"United you shall prosper, divided you shall fall.”For the first time in their lives, Milo and his siblings, Elyssia and Rinus, are forced apart.
Heirs to the throne of Mecuria, each must prove to their father they are worthy to rule. Milo is the determined heir, driven by duty and the desire to unite those around him. Rinus, the defiant rebel, refuses to be controlled by crown or expectation. Elyssia, a gifted scholar, searches for truths buried deep within the shadows of history.
In a world where the chosen are bound eternally to powerful familiars, destiny is never simple. As the distance between the siblings grows, so too do the cracks within the kingdom itself. For something ancient is stirring beneath Mecuria. A forgotten power tied to blood, legacy, and the bonds that hold the realm together.
If Milo cannot find his way back to his brother and sister, the kingdom may not survive what is beginning to awaken.
I read several early versions of this novel! We follow three siblings with wildly different paths, and there’s lots of epic fantasy fun! I’d recommend it to YA fantasy fans!
I’ve just read The Age of Affiliation and found it to be a great fantasy novel.
The chapters were structured in a great way, I found the length of them all to be that perfect duration where it doesn’t feel like a chore to get to the end, and as the storyline progressed the author began to weave hooks and cliffhangers at the end of chapters (usually telling the story of a particular thread / character before changing to another plot), which really made you want to keep reading!
A great page turner, good character development and story arc with detailed backgrounds on scenic descriptions (for example I’m a sailor by hobby and the sections covering Rinus and his enrolment in the Navy, with all the nautical terms and ship descriptions and quips were very relevant and accurate to real life).
All that whilst not being too “dense” in the sense that say Lord of The Rings can be with very heavy character backgrounds going back generations etc.
This book could be enjoyed by adults and older children alike. Much like the Harry Potter novels.
Would definitely read a sequel or other works from this author! J.B Tallis is on my favourite author list for sure.
I picked up Age of Affiliation because I saw the author talking about it on TikTok and thought I'd give it a chance. A few chapters later, I found myself sending live reactions, making theories, getting attached to characters and staying up far later than I should have just to read one more chapter. The thing I enjoyed most was the cast. Jest quickly became one of my favourites, Rinus deserves better, and several reveals genuinely caught me off guard. There were moments that made me laugh, moments that made me uneasy, and at least a few that left me staring at the page wondering what exactly had just happened. What started as curiosity turned into genuine investment. I wanted answers, but every answer seemed to uncover something bigger underneath. If you enjoy fantasy with memorable characters, mysteries that slowly unravel, and a world that keeps expanding the deeper you go, Age of Affiliation is definitely worth your time.
Also, I'd like to formally complain about the emotional damage. 😗
Disclaimer: I read the Beta Version of this book, made suggestions and comments to improve it. Nonetheless, this is an unbiased review, because of course. It has to be.
The first thing that struck me about this YA adventure, this coming of age story is how skilled JB was at grasping and expressing the character's voices from the very beginning. There was nothing tentative about it, and that makes it a seamless start to it. His prose is neat, clean and very smooth, without unnecessary embellishments, which again, makes for a smooth reading, especially for high school readers who are just dipping their toes into fantasy reading. It's the story of three siblings and how they're navigating their first steps into adulthood. Nothing wild here. The real crux of the story is HOW they navigate those steps, and that's where JB shines, because the characters feel very human and believable. Their follies are all understandable for their age, and their idealism as well. I am especially fond of Milo, who kiiiiinda is our MC (sorta?), his upright nature and front-footed approach to problems makes him a refreshing change to the modern trend of tentative and anxious youths. In part reflecting his upbringing, as he is the one _expected_ to succeed his father, the King. I also want to praise JB for his unflinching approach to how he wanted some things. The Familiars are a great success in this story, I think they provide a good mix of the familiar (no pun intended) and the novelty of their usage. If you're looking for a book that feels both known and new at the same time. A book that's ready to be consumed by either Young Adults or Adults who are still young at heart (hello!), then this is a great option. 4.4⭐️
Age of Affiliation was an amazing read from start to finish. The author’s creativity shines through on every page, making it easy to step into the story, vividly imagine the characters and settings and become immersed in the magic and adventure. I particularly loved the inspirational quotes woven throughout the book, which added depth and left a lasting impression.
The characters are all unique and well developed and the three siblings individual journeys are dynamic, engaging and full of surprises. With such a diverse cast of characters, I think this is a story that will resonate with a wide range of readers. The transitions between scenes and events are seamless, creating a natural flow that kept me eager to turn the next page.
One of my favourite aspects of the book was imagining the magnificent familiars and witnessing the unbreakable bonds of loyalty and friendship that develop between the characters and their companions. Age of Affiliation is a captivating, imaginative adventure that I would highly recommend.
I saw the author posts on TikTok and glad I did because this book was fantastic. I don’t normally do fantasy as i struggle to follow but I found this such an easy read. As you are following the journey of the 3 siblings chapters tend to jump between them so there’s something going at all time. It’s well written. Hoping there’s a follow up book because I’m excited to see where it goes from here. Would suit young adults readers also
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Fans of fantasy literature such as his dark materials and game of thrones will love it. It feels like the journey is just beginning, hopefully J.B. Tallis will give us many more adventures with these compelling characters.