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erikofthenorth's review against another edition
3.0
This was closer to a 3.5 to be fair. It was entertaining, but lacked a bit of depth and sophistication in it's writing. If you're looking for some popcorn fantasy, this should meet your needs.
starlightbooktales's review against another edition
3.0
This arc was provided to me for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
3 Stars. I had it at 2.5 but I realized I actually enjoyed one character, so she bumped it up.
I find the cover to be absolutely gorgeous and it is what piqued my interest at first. The synopsis seemed like this would be my type of book. I am certain this book could find its audience, but I didn’t find it to be for me.
In this world, those who wield magic are used as essentially soldiers or known in this world falcons and they are tethered to another person known as falconers with the use of a jess (bracelet). The falcons are essentially slaves as they don’t really have a choice in the matter. This book revolves around Amalia, the heir to a powerful house and she accidentally bonds to a falcon, Zaira. A falcon who doesn’t want to serve the city and wants to free. Even though those in power cannot wield a falcon as they control the power of the falcon. As the book continues its lots of politics and lots of people trying to kill other people. I don’t want to give away the ending, so I will say there were a lot of choices made in the end and I still have a lot of questions.
The thing that bothered me the most about the book was the obvious rich girl enslaves a poor girl. Amalia didn’t understand why it was so wrong and I found that to be very annoying. I also have a very hard time understanding how Amalia didn’t know what the jest would do when she tethered herself to Zaira. It seemed like a pretty common thing that everyone knew. Perhaps there is an actual answer and I didn’t catch it, but it doesn’t make any sense to me.
The book definitely had moments where it caught my attention, but I couldn’t get over the whole forced to live in the mews and never allowed to leave unless they were with their falconer. I tried really hard to like this book, but I just didn’t find it to be for me.
3 Stars. I had it at 2.5 but I realized I actually enjoyed one character, so she bumped it up.
I find the cover to be absolutely gorgeous and it is what piqued my interest at first. The synopsis seemed like this would be my type of book. I am certain this book could find its audience, but I didn’t find it to be for me.
In this world, those who wield magic are used as essentially soldiers or known in this world falcons and they are tethered to another person known as falconers with the use of a jess (bracelet). The falcons are essentially slaves as they don’t really have a choice in the matter. This book revolves around Amalia, the heir to a powerful house and she accidentally bonds to a falcon, Zaira. A falcon who doesn’t want to serve the city and wants to free. Even though those in power cannot wield a falcon as they control the power of the falcon. As the book continues its lots of politics and lots of people trying to kill other people. I don’t want to give away the ending, so I will say there were a lot of choices made in the end and I still have a lot of questions.
The thing that bothered me the most about the book was the obvious rich girl enslaves a poor girl. Amalia didn’t understand why it was so wrong and I found that to be very annoying. I also have a very hard time understanding how Amalia didn’t know what the jest would do when she tethered herself to Zaira. It seemed like a pretty common thing that everyone knew. Perhaps there is an actual answer and I didn’t catch it, but it doesn’t make any sense to me.
The book definitely had moments where it caught my attention, but I couldn’t get over the whole forced to live in the mews and never allowed to leave unless they were with their falconer. I tried really hard to like this book, but I just didn’t find it to be for me.
hedgew1tch's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
nelsonseye's review against another edition
4.0
Reread 2022: While I remembered the main points, there were a number of "minor" points that I had forgotten, so rereading was definitely a good choice. I'm now ready to read [b:The Defiant Heir|35921536|The Defiant Heir (Swords and Fire, #2)|Melissa Caruso|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1502002717l/35921536._SY75_.jpg|57454430]
The Tethered Mage had a bit of a slow start, but it grew on me. The characters were interesting and I liked their relationships, the intrigue was well done (admittedly fantasy novels with court intrigue are my thing), and the action and suspense in the later chapters kept me on the edge of my seat. As a side note, I really like the cover design for the book.
The Tethered Mage had a bit of a slow start, but it grew on me. The characters were interesting and I liked their relationships, the intrigue was well done (admittedly fantasy novels with court intrigue are my thing), and the action and suspense in the later chapters kept me on the edge of my seat. As a side note, I really like the cover design for the book.
tristan_gray's review against another edition
4.0
A break from so much fantasy to take us to the decidedly Venetian-inspired setting with magic flowing beneath the drama and intrigue of renaissance court.
A well-written political thriller that may have underused an intriguing and powerful magic system that the entire world is built on. An interesting mesh of characters all of which get their due.
Some plot and character elements were set up but seemed to be missed opportunities that I hope will be taken advantage of in the sequel.
A well-written political thriller that may have underused an intriguing and powerful magic system that the entire world is built on. An interesting mesh of characters all of which get their due.
Some plot and character elements were set up but seemed to be missed opportunities that I hope will be taken advantage of in the sequel.
vicsreadings's review against another edition
5.0
This book is honestly an amazing discover ! I have never heard of it until I received it in my kubeofficial (a monthly bookish box).I wasn’t convinced at first but honestly this might became my new favorite saga. The writing is just so easy to read, the universe is complex and very well detailed but easy to understand at the same time. And the romance OMG the romance is just amazing. I ship the characters so much, I’ve never felt this way for books characters I’m telling you. The plot is very well maintained during the whole story, with some plot-twist, that I saw coming I have to admit but it wasn’t bothering at all. Anyway I don’t know what to tell you besides the fact that I absolutely LOVED this book and that I can’t wait to read the 2nd volume !
leighkelly's review against another edition
1.0
DNF.
I don’t agree with it and it feels like every other ill written YA novel.
Girl is secretive at start, must go to the bad part of town without mother finding out.
Girl sees something happen.
Man appears out of nowhere “only you can save her”
Man is military asking a civilian for help (rather than protecting her)
Girl helps, saves the city.
Fire mage is now imprisoned and can only use her power with girls permission
Girl and man flirt and “something moved in my chest when he looked at me”. GO TO THE HOSPITAL.
I’ll not be wasting my time with this one.
I don’t agree with it and it feels like every other ill written YA novel.
Girl is secretive at start, must go to the bad part of town without mother finding out.
Girl sees something happen.
Man appears out of nowhere “only you can save her”
Man is military asking a civilian for help (rather than protecting her)
Girl helps, saves the city.
Fire mage is now imprisoned and can only use her power with girls permission
Girl and man flirt and “something moved in my chest when he looked at me”. GO TO THE HOSPITAL.
I’ll not be wasting my time with this one.
mollymortensen's review against another edition
4.0
The writing was so well done, I would've thought this was a veteran writer not a debut. I highlighted several passages that I just liked the way she phrased things.
More books need to focus on female friendship and Tethered Mage did it well. Their friendship progressed slowly and felt true.
I easily related to Amalia, a book loving girl who'd rather hole up in her room than go to a party. She's heir to one of the city's ruling families but though she's rich her life hasn't been easy. (I only wish I related to the rich part.) Zaira, the street smart mage needed her own point of view. She was so bitter about being captured it was hard to empathize with her. I did warm to her by the end.
The romance didn't work for me. Mostly because I have no clue what she saw in him. (I can't remember his name) He was most interesting in his first scene, where he came off strong, decisive and a bit mysterious. After that he was too weak and infatuated by her to come off as competent. At least he was nice.
When I heard about the Witch Lord Prince I thought he'd make a good love interest (not that I wanted a love triangle) but it's quickly clear he's firmly in the villain category.
My favorite character was actually Amilia's mom. She's a tough leader, smart, and confident. Though she's strict with her daughter, it's still obvious she loves her.
There wasn't a lot of worldbuilding but I liked the Venice renaissance like atmosphere she created. Magic isn't just your standard elements. There are alchemists who create potions and artificers who make magical devices as well. (And the creepy Prince's magic.) There's no discrimination against women or gays in this world, which was refreshing to see.
The mystery was good, and I didn't see most of it coming. (I did suspect one suspect. Hehe.)
THE BAD:
It felt a bit choppy. Time passed between sections but I felt they were too short, jumping from scene to scene.
The only excitement was at the beginning and ending. The "middle" a.k.a. most of the book was rather slow. More was done with the possibility of war and political plotting than magical battles. (But those could always come in future books.)
More books need to focus on female friendship and Tethered Mage did it well. Their friendship progressed slowly and felt true.
I easily related to Amalia, a book loving girl who'd rather hole up in her room than go to a party. She's heir to one of the city's ruling families but though she's rich her life hasn't been easy. (I only wish I related to the rich part.) Zaira, the street smart mage needed her own point of view. She was so bitter about being captured it was hard to empathize with her. I did warm to her by the end.
The romance didn't work for me. Mostly because I have no clue what she saw in him. (I can't remember his name) He was most interesting in his first scene, where he came off strong, decisive and a bit mysterious. After that he was too weak and infatuated by her to come off as competent. At least he was nice.
When I heard about the Witch Lord Prince I thought he'd make a good love interest (not that I wanted a love triangle) but it's quickly clear he's firmly in the villain category.
My favorite character was actually Amilia's mom. She's a tough leader, smart, and confident. Though she's strict with her daughter, it's still obvious she loves her.
There wasn't a lot of worldbuilding but I liked the Venice renaissance like atmosphere she created. Magic isn't just your standard elements. There are alchemists who create potions and artificers who make magical devices as well. (And the creepy Prince's magic.) There's no discrimination against women or gays in this world, which was refreshing to see.
The mystery was good, and I didn't see most of it coming. (I did suspect one suspect. Hehe.)
THE BAD:
It felt a bit choppy. Time passed between sections but I felt they were too short, jumping from scene to scene.
The only excitement was at the beginning and ending. The "middle" a.k.a. most of the book was rather slow. More was done with the possibility of war and political plotting than magical battles. (But those could always come in future books.)