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The Fall of Magic
The world still carries its wounds from the first age as it heals from the devastation caused by the War of Strife and Sorrow. A new danger looms, threatening to plunge the world of Auro into an age of darkness, yet amidst the gloom, there exists hope—a fragile thing, either rewarded or punished by fate.
A once noble prince, infected by the corruption of the fade, leads his sinister army across the land, leaving destruction in their wake. His sights are set on the realm where the gods once walked among the people. The prince’s ultimate to obliterate the sacred seat of hope and virtue—the elven city of Valenthreas.
Volir, a lone elf with a hidden past, trains with the Knights of the Phoenix, legendary warriors who defy the darkness. His only to be chosen by a phoenix and leave Valenthreas to live out his days in solitude.
Now, with the entire realm at risk and his parents’ unjust death haunting his mind, he must make a choice—one that will echo throughout the annals of history, shaping the destiny of all. Will he choose to follow the light within?
A once noble prince, infected by the corruption of the fade, leads his sinister army across the land, leaving destruction in their wake. His sights are set on the realm where the gods once walked among the people. The prince’s ultimate to obliterate the sacred seat of hope and virtue—the elven city of Valenthreas.
Volir, a lone elf with a hidden past, trains with the Knights of the Phoenix, legendary warriors who defy the darkness. His only to be chosen by a phoenix and leave Valenthreas to live out his days in solitude.
Now, with the entire realm at risk and his parents’ unjust death haunting his mind, he must make a choice—one that will echo throughout the annals of history, shaping the destiny of all. Will he choose to follow the light within?
Audible Audio
Published April 22, 2025
41 people are currently reading
314 people want to read
About the author
Phoenix Rokni
1 book38 followersPhoenix Rokni has been captivated by stories all his life. As a child, he often explored the woods with his brothers, wielding a cardboard shield in one hand and a wooden sword in the other. Later, he served in the U.S. Army and, following an honorable discharge, earned a master’s degree in counseling psychology. After years of dedicating himself to helping others, he chose to close his private practice to pursue his true passion—storytelling. For over twenty years, he had been crafting a vast world filled with heroes, villains, magic, and wonder. Realizing the time had come to share these stories, he embarked on his journey as an author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 214 reviews
July 15, 2025
Big thanks to TheNerdfam for setting me up with this one. I can already tell this series is going to be something special.
This has all the ingredients of a great epic. A large, fully realized world. A magic system that stands out from the usual tropes. And characters who come with real weight, the kind that feel like they have lived lives before page one. You can feel the scars, the regrets, and the drive behind their choices. I found myself invested quickly, not just in what was happening, but in the people it was happening to.
The magic system was a highlight. It is clever, unique in some key ways, and adds real tension to the story. Nothing feels overpowered or thrown in just to be flashy. It has rules, it has cost, and it shapes the world in a believable way. Always a win.
Pacing was solid for the most part, but there were a few spots where it felt like things ramped up too fast. The buildup is steady, then suddenly we are hitting a climax and it is over. Not a dealbreaker, just something that stood out. Though to be fair, this is clearly the start of a bigger journey. I am chalking some of that to book one setup.
The worldbuilding was immersive. It feels like a place with real history, where things are happening outside of what we see. Cultures, cities, tensions, it all works together to make a setting that is easy to get lost in.
Overall, this was a strong start. Great characters, a compelling magic system, and enough promise in the setup to make me excited for what comes next. If you are looking for a new epic fantasy with heart, depth, and just enough edge, this one is worth picking up.
This has all the ingredients of a great epic. A large, fully realized world. A magic system that stands out from the usual tropes. And characters who come with real weight, the kind that feel like they have lived lives before page one. You can feel the scars, the regrets, and the drive behind their choices. I found myself invested quickly, not just in what was happening, but in the people it was happening to.
The magic system was a highlight. It is clever, unique in some key ways, and adds real tension to the story. Nothing feels overpowered or thrown in just to be flashy. It has rules, it has cost, and it shapes the world in a believable way. Always a win.
Pacing was solid for the most part, but there were a few spots where it felt like things ramped up too fast. The buildup is steady, then suddenly we are hitting a climax and it is over. Not a dealbreaker, just something that stood out. Though to be fair, this is clearly the start of a bigger journey. I am chalking some of that to book one setup.
The worldbuilding was immersive. It feels like a place with real history, where things are happening outside of what we see. Cultures, cities, tensions, it all works together to make a setting that is easy to get lost in.
Overall, this was a strong start. Great characters, a compelling magic system, and enough promise in the setup to make me excited for what comes next. If you are looking for a new epic fantasy with heart, depth, and just enough edge, this one is worth picking up.
June 9, 2025
The Fall of Magic is an engaging and imaginative fantasy that stands out for its strong world-building and fresh take on fantasy. Written in third person, the story pulls you into a richly detailed world where elves feel deeply human-flawed, compassionate, and relatable.
One of my favorite elements was the inclusion of everyday touches that made the world feel more grounded-like an elf who owns cats. It's a small detail, but one that felt both unexpected and charming. I don't think I've ever read a fantasy novel where a character has a pet as common and cozy as a cat, and it added a unique warmth to the story.
I'll be honest: third person isn't usually my favorite point of view, but the author handled it with skill, balancing character insight and narrative flow in a way that kept me fully invested. That said, I'd love to see what he could do with a dual POV format-now that would be right up my alley.
All in all, this was a fantastic debut. If you enjoy character-driven fantasy with thoughtful world-building and a touch of the unexpected, The Fall of Magic is definitely worth your time. I'm eager to see what this author comes up with next!
One of my favorite elements was the inclusion of everyday touches that made the world feel more grounded-like an elf who owns cats. It's a small detail, but one that felt both unexpected and charming. I don't think I've ever read a fantasy novel where a character has a pet as common and cozy as a cat, and it added a unique warmth to the story.
I'll be honest: third person isn't usually my favorite point of view, but the author handled it with skill, balancing character insight and narrative flow in a way that kept me fully invested. That said, I'd love to see what he could do with a dual POV format-now that would be right up my alley.
All in all, this was a fantastic debut. If you enjoy character-driven fantasy with thoughtful world-building and a touch of the unexpected, The Fall of Magic is definitely worth your time. I'm eager to see what this author comes up with next!
October 21, 2025
4.5 rounded up. This is an amazing debut! Wonderful characters and lots of hope! And a twist I didn't see coming! The magic was really fresh and different, that was my favorite part! Also this has a very classic vibe to it, not a complaint by any means! If you want to sink your teeth into something new, with some familiar elements, I highly recommend this book! There was so much love and heart put into this! I do need book 2 though! I was given an arc by the author in exchange for an honest review!
December 25, 2025
A Magical Fantasy Potion of Action, Heart, and Lore to die for!
This book delivers everything a fantasy lover yearns for! It throws you into a world teeming with enchanting lore, where legendary warriors, ancient elves, and majestic phoenixes feel vividly real. At the heart of it all is a gripping narrative featuring a corrupted Prince, whose path sets the stage for monumental conflict.
But the true star is Volir, a protagonist who will utterly steal your heart. His journey is the soul of this tale, making you cheer, fear, and hope right alongside him.
The author masterfully balances an action-packed storyline with moments of poignant character development. The pacing is impeccable, never lagging, yet giving the adorable cast and rich world-building room to breathe and captivate. The prose itself is woven with the author's magical pen, creating an immersive and lyrical experience.
A note on the audiobook: It’s a brilliant performance that elevates the text, giving distinct, compelling life to these magnificent characters. It’s a must-listen.
In short, this is an epic fantasy like no other! A perfectly woven tapestry of everything that makes the genre great. An absolute must-read (and must-listen) gem.
This book delivers everything a fantasy lover yearns for! It throws you into a world teeming with enchanting lore, where legendary warriors, ancient elves, and majestic phoenixes feel vividly real. At the heart of it all is a gripping narrative featuring a corrupted Prince, whose path sets the stage for monumental conflict.
But the true star is Volir, a protagonist who will utterly steal your heart. His journey is the soul of this tale, making you cheer, fear, and hope right alongside him.
The author masterfully balances an action-packed storyline with moments of poignant character development. The pacing is impeccable, never lagging, yet giving the adorable cast and rich world-building room to breathe and captivate. The prose itself is woven with the author's magical pen, creating an immersive and lyrical experience.
A note on the audiobook: It’s a brilliant performance that elevates the text, giving distinct, compelling life to these magnificent characters. It’s a must-listen.
In short, this is an epic fantasy like no other! A perfectly woven tapestry of everything that makes the genre great. An absolute must-read (and must-listen) gem.
July 8, 2025
The Fall of Magic is such a quiet fantasy that is completely emotional. Our MMC is a stoic knight with baggage, bonded to a phoenix and carrying way more pain than he lets on. The writing is so thoughtful but can be a bit slow at times. Due to the immersive world building the slow pacing kinda but fits the world but honestly this is a story about grief, purpose, and the creeping return of something dark and ancient. Really original fantasy at its core, something to evoke emotion while telling a story.
I really loved the connection between knights and their phoenixes, and the way relationships carried weight even when people barely spoke. However with the lack of speaking, some parts dragged on a bit especially where there were periods during long internal reflections. I kept wishing it would do a little more rather than just feel everything.
Still, if you like your fantasy broody, loyal, and laced with magical sadness, this one’s worth your time.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for access to the eARC in exchange for my honest review!
#TheNerdFam #TheFallofMagic
I really loved the connection between knights and their phoenixes, and the way relationships carried weight even when people barely spoke. However with the lack of speaking, some parts dragged on a bit especially where there were periods during long internal reflections. I kept wishing it would do a little more rather than just feel everything.
Still, if you like your fantasy broody, loyal, and laced with magical sadness, this one’s worth your time.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for access to the eARC in exchange for my honest review!
#TheNerdFam #TheFallofMagic
October 8, 2025
3.25 Stars!
The TLDR: This was a solid debut novel from Phoenix Rokni. Epic or High Fantasy can be a challenging genre to write. While Rokni struggled with a few aspects, he clearly has vision and talent for interesting world building, plot development, and creating unique characters that stand out.
The good: The Fall of Magic has some unique and interesting characteristics including the mythical phoenix as bonded familiars. The elves are familiar enough to be comfortable, but also unique to Rokni's world. Rokni includes other races and creatures both familiar and new to enjoy. "The Fade" is the big bad in this world and I find the whole concept fascinating. It makes one consider than an individual is not inherently evil, but also anyone, no matter their heart and intentions can be corrupted from forces beyond their control.
The Neutral? Depending on your view, this can be a good, bad, or indifferent. Whether intentional or perhaps seen only through my personal lens, Rokni seems to have taken a page from George R.R. Martin. Without giving too much away, let me just say that there was a certain unexpected death of characters that the reader is made to fall in love with. It was truly a WTH moment and I needed a breather. If I had been reading the physical book instead of the audiobook I probably would have thrown the book down in despair. This surprise, though heartbreaking, was one of the things I loved. It shows great writing ability to build a character so loved that the reader feels devastation when that character is hurt or dies.
The Bad: My biggest issue with the book was that while reading one phrase kept running through my head; "Show. Don't tell." Show me in actions and story details what a character looks likes, their personality, traits, or how others view them. Don't tell me the character is dark and mysterious. Show me how he sits in the shadows, his clothes blending with shades of black that surround him. Don't tell me that one character mistrust another. Show me how the first character questions the one that is mistrusted, or watches them a few seconds longer than others, or takes the time to consider what was said for possible duplicitous meanings. Telling certainly is more succinct, but it also pulls the reader out of the world you are trying to build.
The second issue had to do with the names of characters and places. I can appreciate how difficult it can be to build a whole new world, something that stands out as different from other books. But many of the names were either far too long and/or sounded too much alike. That makes it difficult to keep up with who is who and where.
Lastly, the audiobook. Daniel Cryer-Muthedath Ryder is the narrator, and he is absolutely fabulous when it comes to character voices! My favorite was a character with a Brooklyn accent! It was a fun and unique twist in the story. Seriously, why do all fantasy books have to have a British-esque accent? The Fall of Magic certainly has its fair share of that default accent, but Ryder shakes it up with a few different ones as well. There are also a few songs featured in the book. Not only are these songs beautifully written by Rokni, Ryder's performance of them is stunning. He has a truly wonderful singing voice! My one and only complaint of Ryder is his default narration or the voice he reads in when not portraying a character. In those moments, his voice or method of reading is droning and difficult to stay focused on, much like a monotonous lecture in your least favorite subject by a professor who is basically on autopilot.
All that being said, I eagerly look forward to future books from Rokni. He has the talent, and I only expect his skill and populartity will continue grow.
**It must be noted that I received a copy of audiobook of The Fall of Magic for free in exchange for a good-faith review.
The TLDR: This was a solid debut novel from Phoenix Rokni. Epic or High Fantasy can be a challenging genre to write. While Rokni struggled with a few aspects, he clearly has vision and talent for interesting world building, plot development, and creating unique characters that stand out.
The good: The Fall of Magic has some unique and interesting characteristics including the mythical phoenix as bonded familiars. The elves are familiar enough to be comfortable, but also unique to Rokni's world. Rokni includes other races and creatures both familiar and new to enjoy. "The Fade" is the big bad in this world and I find the whole concept fascinating. It makes one consider than an individual is not inherently evil, but also anyone, no matter their heart and intentions can be corrupted from forces beyond their control.
The Neutral? Depending on your view, this can be a good, bad, or indifferent. Whether intentional or perhaps seen only through my personal lens, Rokni seems to have taken a page from George R.R. Martin. Without giving too much away, let me just say that there was a certain unexpected death of characters that the reader is made to fall in love with. It was truly a WTH moment and I needed a breather. If I had been reading the physical book instead of the audiobook I probably would have thrown the book down in despair. This surprise, though heartbreaking, was one of the things I loved. It shows great writing ability to build a character so loved that the reader feels devastation when that character is hurt or dies.
The Bad: My biggest issue with the book was that while reading one phrase kept running through my head; "Show. Don't tell." Show me in actions and story details what a character looks likes, their personality, traits, or how others view them. Don't tell me the character is dark and mysterious. Show me how he sits in the shadows, his clothes blending with shades of black that surround him. Don't tell me that one character mistrust another. Show me how the first character questions the one that is mistrusted, or watches them a few seconds longer than others, or takes the time to consider what was said for possible duplicitous meanings. Telling certainly is more succinct, but it also pulls the reader out of the world you are trying to build.
The second issue had to do with the names of characters and places. I can appreciate how difficult it can be to build a whole new world, something that stands out as different from other books. But many of the names were either far too long and/or sounded too much alike. That makes it difficult to keep up with who is who and where.
Lastly, the audiobook. Daniel Cryer-Muthedath Ryder is the narrator, and he is absolutely fabulous when it comes to character voices! My favorite was a character with a Brooklyn accent! It was a fun and unique twist in the story. Seriously, why do all fantasy books have to have a British-esque accent? The Fall of Magic certainly has its fair share of that default accent, but Ryder shakes it up with a few different ones as well. There are also a few songs featured in the book. Not only are these songs beautifully written by Rokni, Ryder's performance of them is stunning. He has a truly wonderful singing voice! My one and only complaint of Ryder is his default narration or the voice he reads in when not portraying a character. In those moments, his voice or method of reading is droning and difficult to stay focused on, much like a monotonous lecture in your least favorite subject by a professor who is basically on autopilot.
All that being said, I eagerly look forward to future books from Rokni. He has the talent, and I only expect his skill and populartity will continue grow.
**It must be noted that I received a copy of audiobook of The Fall of Magic for free in exchange for a good-faith review.
December 11, 2025
I listened to the audiobook of this book. It was gifted to me an exchange for writing this review of course all thoughts are my own.
I had a hard time getting into the book, not because of the story itself, but the person reading the story. It just seemed very slow and bland at first and as things progressed I was able to get more into the story now I started the book at regular speed And then later spread it up and that seemed to help really catch me into the story now that’s more of the person voicing the book not the book itself, but I wanted to include that as well.
I found myself changing how I felt throughout the book towards the main character I was drawn in by his love of his cats and the random comments about his past that made me want to know more of what had happened. The book starts in a place that feels like it’s in the middle authority of a story, but in a way that you just know that this character has lived a life and has been through a lot of things that we don’t get to see and some of those things are revealed throughout the book. It’s very detailed and the world building is some of the best I’ve seen in a long time reminds me of my early love of books. The first books that I fell in love with were Harry Potter and Lord of the rings in the early 2000s I was in middle school And that’s really what I grew up with and this definitely gave me a filling kind of a Lord of the rings world build, but differently. Tolkien always had this world that was larger than what we could see in the stories but he had all of these details altogether and I really feel like Phoenix does the same thing here and I know that this is only Book one and there was so many things that happened that I didn’t 100% expect I’ve read a lot of books over the years and I still found myself being surprised which is a good thing.
I was very sad when he lost his cats and I know that some people probably think that’s stupid, but it was a pivotal moment for the character and I found myself crying when it happened. When we finally learned the truth about VOLIR and who he is things make more sense you don’t find that out until towards the end of book one and then he really steps into his leadership role and even though it’s something he didn’t want he is very good at it. I can’t wait for the next book to come out so that I can continue this series because I have to know what happens next.
I had a hard time getting into the book, not because of the story itself, but the person reading the story. It just seemed very slow and bland at first and as things progressed I was able to get more into the story now I started the book at regular speed And then later spread it up and that seemed to help really catch me into the story now that’s more of the person voicing the book not the book itself, but I wanted to include that as well.
I found myself changing how I felt throughout the book towards the main character I was drawn in by his love of his cats and the random comments about his past that made me want to know more of what had happened. The book starts in a place that feels like it’s in the middle authority of a story, but in a way that you just know that this character has lived a life and has been through a lot of things that we don’t get to see and some of those things are revealed throughout the book. It’s very detailed and the world building is some of the best I’ve seen in a long time reminds me of my early love of books. The first books that I fell in love with were Harry Potter and Lord of the rings in the early 2000s I was in middle school And that’s really what I grew up with and this definitely gave me a filling kind of a Lord of the rings world build, but differently. Tolkien always had this world that was larger than what we could see in the stories but he had all of these details altogether and I really feel like Phoenix does the same thing here and I know that this is only Book one and there was so many things that happened that I didn’t 100% expect I’ve read a lot of books over the years and I still found myself being surprised which is a good thing.
I was very sad when he lost his cats and I know that some people probably think that’s stupid, but it was a pivotal moment for the character and I found myself crying when it happened. When we finally learned the truth about VOLIR and who he is things make more sense you don’t find that out until towards the end of book one and then he really steps into his leadership role and even though it’s something he didn’t want he is very good at it. I can’t wait for the next book to come out so that I can continue this series because I have to know what happens next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2025
Thank you so much to the author for the gifted audiobook!
I really enjoyed this epic fantasy from start to finish. The author has created a rich and expansive world, and some truly epic ground work has been laid for future books. You can tell the author has dedicated a lot of time to developing it. The story is very character driven, and I liked how much depth and emotion the main character brought to the story.
There are some things I wish had gotten more time. I would have loved to get to know some of the side characters more. And the romance felt a bit rushed. I would have loved to see their relationship develop more over time. I think a lot was happening in the wider story, and I wish we could have slowed down a bit at times to develop relationships more.
The narration helped me enjoy the story immensely. I do believe I might not have liked it quite as much if I had been physically reading it vs listening. The narration was amazing, and the individual voices for characters was so well done. The narrator did an incredible job at bringing these characters to life. I can’t wait to continue this story.
I really enjoyed this epic fantasy from start to finish. The author has created a rich and expansive world, and some truly epic ground work has been laid for future books. You can tell the author has dedicated a lot of time to developing it. The story is very character driven, and I liked how much depth and emotion the main character brought to the story.
There are some things I wish had gotten more time. I would have loved to get to know some of the side characters more. And the romance felt a bit rushed. I would have loved to see their relationship develop more over time. I think a lot was happening in the wider story, and I wish we could have slowed down a bit at times to develop relationships more.
The narration helped me enjoy the story immensely. I do believe I might not have liked it quite as much if I had been physically reading it vs listening. The narration was amazing, and the individual voices for characters was so well done. The narrator did an incredible job at bringing these characters to life. I can’t wait to continue this story.
July 8, 2025
This is a true epic fantasy.
This is a quest to save the realm and everything in that world they know, told from a hidden elf prince, who is bound to his world with a love and sense of duty that’s stronger than his own needs.
Nothing can get in his way and to this end, he has stayed alone while in hiding. For decades.
Alone and training as any other elf, side by side with other knights who do not know who he is.
Until that one night.
That one terrible terrible night, when he was forced to make a choice. A choice between burying himself & remaining anonymous or revealing the literal light in his eyes and save his world.
And revenge the sacrifices of every one he held dear.
Check your triggers on the one but be prepared for the kind of epic journey to justice that may remind you of a certain hobbit who took a similar trek with men who became brothers.
I loved this. This was the kind of book that started my love of fantasy and kept me in their chokehold.
Thanks nerd fam for once again gifting me the perfect arc!
This is a quest to save the realm and everything in that world they know, told from a hidden elf prince, who is bound to his world with a love and sense of duty that’s stronger than his own needs.
Nothing can get in his way and to this end, he has stayed alone while in hiding. For decades.
Alone and training as any other elf, side by side with other knights who do not know who he is.
Until that one night.
That one terrible terrible night, when he was forced to make a choice. A choice between burying himself & remaining anonymous or revealing the literal light in his eyes and save his world.
And revenge the sacrifices of every one he held dear.
Check your triggers on the one but be prepared for the kind of epic journey to justice that may remind you of a certain hobbit who took a similar trek with men who became brothers.
I loved this. This was the kind of book that started my love of fantasy and kept me in their chokehold.
Thanks nerd fam for once again gifting me the perfect arc!
June 25, 2025
Okay, so this book?? Wow. I didn’t know I needed a beautifully chaotic, heart-wrenching, slow-burn fantasy until The Fall of Magic came crashing into my life like a rogue spell gone wrong (in the best way).
Phoenix Rokni serves vibes—we’re talking found family, ancient magic, forbidden love, and the kind of emotional tension that makes you want to scream into a pillow at 2 a.m. (Which I did. Twice.)
The world-building is lush without being overwhelming, the magic system is super creative (and actually makes sense?!), and the characters are just... so painfully human. I fell hard for the broody mage with a past, and the banter?? Chef’s kiss. 10/10 would get emotionally destroyed again.
If you're into morally gray characters, epic stakes, and stories that leave you with a magical hangover, The Fall of Magic is your next obsession.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(Take all my stars, Rokni. I have no chill left.)
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC. #thefallofmagic #thenerdfam @thenerdfam
Phoenix Rokni serves vibes—we’re talking found family, ancient magic, forbidden love, and the kind of emotional tension that makes you want to scream into a pillow at 2 a.m. (Which I did. Twice.)
The world-building is lush without being overwhelming, the magic system is super creative (and actually makes sense?!), and the characters are just... so painfully human. I fell hard for the broody mage with a past, and the banter?? Chef’s kiss. 10/10 would get emotionally destroyed again.
If you're into morally gray characters, epic stakes, and stories that leave you with a magical hangover, The Fall of Magic is your next obsession.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(Take all my stars, Rokni. I have no chill left.)
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC. #thefallofmagic #thenerdfam @thenerdfam
August 4, 2025
In this fast-paced, suspenseful fantasy, protagonist Volir is a centuries-old elf with a dark and traumatic past. A resident of the world of Auro, he trains with the Knights of the Phoenix — agents for good against forces of darkness such as the evil Prince Drazius. Volir gets in over his head, but he soon learns he is far more powerful than he realized. Along with the protagonist himself, this story is full of richly developed characters, such as trainer Valothas and female knight Leavesa. Drazius is an unexpectedly sinister villain; I would go so far as to say his tactics and dialogue are reminiscent of Aaron in Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus. To my mind, author Phoenix Rokni made a wise decision with the amount of romance included in the story; while the book decidedly falls into the fantasy genre rather than romantasy, it will simultaneously satisfy those readers craving a love story. Overall, I recommend this book.
August 20, 2025
I devoured this epic fantasy. The world-building achieves so much in little time. You’ll experience all the emotions as their journey unfolds and they fight the darkness threatening the realm. There is something for everyone in this story (elves, romance, dark magic, prophecy, and some emotional damage). The Fall of Magic is fast-paced and gave me Lord of the Rings vibes. Plus, I’m a sucker for pet sidekicks and phoenixes. Daniel Cryer-Muthedath Ryder narrates, and his range of characters is so fantastic. His narration made it easy to binge the story because I was so immersed.
Thank you to Phoenix Rokni for the audiobook. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Phoenix Rokni for the audiobook. All opinions are my own.
August 23, 2025
A captivating debut novel, The Fall of Magic by Phoenix Rokni introduces readers to a world brimming with magical creatures and powerful wielders. The book starts at a brisk, semi-quick pace before settling into a deliberate slow burn, allowing the reader to fully immerse themselves in the rich world. The ending picks up speed again, concluding the story at a thrilling, fast-paced clip. As Rokni's first novel, this is a promising start, and I eagerly anticipate the next installment in the series.
September 12, 2025
I flew through this.
Definitely has the makings of an epic high fantasy world. I feel like in some ways it was a bit overly descriptive and that made it feel somewhat slow in the prologue and first couple of chapters but it started to get a good rhythm to it a couple chapters in.
Forever going to be mad about the cats.
I feel like the romantic aspect of it was lacking. There was very little build up to the couple getting to “I love you” so that felt a bit hollow to me.
Overall though, I feel like this series has potential to be truly excellent.
Definitely has the makings of an epic high fantasy world. I feel like in some ways it was a bit overly descriptive and that made it feel somewhat slow in the prologue and first couple of chapters but it started to get a good rhythm to it a couple chapters in.
Forever going to be mad about the cats.
I feel like the romantic aspect of it was lacking. There was very little build up to the couple getting to “I love you” so that felt a bit hollow to me.
Overall though, I feel like this series has potential to be truly excellent.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2025
Characters: 3.75⭐️
Setting: 4.00⭐️
Plot: 3.75⭐️
Themes: 4.00⭐️
Personal enjoyment: 3.75⭐️
Emotional Impact: 3.50⭐️
Overall rating: 3.75⭐️
The Fall of Magic by Phoenix Rokni has all the standard elements of setting up an epic fantasy story. The world building is there with a unique magic system that does not fall within the typical fantasy tropes. There was cause for action throughout the story, and it felt like a lot of the "chosen one" tropes. I think it was a great start for what will be a great fantasy series, but there were points in the story that felt rushed like the romantic subplot between two characters.
I did like our MMC as he had baggage and weight to his life that allowed him to navigate how to move forward. There was depth within his personality and I wish there was more build-up of his character
Overall, I think the action was great. The storyline was solid and there is a solid promise of what it come from this series.
Thank you to the NerdFam for sending me a physical copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Setting: 4.00⭐️
Plot: 3.75⭐️
Themes: 4.00⭐️
Personal enjoyment: 3.75⭐️
Emotional Impact: 3.50⭐️
Overall rating: 3.75⭐️
The Fall of Magic by Phoenix Rokni has all the standard elements of setting up an epic fantasy story. The world building is there with a unique magic system that does not fall within the typical fantasy tropes. There was cause for action throughout the story, and it felt like a lot of the "chosen one" tropes. I think it was a great start for what will be a great fantasy series, but there were points in the story that felt rushed like the romantic subplot between two characters.
I did like our MMC as he had baggage and weight to his life that allowed him to navigate how to move forward. There was depth within his personality and I wish there was more build-up of his character
Overall, I think the action was great. The storyline was solid and there is a solid promise of what it come from this series.
Thank you to the NerdFam for sending me a physical copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 23, 2025
Imaginative story
The elven city of Valenthreas stands as a symbol of beauty and balance, and its threatened destruction adds urgency to the story. I could easily imagine the city in my mind—the light, the nature, the sanctity. It makes the encroaching darkness feel even more dangerous.
The elven city of Valenthreas stands as a symbol of beauty and balance, and its threatened destruction adds urgency to the story. I could easily imagine the city in my mind—the light, the nature, the sanctity. It makes the encroaching darkness feel even more dangerous.
June 29, 2025
Holy cow! This book is amazing! From the world building and character building, to the gripping journey that this book takes you on. The magic, the found family, the epic fantasy had me wanting more and struggling to put this book down. I’m thoroughly attached to Angor and Siam which of course also broke my heart. The ending has me not just wanting but needing to know how this story continues.
June 12, 2025
A must read
I loved the contrast between the splendor of Valenthreas and the spreading decay from the corrupted prince. Speaking of the antagonist, he’s more than a shadowy villain. There’s a tragedy to his fall that
hints at deeper themes of lost nobility and corrupted purpose.
I loved the contrast between the splendor of Valenthreas and the spreading decay from the corrupted prince. Speaking of the antagonist, he’s more than a shadowy villain. There’s a tragedy to his fall that
hints at deeper themes of lost nobility and corrupted purpose.
June 17, 2025
This story was a hard one for me to get into initially. It's very descriptive, what made the story a bit slow at some points, for my taste. That said. The worldbuilding was amazing! I would want to live there amazing!
July 7, 2025
A fantasy novel, not romantasy but a true fantasy novel. If you’re looking for romantsy it’s not here. Now if you’re looking for adventure, character development and battles then you need to read about the lonely Volir!
August 31, 2025
This book will forever be on my top 10 list. I could not put this book down. The author makes you fall in love with the world as well as the characters. The Fall of Magic had a little bit of everything you could want in a fantasy- heart pounding action, drama, friendship, betrayal, and heartbreak. I can't wait for the next book
October 7, 2025
An epic journey through a world stripped of its light, where family is chosen, love is found, and hope becomes the truest form of magic.
Loved this book and I can’t wait for the next one !
Take me back into this world !!!
Loved this book and I can’t wait for the next one !
Take me back into this world !!!
May 20, 2025
I really enjoyed the world building of this book. It has a lot of interesting elements and details that make the book unique in the fantasy genre.
It has a lot of characters and it’s a bit hard to keep track of them at first but you get familiar with them as you go.
I’m a fan of dialogue in books and this one doesn’t have as much as i’d like, but this particular book would not do well with more dialogue as the describing part is what makes it beautiful.
There is so much left to explore in this world that the author built which is amazing knowing that it’s part of a series.
It has a lot of characters and it’s a bit hard to keep track of them at first but you get familiar with them as you go.
I’m a fan of dialogue in books and this one doesn’t have as much as i’d like, but this particular book would not do well with more dialogue as the describing part is what makes it beautiful.
There is so much left to explore in this world that the author built which is amazing knowing that it’s part of a series.
November 5, 2025
I gotten this book as an audio arc copy and omg it was absolutely amazing the plot was insanely interesting and very good and the characters were very interesting and great as well i absolutely loved it and i can’t wait to see what else this author has in store for the future of this series
October 21, 2025
This was a great story! Awesome world building!
I listened to it on audiobook-so that definitely shaped my perception of it. One part of the book I wasn’t a fan of was when there was an extensive amount of time describing the entire party and their physical/nonphysical characteristics. This was challenging to absorb because the names were super unique. There was a couple of times I found myself asking - who was that again? Instead - it would have been helpful for me if we were introduced to the individuals characteristics as the story progressed.
It was a well woven story with deliberate points made that created likable characters.
Definitely worth a read!!
I listened to it on audiobook-so that definitely shaped my perception of it. One part of the book I wasn’t a fan of was when there was an extensive amount of time describing the entire party and their physical/nonphysical characteristics. This was challenging to absorb because the names were super unique. There was a couple of times I found myself asking - who was that again? Instead - it would have been helpful for me if we were introduced to the individuals characteristics as the story progressed.
It was a well woven story with deliberate points made that created likable characters.
Definitely worth a read!!
July 2, 2025
Rich story
One of the novel’s highlights is the lore. The history of Auro, the remnants of godlike influence, and the mythology of the phoenix knights—these details all gave the story richness and dimension.
One of the novel’s highlights is the lore. The history of Auro, the remnants of godlike influence, and the mythology of the phoenix knights—these details all gave the story richness and dimension.
May 13, 2025
The Fall of Magic (The Master's Core Book 1) by Phoenix Rokni is an epic fantasy that blends rich world-building with classic themes of destiny, inner conflict, and the fight between light and darkness. The writing is immersive and cinematic, offering vivid imagery and a tone that fans of high fantasy will appreciate. Readers who enjoy stories of reluctant heroes, mythical creatures, and moral choices will find this an engaging read. It’s a solid start to a series with promise and heart.
January 12, 2025
What I liked:
I loved the world building and how the themes were persistent all through the story. Being an avid fantasy reader, I am finding original stories hard to find. I liked how the story and world felt new even though it includes classic elements found in fantasy books.
What what missing?
The prose and writing style were a bit off for me, but could easily be fixed with some editing and further writing. This book is a debut for a new author so I will be keeping my eyes open for the next chapter in the story.
received an ARC for free, and I am leaving this review below voluntarily.
World building:
It is clear that the author has put a lot of work into the world-building, the magic system and other elements felt fresh and new. It kept me invested but I wished that it was more gradual throughout the book. There was a lot of world-building in the beginning but when new elements were added in the last few chapters it felt too rushed and sudden and would have worked better with nods or foreshadowing earlier in the book.
Characters:
Even though I had a hard time connecting to the characters their development was often relatable and some were complex enough to keep me interested. Sometimes I found myself disagreeing with their actions or convictions, finding them in contrast with their ideals. There were a lot of supporting characters that blended together or simply faded into the background at times. But overall the arch for the main character was well thought out and relatable, even though it was very cliche in the first few chapters.
Writing style:
My biggest problem with the book was the writing style. The book was very fast paced and needed some editing work. Everything was too literal, often things that could be “read between the lines” were explained or pointed out just in case the reader missed it. Others might enjoy a more straight forward style and this book would be a nice read for someone new to the epic fantasy genre. There is a lot of potential here that can easily be fleshed out.
Themes:
Main themes of friendship and letting others in after isolation were clear and worked well. Accepting leadership and your identity were also big themes throughout the story. They resonate well with the reader and make the characters more relatable.
I loved the world building and how the themes were persistent all through the story. Being an avid fantasy reader, I am finding original stories hard to find. I liked how the story and world felt new even though it includes classic elements found in fantasy books.
What what missing?
The prose and writing style were a bit off for me, but could easily be fixed with some editing and further writing. This book is a debut for a new author so I will be keeping my eyes open for the next chapter in the story.
received an ARC for free, and I am leaving this review below voluntarily.
World building:
It is clear that the author has put a lot of work into the world-building, the magic system and other elements felt fresh and new. It kept me invested but I wished that it was more gradual throughout the book. There was a lot of world-building in the beginning but when new elements were added in the last few chapters it felt too rushed and sudden and would have worked better with nods or foreshadowing earlier in the book.
Characters:
Even though I had a hard time connecting to the characters their development was often relatable and some were complex enough to keep me interested. Sometimes I found myself disagreeing with their actions or convictions, finding them in contrast with their ideals. There were a lot of supporting characters that blended together or simply faded into the background at times. But overall the arch for the main character was well thought out and relatable, even though it was very cliche in the first few chapters.
Writing style:
My biggest problem with the book was the writing style. The book was very fast paced and needed some editing work. Everything was too literal, often things that could be “read between the lines” were explained or pointed out just in case the reader missed it. Others might enjoy a more straight forward style and this book would be a nice read for someone new to the epic fantasy genre. There is a lot of potential here that can easily be fleshed out.
Themes:
Main themes of friendship and letting others in after isolation were clear and worked well. Accepting leadership and your identity were also big themes throughout the story. They resonate well with the reader and make the characters more relatable.
June 25, 2025
⭐️⭐️ SHORT STORY WITH AN EPIC PREMISE
I was really drawn in by the premise of The Fall of Magic—it had the bones of a great epic fantasy and the potential to be something truly special. Unfortunately, the execution fell short. The story tried to take on the scope and tone of a full-blown epic, but the length just didn’t support that kind of ambition.
Because of that, the characters didn’t get the development they needed, and the worldbuilding felt rushed and underexplored. I wanted to care more, to feel immersed, but the emotional connection never quite landed. With more time and pages, this could have been a much stronger, more impactful story. As it stands, it’s a book full of promise that didn’t quite live up to its potential.
I was really drawn in by the premise of The Fall of Magic—it had the bones of a great epic fantasy and the potential to be something truly special. Unfortunately, the execution fell short. The story tried to take on the scope and tone of a full-blown epic, but the length just didn’t support that kind of ambition.
Because of that, the characters didn’t get the development they needed, and the worldbuilding felt rushed and underexplored. I wanted to care more, to feel immersed, but the emotional connection never quite landed. With more time and pages, this could have been a much stronger, more impactful story. As it stands, it’s a book full of promise that didn’t quite live up to its potential.
October 12, 2025
Overall I liked the book. The world Rokni created with species, magic and realms is well built and interesting. For a debut novel, I'm VERY impressed.
The story started out with a knight being sent on errands and is made out to be a bit of an outcast and a loner. He has been in the order for years but still isnt trusted with much. His fellow knights aren't particularly fond of him and he's being used as an eternal right hand man to the elder knight. His cats are the only window into his emotions. The fact that he carries them in his pouch was a bit odd to me. They weren't quite magical but later it seems like they had intuition and frame of mind to protect him.
Once the king is murdered by his son and its revealed that the prince is under a dark force, the fortress/castle is attacked and the cats save his life by offering themselves. His devastation drives the main character to reveal himself as the lost prince. There wasn't much build up to let us know there was a lost prince of the realm besides a few lines in the song a lady sings. She sings twice in the book and in the audio book, she sings for several minutes. It was interesting to have a break of reading and several minutes of singing. Due to the lack of build up, his reveal isnt as impressive as the book describes the town to be. Everyone is in awe of his return but as the reader I was left completely emotionless.
Once he is tasked with going off to save the kingdom, all the sudden everyone respects him and listens to him because he knows best. All the sudden he goes from running into the Forrest from a foe to magically having the best ideas and plans. To me, the character development there was lacking. I enjoyed the relationships between the characters. The only one the annoyed me was a character who could hear and sense things so he was a lookout. The dark forces kept masking there location so he couldn't do his job. He got quite whiny and always was like OH master I'm so sorry I'm worthless at my job right now. It was a bit over the top. He could have had a struggle of conscience or frustration at the ability blocking them from intel but he just seemed to be woe is me to the highest degree. Like strong military members would never act like this.
Speaking of military, I enjoyed the military jargon and hints to religious structure mirroring ours in relation to the twin flames.
The rest of the book was good. The various build up of fighting against the Dark Prince was good and they were always one step behind which was later explained. I will say that after finding out that their guy was a plant, there was never another difficulty. They planned and executed and nothing else ever went wrong. It was a bit implausible in that respect.
The audio book narrator added interesting voices to the characters. Some were monotone and humdrum, the Boston accent of the forrest creature threw me off because it didnt seem to fit in the world Rokni created. Also the voice of the Dark Prince was over the top to me. He was always dripping with venom and throaty. It was a choice for him to make but it didnt make him realistic to me. It seemed like he was a cartoon character in the midst of a realm of characters.
My final note is that I liked that he fell in love and enjoyed most of their arc however it felt kinda 1800's. Like they met, kept feelings a secret and met aside once or twice and then professed their love for each other. The next solo convo they were devoted to each other forever. I'm all for a gracious love story without all of today's expectations of accelerated love making, it just seemed like the type of love story you'd find in a story written for middle schoolers rather than adults. He didnt seem mature in his thoughts and didnt really consider his companions concern for needing a ruler by his side for longer than a human could. You can get around it a bit by remembering he didnt really want to lead but at some point if hes leading, you got to have him lead in all aspects. He can mature within the story arc but he was still a middle schooler.
Again, I liked the story overall. It was a fun ride. I needed to rewind and relisten a few times because it didn't always hold me and there were a few jumps. As long as you don't take it too seriously, its a good story with a storyline that lends itself for expansion. Will we see future novels in this series? I'd read it/them in the hope that some of the writing tightens up a bit.
Note: This audio book was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review.
The story started out with a knight being sent on errands and is made out to be a bit of an outcast and a loner. He has been in the order for years but still isnt trusted with much. His fellow knights aren't particularly fond of him and he's being used as an eternal right hand man to the elder knight. His cats are the only window into his emotions. The fact that he carries them in his pouch was a bit odd to me. They weren't quite magical but later it seems like they had intuition and frame of mind to protect him.
Once the king is murdered by his son and its revealed that the prince is under a dark force, the fortress/castle is attacked and the cats save his life by offering themselves. His devastation drives the main character to reveal himself as the lost prince. There wasn't much build up to let us know there was a lost prince of the realm besides a few lines in the song a lady sings. She sings twice in the book and in the audio book, she sings for several minutes. It was interesting to have a break of reading and several minutes of singing. Due to the lack of build up, his reveal isnt as impressive as the book describes the town to be. Everyone is in awe of his return but as the reader I was left completely emotionless.
Once he is tasked with going off to save the kingdom, all the sudden everyone respects him and listens to him because he knows best. All the sudden he goes from running into the Forrest from a foe to magically having the best ideas and plans. To me, the character development there was lacking. I enjoyed the relationships between the characters. The only one the annoyed me was a character who could hear and sense things so he was a lookout. The dark forces kept masking there location so he couldn't do his job. He got quite whiny and always was like OH master I'm so sorry I'm worthless at my job right now. It was a bit over the top. He could have had a struggle of conscience or frustration at the ability blocking them from intel but he just seemed to be woe is me to the highest degree. Like strong military members would never act like this.
Speaking of military, I enjoyed the military jargon and hints to religious structure mirroring ours in relation to the twin flames.
The rest of the book was good. The various build up of fighting against the Dark Prince was good and they were always one step behind which was later explained. I will say that after finding out that their guy was a plant, there was never another difficulty. They planned and executed and nothing else ever went wrong. It was a bit implausible in that respect.
The audio book narrator added interesting voices to the characters. Some were monotone and humdrum, the Boston accent of the forrest creature threw me off because it didnt seem to fit in the world Rokni created. Also the voice of the Dark Prince was over the top to me. He was always dripping with venom and throaty. It was a choice for him to make but it didnt make him realistic to me. It seemed like he was a cartoon character in the midst of a realm of characters.
My final note is that I liked that he fell in love and enjoyed most of their arc however it felt kinda 1800's. Like they met, kept feelings a secret and met aside once or twice and then professed their love for each other. The next solo convo they were devoted to each other forever. I'm all for a gracious love story without all of today's expectations of accelerated love making, it just seemed like the type of love story you'd find in a story written for middle schoolers rather than adults. He didnt seem mature in his thoughts and didnt really consider his companions concern for needing a ruler by his side for longer than a human could. You can get around it a bit by remembering he didnt really want to lead but at some point if hes leading, you got to have him lead in all aspects. He can mature within the story arc but he was still a middle schooler.
Again, I liked the story overall. It was a fun ride. I needed to rewind and relisten a few times because it didn't always hold me and there were a few jumps. As long as you don't take it too seriously, its a good story with a storyline that lends itself for expansion. Will we see future novels in this series? I'd read it/them in the hope that some of the writing tightens up a bit.
Note: This audio book was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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