Renegade

Guild Mage #5

by David Niemitz

After fleeing the College of Vædic Grammar at Coral Bay with a price on her head for murder, Liv Brodbeck leads her companions into the wilds of the mountain range which separates Lucania and Elden lands to the north.
She cannot return to her home in Whitehill without endangering her family there, and King Benedict's soldiers are already in close pursuit.
But the lands of the far north are the lands of Liv's ancestors, and deep beneath the Tomb of Celris, the legacy her aunt died seeking waits...

Genres: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Magic, Fiction

458 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 16, 2026

About the author

Dave Niemitz is a writer and teacher; he lives with his wife, son, a black cat named Charlie, and a Pug named Duncan.

Reviews

[Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series continues to be a lot of fun. I like the new elements of the 'old world' that this book presents, dipping into a quasi-sci-fi space as many fantasy books do. Glad to see character relationships continue to develop and intertwine. As we get into the back half of the series, it feels like the stage is properly set, the pieces are in place, and I am looking forward to seeing things get messy in the last few books.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

Another great entry. Things are definitely getting going in the series now. Only fault is that it was over so quick for me, but only because I couldn’t put it down.

[Andi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been going through the audio books of this series and since I’ve started I haven’t stopped listening. This story has had some of my favourite arcs in a book, they progress not just the story expertly but expand he word in a interesting and in depth way, they also introduce new and interesting characters and creates excellent character development for pre existing characters. The magic of the world is wonderful and shows it’s not solely for the purpose of fighting but is integrated into to the world’s every day. I also think the story does a good job at balancing story and fight scenes. The themes of the series from class differences, struggles and benefits of long lived beings, and being from 2 different races and feeling like you aren’t from either, I feel were interesting and done very well. This story has had some of my favourite versions of elf’s and gods I’ve read/ listened too. Also the story had LGBTQ+ 🏳️‍🌈 representation with a sapphic romance and an ace character, and this is always a bonus for me. Highly recommend this series. Now I’m far too impatient and excited for where the story goes new that I can’t wait for the next audio book that I’m going to jump to reading them.

[Seth Veale · Rating 5 out of 5]

AKA, "The Shortest Bad-Ass"
There are wings, flying swords and evil glowing eyes on the cover. What more do you need?

Liv and her friends learn the lore, the stakes, and join the war. It goes hard and you may need a sound-track.

They even get to be the good guys.

This is honestly the most run-of-the-mill fantasy novel of the whole series. It has giant eagles, dungeon raids and an ancient evil. In isolation, you would roll your eyes.

In context, they are exhausted rootless vagabonds too young to realise their circumstance and desperation. Older wiser heads offer them shelter, advice and solace - while openly acknowledging their use and abuse of the younger generation.
Adults are struggling with their choices and barely manage to accept the consequences, both present and foreseen. The danger and responsibility they're putting on these kids clearly disturbs them, only less so than how oblivious and willing our band of heroes are.

Liv pulls everyone through while wilfully ignoring her terrifying power. Everyone loves her, jokes about it and includes her while elders begin gently guide her in her eventual alienation as she becomes more and more godlike. Her intermittent moments with family and friends become briefer and more awkward, even though it is those she fundamentally fights for.

It sounds so tropey and on-the-nose but we've travelled to get here and I feel everything man. It's so glorious and epic but you're just dreading where it's going.

But yea, crank some Wolfmother and read it in a single sitting. I'm so invested 5/5

[Thorsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good. Liv steps onto the grand stage of this conflict, and I found that learning some of the backstory of the Vædim was helpful in making them a complex, nuanced enemy rather than just mustache-twirling villains.

[Dominique · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one had a lot of good world building

[Cal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still very good. Plot developing and characters developing as well.