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Journals of Evander Tailor #3
The Abjurer
Evan Tailor needs to kill an Archmage.
If he can survive a party first.
With the Silver Queen calling in her debt, Archmage Roark's oaths binding him into assistance and silence, and new classes pulling at Evan from all sides, this year is not turning out to be the peaceful and prosperous introduction to abjuration magic that Evan had hoped for.
While his enemies and friends alike racing for more power, Evan is going to need to strain his magical skills like never before if he wants to become strong enough to survive.
If he can survive a party first.
With the Silver Queen calling in her debt, Archmage Roark's oaths binding him into assistance and silence, and new classes pulling at Evan from all sides, this year is not turning out to be the peaceful and prosperous introduction to abjuration magic that Evan had hoped for.
While his enemies and friends alike racing for more power, Evan is going to need to strain his magical skills like never before if he wants to become strong enough to survive.
476 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 18, 2024
74 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 17, 2024
High quality especially amongst its peers in the developing Prog Fantasy genre. This series deserves a place beside Arcane Ascension and Cradle. Five stars, though I need to provide a little critique.
Some of the pacing was uneven: multiple pages describing components of one spell, a paragraph for the passage of many months, a short mention of the completion of a major artifact.
Superimposing real world politics and values onto the fantasy world:
I don’t mind using fantasy as a tool to tackle current issues, but I think I’m this novel it was handled sloppily. The dislike of gays, hierarchical class structure, and even trans rights issues were all extant in this fantasy world, but none felt sufficiently motivated. Why does the nobility dislike gays? For religious reasons? Because they want population growth? Do they consider them unclean or diseased?
The class struggle issues needed perhaps less motivation, but I think a paragraph or two about how the nobility rose to power, why they believe they are better than the commoners, etc… would have been nice. In short if you’re going to explore themes that are analogs of current days issues please develop and motivate those themes more, rather than waving your hand at it and going “we all know this is a problem”. Sure it’s a problem for us in the “real” world but this is supposedly a different world than our own.
Some of the pacing was uneven: multiple pages describing components of one spell, a paragraph for the passage of many months, a short mention of the completion of a major artifact.
Superimposing real world politics and values onto the fantasy world:
I don’t mind using fantasy as a tool to tackle current issues, but I think I’m this novel it was handled sloppily. The dislike of gays, hierarchical class structure, and even trans rights issues were all extant in this fantasy world, but none felt sufficiently motivated. Why does the nobility dislike gays? For religious reasons? Because they want population growth? Do they consider them unclean or diseased?
The class struggle issues needed perhaps less motivation, but I think a paragraph or two about how the nobility rose to power, why they believe they are better than the commoners, etc… would have been nice. In short if you’re going to explore themes that are analogs of current days issues please develop and motivate those themes more, rather than waving your hand at it and going “we all know this is a problem”. Sure it’s a problem for us in the “real” world but this is supposedly a different world than our own.
June 15, 2024
I loved books 1-2 of this series, and it’s my go-to rec for people who like progression fantasy and want queer rep (or really just a solid magic school story with progression fantasy elements, where gaining powers and improving skills is a key part of the story). This book continued a lovely trend of balancing school and plot, though as we approach the end of the series plot is taking on a bigger and bigger role. There was a really great sequence in the fey courts that was a big highlight of the book for me!
My only real complaint is that this book had a few typos and that some review could have been slipped into the first few chapters. I’d forgotten some of the elements that had been discussed in the past and, while this wouldn’t have been an issue if I had binge read the whole series, reading it one installment at a time was a hair tricky.
Very excited for book 4 to wrap up this series, and the author has a new series coming out soon! Very jazzed for this upcoming author.
My only real complaint is that this book had a few typos and that some review could have been slipped into the first few chapters. I’d forgotten some of the elements that had been discussed in the past and, while this wouldn’t have been an issue if I had binge read the whole series, reading it one installment at a time was a hair tricky.
Very excited for book 4 to wrap up this series, and the author has a new series coming out soon! Very jazzed for this upcoming author.
April 27, 2024
It's been a while since the second book, so it took me a few chapters to get familiar with the setting again. Would have been good if there had been summary of the story so far, along with basics of the magic system. Very difficult to keep track of things when I read about 100 books a year :(
The pacing was good, with a nice mix of training, planning, action and some slice-of-life stuff. The looming threats helped too, had me turning pages to see how events would turn out. I especially liked when Evan challenged all his classmates and the professor for his course work. It showed how far he'd progressed and growing to be confident with his abilities. I didn't really understand the Fae politics, but I enjoyed the fight and hope the mysterious person would show up again. The climax was good as well and thankfully didn't have any nasty betrayals - there's already plenty of trouble. Sad to know that the next book would conclude the series.
The pacing was good, with a nice mix of training, planning, action and some slice-of-life stuff. The looming threats helped too, had me turning pages to see how events would turn out. I especially liked when Evan challenged all his classmates and the professor for his course work. It showed how far he'd progressed and growing to be confident with his abilities. I didn't really understand the Fae politics, but I enjoyed the fight and hope the mysterious person would show up again. The climax was good as well and thankfully didn't have any nasty betrayals - there's already plenty of trouble. Sad to know that the next book would conclude the series.
May 4, 2024
Cozy, slice-of-lice progression fantasy in a magical school setting. The magic is super in-depth and thought-out, which helps to immerse you into the world. The story was fairly fast-paced and the action was well done and entertaining.
April 30, 2024
A great addition to an excellent series
It's been a joy to follow this author's work! Their writing has only gotten better and better and the characters remain fun and interesting. I'm a sucker for a character who makes magic items and this story has such a fun system around magic creation that I never know what the character will make next and that's a great feeling! The magic system in general is very interesting and this book has the payoff for lots of interesting seeds planted in the earlier stories. I can't wait to see where it all goes next!
It's been a joy to follow this author's work! Their writing has only gotten better and better and the characters remain fun and interesting. I'm a sucker for a character who makes magic items and this story has such a fun system around magic creation that I never know what the character will make next and that's a great feeling! The magic system in general is very interesting and this book has the payoff for lots of interesting seeds planted in the earlier stories. I can't wait to see where it all goes next!
April 26, 2024
Excellent continuation
I finished this in about a day due to how engrossed I was. The first book was good, the second was interesting, but this 3rd book was outstanding! The action and danger was cranked up to 11 and Evander is prepared (with some help from his boyfriend). I really enjoyed the pov switches, seeing a scene of Evander being badass in front of a dangerous being then switching to his thoughts where he's scared but doing his best.
I can't wait for book 4!
I finished this in about a day due to how engrossed I was. The first book was good, the second was interesting, but this 3rd book was outstanding! The action and danger was cranked up to 11 and Evander is prepared (with some help from his boyfriend). I really enjoyed the pov switches, seeing a scene of Evander being badass in front of a dangerous being then switching to his thoughts where he's scared but doing his best.
I can't wait for book 4!
April 28, 2024
This book is a very fun read
The main relationship in the book is very underfocused, in my opinion. And because it's obviously not the focus of the book, it doesn't really bother me, but it could do with some more attention.
The book does sometimes get lost in its magic. There's a very heavy focus on it, which does slow the pace of the book, but it isn't really a big issue.
Other than that, the book is just a good and easy time.
The main relationship in the book is very underfocused, in my opinion. And because it's obviously not the focus of the book, it doesn't really bother me, but it could do with some more attention.
The book does sometimes get lost in its magic. There's a very heavy focus on it, which does slow the pace of the book, but it isn't really a big issue.
Other than that, the book is just a good and easy time.
May 1, 2024
I continue to entirely be here for what Begley is serving. Some fun crunchy magic mechanics, nicely drawn, generally queer central characters, and some surprisingly strident politics which are not what one expects out of a magic school setting. Admirably clear eyed about the need for an alliance between compromise and radicalism to achieve activist goals. One book to go, and looks like we're heading for a hell of a conclusion.
May 17, 2025
Another Amazing Entry in an Incredible Series
Tobias Begley does it again. Brilliant magic system, one of the best that's ever been made. Beautiful gentle queer romance. Delightful, darling stuff. Striking and intense action and dramatic tension. Honestly, I have no complaints. I read this book way quicker than I normally read, I was totally hooked. Very excited to read Archmage.
Tobias Begley does it again. Brilliant magic system, one of the best that's ever been made. Beautiful gentle queer romance. Delightful, darling stuff. Striking and intense action and dramatic tension. Honestly, I have no complaints. I read this book way quicker than I normally read, I was totally hooked. Very excited to read Archmage.
May 5, 2024
Best yet for the series
I am increasingly enjoying the world building in this series. The magic system in complex but not hokey. The people aren't just tropes and it is nice to see real progression in individuals and relationships between characters, beyond just the main character. I cannot wait for the next one.
I am increasingly enjoying the world building in this series. The magic system in complex but not hokey. The people aren't just tropes and it is nice to see real progression in individuals and relationships between characters, beyond just the main character. I cannot wait for the next one.
November 14, 2024
A thoroughly enjoyable series!
This series is so captivating that you’ll probably be like me, and just read straight through all of the books, and THEN go back to leave reviews. Sorry, Mr. Begley - but, you shouldn’t give us such fascinating, creative and brilliantly written stories! 😊. I highly, highly recommend this series.
This series is so captivating that you’ll probably be like me, and just read straight through all of the books, and THEN go back to leave reviews. Sorry, Mr. Begley - but, you shouldn’t give us such fascinating, creative and brilliantly written stories! 😊. I highly, highly recommend this series.
October 5, 2025
As it should, this series continues to improve with each book. The magic system is excellent and I love the exploration of different planes of magic this book and how that affects the humanity of Evan. I also think Evan’s relationship is more believable this book. Addressing how much time Evan spends not with his boyfriend was a good choice.
April 30, 2024
More surprises and twists.
This was incredible. Seeing so many things come together and being used was amazing. I love the MCs ingenuity in overcoming the obstacles in his way and forging a path for himself in this world.
This was incredible. Seeing so many things come together and being used was amazing. I love the MCs ingenuity in overcoming the obstacles in his way and forging a path for himself in this world.
May 2, 2024
Excellent
The tale of Evander has been one I've enjoyed. Each part of the book has significance, and there's no lull in the action or adventure. It's a great story with interesting characters. I look forward to the next installment.
The tale of Evander has been one I've enjoyed. Each part of the book has significance, and there's no lull in the action or adventure. It's a great story with interesting characters. I look forward to the next installment.
April 18, 2024
Amazing story
It’s a great continuation of the story with likeable characters who make intelligent decisions.
Also love that the MC is not OP and have to work to become powerful.
It’s a great continuation of the story with likeable characters who make intelligent decisions.
Also love that the MC is not OP and have to work to become powerful.
April 23, 2024
A very fun time, including one of my favorite stretches of the series so far. Great continuation of Evan's story ~ can't wait to see how it all concludes!
April 26, 2024
the RUSH i felt reading this book is unmatched. so much fun while also being devistating and clever and heartfelt. absolutely everything i could've wanted from the third book <3
July 14, 2024
Trilogía: 3.5/5
Necesita un (mejor) editor pero la trama en sí no está tan mal
Necesita un (mejor) editor pero la trama en sí no está tan mal
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews