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The End of Nobility
It's Ender's Game meets Children of Blood and Bone set in a world where everyone has access to food, shelter, and magic, but the children still live in fear.
The draft is in effect.
When the army attempts to draft Dre and Alaan, the first and only twins, and Rye, the son of a disgraced soldier, they know something is wrong. By the time they realize how wrong, they are running for their lives with assassins after them.
To survive, the twins will have to wield their fame as a weapon and Rye will have to dig deeper into the truth of his father's disappearance.
The draft is in effect.
When the army attempts to draft Dre and Alaan, the first and only twins, and Rye, the son of a disgraced soldier, they know something is wrong. By the time they realize how wrong, they are running for their lives with assassins after them.
To survive, the twins will have to wield their fame as a weapon and Rye will have to dig deeper into the truth of his father's disappearance.
475 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 3, 2024
3 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 14, 2024
Michael Green Jr.’s The End of Nobility introduces readers to a world where magic intertwines with survival, ambition, and personal growth. Set in the nation of Lynit, the novel paints a picture of a society where children are drafted into the military and forced to make life-altering decisions about their future, with magic being the key to unlocking one’s potential. Through the eyes of three central characters—Rye Ternitu, Dre, and Alaan—Green explores the pressures of adolescence, the weight of legacy, and the challenge of forging one's path in a world steeped in tradition and danger.
At the core of the story is Rye, the son of a disgraced soldier, who faces the daunting task of declaring his magical specialty in a system that confines young people to a singular magical path. Rye’s choice to focus on animalism, a deeply instinctive and primal form of magic, is more than a simple declaration—it’s a reflection of his desire to prove himself and escape the shadow of his father’s failure. His development as a character hinges on his ability to master not just the external threats posed by the world around him but also the internal struggle of controlling his instincts and desires.
Dre and Alaan, the twin brothers, provide an interesting counterpoint to Rye. Unlike him, their story centers on their inherent limitations. Born with a magical deficit, the twins must work twice as hard to compensate for their shortcomings. Their witty banter and close relationship add humor and heart to the narrative, balancing the darker tones of the plot. The contrast between Dre’s tactical, calculated approach to magic and Alaan’s more carefree attitude gives readers insight into how they complement one another. Their shared goal of ending the draft sets them on a collision course with the forces of power and control in Lynit.
The world-building in The End of Nobility is immersive and well thought out. The magical system, divided into six distinct forms—protection, wizardry, sorcery, elemental, psychic, and animalism—creates a rich tapestry for the characters to navigate. The societal pressure to conform to one form of magic adds an extra layer of tension, as the characters are forced to make decisions that will define their futures. The presence of the Guard, Lynit’s army, looms large over the plot, symbolizing both opportunity and oppression. While some characters see the Guard as a path to power and knowledge, others view it as a suffocating institution that strips them of their freedom.
The plot, which follows Rye’s journey of self-discovery and the twins’ efforts to rise above their limitations, is engaging and fast-paced. As the trio is thrust into a dangerous conspiracy involving assassins and dark secrets about Rye’s father’s disappearance, the stakes rise dramatically. The blending of personal and political intrigue keeps readers invested in the outcome, as each character must confront not only their own insecurities but also the larger forces at play in their society.
Green excels at character development, particularly with Rye, who evolves from a nervous, uncertain boy into a more confident and determined individual. His desire to uncover the truth about his father’s disgrace pushes him to question everything he has been told about loyalty, honor, and nobility. Meanwhile, Dre and Alaan’s resourcefulness and determination make them stand out as inventive underdogs who refuse to let their limitations define them.
Overall, The End of Nobility is a gripping fantasy novel that combines a unique magical system, compelling characters, and a high-stakes plot. Michael Green Jr. expertly weaves together themes of ambition, sacrifice, and the search for identity, making this a standout addition to the genre. Fans of young adult fantasy will find much to love in the richly constructed world and dynamic characters, while the novel’s deeper exploration of societal expectations and personal growth will resonate with a broader audience.
At the core of the story is Rye, the son of a disgraced soldier, who faces the daunting task of declaring his magical specialty in a system that confines young people to a singular magical path. Rye’s choice to focus on animalism, a deeply instinctive and primal form of magic, is more than a simple declaration—it’s a reflection of his desire to prove himself and escape the shadow of his father’s failure. His development as a character hinges on his ability to master not just the external threats posed by the world around him but also the internal struggle of controlling his instincts and desires.
Dre and Alaan, the twin brothers, provide an interesting counterpoint to Rye. Unlike him, their story centers on their inherent limitations. Born with a magical deficit, the twins must work twice as hard to compensate for their shortcomings. Their witty banter and close relationship add humor and heart to the narrative, balancing the darker tones of the plot. The contrast between Dre’s tactical, calculated approach to magic and Alaan’s more carefree attitude gives readers insight into how they complement one another. Their shared goal of ending the draft sets them on a collision course with the forces of power and control in Lynit.
The world-building in The End of Nobility is immersive and well thought out. The magical system, divided into six distinct forms—protection, wizardry, sorcery, elemental, psychic, and animalism—creates a rich tapestry for the characters to navigate. The societal pressure to conform to one form of magic adds an extra layer of tension, as the characters are forced to make decisions that will define their futures. The presence of the Guard, Lynit’s army, looms large over the plot, symbolizing both opportunity and oppression. While some characters see the Guard as a path to power and knowledge, others view it as a suffocating institution that strips them of their freedom.
The plot, which follows Rye’s journey of self-discovery and the twins’ efforts to rise above their limitations, is engaging and fast-paced. As the trio is thrust into a dangerous conspiracy involving assassins and dark secrets about Rye’s father’s disappearance, the stakes rise dramatically. The blending of personal and political intrigue keeps readers invested in the outcome, as each character must confront not only their own insecurities but also the larger forces at play in their society.
Green excels at character development, particularly with Rye, who evolves from a nervous, uncertain boy into a more confident and determined individual. His desire to uncover the truth about his father’s disgrace pushes him to question everything he has been told about loyalty, honor, and nobility. Meanwhile, Dre and Alaan’s resourcefulness and determination make them stand out as inventive underdogs who refuse to let their limitations define them.
Overall, The End of Nobility is a gripping fantasy novel that combines a unique magical system, compelling characters, and a high-stakes plot. Michael Green Jr. expertly weaves together themes of ambition, sacrifice, and the search for identity, making this a standout addition to the genre. Fans of young adult fantasy will find much to love in the richly constructed world and dynamic characters, while the novel’s deeper exploration of societal expectations and personal growth will resonate with a broader audience.
July 4, 2024
I liked the idea of this book a lot, but the writing style was way too disjointed to maintain my interest. I didn't care about any of the characters. They all seemed somewhat similar and kind of generic, except the twins and they're only special because they're twins.
The worldbuilding was cool, but again, the writing style itself was so jumpy, it made it hard to follow. I just feel like it needs a really good edit to pull it all together.
The worldbuilding was cool, but again, the writing style itself was so jumpy, it made it hard to follow. I just feel like it needs a really good edit to pull it all together.
July 16, 2024
Actual Rating 1.5
Dre and Alaan are twins and are honored for their magical abilities as well as for being the only twins in existence. But they live in a land where there is a draft, and magic users do their best to avoid being drafted by failing the test. But when the army tries to draft the twins, they realize that something bigger is going on, something that may cost them their lives.
There were several things that didn’t work about this one for me. One of the big ones was the writing style. The sentences were fragmented and simplistic, and the language used in the exposition and dialogue felt quite modern. This contributed to me being unable to get a good feel for the setting. The book is focused heavily on magic, but then making a phone call was casually mentioned.
While there wasn’t good worldbuilding in general and for the setting, it was excellent relating to the magic. This book is all about magic, the types of magic, the types of casters, how they learn and practice magic, how it’s manifested, and more. But we spent so much time focused on the magic and its types that the rest of the book suffered, especially the characters. There was no character development and none of them felt even remotely close to being alive. The twins who were a focus of the book had a little more personality than the rest of the characters, but not by much. The plot was also painfully slow, with it being almost 25% through before the events mentioned in the premise started happening. And the characters certainly weren’t strong enough to carry this lack of plot.
Unfortunately, despite being excited about the premise and the setting, this one just didn’t work for me. If you’re interested in slow fantasy that focuses solely on magic, then you may like this one. My thanks to NetGalley and Lynit Publishing for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Dre and Alaan are twins and are honored for their magical abilities as well as for being the only twins in existence. But they live in a land where there is a draft, and magic users do their best to avoid being drafted by failing the test. But when the army tries to draft the twins, they realize that something bigger is going on, something that may cost them their lives.
There were several things that didn’t work about this one for me. One of the big ones was the writing style. The sentences were fragmented and simplistic, and the language used in the exposition and dialogue felt quite modern. This contributed to me being unable to get a good feel for the setting. The book is focused heavily on magic, but then making a phone call was casually mentioned.
While there wasn’t good worldbuilding in general and for the setting, it was excellent relating to the magic. This book is all about magic, the types of magic, the types of casters, how they learn and practice magic, how it’s manifested, and more. But we spent so much time focused on the magic and its types that the rest of the book suffered, especially the characters. There was no character development and none of them felt even remotely close to being alive. The twins who were a focus of the book had a little more personality than the rest of the characters, but not by much. The plot was also painfully slow, with it being almost 25% through before the events mentioned in the premise started happening. And the characters certainly weren’t strong enough to carry this lack of plot.
Unfortunately, despite being excited about the premise and the setting, this one just didn’t work for me. If you’re interested in slow fantasy that focuses solely on magic, then you may like this one. My thanks to NetGalley and Lynit Publishing for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
July 8, 2024
The beautiful cover and the description convinced me to give it a try and boy did this story deliver.
It had all the things I love:
- magic battles
- mystery
- unique world (there are 6 different types of magic!)
- social commentary
- queer romance
I liked all the main characters, but the twins (Dre and Alaan) were my favorite. Their dynamic is funny and cute. I liked that they had their own made-up sign language between the two of them. The other storyline is of Rye, who is trying to figure out what happened to his dad and I promise you that it is a tear-jerker.
The plot is a big mystery. From early on you have this feeling that something sinister is happening behind the scenes. This world is basically a utopia, with everyone being able to use magic, but something weird is happening with the army's draft program for talented kids. This story had me guessing at every corner and the twists were unexpected but not random. I want to read it a second time to see what additional clues i might have missed in the beginning. The ending answers all your questions and was super rewarding. I assume that there will be a sequel based on the ending and I can't wait for it to come out!
It had all the things I love:
- magic battles
- mystery
- unique world (there are 6 different types of magic!)
- social commentary
- queer romance
I liked all the main characters, but the twins (Dre and Alaan) were my favorite. Their dynamic is funny and cute. I liked that they had their own made-up sign language between the two of them. The other storyline is of Rye, who is trying to figure out what happened to his dad and I promise you that it is a tear-jerker.
The plot is a big mystery. From early on you have this feeling that something sinister is happening behind the scenes. This world is basically a utopia, with everyone being able to use magic, but something weird is happening with the army's draft program for talented kids. This story had me guessing at every corner and the twists were unexpected but not random. I want to read it a second time to see what additional clues i might have missed in the beginning. The ending answers all your questions and was super rewarding. I assume that there will be a sequel based on the ending and I can't wait for it to come out!
July 1, 2024
"The End of Nobility" presents a captivating blend of political intrigue, magic, and adventure reminiscent of "Ender's Game" and "Children of Blood and Bone." As the draft threatens the lives of protagonists Dre, Alaan, and Rye, the narrative delves into themes of identity and survival in a world where danger lurks at every turn. The twins' journey, intertwined with Rye's quest for truth, keeps readers on the edge of their seats with its suspenseful twists and turns. With its dynamic characters and richly imagined world, "The End of Nobility" promises an enthralling read that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment.
July 7, 2024
This is a good book for people who appreciate worldbuilding and a satisfying magic system. In particular the politics of the world are rendered in a compelling way -- it's close enough to the modern world to be relatable but still fantastical. The magic feels like it make sense and the further you get into the book, the more you learn about it.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews