Imperial Wizard 6: Unlikely Allies

Arcane Awakening #6

by J. Parsons

The Cyth have been defeated, and a precious seed carried forth, escorted by its remaining ancient guardians.

The Brotherhood has much to answer for; their schemes seem to grow in both ambition and danger in equal measure, yet the cost of their machinations is borne by the innocent.

Someone must act, but the hardest part might be finding them. To do so, Verdan will have to leave the city once more, but Hobson’s Point is in a crisis. New leadership means new goals and new methods.

Verdan’s focus remains on the Brotherhood, however, and will follow their trail, no matter where it takes him.

524 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 20, 2025

About the author

A long time lover of fantasy adventures, I've finally moved from just writing for family and friends to publishing my books online.

I hope you enjoy my work.

Reviews

[Frederick Feldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imperial Wizard 6: Unlikely Allies is a fierce, propulsive entry in the series — the author tightens the screws on political intrigue while doubling down on character heart. Allies form in unexpected places, betrayals sting harder, and the novel’s worldbuilding grows richer without bogging the plot. The pacing is relentless yet never hollow; quiet scenes carry emotional weight and propel the stakes. I loved the morally complicated choices and the way friendships are tested by power and necessity. For fans of high-stakes speculative thrillers with messy, human characters, this book delivers on both spectacle and soul.

[Jerry Sampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author doubles down on difficult choices in Unlikely Allies; victory never comes without sacrifice. This volume is more contemplative at times, allowing characters to reckon with their decisions, but it never loses forward momentum. I appreciated the careful attention to how coalitions form: trust is built slowly and shattered quickly, and those dynamics are portrayed with honesty. The supporting cast gets memorable arcs, and the central protagonists face challenges that change them. A thoughtful, intense addition to the series that will satisfy readers hungry for consequence-driven storytelling.

[Stephen Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

This installment surprised me in the best way — Unlikely Allies isn’t just more of the same; it’s smarter, darker, and more emotionally resonant. The central coalition is threaded together with negotiation, compromise, and cost, making every alliance feel earned. The book’s structure keeps you disoriented just enough to heighten suspense while the prose remains crisp and evocative. I appreciated the moral grayness: there are no easy heroes here, only people making consequential choices under pressure. A gritty, intelligent spectacle that rewards longtime readers and hooks newcomers.

[Noah Bean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imperial Wizard 6 is one of those rare sequels that broadens the scope while tightening focus. The stakes feel larger, the cast more fully realized, and the moral questions more urgent. Scenes of betrayal cut deep because we know these characters; their victories and losses matter. The narrative structure is confident and deft, allowing for both explosive confrontations and quieter reckonings. Fans of the series will appreciate how long-term threads are rewarded, and new readers will find enough intrigue to get hooked. Compelling, ambitious, and heartfelt.

[Edward Dye · Rating 5 out of 5]

A riveting continuation: Imperial Wizard 6 raises both the emotional and political stakes in ways that feel earned. The alliances at the story’s center are messy and believable, which makes every negotiation and fracture tense and absorbing. The prose is sharp, the pacing efficient, and the scenes of confrontation are cinematic without sacrificing nuance. There were moments that genuinely surprised me — clever turns that made me rethink earlier assumptions. If you enjoy speculative fiction that combines strategy, heart, and moral ambiguity, this book is a great pick.

[Edward Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imperial Wizard 6 feels expertly calibrated — stakes increase, tension tightens, and characters are forced into morally fraught positions. The novel’s plotting is intricate but never convoluted; reveals are clever and emotionally resonant. The landscapes of negotiation and battlefield both feel lived-in, and the author writes with a confident hand. I especially enjoyed the quieter strategic moments that reveal character as much as plot. This is character-forward genre fiction with the thrills to match. Highly recommended for those who want both brains and heart in their speculative fiction.

[Noah Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlikely Allies hooked me immediately and didn’t let go. The book’s strength is its willingness to let alliances be messy, to show the human cost of political maneuvering without cheapening it. The pacing is taut, and the prose is evocative without being showy. New characters add fresh dimensions, while series regulars get arcs that grow organically from past events. There are real surprises here — not for shock value, but because the narrative earned them. A compelling, emotionally intelligent read that advances the series in meaningful ways.

[Marshall Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inventive and unflinching, this installment digs into what holds people together when everything else falls apart. Unlikely Allies explores loyalty as a strategic resource, and the narrative treats it with the gravity it deserves. The battles are gripping, but it’s the quieter betrayals and bargains that sting the most. The writing balances spectacle with introspection, producing scenes that are both thrilling and resonant. I came away impressed by the depth of characterization and the author’s willingness to let characters bear real consequences. A standout entry in a bold series.

[Vance Auer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tense, emotionally-rich chapter in the saga: Imperial Wizard 6 blends political cunning with personal stakes so the reader cares about each tactical move. The author is adept at mapping out conflicts that feel inevitable and surprising at once. Character interactions crackle with subtext, and the book uses those quieter moments to raise the stakes of later confrontations. I was particularly fond of the moral dilemmas that leave no easy answers. This is smart, immersive storytelling that rewards attention and heart.

[Maximilian Pfeffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlikely Allies is both an action-packed thrill ride and a subtle study of compromise. The coalition-building at the center of the plot forces characters into uncomfortable alliances, and the narrative realistically explores the fragility of such bonds. The prose moves cleanly between scenes of high tension and reflective interludes, making the book feel balanced and deliberate. I admired the way the author allowed consequences to land — choices have echoes here, and those echoes matter. A satisfying, mature continuation of the series.

[Emelie Hauck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book surprised me with its emotional resonance; amid the strategic maneuvering, there are moments of genuine tenderness and regret. The action sequences are crisp and well-staged, but the novel’s heart lies in its characters’ negotiations with themselves and each other. The “unlikely” in the title is earned repeatedly: relationships form out of necessity and grow into something fragile and true. I’ll be recommending this to friends who enjoy intelligent, character-first speculative fiction with plenty of twists.

[Mauricio · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping, morally complex addition to the series. Unlikely Allies asks what people will sacrifice to survive, and the answers are rarely clean. The book’s pacing is relentless in all the right ways; it keeps tension high while allowing character development to deepen. I admired the way subplots interlocked and how small decisions reverberated across the narrative. This is the kind of sequel that honors its past while carving bold new ground. Fans looking for layered, consequence-driven storytelling will find much to enjoy here.

[Nikki Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bold, calculated, and emotionally pointed — Imperial Wizard 6: Unlikely Allies stands as one of the most accomplished entries in the series. The novel’s focus on tenuous partnerships adds nuance to every battle and negotiation. The writing balances spectacle with introspection, delivering both big set pieces and intimate reckonings. By the final pages I felt the consequences of each choice, and that sense of genuine cost made the book all the more satisfying. An excellent pick for readers who want strategy, heart, and morally ambiguous heroes.

[Jason W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boring

Not a terrible book but definitely boring at times. There is little character development. The dialogue is pretty limited. I’m also not a fan where the plot can only move forward when the MC makes idiotic choices. Finally, the MC is incredibly naive. There is a cult/terrorists organization that is continually trying to kill him and everyone he loves, that has murdered thousands if not tens of thousands, engages in experiments on sapient beings, and he’s busy trying to be the bigger person. I would say that the MCs personality is the biggest weakness of this series.

[jason gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent continuation of a great story

Like the earlier books in this series it's a well told story in a classic fantasy framework. I enjoy all the characters, and that the author just tells a good story and keeps the commentary on modern society to a minimum. Classic, well written escapism with a great cast of characters and an interesting storyline. What's not to love? Some typos/editing issues but minimal.

[Susan Marvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Jim Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read on book 6

I enjoyed the evolution of this story. The building of the alliances is what keeps me reading and pulling the past into reality. I hope more comes with the Vespa’s…

[Tiuri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still going strong. New allies, more adventures; book 6 does not disappoint

[Arnold Coley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Good series, it keeps building
. I dont teally like some of the ways he shows the bad guys, suicidial is not generally a bad giy yrait, but it works in this context

[Joe Pyke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific

A superb addition to a great series! More is revealed about the nature and scope of the Brotherhood while the MC explores army building

[Amber Franco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet again fantastic

Easily the best modern fantasy series I have read in some time.
I can't wait for the next expansion to this great story.

[Robert L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book

This is a fine fantasy adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like the Vespari. I anxiously await the author's next novel.