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Aaron Sher
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Applied Leverage (The Origin Key Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Aaron Sher (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 out of 5 stars 18 ratings
Connor Rourke is one of the little people, supernaturally speaking: a psionic in a world of mages. He's happy being the top—okay, just about the only—supernatural locksmith in the Boston area. He doesn't aspire to adventure or heroism, but he's about to get pulled in whether he likes it or not (spoiler: he doesn't).

When he stumbles across a secret that was never meant to be known, he gets in trouble with forces far beyond him. Mixed up in a conflict between factions he can't match or understand, he'll have to find a way to survive for himself and those he loves. Along the way, Connor will learn secrets hidden for centuries, face and defeat threats to his life, and ultimately tackle an enemy who could annihilate him with a thought—and wants to.

Applied Leverage is a new urban fantasy novel set in an innovative world full of action and vivid characters. For fans of the genre, this is a must-read. Recipient of a Book Excellence Award from the Chrysalis BREW Project, May 2025.

"I absolutely loved this book...It's a fun ride with lots of interesting takes on a magical world." - GoodReads reviewer

"This isn’t just magic in a trench coat. It’s magic on a job site... Like the Dresden Files, but less grim and more clever... It’s like MacGyver met Harry Potter, but they both took up plumbing." - GoodReads reviewer
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  1. Book 1 of 1
    The Origin Key Series
  2. Print length
    199 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    June 24, 2024
  6. File size
    2.6 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0D81GX5SL
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 24, 2024
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.6 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 199 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 1 ‏ : ‎ The Origin Key Series
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 18 ratings

About the author

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Aaron Sher

Aaron Sher

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In addition to being a fantasy author, I'm also a software engineer, a martial artist, a pretty decent cook, a very (very) amateur blacksmith and bladesmith, and—when called upon to serve—expert furniture for my cats. Not necessarily in that order.

I've been reading fantasy since I was a kid, which is a concerningly long time ago now, and I started writing it in the form of character backstories for my TTRPG campaigns. Some of those just might be a bit overkill; I wrote over 100k words of backstories for my current game. Maybe that will make it into a novel someday.

I live in Pittsburgh, PA in the United States with my wife and a varying but always-extravagant number of cats, fish, plants, and other miscellaneous wildlife.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
18 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Wayne Canne
    5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful introduction to a new world
    Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Full disclosure: I know the author, but I was not paid, given anything, compensated in any way, or asked for a review.
    Aaron Sher has created a very interesting world of mages, psis, and regular people. The main characters are likeable and straightforward, but one would expect this from a book written to introduce the reader to an entirely new world setting. To avoid any spoilers, I will simply say that the 3 character types mentioned feature prominently in the story.
    Overall the book is well written and I look forward to more stories in the world of mages and psis.
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  • Carol A Brearley
    5.0 out of 5 stars New Take on Magic
    Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Applied Leverage brings a different twist on the world of wizards. It was a fun read and I cannot see where they go next.
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  • Chris Meaker
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fun read with great potential
    Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Very well paced fantasy with great potential for more to come. I enjoyed the humor and well thought out mechanics. With a protagonist that is neither overpowered nor dependent on a mentor, I look forward to more.
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  • Katie Atkins
    5.0 out of 5 stars Funny, interesting twists on usual worldbuilding
    Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2025
    A funny, sharp PoV character leads us through an action-packed mystery. There was lots of interested worldbuilding details, some of which were fun twists on the usual urban fantasy fare. Overall, a strong debut novel.
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  • Marissa Martin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2025
    Found this book on threads and I am so glad I did! We follow Connor who is snarky and witty with a touch of magic. I can’t even tell you how many times he made me laugh because of how relatable the character is.
    After he is targeted by some big baddies he and his friend go on the run trying to figure out what the heck they’re supposed to do.
    A well thought out story, intriguing from page one, funny, and has a refreshing take on fantasy and magic!
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  • Emily Hackett
    5.0 out of 5 stars Prepare to enter a new world...
    Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2024
    In the first of the Origin Key series, Sher immerses us in a fully developed world of psis, mages, and others with supernatural abilities. Through the affable and sometimes sardonic voice of Connor O'Rourke, the tale's reluctant hero, we learn about the magic world's culture, technology and ultimately the existential conflict driving the action. Modern day Boston features prominently as a character, making the story accessible and believable -- I know I will never look at the potholes in my mundane city quite the same way. We're looking forward to future installments and the further development of the characters and their relationships.
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  • Karen Kasper
    5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2024
    I just finished Applied Leverage" by Aaron Sher.

    I absolutely loved this book.

    The story is set in the modern day, but behind the ordinary world there is another, secret(ish) world of magic, with Mages and other magic users who still live in the real world.

    Our hero is a self-effacing, sardonic young man who unwittingly becomes the target of multiple bad magic users for having come into contact with a powerful magic item. He's low on the totem-pole as magic users go, but he enlists the help of a friend who's former military to help him. Soon they are on the run, but also trying to figure out why the heck magical assassins are after him.

    It's a fun ride with lots of interesting takes on a magical world.

    This is Aaron's first novel, but it does not suffer from the errors and roughness of many new writers. I can't wait for the next book in the series!

    Full disclosure: I know Aaron, though we are more acquaintances than friends. He did not solicit or pay for this review.
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