Holder of Worlds

The Magelands Dominion #12

by Christopher Mitchell

For decades, the family of the Holdfasts have held sway over the Empire of the Sapphire Throne. They have defeated the Ascendants, and expanded their Empire into Dragon Eyre and the City of Salve. They have united the Star Continent, and have defended the right of mortals to rule themselves.

One Holdfast is about to change all that.

Cairney, the immortal son of Corthie Holdfast and Lady Aila of Pella, has been released from exile. With a small band of supporters, he plots to overthrow the rulers of the Empire and to place himself upon the throne – to reign like one of the great gods from the past. With Karalyn, Cael and Cole removed as a threat, can anyone stop Cairney before it is too late? Or will Cairney choose to use the ultimate weapon – the Sextant, to obliterate everything and everyone who stands in his way?

586 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 30, 2026

About the author

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About Me

I love deserts, which is too bad as I live in Scotland, but the mountains, glens and lochs more than make up for it. My other love is Greek Tragedy, especially Euripides, and I also read history, science, fantasy, and pretty much anything about the Beatles…

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Reviews

[Nicole Talbot · Rating 5 out of 5]

As we wind down to the final ending of the entire series I was concerned about how things would wrap up and would the remaining books suffer. This installment put all of those fears to rest and the author did not disappoint in any way!! This is an edge of your seat need to read the next chapter and not put it down kind of book. There are so many things happening including the end of some character arcs, the development of others, and some additional world building. Cairney is on the loose and the empire is struggling to contain the chaos. With Karalyn and Konna indisposed and Cael and Cole prisoners in Gunst who will come and save the day this time? It is so very sad to me that Naxor poisoned some of Corthie and Aila's children beyond what can be fixed. Aila is not far behind despite her previous love for mortals and understanding of those without serious powers. Daphne and Yendra would be very sad to see the state of this family at this point. Who will survive this chaos? You will need to grab a copy and dive in to find out!! Highly recommended!!

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holder of Worlds (The Magelands Dominion #12), my thirty-fifth read from prolific author Christopher Mitchell, 586-pages of epic fantasy (this is his longest book to date?). With more than 50 books published over 5 inter-conncted series it's no wonder that when I want to read epic fantasy I first look for Christopher Mitchell. I look forward to reading more from him, in fact Immortal Empire: An Epic Fantasy Adventure (The Magelands Dominion Book 13) is already on my TBR list and it won't be published until May so I'll have time to read The Making of Abigone (Masters and Makers Book 2) before it's published. “I received a complementary Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Shannon Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another epic journey.

You know what they say about power? Power corrupts. We've seen examples of this several times throughout the various stories but it still feels fresh. There is nothing recycled or boring and it doesn't feel like a retelling of the same things.

Many epic fantasy series run into the problem that as they draw on it starts to feel like like the story is continuing just for the sake of it. Those authors should take lessons from Christopher Mitchell. This series just keeps getting better and keeps readers engaged, guessing what will happen next.

Even though things are drawing to a conclusion I know there are still surprises in store and I can't wait to see where our journey heads to next.

I recommend reading these books in order as there are a million moving parts which are better enjoyed as a whole.

[Heather Cawdrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been a fantastic series starting with Magelands Eternal Siege right through to the Magelands Dominion. It was very easy to get involved with the characters and worry that they were not going to get their happy ever after which is still not a done deal. I have enjoyed every book that Christopher Mitchell has written and cannot wait for the final book to this series. Most of the characters are strong and you find yourself sometimes calling for the bad guys to win. I hope that the last book in this series answers some of the questions left in this book. I am wondering if the author will leave us hanging in order to do another different series on these characters or if it is truly the end of the story. If you like fantasy with a lot of tension this and the other series are the ones to read. If it is the end then i will miss the characters that i have come to know so well. I found it very difficult to put the book down once i had started reading it. I would highly recommend this whole series.

[Deon Schalkwyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what can I say about this book?! Honestly it picks up right where the previous book left off and sends you straight back into the action. We still have the holdfasts v the gods and Cairney leading them and the amount of death and destruction he leaves in his wake is ridiculous. There are some new interesting alliances formed and some old ones broken. The book is brilliantly fast paced and delivering surprises along the way. Honestly I am in two minds as whilst I can't wait for the next book, I feel like as the last book there is a lot to wrap up and what will I do without being able to rejoin this beautiful world that Christopher has created. if I could give the book 5 stars I would! Excellent work again.

[Cheryl Nice-Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant book from Christopher Mitchell. As The Magelands nears an absolutely epic finale; Cairney's bid to become Emperor moves up a gear as new allies are brought into the fold. What is he prepared to do to be victorious? The Empire of the Sapphire Throne tries hard to bring Cairney to justice, but at what cost .... This is leading to one hell of an endgame for control of the empire. I just can't wait to find out what is going to happen.

[Donna Wollf · Rating 5 out of 5]

WTAF??!!

This story line took turns that I was not prepared for! I'm not saying it's not good - of course it's amazing. Mitchell doesn't do anything less than that. But holy moly, I am shocked. War is a bastard and so is Cairney. The brutality that he wields, with no more care than swatting a mosquito, is just awful. My only complaint is that I now have to wait 4 months before I see how it's all going to end.

[Luci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what more can I say. I really enjoyed this book as it was fast and so much happening. I thought it might be more morbid than it was as I like happy endings but this actually gave me everything I would want in a good book. It leaves an interesting opening to the next this series and I hope that stays as positive as this book. Can't wait!!

[John Diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!

I have thoroughly enjoyed Christopher Mitchell’s books and have read almost all of them. He is after all one of my favorites authors. These series of books are one of my favorites. This latest book was one hell of a ride. I could not put it down and eventually finished reading it in a very short amount of time. I can’t wait for the nest book. Highly recommended.

[C Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m always impressed with the well written characters, plot twist and excellent pacing of Christopher’s books. Reading them is a dream and as usual this one has left me excited for the next one - I couldn’t put it down.

[JIM HARBOLS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic series!

you truly enjoyed every book since the first! Thank you for such a amazing saga. I had a few tears reading Holder of Worlds, so know your last book will bring on more. I would love for there to be more books to come, continuing with the mageland story.

[Brian Igoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this latest book inside 2 days!! 500+ pages is a lot of reading. Such was the intensity in this book keeping me fully engaged throughout. Story and plots were some of your best, I just don’t how you mange to keep the words flowing.
Can’t wait for the final book in the series.

[jim notley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb

Another episode in a very enthralling and addictive story. My only issue is that I now have to wait too long for the next one. If you haven't read these books yet, what are you waiting for?

[SidTheGod · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, every death pains me. Mitchell does an absolutely fantastic job of adding consequences and weight to the world. It feels as though no character is safe, which is exactly how it should be.

[Graham Bonner · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a great book

Brilliant, loved it, why can’t you release the last one sooner than the end of May, it’s so unfair, to keep us waiting.

[Denise burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I could not put this down at all l was at the edge of the setter alway thought looking forward to the next book but not to last of these books