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theamazingmrg's review against another edition
4.0
I read somebody else's review of this and their complaint was how the characters in this book are very black and white. They're either good or bad, and there aren't the shades of grey that you usually get in modern fantasy. And they weren't wrong. But where that review thought this was a bad thing, I'm not sure I agree. After a slew of 'grimdark' novels with bitter, twisted, and unpleasant characters, it was nice to read a more traditional fantasy novel.
The whole way through this book, I was constantly reminded of the books of David Gemmell. The slightly outcast lead character, the ravening hordes at the gates, the despicable villain. All things that Gemmell was a master of writing. His books were part of the reason I'm such a lover of fantasy, and Stephen Aryan has definitely written a worthy successor to that legacy. I then read the interview with him at the end of the book and he cited Gemmell as a major influence so I was pleased with myself for recognising it.
Battlemage is a decent book. It doesn't quite reach the heights of the best books of recent years (Joe Abercrombie, RJ Barker, and Nicholas Eames spring to mind) but it's a solid, well-written fantasy yarn that nicely sets up the premise of future books in the series. I'll definitely be reading the sequel.
Actual rating: 3.8/5
The whole way through this book, I was constantly reminded of the books of David Gemmell. The slightly outcast lead character, the ravening hordes at the gates, the despicable villain. All things that Gemmell was a master of writing. His books were part of the reason I'm such a lover of fantasy, and Stephen Aryan has definitely written a worthy successor to that legacy. I then read the interview with him at the end of the book and he cited Gemmell as a major influence so I was pleased with myself for recognising it.
Battlemage is a decent book. It doesn't quite reach the heights of the best books of recent years (Joe Abercrombie, RJ Barker, and Nicholas Eames spring to mind) but it's a solid, well-written fantasy yarn that nicely sets up the premise of future books in the series. I'll definitely be reading the sequel.
Actual rating: 3.8/5
reasonpassion's review against another edition
4.0
Good basic sword and sorcery tale with elements of a broader epic environment and solid characters. Definitely a good time to be had in reading it.
neptunesinferno's review against another edition
3.0
A great book
I had a great time reading this. I found the story very interesting and I loved all the characters. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of fantasy.
I had a great time reading this. I found the story very interesting and I loved all the characters. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of fantasy.
traviscanread's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
kitvaria_sarene's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a strange one for me.
I don't have any concrete problems with it, that I can put my finger on. But it somehow just didn't really grip me. I had a hard time concentrating on it, and had to go back a few times, as I noticed I zoned out a bit and didn't pay close attention.
I liked the main characters, and the prose was just fine -I think it was just too small a scope for me?
Yes there are plenty of characters and different viewpoints, but it still felt kind of "small" to me.
I didn't really "feel" the war - there were detailed descriptions of blood and gore, but I wasn't really part of the story, and feeling the despair or the fear. Also the world felt a bit to enclosed for my liking.
I liked the different religions, the battlemages and the fight scenes - plenty of action and was quite entertaining. I also enjoyed the dialogues and the character interactions, but thought some of the characters were a bit bland on their own.
All in all definitely a book worth a read, especially for people who like a focus on war and fighting.
I don't have any concrete problems with it, that I can put my finger on. But it somehow just didn't really grip me. I had a hard time concentrating on it, and had to go back a few times, as I noticed I zoned out a bit and didn't pay close attention.
I liked the main characters, and the prose was just fine -I think it was just too small a scope for me?
Yes there are plenty of characters and different viewpoints, but it still felt kind of "small" to me.
I didn't really "feel" the war - there were detailed descriptions of blood and gore, but I wasn't really part of the story, and feeling the despair or the fear. Also the world felt a bit to enclosed for my liking.
I liked the different religions, the battlemages and the fight scenes - plenty of action and was quite entertaining. I also enjoyed the dialogues and the character interactions, but thought some of the characters were a bit bland on their own.
All in all definitely a book worth a read, especially for people who like a focus on war and fighting.
billies_not_so_secret_diary's review
adventurous
dark
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
3.0
Battlemage
by Stephen Aryan
Fantasy Epic Magic
Scribd Audio
read by Matt Addis
Ages 18+
Balfruss, a battlemage, answers the call from his king to protect his homeland from the Warlock and the mad king who are raging war across the lands. Vargus, a soldier does the same, as he has for most of his life, and Talandra, the king's daughter, who also runs the kingdom's spies.
These three people, along with many others vow to protect their land from the giant army the mad king forced into his service, swearing not to fall under his control.
The blurbs I read after finishing this book don't sound all that good, so I don't know what it was about this book that caught my attention. It wasn't a bad story, the world was great, as was the magic, though I think the magic needed some more explanation, but that could be in the next book.
Vargus, I think, is my favorite for some reason, even before (spoiler), Talandra was a nice change to the 'princess' trope, there was more to her than royalty. And Balfruss got cocky.
There were other characters, who also, as the three above, had their own chapters, and with the number of characters, third person point-of-view was the best choice, first would have gotten too confusing. One of these characters, I can't remember his name, I think he wasn't exactly human, but I'm not sure. He and the other city he was in, needed more work and descriptions.
But the descriptions of the battles, death, it was pretty graphic/gory so it's not suitable for readers under 18. There were some funnies, surprises, and there is something that I don't know if it was confirmed or not.
The story moved at a steady pace, even when they were waiting for the battle to start, the reader could feel the tension.
The narrator was very good and had a great voice range for the different characters.
3 Stars
by Stephen Aryan
Fantasy Epic Magic
Scribd Audio
read by Matt Addis
Ages 18+
Balfruss, a battlemage, answers the call from his king to protect his homeland from the Warlock and the mad king who are raging war across the lands. Vargus, a soldier does the same, as he has for most of his life, and Talandra, the king's daughter, who also runs the kingdom's spies.
These three people, along with many others vow to protect their land from the giant army the mad king forced into his service, swearing not to fall under his control.
The blurbs I read after finishing this book don't sound all that good, so I don't know what it was about this book that caught my attention. It wasn't a bad story, the world was great, as was the magic, though I think the magic needed some more explanation, but that could be in the next book.
Vargus, I think, is my favorite for some reason, even before (spoiler), Talandra was a nice change to the 'princess' trope, there was more to her than royalty. And Balfruss got cocky.
There were other characters, who also, as the three above, had their own chapters, and with the number of characters, third person point-of-view was the best choice, first would have gotten too confusing. One of these characters, I can't remember his name, I think he wasn't exactly human, but I'm not sure. He and the other city he was in, needed more work and descriptions.
But the descriptions of the battles, death, it was pretty graphic/gory so it's not suitable for readers under 18. There were some funnies, surprises, and there is something that I don't know if it was confirmed or not.
The story moved at a steady pace, even when they were waiting for the battle to start, the reader could feel the tension.
The narrator was very good and had a great voice range for the different characters.
3 Stars
tabea_sph_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
truthaurdare's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
5.0
constantin's review against another edition
3.0
It is a good book in general, but personally, I found it hard to follow.
Probably it is not that captivating because times I found myself having to reread an entire page or two just because my mind was wandering away while reading, which had as a result in me finishing the book, and only roughly remembering/knowing the storyline.
Perhaps it was the "fillers" to make the book longer that made it quite "boring" to follow. Could easily be a 350 pages book instead of 512.
The story is ok, quite unoriginal but you will enjoy it if you like reading D&D style things.
Not sure I'll read the rest of the books, not yet, at least until I manage to reread the entire book again sometime so I can follow the story.
Probably it is not that captivating because times I found myself having to reread an entire page or two just because my mind was wandering away while reading, which had as a result in me finishing the book, and only roughly remembering/knowing the storyline.
Perhaps it was the "fillers" to make the book longer that made it quite "boring" to follow. Could easily be a 350 pages book instead of 512.
The story is ok, quite unoriginal but you will enjoy it if you like reading D&D style things.
Not sure I'll read the rest of the books, not yet, at least until I manage to reread the entire book again sometime so I can follow the story.