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The War for Magic #0.5
Erding
The dwarves want Earth's magic. We want their weapons. The price? Survive their deadly trials.
As an Adept Forces Officer, Asha Lopez is used to defending Earth against hostile magical forces. But now she's trapped underground on an alien world, forced to prove humanity's worth through ancient trials that have claimed countless lives. And with Earth's biggest off-world weapons deal hanging in the balance, failure means more than death—it means losing humanity's best chance at winning the war.
Between training with dwarven warriors who'd rather see her fail and dodging monsters that whisper false promises in the dark, Asha discovers the downtrodden gnomes struggling to survive without magic on the surface. Helping them would mean betraying her mission and risking court-martial, but their suffering mirrors the very injustice Earth's military claims to fight against. As she digs deeper into dwarven traditions, Asha questions whether Earth's first potential allies are the right ones.
In a world of ancient magic and deadly creatures, sometimes the real monsters are the ones making the rules.
A military fantasy prequel novella featuring underground labyrinths, magical creatures, and a heroine whose compassion might be her downfall. The perfect introduction to the War for Magic series. For fans of Martha Wells and Lindsay Buroker who love their fantasy with both action and heart.
As an Adept Forces Officer, Asha Lopez is used to defending Earth against hostile magical forces. But now she's trapped underground on an alien world, forced to prove humanity's worth through ancient trials that have claimed countless lives. And with Earth's biggest off-world weapons deal hanging in the balance, failure means more than death—it means losing humanity's best chance at winning the war.
Between training with dwarven warriors who'd rather see her fail and dodging monsters that whisper false promises in the dark, Asha discovers the downtrodden gnomes struggling to survive without magic on the surface. Helping them would mean betraying her mission and risking court-martial, but their suffering mirrors the very injustice Earth's military claims to fight against. As she digs deeper into dwarven traditions, Asha questions whether Earth's first potential allies are the right ones.
In a world of ancient magic and deadly creatures, sometimes the real monsters are the ones making the rules.
A military fantasy prequel novella featuring underground labyrinths, magical creatures, and a heroine whose compassion might be her downfall. The perfect introduction to the War for Magic series. For fans of Martha Wells and Lindsay Buroker who love their fantasy with both action and heart.
133 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 15, 2025
About the author
P.A. Mason
37 books305 followersPaula Mason is an author from Australia who can’t quite decide if magic should be used for solving small-town mysteries, fighting dragons, or surviving a near-future war zone—so she writes all the things.
By day, Paula is a social worker with a deep grounding in social justice and a fascination with how culture, identity, and resilience help people navigate the messier parts of being human. Regardless of the genre, you can always count on two things: there will be magic (and usually witches), and there will be a story about people finding their way through the wreckage we call life.
Connect with Paula:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pamasonauthor/
BookBub - bookbub.com/profile/p-a-mason
Amazon - amazon.com/author/pamason
www.pamasonauthor.com
By day, Paula is a social worker with a deep grounding in social justice and a fascination with how culture, identity, and resilience help people navigate the messier parts of being human. Regardless of the genre, you can always count on two things: there will be magic (and usually witches), and there will be a story about people finding their way through the wreckage we call life.
Connect with Paula:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pamasonauthor/
BookBub - bookbub.com/profile/p-a-mason
Amazon - amazon.com/author/pamason
www.pamasonauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 9, 2025
Aaahhh this book was damn good for a novella!
Okay, think Lord of the Rings but modern. That’s exactly the vibe this story gives, it’s packed with adventure, intrigue, and the kind of unexpected twists that keep you hooked from the very first page. Truly, it was like Bilbo Baggins said: “I am going on an adventure.” And reading this book felt exactly like stepping into one.
What I loved most is that it never gave anything away too soon. Every turn, every revelation caught me off guard, and I adore a book with a plot that keeps me guessing.
The worldbuilding? Phenomenal. It blends magic with the modern day so seamlessly, creating a clash of cultures, politics, and perspectives that feels fresh and unique. The details were so rich that I felt like I was part of the world, living through the challenges right alongside the characters.
I honestly can’t wait to dive into the second book and see where this adventure leads next. This is one of those stories that leaves you itching for more the moment you finish.
If you’re craving an immersive, magical adventure with unexpected twists and a world that feels alive, this novella is an absolute must-read. I’d recommend it in a heartbeat.
Okay, think Lord of the Rings but modern. That’s exactly the vibe this story gives, it’s packed with adventure, intrigue, and the kind of unexpected twists that keep you hooked from the very first page. Truly, it was like Bilbo Baggins said: “I am going on an adventure.” And reading this book felt exactly like stepping into one.
What I loved most is that it never gave anything away too soon. Every turn, every revelation caught me off guard, and I adore a book with a plot that keeps me guessing.
The worldbuilding? Phenomenal. It blends magic with the modern day so seamlessly, creating a clash of cultures, politics, and perspectives that feels fresh and unique. The details were so rich that I felt like I was part of the world, living through the challenges right alongside the characters.
I honestly can’t wait to dive into the second book and see where this adventure leads next. This is one of those stories that leaves you itching for more the moment you finish.
If you’re craving an immersive, magical adventure with unexpected twists and a world that feels alive, this novella is an absolute must-read. I’d recommend it in a heartbeat.
September 4, 2025
Audiobook
- Prequel to Elf Captive
- Erding is the Bespoke Sword
- Prequel to Elf Captive
- Erding is the Bespoke Sword
January 25, 2026
Really enjoyed this and book 1, not read anything quite like this, really frsh idead combining sci-fi and fantasy, cant wait for book 2
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews