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Adventurer Mage #1
Adventurer Mage
Mages have never been kind to Maeve. She chafes against the cruel treatment of her highborn masters and does everything she can to escape her work. One night while she is hiding in the library she witnesses a clandestine meeting with a mysterious man that will set her life on a whole new trajectory.
A cocky, but injured mage named Valentine makes her an offer of freedom, and that night the two save each other.
Valentine's career as an Adventurer is filled with monsters, deadly traps, and endless travel. Something about this calls to Maeve, who has only known a life of poverty and servitude.
But Maeve's exciting new life might be cut short, as she and Valentine are hunted by the very men she so recently escaped!
Platonic soulmates
All new magic system
Dungeon crawling adventure
LGBTQ+ characters
Food you want to eat
and more...
A cocky, but injured mage named Valentine makes her an offer of freedom, and that night the two save each other.
Valentine's career as an Adventurer is filled with monsters, deadly traps, and endless travel. Something about this calls to Maeve, who has only known a life of poverty and servitude.
But Maeve's exciting new life might be cut short, as she and Valentine are hunted by the very men she so recently escaped!
Platonic soulmates
All new magic system
Dungeon crawling adventure
LGBTQ+ characters
Food you want to eat
and more...
470 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 4, 2023
8 people are currently reading
149 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 16, 2024
I can't rave hard enough about Adventurer Mage!
I loathe when books go out of their way to make characters not talk through their troubles just because the plot demands it. As with Julian's previous novels, Adventurer Mage looks that trope in the face and goes "No thanks". Within the first half of the book Maeve and Valentine are seeing eye to eye as equals working toward the same goal, and it's so refreshing that they both decided to be partners in adventuring with 0 chance of ever pursuing romance.
The world Julian has built is vibrant and alive, the magic system makes sense without getting too clunky/technical, the characters' personalities really shine and feel like actual people (even the horse who pulls Valentine's wagon, Strawberry, reads like a real animal and not a glorified car), the plot never drags, the action is suspenseful, I could go on and on about what makes this book so fantastic.
I'm genuinely invested in seeing Valentine and Maeve pursue their adventuring goals. I've talked a lot about the characters here, but the story being told is fantastic as well. I love the idea of your magic strength being tied to passion/enthusiasm, and I'm looking forward to seeing that explored more. I also get the feeling that certain ne'er-do-well nobles will be back in full nefarious force in upcoming books, and I'm so ready to see them get what's coming.
This is one book I consistently reread, no matter my mood, and always finish it feeling content and energized for the future. It's a favourite of mine, and I cannot wait for more!
I loathe when books go out of their way to make characters not talk through their troubles just because the plot demands it. As with Julian's previous novels, Adventurer Mage looks that trope in the face and goes "No thanks". Within the first half of the book Maeve and Valentine are seeing eye to eye as equals working toward the same goal, and it's so refreshing that they both decided to be partners in adventuring with 0 chance of ever pursuing romance.
The world Julian has built is vibrant and alive, the magic system makes sense without getting too clunky/technical, the characters' personalities really shine and feel like actual people (even the horse who pulls Valentine's wagon, Strawberry, reads like a real animal and not a glorified car), the plot never drags, the action is suspenseful, I could go on and on about what makes this book so fantastic.
I'm genuinely invested in seeing Valentine and Maeve pursue their adventuring goals. I've talked a lot about the characters here, but the story being told is fantastic as well. I love the idea of your magic strength being tied to passion/enthusiasm, and I'm looking forward to seeing that explored more. I also get the feeling that certain ne'er-do-well nobles will be back in full nefarious force in upcoming books, and I'm so ready to see them get what's coming.
This is one book I consistently reread, no matter my mood, and always finish it feeling content and energized for the future. It's a favourite of mine, and I cannot wait for more!
April 9, 2025
I genuinely have no negative criticisms of this book.
It hits all of the enjoyable parts of the cozy fantasy genre with pitch perfect tone: lovable characters, small scope of the world, personal goals and stakes, wholesome friendships and relationships, and a comfortably slow pace with breathing room for the appreciation of the smaller things in life. But the problem that usually plagues the cozy fantasy genre - low tension and/or lack of stakes - is resolved.
There is plenty of tension throughout the book, mostly in the form of personal stakes. There are even a few perilous action sequences. But it never loses its cozy vibe. Mostly because said perilous action sequences are very whimsical and fun. This book gives me the nostalgic vibe of the middle grade adventure fantasy books I read growing up, but have struggled to capture the whimsy of since. It definitely scratches that itch.
I was astonished at how quickly I warmed up to the characters. Valentine and Maeve have INSTANT chemistry between each other - it never turns into romance because they are both ace, but all of their interactions are fun and adorable and I was never bored. I have craved a "best friends that would die for each other" book so badly (since most books that feature a relationship that close are almost inevitably romances). I'm glad to see a friendship given the respect it deserves, instead of being derided as 'a step down' from romance. This book takes tropes that you THINK will lead into a romance - only one bed, hurt/comfort, etc - and subverts them. I can't count the number of times I giggled or said 'aww' at them because they are just so cute. More please!
Also it is worth noting that this close partnership is possible because the characters are open and honest with each other. Pretty early on Maeve has a frank conversation with Valentine about how she's not interested in romance and doesn't want to lead him on; he reciprocates the sentiment, and there is no angst or hard feelings or pining. Two adults having an adult conversation maturely! Characters acting like real people rather than being walking archetypes! Very refreshing. The miscommunication trope weeps because it has no role in this book.
Other things to note:
The magic system is very fleshed out. I normally detest McGuffin hunts, and hunting for Focuses is basically half the plot of this book. But it works here because of how important the Focuses are to the magic and world as a whole, and also how treasure hunting is directly linked with Valentine's Passion magic. Rather than feeling like drawn out distractions from the 'main plot', or random plot devices that the author invented on the spot in order to manufacture drama and pad out the second act, the treasure hunts are kept pleasantly brief and they also reveal important things about the characters and world. They feel like puzzles in a video game (in a good way).
Every character, even minor characters, have fully formed personalities and considerable stage presence. Even the main villain has depth rather than being a simple mustache twirler (although he is a douche).
The prose is simple and easy to read. I read this book pretty quickly. A matter of days.
Adventurer Mage 2 when?? I need it now.
It hits all of the enjoyable parts of the cozy fantasy genre with pitch perfect tone: lovable characters, small scope of the world, personal goals and stakes, wholesome friendships and relationships, and a comfortably slow pace with breathing room for the appreciation of the smaller things in life. But the problem that usually plagues the cozy fantasy genre - low tension and/or lack of stakes - is resolved.
There is plenty of tension throughout the book, mostly in the form of personal stakes. There are even a few perilous action sequences. But it never loses its cozy vibe. Mostly because said perilous action sequences are very whimsical and fun. This book gives me the nostalgic vibe of the middle grade adventure fantasy books I read growing up, but have struggled to capture the whimsy of since. It definitely scratches that itch.
I was astonished at how quickly I warmed up to the characters. Valentine and Maeve have INSTANT chemistry between each other - it never turns into romance because they are both ace, but all of their interactions are fun and adorable and I was never bored. I have craved a "best friends that would die for each other" book so badly (since most books that feature a relationship that close are almost inevitably romances). I'm glad to see a friendship given the respect it deserves, instead of being derided as 'a step down' from romance. This book takes tropes that you THINK will lead into a romance - only one bed, hurt/comfort, etc - and subverts them. I can't count the number of times I giggled or said 'aww' at them because they are just so cute. More please!
Also it is worth noting that this close partnership is possible because the characters are open and honest with each other. Pretty early on Maeve has a frank conversation with Valentine about how she's not interested in romance and doesn't want to lead him on; he reciprocates the sentiment, and there is no angst or hard feelings or pining. Two adults having an adult conversation maturely! Characters acting like real people rather than being walking archetypes! Very refreshing. The miscommunication trope weeps because it has no role in this book.
Other things to note:
The magic system is very fleshed out. I normally detest McGuffin hunts, and hunting for Focuses is basically half the plot of this book. But it works here because of how important the Focuses are to the magic and world as a whole, and also how treasure hunting is directly linked with Valentine's Passion magic. Rather than feeling like drawn out distractions from the 'main plot', or random plot devices that the author invented on the spot in order to manufacture drama and pad out the second act, the treasure hunts are kept pleasantly brief and they also reveal important things about the characters and world. They feel like puzzles in a video game (in a good way).
Every character, even minor characters, have fully formed personalities and considerable stage presence. Even the main villain has depth rather than being a simple mustache twirler (although he is a douche).
The prose is simple and easy to read. I read this book pretty quickly. A matter of days.
Adventurer Mage 2 when?? I need it now.
June 2, 2023
Would it be fair to call this a cozy fantasy? It doesn't always have that vibe; there's danger, adventure and some uncomfortable moments (both towards the start and the end) but the strongest vibe I got from this was Maeve and Valentine together, travelling the world, just... being friends. I don't want to undersell the adventure and danger: that content was solid and creative, especially when it comes to the villains of the book. Still, were absolutely my favorite scenes. If you want a book about self discovery and companionship that doesn't have to go romantic, give Adventurer Mage a try!
