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The Mage of Shimmer Mountain #3
Final Prestige
Florin Baden was a cruel and vile young man. Now Hugo has to pretend to be him.
In between preparations to save the wheel, Hugo has to pretend to be a reprehensible playboy and the heir to the largest company in Tallinn. The stakes have never been higher. If he messes up this time, his mistakes might become permanent. If that wasn't enough, his new family is determined to make things difficult for him. His new father is a light mage, able to literally see through his lies. His sister hates him with a passion and wants to take over his position as heir, one way or another.
Years of preparation come down to this. Hugo knows who is behind the attacks, he has a network of friends to help him, and he controls several magic domains. It's time to put it all together and save the wheel.
Read the final book in the Hugo saga, the final prestige. One way or another, this is the end.
In between preparations to save the wheel, Hugo has to pretend to be a reprehensible playboy and the heir to the largest company in Tallinn. The stakes have never been higher. If he messes up this time, his mistakes might become permanent. If that wasn't enough, his new family is determined to make things difficult for him. His new father is a light mage, able to literally see through his lies. His sister hates him with a passion and wants to take over his position as heir, one way or another.
Years of preparation come down to this. Hugo knows who is behind the attacks, he has a network of friends to help him, and he controls several magic domains. It's time to put it all together and save the wheel.
Read the final book in the Hugo saga, the final prestige. One way or another, this is the end.
- GenresFantasyTime Travel
635 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 2, 2023
76 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 3, 2023
worth the read.
It’s a fun series. Kept my interest. Magic systems were interesting. I don’t have much more to say beyond that. Thanks
It’s a fun series. Kept my interest. Magic systems were interesting. I don’t have much more to say beyond that. Thanks
October 15, 2023
This final episode in the story took a turn for the better. Hugo seemed committed and purposeful. He leveraged resources other than those directly in his control. He made detailed plans and proceeded with caution. In other words, this was a mature Hugo – a Hugo with a vision.
On the downside, we didn't dive into any new side characters... a strength of the first two books. In fact, some of these characters seemed relegated to simpler personalities. The Dean, in particular, didn't live up to his prior characterizations.
While ending was somewhat satisfying and internally consistent, it didn't leave much of an emotional impact. I can see what the author was going for, but it slightly missed the mark.
On the downside, we didn't dive into any new side characters... a strength of the first two books. In fact, some of these characters seemed relegated to simpler personalities. The Dean, in particular, didn't live up to his prior characterizations.
While ending was somewhat satisfying and internally consistent, it didn't leave much of an emotional impact. I can see what the author was going for, but it slightly missed the mark.
August 15, 2025
Great conclusion to the series. Move how everything was wrapped up and we get a brief peak into the “what comes next”. I only wish we got more information/story of the “new age”
July 17, 2023
Suprisingly, this book was better than both the first and second books. Hugo is back to being himself (character-wise) affer the divergence in the second half of book two. Definitely a fluffy series, but decent overall.
The series is marred by persistent, and sometimes atrocious, editing mistakes. Missing and mispelled words, mispelled character names (Cristian to Cristain, Nobomi to Bobomi, etc.), and other similar issues. It's enough to be irritating and detract from immersion.
The plot is nothing spectacular, but it's generally interesting. The magic system is decent. The ritual system is a big of a hack job, and definitely the most powerful of the domains (it can do pretty much anything). The author tries to make the costs offset the power, but then negates that by making money and components easy to obtain. The whole economy is whack-a-doodle, for that matter. The mana cost of valuable materials is supposed to offset the ease of making them, but we don't really get a sense for that, considering how strong Hugo is.
Referring back to the first book, the timeline doesn't make much sense. It supposedly only 60 years since humans were slaves of the nox, yet they already have an established nobility and caste system, along with control of multiple powerful cities. The timeline is just too short. Even if they were freed, the nox still have more knowledge, more mages, and are all able to have two domains to a human's one. Humans have no conceivable advantage. This makes even less sense outside of the wheel.
A little aside, Hugo's internal monologues about social issues feel anachronistic and ham-fisted (he is young, so that at least fits). Obviously racism (speciesism, in the series) is stupid, but the actions of the characters speak to that well enough. There are other similar asides, and none are particularly revelatory.
The series is marred by persistent, and sometimes atrocious, editing mistakes. Missing and mispelled words, mispelled character names (Cristian to Cristain, Nobomi to Bobomi, etc.), and other similar issues. It's enough to be irritating and detract from immersion.
The plot is nothing spectacular, but it's generally interesting. The magic system is decent. The ritual system is a big of a hack job, and definitely the most powerful of the domains (it can do pretty much anything). The author tries to make the costs offset the power, but then negates that by making money and components easy to obtain. The whole economy is whack-a-doodle, for that matter. The mana cost of valuable materials is supposed to offset the ease of making them, but we don't really get a sense for that, considering how strong Hugo is.
Referring back to the first book, the timeline doesn't make much sense. It supposedly only 60 years since humans were slaves of the nox, yet they already have an established nobility and caste system, along with control of multiple powerful cities. The timeline is just too short. Even if they were freed, the nox still have more knowledge, more mages, and are all able to have two domains to a human's one. Humans have no conceivable advantage. This makes even less sense outside of the wheel.
A little aside, Hugo's internal monologues about social issues feel anachronistic and ham-fisted (he is young, so that at least fits). Obviously racism (speciesism, in the series) is stupid, but the actions of the characters speak to that well enough. There are other similar asides, and none are particularly revelatory.
May 3, 2023
A good ending to this progression fantasy trilogy. I haven't read many time loop based stories to give a comparison, but I thought it was done well. Especially the interesting twists in all the three books.
The pacing and the plot had me turning pages in a hurry. Hugo as a character continued to show improvements and adapted well to sudden circumstances. Some of the recurring side characters were handled well too, but I wish they had more onscreen presence, perhaps some POV scenes as interludes too. Anyway, it was nice to see the final prestige incorporating some of the events from prior loops in a satisfying manner.
This book introduced scenes from outside the wheel and the ending seemed to promise more books in this setting.
The pacing and the plot had me turning pages in a hurry. Hugo as a character continued to show improvements and adapted well to sudden circumstances. Some of the recurring side characters were handled well too, but I wish they had more onscreen presence, perhaps some POV scenes as interludes too. Anyway, it was nice to see the final prestige incorporating some of the events from prior loops in a satisfying manner.
This book introduced scenes from outside the wheel and the ending seemed to promise more books in this setting.
November 15, 2025
And the story concludes.
This book breaks little new ground, with little interesting character work, a bit of new world building, and a plot that has few surprises.
On the other hand, it does close out the various storylines, if perhaps a bit too conveniently in some cases.
In general, when I reach the ultimate book in a series, I expect the story to be at its best, and for me, at least, that wasn't true in this series. I do recommend the series to fans of LitRPG, because it does some new things well, but this book was less than it might have been had it been more focused on the characters established in the previous volumes.
This book breaks little new ground, with little interesting character work, a bit of new world building, and a plot that has few surprises.
On the other hand, it does close out the various storylines, if perhaps a bit too conveniently in some cases.
In general, when I reach the ultimate book in a series, I expect the story to be at its best, and for me, at least, that wasn't true in this series. I do recommend the series to fans of LitRPG, because it does some new things well, but this book was less than it might have been had it been more focused on the characters established in the previous volumes.
May 7, 2023
Satisfying Series End
Excellent use of the story features from the earlier books. Pacing was just a bit too fast but not a distraction. Conflict scenes were described without endless battle. No reliance on special occurrences or DEM. Hugo felt like he was 5 years older and more experienced than his earlier selves. Not much dialogue but that was OK with me. Enough material at the end for a new series without feeling like you were being setup to buy more books. The series has great re-readability for me!
Excellent use of the story features from the earlier books. Pacing was just a bit too fast but not a distraction. Conflict scenes were described without endless battle. No reliance on special occurrences or DEM. Hugo felt like he was 5 years older and more experienced than his earlier selves. Not much dialogue but that was OK with me. Enough material at the end for a new series without feeling like you were being setup to buy more books. The series has great re-readability for me!
May 25, 2023
Hugo must stop shimmer Mountain from being destroyed forever .
Hugo life is turned up side down when he is missioned with the plan to stop shimmer Mountain from being destroyed forever . He must fight 8 governments to prevent the destruction of the mountain . An also keep himself alive as well . When he is forced to go back in time an reset for the last 8th time hi life things change an he is presented with a new body an new last name provided by the system gods . Mission still the same just different body an name . recommend reading excellent series .
Hugo life is turned up side down when he is missioned with the plan to stop shimmer Mountain from being destroyed forever . He must fight 8 governments to prevent the destruction of the mountain . An also keep himself alive as well . When he is forced to go back in time an reset for the last 8th time hi life things change an he is presented with a new body an new last name provided by the system gods . Mission still the same just different body an name . recommend reading excellent series .
May 4, 2023
One of a kind
I have never read a book like this before. They way the author described the magic and everything is amazing. The attention to detail was on point. I won't lie I normally not a big fan of time travel. This book blows my fears away. It wasn't overly complicated to understand. The diversity in characters too really made them feel alive.
I have never read a book like this before. They way the author described the magic and everything is amazing. The attention to detail was on point. I won't lie I normally not a big fan of time travel. This book blows my fears away. It wasn't overly complicated to understand. The diversity in characters too really made them feel alive.
June 8, 2023
Great ending to a series
This was a great ending to a series. It's not perfect, but it is pretty close.
To start with, if you liked the first two, you'll probably like this one.
*Potential Spoiler* The new system is just touched on. I would have liked more detail, but that's a relatively minor quibble. Maybe for a later book? Maybe a new series?
Highly recommended.
This was a great ending to a series. It's not perfect, but it is pretty close.
To start with, if you liked the first two, you'll probably like this one.
*Potential Spoiler* The new system is just touched on. I would have liked more detail, but that's a relatively minor quibble. Maybe for a later book? Maybe a new series?
Highly recommended.
September 23, 2024
Augh! .. Why is the series ending??
This has been such an outstanding series. I imagine Mr Sampson has other ideas that he wants to work on, but this series has been exceptional. One of the most interesting and creative stories out there which is complimented by a superb writing skill. I'm definitely going to rush to Kindle site to research his other books!!
This has been such an outstanding series. I imagine Mr Sampson has other ideas that he wants to work on, but this series has been exceptional. One of the most interesting and creative stories out there which is complimented by a superb writing skill. I'm definitely going to rush to Kindle site to research his other books!!
May 22, 2025
This was a brilliant ending to a great series! I thoroughly enjoyed this. Each book built on the last in really creative ways and the ending managed to tie it all together and even resolve some things I didn't expect to get resolved, plus surprise me.
I'd love to read another series set in this world--or anything else by this author.
I'd love to read another series set in this world--or anything else by this author.
June 6, 2023
I loved this series
Fun characters and an interesting plot line. I'm actually sad that the author is finished. Perhaps he'll write more in this world. I really want to know more about the gods and I also want to know more about the academy and the wars..
Fun characters and an interesting plot line. I'm actually sad that the author is finished. Perhaps he'll write more in this world. I really want to know more about the gods and I also want to know more about the academy and the wars..
July 17, 2023
good
These books weee really god, in my opinion they got better as the series progressed. I would recommend starting from the first one. These is some good writing here for everyone who enjoys these types of books.
These books weee really god, in my opinion they got better as the series progressed. I would recommend starting from the first one. These is some good writing here for everyone who enjoys these types of books.
August 28, 2023
This is two or three books in one at the pace that it went. In one page, Hugo could complete 5 major actions that you could dedicate whole chapters to. Still, it was a huge improvement over the second book.
September 15, 2023
All is well that ends fantastic
When i first started this series i had no idea if would be so fantastic. Really enjoyed how resourceful Hugo becomes. Great read! I will be looking for other books by this author.
When i first started this series i had no idea if would be so fantastic. Really enjoyed how resourceful Hugo becomes. Great read! I will be looking for other books by this author.
October 9, 2023
This story starts as a metaphor for our present day
very cool story line and well crafted characters bring this tale to life. There are interesting surprises as the author brings you through the three book series.
very cool story line and well crafted characters bring this tale to life. There are interesting surprises as the author brings you through the three book series.
March 18, 2024
Amazing complete story
Wow just wow. Great series. Adam has really done it. I read a lot of books. If I don't like the series I move on to the next. All 3 books are amazing. Great story telling. What a way to finish the series.
Wow just wow. Great series. Adam has really done it. I read a lot of books. If I don't like the series I move on to the next. All 3 books are amazing. Great story telling. What a way to finish the series.
February 7, 2025
entire series was creative and intriguing
I read the series with only one break for sleep. The plot is exceptional and Carrie’s through from the first book to the third. The lead character lives multiple lives through a magic based world. Read it!
I read the series with only one break for sleep. The plot is exceptional and Carrie’s through from the first book to the third. The lead character lives multiple lives through a magic based world. Read it!
June 18, 2023
Great read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like LitRPG and progression type of books with lots of action.
June 23, 2023
a really strong finish
Series has its ups and downs but it all comes to a head nicely. Good stuff, and I am eager to see what Mr. Sampson writes next.
Series has its ups and downs but it all comes to a head nicely. Good stuff, and I am eager to see what Mr. Sampson writes next.
November 7, 2023
wonderful series
I really enjoyed this series. Interesting combination of character growth and time travel. I am certain you will like it too.
I really enjoyed this series. Interesting combination of character growth and time travel. I am certain you will like it too.
March 4, 2024
excellent!
Fun story line with a great take on time travel. Enjoy the adventure and the magic system. Couldn’t put the book down!
Fun story line with a great take on time travel. Enjoy the adventure and the magic system. Couldn’t put the book down!
May 16, 2024
Predictable but I still enjoyed it.
December 23, 2024
fun adventure
This book is a fun clean adventure story that is very enjoyable. It’s written well enough that I look forward to reading other books from this author.
This book is a fun clean adventure story that is very enjoyable. It’s written well enough that I look forward to reading other books from this author.
May 29, 2025
This book seemed a little slower than the first two. Maybe it is just that I was used to the system. Overall, I still enjoyed the book
August 17, 2025
Really good conclusion to the trilogy.
My only complaint is that there isn’t a sequel! How could the epilogue tease us like that with no in-depth follow-up world building!
My only complaint is that there isn’t a sequel! How could the epilogue tease us like that with no in-depth follow-up world building!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews