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sagittarian 's review for:
The Rebel Mages
by Laurie Forest
this series is heavy, and these were only the prequel novellas introducing us to the overarching story.
the worldbuilding is complex, the lore is complicated, and while the characters are deeply YA in their dialogues and romance, they’re terribly traumatized and adult in their experiences.
there are some heaaaaavy themes of racism, religious extremism, and brutality in this, specifically between the different races in this world that echo in deeply painful ways for the world we’re living in (especially post US election in 2024). the oppression, cruelty, and subjugation of different races for the benefit of another makes for a difficult read, even in just a set of novellas – tread carefully if those are sensitive topics for you. the parallels are paralleling, so though this is a fantasy novel with fae and dryads and sorceresses, the stratification of this society feels resonant in ways that make this less escapism and more microcosm of the real world.
check out my review for book one for more details if you’re looking for a heavy fantasy, both in terms of level of worldbuilding and the nature of its themes.
the worldbuilding is complex, the lore is complicated, and while the characters are deeply YA in their dialogues and romance, they’re terribly traumatized and adult in their experiences.
there are some heaaaaavy themes of racism, religious extremism, and brutality in this, specifically between the different races in this world that echo in deeply painful ways for the world we’re living in (especially post US election in 2024). the oppression, cruelty, and subjugation of different races for the benefit of another makes for a difficult read, even in just a set of novellas – tread carefully if those are sensitive topics for you. the parallels are paralleling, so though this is a fantasy novel with fae and dryads and sorceresses, the stratification of this society feels resonant in ways that make this less escapism and more microcosm of the real world.
check out my review for book one for more details if you’re looking for a heavy fantasy, both in terms of level of worldbuilding and the nature of its themes.