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The Blade Mage #6
Anything But Cozy
"I love these novels!"
- V.L. Stuart, Orb and Arrow
Just a simple murder.
Except it has occurred in the cozy little wizard town of Treat.
An old friend invited me to have a look. The local mages are afraid it's a mythical monster from local folklore. Spooky. Best I can tell, though, it's just a murder. We're short on suspects and the local authorities don't want me involved anyway.
But hey, it wasn't like the victim was well liked. Maybe this one doesn't require a Blade Mage.
Until more bodies start to drop.
With a wizard-hunting monster on the loose and power-hungry sorcerers about, I might have taken on more than I can chew this time. But…that's par for the course.
One thing is for Treat is anything but cozy.
"Written with a keen sense of wit and humor, Phillip Drayer Duncan delivers a thrilling journey in a world filled with magic and mystery."
- Shayne Easson, The Rhythm of a Jaded Heart
- V.L. Stuart, Orb and Arrow
Just a simple murder.
Except it has occurred in the cozy little wizard town of Treat.
An old friend invited me to have a look. The local mages are afraid it's a mythical monster from local folklore. Spooky. Best I can tell, though, it's just a murder. We're short on suspects and the local authorities don't want me involved anyway.
But hey, it wasn't like the victim was well liked. Maybe this one doesn't require a Blade Mage.
Until more bodies start to drop.
With a wizard-hunting monster on the loose and power-hungry sorcerers about, I might have taken on more than I can chew this time. But…that's par for the course.
One thing is for Treat is anything but cozy.
"Written with a keen sense of wit and humor, Phillip Drayer Duncan delivers a thrilling journey in a world filled with magic and mystery."
- Shayne Easson, The Rhythm of a Jaded Heart
739 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 11, 2025
About the author
Phillip Drayer Duncan
47 books25 followersPhillip Drayer Duncan has written over ten novels and is the only author who has ever sponsored a racecar…probably. His work has been published by Yard Dog Press, Pro Se Productions, Seventh Star Press, and Happy Omega Publishing.
Along with reading and writing, he enjoys kayaking, fishing, video games, and telling bad jokes. Phillip’s natural habitats include the rivers and lakes of the Ozarks, but he may also be spotted at a con or concert. During the cold season, he hibernates beneath a pile of books and video games. He is generally an approachable creature; however, it’s best to give him snacks to ensure he won’t bite. Cookies are best.
His earliest books were acted out with action figures and scribbled into notebooks. Today, he uses a computer like a real grownup, though he refuses to act his age the rest of the time. If it would pay his bills, he’d be playing with G.I. Joes right now.
His greatest dream in life is to become a Jedi, but since that hasn’t happened yet, he focuses on writing and eagerly awaits the next season of Firefly. He demanded we mention that he is a best smelling author.
PhillipDrayerDuncan.com
Along with reading and writing, he enjoys kayaking, fishing, video games, and telling bad jokes. Phillip’s natural habitats include the rivers and lakes of the Ozarks, but he may also be spotted at a con or concert. During the cold season, he hibernates beneath a pile of books and video games. He is generally an approachable creature; however, it’s best to give him snacks to ensure he won’t bite. Cookies are best.
His earliest books were acted out with action figures and scribbled into notebooks. Today, he uses a computer like a real grownup, though he refuses to act his age the rest of the time. If it would pay his bills, he’d be playing with G.I. Joes right now.
His greatest dream in life is to become a Jedi, but since that hasn’t happened yet, he focuses on writing and eagerly awaits the next season of Firefly. He demanded we mention that he is a best smelling author.
PhillipDrayerDuncan.com
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 17, 2026
good storyline, good character growth (could use some proofreading)
Book 6 of the Blade Mage books continues to be an amusing sword and sorcery kind of book. Once again, the hero and his (incredibly juvenile) sidekick stumble into a nest of problems and solves them in a swashbuckling/amusing fashion. Following the developments in the book 5, hero is continuing to grow as a person. Which adds interest to the story to see how he’s learning to be a better person and mage.
I do like the author’s storytelling.
However, there are a couple of things that I think detract from the book.
The book relies on the character and sidekick using juvenile wordplay which can get a bit tiring. A lot of childish nicknames and and jokes which sometimes seems like he’s writing for a 16-year-old male audience.
The proofreading could be upgraded. Not counting the odd words used in the ramblings of the characters, the book just uses words wrong. For example, using the word “decorum” verses “decor” when describing a room, the use of the word “negative” verses “negligent”. There are also cases when the words are scrambled such as “he was good a man” versus “he was a good man”. If your person who likes their books to be well proofed, the books will tend to get on your nerves a tad.
I do think the story line good enough to make worth skimming through the annoying parts.
Book 6 of the Blade Mage books continues to be an amusing sword and sorcery kind of book. Once again, the hero and his (incredibly juvenile) sidekick stumble into a nest of problems and solves them in a swashbuckling/amusing fashion. Following the developments in the book 5, hero is continuing to grow as a person. Which adds interest to the story to see how he’s learning to be a better person and mage.
I do like the author’s storytelling.
However, there are a couple of things that I think detract from the book.
The book relies on the character and sidekick using juvenile wordplay which can get a bit tiring. A lot of childish nicknames and and jokes which sometimes seems like he’s writing for a 16-year-old male audience.