If I may nitpick... p429 mentions an English trifle. England exists in this world?! It stuck out to me especially because... well, I'm British and we'd just call it trifle. I guess an American author would be tempted to call it that to specify, but referring to any dish with a country designation is weird. It implies England is a foreign nation somewhere in this world.
And for a bit of speculation...
If I may nitpick... p429 mentions an English trifle. England exists in this world?! It stuck out to me especially because... well, I'm British and we'd just call it trifle. I guess an American author would be tempted to call it that to specify, but referring to any dish with a country designation is weird. It implies England is a foreign nation somewhere in this world.
And for a bit of speculation...
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July 21, 2023Fun and addicting. The aspec community is so starved for queerplatonic representation that I often feel like I'm getting away with blasphemy when I find it.
I will say that the book never uses that word, and the level of commitment feels up for debate in this first installment. Maybe we're building to that later in the sequels. Or maybe this is where Maeve and Valentine are comfortable, I don't know. Guess I'll have to wait and see.
I really liked the political structure built out of the magic system, and the villains in this book felt like the a-hole main characters you might see in other adult fantasy.
The adventuring was fun too. I can't remember the last time I read about characters navigating traps while searching for treasure.
Ready for book 2!
I will say that the book never uses that word, and the level of commitment feels up for debate in this first installment. Maybe we're building to that later in the sequels. Or maybe this is where Maeve and Valentine are comfortable, I don't know. Guess I'll have to wait and see.
I really liked the political structure built out of the magic system, and the villains in this book felt like the a-hole main characters you might see in other adult fantasy.
The adventuring was fun too. I can't remember the last time I read about characters navigating traps while searching for treasure.
Ready for book 2!
August 7, 2023
This is a review of the advanced reader copy.
This book is a great example of how not every fantasy book needs to have epic, world-ending stakes to be an engaging book. It focuses on two main characters who are relatively normal in a world where graverobber-for-hire is a valid career path. The puzzles they face are reminiscent of the ones in the Fablehaven series, which I enjoyed very much. The topic of the character's aromantic/asexuality is approached naturally, handled gracefully, and was something that I as an aroace person myself could relate very strongly to.
This book is cozy and comfortable, like a bowl of freshly cooked spaghetti. It's a (depressingly rare) example of a youtube author who follows the advice that she gives. The book knows what it wants to be, and it does that very well.
This book is a great example of how not every fantasy book needs to have epic, world-ending stakes to be an engaging book. It focuses on two main characters who are relatively normal in a world where graverobber-for-hire is a valid career path. The puzzles they face are reminiscent of the ones in the Fablehaven series, which I enjoyed very much. The topic of the character's aromantic/asexuality is approached naturally, handled gracefully, and was something that I as an aroace person myself could relate very strongly to.
This book is cozy and comfortable, like a bowl of freshly cooked spaghetti. It's a (depressingly rare) example of a youtube author who follows the advice that she gives. The book knows what it wants to be, and it does that very well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ - I'm very "of two halves" on this book. While I generally enjoyed the story and the characterization of the main cast, it definitely needed more editing - practical and for length. The setting is very ambiguous, both in time period and worldbuilding. Also, Maeve runs too hot & cold on her personal magic, which feels awkward at best and at worst, created a couple of plot holes. There was entirely too much "chewing the inside of her cheek," and maybe it wasn't intentional, but three rapid-fire moments felt like a serious nod to another famous fantasy work. All in all, not a bad read, but also could've been tightened up into a great one.
August 20, 2024
If anyone ever asked me to describe this book in one sentence, I'd say it's Indiana Jones with magic and friendship. I can't express how wonderfully wholesome the friendship in this book is! Both main characters are lovable (though not flawless) in their own way and it's a joy to watch them learn about each other and bond. The stakes remain personal up to the end, so I'd say this is perfect for those looking for a cozy read that doesn't have world-ending stakes. Also, the magic system is creative.
April 16, 2024
Best Adventure Friends Ever
Cutest, cosiest little story ever, loved everything about it, especially their friendship. can’t wait for the continuation of this series!!!
Cutest, cosiest little story ever, loved everything about it, especially their friendship. can’t wait for the continuation of this series!!!
August 11, 2024
A cozy read
This book is very cozy with adventure, cunning Ace characters and a detailed world with a soft magic system. It is the type of book you curl up and enjoy.
This book is very cozy with adventure, cunning Ace characters and a detailed world with a soft magic system. It is the type of book you curl up and enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews