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Dark Mage: A Returner OP MC LitRPG Adventure: The Nine Circles Book 2
The act has been exposed. Aldric Thorne is not what he seems, and his story is only just beginning.
A twelve-year-old who channels 6th Circle magic through a 3rd Circle body doesn't walk away unnoticed. High Magister Caelen Roth has been watching him for months, and after the midterm expedition he finally has proof that something about the boy is impossible. The Academy was supposed to be the easiest road back to power. Now it's the one place Aldric can't afford to be seen.
So he turns elsewhere.
Beneath the Arcanum's sight, the city runs on magic it never sanctioned, worked by mages who never took an oath and agendas Aldric would recognize. It's a place that eats the clever and the careful alike, and by things hungrier than the Arcanum currently knows. A boy is easy prey.
Unfortunately, they've never met a mage who's already lived a hundred years.
A twelve-year-old who channels 6th Circle magic through a 3rd Circle body doesn't walk away unnoticed. High Magister Caelen Roth has been watching him for months, and after the midterm expedition he finally has proof that something about the boy is impossible. The Academy was supposed to be the easiest road back to power. Now it's the one place Aldric can't afford to be seen.
So he turns elsewhere.
Beneath the Arcanum's sight, the city runs on magic it never sanctioned, worked by mages who never took an oath and agendas Aldric would recognize. It's a place that eats the clever and the careful alike, and by things hungrier than the Arcanum currently knows. A boy is easy prey.
Unfortunately, they've never met a mage who's already lived a hundred years.
- GenresFantasy
608 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 23, 2026
Great Addition
Honestly no notes. At first I was worried the author would do that annoying thing some authors do and break their magic system rules in order to give the MC companions closer to their level. But no, sera while second circle, remains within the parameters of the magic system. I love the MC progression and I’m excited to see where the story goes from here.
Honestly no notes. At first I was worried the author would do that annoying thing some authors do and break their magic system rules in order to give the MC companions closer to their level. But no, sera while second circle, remains within the parameters of the magic system. I love the MC progression and I’m excited to see where the story goes from here.
October 3, 2026
Mage Aldric Thorne was heartbroken when his apprentice of forty years orchestrated his death. But then he wakes up aged twelve and has a chance to do everything again.
In the second installment, Aldric Thorne discovers that his acting is not good enough to fool everyone and quite a few people have been putting together the clues of his extraordinary knowledge and prodigious talents. In some ways it makes things easier, on the other hand, flying under the radar isn't quite so simple anymore.
I really enjoyed the first one. I'm fairly convinced it was written or edited with AI but the story sucked me in and kept me hooked on the mysteries of Aldric and his plans, so I overlooked. This second book makes up for that with decidedly less AI, less use of the word clean (which became a whole thing) and with a much bigger plot. The first book felt familiar in all my favourite tropes being represented and while this definitely had the whole quest/adventure fantasy tropes down it felt decidedly more original.
That said, the first half of the second book was quite dense but the second half was action packed and moved a lot faster. The larger plot regarding the mysterious disease and Aldric discovering how it actually unfolded compared to what he remembered was great. I loved seeing the contrast and watching Aldric find reliving his life doesn't mean he's all knowing. It was still repetitive and focused more on narrating the plot than actual dialogue but I found it just as engaging as the first and am looking forward to future installments.
If anything my biggest disappointment was the lack of Sera. I really enjoyed their friendship in the first book and wanted to see much more of it. Aldric brought her into the circle of trust for details of his past but failed to include her as a resource or at least an echo board. I would've liked to see what kind of ideas she would've had. Or to know what any of the other characters might have contributed. Aldric is very much a lone wolf and I wanted to see him growing his team a bit more.
Unfortunately I can't find any details whether or not there'll be another book but if there is I'll definitely be picking up a copy. This isn't the greatest fantasy but it's a solid read and kept me hooked. 3 stars.
In the second installment, Aldric Thorne discovers that his acting is not good enough to fool everyone and quite a few people have been putting together the clues of his extraordinary knowledge and prodigious talents. In some ways it makes things easier, on the other hand, flying under the radar isn't quite so simple anymore.
I really enjoyed the first one. I'm fairly convinced it was written or edited with AI but the story sucked me in and kept me hooked on the mysteries of Aldric and his plans, so I overlooked. This second book makes up for that with decidedly less AI, less use of the word clean (which became a whole thing) and with a much bigger plot. The first book felt familiar in all my favourite tropes being represented and while this definitely had the whole quest/adventure fantasy tropes down it felt decidedly more original.
That said, the first half of the second book was quite dense but the second half was action packed and moved a lot faster. The larger plot regarding the mysterious disease and Aldric discovering how it actually unfolded compared to what he remembered was great. I loved seeing the contrast and watching Aldric find reliving his life doesn't mean he's all knowing. It was still repetitive and focused more on narrating the plot than actual dialogue but I found it just as engaging as the first and am looking forward to future installments.
If anything my biggest disappointment was the lack of Sera. I really enjoyed their friendship in the first book and wanted to see much more of it. Aldric brought her into the circle of trust for details of his past but failed to include her as a resource or at least an echo board. I would've liked to see what kind of ideas she would've had. Or to know what any of the other characters might have contributed. Aldric is very much a lone wolf and I wanted to see him growing his team a bit more.
Unfortunately I can't find any details whether or not there'll be another book but if there is I'll definitely be picking up a copy. This isn't the greatest fantasy but it's a solid read and kept me hooked. 3 stars.
October 14, 2026
I really want to love this series and work
I am writing this review early as I had the same issues with the first book, and I do not foresee this changing despite what the plot of this second book turns out to be.
Almost every other paragraph, there is an explanation from the narrator as to why the main character or why a side character does a certain action instead of the action itself doing its own explanation and the reader making their own inference based on that action. I didn’t need to read why the main character did something because of his century of experience. Once was fine, but every mention afterward, it becomes very repetitive and completely unnecessary.
I understand the tone that the author is trying to strike with the narrator’s voice being very clinical, detached, scientific, but it really impedes immersion.
It is a shame since I do love hard magic systems and love the methodical approach to progression without strict LitRPG stats and levels. Again, in all other regards, this story works, just not in this way.
I am writing this review early as I had the same issues with the first book, and I do not foresee this changing despite what the plot of this second book turns out to be.
Almost every other paragraph, there is an explanation from the narrator as to why the main character or why a side character does a certain action instead of the action itself doing its own explanation and the reader making their own inference based on that action. I didn’t need to read why the main character did something because of his century of experience. Once was fine, but every mention afterward, it becomes very repetitive and completely unnecessary.
I understand the tone that the author is trying to strike with the narrator’s voice being very clinical, detached, scientific, but it really impedes immersion.
It is a shame since I do love hard magic systems and love the methodical approach to progression without strict LitRPG stats and levels. Again, in all other regards, this story works, just not in this way.
October 28, 2026
An interesting story marred by AI
This was an odd one as it pertains to AI usage. There were times when it felt and read as if the author had written it on his own without incorporating AI. Then it would suddenly turn and AI was all over the place, fluctuating between subtle and “damn it, Vexis.”
Still, the storyline held and I will pick up the next book. I can only encourage Vexis that if you continue to use AI to help write your story…clean it up better!!
Rant: All these books out there where the author used AI are starting to sound the same. It might be better to get a library card and start reading older books and just give up on this younger generation who think AI cadence is cool and edgy. FFS.
This was an odd one as it pertains to AI usage. There were times when it felt and read as if the author had written it on his own without incorporating AI. Then it would suddenly turn and AI was all over the place, fluctuating between subtle and “damn it, Vexis.”
Still, the storyline held and I will pick up the next book. I can only encourage Vexis that if you continue to use AI to help write your story…clean it up better!!
Rant: All these books out there where the author used AI are starting to sound the same. It might be better to get a library card and start reading older books and just give up on this younger generation who think AI cadence is cool and edgy. FFS.
October 11, 2026
you have to go into this story with a suspension of belief because the MC is only 12 years old, and no 12-year-old is taken seriously.
This is an excellent story. I’m only giving it four stars because of the suspension of belief. I have to go through to believe a 12-year-old boy can do all of this. The MC even mentions in the book that being 12 years old is a pain. Besides that, the story is excellent, the MC is likable, even the side characters are great. I just wish that the author would age the MC or allow him to get taller with more girth. Like A 17 or 18-year-old. But I will read the next book in the story, and that’s what counts
This is an excellent story. I’m only giving it four stars because of the suspension of belief. I have to go through to believe a 12-year-old boy can do all of this. The MC even mentions in the book that being 12 years old is a pain. Besides that, the story is excellent, the MC is likable, even the side characters are great. I just wish that the author would age the MC or allow him to get taller with more girth. Like A 17 or 18-year-old. But I will read the next book in the story, and that’s what counts
October 19, 2026
better than the first book
This book was an improvement, but it needs some serious editing. The author/AI relies much to heavily on the same odd sentence contraction over and over again. My 12th grade English teacher would have given me an D if I wrote like this. Also the plot is largely driven by the MC’s impulsiveness. In other words, he makes bad decisions in order to drive the plot forward. And the 12 year olds still act like they’re 35.
This book was an improvement, but it needs some serious editing. The author/AI relies much to heavily on the same odd sentence contraction over and over again. My 12th grade English teacher would have given me an D if I wrote like this. Also the plot is largely driven by the MC’s impulsiveness. In other words, he makes bad decisions in order to drive the plot forward. And the 12 year olds still act like they’re 35.
October 25, 2026
very intriguing
A novel approach to an old mage returning to solve a recurring problem. The narrative captures you immediately and arcane solutions are now the “new normal”. It’s a fun read and while the action is rather final, the characters are 3 dimensional and fit in perfectly. Well written. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
A novel approach to an old mage returning to solve a recurring problem. The narrative captures you immediately and arcane solutions are now the “new normal”. It’s a fun read and while the action is rather final, the characters are 3 dimensional and fit in perfectly. Well written. Highly recommended. Enjoy!
October 5, 2026
Keeps getting better and better
Really enjoying the direction and uniqueness of the storyline. Smart characters that are not one dimensional. Hard choices that will lead to revelations. Looking forward to book 3.
Really enjoying the direction and uniqueness of the storyline. Smart characters that are not one dimensional. Hard choices that will lead to revelations. Looking forward to book 3.
October 6, 2026
Thin
This book is way too long for how little actually happens. Too much political nonsense, too much internal monologue, and the stench of AI in too many places.
Not totally terrible, but just ... thin.
This book is way too long for how little actually happens. Too much political nonsense, too much internal monologue, and the stench of AI in too many places.
Not totally terrible, but just ... thin.
October 13, 2026
Good Story
But use of AI as a supplemental author is obvious. Still, the story was interesting enough to read all the way through. This would be 5 stars if part of it wasn’t ChatGPT’s voice.
But use of AI as a supplemental author is obvious. Still, the story was interesting enough to read all the way through. This would be 5 stars if part of it wasn’t ChatGPT’s voice.
October 20, 2026
The story broadens
Aldric continues to advance at a meteoric pace. The situation grows more serious as he uses skills and knowledge from his first life to resolve issues in his second life. This series is shaping up to be a really good story.
Aldric continues to advance at a meteoric pace. The situation grows more serious as he uses skills and knowledge from his first life to resolve issues in his second life. This series is shaping up to be a really good story.
October 27, 2026
very slow, to much filler, very very little action. a lot of talking about nothing. the author needs to read more books so he can learn how to write a story. I am tired of reading the main characters mental monolog.
October 30, 2026
Enjoyed
Well done. The story line kept my interest throughout. The different perspectives made for a fast passed investigation with an excellent climax. Not a dull moment. Thank you for this book.
Well done. The story line kept my interest throughout. The different perspectives made for a fast passed investigation with an excellent climax. Not a dull moment. Thank you for this book.
October 4, 2026
Not bad but rather longwinded. For my taste not enough interesting things happened throughout the book. The plot was dragged down by dull academy events and the unnecessary apprentice side plot.
October 10, 2026
Good next installment
I appreciated the story and liked the writing style. Would read more in the series when available. Worth the read!
I appreciated the story and liked the writing style. Would read more in the series when available. Worth the read!
October 11, 2026
good
Nice addition to the series that moves it ahead and adds more drama with a dangerous enemy revealed. And our hero advances his circle.
Nice addition to the series that moves it ahead and adds more drama with a dangerous enemy revealed. And our hero advances his circle.
October 11, 2026
Just as good as the first book!
This book carries on what the 1st started, I honestly cannot recommend it enough. Amazing storyline, plot, characters and magic system.
This book carries on what the 1st started, I honestly cannot recommend it enough. Amazing storyline, plot, characters and magic system.
October 11, 2026
Excellent Read! Could not put it down.
Love the world building and the MC struggle even as a century old man in a 12 yo body. Huzzah to the writer!!
Love the world building and the MC struggle even as a century old man in a 12 yo body. Huzzah to the writer!!
October 12, 2026
Great story!
Just like the title states, this story is great. I really enjoy the first book and loved the second. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series.
Just like the title states, this story is great. I really enjoy the first book and loved the second. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series.
October 14, 2026
Great
This is excellent writing, character development and storyline development. I can not wait for the next book. Highly recommend this series!!!!!!
This is excellent writing, character development and storyline development. I can not wait for the next book. Highly recommend this series!!!!!!
October 17, 2026
Good addition
MC progresses and we get a new plot arc for the next book. It can be a little slow at times with the narration but overall a decent addition to the series.
MC progresses and we get a new plot arc for the next book. It can be a little slow at times with the narration but overall a decent addition to the series.
October 28, 2026
Great story and series and author
It is a great series. Great author. It's worth reading all of this series. Binge read and enjoy 😉 💞
It is a great series. Great author. It's worth reading all of this series. Binge read and enjoy 😉 💞
October 30, 2026
Outstanding read
Quite possibly a book on tokens level like asimov's Foundation this book is well written and I look forward to the third book
Quite possibly a book on tokens level like asimov's Foundation this book is well written and I look forward to the third book
October 31, 2026
Great story!
Enjoyed this read! Waiting for the third! Does not read like AI which was a breath of fresh air! Thanks
Enjoyed this read! Waiting for the third! Does not read like AI which was a breath of fresh air! Thanks
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews