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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
When I started the the first book I enjoyed it but I have quickly found myself addicted to the story. Something about these books give me a sense of calm and panic as I read through them. I'm also a huge sucker for books about magic. The bad part about binge reading is when it's over I am going to feel lost. This series has been a great hit for me so far.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
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
AHH SHE DID IT AGAIN IT WAS GREAT! i have to say the love triangle did take a little took much room in my opinion, but it was still awesome! I find Pricilla really interesting and I kind of want them to be friends... I am currently cursing myself for not having bought Candidate before...
June 16, 2015: The love triangle bits for the first half of the book were not my favorite. Other than that, I really liked it! It was nice seeing Ryiah grow. This series kind of reminds me of Tamora Pierce's work, and she is one of my favorite authors.
Edit (Sept 16, 2015): In anticipation of the sequel coming out, I've added more details the review.
Let me begin by saying that I absolutely adored the first book. Having said that, I still very much enjoyed this book, but it did let me down on one main account, as I will explain in the next paragraph.
To start off with the positive, I enjoyed seeing Ryiah grow, and I enjoyed the continuing confusion and tension between her and Darren. It was also great to see her struggle to continue to improve as a mage and a warrior and just as a person in general, with her many mistakes and victories along the way. The pacing and writing was all really great. The only thing I disliked was the love triangle. It seemed kind of pointless because I could already tell who she was going to pick (or maybe it was just that I already knew who I wanted her to pick before the rival love interest was even fully incorporated), but at the same time, I could see how the author wanted to use the love triangle as a means of furthering Ryiah's character growth. That character growth was the love triangle's redeeming quality. Other than that, the plot twists in this novel were great, and more complexity was introduced into the plot in the best way possible.
If you liked the first book, I'm sure you'll like this one as well. It was action-filled and it kept me on my toes, especially toward the very end. I'm excited for the next installment of this series.
Spoiler
Ian was a completely unnecessary love interest, though I suppose that might come into play in the next installment. I sincerely hope not. He was not my favorite character, and his attachment to Ryiah was irriatting.Edit (Sept 16, 2015): In anticipation of the sequel coming out, I've added more details the review.
Let me begin by saying that I absolutely adored the first book. Having said that, I still very much enjoyed this book, but it did let me down on one main account, as I will explain in the next paragraph.
To start off with the positive, I enjoyed seeing Ryiah grow, and I enjoyed the continuing confusion and tension between her and Darren. It was also great to see her struggle to continue to improve as a mage and a warrior and just as a person in general, with her many mistakes and victories along the way. The pacing and writing was all really great. The only thing I disliked was the love triangle. It seemed kind of pointless because I could already tell who she was going to pick (or maybe it was just that I already knew who I wanted her to pick before the rival love interest was even fully incorporated), but at the same time, I could see how the author wanted to use the love triangle as a means of furthering Ryiah's character growth. That character growth was the love triangle's redeeming quality. Other than that, the plot twists in this novel were great, and more complexity was introduced into the plot in the best way possible.
If you liked the first book, I'm sure you'll like this one as well. It was action-filled and it kept me on my toes, especially toward the very end. I'm excited for the next installment of this series.
A solid sequel to the first book, following Ryiah's five year apprenticeship.
Having received the position she'd longed for, Ryiah is now part of a group of first and second-year apprentices, who will spend their apprenticeship years studying under a misogynist mage for a few months, before heading off to the border for some experience in the positions they will be filling once they have their mage robes.
War is brewing and they'll need all the experience they can get, and in order to develop their strategy and combat skills, they take part in a yearly combat trial, where they are divided in two teams and must come up with a strategy to capture the other team's captain. In their first such trial,
They manage to clear things up, with Darren apologizing and telling her that she's his only real friend and he doesn't want to lose her, but it's pretty clear that they both have feelings beyond friendship for each other. Knowing that nothing can come of her attraction to Darren, Ryiah tries to move on with Ian, and a love triangle forms.
Ian is in love with Ryiah, who loves him back but not as much as she loves Darren, who loves her back but can't do anything about it. Things get complicated and Ryiah ends up putting off deciding between them for the longest time, heightening the tension all around, before deciding to follow her head and accepting Ian.
Immediately after, she's off on a mission with Darren away from the rest of the apprentices, and while they are away, the two acknowledge their feelings and start making plans for a future together. Ryiah returns and breaks Ian's heart and then gets her heart broken in turn by Darren, who, after supposedly going to talk to his father about breaking his engagement, doesn't, and coldly and without sufficient explanation informs Ryiah that they're over.
Everyone is miserable for a long while, having to be around each other but not speaking and going out of their way to avoid one another, without much luck.
It's during their last year's combat trial that Darren and Ryiah end up alone together scouting the woods near the barracks, when the war finally reaches them. They end up saving a number of captured soldiers and end up fighting for their lives, narrowly escaping and returning to the capital to receive their mage robes as heroes.
Right after the ceremony ends, Darren shocks Ryiah by announcing that he's met all of his father's conditions for being allowed to break his current engagement and that he wishes to marry Ryiah. Backed into a corner, the king acquiesces and Darren finally confesses his true feelings to Ryiah and explains everything in a very sweet private speech that marks the start of their betrothal.
A lot happens in this one and I ended up reading through the night, but I don't regret it one bit and I'm ready to start [b:Candidate|33897308|Candidate (The Black Mage, #3)|Rachel E. Carter|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1484696225s/33897308.jpg|44382088] next!
Previous book reviews:
✦ First Year (The Black Mage, #1)
✦ Non-Heir (The Black Mage #0.5)
Having received the position she'd longed for, Ryiah is now part of a group of first and second-year apprentices, who will spend their apprenticeship years studying under a misogynist mage for a few months, before heading off to the border for some experience in the positions they will be filling once they have their mage robes.
War is brewing and they'll need all the experience they can get, and in order to develop their strategy and combat skills, they take part in a yearly combat trial, where they are divided in two teams and must come up with a strategy to capture the other team's captain. In their first such trial,
Spoiler
Ryiah's tentative friendship with Prince Darren is threatened, when his strategy causes a rift between Ryiah and Ian, her almost boyfriend whom she had to trick in order for her team to win. He barely speaks to her as a result, and she's pretty hurt and blames Darren for the whole thing.They manage to clear things up, with Darren apologizing and telling her that she's his only real friend and he doesn't want to lose her, but it's pretty clear that they both have feelings beyond friendship for each other. Knowing that nothing can come of her attraction to Darren, Ryiah tries to move on with Ian, and a love triangle forms.
Ian is in love with Ryiah, who loves him back but not as much as she loves Darren, who loves her back but can't do anything about it. Things get complicated and Ryiah ends up putting off deciding between them for the longest time, heightening the tension all around, before deciding to follow her head and accepting Ian.
Immediately after, she's off on a mission with Darren away from the rest of the apprentices, and while they are away, the two acknowledge their feelings and start making plans for a future together. Ryiah returns and breaks Ian's heart and then gets her heart broken in turn by Darren, who, after supposedly going to talk to his father about breaking his engagement, doesn't, and coldly and without sufficient explanation informs Ryiah that they're over.
Everyone is miserable for a long while, having to be around each other but not speaking and going out of their way to avoid one another, without much luck.
It's during their last year's combat trial that Darren and Ryiah end up alone together scouting the woods near the barracks, when the war finally reaches them. They end up saving a number of captured soldiers and end up fighting for their lives, narrowly escaping and returning to the capital to receive their mage robes as heroes.
Right after the ceremony ends, Darren shocks Ryiah by announcing that he's met all of his father's conditions for being allowed to break his current engagement and that he wishes to marry Ryiah. Backed into a corner, the king acquiesces and Darren finally confesses his true feelings to Ryiah and explains everything in a very sweet private speech that marks the start of their betrothal
A lot happens in this one and I ended up reading through the night, but I don't regret it one bit and I'm ready to start [b:Candidate|33897308|Candidate (The Black Mage, #3)|Rachel E. Carter|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1484696225s/33897308.jpg|44382088] next!
Previous book reviews:
✦ First Year (The Black Mage, #1)
✦ Non-Heir (The Black Mage #0.5)
Breathtaking
This book cost me many hours of sleep, because I just couldn't put it down. Tjis is a phenomenal series and I can't wait 2 read more. Do yourself a favor and check it out...
This book cost me many hours of sleep, because I just couldn't put it down. Tjis is a phenomenal series and I can't wait 2 read more. Do yourself a favor and check it out...
There is so much going on in this book. It takes place over 4 years focusing on the difficulties of training when it comes to becoming a mage. One of the main people teaching the group of students is a sexist pig and decides to pick on Ryiah throughout her time in the Academy.
The introduction of a love triangle turned out kind of pointless to me. I loved Ian but I knew from the start that he will get his heart broken, because Ryiah will always choose Darren. She always ends up going back to the guy that plays her and ends up getting her heart broken time after time (a situation I'm all too familiar with).
That being said I loved the plot twist at the end of the story and can't wait to start the next part.
The introduction of a love triangle turned out kind of pointless to me. I loved Ian but I knew from the start that he will get his heart broken, because Ryiah will always choose Darren. She always ends up going back to the guy that plays her and ends up getting her heart broken time after time (a situation I'm all too familiar with).
That being said I loved the plot twist at the end of the story and can't wait to start the next part.
La continuación de la saga de The Black Mage no decepciona, ¡al contrario! Ayuda que no todo suceda en la escuela y veamos a los protas desenvolverse en otros entornos :) Reseña completa aquí.
Eeeehhhh... I was still invested in the story but it wasn't as good as the first book. I liked parts of Apprentice but it got too bogged down with the stupid love triangle.
4.75 stars.
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This book was so good! It is so underrated and definitely needs more love. It's such a kick butt fantasy series with a bit of an awesome romance.
But Holy crap, the characters are amazing!
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Darren is just well, Darren.
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I freaking love him! He does some crap that angers me, but I also understand why he pulls some annoying crud. I just love how smart he is and his dialogue is always on point. He is so sweet and you can really tell he truly loves Ryiah. Sigh, isn't he just an angel?
Ryiah is kick butt.
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I really do love Ryiah. She's a great female protagonist and she's so complex and fun to read about. She's a gem! I love how determined she is and of course how caring she is. I can always root for her and she rarely makes stupid or rash decisions.
Overall, I really enjoyed the bit of romance also. I loved Darren and Ryiah's relationship and the innocent bickering between the two. They have great chemistry as friends and as two people in love.
On aspect of the romance I wasn't a fan of was the love triangle bit. I honestly think that should have been edited out because it was not needed, so that's why I couldn't give this a five star rating because It annoyed me, especially how Ryiah treated one side in the love triangle.![]()
She pretty much led him on for a bit and I found that so selfish and just irritating. I wanted to slap her for a moment!
I really loved all of the fight scenes, plot, writing and dialogue. Everything was so well crafted and I just adored it. Overall this book was so fun to read and I am so excited to read the next one!
This book was so good! It is so underrated and definitely needs more love. It's such a kick butt fantasy series with a bit of an awesome romance.
But Holy crap, the characters are amazing!
Darren is just well, Darren.
I freaking love him! He does some crap that angers me, but I also understand why he pulls some annoying crud. I just love how smart he is and his dialogue is always on point. He is so sweet and you can really tell he truly loves Ryiah. Sigh, isn't he just an angel?
Ryiah is kick butt.
I really do love Ryiah. She's a great female protagonist and she's so complex and fun to read about. She's a gem! I love how determined she is and of course how caring she is. I can always root for her and she rarely makes stupid or rash decisions.
Overall, I really enjoyed the bit of romance also. I loved Darren and Ryiah's relationship and the innocent bickering between the two. They have great chemistry as friends and as two people in love.
On aspect of the romance I wasn't a fan of was the love triangle bit. I honestly think that should have been edited out because it was not needed, so that's why I couldn't give this a five star rating because It annoyed me, especially how Ryiah treated one side in the love triangle.
She pretty much led him on for a bit and I found that so selfish and just irritating. I wanted to slap her for a moment!
I really loved all of the fight scenes, plot, writing and dialogue. Everything was so well crafted and I just adored it. Overall this book was so fun to read and I am so excited to read the next one!