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adelle_bookworm's review against another edition
3.0
//ENGLISH BELOW//
Tak oproti tomu, jak jsem se během čtení často nudila, mě konec příjemně překvapil! Na pokračování se rozhodně těším. Autorka mi na konci přece jen dokázala, že akční scénu napsat umí, takže jen doufám, že se dvojka potáhne v podobném tempu.
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A Mage's Power immediately caught my eye because of the beautiful cover. So I started wondering, have I ever read a fantasy with primarily mm relationships? No, I haven't. I was so curious when I started reading this book - and I'm not disappointed.
A Mage's Power takes us to a fiction world, to Everstrand, where we're given two POVs - mage Rowan and that-would-be-spoiler Shaw. From the very first page I knew was going to like Rowan better. The author of this book made it good - a character with some dark history, so we're interested in what happened, but of course we have to wait. Shaw wasn't that attractive, but in the end I have to say I liked him too. The best character for me is definitely Rowan's bff Caleb. I'd love to meet him in real life! He made me laugh during the whole book, and when he was with Shaw, it was even better.
Characters are written very good, all of them have their specific place in history and future, so that's only plus for this title.
The bigger problem was with the plot. I didn't understand the way they've fallen in love - like okay, everybody expected, of course, but still the author could describe it more. I was really wondering sometimes if they're already in a relationship or still not, or what had just happened and so on (but I ship them hard anyway). Same goes with the action - this is the only thing I was disappointed with a bit. I was expecting a huge magic war. Or something like that, described ways of magic battles and all of those intrigues, but everything was so quick I just rolled my eyes. There are two plots where we can expect something with huge action, but it comes near the end.
But that, ladies and gentlemen, was really magnifique. I sometimes even forgot how to breathe as I was crossing my fingers for them when the real danger finally came! The end was fabulous and I'm even more excited for the following part. There I hope it's going to continue the same way as this book ended, because that was what I wanted.
Huge thanks goes for NetGalley as they gave me an opportunity to read this ebook for a review.
Tak oproti tomu, jak jsem se během čtení často nudila, mě konec příjemně překvapil! Na pokračování se rozhodně těším. Autorka mi na konci přece jen dokázala, že akční scénu napsat umí, takže jen doufám, že se dvojka potáhne v podobném tempu.
--------
A Mage's Power immediately caught my eye because of the beautiful cover. So I started wondering, have I ever read a fantasy with primarily mm relationships? No, I haven't. I was so curious when I started reading this book - and I'm not disappointed.
A Mage's Power takes us to a fiction world, to Everstrand, where we're given two POVs - mage Rowan and that-would-be-spoiler Shaw. From the very first page I knew was going to like Rowan better. The author of this book made it good - a character with some dark history, so we're interested in what happened, but of course we have to wait. Shaw wasn't that attractive, but in the end I have to say I liked him too. The best character for me is definitely Rowan's bff Caleb. I'd love to meet him in real life! He made me laugh during the whole book, and when he was with Shaw, it was even better.
Characters are written very good, all of them have their specific place in history and future, so that's only plus for this title.
The bigger problem was with the plot. I didn't understand the way they've fallen in love - like okay, everybody expected, of course, but still the author could describe it more. I was really wondering sometimes if they're already in a relationship or still not, or what had just happened and so on (but I ship them hard anyway). Same goes with the action - this is the only thing I was disappointed with a bit. I was expecting a huge magic war. Or something like that, described ways of magic battles and all of those intrigues, but everything was so quick I just rolled my eyes. There are two plots where we can expect something with huge action, but it comes near the end.
But that, ladies and gentlemen, was really magnifique. I sometimes even forgot how to breathe as I was crossing my fingers for them when the real danger finally came! The end was fabulous and I'm even more excited for the following part. There I hope it's going to continue the same way as this book ended, because that was what I wanted.
Huge thanks goes for NetGalley as they gave me an opportunity to read this ebook for a review.
wildlyminiaturesandwich's review against another edition
5.0
“Gram taught me everything she could. She told me being what we are is a blessing and a curse. That the world out there is a dangerous place for us. But the truth is that we’re the danger.”
NOTE: I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NineStar Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
It's taken me a few days to write this review because I honestly didn’t know what to say, in a good way. This is why I always have trouble writing reviews about books that I really enjoy, I have a hard time thinking of anything to say other than just “I LOVED IT!” so these kinds of reviews always end up being very short and probably not helpful to anyone at all lol
**WARNING - SPOILERS AHEAD**
The first thing that struck me about this book was the fantastic mix of modern technology and magic, it’s possibly one of my favourite kinds of story settings/tropes and when it’s done as well as it is in this story? Oh boy, that’s an automatic five stars in my book. There’s just something about the idea of being able to send a text and throw a fireball at the same time that really speaks to me.
Along with the amazing world setting was my next favourite thing about this story, the heartwarming relationships. I wish we could have seen more of Rowan’s relationship with the other guild masters, they all seemed quite close but without any background to go on it’s difficult to understand why. But Rowan and Caleb’s friendship/family/pack dynamic was beautiful and Rowan and Shaw’s relationship, whilst a little insta-love, was so touching and adorable. And all three of them combined, the way Caleb welcomed Shaw into his pack openly? Just everything!
The only issue I had, if you can even call it an issue, was the predictability of quite a few parts of the story. I knew right from the first time Badger was mentioned that he wasn’t just a normal cat and so when Rowan was told about the dark mage, I instantly knew it was him. I also knew from the first scene with Shaw that he wasn’t mundane, and that Caleb would find his mate amongst Shaw’s team. BUT even though those things were predictable, it didn’t make me love this book any less.
I'm so happy this book is going to be a series because I need so much more of this world and the characters!
“I don’t know how to explain it. What’s between you and me? I’ve never felt anything like it. All I know is that if witches and mages had mates, then you would be it for me.”
annieb123's review against another edition
4.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
A Mage's Power is the first book of the Inquisition trilogy by Casey Wolfe. It's a NA/older YA paranormal romance with a m/m lead. Released 19th July 2018 by NineStar press, it's 270 pages and available in ebook and paperback formats.
This book struck me as more of a romance with fantasy/magic (worked in where convenient) than a fantasy with romance. Definitely heavy on the romance. There's nothing wrong with that, but readers looking for straight fantasy and magic with a side order of romance are possibly going to be disappointed.
There's also remarkably little dramatic tension in the book. This was a very low stress sweet novel with a plot that never really placed any of the lead characters in what felt like direct danger. Whatever the bad guys do, the good guys just manage to crush them.
It felt odd to me that techy items like cell phones exist side by side with shapeshifters, incantations, and grimoires. It probably won't bother a lot of readers. It honestly didn't bother me, but it was a noticeable nudge to my suspension of disbelief every time it happened.
The lead characters also do an awful lot of murdering and mayhem causing without much (any?) repercussions. This book also includes a fair bit of insta-love and insta-bonding. Again, that is likely a bonus for a lot of readers.
The writing is even and well done. There is an awful lot of good natured sarcastic banter, so if that's your thing, you'll be over the moon.
This is a clean romance and the naughty bits are implied rather than explicit. There is a fair bit of rough language (multiple uses of 'the F-bomb', as well as more minor bad language). None of it really seems overly gratuitous.
A nice m/m romance, sweet and low drama. It was a little bit on the sarcastic end of the spectrum for my tastes, but I'm not the target audience. This is an undemanding fun read.
Three and a half stars. I liked it well enough to seek out other work by the author and I'm looking forward to see what's in store for Rowan and Shaw.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
A Mage's Power is the first book of the Inquisition trilogy by Casey Wolfe. It's a NA/older YA paranormal romance with a m/m lead. Released 19th July 2018 by NineStar press, it's 270 pages and available in ebook and paperback formats.
This book struck me as more of a romance with fantasy/magic (worked in where convenient) than a fantasy with romance. Definitely heavy on the romance. There's nothing wrong with that, but readers looking for straight fantasy and magic with a side order of romance are possibly going to be disappointed.
There's also remarkably little dramatic tension in the book. This was a very low stress sweet novel with a plot that never really placed any of the lead characters in what felt like direct danger. Whatever the bad guys do, the good guys just manage to crush them.
It felt odd to me that techy items like cell phones exist side by side with shapeshifters, incantations, and grimoires. It probably won't bother a lot of readers. It honestly didn't bother me, but it was a noticeable nudge to my suspension of disbelief every time it happened.
The lead characters also do an awful lot of murdering and mayhem causing without much (any?) repercussions. This book also includes a fair bit of insta-love and insta-bonding. Again, that is likely a bonus for a lot of readers.
The writing is even and well done. There is an awful lot of good natured sarcastic banter, so if that's your thing, you'll be over the moon.
This is a clean romance and the naughty bits are implied rather than explicit. There is a fair bit of rough language (multiple uses of 'the F-bomb', as well as more minor bad language). None of it really seems overly gratuitous.
A nice m/m romance, sweet and low drama. It was a little bit on the sarcastic end of the spectrum for my tastes, but I'm not the target audience. This is an undemanding fun read.
Three and a half stars. I liked it well enough to seek out other work by the author and I'm looking forward to see what's in store for Rowan and Shaw.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
kiiouex's review against another edition
2.0
I don't like to dunk on queer books like this too much, so to be brief; the issue is really the writing. It's very amateur - you could make a bingo card of beginner mistakes, structural stuff like characters talking to themselves, to ""You look good," he complimented", to every character sounding the same, but it just - is very flat, very tedious, and renders all the action and ideas meaningless, when the book's ideas are a bit cliche but otherwise pretty good. The main characters have no chemistry, but are In Love in about a hundred pages, and Soul Bonded after knowing each other for like, a month, and it just doesn't work for me. Someone out there won't have encountered this stuff before, and might love it, but it is not for me.
casseyt's review against another edition
4.0
I utterly enjoyed this read. There were a few slow moments, and some clunky sentences, but the overall pacing and general sigh moments meant that they weren't too bothersome.
As this is the first book in a series it needed to do some heavy world building lifting, and did it deliver. I could draw you a really rough map of the different races, cities and countries. Along with a relationship map between said physical places - and the characters mentioned along with the three core characters. Speaking of the three core characters, I just got to say that I love them all. Especially, the way that Shaw just fell in with the bond that Rowan and Caleb have, and finding his niche in their pack.
Ro and Shaw are amazing. Now give me more please...with lots of Caleb and Marcus :D
*I'm a lucky fish and received an ARC of this read*
As this is the first book in a series it needed to do some heavy world building lifting, and did it deliver. I could draw you a really rough map of the different races, cities and countries. Along with a relationship map between said physical places - and the characters mentioned along with the three core characters. Speaking of the three core characters, I just got to say that I love them all. Especially, the way that Shaw just fell in with the bond that Rowan and Caleb have, and finding his niche in their pack.
Ro and Shaw are amazing. Now give me more please...with lots of Caleb and Marcus :D
*I'm a lucky fish and received an ARC of this read*
thebookedunicorn's review against another edition
4.0
This is a delightful beginning to the inquisition trilogy. Casey Wolfe has created a beautiful world with lovely characters.
In the beginning we are introduced to Rowan a nerd on his way to become become a grand master mage. His best friend/ live in dog Caleb is a lovable werewolf who is ultra protective of Rowan and Shaw the hot stuff inquisitor.
Rowan and Caleb become friends with Shaw and thus begins an adventure to save lives.
The world Casey created is beautiful, from afar Everstrand looks like an ideal place but when you get close you discover it's a lot darker than you think ahem *coughs* 'Murica. There's a scene where Caleb and Rowan are discussing about a political candidate and i wrote down, ''okay this scene reminds me of orange juice in the white house''
The major theme of the book was family Caleb, Rowan and Shaw bonded on different levels. You'll get a warm fuzzy feeling when you read how the characters interact, i know Rowan is the star of the show in this book but Caleb has a special place in my heart.
One final thing i appreciated was the writing style let me explain. There were scenes were you would hold your breathe and expect something bad to happen but it didn't why did i appreciate this? She did not try to force an unnecessary plot twist but by my unicorn bottom when the twist happened i screamed.I recommend this book if you love that friendship/family bond.
In the beginning we are introduced to Rowan a nerd on his way to become become a grand master mage. His best friend/ live in dog Caleb is a lovable werewolf who is ultra protective of Rowan and Shaw the hot stuff inquisitor.
Rowan and Caleb become friends with Shaw and thus begins an adventure to save lives.
The world Casey created is beautiful, from afar Everstrand looks like an ideal place but when you get close you discover it's a lot darker than you think ahem *coughs* 'Murica. There's a scene where Caleb and Rowan are discussing about a political candidate and i wrote down, ''okay this scene reminds me of orange juice in the white house''
The major theme of the book was family Caleb, Rowan and Shaw bonded on different levels. You'll get a warm fuzzy feeling when you read how the characters interact, i know Rowan is the star of the show in this book but Caleb has a special place in my heart.
One final thing i appreciated was the writing style let me explain. There were scenes were you would hold your breathe and expect something bad to happen but it didn't why did i appreciate this? She did not try to force an unnecessary plot twist but by my unicorn bottom when the twist happened i screamed.I recommend this book if you love that friendship/family bond.
almostsilent's review against another edition
2.0
I didn’t love this. Parts of it were good, and it could’ve been a great story. But honestly I found most of it fairly boring and it never fully gripped me. The ending was especially meh.
faricannon's review against another edition
3.0
**I received a copy of this book from Netgalley, Thank you! **
This book had lots of things going for it and a lot of things that it did well. There was a found family, magic, werewolves, complex world building and love in every character interaction. It was so much fun to read about Rowan’s abilities and his interactions with Shaw and Caleb. They were familly and that was very clear. This book was adventurous and fun, at times it felt more like a movie than a book which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I think with more books in the series there’s so much here for the author can explore in terms of this world. The way the magic system worked was cohesive with the world building and was one of my favorite parts of the book. Rowan and Shaw were precious and I was rooting for them the entire time. I appreciated that the angst was minimal and communication was abundant. Caleb was one of my favorite characters! he was exactly the type of comedic relief you want in high pressure situations. His relationship with Rowan made my heart melt.
I would’ve loved to see more female characters and more characters of color. This was a book where all of the main characters were men and from what i can find of the authors fancast, predominantly white. More diversity would’ve made this book hit home, and I hope the author explores that in the coming books! I’ll definitely be picking them up.
Overall, I had a fun time with this universe, and I can’t wait for more.
This book had lots of things going for it and a lot of things that it did well. There was a found family, magic, werewolves, complex world building and love in every character interaction. It was so much fun to read about Rowan’s abilities and his interactions with Shaw and Caleb. They were familly and that was very clear. This book was adventurous and fun, at times it felt more like a movie than a book which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I think with more books in the series there’s so much here for the author can explore in terms of this world. The way the magic system worked was cohesive with the world building and was one of my favorite parts of the book. Rowan and Shaw were precious and I was rooting for them the entire time. I appreciated that the angst was minimal and communication was abundant. Caleb was one of my favorite characters! he was exactly the type of comedic relief you want in high pressure situations. His relationship with Rowan made my heart melt.
I would’ve loved to see more female characters and more characters of color. This was a book where all of the main characters were men and from what i can find of the authors fancast, predominantly white. More diversity would’ve made this book hit home, and I hope the author explores that in the coming books! I’ll definitely be picking them up.
Overall, I had a fun time with this universe, and I can’t wait for more.
annarella's review against another edition
4.0
This is a highly enjoyable and fun to read fantasy book.
I loved the plot and the way it mixes modern times technology with a fantasy world.
There could be some more details and world building but it can be developed in the next instalments as I assume this is a series.
I look forward to reading the further instalment in this series.
Recommended!
Many thanks to NineStar Press and Netgalley for this ARC
I loved the plot and the way it mixes modern times technology with a fantasy world.
There could be some more details and world building but it can be developed in the next instalments as I assume this is a series.
I look forward to reading the further instalment in this series.
Recommended!
Many thanks to NineStar Press and Netgalley for this ARC