The Magekiller

by Sarah Chapman

Nobody likes the Archmage. So Kane shouldn’t have been surprised when his colleagues from the Hall of Magic decide to have him investigated by the Magekillers, a group of women immune to magic whose sole purpose is to hunt and kill magicians. But while the Magekillers investigate the Archmage for using forbidden magic, they come across something even worse. Illegally and secretly teaching women magic, he has begun something that will threaten their very existence. Suddenly, the Hall of Magic and the Magekillers find themselves with a common enemy, while Kane, confident that the two ancient enemies will never work together, continues his work…

Suggested reading age: 16+ (contains mild adult content)

Genres: Fantasy

248 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 4, 2013

Reviews

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

More Please

When I first read this book I was sure another was being written. Now I'm begging you to write a continuation of this story! I feel like there should be more. Please tell the rest of their story.

[Max · Rating 5 out of 5]

ACTION PACKED ESCAPISM The Magekiller

This book captured me from the first page, empathising with the young girl who loses all her family and her entire village to an evil mage, and more, who is tortured with magic. This young girl becomes Alar, a Magekiller, but unlike all the other Magekillers, in that she wasn’t trained by them, is not one of them and can’t be controlled by them. Enter on the scene Kane, our quirky and lovable Archmage, who is also problematic for those who would like to control him. How do you think a love story between such opposites will work out? It’s fun to watch and you will find some amusing moments in between the heated action. I liked the ending, but there is clearly room for a sequel with the world in dis-array and Helena off somewhere on her own, and Archmage and his pupils escaping.
Recommend to all fantasy readers

[Fay Burgess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book got me in from the first page of the Prologue. In fact I was impatient to find where the young girl identified in the prologue would arrive in the story. The development of the relationship between Alar and Kane, and their fight against the Hall of Magic and the Magekillers was gripping and consuming.

I read the book in one sitting. It is perfectly set up for a sequel and I hope there is one coming.

[Emma M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting and Fresh Fantasy Escape
Basically there is a struggle between those who have the right to rule, those who have magical power and those who are immune to magic. Everyone else is caught in the middle. It’s interesting that those with control over magic are all male, and those who are immune are female.
I identified strongly with the main characters Alar and Kane and found the interaction between them to be amusing and full of love. This book is poignant, amusing, and full of action.

[Derek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite the popularity of Game of Thrones, there's a distinct lack of good Sword-and-Sorcery novels these days, so I was thrilled to find this tale, with no vampires, no zombies or werewolves, and no paranormal romance.

But much as I like the general world-building, individual motivations are highly suspect.  Why on earth would Alar stay with Kane? She is a magekiller — someone who is so traumatized by magic that she has become immune to it — so how can it even be possible for her to associate with the Archmage, however much she intellectually thinks he's a good person?  How are women mages suppressed for centuries, and nobody like Kane has tried to liberate them before? How is Kane so superior to every other mage in the Kingdom? It's not as if there aren't plenty of others like him outside the kingdom.

This is Book I of who-knows-how-many volumes, and I generally stay away from those, at least until I know how many volumes there'll be. However, while there are clearly many issues still to be dealt with: Alar seeks revenge on the woman who destroyed her own magic, Kane seeks his inheritance, and somebody has to restore stability in the kingdom; but the issues of this episode are complete in themselves.

One thing really ticked me: "This ebook is li­censed for your per­sonal en­joy­ment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other peo­ple. If you would like to share this book with an­other per­son, please pur­chase an ad­di­tional copy for each re­cip­i­ent."

I'm sorry, I know that in the US, the law gives you the right to impose such conditions — but not in my country, and in any case it's wrong! If I buy a paper book, I have the right to lend it, sell it or even give it away: as long as I don't keep a copy. I actually support the idea of giving the artist (in any form of art) a royalty on all resales (see Droit de suite), but nobody ever suggested that, if the Louvre decided to lend the Mona Lisa, they should buy another copy.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit that I quite enjoy a good fantasy novel and I really loved this one. I got right into it from the beginning; The Prologue was an attention grabber, mysterious and I could not put it down until I finished it. I thought the play on the characters between Alar and Kane was brilliant, humorous, emotional, consistent and came alive!

The story was very much character focused, but I thought the world building and description was great!

I downloaded this book when it was free and I would definitely pay for other books written by this author!!!

[Glenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful as to the nature of power and relationships

Enjoyed the characters a lot and the complexity of the relationships. The fight scenes are very vivid and quite compelling, as is the general description of the landscapes and architecture. The subplot around power and how those that have it will do what they will to hang on to it is very insightful as to the human condition

[Karen Spivey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! I've read it at least four times. The main characters are different than your run-of-the-mill fantasy characters and very likable. I very much hope the author continues the story, as it ends with a country in turmoil and characters fleeing. Where do they go? What happens to them?

[Hannah Spirit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, it is not long, fast paced, quirky and sad and kind of uplifting at the end.