Taste of Magic: Archmage's Shadow

by Amber Atlas, Autumn Knights (Editor)

Genres: Cozy, Litrpg

557 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 16, 2026

Reviews

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not bad, kind of what you expect from a cozy regressor series.

I enjoy the set-up, in that our MC feels guilt for her failure, which colours the beginning chapters.

The progression is generally enjoyable, keeping her from being a full mage again but still dipping the toes a bit too much in that area. I'd rather her completely stay away from magic.

I wish we had gotten a bit more of the backstory, I think it would help us get to know Alistair a bit better, and we could have heard of others from her past.

I didn't enjoy putting the biggest reveal of the book off-page, however. I almost took off a star just for that. For shame.

Ultimately, my biggest issue and what will likely keep me from reading more is that the author doesn't know whether the MC is mature or immature. Does she act like the 50 year old she is, or the 18 year old she regresses into? It flip flops too much and ends up on the immature side.

[Jennifer Denney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reincarnated Arch Bishop

So Melina is an arch Bishop whom literally sacrifice herself and wakes up when she is 18 and about to leave the orphanage. Her system has returned but she can't be a mage and she can't let anyone know as they will send her to the Church whom uses people with systems. She does a good job hiding herself until her old friend and partner *non romantic) is in the same town as her. Only thing is he doesn't remember her, he's also way younger and he believes in the church.

Melina still feels the weight on her shoulders even after no longer being an arch Bishop. She also keeps wanting to help Alastair her Lord friend and she's an orphan, not allowed.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will probably read the next in the series because there is charm to this book. I like the baking and the small town struggles. I liked many of the character interactions. I liked the MC’s desire to change this time around.

What I don’t like is the insistence on bringing up the past without ever really articulating what happened. I don’t think it’s an intriguing mystery that will keep me reading. It arrests the story’s progression and creates frustration because it bleeds into character relationships in the timeline. I also suspect that the restrictions on the characters are going to be scrapped and that feels a bit like a cheat.

2.75

[Aleca Soundy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

A binge read from start to finish. Great cast of characters, great plot development, and lore teasing in the form of visions and flashbacks. The litrpg elements are non obtrusive and settle in well with the setting and lore. Romance? Who can say. Frienemies? The best. I will be looking forward to all the releases from here on.

[Mim Crenshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Read

I really enjoyed this book. I liked how the author rewound time, and the way Melina chose her new Class. I didn't like how someone so intelligent about the future could become so reckless when Alistair came into the picture. She didn't think about herself or Master Gilbert when Alistair was concerned. I hope that changes a bit in the next book.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost DNF’d this. The beginning really intrigued me but the second third of the book I felt bored. Things picked up again and I felt myself wanting to find out what happens. Overall enjoyed the storytelling and the audiobook narration was really nicely done.

[Tracy O'Brien · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming, but the prose & dialogue are a little awkward in that web-serial-light-novel-that-wants-to-be-a-comic way