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Melody of Mana #3
Melody of Mana 3: A Progression Fantasy
Teenage mage Alana navigates politics, family drama, and graduation in the third installment of an inventive, romantic, and fun progression-fantasy series.
Ever since Alana was reborn in the Kingdom of Bergond, her life has been a series of adventures and surprises. But waking up to discover the kingdom has been conquered, her school has been destroyed, and her parents are back in her life might be the biggest shock yet.
Now that Lord Durin is in charge, everything’s more complicated. For one thing, Alana’s father is Durin’s right-hand man, which means the teen must contend with courtly manners, stuffy traditions, and noble obligations, though she’d rather be practicing how to create portals and fight monsters. For another, Durin’s rule is still tenuous, leaving him and all who support him open to attack. And as if that weren’t enough, Alana must find time to protect her friends, salvage her relationship, and keep up with her studies enough to actually graduate.
Brilliantly combining traditional and progression fantasy with elements of romance, humor, dark academia, and action-adventure, Melody of Mana 3 is an irresistible addition to any genre fan’s collection.
The third volume of the hit progression-fantasy series—with more than two million views on Royal Road—now available on Audible and wherever ebooks are sold!
Ever since Alana was reborn in the Kingdom of Bergond, her life has been a series of adventures and surprises. But waking up to discover the kingdom has been conquered, her school has been destroyed, and her parents are back in her life might be the biggest shock yet.
Now that Lord Durin is in charge, everything’s more complicated. For one thing, Alana’s father is Durin’s right-hand man, which means the teen must contend with courtly manners, stuffy traditions, and noble obligations, though she’d rather be practicing how to create portals and fight monsters. For another, Durin’s rule is still tenuous, leaving him and all who support him open to attack. And as if that weren’t enough, Alana must find time to protect her friends, salvage her relationship, and keep up with her studies enough to actually graduate.
Brilliantly combining traditional and progression fantasy with elements of romance, humor, dark academia, and action-adventure, Melody of Mana 3 is an irresistible addition to any genre fan’s collection.
The third volume of the hit progression-fantasy series—with more than two million views on Royal Road—now available on Audible and wherever ebooks are sold!
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First published March 13, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 4, 2023
All the Magic is Gone
First I want to address the disappointing change in the characters behavior. The moment her family returns she turned from this fierce, independent interesting person, to a boring obedient teenager. who cares that your family is responsible for destroying the only nation you have known. Who cares that they are hypocrites who said they wanted to end the inefficiencies of nobility but keep all the Nobel traditions. There was zero questioning of her families motivations or dialog on if she felt they were right or not. She Capsulated to everything her teacher and dad said. All the carful caution she showed with her ideas went out the window when her old teacher showed up. Her magic was a side note and we learned very little about the magic system in this book. The author just coped out and fast forwarded time and stated that she got stronger. Nothing new or original for a already slow moving uninteresting magic system.
First I want to address the disappointing change in the characters behavior. The moment her family returns she turned from this fierce, independent interesting person, to a boring obedient teenager. who cares that your family is responsible for destroying the only nation you have known. Who cares that they are hypocrites who said they wanted to end the inefficiencies of nobility but keep all the Nobel traditions. There was zero questioning of her families motivations or dialog on if she felt they were right or not. She Capsulated to everything her teacher and dad said. All the carful caution she showed with her ideas went out the window when her old teacher showed up. Her magic was a side note and we learned very little about the magic system in this book. The author just coped out and fast forwarded time and stated that she got stronger. Nothing new or original for a already slow moving uninteresting magic system.
March 19, 2024
I reviewed this as a series. It was really good. Details at the review of the first.
August 8, 2023
She should have just picked up her flute and left.
