Scan barcode
okevamae's review against another edition
4.0
Fellian is a servant fire mage, living a life of bleak servitude. She was raised in an asylum, taught that her innate power was wicked and only good for lighting and warming the homes of her masters – but she remembers a happier time when she was younger, before the asylum, when her parents taught her about her magic. When a rogue group of Adepts recruits her into an illegal “Five-Arrow Quiver” - a group of mages from all five elements - Fellian goes along for the sake of freedom, but quickly finds herself part of a mission to save a very special child, and in so doing, give all mages a chance at freedom.
This novella is beautifully written. The worldbuilding in this story is excellent, and the world and magic system are set up in a way that is not too info-dumpy. The book is short, but the author manages to pack in rich details and character development nonetheless. My only complaint, really, is that it’s a novella. I would happily have read a much longer book set in this world.
I received an ARC of this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This novella is beautifully written. The worldbuilding in this story is excellent, and the world and magic system are set up in a way that is not too info-dumpy. The book is short, but the author manages to pack in rich details and character development nonetheless. My only complaint, really, is that it’s a novella. I would happily have read a much longer book set in this world.
I received an ARC of this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
mamoru's review against another edition
4.0
Real rating: 3.5 rounded up to 4
Let me start out by saying that this book is a mess. It reads like it was originally written in another language and then translated into English with Google Translate. If the cover picked your interest, move on to something else. The cover is GORGEOUS! But it's a lie. It's lying to you. You'll find no dragon content here except (precisely!) one sentence. I know because I counted. The author and her entire publishing team must have been high on paint fumes when they decided to publish such a rough draft.
However, here is my suggestion on how to read Servant Mage: Roll with it. Don't ask questions, don't try to make sense of the plot, and don't try to understand who the author is talking about. Read this as an exercise in going with the flow of words. Read it as if it were a Dadaist poem and Kate Elliott wrote this by pulling words out of a hat. Once you decide the writing is inconsistent, you'll have fun.
My happiest memory of reading this book is seeing the potentially horrifying love triangle get body slammed and destroyed by the MC. I released a gleeful cackle and mentally high-fived Fellian. High-five! Great success!
The biggest selling point (for me) is the themes. Particularly the role of education in authoritarian states, the distribution of knowledge and the willful production of ignorance. A second theme of personal importance is the idea of balance or everything in moderation. We have these two opposing forms of government claiming to be fighting for justice and equality, but they're actually two sides of the same authoritarian coin. They both commit atrocities in the name of the "people" but neither actually cares about them. They are both fanatical in their pursuit of exterminating the other while justifying their actions in the name of the greater good. The ending, while extremely rushed and sudden, was satisfying enough. Our main character decides for herself what she wants to do with her life. And that felt both realistic and rewarding.
Pick this up if you're looking for a fast-paced, incoherent, half-assed story that is still a lot of fun and that will surprise you into asking yourself some big life questions.
Let me start out by saying that this book is a mess. It reads like it was originally written in another language and then translated into English with Google Translate. If the cover picked your interest, move on to something else. The cover is GORGEOUS! But it's a lie. It's lying to you. You'll find no dragon content here except (precisely!) one sentence. I know because I counted. The author and her entire publishing team must have been high on paint fumes when they decided to publish such a rough draft.
However, here is my suggestion on how to read Servant Mage: Roll with it. Don't ask questions, don't try to make sense of the plot, and don't try to understand who the author is talking about. Read this as an exercise in going with the flow of words. Read it as if it were a Dadaist poem and Kate Elliott wrote this by pulling words out of a hat. Once you decide the writing is inconsistent, you'll have fun.
My happiest memory of reading this book is seeing the potentially horrifying love triangle get body slammed and destroyed by the MC. I released a gleeful cackle and mentally high-fived Fellian. High-five! Great success!
The biggest selling point (for me) is the themes. Particularly the role of education in authoritarian states, the distribution of knowledge and the willful production of ignorance. A second theme of personal importance is the idea of balance or everything in moderation. We have these two opposing forms of government claiming to be fighting for justice and equality, but they're actually two sides of the same authoritarian coin. They both commit atrocities in the name of the "people" but neither actually cares about them. They are both fanatical in their pursuit of exterminating the other while justifying their actions in the name of the greater good. The ending, while extremely rushed and sudden, was satisfying enough. Our main character decides for herself what she wants to do with her life. And that felt both realistic and rewarding.
Pick this up if you're looking for a fast-paced, incoherent, half-assed story that is still a lot of fun and that will surprise you into asking yourself some big life questions.
kaeliwolf's review against another edition
1.0
Overly descriptive of mundane things such as the "flagstone pavement" as if this is something most people would notice. It feels like the author is trying to use any university-level vocabulary they possibly can just to make them sound smarter, but it's far overused.
ohclaire's review against another edition
2.0
I liked the pacing in the first half but the plot twists didn't make sense to me and I wasn't excited about the story or the characters lol ! Epic fantasy is a hard sell for me tho
stacey_unchecked's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
What an adventure! There is a lot of action and character development tucked into a small package. Though short, the story of Fellian resonates with the challenge of finding her power and forging her path. Mages, both good and evil, politics and magic are all part of the story. Highly recommend!
birte's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
gabalodon's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this and wish it were longer. The premise and worldbuilding were really well executed. The political conflict construction and development were unusual. A lot of traditional fantasy tropes were set up and then subverted in interesting and satisfying ways. So many interesting things crammed into such a small space and I only want more.
susannahduncs's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
emilyrandolph_epstein's review against another edition
4.0
A really enjoyed the concepts here and I like the plot and main character, but it felt more like the opening of a larger story than an independent narrative. I wanted more.