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Zimanges
A group of roommates has been called upon to save their city, but forget the fact that they don't know how. These people have jobs, and those dishes won't do themselves.Several thousand years ago, the first people on the continent disappeared to an individual. The humans, elves, and sebus who moved in since found something better than treasure in the a language that can make objects obey, their nature change. They call this power wizardry.Jendaiar Phos is busy blowing up his life with the help of his estranged younger brother and fellow wizard Hecanthes. When they witness a mysterious magical event that draws the hostile eyes of the local authorities onto them, their fates are thrown together. The good the mother he hasn't seen since he was ten just left Jendaiar a house. The bad it's in Zimanges, the city in the clouds. A crossroads kingdom founded by a bandit.The house turns out to be huge; they can't afford to keep it, heat it, and still eat. They're going to need some roommates, and Zimanges is full of people looking to start fresh. Their new friends include a troubled elven seer, a trainee-shaman who changes their face as the mood takes them, and a pile of leaves that's on a mission. A demon has found its way into their world, but none of them know what a demon IS, let alone how to get rid of the thing. It doesn't help that the scary king takes an interest in them as a wave of kidnappings sweeps the city.It would be so much easier to cope with if the house were furnished.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 2, 2023
I was provided an ARC copy of this in exchange for an open and honest review, so here we go.
Where to start? That's a great question, and I guess I'll go big-picture. This was a ride from start to finish with alternating between a growing mystery and a lovely slice-of-life for a handful of wonderfully developed characters, who each brought their own voice and life from the page to draw me in and make me feel like I was another part of the crew.
I say growing mystery because it's right there from the start, but, not in-your-face, if that makes sense. The first thought that came to my mind was sitting in a water bath that's slowly heated up, incrementally growing warmer and warmer, until it's boiling hot and stuff is happening and holy crap this is awesome. I mean that in the absolute best way possible, I was so wrapped up in the story and lives of the characters that by the time stuff started to happen I was embroiled, engrossed, and ready for more.
M.C. Burnell has a fantastic voice as an author, and their ability to paint these characters, these scenes, this city vivid enough that I felt like I was there, a part of the story. Astounding and I'm here for more.
Where to start? That's a great question, and I guess I'll go big-picture. This was a ride from start to finish with alternating between a growing mystery and a lovely slice-of-life for a handful of wonderfully developed characters, who each brought their own voice and life from the page to draw me in and make me feel like I was another part of the crew.
I say growing mystery because it's right there from the start, but, not in-your-face, if that makes sense. The first thought that came to my mind was sitting in a water bath that's slowly heated up, incrementally growing warmer and warmer, until it's boiling hot and stuff is happening and holy crap this is awesome. I mean that in the absolute best way possible, I was so wrapped up in the story and lives of the characters that by the time stuff started to happen I was embroiled, engrossed, and ready for more.
M.C. Burnell has a fantastic voice as an author, and their ability to paint these characters, these scenes, this city vivid enough that I felt like I was there, a part of the story. Astounding and I'm here for more.
April 14, 2025
When Jendaiar and his brother Hecanthes are exiled for lying about the circumstances of a mysterious woman appearing in the forest near they home, they are, of course, worried, but Jen's got a plan. Their mom left them a house in Zimanges, so all they need to do is head there, problem solved. Except when they get there, they discover the house is way too big for them to afford on their own, and being the new guys in town, they don't think they'll be able to find any roommates. Except they do almost immediately, and when one of these new roommates shows up with a magical leaf pile, they learn that this is no coincidence. A demon has been unleashed on the world, and the leaves have decided that Jen and his roommates are just the people to take it on. Which is great, except they've gotta figure out what the heck a demon even is first.
This was such an absolute blast to read! A fantastic slice of life read with lovable characters, several interesting magic systems, and honestly one of the coolest cities structurally I think I have ever come across.
This tale is told from multiple POVs, and even if that's not your thing, I wholeheartedly believe that these characters are so lovable, so relatable that an exception should be made for this Jen and Heca's relationship was definitely spot on when it comes to sibling rivalries, Nat and Bey's friendship was absolutely beautiful, and how Riad just kind of fit in here as the only one woman *because* she was a tad bit awkward was just brilliantly done. Watching these eight people come together was truly wonderful.
Zimanges, though? Omg, this city is an architectural feat as from as I'm concerned. Burnell did such an excellent job of describing this almost indescribable city that's just kind of hanging off of a sheer cliff face. Like, I'm glad that there's a map in the back of the book, but honestly, I didn't even really need it. And there were genuinely times when a character is talking about just how high up they are and how steep this cliff is and how absolutely dead you are if you lose your footing that my actual heart rate elevated for this characters. There's one scene in particular where Neya is talking about having to shut the windows by leaning out of the window over looking this like 2000 ft drop, and holy crap was my heart in my throat. It's like maybe two paragraphs. And I *like* heights.
World building, pacing, and the development of the magic systems were also spot on for me. To be completely honest though since this story was about these people coming together to be their own people after never having a chance to do so because societal norms (or just flat being a slave) even if their were gaps in the world building I wouldn't call them out. Facing the demon is just the side story as far as I'm concerned.
Burnell is definitely a new auto buy author, I laughed, I teared up, I literally said aww out loud when Jen finally got his act together, and I still fell like Jandon should be punched in throat just on principle. Highly recommend this.
This was such an absolute blast to read! A fantastic slice of life read with lovable characters, several interesting magic systems, and honestly one of the coolest cities structurally I think I have ever come across.
This tale is told from multiple POVs, and even if that's not your thing, I wholeheartedly believe that these characters are so lovable, so relatable that an exception should be made for this Jen and Heca's relationship was definitely spot on when it comes to sibling rivalries, Nat and Bey's friendship was absolutely beautiful, and how Riad just kind of fit in here as the only one woman *because* she was a tad bit awkward was just brilliantly done. Watching these eight people come together was truly wonderful.
Zimanges, though? Omg, this city is an architectural feat as from as I'm concerned. Burnell did such an excellent job of describing this almost indescribable city that's just kind of hanging off of a sheer cliff face. Like, I'm glad that there's a map in the back of the book, but honestly, I didn't even really need it. And there were genuinely times when a character is talking about just how high up they are and how steep this cliff is and how absolutely dead you are if you lose your footing that my actual heart rate elevated for this characters. There's one scene in particular where Neya is talking about having to shut the windows by leaning out of the window over looking this like 2000 ft drop, and holy crap was my heart in my throat. It's like maybe two paragraphs. And I *like* heights.
World building, pacing, and the development of the magic systems were also spot on for me. To be completely honest though since this story was about these people coming together to be their own people after never having a chance to do so because societal norms (or just flat being a slave) even if their were gaps in the world building I wouldn't call them out. Facing the demon is just the side story as far as I'm concerned.
Burnell is definitely a new auto buy author, I laughed, I teared up, I literally said aww out loud when Jen finally got his act together, and I still fell like Jandon should be punched in throat just on principle. Highly recommend this.
July 14, 2022
Goodreads Review We Shatter
The two ailing empires - on two different continents - work to put down rebellions. With the new capability introduced by Sathriel’s witch ally, of viewing the world through the eyes of their fellows, the characters of both Ophanite and Barrachite empires become aware of each other and their situations.
As Sathriel and Bayam progress around the Barrachite empire, gathering followers and turning cities to their support, they encounter one city whose citizens are all killed. They can’t conceive of any entity or force that could accomplish the mayhem.
Marco - the champion gladiator - becomes romanced by a fast-talking cult leader and joins his group headed for Rai Selu. He realizes that their purpose is to sabotage magic in the empire and that he is viewed as a a candidate to assassinate Sathriel, so he flees into the jungle.
The young sorcerer in Ophana - Sesuniphar - has escaped his mentor and broken ties and finds that he is viewed as a potential replacement for the new emperor Koloeph.
The climax of this volume is jarring and Sathriel is presented with a proposal that could solve his primary problem, but he can’t make himself accept it.
We Shatter is a complicated by truly epic episode in this exciting series.
The two ailing empires - on two different continents - work to put down rebellions. With the new capability introduced by Sathriel’s witch ally, of viewing the world through the eyes of their fellows, the characters of both Ophanite and Barrachite empires become aware of each other and their situations.
As Sathriel and Bayam progress around the Barrachite empire, gathering followers and turning cities to their support, they encounter one city whose citizens are all killed. They can’t conceive of any entity or force that could accomplish the mayhem.
Marco - the champion gladiator - becomes romanced by a fast-talking cult leader and joins his group headed for Rai Selu. He realizes that their purpose is to sabotage magic in the empire and that he is viewed as a a candidate to assassinate Sathriel, so he flees into the jungle.
The young sorcerer in Ophana - Sesuniphar - has escaped his mentor and broken ties and finds that he is viewed as a potential replacement for the new emperor Koloeph.
The climax of this volume is jarring and Sathriel is presented with a proposal that could solve his primary problem, but he can’t make himself accept it.
We Shatter is a complicated by truly epic episode in this exciting series.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews