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A review by hillarytrotter
The Archmage by Emily L.K.
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.0
The Archmage by @thepagesshewrote
Review
⭐⭐⭐
May include SPOILERS
I was influenced to read this book when I saw the author posting about it on Tiktok. I gave it a go because the ideas appealed to me. This book took a bit for me to get into but consistently picked up speed and had a strong finish.
I enjoyed the main character and some of the slow burn yearning from her. Her motivations to try to save her mother were really compelling but it seemed like even though this was the initial push the decision to try to be an elemental wielder aligned with something important at her core. I wanted a little more romance and yearning but the slow burn element of this was well done. The brushing of hands and the standing close together so their hands are almost touching. SWOON.
The magic system was interesting and different, I wanted more explanation of how the world worked earlier on but this was developed across the novel which worked well. I liked the idea of people potentially having more power but being restricted by a leader who was afraid of challenge. This really got me on the side of Tsillah and her crew. It was clear the High Magus is a tyrant not because we meet him but because he restricts power to shore up his own leadership.
The world feels dystopian and futuristic but also historic. They have magic which takes the place of technology and all of this blends well together.
I felt some of the writing took a bit of getting used to. It was a bit wordy in places and some of the conversations felt a bit too formal at times when they needed to be more casual. After a couple of chapters I got used to the style and found a groove.
Overall a good fantasy novel and I will continue the series.
Review
⭐⭐⭐
May include SPOILERS
I was influenced to read this book when I saw the author posting about it on Tiktok. I gave it a go because the ideas appealed to me. This book took a bit for me to get into but consistently picked up speed and had a strong finish.
I enjoyed the main character and some of the slow burn yearning from her. Her motivations to try to save her mother were really compelling but it seemed like even though this was the initial push the decision to try to be an elemental wielder aligned with something important at her core. I wanted a little more romance and yearning but the slow burn element of this was well done. The brushing of hands and the standing close together so their hands are almost touching. SWOON.
The magic system was interesting and different, I wanted more explanation of how the world worked earlier on but this was developed across the novel which worked well. I liked the idea of people potentially having more power but being restricted by a leader who was afraid of challenge. This really got me on the side of Tsillah and her crew. It was clear the High Magus is a tyrant not because we meet him but because he restricts power to shore up his own leadership.
The world feels dystopian and futuristic but also historic. They have magic which takes the place of technology and all of this blends well together.
I felt some of the writing took a bit of getting used to. It was a bit wordy in places and some of the conversations felt a bit too formal at times when they needed to be more casual. After a couple of chapters I got used to the style and found a groove.
Overall a good fantasy novel and I will continue the series.