Karen Miller

It's been many months since Rafel ventured over Barl's Mountains into the unknown, in a desperate bid to seek help for their ravaged land. With his father's Weather Magic exhausted, there seemed no other hope. Now this too has died. Only Deenie believes Rafel still lives, sensing her brother in tortured dreams. She also knows she must try to find him, as only Rafel's talents could heal their land. The prospect terrifies Deenie, yet she sees no other choice. She soon learns of a dangerous new power. Deenie comes to suspect that not only is her brother involved, but that the evil their father destroyed is somehow reborn. And if she can't save Rafel, then through him, Morg's vast power could once again command their world.

The Reluctant Mage

'Intriguing characters and a finely tuned sense of drama...' - Library Journal on The Innocent Mage 'A writer who seems to set the rule for the genre' - Waterstone's Books Quarterly 'The Innocent Mage is come, and we stand at the beginning of the end of everything' Being a fisherman like his father isn't a bad life, but it's not the one that Asher wants. Despite his humble roots, Asher has grand dreams. And they call him to Dorana, home of princes, beggars . . . and the warrior mages who have protected the kingdom for generations. Little does Asher know, however, that his arrival in the city is being closely watched by members of the Circle, a secret organisation dedicated to preserving an ancient magic. Asher might have come to the city to make his fortune, but he will find his destiny . . . One of bestselling fantasy debuts of the last decade: enter the world of Kingmaker, Kingbreaker - a wildly fast-paced fantasy series brimming with action and adventure. The Innocent Mage is book one in the Kingmaker, Kingbreaker series. Books by Karen Miller: Kingmaker, Kingbreaker Series The Innocent Mage The Awakened Mage A Blight of Mages Godspeaker Empress of Mijak The Riven Kingdom The Hammer of God Fisherman's Children The Prodigal Mage The Reluctant Mage Tarnished Crown The Falcon Throne Prince of Glass

Kingmaker, Kingbreaker: Book 1

The Innocent Mage

Emma Jones

Things I liked:
- occasional intentional humour
- fantasy I love fantasy

Enter the kingdom of Lur, where to use magic unlawfully means death. The Doranen have ruled Lur with magic since arriving as refugees centuries ago. Theirs was a desperate flight to escape the wrath of a powerful mage who started a bitter war in their homeland. To keep Lur safe, the native Olken inhabitants agreed to abandon their own magic. Magic is now forbidden them, and any who break this law are executed. Asher left his coastal village to make his fortune. Employed in the royal stables, he soon finds himself befriended by Prince Gar and given more money and power than he'd ever dreamed possible. But the Olken have a secret; a prophecy. The Innocent Mage will save Lur from destruction and members of The Circle have dedicated themselves to preserving Olken magic until this day arrives. Unbeknownst to Asher, he has been watched closely. As the Final Days approach, his life takes a new and unexpected turn ...

Well that was fun!

This was a really solid, enjoyable novel. And there's not much else I can really say about it. The characters were great if not a tad formulaic, the worldbuilding was wonderful, and the plot was fast-paced and, well, bouncy, for lack of a better word.

Definitely recommended :)

The Reluctant Mage

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