The proofreading could be upgraded. Not counting the odd words used in the ramblings of the characters, the book just uses words wrong. For example, using the word “decorum” verses “decor” when describing a room, the use of the word “negative” verses “negligent”. There are also cases when the words are scrambled such as “he was good a man” versus “he was a good man”. If your person who likes their books to be well proofed, the books will tend to get on your nerves a tad.
I do think the story line good enough to make worth skimming through the annoying parts.
October 19, 2025
outstanding urban fantasy!
A great mystery wrapped up in an Urban Fantasy setting with believable characters and well written dialogue! A fallible MC and hysterical sidekick enter the twists and turns of solving this mystery, and there was no way I could figure it out until the big reveal. Unique idea of magic, and I love that the resolution is not about who has the biggest strongest power, like so many Urban Fantasies. In fact, the MC is not really that powerful, instead he must use his mind to solve the mystery. Great writing! Highly recommended!
A great mystery wrapped up in an Urban Fantasy setting with believable characters and well written dialogue! A fallible MC and hysterical sidekick enter the twists and turns of solving this mystery, and there was no way I could figure it out until the big reveal. Unique idea of magic, and I love that the resolution is not about who has the biggest strongest power, like so many Urban Fantasies. In fact, the MC is not really that powerful, instead he must use his mind to solve the mystery. Great writing! Highly recommended!
April 15, 2025
Love this story, love the characters and love the world building.
I just wish the author would tone down Axel a tiny bit. As it stands now he's about 95 % eccentric and 5 % brilliant. He could still be the comic relief if he were only 75% eccentric and 25 % brilliant.
I love that Wyatt is becoming more sure of himself and I really hope his lessons continue in the next book, but with a bit more personal attention.
I just wish the author would tone down Axel a tiny bit. As it stands now he's about 95 % eccentric and 5 % brilliant. He could still be the comic relief if he were only 75% eccentric and 25 % brilliant.
I love that Wyatt is becoming more sure of himself and I really hope his lessons continue in the next book, but with a bit more personal attention.
July 4, 2025
Don't Read Right Before Bedtime
If you do, you'll be up after midnight because you can't put it down. I have devoured all 6 books in the series. Duncan is a master at full throttle action. The characters are well developed, and the interactions between them are very believable. He also writes with his tongue firmly fixed in his cheek. So much is laugh out loud funny. I can't wait for book #7. If you are a fan of urban fantasy, as I am, you will not be disappointed.
If you do, you'll be up after midnight because you can't put it down. I have devoured all 6 books in the series. Duncan is a master at full throttle action. The characters are well developed, and the interactions between them are very believable. He also writes with his tongue firmly fixed in his cheek. So much is laugh out loud funny. I can't wait for book #7. If you are a fan of urban fantasy, as I am, you will not be disappointed.
April 12, 2025
Love this series
Great characters, good guys and bad guys.
Laugh out loud interactions between characters.
Definitely need to read the books in order to appreciate each story.
I hope the author writes numerous additional books in this series. I definitely want the evil to be conquered, but want to share more adventures with the heroes before then.
Great characters, good guys and bad guys.
Laugh out loud interactions between characters.
Definitely need to read the books in order to appreciate each story.
I hope the author writes numerous additional books in this series. I definitely want the evil to be conquered, but want to share more adventures with the heroes before then.
August 19, 2025
another terrific read
PDD has a great voice for his characters. They are funny, serious, amusing and downright rude. All the while showing that they care for one another and the project they are on. I’m really enjoying these books,
On to the next adventure.
PDD has a great voice for his characters. They are funny, serious, amusing and downright rude. All the while showing that they care for one another and the project they are on. I’m really enjoying these books,
On to the next adventure.
February 18, 2026
Another rollicking good story
I love the combination of great storytelling, terrific character development and outstanding location construction. There’s action, humor and suspense. What’s not to love?
I love the combination of great storytelling, terrific character development and outstanding location construction. There’s action, humor and suspense. What’s not to love?
June 18, 2025
Better and better!
I feel like this is the pivotal book, and things are going to get much more interesting from here. Extra star given for weekend at Burmese. Absolutely fantastic!
I feel like this is the pivotal book, and things are going to get much more interesting from here. Extra star given for weekend at Burmese. Absolutely fantastic!
July 9, 2025
Great read
All of the books in this series keeps me turning pages. Not one moment of boredom.
Can't wait to read the next one.
All of the books in this series keeps me turning pages. Not one moment of boredom.
Can't wait to read the next one.
December 2, 2025
So good
Damn these books are good. The dialogue is funny and serious and heart warming and snarky. I wanna hit and hug Axel all the time. "Dragon Kick!"
Damn these books are good. The dialogue is funny and serious and heart warming and snarky. I wanna hit and hug Axel all the time. "Dragon Kick!"
March 18, 2026
Still going strong! Downside: of the 11 highlights I made; 10 of them were editing errors. Have I ever mentioned that is my biggest pet peeve?
September 12, 2025
It really took 6 books for this idiot to ask to be paid for his work? Seriously the most frustrating thing that I was constantly getting distracted with considering how often the character comments about being broke. Other than that, I like the story and writing. Looking forward to the rest of the series for however long it goes.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews