Rise of the Mages
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4.2 • 18 Ratings
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
“This book commits almost every crime against heroic fantasy that I can imagine ... and I have not been able to put it down.” —Glen Cook, bestselling author of The Black Company
A young warrior and his improbable band of allies face impossible odds as they seek to rescue his brother from the servants of the Fallen God.
Emrael Ire is a student of war with lofty ambitions, despite being so poor his boots are more hole than leather. He and his talented younger brother Ban work hard to build themselves a better life at the Citadel, a school that specializes in both infusori Crafting and military arts.
Their lives are upended when the power-hungry Lord Governor of the neighboring province invades the school with the help of a sinister sect of priests devoted to the newly awakened Fallen God of Glory. Many of the infusori Crafter students are captured—Including Ban.
Though Emrael stands little chance against the Lord Governor and his armies, he’s desperate to save his brother—even if that means accepting the help of allies with uncertain motives, or becoming a practitioner of a forbidden magic. There is nothing he won't sacrifice to save his brother, but what happens when the cost of success is not his to pay?
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Plural title aside, Drakford's bracing epic fantasy debut and trilogy launch focuses on the rise of a singular challenger to an imprisoned and vengeful god. Emrael Ire, refugee son of an exiled general and a powerful healer, struggles to earn his Master of War title, while his brother, Ban, studies the art of Crafting, channeling infusori magic into artifacts. Then the ambitions of a governor to become king of the United Provinces and the escape of an imprisoned deity bring about a war that sweeps across continents. Triggered by this desperate situation, Emrael's latent, unique ability to directly handle infusori makes itself known—and makes him a target for both the witchcraft-hating Watchers and the eerie Malithii priests who serve the Fallen God. Drakeford takes great care with the intricacies of sword fighting and castle storming, as well as Emrael's conflicted feelings over his legacy as both his father's heir and a mage. Less developed are his positive emotional bonds with companions and potential love interests, and without these connections, he comes across as angsty, awkward, and self-involved. Still, it's an immersive world epic fantasy fans will be glad to return to.