Alana, who has collectively lived a minimum of around 35 years now, is hung up on a second family that abandoned her 10 years ago. She goes from an independent person to basically capitulating to everything mommy and daddy say with minimal griping. This book is a melancholic journey through the next 4 years of the protagonists life where none of the action really serves to move the plot. This is the story of a bard that struck out on her own, fought against the odds, made a place for herself, made a name for herself, and then boldly... moved back in with her parents for some reason I guess.
Alana, who has collectively lived a minimum of around 35 years now, is hung up on a second family that abandoned her 10 years ago. She goes from an independent person to basically capitulating to everything mommy and daddy say with minimal griping. This book is a melancholic journey through the next 4 years of the protagonists life where none of the action really serves to move the plot. This is the story of a bard that struck out on her own, fought against the odds, made a place for herself, made a name for herself, and then boldly... moved back in with her parents for some reason I guess.
April 6, 2025
This felt like a weak entry to me for a variety of reasons, but namely because it felt like nothing but a transition volume.
There was just enough important stuff that happened to make a time-skip feel like you missed some things, but not enough happening to make the book feel substantial. There may be something to bards always being on the move, because it felt like everything just stagnated while remaining in the same location.
While the family reunion was nice, it was hard to really enjoy Alana falling back into a somewhat docile role of teenage daughter merely dealing with her mother's nagging and the typical school issues a high schooler would face.
This book sets up another adventure in a faraway land for the next volume, though I'm not entirely sure I'm interested in where things are heading. Sure, there's some political turmoil and potentially another conflict on the horizon with the royal remnants, but I'm not sure I care a lot. I also can't help but think it will take a backseat to the expedition plot.
Volume 4 tends to be a crossroads for me with a series, so I guess I'll find out soon.
There was just enough important stuff that happened to make a time-skip feel like you missed some things, but not enough happening to make the book feel substantial. There may be something to bards always being on the move, because it felt like everything just stagnated while remaining in the same location.
While the family reunion was nice, it was hard to really enjoy Alana falling back into a somewhat docile role of teenage daughter merely dealing with her mother's nagging and the typical school issues a high schooler would face.
This book sets up another adventure in a faraway land for the next volume, though I'm not entirely sure I'm interested in where things are heading. Sure, there's some political turmoil and potentially another conflict on the horizon with the royal remnants, but I'm not sure I care a lot. I also can't help but think it will take a backseat to the expedition plot.
Volume 4 tends to be a crossroads for me with a series, so I guess I'll find out soon.
May 1, 2024
Great addition 4.5/5
March 29, 2023
Great Continuation of the Series with a Small Caveat
Some minor, non-specific spoilers for the book are present in this review.
I enjoyed almost all of this book and most of the twists and new developments. I like how Alana continues to have knowledge beyond most others in minor ways but has a few big secrets as well. I also like how her perspective from Earth clashes with some of the more rigid ideas of this world around inequality, autocracy, and their Victorian attitudes.
I was disappointed in the developments between Alana and Kala. I know the changes were foreshadowed, and I know the author has signalled that Alana isn't interested sexually in most women. However, I feel like the way it played out really minimizes their relationship and makes it seem fake. The way Kala seems really miserable over it, especially compared with Alana, also doesn't feel good as a reader.
It feels like the author is setting her up to end up with a guy, and that will both play into her mother's misogynistic expectations of the roles of women in society as well as society's expectations. Both of those are things that Alana has frequently railed against, so it will feel like she's giving up if she settles for a typical relationship with a guy that society (and her mother) will easily accept.
I'd still recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed the first two. While I harped on the relationship of two characters, literally everything else was great.
Some minor, non-specific spoilers for the book are present in this review.
I enjoyed almost all of this book and most of the twists and new developments. I like how Alana continues to have knowledge beyond most others in minor ways but has a few big secrets as well. I also like how her perspective from Earth clashes with some of the more rigid ideas of this world around inequality, autocracy, and their Victorian attitudes.
I was disappointed in the developments between Alana and Kala. I know the changes were foreshadowed, and I know the author has signalled that Alana isn't interested sexually in most women. However, I feel like the way it played out really minimizes their relationship and makes it seem fake. The way Kala seems really miserable over it, especially compared with Alana, also doesn't feel good as a reader.
It feels like the author is setting her up to end up with a guy, and that will both play into her mother's misogynistic expectations of the roles of women in society as well as society's expectations. Both of those are things that Alana has frequently railed against, so it will feel like she's giving up if she settles for a typical relationship with a guy that society (and her mother) will easily accept.
I'd still recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed the first two. While I harped on the relationship of two characters, literally everything else was great.
April 1, 2025
I felt like I read a summary of someone who read a progression fantasy book.
Book 1 and 2 were both five stars for me. What happen?
This felt like a filler book. The author was done with the school saga and just blasted through like 4-5 years with time skip after time skip. No big plot points, no progression with the MC’s magic, no time building up the side characters. We just get a little synopsis about what happened over X time period and told that she’s stronger now. Idk if she ever uses any magic that she didn’t already know before she went to school.
Also, isn’t she basically like 40 years old by the end of this?? Why does she still act like a teen. Are we just forgetting the whole reincarnation thing happened??
Idk if I’ll continue. This was such a big let down on a series that I really started to love.
Book 1 and 2 were both five stars for me. What happen?
This felt like a filler book. The author was done with the school saga and just blasted through like 4-5 years with time skip after time skip. No big plot points, no progression with the MC’s magic, no time building up the side characters. We just get a little synopsis about what happened over X time period and told that she’s stronger now. Idk if she ever uses any magic that she didn’t already know before she went to school.
Also, isn’t she basically like 40 years old by the end of this?? Why does she still act like a teen. Are we just forgetting the whole reincarnation thing happened??
Idk if I’ll continue. This was such a big let down on a series that I really started to love.
April 27, 2023
I now understand why bards must travel
I was really looking forward to this book but, it didn't scratch the itch that the prior books scratched so well. The entire book felt like the Falling Action and we were falling into a melancholic spiral with no resolution in sight. There was no catharsis or novelty just setting up pieces for the next game. This is a book I would skip if re-read the series.
There were 3 main topics I in the book: family, politics/magic, and romance
1. Family
I liked how the family dynamic is really awkward and strained as it should be after many years apart. I didn't yearn for the family reunion and neither it would seem did Alana, which is a choice that I like.
2. Politics/magic
Politics are only interesting if you have a vested interest in affairs, which Alana doesn't and therefore I don't really either. Similarly magic is a means to an end, most of the magic felt purposeless in both the minor and grand scheme of things.
3. Romance
Dras and Pinea bearing the cost of revolution through love and death was nice and well done.
Alana and Kala's relationship left me feeling dyspeptic, sour, melancholic or disappointed. It wasn't painful enough to be meaningful or meaningful enough to be painful. While dispassion is an interesting and multi-faceted way to end a relationship, I don't think it fit the characters, the narrative of their relationship, or the society/world. It ended up feeling like the motivation was to end Alana and Kala's relationship, without sufficient rational.
Above were my "constructive" thoughts about the romance now to rant a bit:
Hopefully the next book will be a return to form.
I was really looking forward to this book but, it didn't scratch the itch that the prior books scratched so well. The entire book felt like the Falling Action and we were falling into a melancholic spiral with no resolution in sight. There was no catharsis or novelty just setting up pieces for the next game. This is a book I would skip if re-read the series.
There were 3 main topics I in the book: family, politics/magic, and romance
1. Family
I liked how the family dynamic is really awkward and strained as it should be after many years apart. I didn't yearn for the family reunion and neither it would seem did Alana, which is a choice that I like.
2. Politics/magic
Politics are only interesting if you have a vested interest in affairs, which Alana doesn't and therefore I don't really either. Similarly magic is a means to an end, most of the magic felt purposeless in both the minor and grand scheme of things.
3. Romance
Dras and Pinea bearing the cost of revolution through love and death was nice and well done.
Alana and Kala's relationship left me feeling dyspeptic, sour, melancholic or disappointed. It wasn't painful enough to be meaningful or meaningful enough to be painful. While dispassion is an interesting and multi-faceted way to end a relationship, I don't think it fit the characters, the narrative of their relationship, or the society/world. It ended up feeling like the motivation was to end Alana and Kala's relationship, without sufficient rational.
Above were my "constructive" thoughts about the romance now to rant a bit:
Hopefully the next book will be a return to form.
March 29, 2023
Another great entry in the series.
The story is really good, but if the characters that drive a good book for me. They are also realistic and practical for the world they're in. I also find the main character interesting and enjoyable. I actually find myself relating a lot to the main character. I think she is an introverted bard. Which seems weird, most people would think that a Bard is someone who is extroverted and enjoys spending a lot of time partying and talking with people. Well she does enjoy all that, she likes to spend most of her time researching and studying magic. She only has a few close friends that she likes to hang out with. Similar to an introverted orchestra player or soloist. They enjoy practicing alone and learning their music, but they also enjoy performing and letting everyone experience what they've worked so hard on.
Anyways, people overall seem pretty realistic. Even all the side characters in background characters. There are a lot of characters that I liked the first two books, that went through a major change due to the war. I can't spoil anything, but I found it kind of realistic. How some people couldn't adjust with the times.
I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series. Thanks, author!
The story is really good, but if the characters that drive a good book for me. They are also realistic and practical for the world they're in. I also find the main character interesting and enjoyable. I actually find myself relating a lot to the main character. I think she is an introverted bard. Which seems weird, most people would think that a Bard is someone who is extroverted and enjoys spending a lot of time partying and talking with people. Well she does enjoy all that, she likes to spend most of her time researching and studying magic. She only has a few close friends that she likes to hang out with. Similar to an introverted orchestra player or soloist. They enjoy practicing alone and learning their music, but they also enjoy performing and letting everyone experience what they've worked so hard on.
Anyways, people overall seem pretty realistic. Even all the side characters in background characters. There are a lot of characters that I liked the first two books, that went through a major change due to the war. I can't spoil anything, but I found it kind of realistic. How some people couldn't adjust with the times.
I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series. Thanks, author!
July 26, 2023
The third entry of Melody of Mana is well-written and advances the story, in several interesting ways. But it was the same price for 2/3rds of what we read in the first and second entries, which seemed unfair to the reader, knowing this is a serial writing effort. The awkward issues to be expected in her family reunion were well-done and realistic. A unique feature of this story is how the main character is naturally introverted...and quite a welcome feature, which distinguishes it from other fantasies. The world-building is grand, as well as characterizations, and I was very happy the plot didn't delve mostly on "battles", a mistake too many fantasy writers make. Purely a personal opinion, of course. The magic system continues to intrigue!
April 7, 2024
Just a big No.
The MC is not behaving like an approximately 35-40 year old. Its more like I'd perceive a 14-22 year old might. If the whole reincarnation part of the story was cut out I could consider the mc's behaviour somewhat understandable if naive, emotionally stunted and intellectually limited.
On the whole characterization for not only the MC is questionable and shallow, lacking in background reasoning.
There are more issues but I will skip going into them. I tried giving this series a chance but two and a half books in and I doubt it will improve. The author seems blind to the issues.
The MC is not behaving like an approximately 35-40 year old. Its more like I'd perceive a 14-22 year old might. If the whole reincarnation part of the story was cut out I could consider the mc's behaviour somewhat understandable if naive, emotionally stunted and intellectually limited.
On the whole characterization for not only the MC is questionable and shallow, lacking in background reasoning.
There are more issues but I will skip going into them. I tried giving this series a chance but two and a half books in and I doubt it will improve. The author seems blind to the issues.
February 3, 2025
Finally, The FMC is back with her family which also happens to be the "enemy". The book is about acclimating to the regime change and the lifestyle change for the FMC. She is essentially a stranger to her family as they have been separated for so long but they have all been looking for each other or the FMC had the intention to find her family at some point. This book had a lot more slice of life with some action. Overall, another enjoyable read and I look forward to see where it goes from here.
March 23, 2025
This installment was rather forgettable. I read it just a few days ago and can barely remember what happened; I was surprised to see I was reading book 4 already and wondered if I had skipped 3 accidentally. After reading the synopsis, here's my review: It wasn't bad, that I'd remember, but wasn't great either. It was like a slice-of-life book, where so far it seems nothing important to the overarching plot happened but the main character learns a new important/powerful spell or two.
March 28, 2023
weakest volume
I’ve enjoyed this series, but this one is the weakest. There weren’t any villains or antagonists to threaten the characters, which was disappointing considering the dangers and tribulations Alana faced in the first two books. I didn’t care for her family and this book didn’t introduce any new characters I found interesting.
I’ve enjoyed this series, but this one is the weakest. There weren’t any villains or antagonists to threaten the characters, which was disappointing considering the dangers and tribulations Alana faced in the first two books. I didn’t care for her family and this book didn’t introduce any new characters I found interesting.
April 7, 2023
This volume is quite a bit slower than the last one, setting up more intrigue and preparing for future arcs. Many things change as Alana now has to navigate the politics she's never cared for, and her bard's soul strains as more chains get cast around her. The way it's going, I wouldn't be surprised if she just up and disappeared on everyone one day and started wandering again.
July 27, 2023
This installment had noticeably lower stakes and a less obvious and satisfying plot arc than the first two books. It felt like a bridge from book 2 to whatever larger plot is going to happen in book 4. I think it was still necessary, and preferable to fast forwarding through 4 years or so of the protagonist's life. Overall, I enjoyed it despite the abrupt ending and less satisfying arc.
June 17, 2024
I liked the first 2 books a bit more. This whole book is the main character doing whatever she’s told and giving away all of her magic secrets to the new military regime. She just felt like a pushover in this one. Also her being 16 years old to 20 years old in the last few chapters felt really rushed
October 13, 2023
Excellent
This was another excellent addition to the series, with a few more time jumps within to speed things along a bit. The main character is still likable, and her growth is very impressive as well. I’m excited for what the fourth book has to hold in the future as well.
This was another excellent addition to the series, with a few more time jumps within to speed things along a bit. The main character is still likable, and her growth is very impressive as well. I’m excited for what the fourth book has to hold in the future as well.
December 17, 2023
This saga never disappoints
There's much more growth in this entry in the series and we Alana turn into a young adult. There's a lot of character development and political changes that dictate the course the saga will take and I can't wait to see where it leads.
There's much more growth in this entry in the series and we Alana turn into a young adult. There's a lot of character development and political changes that dictate the course the saga will take and I can't wait to see where it leads.
January 16, 2025
This seems like a waypoint. It's tying up all the loose ends, and finishing the school arc.
I wonder what the next book will be about (don't have to wonder, already have book four).
3/5 Stars
I wonder what the next book will be about (don't have to wonder, already have book four).
3/5 Stars
September 28, 2025
Reading on Royal Road. Really appreciated no mean girls at school. Really appreciated someone into their magical studies and not sighing over boys and how they smell. Political intrigue and world building are excellent.
October 25, 2023
loved it
An unexpected great story. Tons of interesting events happening at the school and nice character growth. Looking forward to the next one.
An unexpected great story. Tons of interesting events happening at the school and nice character growth. Looking forward to the next one.
April 20, 2024
I like the ambiguity of the revolutionary leadership. Is it good, bad, or something entirely different?
April 7, 2025
3 to 3.5 stars, very much like the other books. I do like the series as this is the kind of book I enjoy and will continue with the series.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews