David Litwack's The Maker of Worlds follows the journey of twenty-three-year-old Lucas Mack navigating an unfamiliar and magical realm. The story begins with him contemplating the mysterious maelstrom—a gateway that promises a departure from a life overshadowed by sorrow. As Lucas steps through this portal, he finds himself in an unfamiliar land that offers both wonder and peril. Here, he encounters a custodian who introduces him to the mystical properties of the land. The narrative unfolds with him navigating this new terrain, confronting magical powers, and embarking on a quest that tests his resilience and faith. The novel is broken into three parts: The Maelstrom, Searchers, and Pilgrims, each one depicting a phase of his journey and transformation. The narrative intricately weaves themes of grief, adventure, and self-discovery as Lucas explores his new reality.

Litwack's The Maker of Worlds is an enchanting novel that transports readers to a mystical realm and blurs the boundaries between reality and fiction. The idea of a maelstrom serving as a portal into an alternate world sets an excellent premise for a fantasy adventure. The title fittingly captures the central plot - the protagonist's ability to shape and create his own reality through the power of imagination. Litwack effectively uses descriptive language to weave fantastical elements into seemingly everyday settings without making them jarring or unnatural. This vivid imagery brings the world to life, making the reader feel immersed in Lucas's journey. The characters are well-developed, each serving as a mirror reflecting different facets of the human condition. One of the most compelling aspects is the exploration of what magic really is. Litwack delves into the seductive nature of magic and the resulting consequences. He poses very profound questions as to what magic can do to the individual and the wider community. The fight against the antagonist is, therefore, not just a means to move the story to a climax but provides a vehicle for exploring the complexities of good and evil and responsibility and action. Readers who enjoy fantasy will like the detailed creation of the world and the magic within it. Overall, The Maker of Worlds is a well-written fantasy that will resonate with readers who enjoy richly detailed worlds, complex and thoughtful characters, and profound questions.

Hurting from losing his wife, Lucas Mack goes into the Maelstrom, a location about which people have made up weird and fascinating stories. After being teleported to a magical realm known as the Borderlands, he encounters a mystical being who advises him on what to expect from this peculiar location where mental power reigns supreme. Initially, he is unaware that he is not alone in this place until he encounters Mia, a woman struggling with her demons. A sequence of events enables them to realize that this is only a prelude to the journey ahead where danger lurks in David Litwack's The Maker of Worlds.

Magnificent world-building highlights David Litwack's epic fantasy offering. With its unique setting wherein a bland desert-like planet takes form from the inner workings of the principal character's mind, The Maker of Worlds is a distinctive adventure that perfectly captures the essence of what a fantasy narrative ought to feel like. This adventure has the unique feel of a story within a story, where the reader can alter the outcome with each page turn, thanks to the storytelling technique. The use of flashbacks to explain the cause of Lucas' and Mia's grief and connect it to why they find it difficult to establish themselves in this new world, despite their limitless power, demonstrates remarkable character development. Litwack uses rich dialogue between the main characters to ask readers important questions about right and wrong, as seen from the principal characters' perspective. Litwack emphasizes balanced storytelling with the adventure's combative aspects complementing the masterfully crafted romantic subplot between Luca and Mia. Adventure and fantasy genre purists will enjoy this one-of-a-kind novel.

David Litwack's The Maker of Worlds is a beautiful tale for fantasy fans. The protagonist Lucas Mack's introspective thoughts and philosophical musings about the nature of reality and the human condition resonated deeply with me, and his sense of loss gripped me. Litwack masterfully weaves together themes of loss, longing, and self-discovery as the story unfolds. Lucas's decision to leap into the unknown, driven by his desire to escape the pain of losing Addy, explores the human need to find meaning and purpose in life. After losing Addy, his willingness to change becomes unbearable. It is then that he decides to leap into the maelstrom. He is transported to a magical world where he struggles at first to understand the surroundings. Then, he meets another soul, Mia, navigating this lonely magical world. Guided by an old wizard, they must master their powers and redefine their destinies.

David Litwack's novel has finely accomplished world-building, with richly detailed descriptions of the landscape where Lucas finds himself. The author's use of sensory details—the feel of the water, the sound of the birdsong, the smell of pine needles—effectively immerses the reader in this new world. The character development is also noteworthy. Lucas's inner turmoil and emotional struggles are fully drawn, making it easy to empathize with his plight. His relationships with Addy and others are also well-portrayed. The lyrical writing is a delight in itself. The Maker of Worlds features exciting characters and develops themes of loss and starting anew. At the heart of the story is the idea that we have the power to shape our destiny, stop living on the margin, and embrace the tide of change that leads to magical places.

The Maker of Worlds is a work of fiction in the fantasy, adventure, and interpersonal drama genres for the young adult reading audience. Penned by author David Litwack, the plot follows Lucas Mack's journey through a mythical maelstrom, where he discovers a magical realm in which he can redefine both himself and his world. With newfound powers, Lucas navigates alongside fellow traveler Mia, guided by mystical forces and an aging wizard. As they encounter corrupt sorcerers and grapple with the seductive allure of magic, they are tested like never before, facing the ultimate question: will magic bring hope or lead them to the brink of despair?

Author David Litwack utilizes his keen eye for atmosphere to craft an enchanting and thought-provoking exploration of the power of imagination and the consequences of wielding it. I found myself immediately drawn into the richly detailed fantasy world that was filled with multisensory descriptions, inviting readers to ponder the possibilities of reshaping reality whilst also feeling completely immersed in it. Lucas and Mia's journey is fraught with challenges and temptations that move at a great pace, with themes of identity, morality, and the pursuit of meaning bubbling away in the background and suddenly coming forward with brilliant poignancy at just the right time. Litwack's prose is both lyrical and evocative, painting a vivid portrait of a world where dreams and reality intertwine, and offering a close, emotive narrative viewpoint that touches readers’ hearts. Overall, The Maker of Worlds is a mesmerizing tale that leaves a lasting impression, and it is sure to entice fans of YA fantasy, both young and young at heart.

The Maker of Worlds by David Litwack will appeal to young adult fans of fantasy, mythology, and adventure. After losing his beloved Addy, Lucas wants to change his life radically. He jumps into an inexplicable swirl of water over the lake near his town. This portal brings Lucas to another world where he can remodel the environment using magic. The mysterious Lyra guides him through this new world and explains its rules, which Lucas must obey. He meets Mia, a young woman who is also coping with grief. Together, they decide to try their fate in the enchanted land, where other magicians use magic for good or evil. A wise old healer shares his knowledge with Lucas and Mia, preparing them to face a dangerous adversary.

David Litwack's The Maker of Worlds is a compelling novel with deep meaning, thrilling adventures, and a philosophical twist. The author explores such themes as responsibility that comes with increased abilities, ethical treatment of those around us, and the evil nature of tyranny. Litwack's writing style is eloquent and clear. Lyra explains to Lucas and Mia: "Hope and meaning are not the stuff of magic. You cannot conjure hope. You cannot summon meaning." While speaking about our moral choices, the author completely avoids a moralistic tone. The novel is positive and inspirational. It has prominent world-building, striking imagery, and engaging character development. Among the many profound characters, the healer impressed me the most with his kindness and unorthodox views. The novel sends a powerful message, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Having been involved in all of David Litwack's books, as both publisher and editor, the one thing that always stands at the top of his achievements (at least for me) is the depth to which he develops his characters. We come to know them, to love them, to share in their lives as if we ourselves were characters, moving through the story right alongside them. The Maker if Worlds is a perfect example of this. Is it a fun, entertaining story? Of course... all of David Litwack's stories are. But I suspect it's the characters that will shine most for you, and that you'll come to love them as much as I did.