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The Cruelty of Magic
Impending war and doubts of prophecy initiate a complex magical journey where some mean to destroy gods and magic, while others seek understanding.
Kyra is named in a prophecy calling her to the Stained Temple, where no one else has ever gone. The prophecy is met with resistance and doubt while a warlord surrounds the hidden city harboring Kyra and her people. The warlord means to end all magic by destroying the city with his army, made up of every known magic-wielding civilization on the continent.
In the northern mountains, a dwarf flees to save his people, while a father and son practicing summoning magic scrape by in the sewers of a corrupt and dark city. Impending doom, religious doubt, political intrigue and tragedy haunt each step in this multiple point-of-view epic fantasy tale full of magical creatures, complex magic systems, and suspense.
The Cruelty of Magic is a unique twist on familiar tropes of high fantasy, incorporating new mechanics to keep the reader guessing. Readers will struggle to find a villain in this world of moral ambiguity with shadows guiding everyone's choices.
Kyra is named in a prophecy calling her to the Stained Temple, where no one else has ever gone. The prophecy is met with resistance and doubt while a warlord surrounds the hidden city harboring Kyra and her people. The warlord means to end all magic by destroying the city with his army, made up of every known magic-wielding civilization on the continent.
In the northern mountains, a dwarf flees to save his people, while a father and son practicing summoning magic scrape by in the sewers of a corrupt and dark city. Impending doom, religious doubt, political intrigue and tragedy haunt each step in this multiple point-of-view epic fantasy tale full of magical creatures, complex magic systems, and suspense.
The Cruelty of Magic is a unique twist on familiar tropes of high fantasy, incorporating new mechanics to keep the reader guessing. Readers will struggle to find a villain in this world of moral ambiguity with shadows guiding everyone's choices.
- GenresFantasy
363 pages, Hardcover
Published October 11, 2024
74 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
December 1, 2023
First I want to say thank you to the author, Shawn Amick for allowing me to ARC read the first installment of his epic high fantasy series, The Cruelty of Magic. Please note that my rating and critique are based off of my preferences as a reader and therefore the star rating cannot solely reflect the actual quality of the book for everyone. Because of this, and because of how elaborate the story is, the review will be very thorough and extensive. Out of respect for Neurodivergent readers I will include an ADHD friendly review at the bottom where the **** are with a bullet point ranking of some of the most important — and some of my favorite— components of a book.
This epic high fantasy is a dense and intricate story woven in a way that will lead you to experience an array of intense emotion. Amick aims to approach an elaborate world with a lengthy and hardened history of conflict, from a position of non bias. This creates an experience for the reader in which you can’t quite determine who is in the wrong. Meanwhile you’re immersed into an intricate and almost tangibly uncompromising world with a clear set of rules and a hard-irrational magic system.
This book follows multiple POV’s whose story’s, for the most part, intertwine.
—Firstly the warlord is motivated by a vengeful heart & is thus set to rid the world of magic. We meet him when his conquest brings him to the city of Runefall where we learn of his cunning tactics and unmatchable strength. We also come to learn of the fragility of loyalty to him, as he seems to inspire only fear. His character reminded me a great deal of Thanos, as he ravaged cities and stole their most precious assets for his own power, fueled by self-righteous indignation. He continuously tests the resilience of the respective leaders that he has bent to his will.
—Next, in Runefall there is a robust character profile of council members and the protégées that they stole as children for the sake of protecting the most powerful wielders of magic. One such protégée is the bold Kyra who is wise and skilled beyond her age. With her companion, Samiel they learn of betrayal and are pushed into impossible circumstances that teach them both a great deal about themselves. Meanwhile the council, with their many petty squabbles, debates the best course of action as they fall under siege. They find themselves questioning the timeless convictions they’ve held for the Gods they misplaced trust in.
—We also get aquatinted with an equally robust character profile of Gods who have a more troubled history and grievances with eachother than a soap opera. The Gods and the council of runefall contribute to the extensive political intrigue happening in the book. The relationships and conflict between these Gods are too complex to summarize here, but was an absolutely stunning addition to the story that illicits the same intrigue as Greek mythology, although it is entirely unique.
—We also meet Varix & his son Varus who escape the corrupt city of Nightfall after hiding in the sewers for many years. They hid from the corrupt City Watch who Varix fought against for trying to take his son as one of the stolen protégées of Runefall many years prior. Varix aims to both master the craft of summoning and teach it to his son, but they find themselves hastily escaping their dank home and embarking on an adventure. Their history is tragic and heartbreaking but the journey they embark on is rich with discovery and growth. On their journey they summon and befriend a Gollum of clay named Groff who stands as one of the most lovable creatures in this world, and a vessel for which Varix’s consciousness resides for a greater portion of the book. This creates a theatrical dialogue between the three companions.
—Lastly we follow the mighty Dwarves, led by Grunfi who strives to keep the last of his people alive. He and his hot son, Haffi are the largest of the dwarvin company. As they fled north to escape persecution from a violently prejudiced continent they were met with an oddessy of tribulation that dwindles their company’s numbers. At their destination in the ice laden lava mountains, they meet what is possibly the biggest challenge yet. Here Amick portrays a dynamic that is reminiscent of Shane and Rick from The Walking Dead, creating long burning internal conflict that only adds to the challenges the dwarves face. Grinfi’s story is one of the most vibrant, exciting and beautiful, yet is equally as tragic, as his story reflects abandonment and substantial loss.
With respect to this novel having so many moving parts, point of views, political intrigue and such an elaborate world, I would compare this work to Game of Thrones. However, with respect to the novel boasting rich creatures (such as the dragons, gnomes, Titans, golems, dwarves and more) I would say it also contends with Lord of the Rings doused with vibes of Dungeons and Dragons. The linguistics and prose are a unique and incomparable.
Some of the things that I really loved about this book were the complexity of most of the characters, the phenomenal world building, and the gorgeous creatures. My favorite POV to follow was Grunfis as we bask in the magnificently written gargantuan crystal feathered ice bird, it’s green oozing eggs, and it’s violent magic. We also see a wonderfully written dragon, and the most magical little cavern of jolly cave gnomes I’ve ever read. His son Haffi is also deliciously written and is my book boyfriend for this read! My next favorite point of view was of Groff, Varus and Varix. I found myself getting protective of Groff,proud of Varus and grinning at Varix. Furthermore I cannot express enough how well written the steam was in this book. There was a moment where my face ran hot and I read the same paragraph several time because it was so intense. I regret that this particular scene was not spice, as Amick proves he is more than capable of articulating a provocative moment efficiently and tastefully. I will also complement the fast pacing of the book. One of my favorite lines— if I had to get one tattood— was “go with haste, but not with hate.” Another line that stuck with me was “ I caution rummaging around in the crypts of my memory. In some you’d find truth, and others you’d find stories. In all, you’d find fear.” This passage have me goose bumps.
Some challenges I had with this book are the complexity, linguistics and lack of a glossary. This book is one you must take your time with and when you do it is absolutely worth it. That being said I struggled to remember which characters where which at times and who had beef with who. This is not uncommon with epic fantasy, as I could watch/read The Witcher an endless number of times and always catch something new; The Cruelty of Magic is like that in a lot of ways. I can see that even though I read some chapters twice and really combed through it, that it is easy to miss something or not quite understand the intricacies the first time. I think this book could have easily been 10-20k words longer and been able to space out the dense information. It was a challenge at first to have so much world building happening in the beginning, but once you dive into it the story smooths out. I would strongly recommend building a glossary as you go and using annotation tabs for the reader. This book is dense, but I can’t express enough how worth it it is, if you’re a fan of high fantasy. Although I complimented the pacing, I will offer that the fast pacing in the first 25-30% where the bulk of the world building was, made it a bit disjointed and hard to follow given that it skips to different POV’s. I don’t feel that I was able to get emotionally invested in the warlord. He had few redeeming qualities and his story seemed like a subplot, even tho it was in fact a very prominent story.
Over all I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who is a big fan of epic high fantasy. If you like a rich robust series that you can reread and indulge in the vibrancies, while still realizing new things, this is up your alley. This is not a warm and cozy book, it is heavy on graphic violence and a great deal of what I call “Sean Beaning” or killing loved characters. It is the type of book I would expect to get bound in leather eventually and have the edges sprayed. I am looking forward to adding this phenomenal book to my collection and continuing the series with enthusiasm.
****this is a dense read that is worth the time it takes to dive in and get lost in the world. The magic is rustic and wonderful, the creatures are vibrant and exquisite, the characters have depth and ruin. The first chunk of the book is heavy, so take notes. Don’t get attached to anyone cuz they’re probably going to die a terrible death.
This epic high fantasy is a dense and intricate story woven in a way that will lead you to experience an array of intense emotion. Amick aims to approach an elaborate world with a lengthy and hardened history of conflict, from a position of non bias. This creates an experience for the reader in which you can’t quite determine who is in the wrong. Meanwhile you’re immersed into an intricate and almost tangibly uncompromising world with a clear set of rules and a hard-irrational magic system.
This book follows multiple POV’s whose story’s, for the most part, intertwine.
—Firstly the warlord is motivated by a vengeful heart & is thus set to rid the world of magic. We meet him when his conquest brings him to the city of Runefall where we learn of his cunning tactics and unmatchable strength. We also come to learn of the fragility of loyalty to him, as he seems to inspire only fear. His character reminded me a great deal of Thanos, as he ravaged cities and stole their most precious assets for his own power, fueled by self-righteous indignation. He continuously tests the resilience of the respective leaders that he has bent to his will.
—Next, in Runefall there is a robust character profile of council members and the protégées that they stole as children for the sake of protecting the most powerful wielders of magic. One such protégée is the bold Kyra who is wise and skilled beyond her age. With her companion, Samiel they learn of betrayal and are pushed into impossible circumstances that teach them both a great deal about themselves. Meanwhile the council, with their many petty squabbles, debates the best course of action as they fall under siege. They find themselves questioning the timeless convictions they’ve held for the Gods they misplaced trust in.
—We also get aquatinted with an equally robust character profile of Gods who have a more troubled history and grievances with eachother than a soap opera. The Gods and the council of runefall contribute to the extensive political intrigue happening in the book. The relationships and conflict between these Gods are too complex to summarize here, but was an absolutely stunning addition to the story that illicits the same intrigue as Greek mythology, although it is entirely unique.
—We also meet Varix & his son Varus who escape the corrupt city of Nightfall after hiding in the sewers for many years. They hid from the corrupt City Watch who Varix fought against for trying to take his son as one of the stolen protégées of Runefall many years prior. Varix aims to both master the craft of summoning and teach it to his son, but they find themselves hastily escaping their dank home and embarking on an adventure. Their history is tragic and heartbreaking but the journey they embark on is rich with discovery and growth. On their journey they summon and befriend a Gollum of clay named Groff who stands as one of the most lovable creatures in this world, and a vessel for which Varix’s consciousness resides for a greater portion of the book. This creates a theatrical dialogue between the three companions.
—Lastly we follow the mighty Dwarves, led by Grunfi who strives to keep the last of his people alive. He and his hot son, Haffi are the largest of the dwarvin company. As they fled north to escape persecution from a violently prejudiced continent they were met with an oddessy of tribulation that dwindles their company’s numbers. At their destination in the ice laden lava mountains, they meet what is possibly the biggest challenge yet. Here Amick portrays a dynamic that is reminiscent of Shane and Rick from The Walking Dead, creating long burning internal conflict that only adds to the challenges the dwarves face. Grinfi’s story is one of the most vibrant, exciting and beautiful, yet is equally as tragic, as his story reflects abandonment and substantial loss.
With respect to this novel having so many moving parts, point of views, political intrigue and such an elaborate world, I would compare this work to Game of Thrones. However, with respect to the novel boasting rich creatures (such as the dragons, gnomes, Titans, golems, dwarves and more) I would say it also contends with Lord of the Rings doused with vibes of Dungeons and Dragons. The linguistics and prose are a unique and incomparable.
Some of the things that I really loved about this book were the complexity of most of the characters, the phenomenal world building, and the gorgeous creatures. My favorite POV to follow was Grunfis as we bask in the magnificently written gargantuan crystal feathered ice bird, it’s green oozing eggs, and it’s violent magic. We also see a wonderfully written dragon, and the most magical little cavern of jolly cave gnomes I’ve ever read. His son Haffi is also deliciously written and is my book boyfriend for this read! My next favorite point of view was of Groff, Varus and Varix. I found myself getting protective of Groff,proud of Varus and grinning at Varix. Furthermore I cannot express enough how well written the steam was in this book. There was a moment where my face ran hot and I read the same paragraph several time because it was so intense. I regret that this particular scene was not spice, as Amick proves he is more than capable of articulating a provocative moment efficiently and tastefully. I will also complement the fast pacing of the book. One of my favorite lines— if I had to get one tattood— was “go with haste, but not with hate.” Another line that stuck with me was “ I caution rummaging around in the crypts of my memory. In some you’d find truth, and others you’d find stories. In all, you’d find fear.” This passage have me goose bumps.
Some challenges I had with this book are the complexity, linguistics and lack of a glossary. This book is one you must take your time with and when you do it is absolutely worth it. That being said I struggled to remember which characters where which at times and who had beef with who. This is not uncommon with epic fantasy, as I could watch/read The Witcher an endless number of times and always catch something new; The Cruelty of Magic is like that in a lot of ways. I can see that even though I read some chapters twice and really combed through it, that it is easy to miss something or not quite understand the intricacies the first time. I think this book could have easily been 10-20k words longer and been able to space out the dense information. It was a challenge at first to have so much world building happening in the beginning, but once you dive into it the story smooths out. I would strongly recommend building a glossary as you go and using annotation tabs for the reader. This book is dense, but I can’t express enough how worth it it is, if you’re a fan of high fantasy. Although I complimented the pacing, I will offer that the fast pacing in the first 25-30% where the bulk of the world building was, made it a bit disjointed and hard to follow given that it skips to different POV’s. I don’t feel that I was able to get emotionally invested in the warlord. He had few redeeming qualities and his story seemed like a subplot, even tho it was in fact a very prominent story.
Over all I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who is a big fan of epic high fantasy. If you like a rich robust series that you can reread and indulge in the vibrancies, while still realizing new things, this is up your alley. This is not a warm and cozy book, it is heavy on graphic violence and a great deal of what I call “Sean Beaning” or killing loved characters. It is the type of book I would expect to get bound in leather eventually and have the edges sprayed. I am looking forward to adding this phenomenal book to my collection and continuing the series with enthusiasm.
****this is a dense read that is worth the time it takes to dive in and get lost in the world. The magic is rustic and wonderful, the creatures are vibrant and exquisite, the characters have depth and ruin. The first chunk of the book is heavy, so take notes. Don’t get attached to anyone cuz they’re probably going to die a terrible death.
November 8, 2023
First off, I just want to say that I am so grateful that I was able to receive and ARC copy from the author. It took me a little bit to get into the book, but mostly for the reason that recently I have been more into my romance reading era - I forgot how much it takes to read fantasy 🤣 Thankfully, I read on my kindle so I was able to highlight and do my little silly annotations to keep everything straight in my brain. All in all, I found the characters very relatable and the storyline easy to follow, but still interesting. Great introduction to this author, and I highly recommend!
August 30, 2024
Starting my review off with a big thank you! This was my first ARC read and I know am very lucky to be able to read this in advance. I also started the original publication as well and was able to see small changes and I found them very interesting. I loved some of the changes.
Going into the actual review of this book now. This is a fantasy book for those that crave those iconic and solid nods to the fantasy genre. If you read anything by Tolkien you will see where a lot of the inspiration comes from, but with an originality that is refreshing.
Cruelty of Magic is a fantasy world that has multiple POVs. I enjoy reading multiple story lines. In this book you will see the POV from many characters and each one is unique and thought provoking. There are parts throughout this book that I can specifically pinpoint thinking about that character for days. Hearing the inner workings of a Warlord intrigued me more than I expected. Especially talking to his war council and hearing how he truly feels about those around him. I talked about this part of the book for days. You get to see the POV from most of the characters. I have to say though. I did find myself looking forward to Grunffi the dwarf’s storyline the most. I won’t give out spoilers. This storyline is complex and just very well throughout.
My only feedback with all the different POVs is the switching of POV. There were a few times I had to reread something to pinpoint exactly who said that. Mainly when there are multiple of the main POVs. I wouldn’t have minded them being separated a little more to help with the character development and really getting know how each character feels, thinks and speaks even in their minds.
That’s really my only negative feedback. Otherwise this was an epic fantasy novel. The plot is great. I’m excited to see more. I can sense that we only get a taste of the magic and gods and creatures that are going to come. I’m excited to see characters stand out and come into power or lose power or gain power.
I also enjoyed the fact that this time around I found myself enjoying other fantasy characters than I normally would. As I mentioned before dwarf storylines never sold me. But in this novel they were my favorites. Elves in this world are terrible. Wouldn’t make my avatar based of the elves found briefly in this novel. I love any book that have the classic elves, dwarves, dragons races in them, but the fact that there are elemental mages in this world too makes it all the better. I am a huge huge fan of elemental magic and I’m excited to see the limitations and power from this world. I have a feeling the world building is only going to get better with each book.
Most fantasy novels are hard to read at first. I thought this one was pretty easy to get into. Some of the names can sound similar. Take your time so you can tell them a part. I am super excited to see more from this author. And I can’t wait to see what else is in store for the world of KAIYA. If you like magic, gods, mystical creatures. Epic battles and lots of deceit, lore and action. This is your kind of book.
Going into the actual review of this book now. This is a fantasy book for those that crave those iconic and solid nods to the fantasy genre. If you read anything by Tolkien you will see where a lot of the inspiration comes from, but with an originality that is refreshing.
Cruelty of Magic is a fantasy world that has multiple POVs. I enjoy reading multiple story lines. In this book you will see the POV from many characters and each one is unique and thought provoking. There are parts throughout this book that I can specifically pinpoint thinking about that character for days. Hearing the inner workings of a Warlord intrigued me more than I expected. Especially talking to his war council and hearing how he truly feels about those around him. I talked about this part of the book for days. You get to see the POV from most of the characters. I have to say though. I did find myself looking forward to Grunffi the dwarf’s storyline the most. I won’t give out spoilers. This storyline is complex and just very well throughout.
My only feedback with all the different POVs is the switching of POV. There were a few times I had to reread something to pinpoint exactly who said that. Mainly when there are multiple of the main POVs. I wouldn’t have minded them being separated a little more to help with the character development and really getting know how each character feels, thinks and speaks even in their minds.
That’s really my only negative feedback. Otherwise this was an epic fantasy novel. The plot is great. I’m excited to see more. I can sense that we only get a taste of the magic and gods and creatures that are going to come. I’m excited to see characters stand out and come into power or lose power or gain power.
I also enjoyed the fact that this time around I found myself enjoying other fantasy characters than I normally would. As I mentioned before dwarf storylines never sold me. But in this novel they were my favorites. Elves in this world are terrible. Wouldn’t make my avatar based of the elves found briefly in this novel. I love any book that have the classic elves, dwarves, dragons races in them, but the fact that there are elemental mages in this world too makes it all the better. I am a huge huge fan of elemental magic and I’m excited to see the limitations and power from this world. I have a feeling the world building is only going to get better with each book.
Most fantasy novels are hard to read at first. I thought this one was pretty easy to get into. Some of the names can sound similar. Take your time so you can tell them a part. I am super excited to see more from this author. And I can’t wait to see what else is in store for the world of KAIYA. If you like magic, gods, mystical creatures. Epic battles and lots of deceit, lore and action. This is your kind of book.
November 26, 2023
Lord Of The Rings meets RuneScape. Interesting read with multiple twists and turns. Some rough/messy transitions and typos, but overall a decent read. Multiple point of views through the struggles of men, dwarves and Gods ultimately coming together into one massive battle to destroy a common enemy for the greater good...or is it?
October 14, 2024
If you're a fan of high fantasy, this is definitely something you want to check out. Our main female character, Kyra, is able to use rune magic without any consequence, and no one knows why. If you're a fan of Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones, this is definitely something that you're going to enjoy. The unique magic system and story lines for all of the main characters is definitely a little overwhelming but enjoyable. The main warlord wants nothing more than to get rid of magic from the world. In his mind, he's doing what's right for the world, but we all know the villain always thinks he's doing what's right. I'm sure I'll revisit this story over and over in the future, and it'll become one of my new faves. It gave me the best kind of chills with every page turn. I would put this right up their with my favorite high fantasy reads and could easily see this getting an amazing adaptation similar to The Witcher. There is a lot going on, and I'm sure I missed someone somewhere. Lol. This is definitely one I look forward to getting a physical copy of so I can annotate and pick apart. I can not wait to see where this goes.
August 23, 2025
I enjoyed the intricately detailed description of the world.
The style of writing is not going to suit everyone, and even though I like it, there were times where I had to reread sections to make sure I understood the story.
There were a lot of interesting characters, and lots of points of view throughout, none of them significantly stood out and drew me in to their particular story though.
This was still an intriguing epic/high fantasy.
The style of writing is not going to suit everyone, and even though I like it, there were times where I had to reread sections to make sure I understood the story.
There were a lot of interesting characters, and lots of points of view throughout, none of them significantly stood out and drew me in to their particular story though.
This was still an intriguing epic/high fantasy.
November 8, 2023
So grateful to get an ARC of this book. I really enjoyed it. It took me a little to get into it only because this is not the genre of book I normally ready, but I just found a new genre of book to add to my reading list! I highly recommend this book!
October 30, 2023
Was very happy to get an ARC of this book! I truly enjoyed it! A little hard to get into at first if you are not a normal fantasy reader. But great characters you can relate to, and intriguing story line! Would recommend!
October 28, 2023
Grateful to get an ARC of this book!! It really gives off Lord of the Rings vibes. 4.2 stars I’d comfortably give this book. Lots of action with amazing creatures and interesting characters thrown in. It was a little overwhelming at first as there are so many characters to keep track of! Great fantasy read.
December 28, 2023
Wholly cow, what a read. If you love fantasy, then you will love this book as much as me. You're taken to a whole new dimension of place, magic, and characters, so hold on, this was just thrilling. This is in my fantastic reads, Shawn. I'm glad I waited to finish my review, I got a chance to reread the book, and hot damm, it was even better the second time around. I was really vested in the characters and their stories of what was happening. I yelled, talked and cried, and felt I was right there in the middle of the story as it unfolded in front of my eyes. You have the ability to communicate through words' images that not every author can do. It's a beautiful written book and I am so looking forward to the next one.
Can you please hurry and write the next one as I want to know what happens? Lol. You have a fan of your written word.
I highly recommend this book.
Can you please hurry and write the next one as I want to know what happens? Lol. You have a fan of your written word.
I highly recommend this book.
December 7, 2023
ARC review... I'll avoid any spoilers
As others said, this story was densely packed for the first third and contained a great deal of world building and character foundation. It was a bit challenging to get through. But the landscape is incredibly imaginative, and the story that follows is very engaging. Multiple POVs help you get a varied perspective on the vast terrain and getting a glimpse at the world the various excerpts and the view of the "big bad" helps offer unique perspectives on the very rich world and its history. I would recommend this story to anyone who is a fan of traditional or even modern fantasy.
As others said, this story was densely packed for the first third and contained a great deal of world building and character foundation. It was a bit challenging to get through. But the landscape is incredibly imaginative, and the story that follows is very engaging. Multiple POVs help you get a varied perspective on the vast terrain and getting a glimpse at the world the various excerpts and the view of the "big bad" helps offer unique perspectives on the very rich world and its history. I would recommend this story to anyone who is a fan of traditional or even modern fantasy.
February 15, 2025
Shawn's first entry to the Cruelty series was a wild ride. It is a dark epic fantasy that revolves around four different POVs in which the major conflict is the invasion of the magic capital of the world by a warlord that has amassed a legion of combatants from different cities. If you are into epic battles, quick-fast-paced action, and no mercy when it comes to killing off characters? This is your gig.
June 28, 2024
Absolutely phenomenal. A great epic fantasy read with a quick pace and characters you’ll love to hate. Highly recommend!
June 30, 2024
ARC Review!
It took some time to get into the book, but I actually enjoyed it! It's a fast-paced fantasy that is worth the read. I recommend this book if you enjoy epic high fantasy.
It took some time to get into the book, but I actually enjoyed it! It's a fast-paced fantasy that is worth the read. I recommend this book if you enjoy epic high fantasy.
December 1, 2023
Where to start! What an epic adventure! 1st world building the 1st few chapters are very heavy in the world building along with being fast paced and character driven and matching dialogue that at times had me re-read a chapter or two to make sure I read what I read it is a lot to take in. Shawn is able to create such an image in your head that it's like you are seeing the movie play out flawlessly as you read along with a companion book that was missing it's glossary. I know for sure that I probably missed some things that I was unable to annotate due to not having enough colors on my kindle to do so. I will 100% have to re-read it once I get a physical copy to go and annotate my heart out.
2nd character creation!! I totally went into the book not wanting to get emotionally attached to any of the characters because I knew that Shawn was going to most likely murder whoever I fell in love with and break my heart in two and I just didn't want to buy a flight to go kick his behind in person for it. That being said it didn't take long for me to throw that notion out the window and get invested. Initially I thought that it would be the Warlord as he has been WarlordDaddy in my head way before I even started the book but it wasn't! And I went from falling for 1 character to moving on to another. Gremanhas stole some feelings from me when he says “I will not stand idly as I watch the closest thing I have to a daughter walk these lands alone to be scorched by the fires of war!”. It reminded me a bit of how Obi Wan was with Anakin and that made my heart happy. Unfortunately or fortunately my heart moved on to another set of characters and that was Varix,Varus and Groff. This father, son and gollum relationship is so heartwarming. The hardships that they endure throughout the years is sad and exhausting but you can really see the love that Varix has for his son Varus and what lengths he is willing to go to keep him with him and safe. There are just so many complex and detailed characters in the whole book from dwarves to dragons to gnomes to a gorgeous magical bird it's a bit hard to keep track of who was who especially with such unique names but I promise you as you read you will be unable to not pick a favorite or two.
3rd the conflict, the drama, the theatrics!! With an wonderful magic system that I'm still unsure I 100% get there is so much conflict and war and betrayal and death and more deaths and hate and love and support and emotions and chaos and and and it keeps going. At almost every turn of the page you get hit with something let it be good or bad there is something that keeps you going and although it took me longer to read this book than it normally takes me to read anything it was not due to it being difficult or boring it was far from that. It just leaves you at times with that feeling of ok let me process what I just read before I write a 2 page emotional letter to its author kind of feeling. I also didn't want it to end twice I found myself feeling sad or upset and I opened the book and got transported into chaos that I put what was going on in my head in a back burner and felt emotionally better as I strolled on this epic adventure as I waited to see who Shawn was gonna murder next.
Over all Cruelty of Magic is a book that you will want to pick up again and again and every time you will probably find new things in it that you overlooked and fall in love with different characters than the 1st time around. If I could I would give it a 4.5. I'm excited to read what's next.
Edit to add my favorite quote "go with haste, but not with hate." I love departing phrases like those and it is now added on to my top 3 "may the force be with you", "this is the way", and now "go with haste, but not with hate."
2nd character creation!! I totally went into the book not wanting to get emotionally attached to any of the characters because I knew that Shawn was going to most likely murder whoever I fell in love with and break my heart in two and I just didn't want to buy a flight to go kick his behind in person for it. That being said it didn't take long for me to throw that notion out the window and get invested. Initially I thought that it would be the Warlord as he has been WarlordDaddy in my head way before I even started the book but it wasn't! And I went from falling for 1 character to moving on to another. Gremanhas stole some feelings from me when he says “I will not stand idly as I watch the closest thing I have to a daughter walk these lands alone to be scorched by the fires of war!”. It reminded me a bit of how Obi Wan was with Anakin and that made my heart happy. Unfortunately or fortunately my heart moved on to another set of characters and that was Varix,Varus and Groff. This father, son and gollum relationship is so heartwarming. The hardships that they endure throughout the years is sad and exhausting but you can really see the love that Varix has for his son Varus and what lengths he is willing to go to keep him with him and safe. There are just so many complex and detailed characters in the whole book from dwarves to dragons to gnomes to a gorgeous magical bird it's a bit hard to keep track of who was who especially with such unique names but I promise you as you read you will be unable to not pick a favorite or two.
3rd the conflict, the drama, the theatrics!! With an wonderful magic system that I'm still unsure I 100% get there is so much conflict and war and betrayal and death and more deaths and hate and love and support and emotions and chaos and and and it keeps going. At almost every turn of the page you get hit with something let it be good or bad there is something that keeps you going and although it took me longer to read this book than it normally takes me to read anything it was not due to it being difficult or boring it was far from that. It just leaves you at times with that feeling of ok let me process what I just read before I write a 2 page emotional letter to its author kind of feeling. I also didn't want it to end twice I found myself feeling sad or upset and I opened the book and got transported into chaos that I put what was going on in my head in a back burner and felt emotionally better as I strolled on this epic adventure as I waited to see who Shawn was gonna murder next.
Over all Cruelty of Magic is a book that you will want to pick up again and again and every time you will probably find new things in it that you overlooked and fall in love with different characters than the 1st time around. If I could I would give it a 4.5. I'm excited to read what's next.
Edit to add my favorite quote "go with haste, but not with hate." I love departing phrases like those and it is now added on to my top 3 "may the force be with you", "this is the way", and now "go with haste, but not with hate."
August 21, 2025
Tension runs rampant in Kaiya, a country filled with fantasy creatures, magic through personal abilities and accompanying materials, and gods who demand worship, but who are also working through identity crises and aren’t sure of themselves. Beginning the story, an ancient prophecy is announced, causing confusion and bringing about deceit and betrayal to and toward everyone it includes. Characters are presented in alternating chapters throughout the regions, with main themes consistent with seeking answers, retribution, and justice for themselves and the greater good amid the uncertainty from everyone personally, politically, and morally.
Some of the characters include a father and daughter navigating the city underworld in the hopes of avoiding attention from particular powers, a dwarf king and his family as he seeks out his purpose because of internal and external conflict, and a warlord who wishes to eliminate magic, but is that possible when it’s as common and accepted as it has become?
Meanwhile, a young woman named Kyra from Runefall, a hidden city within Kaiya, gifted with magical abilities far past the average magician, has been chosen by the gods to embark on a quest to save Runefall from those who wish it destroyed. Throughout her journey, she discovers more about herself and those she trusts, spurring changes in most everything she once knew to be true, while discovering that much has been displayed through rose-colored glasses, versus its true self.
The Cruelty of Magic, the first book in The Cruel Origins series by Shawn Amick, is a high fantasy novel that meets all the expectations of the genre through its intricate and complex world-building and well-developed characters. Readers will likely find at least one character to relate to, not in physical form, but through the internal conflicts and answers they are seeking. Readers should take into consideration that there are many characters, so referencing the character lists provided at the beginning of the book will be helpful when starting the book. The character perspective shifts in each chapter, so reviewing and refreshing the information provided in the lists will be beneficial.
Readers will enjoy continuous action within every chapter, with the plot, scenery, and characters reminiscent of The Lord of the Rings (LOTR) series, the adolescent series Wings of Fire, and other works of art and media featuring fantasy and otherworldly quests. Mature readers are likely to enjoy and understand Amick’s The Cruelty of Magic more fully due to several gruesome battle scenes, but they are not overly graphic. While some fantasy books tend to include substantial amounts of romance or “smut,” this story adheres to the LOTR format: love stories are interwoven throughout, but the prominent focus is on the action, magic, and life-changing quests.
Some of the characters include a father and daughter navigating the city underworld in the hopes of avoiding attention from particular powers, a dwarf king and his family as he seeks out his purpose because of internal and external conflict, and a warlord who wishes to eliminate magic, but is that possible when it’s as common and accepted as it has become?
Meanwhile, a young woman named Kyra from Runefall, a hidden city within Kaiya, gifted with magical abilities far past the average magician, has been chosen by the gods to embark on a quest to save Runefall from those who wish it destroyed. Throughout her journey, she discovers more about herself and those she trusts, spurring changes in most everything she once knew to be true, while discovering that much has been displayed through rose-colored glasses, versus its true self.
The Cruelty of Magic, the first book in The Cruel Origins series by Shawn Amick, is a high fantasy novel that meets all the expectations of the genre through its intricate and complex world-building and well-developed characters. Readers will likely find at least one character to relate to, not in physical form, but through the internal conflicts and answers they are seeking. Readers should take into consideration that there are many characters, so referencing the character lists provided at the beginning of the book will be helpful when starting the book. The character perspective shifts in each chapter, so reviewing and refreshing the information provided in the lists will be beneficial.
Readers will enjoy continuous action within every chapter, with the plot, scenery, and characters reminiscent of The Lord of the Rings (LOTR) series, the adolescent series Wings of Fire, and other works of art and media featuring fantasy and otherworldly quests. Mature readers are likely to enjoy and understand Amick’s The Cruelty of Magic more fully due to several gruesome battle scenes, but they are not overly graphic. While some fantasy books tend to include substantial amounts of romance or “smut,” this story adheres to the LOTR format: love stories are interwoven throughout, but the prominent focus is on the action, magic, and life-changing quests.
September 10, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Dark, Gritty Fantasy That Makes Magic Truly Costly
If you like Wheel of Time books one and two, you’ll like this book
If you like Brandon Sanderson’s Way of Kings, you’ll like this book
If you like Robin Hobb’s Assassin’s Apprentice, you’ll like this book
If you like Anne Bishop’s Black Jewels Trilogy – you guessed it, you’ll like this book
Blurb:
A world on the brink, where magic demands payment in blood and betrayal lurks in every corner. Amid political upheaval and fragile alliances, a young mage must decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice to protect those she loves.
Book information:
Genre fantasy, about 400 pages, measured pace that builds tension steadily, vibe immersive and gritty with emotional stakes and mystical intrigue.
My personal thoughts:
• Favorite characters: I was drawn to Kyra—her determination and moral dilemmas were so believable.
• Pros: Rich worldbuilding that’s dark and layered; magic system that feels dangerous and real; emotional stakes that actually matter.
• Cons: Some chapters slow down with info‑dumping world lore. A few side characters didn’t get enough development—but you barely notice because the main arc pulls you forward.
• Who would like this: Fans of epic fantasy with complex magic, political tension, and heroes who wrestle with sacrifice. If you enjoy emotional depth and a sense that magic has real consequences, this fits.
• Memorable quotes:
“Magic doesn’t ask your permission—it takes what it wants, and sometimes that price is your soul.”
“In a world where kindness is a currency, cruelty is the only coin some can afford.”
Let’s wrap this up: “This book doesn’t hold your hand, it throws you into the fire and dares you to come out stronger. Gritty, emotional, and full of bite.” - NoniShaney, A Third Place Is Books
A Dark, Gritty Fantasy That Makes Magic Truly Costly
If you like Wheel of Time books one and two, you’ll like this book
If you like Brandon Sanderson’s Way of Kings, you’ll like this book
If you like Robin Hobb’s Assassin’s Apprentice, you’ll like this book
If you like Anne Bishop’s Black Jewels Trilogy – you guessed it, you’ll like this book
Blurb:
A world on the brink, where magic demands payment in blood and betrayal lurks in every corner. Amid political upheaval and fragile alliances, a young mage must decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice to protect those she loves.
Book information:
Genre fantasy, about 400 pages, measured pace that builds tension steadily, vibe immersive and gritty with emotional stakes and mystical intrigue.
My personal thoughts:
• Favorite characters: I was drawn to Kyra—her determination and moral dilemmas were so believable.
• Pros: Rich worldbuilding that’s dark and layered; magic system that feels dangerous and real; emotional stakes that actually matter.
• Cons: Some chapters slow down with info‑dumping world lore. A few side characters didn’t get enough development—but you barely notice because the main arc pulls you forward.
• Who would like this: Fans of epic fantasy with complex magic, political tension, and heroes who wrestle with sacrifice. If you enjoy emotional depth and a sense that magic has real consequences, this fits.
• Memorable quotes:
“Magic doesn’t ask your permission—it takes what it wants, and sometimes that price is your soul.”
“In a world where kindness is a currency, cruelty is the only coin some can afford.”
Let’s wrap this up: “This book doesn’t hold your hand, it throws you into the fire and dares you to come out stronger. Gritty, emotional, and full of bite.” - NoniShaney, A Third Place Is Books
December 1, 2023
As an ARC reader for this book I was expecting a well written fantasy epic and by the Gods was that expectation exceeded. The multiple points of views are well thought out and each and every character is completely unique. This story starts from a place, in one way or another, from action; to become the hero, to ensure safety for their people, to ensure they breath the next morning and to destroy that which brought them pain. And each and every storyline takes that beginning feeling and completely flips it on its head. The magic system is phenomenal, the world building is epic, and Tolkien would be proud.
I loved this book and can't wait for the next one.
Expectations mean nothing, there is no place for predictability in these pages, and the only thing you can ensure is that you will feel the most infinite depths of emotions for these characters... to the point that when tragedy strikes you'll know that "it wouldn't be enough for the world to burn." for fire is never enough.
I loved this book and can't wait for the next one.
Expectations mean nothing, there is no place for predictability in these pages, and the only thing you can ensure is that you will feel the most infinite depths of emotions for these characters... to the point that when tragedy strikes you'll know that "it wouldn't be enough for the world to burn." for fire is never enough.
September 10, 2025
4.25 Stars
The Cruelty of Magic is a journey into a world defined by chaos, war, betrayal, and the high price of power. Amick is a skilled storyteller, combining vivid world-building, a distinctive magic system, and an ensemble of morally complex characters into a tale brimming with intrigue and emotional depth.
Some of the novel’s greatest strengths lie in its world-building. The author crafts a world infused with history, lore, and familiar fantasy hallmarks (prophecy, magical creatures, and the ever-present struggle for power).
Equally compelling are the characters. Amick populates his world with figures who are flawed, multidimensional, and deeply human. The plot is fairly fast-paced, pulling readers through multiple intertwining narratives. Twists and revelations abound, keeping the tension high and the stakes ever-present.
Overall, The Cruelty of Magic is a strong debut and I’m eager to see where his storytelling journey leads in the 2nd book.
The Cruelty of Magic is a journey into a world defined by chaos, war, betrayal, and the high price of power. Amick is a skilled storyteller, combining vivid world-building, a distinctive magic system, and an ensemble of morally complex characters into a tale brimming with intrigue and emotional depth.
Some of the novel’s greatest strengths lie in its world-building. The author crafts a world infused with history, lore, and familiar fantasy hallmarks (prophecy, magical creatures, and the ever-present struggle for power).
Equally compelling are the characters. Amick populates his world with figures who are flawed, multidimensional, and deeply human. The plot is fairly fast-paced, pulling readers through multiple intertwining narratives. Twists and revelations abound, keeping the tension high and the stakes ever-present.
Overall, The Cruelty of Magic is a strong debut and I’m eager to see where his storytelling journey leads in the 2nd book.
December 1, 2023
Where do I begin. This was such a wild fantasy rollercoaster. I’m usually a dark romance reader but have been dabbling in fantasy the last couple months. I am so glad I was able to receive an ARC copy of this book, thank you so much. Next book when? 🤣 Like others have mentioned it did take a little to get into it. The first few chapters I was lost & confused. So happy when things started clicking that’s when the story started to pick up for me. After finishing the book I went back to read the first chapters again, I understood so much better! The world building was so much fun to dive into. I love being pulled into fantasy worlds, he did such a great job helping us readers visualize. I’m a spoiler free reviewer I hope that’s ok! I definitely recommend this first book by Shawn Amick if you like intense fantasy books.
February 16, 2024
The narrator for this audio was fantastic. His voice was perfect and his characters’ accents were varied but consistent and dramatic. It was captivating to the ears. The author crafted his words, sentences, and paragraphs with accurate skill, accomplishing a high level of coherence and readability. The omniscient Point of View allows the reader to hear and know many aspects of the story from multiple characters, including their knowledge, thoughts, feelings, actions, and backstory within each chapter. The novel accurately portrays a Dark Fantasy, especially depicted by the characters who are mostly morally gray anti-heroes. So if you love a fantasy setting filled with magic and unique characters with unusual powers where it’s hard to decipher good from evil in a world without a happy ending, then this novel is for you.
March 2, 2025
This a great epic high fantasy. It has a Lord of the Rings feel to it however is completely unique. The world and magic is complex and intricate. There are multiple points of view happening at the same time however if you love high fantasy it’s not hard to follow. I did find myself going back to the index initially but quickly picked up on it all. There is battle, deception, war, family, death, mages, rune magic, and so much more. I love the characters! There are so many amazing characters! I adore Kyra and Samiel. There is something about Ishmael that makes me want to love him. I do tend to like the bad guy though. I picture Arimeus as of a scared Gandalf, looks wise at least. There is prophecy, magic, good vs evil with blurred lines, and saving the realm which makes for a fantastic story. My heart is broken but I enjoyed this story so much! I can’t wait for more
November 18, 2023
Lucky to read an ARC of such an entertaining and epic high fantasy read! Absolutely loved the multiple POV and uniqueness of strengths and powers that each character brought to this world.
This story is driven by a central war and prophecy that connects multiple magical characters and their quests. It has such beautiful imagery thanks to the wonderfully written characters,detailed world building, and brutally descriptive battle scenes.
The Cruelty of Magic is a must read for those who love the Witcher or anything high fantasy related. It’s also a great introduction to the genre for readers who don’t typically read multiple POV adventures like this one!
Let me know your thoughts! 🗡️🔥✨
This story is driven by a central war and prophecy that connects multiple magical characters and their quests. It has such beautiful imagery thanks to the wonderfully written characters,detailed world building, and brutally descriptive battle scenes.
The Cruelty of Magic is a must read for those who love the Witcher or anything high fantasy related. It’s also a great introduction to the genre for readers who don’t typically read multiple POV adventures like this one!
Let me know your thoughts! 🗡️🔥✨
November 5, 2024
Audiobook: This was my first experience with this author's work. I was amazed at the comprehensive worldbuilding; however, there were times when I thought the story got a little lost in the details. I was moved by some of the characters and their stories, and it was important to note the names of the characters in order to know whose story was being presented at that point in the flow of the plot. I enjoyed the complex magic systems. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. I thought Alexander Keys' narration was great, and I was entertained by his performance of various voices for the different characters. I was given a copy of the audiobook. I volunteered, without financial gain, to post this review which reflected my honest opinions regarding this audiobook.
December 4, 2023
The Cruelty of Magic is an epic high fantasy that is not for the faint of heart. If you enjoy deep world building and complex characters you are in for a treat. I received an ARC for this, and while I still haven't finished it on time it is without a doubt one of the best indie books I've read to date from what I have read. If you enjoy fantasy like The Wheel of Time, Lord of the Rings, or The Unhewn Throne you'll enjoy this one.
It is dense, and thrusts you into a thought out world with a fun magic system and it does not hold your hand along the way. If that sounds like your cup of tea (it is certainly mine), then you're going to have a blast with The Cruelty of Magic.
It is dense, and thrusts you into a thought out world with a fun magic system and it does not hold your hand along the way. If that sounds like your cup of tea (it is certainly mine), then you're going to have a blast with The Cruelty of Magic.
November 24, 2023
This is a great new Epic Fantasy by a new Indie Author. I found Shawn on Tiktok and follow his unique podcast he cohosts which highlights authors of all backgrounds. Shawn's world building is extremely detailed by the 7th chapter I felt incredibly engrossed in the world. The magic system felt visceral and unique and the characters are all really well rounded. I would say that if you are new to Epic High Fantasy the first few chapters may seem a little heavy but please please please keep going. It was an amazing ride and I cannot wait to read more by Shawn!!!
December 1, 2023
Overall a really good read. My only struggle was with the names of characters/places being so similar you really have to slow down and pay attention!
Absolutely loved the 4 different "plot lines" slowly weaving together until the end. It was a very good approach to storytelling that worked with this complex storyline. I really liked the attention to details and characters very fitting personalities (who doesn't love a funny golem? Haha!)
Looking forward to diving into this one again for a reread soon!
Absolutely loved the 4 different "plot lines" slowly weaving together until the end. It was a very good approach to storytelling that worked with this complex storyline. I really liked the attention to details and characters very fitting personalities (who doesn't love a funny golem? Haha!)
Looking forward to diving into this one again for a reread soon!
December 17, 2024
The book is about disappearing magical powers, isolation from the environment and huge battles between gods, dragons, dwarves, .... The story is told from the point of view of different characters and jumps from one to another. I think for those who can remember names easily and love fantasy stories, it is an exciting and interesting book.
I started the audiobook 3-4 times before I could continue listening. English is not my native language, but I found the reading choppy and it was distracting.
I started the audiobook 3-4 times before I could continue listening. English is not my native language, but I found the reading choppy and it was distracting.
November 9, 2023
Read this book!!!! This story had everything I want in fantasy and some things I didn’t know I needed. The world is intriguing, the characters are nothing like me… but also relatable, the magic is fresh, there are great societal comparisons, and there’s so much more that I could say. I thought this was an excellent book and am happy to have had the chance at an early read!!! I think we’re gonna get a lot of awesome stuff from this author!!!!
November 22, 2023
ARC review…
Many great and completely diverse characters.
Great thought from the writer and descriptions in the book, gave you a mental replica of each character.
My favorite is Groff!
Twists in every chapter. Kept you wondering how things tied together.
No matter that the same part of the story was chapters apart; it picked right back up and continued without missing a beat. And what a plot twist ending…brilliant!!
Many great and completely diverse characters.
Great thought from the writer and descriptions in the book, gave you a mental replica of each character.
My favorite is Groff!
Twists in every chapter. Kept you wondering how things tied together.
No matter that the same part of the story was chapters apart; it picked right back up and continued without missing a beat. And what a plot twist ending…brilliant!!
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