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A Mage is Sometimes Late
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Expected 4 Aug 26288 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 4, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
I was reading on the dock, and more than once I called out across the water to whoever was swimming to come listen to a line, then turned around and made my sister put her own book down so I could read it to her too.
A Mage is Sometimes Late by E.M. Peterson is fantasy with a cast whose ages, magic types, and species are never pinned down or explained away, which somehow makes the found family at the center of it feel bigger instead of harder to follow. They come together to rescue a sentient plant from certain death, and every one of them risks their own future to do it. That premise alone tells you what kind of book this is: tenacity, acceptance of people who are nothing like you, and a group of characters who show up for each other without needing a reason spelled out first.
One quote that had me pulling people away from the water came from a side character with a violent past. Someone tells him they never expected such a gentle response from him, and he says, "It takes a lot of scars to get this gentle." That line stopped me cold on the dock. It is the kind of thing that applies just as much to real people as it does to a fantasy side character, and I have not stopped thinking about it since.
I read this one on vacation, and by the time I finished, three different people in my life were already asking where they could get their own copy. This is going on my permanent shelf. It has intrigue, real friendship, conflict that matters, magic that feels woven into the world instead of bolted on, and enough fun in the middle of all of it that I never once felt like I was working to get through a chapter.
Finding out at the end that this was not E.M. Peterson's first book felt like a gift. I get to go find the rest of the backlist now.
This is a fantasy for readers of any age who want a found family quest with a plant worth risking everything for, characters who defy easy categories, and at least one line you will want to read out loud to whoever is closest, even if they are treading water twenty feet away.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book.
What's the last book quote you stopped everything to read out loud to someone?
A Mage is Sometimes Late by E.M. Peterson is fantasy with a cast whose ages, magic types, and species are never pinned down or explained away, which somehow makes the found family at the center of it feel bigger instead of harder to follow. They come together to rescue a sentient plant from certain death, and every one of them risks their own future to do it. That premise alone tells you what kind of book this is: tenacity, acceptance of people who are nothing like you, and a group of characters who show up for each other without needing a reason spelled out first.
One quote that had me pulling people away from the water came from a side character with a violent past. Someone tells him they never expected such a gentle response from him, and he says, "It takes a lot of scars to get this gentle." That line stopped me cold on the dock. It is the kind of thing that applies just as much to real people as it does to a fantasy side character, and I have not stopped thinking about it since.
I read this one on vacation, and by the time I finished, three different people in my life were already asking where they could get their own copy. This is going on my permanent shelf. It has intrigue, real friendship, conflict that matters, magic that feels woven into the world instead of bolted on, and enough fun in the middle of all of it that I never once felt like I was working to get through a chapter.
Finding out at the end that this was not E.M. Peterson's first book felt like a gift. I get to go find the rest of the backlist now.
This is a fantasy for readers of any age who want a found family quest with a plant worth risking everything for, characters who defy easy categories, and at least one line you will want to read out loud to whoever is closest, even if they are treading water twenty feet away.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book.
What's the last book quote you stopped everything to read out loud to someone?
July 2, 2026
This is the same world as Turbulent Magic but you don’t need to read them in a particular order.
This is one of those cozy-adjacent books. There’s too big of stakes for it to be considered actually cozy, but the way it is written, you know it’s going to work out in the end. It has cozy elements (like a tea shop) but isn’t afraid to tackle big questions and dig into character flaws. There’s both questionable enterprises, consequences for actions, and plenty of heart and humor.
Speaking of heart, our MC is persistent and kind and willing to do almost anything for his new-found friends (and the twins). Maybe that’s a bit of a flaw sometimes 😬. He struggles to feel part of everything but in the end finds out his place in the group and the world.
World building is great, the previous book we saw more of the world and only touched a bit on the magic school but this time magic school is where we stay pretty much the whole time. Love learning more about the way the magic system works and how it differs from discipline to discipline.
Peterson just has a way of really creating a misfit character who has flaws but who you ultimately want to root for. I really hope we keep returning to this world.
Thanks to the author for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
This is one of those cozy-adjacent books. There’s too big of stakes for it to be considered actually cozy, but the way it is written, you know it’s going to work out in the end. It has cozy elements (like a tea shop) but isn’t afraid to tackle big questions and dig into character flaws. There’s both questionable enterprises, consequences for actions, and plenty of heart and humor.
Speaking of heart, our MC is persistent and kind and willing to do almost anything for his new-found friends (and the twins). Maybe that’s a bit of a flaw sometimes 😬. He struggles to feel part of everything but in the end finds out his place in the group and the world.
World building is great, the previous book we saw more of the world and only touched a bit on the magic school but this time magic school is where we stay pretty much the whole time. Love learning more about the way the magic system works and how it differs from discipline to discipline.
Peterson just has a way of really creating a misfit character who has flaws but who you ultimately want to root for. I really hope we keep returning to this world.
Thanks to the author for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Fans of Harry Potter who favor a cozier, tea fueled, more senior student experience will thoroughly enjoy A Mage is Sometimes Late.
Our mage who is late to the magical table is the very likable Benji. Through hard work and persistence, not via talent or fate, Benji earns his place at Thelspoint University. Benji is definitely outside his comfort zone and is determined to become a mage, and possibly even make friends. He is starting to make his way and becoming a bit smitten with TA Nella when he runs into a problem. It's a big problem, the kind of problem that could take out a university or worse yet get him expelled.
Benji's tale is told well by E.M. Peterson. Our author writes with a turn of phrase that is clever and subtle which causes the reader to double back on occasion to catch every nuance. A few of my favorite quotes follow.
"Don't aspire to be normal"
"Please don't be startled, ... I mean only the usual amount of harm."
"I've always felt talent was overrated, when you can just keep crashing into the same wall time and again until it falls down."
"It looked like someone had enlarged a bullfrog and then filled its heart with murder."
"Fortunately, when we're too confused to behave rationally, we can always just drink tea."
Our mage who is late to the magical table is the very likable Benji. Through hard work and persistence, not via talent or fate, Benji earns his place at Thelspoint University. Benji is definitely outside his comfort zone and is determined to become a mage, and possibly even make friends. He is starting to make his way and becoming a bit smitten with TA Nella when he runs into a problem. It's a big problem, the kind of problem that could take out a university or worse yet get him expelled.
Benji's tale is told well by E.M. Peterson. Our author writes with a turn of phrase that is clever and subtle which causes the reader to double back on occasion to catch every nuance. A few of my favorite quotes follow.
"Don't aspire to be normal"
"Please don't be startled, ... I mean only the usual amount of harm."
"I've always felt talent was overrated, when you can just keep crashing into the same wall time and again until it falls down."
"It looked like someone had enlarged a bullfrog and then filled its heart with murder."
"Fortunately, when we're too confused to behave rationally, we can always just drink tea."
July 9, 2026
For starters I would like to thank the author for letting me be an ARC reader for this novel! I’m so thankful for the opportunity.
Now, honestly this book was well written. The magical university has interesting professors, new ideas on magic, and fascinating side characters.
The characters are clearly well developed and planned out, good for their spot in the plot and to move Benji, the main character, forward through his journey. They all have their quirks and the reasons why Benji continues to hang out with them (even when he probably shouldn’t).
Unfortunately the pacing made it not the right book for me. It felt like it dragged and I kept setting the book down and having to circle back to it. I think there are many people out there would enjoy the book, it just wasn’t right for me.
Now, honestly this book was well written. The magical university has interesting professors, new ideas on magic, and fascinating side characters.
The characters are clearly well developed and planned out, good for their spot in the plot and to move Benji, the main character, forward through his journey. They all have their quirks and the reasons why Benji continues to hang out with them (even when he probably shouldn’t).
Unfortunately the pacing made it not the right book for me. It felt like it dragged and I kept setting the book down and having to circle back to it. I think there are many people out there would enjoy the book, it just wasn’t right for me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to E.M. Peterson for an early opportunity to read A Mage is Sometimes Late!
What a whimsical book with such a fun roster of kooky characters! The magic system was really interesting - plantworks/metalworks/bioworks. Heavy focus on the plant-working. The author does a great job of bringing the reader into the academic setting. The twins and Maynard bring the humor.
I will admit that I did not feel that Benji necessarily acted his age. He is so much older than most of the students but so naive. I also felt that the cuss words were unnecessary. I have no issue with profanity, but Benji’s sudden potty mouth took away from the young adult whimsy and coziness in this case.
All in all, I think the side characters really stole the show in this book along with Rick.
What a whimsical book with such a fun roster of kooky characters! The magic system was really interesting - plantworks/metalworks/bioworks. Heavy focus on the plant-working. The author does a great job of bringing the reader into the academic setting. The twins and Maynard bring the humor.
I will admit that I did not feel that Benji necessarily acted his age. He is so much older than most of the students but so naive. I also felt that the cuss words were unnecessary. I have no issue with profanity, but Benji’s sudden potty mouth took away from the young adult whimsy and coziness in this case.
All in all, I think the side characters really stole the show in this book along with Rick.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Great story, fun characters and a lot of misadventures. It's a story filled with friendship and hidden caverns. Mischievous twins and library studying or napping. Tea shops with friends and caverns holding a secret.
For Benji, this is what he has been dreaming of and it does not disappoint.
Personal opinion: Swearing- not for me.
ARC Review: This book gave me mixed feelings. I wanted to love love it but it just didn't hit the mark for me. There were things I really enjoyed in this book and other things I just didn't like, the language 🤬 for one. All of this is my personal opinion, reading is very subjective.
So for those who want to give it a try, it is fun. I really liked that Benji didn’t give up his dream of attending Mage school, even though he is in his twenties. I liked that he wanted to learn and had a desire to help others. I liked the magic. It's cool to have a special magical ability and there are so many different magical abilities or strengths.
So if you don't mind language, demon like twins, mischief, a character with same-sex attraction very well written and only a small part, cool magic, and mysterious caverns below the town and school, then this story is for you.
For Benji, this is what he has been dreaming of and it does not disappoint.
Personal opinion: Swearing- not for me.
ARC Review: This book gave me mixed feelings. I wanted to love love it but it just didn't hit the mark for me. There were things I really enjoyed in this book and other things I just didn't like, the language 🤬 for one. All of this is my personal opinion, reading is very subjective.
So for those who want to give it a try, it is fun. I really liked that Benji didn’t give up his dream of attending Mage school, even though he is in his twenties. I liked that he wanted to learn and had a desire to help others. I liked the magic. It's cool to have a special magical ability and there are so many different magical abilities or strengths.
So if you don't mind language, demon like twins, mischief, a character with same-sex attraction very well written and only a small part, cool magic, and mysterious caverns below the town and school, then this story is for you.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A cozy magic university/school experience. I did feel that it started out slow and it finally got rolling into a more complex story. It felt like an every day problem that continually needed tending until a final solution was necessary. I still have so many questions about MAYNARDS BACKGROUND!! So mysterious and so much unknown. I will have yo read more to see if Maynards and his background is further revealed. It was def cozy with a sweet ending
Review of advance copy received from Author
**ARC REVIEW**
I have to say thank you to E. M. Peterson (author) for letting me read an ARC of this book! That being said, the book is very well written. The characters are also developed nicely. However, this was a little too slow paced for me. It seemed drawn out, and I didn't have the feeling that I needed to just read "one more chapter". I think anyone that wants a cozy Little Shop of Horrors vibe read, you are going to love it. For me? It just really didn't grab me.
I have to say thank you to E. M. Peterson (author) for letting me read an ARC of this book! That being said, the book is very well written. The characters are also developed nicely. However, this was a little too slow paced for me. It seemed drawn out, and I didn't have the feeling that I needed to just read "one more chapter". I think anyone that wants a cozy Little Shop of Horrors vibe read, you are going to love it. For me? It just really didn't grab me.
Review of advance copy
A Mage is Sometimes Late by E.M. Peterson was a fun, almost cozy, read. It's a stand alone book set in an established magical world where magic school and flying on dragons are commonplace. I enjoyed the magical everyday setting and how the cast of characters came together. Thank you for the ARC from the author on book funnel!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews