Mage's End Game

Tournament of Shadows #6

by Tilly Wallace

If a pawn makes it across the board…it becomes a queen…

Sera has had enough of others trying to control her life. She intends to send a message so loud, no one will ever try to assert dominion over her again. There’s just a few problems to clear out of the way first…like the fact she in on the run, Lord Rowan has labelled her a dangerous traitor, he has set magical traps throughout the country, and there’s even a bounty on her capture.

Sera joins forces with her loyal comrades as they plot to overthrow the tyrant and release King George from the grip of a horrifying curse—one that harkens back to long veiled secrets, and threatens both king and country.

As the stakes escalate, Sera and her companions must navigate a treacherous path with their every move shadowed by Lord Rowan’s malevolent forces. Will they triumph over the darkness about to engulf the throne and all they love, or will they succumb to a fate worse than they could ever imagine?

This is the thrilling conclusion to the series about a young mage finding her place in a magical Georgian England.

Genres: Audiobook, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Historical, Fiction, Historical Romance

254 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 4, 2024

About the author

Tilly writes whimsical historical fantasy books, set in a bygone time where magic is real. With a quirky and loveable cast, her books combine vintage magic and gentle humour. Through fierce friendships her characters discover that in an uncertain world, the most loyal family is the one you create.

Reviews

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this entire series, and this last book wrapped up all the storylines quite nicely. I'm only sad that the series is over..

Sera is a wonderful character and everything I look for in a female lead character. Against all odds she is not only strong, smart and capable, but also kind and maintains her good heart even when faced with evil people trying to control and subjugate her.

I also love the supporting cast of characters in this series. All of them are just as spunky and determined as Sera is and have the skills and talents to help and support her on her quest to find a solution to the control the evil male mages are exerting over the King.

This series was just buckets of fun, with the underlying reminder that the patriarchal society is always going to try to take advantage of, and control women but women are able to fight back with the right tools, smarts and help from their friends. A great "girl power" story arc that I highly recommend for those who like magical worlds and strong female characters.

[Tina Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this series. It was a blend of cozy, romance magic and fantasy. A very clear theme of female empowerment ran throughout all the books.
I liked Sera and Kitty. Kitty was so fun! I liked Elliott’s sassy attitude. I liked how Hugh was so in love with Sera but I wish he had been a bit more strong natured. I felt that he allowed Sera to walk over him a bit too much. There was a good plot and lots of action to keep the book moving along. Not as much description in this book as there was in the last book.
This is definitely a cozy read, not too heavy or complicated.
There were several intimate scenes between Sera and Hugh, though they aren’t married yet but it wasn’t steamy or detailed. More of a fade to black kind of thing. I actually prefer books to be steamier but this will appeal to a larger audience.
There is a slight plot possibility left open in case the author wants to do more books in the series but it’s not a cliff hanger.
All in all a fun little series for those days you want something interesting to read without needing to think too much.

[Julia Sarene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mage’s Endgame by Tilly Wallace brings the Tournament of Shadows series to a close, and it does so in the same fun and cosy tone as the earlier books. One of the things I enjoyed throughout the series is the sense that good people can fight back and win the day. It can sometimes get a little too neat, with the good characters always being perfectly good without much in the way of moral flaws, but even so I found it comforting and satisfying to read.

I also really liked how the relationships are handled. The romance is never the focus of the story, and I appreciate that it does not overshadow the plot. Instead it is a steady, reliable thread that runs through the series, giving warmth without ever taking over. The friendships and the found family element are just as important, and for me that was one of the main draws. There is so much loyalty here, characters standing up for each other no matter what, and the banter and quick quips sprinkled in keep everything from feeling too heavy.

The conclusion itself was both exciting and satisfying. There is an epic confrontation with mages and guards that felt tense and well written, a proper high point for the series. After that, the story slows down into more of a “what happened after” part that rounds things off in a way that felt complete and left me content. It was the kind of ending that ties the threads together while still giving me a bit of room to imagine what might lie ahead for the characters.

Overall this has been a fun series to read. While I think I liked Manners and Monsters a little more, mostly because it felt like it had a touch more nuance, I still enjoyed Tournament of Shadows very much. It gave me comfort, mystery, magic, friendship, and a strong heroine refusing to accept the role society tries to force on her.

[Camilla Vavruch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final book of the series! As did the last book of Manners and Monsters, this book wraps up all the storylines with a pretty bow. Sera and Hugh together and Sera’s final showdown with the Bad Guy. There is even a dragon!
Sera and Hugh are such a cute couple together. It still feels like Hugh is more in love with Sera than the other way around, but it’s still a great and healthy relationship. The other beautiful relationship in this series is Sera and her best friend Kitty, both of them powerful women—but Kitty without magic, which makes her all the more relatable. It has been my one gripe throughout this series, that Sera has been (except for a part of book five) so over-powered.
The final confrontation is epic and fun and exciting, and definitely satisfying. There are guards, mages, a dragon, and a pebble that is very important…
I’m not sure what to feel about the resolution to the king’s madness—obviously inspired by reality—and it’s weird, because I’ve had this gripe about restoring sick people in several books I’ve read lately. Still, it feels satisfying, and it’s been a big part of the series, so I think every reader saw where it was headed.


Overall for the series, this is an easy-to-read series with beautiful setting and lots of fun. It never goes truly dark even though there are dark themes, and it never gets gory. It is cozy, whimsical historical fantasy and I’ll continue to read Tilly Wallace’s work. And I absolutely ADORE the narration of Marian Hussey, she does a FANTASTIC job of the whole thing.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to 1-5 of this series and then listened to Manners and Monsters and Highland Wolves while waiting for this book at the library.

This was a really good conclusion to a fun series of possibly too short and simple books, read by a talented author. It was my first Tilly Wallace series and I've since read pretty much everything she's put out. Nothing in these books will challenge you in any way (the feminism is basic but possibly period approrpirate), but they're very cosy and easy to devour, the bad guys are bad and the good guys are awesome.

I still don't know why the series is called Tournament of Shadows!

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect ending to the series! Sera saves the king and the kingdom, and exacts her revenge on Lord Rowan and Abigail, aided by her friends and the common people who have become her loyal fans. We encounter lots of interesting magical creatures, and have a mage battle at the end, of course. Sera emerges triumphant, of course! Everything gets wrapped up perfectly, as one would hope for such a series. And maybe there’s a hint of a new series or book with a sea adventure? We can hope!

[Marthine Ruitenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always I loved the story, it’s not a hard book to read, the series are fun and follow up nicely after each other. Story line is fun and has enough happening in the story to keep you interested. It’s really a fun read and I was happy to read this semi final book, the end feels not completely “the end” and I could understand if there would be more volumes. Even after six books I still would love to read more. I’m saying semi final just because the ending feels open with possibilities.

[Kimberley Stafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent finale to the Tournament of Shadows series. Involving, interesting, romantic with twists and turns and a very satisfying resolution. I enjoy Wallace’s magical world very much, and look forward to future books from her.

Marian Hussey’s audiobook narration was great. She continued to add an extra dimension to the storytelling. I’m glad I decided to go audiobook for the series. Highly recommended.

[James Widmark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Read

Another fine story walking by the author to show just how shortsighted and greedy some people can truly be. And to know that there are those who stand against the darkness.

[Paul N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grand end to the saga

An excellent and fitting end to the enchanted saga. Just waiting for the continuation of the knighthood for Sir Hugh!

[Timelord Iain · Rating 4 out of 5]

May have taken longer than I'd have wished, through the middle of the series, but the ending was worth it all in the end, I think...

[Natalie aka Tannat · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

hoping there is more to come between sera’s youth and hannah’s!!

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I give the series 4* - it was fun.

[Meka Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the series. Loved the audio book narration (marian hussey) even more!

[Ivy · Rating 4 out of 5]

great way to end the series.