The journeyman exam was supposed to be the hardest thing Marcus and Felix faced this year. Then Erasmus sent for help.
After passing their journeyman examination, Marcus and Felix expected to settle into their new partnership. Instead, Erasmus sends word from the he needs their help in the Eastern provinces. War disrupted the region's magical infrastructure, and he needs glyphwrights who know how to adapt when traditional solutions won't work.
The ward networks are failing. Dungeon containment is corrupted. Preservation systems are breaking down. It's the kind of widespread repair work that hasn't been needed in five hundred years.
Their royal escort, Prince Adrian, spent years training in combat and protocol to earn his abilities. Marcus's fourteen-year-old sister can see magical patterns the Prince never will. The resentment is immediate. And somehow, Marcus has to get them all working together before minor failures cascade into disaster.
The Glyphwright Chronicles continues with infrastructure crises, unlikely allies, and the lesson that sometimes the most important work isn't glamorous—it's the foundation that keeps everything else standing.
We get it. Everything he did exhausted him, no matter what he was doing his hand got cramps. We really didn't need to be told over and over again. I very much dislike when authors repeat everything and the characters do the same action almost word for word every time. That tells me the author didn't know how to make things interesting and wanted to increase the word count.
A highly recommended read. Just amazing work by the author.
Rating: 5⭐️+
If I could give this book and series a higher rating, I would. It’s just phenomenal.
I’m just upset that I have to wait for the third book to be released for my journey with these incredible characters to continue.
Marcus Fairwind and his now partner/friend, Felix Penwright are set to take their journeyman exams after winning through the events of the last novel. Each has gained new levels, acquiring new skills, abilities and magical knowledge that will help them achieve their goals as Wardmakers. Along with their new friends Sarah, Katherine, Ben, and now brilliant 14 year old Rose, Marcus’ young sister who has her own unique skills and talents to bring into play.
Fabiano shows off a wonderful talent for creating fully realized characters of both genders and ages here. Whether it’s Marcus or Felix, Sarah or Rose, Erasmus (their enigmatic Master) or any of the parents scrambling to understand and support their children, each of these people are believable, breathing, layered beings. People we can connect with and invest in emotionally.
And we will. For here some of their biggest achievements, problems and adventures lies ahead.
For what started as a two Grandmasters waging war, now the horrific ramifications are left to those who have to use innovative methods to solve them or all may be lost.
What follows is a completely absorbing story. There’s so much to this. The magical systems alone is incredible and throughly detailed and minutely executed. FYI, if you’re someone who likes magic done with a ‘wave of a wand’, and then everything explodes. Well, this might not be the thing for you.
Here different magical applications and approaches are imaginatively and clearly defined and detailed in scenarios by scenarios. It’s fascinating, gripping, sometimes scary, often suspense filled, and life threatening. I couldn’t tear myself away from the book. And the characters in whatever situation they were in.
The RPG aspect of the story is present as levels that each character obtains but it’s woven into the story in a manner that makes sense and doesn’t require any special attention from non-gamers.
The sense of found family, community and friends that builds here, especially at the end is so heartwarming. It feels real and satisfying. And even after such a long journey, I wasn’t ready for it to end.
A fantastic experience and grand adventure. Love this series and group of characters.
A highly recommended read. Just amazing work by the author.
The first book got 5 stars. I gave this one 4. I still love the characters. I still love the magic concept and the plot in general. But Jeremy made one big mistake. He allowed the core of this book to become a MMORPG.
Even the characters in the book recognized that they were starting a dungeon adventure. The first level of the dungeon going up against a mini boss. The second level a harder boss. Traps to avoid, monsters to kill, before getting to the ultimate boss. And then a chest full of legendary treasures?
After the big dungeon adventure they grind through a series of villages doing essentially the same thing in each one, just like in a video game.
And yet, I still have it 4 stars. What saved it was that you still care about the characters. Jeremy still develops the magic tech in a not-too-ridiculously-fast way. People remain at the heart of the story.
I'm looking forward to the 3rd book... and hoping that it won't fall into the same trap.
A wonderful sequel to the first book that builds naturally on the established characters and expands their journey in a satisfying way. The adventure carries strong momentum throughout, making it an engaging and enjoyable read from start to finish. There were a couple of minor editing issues—specifically, repeated paragraphs in Chapter 24 and the word “edit” left in Chapter 29—but these did not detract significantly from the overall experience. Overall, this is a very solid sequel and a great continuation of the story. Highly recommended for readers who enjoyed the first book.
There’s always a danger that a second book continuing a story will not have the intensity or the ingenuity of the first one. This one was still just as compelling as the first, which is amazing because I’m basically reading these back to back in a marathon. I’m still looking forward to the next story. I still think that Rose has her own story to tell and Erasmus‘s history is worth its own Chronicles, prequel if you will. I also think that Tom and Catherine may be a strong enough story to act on their own in their own way.there’s plenty of potential within this universe. I’m really enjoying it.
Going on to book 3; but wanted and needed to review the first two books. I enjoy reading books about magic and all the things people can make it do. These books are really more about how this particular magic makes peoples' lives better and the joy that results from the work. Great characters and storylines. I like details and these books are full of them; not boring details but details that explain things almost logically. If you like developing kingdoms and the people who live and grow in them, read these books.
2026 bk 7. A sequel as good as the first. I continue to watch the main character and his friends grow and change into their fully recognized roles in life. The willingness to learn, to try new things, keeps this series enchanting to read. Along the way we have an author with an excellent eye for setting the geographical and physical scenes of the story, a well placed plot and subplots, and side characters that are as fully developed as the main characters. I wish the 3rd book was available - sigh.
Review of books 1 & 2. Fun reads. Relatively straightforward and linear progression path with a gifted MC. Have to take this with a bit of salt and eyeroll as MC and team solves previously impossible things on the fly due to "innovating" stuff...and that too repeatedly. Feels a bit too easy, but still the writing is good, and the pacing and action are well done so I was still engrossed in the story. Looking forward to the next in the series.
The other strikes perfect balance between storytelling and game mechanics. The mechanics help Define the progress of the characters as they work through their craft and Adventures but it is not overwhelming. Too often the mechanics and the stats get in the way of the actual story and that is not the case here. A very enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to the next in the series.
Wards & Measures is the second in a series about Marcus, friends, and family. Finally in a profession that suits him, now a world changing situations involves him, friends, and family. Using magic not seen before, solutions are found. The scoring systems as people upgrade is a little confusing to me but to people who play RPG games,I'm sure will understand. It is not needed to simply enjoy the read which is great.
So I got the first book with unlimited, the second book I bought. I have really enjoyed these books, not too serious, growth of the characters and enjoyable story line. I really enjoyed reading books by Jerry Boyd (may he RIP), I have been looking for another good series that I'll read 10 plus times over and this series is a good one so far.
I've probably read 600 novels in the progression genre over the last 3 years. Very few progress the protagonist without resorting to Martial violence. In my mind it takes more creative storytelling to make crafting interesting. I like the characters and I look forward to reading more
It's fast paced has a great plot and good character development . I would recommend this book to friends and my teenage grandaughters. I've been a reader since the sixth grade. This was one of the more enjoyable series that I've read over the course of my life .Thanks to Mr. Fabiano
First and Foremost, this is NOT a stand alone book. You need to read book one to get understand what's going on. No real martial or magical frameworks explored even though they are mentioned. Its all runes and glyphs. Epilogue was one of the best I've read. Hope they hire that kid that ran for two days
I wasn’t sure what these two guys could do to top their apprenticeship, but the journeyman partners are really getting things together and are saving the world. I couldn’t stop reading because they kept getting in serious trouble and I had to make sure that they survived. They even get the girls! Can’t wait to see what they can do as masters or grandmasters.
I very much enjoyed this second book in the Glyphwright Chronicles and look forward to reading book number three. Both books have displayed good pacing and interesting storylines, with Wards & Measures developing the characters and their friendships in a rewarding way. Don't miss out on these thoroughly enjoyable reads!
I want to see Marcus and Felix actually open that bigger shop. I want to watch the network grow across the kingdom. I want to find out if the cascade technique can really cure corruption in people. I want to see what happens between Adrian and Rose -- so I do hope Jeremy Fabiano spends another few months in Millbrook.
This a series about a young man with no prospects who stumbles into a way of making magic with glyphs. There is a a small town, new friends and enemies, and more complex scenarios as time goes by. The RPG elements are strangely understandable in this magical system. This is a fun series and I will definitely read the next one.
The story is a great continuation of the first book. The characters show growth that is realistic without being overly fantastic. Love the characters and like the fact that the book isn't a little talk between battles. Can't wait for the next book.
I’ve enjoyed reading this series and hope to visit Millbrook again in the near future. I’m sure there are many more adventures in store for Marcus and Felix. Maybe there’s even an offshoot for Kyle’s party in the works? Thank you for sharing your stories.
Some books rate male or female as important. These books are about people all contributing. It is only together we make progress. And whatever we can do well that is what we offer. Division among people or in a country creates nothing. Let us remember that.
Kept my interest. Liked how additional characters were smoothly added to the story. Hoping for volume 3 and the continuing story of how the army tries to use the network.
His do e it again, this author has hit it out of the ball park. Love this book. Another smashing hit. Can't wait to read the next one!!! Good action, not angxy, straightforward with full of magic.
I think every reader needs to start doing this to force authors to write a quick Recap chapter, which readers can skip if they remember, and those who don't won't stop reading the series.
Read these books if you like the slow accumulation of satisfaction that you're on the correct path. These are gentle stories with fierce lessons in friendship, perseverance and, yes, love. These are wonderful stories told by a skilled storyteller. Enjoy
Fabiano’s writing is spellbinding and almost impossible to put down. The detail about metallurgical structures shows the author’s incredible ability to weave it in and out of a his stories.
What started as a small town cozy tale of a wardwright goes into save the kingdom or die trying territory for most of this book. It was still a good read but more intense than I was expecting.
Had I known before reading the first book that I would like it so much, I'd have waited til the fourth was finished before starting.really good. Great concept. Believable charactors. What more can one ask. Hurry the next two!!!