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The Blade Mage #7
The Appalachian Argument
"Phillip Drayer Duncan delivers a thrilling journey in a world filled with magic and mystery."
- Shayne Easson, The Rhythm of a Jaded Heart
Do business trips always involve so much violence?
Asking for a friend.
That friend is me. I am the one asking. I want to know.
We're supposed to be going to a little wizard conference. A chance to mingle with our fellow supernatural friends in the Appalachian Argument. A team-building opportunity for my team. My team. How about that? I have a team.
Yeah, that's been going about as well as you might expect. We can't seem to keep new members and our missions have a tendency to go off the rails. Who'd have thunk it? I won't even tell you what everyone is calling our merry little band, but I'll give you a Axel came up with it. What more do you need to know?
That's all right because the Archmage has stepped in with some solid new additions for our roster. Wizards I'm already familiar with. Too familiar with. I'm not sure if he's trying to punish me or make me quit. And now this business trip?
What could go wrong?
Well, for starters, some old enemies could appear out of nowhere and try to kill me.
Magic and mayhem. Everywhere I go. That's all right. There're some old friends around, too. And some new ones.
But what seems like a boring old regular attempt on my life might just lead to something bigger. Something darker. Turns out Appalachia has dark wizard problems of its own. Problems I'll undoubtedly swan-dive into the middle of.
Have I finally bitten off more than my fat little wizard head can chew?
Come find out in The Appalachian Argument!
"Welcome to the fun."
- V.L. Stuart, Orb and Arrow
- Shayne Easson, The Rhythm of a Jaded Heart
Do business trips always involve so much violence?
Asking for a friend.
That friend is me. I am the one asking. I want to know.
We're supposed to be going to a little wizard conference. A chance to mingle with our fellow supernatural friends in the Appalachian Argument. A team-building opportunity for my team. My team. How about that? I have a team.
Yeah, that's been going about as well as you might expect. We can't seem to keep new members and our missions have a tendency to go off the rails. Who'd have thunk it? I won't even tell you what everyone is calling our merry little band, but I'll give you a Axel came up with it. What more do you need to know?
That's all right because the Archmage has stepped in with some solid new additions for our roster. Wizards I'm already familiar with. Too familiar with. I'm not sure if he's trying to punish me or make me quit. And now this business trip?
What could go wrong?
Well, for starters, some old enemies could appear out of nowhere and try to kill me.
Magic and mayhem. Everywhere I go. That's all right. There're some old friends around, too. And some new ones.
But what seems like a boring old regular attempt on my life might just lead to something bigger. Something darker. Turns out Appalachia has dark wizard problems of its own. Problems I'll undoubtedly swan-dive into the middle of.
Have I finally bitten off more than my fat little wizard head can chew?
Come find out in The Appalachian Argument!
"Welcome to the fun."
- V.L. Stuart, Orb and Arrow
588 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2025
27 people are currently reading
1 person want to read
About the author
Phillip Drayer Duncan
45 books22 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 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 6, 2025
amazing 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!
November 30, 2025
Snowy rainy day here. I read this book in one day and couldn’t put it down. More action a little more romance and development of returning characters. I loved this book from start to finish. I can’t wait to read what the author writes next. I have loved every book in this series and I hope it continues.
October 6, 2025
Awesomeness!
Wyatt gets better with each book! Great characters! Great storyline. The Blade Mage is like fine wine, better with age! Looking forward to see what happens next!! Thank you Philip!
Wyatt gets better with each book! Great characters! Great storyline. The Blade Mage is like fine wine, better with age! Looking forward to see what happens next!! Thank you Philip!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews