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Millennial Mage #9
Citybound
The iron-clad reality of the world will not be denied. Arcanes and humanity continue in an incidental peace, the true threats to Zeme contained for the moment. Gated-humanity thrives within their cycle of cities in their hostile wilderness. Mages and Archons devote their expansive—sometimes immortal—lives to give their people a chance.
Tala, a newly Refined Archon with extraordinary power, grapples with the challenges of immortality, including shedding her mortal mindset and looking toward eternity. In the waning city of Alefast, where potent threats are gathering faster than ever before, Tala begins to fill in the gaps in her knowledge and learn of the potential consequences of her immortality. As she confronts the harsh realities of her existence, she must forge her own path and find meaning in a life that stretches endlessly before her.
Beyond questions of existence, her unique magics and relentless training have left her craving worthy opponents and a sense of purpose. With new friends—and powerful foes—her own immortal life as a Defender of Humanity has just begun.
Tala, a newly Refined Archon with extraordinary power, grapples with the challenges of immortality, including shedding her mortal mindset and looking toward eternity. In the waning city of Alefast, where potent threats are gathering faster than ever before, Tala begins to fill in the gaps in her knowledge and learn of the potential consequences of her immortality. As she confronts the harsh realities of her existence, she must forge her own path and find meaning in a life that stretches endlessly before her.
Beyond questions of existence, her unique magics and relentless training have left her craving worthy opponents and a sense of purpose. With new friends—and powerful foes—her own immortal life as a Defender of Humanity has just begun.
655 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 16, 2025
105 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
J.L. Mullins
14 books91 followersJ.L.Mullins has been writing since he was five years old. Blessedly, he has improved through the years, and while 'The Case of the Missing Stapler' will likely never see widespread publication, Mullins enjoys little more than sharing his newer stories—his worlds—with others.
He lives with his wife, six kids, and their rescue-akita named Fenrir.
Find him on Patreon:
patreon.com/MillennialMage
Join his Discord:
discord.gg/FddACAjUrR
Find the latest on Millennial Mage here:
royalroad.com/fiction/47826
He lives with his wife, six kids, and their rescue-akita named Fenrir.
Find him on Patreon:
patreon.com/MillennialMage
Join his Discord:
discord.gg/FddACAjUrR
Find the latest on Millennial Mage here:
royalroad.com/fiction/47826
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 1, 2025
This is ninth in a series you should read in order.
Now that Tala has taken the next step on the Mage path, the one that makes her functionally immortal, she needs something to do. She decides to head to the currently waning city (that would need so much backstory exposition I'm not g0ing to bother, roll with it if you can) to become a Defender. She is tasked with fighting off the hordes of magical creatures targeting the city as well as investigating pocket dimensions that are weakening (as they do in a waning). These pocket dimensions represent humanity's solution to problems they cannot kill—kick it down the road for future generations to deal with.
As you can expect by this point in the series, there isn't a cohesive plot really. Lots of stuff happens. The pace is good, the action fun, and some real creativity in those pocket dimensions. Better yet, this is Rane's hometown so she gets to see his dysfunctional family and come to understand him better at the same time.
Tala spends a lot time navel gazing between action scenes because the next Mage step, Paragon, is only possible through understanding yourself and your connection to humanity. And frankly, Mullins is uncommonly good with matters of connection, shared humanity, community, and individual responsibility. So I enjoyed these sections way more than I normally do for this type of thing.
Much of the material magic wankery in this one centers on Kit with Tala's goal to soulbond with the devourling. There are lots of details to handle with regards to the growing community within her dimensional storage and how to let those supporting her within to safety should the worst occur and she die out in the magical wastelands. I love the idea of her traveling around with a village essentially doing their thing while she takes on the world's nightmares.
If you're engaged with the series (and you should be at this point), this very much delivers on expectation. At least for me. So this is a weak 4½ stars that I'm rounding up for the soulbond scene with Kit in the penultimate chapter.
A note about Chaste: Rane and Tala are definitely committed, at least internally. There's affection and support. But no shenanigans. This is very chaste.
Now that Tala has taken the next step on the Mage path, the one that makes her functionally immortal, she needs something to do. She decides to head to the currently waning city (that would need so much backstory exposition I'm not g0ing to bother, roll with it if you can) to become a Defender. She is tasked with fighting off the hordes of magical creatures targeting the city as well as investigating pocket dimensions that are weakening (as they do in a waning). These pocket dimensions represent humanity's solution to problems they cannot kill—kick it down the road for future generations to deal with.
As you can expect by this point in the series, there isn't a cohesive plot really. Lots of stuff happens. The pace is good, the action fun, and some real creativity in those pocket dimensions. Better yet, this is Rane's hometown so she gets to see his dysfunctional family and come to understand him better at the same time.
Tala spends a lot time navel gazing between action scenes because the next Mage step, Paragon, is only possible through understanding yourself and your connection to humanity. And frankly, Mullins is uncommonly good with matters of connection, shared humanity, community, and individual responsibility. So I enjoyed these sections way more than I normally do for this type of thing.
Much of the material magic wankery in this one centers on Kit with Tala's goal to soulbond with the devourling. There are lots of details to handle with regards to the growing community within her dimensional storage and how to let those supporting her within to safety should the worst occur and she die out in the magical wastelands. I love the idea of her traveling around with a village essentially doing their thing while she takes on the world's nightmares.
If you're engaged with the series (and you should be at this point), this very much delivers on expectation. At least for me. So this is a weak 4½ stars that I'm rounding up for the soulbond scene with Kit in the penultimate chapter.
A note about Chaste: Rane and Tala are definitely committed, at least internally. There's affection and support. But no shenanigans. This is very chaste.
March 14, 2025
In my opinion the best book in the entire series so far.
Very entertaining and well worth the read.
Very entertaining and well worth the read.
July 28, 2025
oops
I finished a week before the next book is supposed to be released.
So, a bit slower due to the MC’s increasing OP-ness. She doesn’t do caravans, so there’s no daily battles against straightforward opponents. Instead she faces existential, extinction level threats.
(Im)patiently waiting for the next book.
I finished a week before the next book is supposed to be released.
So, a bit slower due to the MC’s increasing OP-ness. She doesn’t do caravans, so there’s no daily battles against straightforward opponents. Instead she faces existential, extinction level threats.
(Im)patiently waiting for the next book.
May 21, 2025
Better and Better!
Each book in this series moves you along in the growth of the main character, Tala, but also introduces you to more complexities of the world(s) she inhabits. As she grows and learns, so do the readers. The story remains interesting, with a good mix of action, description, and character development. I have greatly enjoyed each book and am looking forward to more. Most series seem to peter out as the author gets tired or completes a story arc. This series continues to flow, with hints of new information building on past books.
Especially fun are the ‘Easter Eggs’ hidden within the dialogue. I laughed aloud at references taken directly from “The Princess Bride” as well as bits of modern slang. These little gems are completely natural within the story, and are an amusing perk while reading, not distracting or jarring at all.
Highly recommend this entire series!
Each book in this series moves you along in the growth of the main character, Tala, but also introduces you to more complexities of the world(s) she inhabits. As she grows and learns, so do the readers. The story remains interesting, with a good mix of action, description, and character development. I have greatly enjoyed each book and am looking forward to more. Most series seem to peter out as the author gets tired or completes a story arc. This series continues to flow, with hints of new information building on past books.
Especially fun are the ‘Easter Eggs’ hidden within the dialogue. I laughed aloud at references taken directly from “The Princess Bride” as well as bits of modern slang. These little gems are completely natural within the story, and are an amusing perk while reading, not distracting or jarring at all.
Highly recommend this entire series!
September 5, 2025
Lol. I'm nine books into this series. I'm sure Tala will freak when she says something to Kit, and instead of the usual "Kit did not respond", Kit actually says something.
The protag makes friends with a bunch of entities that hunted humanity at some point.
It's like reading a version of He who fights with monsters. She has terror bird, a being from the void that likes to devour, and a magic slime (?) that likes to devour iron bound to her. All killed humans before.
That was a nice read. Will pick up the sequel.
3/5 Stars
The protag makes friends with a bunch of entities that hunted humanity at some point.
It's like reading a version of He who fights with monsters. She has terror bird, a being from the void that likes to devour, and a magic slime (?) that likes to devour iron bound to her. All killed humans before.
That was a nice read. Will pick up the sequel.
3/5 Stars
May 11, 2025
Tala and her world continue to grow
The 9th book and the story remains fresh with new aspects, opportunities and foes been introduced.
Action, adventure, comradeship, humour, thoughts for living and serious What the Whats??? Simmering will there be a romance continue but kept in it's place and doesn't interfere.
If you're reading the series definitely get this one. If you're new to it you could start here, but I'd recommend starting with Mageling or Eskau, you'll just get more of it. If you've got a copy and it's your first one, read it and enjoy.
The 9th book and the story remains fresh with new aspects, opportunities and foes been introduced.
Action, adventure, comradeship, humour, thoughts for living and serious What the Whats??? Simmering will there be a romance continue but kept in it's place and doesn't interfere.
If you're reading the series definitely get this one. If you're new to it you could start here, but I'd recommend starting with Mageling or Eskau, you'll just get more of it. If you've got a copy and it's your first one, read it and enjoy.
August 21, 2025
A nice breather from the previous pacing
Overall still really enjoying this series! This one started a little rough for me since it felt a little directionless at the start, but as we get into Tala working as a defender and heading into some dungeons things pick back up and I enjoyed the rest of the ook a lot!
Nice new characters introduced, setup for future books, sensible upgrades to Tala and some nice time spent with older characters towards the end.
Overall still really enjoying this series! This one started a little rough for me since it felt a little directionless at the start, but as we get into Tala working as a defender and heading into some dungeons things pick back up and I enjoyed the rest of the ook a lot!
Nice new characters introduced, setup for future books, sensible upgrades to Tala and some nice time spent with older characters towards the end.
November 2, 2025
Still good
This book is just as good as the last one. The world building takes a bit more time (and remains interesting) while character work takes a little less (but also remains interesting). In particular, I like seeing more short scene from the POV of non-human and the mechanics of the Paragon advancement are very well designed for good small character moments.
This book is just as good as the last one. The world building takes a bit more time (and remains interesting) while character work takes a little less (but also remains interesting). In particular, I like seeing more short scene from the POV of non-human and the mechanics of the Paragon advancement are very well designed for good small character moments.
May 25, 2025
Engrossing series
I just finished the 9th book of the Millennial Mage series. I started with the 1st book three months prior. If you start this series, be prepared to be drawn into a fantasy with engaging characters and a richly defined world. Definitely an escape worth taking.
I just finished the 9th book of the Millennial Mage series. I started with the 1st book three months prior. If you start this series, be prepared to be drawn into a fantasy with engaging characters and a richly defined world. Definitely an escape worth taking.
September 11, 2025
Great imagination
I’m constantly surprised by the level of this author’s detailed world building and creativity. The MCs understanding of the magical system continually grows and we are along for the ride in a fun way.
I’m constantly surprised by the level of this author’s detailed world building and creativity. The MCs understanding of the magical system continually grows and we are along for the ride in a fun way.
May 6, 2025
I skimmed over about a third of this book but none of the actual story. The author is enamoured with the magic system and goes into enormous detail — detail that rarely drives the narrative.
May 18, 2025
always a great book
I become more and more invested in this series with each installment. I’m a true dan of this story. I will be eagerly awaiting the next book.
I become more and more invested in this series with each installment. I’m a true dan of this story. I will be eagerly awaiting the next book.
June 4, 2025
Good development, though I was hoping it would go a bit further...it feels like not that much has happened in this book.
September 13, 2025
Pretty nice
May 1, 2025
This is a series I have really enjoyed reading and this book was equally as enjoyable although I would like to see some progression in the romance area for Tala. It was interesting to read about the different adventures Tala went on in this book with the team of defenders she is on and learn more about the world she lives in. This novel felt a bit more leisurely paced but there was still plenty of action and adventure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2025
When people of a certain maturity gather together to discuss what matters, the newest members learn deep truths while sharing a new viewpoint with those who've been there and seen that. I'm getting to be of a certain maturity in my own life, and I enjoy the parallels between different groups despite their varied levels of power, privilege, and experiences.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews