach adds a lot of depth.
The characters are really well done, each with their own personality and believable motivations. The family dynamics especially hit home, adding a touch of realism that’s easy to relate to. The pacing is spot on too, with each chapter leaving you wanting more.
As for the grammar, it’s almost flawless. There are a few tiny things, but nothing that disrupts the flow of the story. Overall, this is a well-crafted book that’s definitely worth diving into. If you’re looking for something fresh and engaging, you won’t want to miss this one.
ElojkzRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
One of the things that really draws me to stories is well thought out magic. The dynamic abilities, research-focused main character, ESP devices, and vivid, specific imagery show a great depth to the magic and systems in this story. I'm curious to see how it will unfold over the story, and how the various facets and magic-related technologies and artifacts will interact with each other.
We're introduced to an interesting cast of characters who all make believable choices based on their detailed personalities and values. There's no fabricated conflict here. I particularly liked the fraternal feud arising from possession of the Root (a powerful magical artifact) and a disagreement on how to best use its powers. Too often stories with powerful magic ignore the effect power has on people. Power corrupts.
The story is engaging and reads smoothly. I devoured the first six chapters. Most of them end in little cliffhangers that leave you hungry for the next one. It's fast paced, but nothing feels rushed. Each scene is described vividly.
There's a nice balance of realism and banter despite the grave and magical nature of what is happening. The story doesn't take itself too seriously. At the same time, this makes it immersive, makes it feel real, as if these people are actually moving through the world, going through these events, instead of just fabricated pieces in a play.
I did take half a star off the grammar because some of the sentences can run a little long, but that is personal preference.
Adelfried, a medieval mage / chief, is an interesting MC (The story is a reverse-isekai). There's already been a very cool little scene of him trying to decipher what basic things in our world like sidewalk and telephone poles are once he is transported to modern Earth. I find myself eager to see how he handles modern life and all the hijinx that will follow.
If you've read this far, give Science, Magic, and Mayhem a go. Seriously.
IngelinaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This story just starts off with a bang and like, doesn’t let up. I’m talking non-stop action, crazy twists, and just a lot of fun. The pacing is fast, like you blink and you might miss something. But I kinda love that. Keeps you on your toes.
Characters are pretty awesome. You got Evan and Kae, who are siblings but they’re like total opposites. Still, you can tell they really care about each other and would do anything to help the other out. Kinda reminds me of me and my bro, all the teasing but still having each other’s backs. Then there’s Red and Nina, who are like this odd couple that just cracks me up. And Adelfried, man, this guy is like a fish out of water but he’s trying his best, and you can’t help but root for him.
The whole magic hidden in our real world thing is great. I’ve always loved stories like that, where there’s this whole secret world just under the surface. This one does it really well. Every chapter feels like you’re peeling back another layer and finding out more crazy stuff.
I didn’t notice any big grammar problems or anything, so that’s a plus. Everything flowed pretty smoothly, no weird sentences or stuff that made me go “huh?”. just a good read overall.
If you’re into stories that are fast, and just a little bit chaotic, you gotta love this. I’m sticking around to see where this goes!
K. J. HarrowickRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This popped upon my notifications today and already I'm hooked!
A love/no-trust relationship between brothers sets the stage of a grimdark world rife with magic, political intrigue, and a promise to drag readers into a dark world with dark deeds.
Lewis perfectly brings out the best and worst in his unique characters, and centers it all around a mysterious crystal capable of great healing and Lovecraftian-style destruction.
I'm absolutely hooked and can't wait to dive deeper into this story and follow these characters to the end. ^_^
LiquidLettuceRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Just this once I allowed myself to judge a book by it's cover and I haven't been let down yet. This book carries the same energy promised up front. It's a fun read, great characters and character dynamics. I never post reviews for books but this book and website have taught me that sometimes you need to pad the word count at the end of your review so you can show some love to Science, Magic, Mayhem!
Merlin PendragonRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Do read it. This is a proper book with much care put into its construction. There is clear thought put into both the immediate events and the overarching story; the author isn’t distracted by a tactic when the greater strategy is at stake but neither do they ignore the immediate threat (to extend the battlefield analogy). This isn’t the next light trash novel that can float its way over to the dumpster when you’ve forgotten it five minutes after it’s released. I firmly believe this could be the next great fiction, on par with such works as; The Name of The Wind, Kings Dark Tidings, or The Mother of Learning. So do read it.
Style - The author has a sophisticated style that I find engaging. This isn’t written as a children's book but neither is it difficult to read. This fiction strikes the perfect balance between complex and clear. The author does use substantial descriptions but this is only done at the opportune moment. One might think of it as a rhythm game, only hitting the descriptions as and when required, maintaining the tempo.
Story - The story is engaging right from the off. Although to a huge fantasy nerd, such as myself, none of the beats are new; the author does put their own spin on things. The plot brings us from a mediaeval fantasy to modern day america where there were secret agencies that could detect magic all along and the MC has to hide from them - Think HWFWM but really it has been in a lot of things, not to say it isn’t done well in this case. What was the catalyst for such a change? A tale as old as time - Cain and Abel - a feud between brothers (the author does an excellent job with family dynamics but I’ll talk more about that in the Character section).
Grammar - The Grammar is almost above reproach. I noted a couple of small things; a typo here, a missing comma there, but nothing that impedes the flow of reading. I have since commented on all that I noticed and I trust the author has remedied the matter, they seem quite responsive to critici
SpectregirlRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Style - The writing is clear and easy to read. The pace is fast and there is a lot happening, so it is easy to fall into the story.
Story - It is original and creative. I suffer from becoming personally invested in stories and I really want to be in this one. A lot of thought has been put into the world building and just the thought of being in it is pretty fantastic. I will never get tired of the trope of magic secretly hidden in our world and this story delivers.
Grammar - The grammar is fine, no need to take anything off for that.
Character - I love the family dynamic and the way they interact with each other. There is a lot of love in that family. Evan and Kae's sibling relationship feels very real and while you can see they have the standard sibling interactions you can also see that they would do whatever was necessary to save the other. Red and Nina make the perfect odd couple. Adelfried is so vulnerable yet so likeable, he is evolving, that's for sure. I also am going to need more Zarg in this story. MORE DOG PLEASE.
Overall - So far this has been a great story from the extra creative world building to the likable characters to so much that is unexpected. I recommend Science Magic & Mayhem. So much fun!
TheRenewalRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
We start off in the fantastical magical world, then find ourselves following our main character, Adelfried, as he find himself teleported into the modern world and hunted by a mysterious organization!
The writing is smooth, and does an excellent job characterizing each of its cast without the need for much internal monologue or exposition.
The way the characters are introduced is smooth, and free from fluff or exposition. We learn about their relations purely through dialogue and their actions and how other characters react to them. It's a very entertaining style of writing.
From a style standpoint, this is a smooth ride, and the dialogue is witty. The writer knows how to hook you on characters almost as soon as you meet them. For instance, the villain who sends Adelfried to another world (by accident, seemingly) I actually found charming initially. I almost questioned the main character for choosing to not trust them, then gradually I came to understand why this person was a threat.
I'm still early in the story, only just now getting past the initial portal jump, but I'm excited to see where this story goes! It leaves me wanting more and with plenty of questions needing answers.
tobascoasakoRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
A stunning reverse-Isekai [they come from the fantasy world in ours] featuring an original and powerful cast.
The writing and prose are easy to read and flow well. Not that it is say YA in general construction and word choice, rather it knows when to describe a vivid scene in detail. You will not get any overly florid descriptions of doorknobs here.
The makes the story exciting and well paced and the author knows when to zoom in the lends, as it were, at the important moments.
It is written in the third person which is also a plus for me!
Now, the characters. They are really well done and believable. Family members and close friends act like family members and close friends, and not generic cutouts that stain much of the genre. The generally banter is believable and the foibles of each individual is clear for us to see!
The magic system is also another highlight of this series. It seems to be a mix of SF and fantasy, with leanings towards the SF with its Root system of magic [the title is a dead giveaway]. This means by its nature it is a hard magic system which can be very satisfying if written properly.
Grammar is generally well done with only a niggles here and there that a good editor will root out! [see what I did there?] And, nothing that really detracts from the overall pace and story!
Overall a very good piece and I highly recommend it!
Polvane the EraserRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Once upon a time in the 1980s there was this TV show called ALF. It was about Gordon Shumway, aka Alf (which stands for alien life form), an alien who crashed his flying saucer into a house and ended up living with the family there. I recall he liked to eat cats.
Instead of Alf, here we have Adelfreid, a wizard from another world who had an argument about the proper use of magic with his irresponsible brother and ends up in Houston with the Harpers. Jim Harper is a cop. His Thai-American wife Ying Harper is a scientist. They have 2 kids - Kae and Evan. And now Adelfreid sleeps on their couch and does unlicensed free magical renovations on their house at the Harpers' request, while he researches how to get back home. Adelfreid also learns the English language and how to live among and with the Harpers and other Americans while trying to avoid capture by magician organizations.
Coincidentally, Earth also has magicians who argue about the proper use of magic. There are at least 2 groups, the Sovs and the Wreckies. Those are short for something else, but they have outright magical firefights and kill each other and also the occasional innocent bystander. They are all hunting for Adelfreid and the Root he brought with him to Earth. Luckily for Adelfried, Evan Harper is a magic sink, which makes finding magic very difficult wherever Evan goes. Evan is basically the primary reason Adelfreid isn't captured.
This is a rather suspenseful but also funny story. Easy to read and engage in. Highly recommended.