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Unbound: A Mageye Novel
Don’t touch anyone whose power you don’t know.
Born with the power to replicate the power of any other Mageye, Evander is one of the most powerful Mageye that Mageye City has ever seen. But, when a tragic accident results in the death of the Queen, Evander finds himself facing a fate he never believed he was destined for.
Banishment.
After leaving the city and the people he loves behind, he soon falls prey to another city of Mageye. One made of tents and occupied by rebels who intend only harm to his beloved home.
This is Evander’s story.
This prequel to the “Mageye Trilogy” reveals the true origins of the Volcaniacs and the story of the first victim of what will one day become the magical black market.
Born with the power to replicate the power of any other Mageye, Evander is one of the most powerful Mageye that Mageye City has ever seen. But, when a tragic accident results in the death of the Queen, Evander finds himself facing a fate he never believed he was destined for.
Banishment.
After leaving the city and the people he loves behind, he soon falls prey to another city of Mageye. One made of tents and occupied by rebels who intend only harm to his beloved home.
This is Evander’s story.
This prequel to the “Mageye Trilogy” reveals the true origins of the Volcaniacs and the story of the first victim of what will one day become the magical black market.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 12, 2024
10 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 27, 2025
5/5 ⭐
One thing I appreciate about Kaufman's books is the strong family values. That's something I always look for in books as someone who is very family oriented. The Mageye had good family bonds in it, but Unbound took it to another level. Dark fantasy is my jam, so I have been particularly looking forward to this book and finally grabbed it. I am so glad I did. I absolutely loved this book and found myself getting so involved that I began to feel the emotions Evander felt. Evander is now one of my favorite characters & I am so tempted to make art of him since he has such a recognizable, defined appearance. Unbound is a dark book, full of heart & hope. 💜 Definitely recommend.
One thing I appreciate about Kaufman's books is the strong family values. That's something I always look for in books as someone who is very family oriented. The Mageye had good family bonds in it, but Unbound took it to another level. Dark fantasy is my jam, so I have been particularly looking forward to this book and finally grabbed it. I am so glad I did. I absolutely loved this book and found myself getting so involved that I began to feel the emotions Evander felt. Evander is now one of my favorite characters & I am so tempted to make art of him since he has such a recognizable, defined appearance. Unbound is a dark book, full of heart & hope. 💜 Definitely recommend.
October 30, 2024
you know that feeling when you realise that a book has lifted you out of a reading slump you didn't even notice you'd been stuck in? that feeling when all you want to do is *read* and never stop, not ready to leave the magical world of the book and face the real one? that feeling of comfort the story and the characters bring you and the excited smile you cannot resist when picking it up again, turning to the next page?
well guess what? this is what "unbound" feels like to me (which is kind of ironic, considering the fact that this is... let's say not a "happy" book per se).
i had the honour of beta-reading this book before its release and i already thought it to be amazing then, but this final edition manages to even top that. at times, some characters seem to be lacking a little bit of development and backstory - but knowing paris kaufman, this is part of some major foreshadowing connecting the crazy dots in the magical world of alveraada.
i can only recommend "unbound" to anyone, whether you have already read kaufman's other world or not. (if you have, though, you might find yourself excitedly giddeling more than once hehe - and if you haven't, go ahead and read the mageye trilogy and the return of the mageye trilogy and giggle excitedly as the major and minor hints of foreshadowing finally reveal themselves).
well guess what? this is what "unbound" feels like to me (which is kind of ironic, considering the fact that this is... let's say not a "happy" book per se).
i had the honour of beta-reading this book before its release and i already thought it to be amazing then, but this final edition manages to even top that. at times, some characters seem to be lacking a little bit of development and backstory - but knowing paris kaufman, this is part of some major foreshadowing connecting the crazy dots in the magical world of alveraada.
i can only recommend "unbound" to anyone, whether you have already read kaufman's other world or not. (if you have, though, you might find yourself excitedly giddeling more than once hehe - and if you haven't, go ahead and read the mageye trilogy and the return of the mageye trilogy and giggle excitedly as the major and minor hints of foreshadowing finally reveal themselves).
November 13, 2024
It felt good to be super invested in a book again 😌
This is the kind of story that tears your heart in pieces and then knits it back together 🥹
The world building is cool and now I’m kinda intrigued abt the other Mageye books!
It’s more character driven than plot driven, which is fine by me, bc I like the characters XD
At times, the dialogue didn’t feel natural, but it wasn’t really a big issue, I’m just picky at times.
Overall this was a great story and I loved reading it!!
This is the kind of story that tears your heart in pieces and then knits it back together 🥹
The world building is cool and now I’m kinda intrigued abt the other Mageye books!
It’s more character driven than plot driven, which is fine by me, bc I like the characters XD
At times, the dialogue didn’t feel natural, but it wasn’t really a big issue, I’m just picky at times.
Overall this was a great story and I loved reading it!!
June 15, 2024
This is a good fantasy series for wholesome teenagers. (I am neither teenaged nor wholesome, so definitely not the target audience here). I liked the world and magic created. I struggled though with Evander's characterization.
I thought he was too meek, too quickly. The way he lapsed almost as soon as he was captured, became obsessed with the ribbon, and came to believe in just a matter of months that his touch was a horrid thing was the sort of reaction I'd expect from a Quasimodo-type character raised in the dark and told he was ugly since birth with just one person (his sister in this case) telling him otherwise. If that were his backstory, I could have gotten on board with what was happening here. But instead he was a young man from a loving family. This should come with a foundation of acceptance and confidence that would be harder to shake that this. Evander folded way too quickly and I had trouble connecting with him since his actions seemed unbelievable to me. But again, I'm used to reading much darker stories so that's probably those influences creeping in.
Overall the story was entertaining, there were some really nice characters mixed with the evil ones, and I read it in about two days. So I would recommend for any wholesome teenagers out there.
I thought he was too meek, too quickly. The way he lapsed almost as soon as he was captured, became obsessed with the ribbon, and came to believe in just a matter of months that his touch was a horrid thing was the sort of reaction I'd expect from a Quasimodo-type character raised in the dark and told he was ugly since birth with just one person (his sister in this case) telling him otherwise. If that were his backstory, I could have gotten on board with what was happening here. But instead he was a young man from a loving family. This should come with a foundation of acceptance and confidence that would be harder to shake that this. Evander folded way too quickly and I had trouble connecting with him since his actions seemed unbelievable to me. But again, I'm used to reading much darker stories so that's probably those influences creeping in.
Overall the story was entertaining, there were some really nice characters mixed with the evil ones, and I read it in about two days. So I would recommend for any wholesome teenagers out there.
June 22, 2024
EASILY MY FAVORITE BOOK EVER (sorry ToM)
Got me out of a reading slump as well, I just loved this book so much, I couldn't wait to keep reading it!
If you want a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat, is very wholesome at times, and will tear you apart and piece yourself back together, this is the story for you!
(Also sidenote, it's more emotional and sentimental if you read it with a purple ribbon as a bookmark) 🥺☺️
Got me out of a reading slump as well, I just loved this book so much, I couldn't wait to keep reading it!
If you want a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat, is very wholesome at times, and will tear you apart and piece yourself back together, this is the story for you!
(Also sidenote, it's more emotional and sentimental if you read it with a purple ribbon as a bookmark) 🥺☺️
June 25, 2024
Too tired, will review later
July 4, 2024
First thing first, Paris. You have written an amazing story for Unbound. I was on the edge of my seat during the middle of the story. Along with that, I was about to throw hands with Harlem. How dare he hurt Evander! Also, Evander did nothing wrong, actually, he was wronged. This poor guy needs all the hugs in the world. I got my heartstrings pulled. I did enjoy the callback to the Mageye's villain. (I do apologize about my little rant)
Anyway overall this story was amazing and I would give this another read. Love the themes in the story and along with great characters. I do have a few characters that I will fight. Keep up the amazing work.
Anyway overall this story was amazing and I would give this another read. Love the themes in the story and along with great characters. I do have a few characters that I will fight. Keep up the amazing work.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews