A review by allisonwonderlandreads
The Tethered Mage by Melissa Caruso

adventurous slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

"It's easy to say you can't change the world... But people do change it. I don't know much history, but I know that. Don't say it can't be done if you really mean you're too lazy to try."
 
I'm picking up this trilogy because I loved The Obsidian Tower and figured I ought to familiarize myself with the original series and the world at large. I loved the Venetian-feeling Raverra with its canals, cheese, wine, and politicking. Our protagonist Amalia is growing into her role as a powerful noble heir even as she accidentally leashes a mage, attaching herself to the spiteful and powerful Zaira for life. Both characters are clever and fierce in their own ways, and I enjoyed seeing the tentative beginnings of their semi-enmity giving way to friendship.
 
This story is all about intrigue, which is my personal favorite. My only complaint is that nothing really took me by surprise. I read and love predictable stories all the time, but when you offer me plots and schemes, I want it snappy and shocking or stealthy and multilayered. In this case, reveals were slow enough coming that my response was more like *shrug.*
 
I want to see how these characters continue to grow individually and in their relationships to round out the trilogy. I also would love a Zaira perspective if possible because her cynicism is such a needed counterpoint to Amalia's own ideals. I'm also hoping for a continued, more extensive interrogation of the morality of leashing mages' power in the first place.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings