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Powder Mage #0.7
The Face in the Window
Taniel is a powder mage; a flintlock marksman with the ability to imbibe common black powder to strengthen his mind, body, and senses, as well as shoot over long distances. Sent into short-term exile by his father, he's supposed to see some of the world and cool his head, to learn something besides life in the Adran army. His arrival in exile, however, coincides with the eruption of a bloody new conflict as the colony of Fatrasta rises up against its Kez suppressers.
Taniel has certain talents that the Fatrastan militia could very well use, and he just can't help but get involved...
Taniel has certain talents that the Fatrastan militia could very well use, and he just can't help but get involved...
38 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 27, 2014
16 people are currently reading
2271 people want to read
About the author
Brian McClellan
35 books8,724 followersBrian McClellan is an American epic fantasy author from Cleveland, Ohio. He is known for his acclaimed Powder Mage Universe and essays on the life and business of being a writer.
Brian now lives on the side of a mountain in Utah with his wife, Michele, where he writes books and nurses a crippling video game addiction.
Brian's novels include the Powder Mage Trilogy (Promise of Blood, The Crimson Campaign, and The Autumn Republic), Gods of Blood and Powder (Sins of Empire, Wrath of Empire, and Blood of Empire), and Valkyrie Collections (Uncanny Collateral)
Brian now lives on the side of a mountain in Utah with his wife, Michele, where he writes books and nurses a crippling video game addiction.
Brian's novels include the Powder Mage Trilogy (Promise of Blood, The Crimson Campaign, and The Autumn Republic), Gods of Blood and Powder (Sins of Empire, Wrath of Empire, and Blood of Empire), and Valkyrie Collections (Uncanny Collateral)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
May 26, 2017
Taniel meets Ka-poel, our favorite Savage!!! Very short, but very impactful story, and the emotional pain Taniel goes through with his first official kill... Love this series 💗
September 10, 2017
Aww <33333
May 21, 2016
This short story, taking place 2 years before Promise of Blood, is all about Taniel's journey to Fatrasta (a country of Fat-Rastafarians), his first encounter with Ka-Poel, and his first kill of a Cabal Privileged.
We are witnessing a completely different Taniel, less experienced and less cocky, but as
courageous as we know him. It's worth reading.
Ps. I do not rate short stories.
We are witnessing a completely different Taniel, less experienced and less cocky, but as
courageous as we know him. It's worth reading.
Ps. I do not rate short stories.
May 8, 2014
A short story set in the Powder Mage Universe
Taniel arrives in a Kez colony on leave a week before it decides to declare independence. When all hell breaks loose, Taniel takes it upon himself to get involved in a war of liberation and do what Powder Mages do best – kill sorcerers.
In this short we get to see how Taniel and Kar-Poel meet. Set a couple of years before Promise of Blood we see the start of the war where Taniel got his reputation as a Privileged killer and earned the nickname “Two-Shot,” – all of which occurs off screen in the main book. I can see there’s a lot more room for other stories set in this two-year time frame but for now we’ll have to be content with a brief look at the beginning.
I think I like this story best of the short stories I’ve read in the Powder Mage universe so far because it’s a lot closer to the event of Promise of Blood and also because it delves a little more into the mysterious relationship between Taniel and Kar-Poel.
Recommended for Fans of the main series.
4 stars
Taniel arrives in a Kez colony on leave a week before it decides to declare independence. When all hell breaks loose, Taniel takes it upon himself to get involved in a war of liberation and do what Powder Mages do best – kill sorcerers.
In this short we get to see how Taniel and Kar-Poel meet. Set a couple of years before Promise of Blood we see the start of the war where Taniel got his reputation as a Privileged killer and earned the nickname “Two-Shot,” – all of which occurs off screen in the main book. I can see there’s a lot more room for other stories set in this two-year time frame but for now we’ll have to be content with a brief look at the beginning.
I think I like this story best of the short stories I’ve read in the Powder Mage universe so far because it’s a lot closer to the event of Promise of Blood and also because it delves a little more into the mysterious relationship between Taniel and Kar-Poel.
Recommended for Fans of the main series.
4 stars
July 24, 2014
The Face in the Window is another short novella in the Powder Mage world. This book follows Taniel just prior to the events in the first book, Promise of Blood. Taniel visits Fatrasta just as the rebellion breaks out and Taniel joins the fight against the Kez. Fatrasta is also where he meets the mysterious girl, Ka-poel.
Although the book is short, the action is fast paced and kept me on the edge of my seat. These books should be considered must-reads for any fans of Brian McClellan's work. They provide additional context and richness that really fleshes out the main Powder Mage books.
Four out of five stars.
Although the book is short, the action is fast paced and kept me on the edge of my seat. These books should be considered must-reads for any fans of Brian McClellan's work. They provide additional context and richness that really fleshes out the main Powder Mage books.
Four out of five stars.
June 23, 2014
3.5
I'm not really sure about how to rate this one. On one hand it was a good short story, accessible to anyone but especially enjoyable to people who've read the series. On the other hand I gave 'Promise of Blood' 4.5 stars and this story could pretty much have been a chapter in that book so it would be weird to rate it as highly.
Anyway this was a good short story with some cool action scenes and a nice bit of insight into Taniel, especially his relationship with Ka-Poel. If you've not read the series this is still a decent story, if you're interested in starting the series this is a good way to get a feel for it and if you've already read one or both of the books this short story will be especially enjoyable.
I'm not really sure about how to rate this one. On one hand it was a good short story, accessible to anyone but especially enjoyable to people who've read the series. On the other hand I gave 'Promise of Blood' 4.5 stars and this story could pretty much have been a chapter in that book so it would be weird to rate it as highly.
Anyway this was a good short story with some cool action scenes and a nice bit of insight into Taniel, especially his relationship with Ka-Poel. If you've not read the series this is still a decent story, if you're interested in starting the series this is a good way to get a feel for it and if you've already read one or both of the books this short story will be especially enjoyable.
October 7, 2017
Woah. Taniel, That was intense. The scene where the novella gets its title was tense as hell.
June 4, 2017
Taniel arrives in a Kez colony to find it declaring its independence. It is only a matter of time until Kez soldiers with the Privileged arrive.
After the attack he ends up in a swamp where a young girl, Ka-poel, helps him.
Taniel will prove here that he is his father's son even if he occasionally sounds as a spoiled brat. I still haven't read Promise of Blood, but every short story whether it takes place thirty five (Forsworn and Servant of the Crown), nineteen (Hope's End), ten (The Girl of Hrusch Avenue) or two (The Face in the Window) years before the events in the first book adds to the complexity of this world and its characters.
The only thing I am not really interested in is the fact is that in this story Vlora is mentioned as Taniel's fiancée and in later books she isn't. While I do read romances (I loved Tamas and Erika's story), this series does not need that at all. Whatever happens, I hope that part isn't really pronounced.
After the attack he ends up in a swamp where a young girl, Ka-poel, helps him.
Taniel will prove here that he is his father's son even if he occasionally sounds as a spoiled brat. I still haven't read Promise of Blood, but every short story whether it takes place thirty five (Forsworn and Servant of the Crown), nineteen (Hope's End), ten (The Girl of Hrusch Avenue) or two (The Face in the Window) years before the events in the first book adds to the complexity of this world and its characters.
The only thing I am not really interested in is the fact is that in this story Vlora is mentioned as Taniel's fiancée and in later books she isn't. While I do read romances (I loved Tamas and Erika's story), this series does not need that at all. Whatever happens, I hope that part isn't really pronounced.
September 14, 2014
I enjoyed this immensely, just like the rest of the Powder Mage short fiction.
The stories all do two great things for the trilogy (of which only one book has been published so far): one, they add interesting new characters which continue fleshing out the world Promise of Blood has done great in building; and two, they go over the pasts of several main characters, adding a wealth of detail to already established characters. The Face in the Window falls more under the latter category; it fills in a part from Taniel's past that I was personally curious about and hoped would be explored more.
I can honestly say that with each short story the author puts out, I get more and more sucked into the world he's building. Consequently, the excitement I feel for The Crimson Campaign continues to grow (why so far, publication date?).
The only downside is that the short fiction is just that-- short. The pacing feels perfect and the stories end at natural points but that doesn't mean I don't want more.
The stories all do two great things for the trilogy (of which only one book has been published so far): one, they add interesting new characters which continue fleshing out the world Promise of Blood has done great in building; and two, they go over the pasts of several main characters, adding a wealth of detail to already established characters. The Face in the Window falls more under the latter category; it fills in a part from Taniel's past that I was personally curious about and hoped would be explored more.
I can honestly say that with each short story the author puts out, I get more and more sucked into the world he's building. Consequently, the excitement I feel for The Crimson Campaign continues to grow (why so far, publication date?).
The only downside is that the short fiction is just that-- short. The pacing feels perfect and the stories end at natural points but that doesn't mean I don't want more.
April 3, 2018
Another great short story from the powder mage world. Iam really enjoying these stories and getting some cool backround on some of the characters. 5 stars
October 28, 2021
Taniel meets Ka-Poel... what more do you need to know? Complete awesomeness.
August 7, 2014
Loved this short story, but I can't help but hate it for being so short! I yearn for more Powder Mage stories and I can't wait for the next one.
May 9, 2015
It's the story how Taniel met Ka Poel.
Ok so this is a short story, so not a lot will happen. A war is coming, he wants to fight. There is danger, there is Ka Poel. The end.
A nice short story. Always good being back in this world.
Ok so this is a short story, so not a lot will happen. A war is coming, he wants to fight. There is danger, there is Ka Poel. The end.
A nice short story. Always good being back in this world.
October 4, 2017
This is the story how Taniel earn his name Taniel two-shots . Taniel father send him to Fatrasta. When he arrived there Fatrasta was on the war against kez. He jump in that war. That how he was meet mysterious girl named Ka-poel. It’s a entertaining.
February 7, 2014
This is my favourite of the Powder Mage short stories so far. It fleshes out the beginning of the relationship between Taniel and Ka-Poel, which was definitely a high point of The Promise of Blood. It's a nice addition, since it takes place so close in time to the actual events of The Promise of Blood compared to the others - it feels like a bit more of a genuine addition to the current story than the other three short stories.
I'm getting more and more excited for The Crimson Campaign each time I read a new short story. These tight little stories will, I'm sure, carry into a great sophomore showing for Brian McClellan.
I'm getting more and more excited for The Crimson Campaign each time I read a new short story. These tight little stories will, I'm sure, carry into a great sophomore showing for Brian McClellan.
December 26, 2015
The Face in the Window was another good powder mage short story. This story begins with Taniel's trip to Frastrata directly before the war. We witness Taniel and Ka-poel's first meeting as well. The story is quite short, but it's nice to see a younger less cocksure and less experienced Taniel. At multiple points Taniel is running through his head things his father has instructed him about being a powder mage and about war in general.
December 16, 2015
Awesome short story! I'm sure that to anyone unfamiliar with the Powder Mage series this may not seem too great. But I absolutely loved reading this tale. It was very suspenseful, intriguing, and action-filled. Now that I know what the 'face in the window' is referring to, I feel this story is somewhat diabolical. But that's okay. That's what you get in the Powder Mage world.
February 28, 2020
Text despre Taniel și primul său contact cu războiul din Fatrasta contra imperiului Kez. O luptă contra unui magician, un ținut mlăștinos care mi-a plăcut și în care sper că autor va reveni. Intriga ok, proză bună.
https://vderevlean.wordpress.com/2020...
https://vderevlean.wordpress.com/2020...
October 28, 2016
This is the fourth story found with the Powder Mage collection In the Field Marshal's Shadow. Taniel was my least favorite POV character from the main trilogy, but it was interesting to read about some of his backstory when he first went on campaign.
April 1, 2017
Another short story in the power mage series, this story occurs just before the novels themselves. Interesting and well-written. I've always enjoyed a well-written short story and McClellan is a excellent author of such material.
August 9, 2016
A fun quick read about the first foree into battle against the Kez for Taniel.
4 stars and recommended for any fans of the Powder Mage trilogy
4 stars and recommended for any fans of the Powder Mage trilogy
January 8, 2020
Taniel's first real outing as a powder mage. Nice backstory.
April 9, 2023
I mean, it was fine. I read these short stories because I like the world of the Powder Mage how I envision it in my head, and these stories give context to the events of Promise of Blod, though they're not always necessary. This one stars Taniel who is just...barely more tolerable than he is in PoB, but Ka-Poel is cool. There's also a blessed lack of "I am noble-born therefore hating commoners is my personality trait" that FESTOONS the other stories.
Again, the premise and the concept is awesome, but I just don't love the execution. Every distance Taniel uses is a mile: "he could hit the buttons off a soldier a mile away", "he had to hit the scarecrow a mile away", "he could see the snake at the top of that tree a mile away (because apparently he also has x-ray vision?)" and it just feels like the first thing that came to mind was put to paper and never looked at again.
The action scenes, as usual, are cool, though Privileged sorcerers continue to be absolutely useless.
At any rate, only 1 more story (this one 90 pages of Taniel) left before I can continue my Powder Mage journey.
Again, the premise and the concept is awesome, but I just don't love the execution. Every distance Taniel uses is a mile: "he could hit the buttons off a soldier a mile away", "he had to hit the scarecrow a mile away", "he could see the snake at the top of that tree a mile away (because apparently he also has x-ray vision?)" and it just feels like the first thing that came to mind was put to paper and never looked at again.
The action scenes, as usual, are cool, though Privileged sorcerers continue to be absolutely useless.
At any rate, only 1 more story (this one 90 pages of Taniel) left before I can continue my Powder Mage journey.
November 12, 2024
5 stars because anything to do with my bbg Taniel gets an immediate 5-star!! Taniel is younger here, lacking confidence in himself, having never killed a Privileged before. But I love his courage, despite his uncertainty in himself. I wish the story is written in more depth and length because I'd just love to have more insight into that first Taniel Ka-poel meeting than what we're given here. I wish I know what Ka-poel saw in Taniel and how Taniel caught her eye instead of the other soldiers. But still, love this!!
November 13, 2023
این یکی هم خوب بود…در مورد ماجراهای تانیل تو انقلاب فاتراستاست که تو کتاب اول چند باری بهش اشاره شد…زوج کمدی برتر سال هم تو این کتاب بالاخره همدیگه رو دیدن…یا شایدم هم فقط واسه من خنده داره…میدونید انقدر محیط و اکشن و تقریبا همه چیز دو داستان آخر شبیه هم بودند که برام سخته از هم جداشون کنم…برای همین نمیتونم چیزی به جز این بهتون بگم…داستان آخر رو خیلی بهتر میکنه…پیشنهاد میدم بخونیدش…شده فقط واسه خوندن داستان آخر…اون یکی واقعا خوبه
December 6, 2023
Like the other short stories and novellas in the Powder Mage world, this one also gives us a closer look at a specific character that we got to know in 'Promise of Blood'. All are excellently written when you consider how short a short story/novella really is.
In this short story, Taniel, Tamas' son is the main character.
It's his first meeting with Ka-Poel and for the first time he kills a Kez Privileged.
In this short story, Taniel, Tamas' son is the main character.
It's his first meeting with Ka-Poel and for the first time he kills a Kez Privileged.
August 7, 2025
thoroughly enjoyed seeing this distant part of the world as well as characters that you've come to love in the original trilogy. Kar- pole (audiobook reader don't hate me!) is definitely one of my favourite characters, such a different character versus the regular lot.
June 16, 2023
This one had a little more meat to it and the introduction of Ka-Poel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews