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eroof514's review against another edition
3.0
I recieved a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review. I did enjoy the book, but I think it suffered from the first book syndrome. The concept of this book was great and I loved how the person who tethered the mages power was the only one who could release it. While the concept was good I felt that this book was a little slow to take off. I know authors get better with each book they write and I am looking forward to see how this author improves on the series. I loved Amalia and Zaira and I thought the forbidden love angle was cute. This book is full of world building and political intrigue which may make up for its slower start. If you are a fantasy lover or a YA lover this book is for you. I can't wait to see where the characters go next and want to see more by this author.
crasscasualty's review against another edition
3.0
Slow going at first, but picks up speed. You can tell its a debut novel, but I am looking forward to the author's future endeavors.
annieb123's review against another edition
4.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
The Tethered Mage is the first book in the Swords and Fire series, by Melissa Caruso, from Orbit Books.
I really enjoyed the heck out of this book. The world building is fascinating and detailed, the magic system is internally cohesive and believable and the political machinations for power (very loosely based on the great dynasties of renaissance Italy and environs) are well wrought and complex.
This is a substantial book, 438 pages, but tautly plotted and it never dragged. There are several plotlines, well interwoven into an epic story arc. I was very surprised that this is a debut novel; the author has a very strong voice and a gift with dialogue.
Other reviewers have done a very good job of describing the plot and characters. I really enjoyed the lushness of the setting (which reminded me a lot of Venice) and the way that the fire mage Zaira was not easily won over. Her unwilling partnership with a 'handler' of a different class and background was organic and well written, it wasn't just a few paragraphs of whining and then besties forever.
There were several mystery subplots which were deftly handled and the denoument was exciting and perfectly paced. I'm really looking forward to the next installments.
I would not precisely classify this as YA. It would be appropriate for older YA readers, but also fine for any epic fantasy fans, whatever their age.
Four and a half stars, looking forward to what comes next!
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher.
The Tethered Mage is the first book in the Swords and Fire series, by Melissa Caruso, from Orbit Books.
I really enjoyed the heck out of this book. The world building is fascinating and detailed, the magic system is internally cohesive and believable and the political machinations for power (very loosely based on the great dynasties of renaissance Italy and environs) are well wrought and complex.
This is a substantial book, 438 pages, but tautly plotted and it never dragged. There are several plotlines, well interwoven into an epic story arc. I was very surprised that this is a debut novel; the author has a very strong voice and a gift with dialogue.
Other reviewers have done a very good job of describing the plot and characters. I really enjoyed the lushness of the setting (which reminded me a lot of Venice) and the way that the fire mage Zaira was not easily won over. Her unwilling partnership with a 'handler' of a different class and background was organic and well written, it wasn't just a few paragraphs of whining and then besties forever.
There were several mystery subplots which were deftly handled and the denoument was exciting and perfectly paced. I'm really looking forward to the next installments.
I would not precisely classify this as YA. It would be appropriate for older YA readers, but also fine for any epic fantasy fans, whatever their age.
Four and a half stars, looking forward to what comes next!
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher.
thelaurelwreathcrowned's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
barcodeborrower's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting magic system and fun character combos. It definitely read more like YA
mandykins007's review against another edition
5.0
So many good things about this book! The authors attention to detail, the pacing, the world building and the characters are all spot on! Unique system of magic and lovely structured world setting. Relatable (to an extent) characters. This book packed a great little punch. Politics and intrigue abound. The writing is near perfect! Loved this book! Looking forward to the next installment.
scrollsofdragons's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 The first person writing style didn't work for me, in high fantasy I find third person is what works best. And we only follow the one character who's not even that interesting, which means all the other background characters we only see through her perspective and if these other characters had been able to stand on their own, had they had povs I could have liked them more. As it was only the plot which was thrilling held this book for me but I may not continue because I don't care enough about the characters and with the plot looming towards war, I need characters to care about.
Romance-2
Characters- 2.5
World Building- 2.5
Enjoyability -4
Originality -2.5
Plot-4
Writing -3
For a total of 2.92 rounded to 2.5
Romance-2
Characters- 2.5
World Building- 2.5
Enjoyability -4
Originality -2.5
Plot-4
Writing -3
For a total of 2.92 rounded to 2.5
bright_night's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
anadantas's review against another edition
5.0
Scroll of you prefer to read in English
Sentimentos mistos sobre o fim do livro, porque por um lado eu queria que tudo se resolvesse e a solução foi perfeitamente razoável, mas por outro lado não era uma solução que eu tinha como prever e eu não gosto muito de soluções fora da tela.
Gostei demais da protagonista: ela é uma herdeira relutante, mas não irresponsável igual algumas situações semelhantes na literatura. Adoro o fato dela ser nerd de magia mesmo não podendo fazer magia. Ok, às vezes ela marca bobeira, mas até aí, ela é humana.
Achei a solução de Raverra para "o problema dos X-Men" fascinante. Porque realmente, em todo mundo onde existe magia, é muito fácil cair em um dos dois lados: ou os magos são super elite/aristocracia concentração de poder (Magneto), ou eles são super fique escondido pra não ser pego pela caça às bruxas (Xavier), mas o Império Sereno criou um sistema que consegue evitar esses dois extremos. Tem seus próprios problemas, mas isso é explorado no livro.
ENGLISH
I have mixed feelings about the ending, because everything I wanted solved was solved, and the solution was perfectly within the bounds of reasonable... but I didn't have any means to see it coming, and I don't really like off screen solutions.
I really liked the protagonist: she's a reluctant heir, but not irresponsible like some we see in literature. I love that she's a magic nerd even though she can't do magic herself. Sometimes she makes silly mistakes, but she's only human.
And Raverra's solution for "the X-Men problem" is fascinating. In stories with magic, it's very easy to fall in one of the two: magic people are rulers/elite with power in their hands (Magneto), or lay low and don't be caught in the witch hunt (Xavier). The Serene Empire has a system that avoids those extremes. It has its own pitfalls, but the book explores those.
Sentimentos mistos sobre o fim do livro, porque por um lado eu queria que tudo se resolvesse e a solução foi perfeitamente razoável, mas por outro lado não era uma solução que eu tinha como prever e eu não gosto muito de soluções fora da tela.
Gostei demais da protagonista: ela é uma herdeira relutante, mas não irresponsável igual algumas situações semelhantes na literatura. Adoro o fato dela ser nerd de magia mesmo não podendo fazer magia. Ok, às vezes ela marca bobeira, mas até aí, ela é humana.
Achei a solução de Raverra para "o problema dos X-Men" fascinante. Porque realmente, em todo mundo onde existe magia, é muito fácil cair em um dos dois lados: ou os magos são super elite/aristocracia concentração de poder (Magneto), ou eles são super fique escondido pra não ser pego pela caça às bruxas (Xavier), mas o Império Sereno criou um sistema que consegue evitar esses dois extremos. Tem seus próprios problemas, mas isso é explorado no livro.
ENGLISH
I have mixed feelings about the ending, because everything I wanted solved was solved, and the solution was perfectly within the bounds of reasonable... but I didn't have any means to see it coming, and I don't really like off screen solutions.
I really liked the protagonist: she's a reluctant heir, but not irresponsible like some we see in literature. I love that she's a magic nerd even though she can't do magic herself. Sometimes she makes silly mistakes, but she's only human.
And Raverra's solution for "the X-Men problem" is fascinating. In stories with magic, it's very easy to fall in one of the two: magic people are rulers/elite with power in their hands (Magneto), or lay low and don't be caught in the witch hunt (Xavier). The Serene Empire has a system that avoids those extremes. It has its own pitfalls, but the book explores those.