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The Fallen Mages #1
Legacy of the Fallen
A dangerous quest risks the return of an ancient evil.
Afshaneh spends her life looking over her shoulder, waiting for her grandparents to send someone to take them back. She might have grown up in luxury, but it was a prison. Now she and her mother live a simple life in the eastern slums of Mahariz. She hides her identity and her forbidden magic. But when she takes on a dangerous quest, will her secrets be revealed?
Her close band of friends know she can be reckless and impulsive, so they are not surprised when she agrees to reclaim a lost artefact for a stranger. She could not refuse; he offered enough money to keep her and her mother safe forever.
However, she soon learns that this artefact and the one who seeks it could be the most dangerous things in the land. Her quest will take her to the ominous ruins of a castle once occupied by evil The Fallen. She will begin to understand their legacy and will be faced with a choice.
Should she destroy the artefact – become the heroine everyone believes she can be – and so attract the wrath of an evil mage, or should she claim the reward and risk the return of The Fallen?
Legacy of The Fallen is a thrilling fantasy adventure for fans of Empire of Sand, The City of Brass, and This Woven Kingdom. If you enjoy vivid worlds, complex characters, and tales of reluctant heroines/chosen ones then join Afshaneh on her quest and discover which choice she makes…
Afshaneh spends her life looking over her shoulder, waiting for her grandparents to send someone to take them back. She might have grown up in luxury, but it was a prison. Now she and her mother live a simple life in the eastern slums of Mahariz. She hides her identity and her forbidden magic. But when she takes on a dangerous quest, will her secrets be revealed?
Her close band of friends know she can be reckless and impulsive, so they are not surprised when she agrees to reclaim a lost artefact for a stranger. She could not refuse; he offered enough money to keep her and her mother safe forever.
However, she soon learns that this artefact and the one who seeks it could be the most dangerous things in the land. Her quest will take her to the ominous ruins of a castle once occupied by evil The Fallen. She will begin to understand their legacy and will be faced with a choice.
Should she destroy the artefact – become the heroine everyone believes she can be – and so attract the wrath of an evil mage, or should she claim the reward and risk the return of The Fallen?
Legacy of The Fallen is a thrilling fantasy adventure for fans of Empire of Sand, The City of Brass, and This Woven Kingdom. If you enjoy vivid worlds, complex characters, and tales of reluctant heroines/chosen ones then join Afshaneh on her quest and discover which choice she makes…
350 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 7, 2024
9 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Jane Shand
17 books96 followersJane Shand has always been an avid reader of fantasy and mystery and is an author of YA and Cosy Fantasy.
She got hooked on fantasy after reading ‘Lord of the Rings’ at a young age and was determined to write books full of magic and adventure.
Her books always have magic, adventure, and some mystery. They are full of friendship and co-operation as well as danger and enemies. There will be a happy/satisfactory ending and some clean romance. Her books are all set in the same ‘world’ though on different continents and there is a thread/item that ties all the books together.
She lives in Hampshire, England with her family and two cheeky cats who would love to help her write.
She got hooked on fantasy after reading ‘Lord of the Rings’ at a young age and was determined to write books full of magic and adventure.
Her books always have magic, adventure, and some mystery. They are full of friendship and co-operation as well as danger and enemies. There will be a happy/satisfactory ending and some clean romance. Her books are all set in the same ‘world’ though on different continents and there is a thread/item that ties all the books together.
She lives in Hampshire, England with her family and two cheeky cats who would love to help her write.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 2, 2024
"Legacy of the Fallen" by Jane Shand is a captivating young adult fantasy novel that immerses readers in the richly developed world of Escarnia. The story follows Afshaneh, a young woman who has escaped a life of luxury that felt more like a prison. Now living in the eastern slums of Mahariz with her mother, Afshaneh conceals her noble heritage and forbidden magical abilities.
The narrative kicks off when Afshaneh agrees to embark on a dangerous quest to retrieve a lost artifact. The reward promised for this task could secure her and her mother's safety, but the journey is fraught with peril. The artifact she seeks is linked to the Fallen, ancient and malevolent mages whose return could spell disaster. Afshaneh's mission takes her to the ominous ruins of a castle once occupied by these dark figures, forcing her to confront her fears and make crucial decisions about her destiny.
Shand's writing excels in its world-building, vividly painting the settings and cultural backdrop inspired by ancient Persia. The novel is populated with well-developed characters, each contributing to the protagonist's growth and the unfolding plot. Afshaneh herself is a compelling heroine, portrayed with a mix of vulnerability and strength that makes her journey both relatable and inspiring.
The themes of friendship, personal growth, and the struggle between good and evil are central to the story, providing depth beyond the adventurous surface. The clean romance subplot is a sweet addition that complements the main narrative without overshadowing the primary quest.
Overall, "Legacy of the Fallen" offers a well-rounded fantasy adventure filled with magic, danger, and personal discovery. It's a promising start to The Fallen Mages series and a must-read for fans of richly crafted fantasy worlds and strong, relatable heroines.
The narrative kicks off when Afshaneh agrees to embark on a dangerous quest to retrieve a lost artifact. The reward promised for this task could secure her and her mother's safety, but the journey is fraught with peril. The artifact she seeks is linked to the Fallen, ancient and malevolent mages whose return could spell disaster. Afshaneh's mission takes her to the ominous ruins of a castle once occupied by these dark figures, forcing her to confront her fears and make crucial decisions about her destiny.
Shand's writing excels in its world-building, vividly painting the settings and cultural backdrop inspired by ancient Persia. The novel is populated with well-developed characters, each contributing to the protagonist's growth and the unfolding plot. Afshaneh herself is a compelling heroine, portrayed with a mix of vulnerability and strength that makes her journey both relatable and inspiring.
The themes of friendship, personal growth, and the struggle between good and evil are central to the story, providing depth beyond the adventurous surface. The clean romance subplot is a sweet addition that complements the main narrative without overshadowing the primary quest.
Overall, "Legacy of the Fallen" offers a well-rounded fantasy adventure filled with magic, danger, and personal discovery. It's a promising start to The Fallen Mages series and a must-read for fans of richly crafted fantasy worlds and strong, relatable heroines.
June 29, 2024
I loved the magic system in this one. Mages aren’t able to manifest magic by themselves, but need crystals to hone and use their magic. Sometimes several crystals, that refill with time once they’ve been used.
Despite this Afshaneh felt drawn to the fallen mage city of Yehtkala when she was 14. There in the ruins she discovered her crystal. In an attempt to hide it, she swallowed it, but to her dismay the crystal remained inside her.
Now, Afshaneh is approached by a stranger, who will give her a fortune to return to Yehtkala and search for an artifact. Another group pulls her from the street, warning her away from this stranger and the artifact he seeks.
When her friends are quick to take the risk and travel with her, Afshaneh struggles between wanting to keep them safe, and appreciating their company. Away from the city, for the first time she has a chance to practice her magic, and begins to see how much more she has to learn.
The group of friends each have skills of their own that make them well rounded, and their banter and the strength of their bonds is wonderful. When they find the artifact, they must decide between wealth that will change their lives, or risking an evil that might change the world as they know it.
A great book on its own, with well rounded characters and strong world building. Plus the next book is set up perfectly to jump right in.
The one thing I struggled with was the names. For the most part I can muddle my way through, but every time I thought I had a handle on these ones, they’d slip again! Definitely a book I think I would benefit from listening to an audiobook of!
I received an ARC from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Despite this Afshaneh felt drawn to the fallen mage city of Yehtkala when she was 14. There in the ruins she discovered her crystal. In an attempt to hide it, she swallowed it, but to her dismay the crystal remained inside her.
Now, Afshaneh is approached by a stranger, who will give her a fortune to return to Yehtkala and search for an artifact. Another group pulls her from the street, warning her away from this stranger and the artifact he seeks.
When her friends are quick to take the risk and travel with her, Afshaneh struggles between wanting to keep them safe, and appreciating their company. Away from the city, for the first time she has a chance to practice her magic, and begins to see how much more she has to learn.
The group of friends each have skills of their own that make them well rounded, and their banter and the strength of their bonds is wonderful. When they find the artifact, they must decide between wealth that will change their lives, or risking an evil that might change the world as they know it.
A great book on its own, with well rounded characters and strong world building. Plus the next book is set up perfectly to jump right in.
The one thing I struggled with was the names. For the most part I can muddle my way through, but every time I thought I had a handle on these ones, they’d slip again! Definitely a book I think I would benefit from listening to an audiobook of!
I received an ARC from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 30, 2024
Legacy of the Fallen is book 1 in Fallen Mages by Jane Shand. I thought the story was exciting and epic. Afshaneh her mother are living in the slums and she has forbidden magic. So she jumped at the chance to make enough money to care for her mother. The flip side of that coin is what she is supposed to find and return could bring back evil mages. Excellent fantasy and the cliff hanger left me wanting book 2 to continue this adventure. I received an are for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
June 5, 2024
Legacy of the Fallen follows the story of Afshaneh as she embarks on a quest to find a lost artifact. There is adventure, touches of romance and personal growth all set against a vividly portrayed world with ancient Persian influences. It does end with a cliffhanger which is always going to dimish a book in my estimation. (I'll probably find I like it more when I can read the whole series and bust right through those cliffhangers to an acutal conclusion).
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews