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The Age of Darkness Trilogy #1
Tage des Krieges
Die Welt, die Stephen Aryan kreiert, ist hart und erbarmungslos. Ein irrer König überzieht das Land mit Krieg. Sein Lieblingsspielzeug im Vernichtungsfeldzug ist ein größenwahnsinniger Hexenmeister, der längst all seine Menschlichkeit verloren hat. Einzig die letzten verbleibenden Kriegsmagier stehen zwischen ihm und dem Herz des Reiches. Doch ihre Zahl ist gering und ihre Reihen wanken, während die einfachen Soldaten in der Schlacht sterben wie die Fliegen. Die Götter interessieren diese sterblichen Schicksale wenig, sich einzumischen ist nicht ihre Art. Doch tatenlos zuzusehen, wie der Glaube an sie immer schwächer wird, können sie sich bald nicht mehr erlauben. Die letzten Tage des Krieges brechen an ...
521 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 14, 2015
372 people are currently reading
6431 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Aryan
17 books753 followersI’m a lifelong fan of fantasy and science fiction. It started with The Hobbit, The Belgariad, the Earthsea books, the Shannara books, DragonLance and then David Gemmell, who was a huge influence on my writing.
My novels include:-
The Nightingale and the Falcon trilogy
The Judas Blossom (July 2023)
The Blood Dimmed Tide (9 July 2024)
The Judas Blossom 3 (July 2025)
The Quest for Heroes duology
-The Coward (June 2021)
- The Warrior (August 2022)
Age of Darkness (first trilogy)
- Battlemage
- Bloodmage
- Chaosmage
Age of Dread (second trilogy)
-Mageborn
-Magefall
-Magebane
A prequel novella to everything, Of Gods and Men, was published in February 2018.
I am represented by Juliet Mushens of Mushens Entertainment.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 284 reviews
September 14, 2015
4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.com/2015/09/14/b...
I first became aware of Battlemage in the Spring of 2015 and knew right then and there that I had to check it out. Because come on, BATTLEMAGES! Also known as the heavy-hitters of Fantasyland. They. Are. Awesome. As you can guess, I ended up devouring this book pretty quickly. Not only do I love the premise, I also found it to be an extraordinary easy read because of its style and down-to-earth traditional story.
Needless to say, if you’re a fan of mages, wizards, sorcerers, or any of those magician types, you won’t be disappointed. Balfruss is our main battlemage character, one of six who has answered the King of Seveldrom’s call to arms against the mad Emperor Taikon’s invading army from Zecorria. It is said that their enemy is led by a powerful battlemage known as the Warlock, prompting the need for Balfruss and the powers that he and others like him can provide.
While the battlemages combine their efforts, the war is also fought on the frontlines by thousands of unranked soldiers. Among them is Vargus, an aging mercenary who has sworn an oath to fight, even if it means leaving the quiet village that was his home for the last forty years. Gradually, his name becomes known in the army camps for the morale and camaraderie he has instilled in his fellow soldiers, creating a brotherhood that fights as one. And of course, no war is fought without a network of spies and agents in the shadows, led by Talandra, princess of Seveldrom and keeper of all secrets. Taikon of Zecorria may have sparked this religious war under false pretenses, but as the clever and resourceful Talandra proves, two can play at that game.
What really worked for me was the pacing of this novel and the fact that its momentum was almost always a constant. This made Battlemage a very quick and easy read, as I alluded to in my introduction. There is very little downtime, and also plenty of action and battle scenes. Essentially, these fell into two categories, reflecting the reality of a war fought on two fronts – one with magic, and the other with the sword. There’s a good mix of these, so that the plot doesn’t get too repetitive. Balfruss and the battlemages fight in abstract and magical ways that deal more with the mind, while the soldiers like Vargus utilize more direct methods like blades, shields, and just plain muscle strength. Stephen Aryan’s writing style is also very straightforward and casual, so it took very little effort to simply dive right into the story.
Of the characters, I enjoyed all of them but hands down Talandra was my favorite. Balfruss and Vargus are great, but ultimately they are rather standard archetypes for their roles, while Talandra broke the mold in many more ways to become the most interesting. Also, off the top of my head I can name several examples of epic fantasy novels with an ensemble cast where I’ve found the female character’s role to be downplayed and underutilized (especially in first books of a series), but I certainly did not encounter this issue in Battlemage. In fact, Talandra probably plays one of the more important roles in the book, getting the most results by directing a large network of spies who carry out her orders from afar. Her sections aren’t as invigorating as Balfruss or Vargus’s fight scenes, but nevertheless I felt her personal story of sacrifice was the most compelling by far.
The overall plot itself is entertaining, if perhaps more predictable than I would have liked. A lot of the story elements feel familiar like I have read them elsewhere before, such as the mad and sadistic tyrant king, the populace’s fear and mistrust of magic, or the various political machinations – just to name a few. To the author’s credit though, he combines it into a neat package that offers a good mix of everything, plus the setting feels unique. There’s a bit of the new stirred in with the old, so to speak, and I actually wouldn’t have minded a bit more to the world-building to set it further apart from other epic fantasies of its type. There are mentions of faraway places and the fantastical humanoid races that inhabit them, like the Morrin, a horned, yellow-eyed and pointy-eared people; or the Vorga, a saurian race. These are the types of things in the world which I would love to see strengthened and expanded.
So if you’re feeling in the mood for a fun and action-filled fantasy story, you might just find it in Battlemage. It’s true that it doesn’t break much new ground, but I certainly wouldn’t dismiss it for that reason. I can see the story offering a comfortable and accessible experience to both new and experienced readers of epic fantasy, and I find I’m looking forward to the next book, which I wouldn’t be if this weren’t such a solid start. Definitely give this one a shot if it sounds right for you. And enjoy the battlemages.
I first became aware of Battlemage in the Spring of 2015 and knew right then and there that I had to check it out. Because come on, BATTLEMAGES! Also known as the heavy-hitters of Fantasyland. They. Are. Awesome. As you can guess, I ended up devouring this book pretty quickly. Not only do I love the premise, I also found it to be an extraordinary easy read because of its style and down-to-earth traditional story.
Needless to say, if you’re a fan of mages, wizards, sorcerers, or any of those magician types, you won’t be disappointed. Balfruss is our main battlemage character, one of six who has answered the King of Seveldrom’s call to arms against the mad Emperor Taikon’s invading army from Zecorria. It is said that their enemy is led by a powerful battlemage known as the Warlock, prompting the need for Balfruss and the powers that he and others like him can provide.
While the battlemages combine their efforts, the war is also fought on the frontlines by thousands of unranked soldiers. Among them is Vargus, an aging mercenary who has sworn an oath to fight, even if it means leaving the quiet village that was his home for the last forty years. Gradually, his name becomes known in the army camps for the morale and camaraderie he has instilled in his fellow soldiers, creating a brotherhood that fights as one. And of course, no war is fought without a network of spies and agents in the shadows, led by Talandra, princess of Seveldrom and keeper of all secrets. Taikon of Zecorria may have sparked this religious war under false pretenses, but as the clever and resourceful Talandra proves, two can play at that game.
What really worked for me was the pacing of this novel and the fact that its momentum was almost always a constant. This made Battlemage a very quick and easy read, as I alluded to in my introduction. There is very little downtime, and also plenty of action and battle scenes. Essentially, these fell into two categories, reflecting the reality of a war fought on two fronts – one with magic, and the other with the sword. There’s a good mix of these, so that the plot doesn’t get too repetitive. Balfruss and the battlemages fight in abstract and magical ways that deal more with the mind, while the soldiers like Vargus utilize more direct methods like blades, shields, and just plain muscle strength. Stephen Aryan’s writing style is also very straightforward and casual, so it took very little effort to simply dive right into the story.
Of the characters, I enjoyed all of them but hands down Talandra was my favorite. Balfruss and Vargus are great, but ultimately they are rather standard archetypes for their roles, while Talandra broke the mold in many more ways to become the most interesting. Also, off the top of my head I can name several examples of epic fantasy novels with an ensemble cast where I’ve found the female character’s role to be downplayed and underutilized (especially in first books of a series), but I certainly did not encounter this issue in Battlemage. In fact, Talandra probably plays one of the more important roles in the book, getting the most results by directing a large network of spies who carry out her orders from afar. Her sections aren’t as invigorating as Balfruss or Vargus’s fight scenes, but nevertheless I felt her personal story of sacrifice was the most compelling by far.
The overall plot itself is entertaining, if perhaps more predictable than I would have liked. A lot of the story elements feel familiar like I have read them elsewhere before, such as the mad and sadistic tyrant king, the populace’s fear and mistrust of magic, or the various political machinations – just to name a few. To the author’s credit though, he combines it into a neat package that offers a good mix of everything, plus the setting feels unique. There’s a bit of the new stirred in with the old, so to speak, and I actually wouldn’t have minded a bit more to the world-building to set it further apart from other epic fantasies of its type. There are mentions of faraway places and the fantastical humanoid races that inhabit them, like the Morrin, a horned, yellow-eyed and pointy-eared people; or the Vorga, a saurian race. These are the types of things in the world which I would love to see strengthened and expanded.
So if you’re feeling in the mood for a fun and action-filled fantasy story, you might just find it in Battlemage. It’s true that it doesn’t break much new ground, but I certainly wouldn’t dismiss it for that reason. I can see the story offering a comfortable and accessible experience to both new and experienced readers of epic fantasy, and I find I’m looking forward to the next book, which I wouldn’t be if this weren’t such a solid start. Definitely give this one a shot if it sounds right for you. And enjoy the battlemages.
June 13, 2016
Enjoyed this fantasy hamburger quite a bit because it was incredibly palatable. Loads of familiar tropes, an easy well paced writing style that is not overly wordy, a worthy villain and protagonists that are worth reading about. There are some good revelations and twists that keep the excitement going right up to the end.
It's an interesting one to rate though. To those new to the genre it's a go to option. It will introduce you to a world of sword and sorcery, men and gods and blood and wine. To those well versed in fantasy it might seem a bit too much off a well worn story to truly take root in the psyche so while not a bad option to pick up I would not be urging anyone to elevate it to the top of their must read list.
I'm not sure if I will remember it much in the future but the journey was a good one.
It's an interesting one to rate though. To those new to the genre it's a go to option. It will introduce you to a world of sword and sorcery, men and gods and blood and wine. To those well versed in fantasy it might seem a bit too much off a well worn story to truly take root in the psyche so while not a bad option to pick up I would not be urging anyone to elevate it to the top of their must read list.
I'm not sure if I will remember it much in the future but the journey was a good one.
October 26, 2015
Review from Tenacious Reader: http://www.tenaciousreader.com/2015/1...
3.5/5 stars
Battlemage is a bloody battle ridden book that is fun in the familiarities and interesting for its differences. It is a classic good versus evil story, complete with a mad emperor, religious zealots and lots of battles. Like, lots of battles. The story is told through three points of view, each providing a unique vantage point giving the reader the inside track of the different way the war was being waged.
Balfrus is one of the battlemages who are fighting for the King of Seveldrom. They are at war against Zecorria, which is led by a mad Emperor who has a powerful battlemage of his own called The Warlock. Don’t names like that just make characters sound more ominous? But of course a powerful battlemage who does the bidding of a mad emperor is bound to inspire a good amount of enmity to earn his name. While there is a good deal more magic going on in this book than a typical grimdark book, there is actually a good deal amount of mundane human battle occurring as well. I enjoyed Balfrus’ perspective, and gaining insight to what it was like for him, as well as other battlemages to be separated from their families at a young age to be trained to prepare to serve in the capacity they are now serving.
Vargus is an mercenary that is down in the trenches, getting dirty and bloody fighting this war. While battlemages pit against each other, using magic, sorcery, mind control to serve their ends, Vargus and his comrades are swords length from their enemies fighting up close and personal, putting their own life and blood on the line to serve. They all make sacrifices, but the seeing the difference between the two groups was interesting.
Talandra is a princess of Seveldrom. But, don’t make the mistake of pegging her as a vapid girl with her sights only on potential marriage prospects or the latest fashions. Talandra is bright and crafty, and, well, she also happens to be a spymaster. Her actions prove that physical strength and magical strength are not the only ways to fight a war. Intelligence and planning are crucial and can make all the difference. See, this is the type of female character I can’t help but love.
The plot and story were undeniable enjoyable and exciting. My only issue while reading is that at times I just wished some of the battles were a little shorter, or certain aspects a tad less predictable. But also keeping in mind this is a debut book, I think the author is worth watching, and the series worthy of reading on.
Audiobook Note: Matt Addis delivers a good performance in this with a pleasing voice. His inflection and tone helped reinforce the characterizations and added to the reading experience.
3.5/5 stars
Battlemage is a bloody battle ridden book that is fun in the familiarities and interesting for its differences. It is a classic good versus evil story, complete with a mad emperor, religious zealots and lots of battles. Like, lots of battles. The story is told through three points of view, each providing a unique vantage point giving the reader the inside track of the different way the war was being waged.
Balfrus is one of the battlemages who are fighting for the King of Seveldrom. They are at war against Zecorria, which is led by a mad Emperor who has a powerful battlemage of his own called The Warlock. Don’t names like that just make characters sound more ominous? But of course a powerful battlemage who does the bidding of a mad emperor is bound to inspire a good amount of enmity to earn his name. While there is a good deal more magic going on in this book than a typical grimdark book, there is actually a good deal amount of mundane human battle occurring as well. I enjoyed Balfrus’ perspective, and gaining insight to what it was like for him, as well as other battlemages to be separated from their families at a young age to be trained to prepare to serve in the capacity they are now serving.
Vargus is an mercenary that is down in the trenches, getting dirty and bloody fighting this war. While battlemages pit against each other, using magic, sorcery, mind control to serve their ends, Vargus and his comrades are swords length from their enemies fighting up close and personal, putting their own life and blood on the line to serve. They all make sacrifices, but the seeing the difference between the two groups was interesting.
Talandra is a princess of Seveldrom. But, don’t make the mistake of pegging her as a vapid girl with her sights only on potential marriage prospects or the latest fashions. Talandra is bright and crafty, and, well, she also happens to be a spymaster. Her actions prove that physical strength and magical strength are not the only ways to fight a war. Intelligence and planning are crucial and can make all the difference. See, this is the type of female character I can’t help but love.
The plot and story were undeniable enjoyable and exciting. My only issue while reading is that at times I just wished some of the battles were a little shorter, or certain aspects a tad less predictable. But also keeping in mind this is a debut book, I think the author is worth watching, and the series worthy of reading on.
Audiobook Note: Matt Addis delivers a good performance in this with a pleasing voice. His inflection and tone helped reinforce the characterizations and added to the reading experience.
December 31, 2016
What I love about fantasy is world building and a good magic system. Nothing is better than learning about and exploring an interesting and well developed world. While this book was a good gritty fantasy story, I felt like it didn't really build a world, instead it was just a story happening in a larger world that we didn't really get a chance to see.
March 2, 2023
Pretty average. There were some things in the books I found interesting. It basically read like 'Legend', it was heavily inspired by it, but I don't really feel the need to continue with the series.
Read
September 20, 2022When I review, I try to think less about my personal connection to a book and more about who the book will work for, since a book could be chalk or cheese to two different readers.
Battlemage will appeal to fans of military fantasy. This book is about a war: nations and ideologies clash, soldiers do gritty soldier things, mages employ deadly spells, shadowy figures work espionage in the background. There is a clearly defined side to support, and a clearly defined enemy. If you enjoyed books by David Gemmell, Glen Cook and Steven Erikson, then I think that BATTLEMAGE is likely to be up your alley.
In some ways BATTLEMAGE felt like a throwback to me; reminiscent of a style of fantasy we don't see so much of in current publisher's lists. It's big, it's epic.
I listened to the audio book. I found the narrator to be pretty soothing, and overall it made a good bed time listen.
If you enjoy war as the central focus of your fantasy, BATTLEMAGE is one to check out.
Battlemage will appeal to fans of military fantasy. This book is about a war: nations and ideologies clash, soldiers do gritty soldier things, mages employ deadly spells, shadowy figures work espionage in the background. There is a clearly defined side to support, and a clearly defined enemy. If you enjoyed books by David Gemmell, Glen Cook and Steven Erikson, then I think that BATTLEMAGE is likely to be up your alley.
In some ways BATTLEMAGE felt like a throwback to me; reminiscent of a style of fantasy we don't see so much of in current publisher's lists. It's big, it's epic.
I listened to the audio book. I found the narrator to be pretty soothing, and overall it made a good bed time listen.
If you enjoy war as the central focus of your fantasy, BATTLEMAGE is one to check out.
October 12, 2020
Sans originalité majeure mais des subplots inattendus et une meilleure représentativité des femmes !
started_finish_later
August 24, 2015style not on my taste, couldn't read too much (from various points inside) beyond getting bored and putting it down
October 12, 2015
A ton of fun.. really digged it. Full review to come.
December 8, 2016
4* - 7,5 out of 10.
Really good classic epic fantasy. Think a lot of Gemmell and a bit of Eddings, but done in a modern way. I can't wait to see what Bloodmage brings.
Really good classic epic fantasy. Think a lot of Gemmell and a bit of Eddings, but done in a modern way. I can't wait to see what Bloodmage brings.
September 5, 2016
average and not very original
March 7, 2018
I listened to this as an audiobook. I enjoyed the narration and the story. It ended well and I've started the second book already.
did-not-finish
November 4, 2016Oh god, will I ever like a book ever again? Am I doomed to an eternity of disconsolately reading the first 50-200 pages of a book only to sigh and cast it aside? Is this some sort of strange emo reading affliction?
Setting aside around page 65. It's the beleaguered forces of good (wizard, warrior, spymistress) arrayed against a menacing dark-magicked religious dictator forcibly and inexplicably bent on their destruction, which is all well and good, but I felt like I've read it so many times before and - more importantly - I felt like there isn't anything particularly compelling about this version. The characters were pretty template. Indeed, my strongest thought out of this was how much I wanted them to have flaws. Or conflicts. But they just didn't.
Setting aside around page 65. It's the beleaguered forces of good (wizard, warrior, spymistress) arrayed against a menacing dark-magicked religious dictator forcibly and inexplicably bent on their destruction, which is all well and good, but I felt like I've read it so many times before and - more importantly - I felt like there isn't anything particularly compelling about this version. The characters were pretty template. Indeed, my strongest thought out of this was how much I wanted them to have flaws. Or conflicts. But they just didn't.
May 10, 2018
Pretty much like a tabletop RPG come to life. In the comfort-food sector of Fantasy writing. It's often predictable but it does hold some great surprises and plot twists. It's a fairly easy and quick read, not a lot of brain muscle needed here and sometimes that exactly what I need. Features a trio of strong lead characters. Looking forward to reading more in this world.
Read
February 4, 2018DNF’d (for the second and final time) at around 45% I just can’t be arsed with meh right now!
March 20, 2022
I legitimately do not have the words to describe how much of a hidden gem this book is. The few wine's I've powered down before writing this are not helping my vocabulary.
I was in a massive book slump while on a road trip from Brisbane, QLD through to the Central Coast, NSW. Understandably because there's stunning beaches in almost every town, why would I want to read when I could be exploring all day? Even with a considerable amount of things to keep me occupied I still wanted something during the long drive (you know, for when I got bored looking at all that beautifully scenery) and before bed time. Nothing was catching my interest until I read a sample of Battlemage. Handy because on my 2nd last day I completely roasted myself (forgot to apply sunscreen) and couldn't walk or do much exploring. Having this to take my mind of the pain was an advantage.
Within the first few paragraphs I had the understanding that this was an in-depth world with lots of diverse religions, cultures and races, not all of whom got along. It was also an incredibly easy read, there was no intense info dumping, it was just simple, beautiful and clarifying story telling.
Of course with such a strong start I had to continue the story. Boy am I glad I did!
There were multiple POV's but all added details that developed the story further, there was no wasted space or unnecessary perspectives. Every character had their own voice and addressed a different style, from political, spy, warrior, battle mage, etc. No two were alike.
Personally I would say this is a character driven fantasy, all characters were compelling, I didn't want any of the 'main' characters to die and I was attached to the majority of the 'side' characters. I loved how the more you read from a certain perspective the more history and secrets you gained from that individual. By the middle of the book I was smashing through the pages just to see what happened next and to ensure my beloved fictional peeps were still okay.
Culturally I feel as though we only got a sneak peak - there's so much more to uncover. The author clearly had a very rich world to work from and has only given us a nibble of what could be explored in further depth.
I will say there were times when the amount of gore would surprise me and take me out of the story -I'm not saying this is a bad or negative thing. This book is about war, I don't think we should make light of something so horrendous. The imagery which the author was able to produce was at times disturbing - something to keep in mind if you have a weak stomach.
Overall highly recommend. My favourite book of 2022 so far. 4.5 brilliant stars!!!
I was in a massive book slump while on a road trip from Brisbane, QLD through to the Central Coast, NSW. Understandably because there's stunning beaches in almost every town, why would I want to read when I could be exploring all day? Even with a considerable amount of things to keep me occupied I still wanted something during the long drive (you know, for when I got bored looking at all that beautifully scenery) and before bed time. Nothing was catching my interest until I read a sample of Battlemage. Handy because on my 2nd last day I completely roasted myself (forgot to apply sunscreen) and couldn't walk or do much exploring. Having this to take my mind of the pain was an advantage.
Within the first few paragraphs I had the understanding that this was an in-depth world with lots of diverse religions, cultures and races, not all of whom got along. It was also an incredibly easy read, there was no intense info dumping, it was just simple, beautiful and clarifying story telling.
Of course with such a strong start I had to continue the story. Boy am I glad I did!
There were multiple POV's but all added details that developed the story further, there was no wasted space or unnecessary perspectives. Every character had their own voice and addressed a different style, from political, spy, warrior, battle mage, etc. No two were alike.
Personally I would say this is a character driven fantasy, all characters were compelling, I didn't want any of the 'main' characters to die and I was attached to the majority of the 'side' characters. I loved how the more you read from a certain perspective the more history and secrets you gained from that individual. By the middle of the book I was smashing through the pages just to see what happened next and to ensure my beloved fictional peeps were still okay.
Culturally I feel as though we only got a sneak peak - there's so much more to uncover. The author clearly had a very rich world to work from and has only given us a nibble of what could be explored in further depth.
I will say there were times when the amount of gore would surprise me and take me out of the story -I'm not saying this is a bad or negative thing. This book is about war, I don't think we should make light of something so horrendous. The imagery which the author was able to produce was at times disturbing - something to keep in mind if you have a weak stomach.
Overall highly recommend. My favourite book of 2022 so far. 4.5 brilliant stars!!!
March 11, 2020
Rating: 4.4/5
Review: That cover art is crap, period.
Our list of characters are few and I like that. Much easier to follow the story line without muddling it up with inventive names. Balfruss is a Battlemage. Vargus is a soldier. Talandra, a spy-princess. What they all have in common, besides fighting for their Kingdom, is loads of honor and impeccable virtue. Ho Hum.
Princess Talandra is a lesbian (of course) and a devious spymaster. She wends her way through the story line compromising the enemy in desperate fashion. As characters go, she is the least interesting and the most irritating with all of her “Kingdom before self”-isms. This constant virtuosity just wears you the fuck down. Initially, Balfruss is a bit of a douche and comes off quite the elitist with a side of high brow thrown in (he just gives and gives you know). Even Prince Charming couldn’t lift his dick. Yet he evolves as a character as the movement crescendos. Vargus made this novel a real delight. Exacting vengeance for a township wronged by bandits right from the start, he continues to kick-ass while being grounded in good sense and fair play. A complex character that hints of an ancient life of conflict.
The sword forged from a meteorite never makes an impact in the story line, which was odd since there was some time spent yapping about it. The novel is well written and the story line, engaging. I plan to follow through to the next in: “Bloodmage”.
Review: That cover art is crap, period.
Our list of characters are few and I like that. Much easier to follow the story line without muddling it up with inventive names. Balfruss is a Battlemage. Vargus is a soldier. Talandra, a spy-princess. What they all have in common, besides fighting for their Kingdom, is loads of honor and impeccable virtue. Ho Hum.
Princess Talandra is a lesbian (of course) and a devious spymaster. She wends her way through the story line compromising the enemy in desperate fashion. As characters go, she is the least interesting and the most irritating with all of her “Kingdom before self”-isms. This constant virtuosity just wears you the fuck down. Initially, Balfruss is a bit of a douche and comes off quite the elitist with a side of high brow thrown in (he just gives and gives you know). Even Prince Charming couldn’t lift his dick. Yet he evolves as a character as the movement crescendos. Vargus made this novel a real delight. Exacting vengeance for a township wronged by bandits right from the start, he continues to kick-ass while being grounded in good sense and fair play. A complex character that hints of an ancient life of conflict.
The sword forged from a meteorite never makes an impact in the story line, which was odd since there was some time spent yapping about it. The novel is well written and the story line, engaging. I plan to follow through to the next in: “Bloodmage”.
April 6, 2023
EDIT: I've just read this book for the third time and it absolutely holds up for me. I just love these characters so much, particularly Balfruss and Vargus.
I was in the mood for straight up action and magic and this book delivered in spades. There was plenty of battles both magical and non-magical to sink my teeth into. I knew from the synopsis that I would enjoy this, what I didn't expect was to get so invested in the characters.
Balfruss is a powerful Battlemage with a keen intelligence and a good heart. I was rooting for him from the moment he was introduced. Vargas is a battle hardened soldier with secrets of his own. His skill in battle made his P.O.V really entertaining to read. Also his character just really intrigued me and I wanted to know more about him.
Finally there is Tallandra, a Princess and a Spy. I just really liked her. She is strong in mind and heart and her P.O.V shows that Wars are not only fought on the battlefield.
The world building here was fantastic with an epic feel, the pacing was excellent and though the magic system is nothing new in fantasy, it was well executed and gave me some tense moments.
A perfect fantasy book to start off my new year of reading. I will definetly be reading more of this author.
I was in the mood for straight up action and magic and this book delivered in spades. There was plenty of battles both magical and non-magical to sink my teeth into. I knew from the synopsis that I would enjoy this, what I didn't expect was to get so invested in the characters.
Balfruss is a powerful Battlemage with a keen intelligence and a good heart. I was rooting for him from the moment he was introduced. Vargas is a battle hardened soldier with secrets of his own. His skill in battle made his P.O.V really entertaining to read. Also his character just really intrigued me and I wanted to know more about him.
Finally there is Tallandra, a Princess and a Spy. I just really liked her. She is strong in mind and heart and her P.O.V shows that Wars are not only fought on the battlefield.
The world building here was fantastic with an epic feel, the pacing was excellent and though the magic system is nothing new in fantasy, it was well executed and gave me some tense moments.
A perfect fantasy book to start off my new year of reading. I will definetly be reading more of this author.
November 20, 2016
This book is a strange one for me.
I don't have any concrete problems with it, that I can put my finger on. But it somehow just didn't really grip me. I had a hard time concentrating on it, and had to go back a few times, as I noticed I zoned out a bit and didn't pay close attention.
I liked the main characters, and the prose was just fine -I think it was just too small a scope for me?
Yes there are plenty of characters and different viewpoints, but it still felt kind of "small" to me.
I didn't really "feel" the war - there were detailed descriptions of blood and gore, but I wasn't really part of the story, and feeling the despair or the fear. Also the world felt a bit to enclosed for my liking.
I liked the different religions, the battlemages and the fight scenes - plenty of action and was quite entertaining. I also enjoyed the dialogues and the character interactions, but thought some of the characters were a bit bland on their own.
All in all definitely a book worth a read, especially for people who like a focus on war and fighting.
I don't have any concrete problems with it, that I can put my finger on. But it somehow just didn't really grip me. I had a hard time concentrating on it, and had to go back a few times, as I noticed I zoned out a bit and didn't pay close attention.
I liked the main characters, and the prose was just fine -I think it was just too small a scope for me?
Yes there are plenty of characters and different viewpoints, but it still felt kind of "small" to me.
I didn't really "feel" the war - there were detailed descriptions of blood and gore, but I wasn't really part of the story, and feeling the despair or the fear. Also the world felt a bit to enclosed for my liking.
I liked the different religions, the battlemages and the fight scenes - plenty of action and was quite entertaining. I also enjoyed the dialogues and the character interactions, but thought some of the characters were a bit bland on their own.
All in all definitely a book worth a read, especially for people who like a focus on war and fighting.
August 4, 2015
Easy read and loads of fun. Story itself is a bit predictable - kingdom is invaded by an overwhelming evil force - but that doesn't matter because the great strength of this novel lies in the depiction of the battle scenes, which are downright exhilarating. Aryan writes in a very cinematic style and the battle between the mages, hence the title, easily matches the intensity of any superhero battle or Jedi lightsaber duel on the big screen.
November 25, 2018
I really enjoyed this one. I did not know what to expect, but I decided to give it a go and I am glad I did.
It was all war. I like war ones!
There are 3 major POVs.
Balfruss is a battlemage who tries to keep his country safe. All around good powerful guy.
Tallandra is a princess, but no dainty miss. She is the country's spymaster and tries to sow discord in other countries to help their own cause.
And now my favorite. Vargus, a grizzled veteran who made me go all whaaat? I love going whaaat!
This idiot king is invading and has invaded lots more. All in the disguise of true religion. Grrr, kick their asses back to where they came!
SO like I said, it is all war. Spying and battles. It was easyread and enjoyable. I do want more. But dang, the next book is about 4 new people?! Nooo, what about Vargus!? Must read more!
It was all war. I like war ones!
There are 3 major POVs.
Balfruss is a battlemage who tries to keep his country safe. All around good powerful guy.
Tallandra is a princess, but no dainty miss. She is the country's spymaster and tries to sow discord in other countries to help their own cause.
And now my favorite. Vargus, a grizzled veteran who made me go all whaaat? I love going whaaat!
This idiot king is invading and has invaded lots more. All in the disguise of true religion. Grrr, kick their asses back to where they came!
SO like I said, it is all war. Spying and battles. It was easyread and enjoyable. I do want more. But dang, the next book is about 4 new people?! Nooo, what about Vargus!? Must read more!
March 3, 2025
A fantastic fast paced high fantasy novel, with large scale battles, an interesting magic system, layered MC's, political intrigue, bad ass battle mages, a compelling story, and great writing. Battlemage just sucks you right in and makes itself a hard book to put down.
The only thing I'd have liked is more world building. We're kind of just thrown into the middle of this world without much development or insight into it beyond the war that's ensuing. But I feel this is something that's going to be covered in the sequel books, so I'm no too hung up over this one critique. Other than that, I really loved Battlemage, and I can't wait to continue on with the series. A solid 4* rating!
The only thing I'd have liked is more world building. We're kind of just thrown into the middle of this world without much development or insight into it beyond the war that's ensuing. But I feel this is something that's going to be covered in the sequel books, so I'm no too hung up over this one critique. Other than that, I really loved Battlemage, and I can't wait to continue on with the series. A solid 4* rating!
April 27, 2021
3.5 🌟
Ich hab ne komische Beziehung zu diesem Buch 🤔😂 der Schreibstil hat mir gut gefallen auch wenn manche Sachen repetitiv waren und besonders Vargus und alles rund um die Götter fand ich mega gut und wünschte darauf wäre mehr eingegangen auch Balfruss und Talandra mochte ich 💪 aber es hat sich alles so richtungslos angefühlt hoffe das macht Sinn man wusste natürlich worum es geht aber irgenwie fehlten die Beweggründe der Antagonisten und wie es dazu gekommen ist dass jetzt Krieg herrscht 🤷♀️ werde aber weiterlesen 😇
Ich hab ne komische Beziehung zu diesem Buch 🤔😂 der Schreibstil hat mir gut gefallen auch wenn manche Sachen repetitiv waren und besonders Vargus und alles rund um die Götter fand ich mega gut und wünschte darauf wäre mehr eingegangen auch Balfruss und Talandra mochte ich 💪 aber es hat sich alles so richtungslos angefühlt hoffe das macht Sinn man wusste natürlich worum es geht aber irgenwie fehlten die Beweggründe der Antagonisten und wie es dazu gekommen ist dass jetzt Krieg herrscht 🤷♀️ werde aber weiterlesen 😇
August 23, 2025
The story is average, typical fantasy stuff so not very exceptional. If you enjoy classical fantasy stories with good vs. evil archetypes and mighty magic you will enjoy this book.
March 25, 2018
Battlemage by Stephen Aryan
The Age of Darkness Book 1
3.5 / 5.0 stars.
I’ve read Battlemage twice, and here are my best impressions of it: 1) It’s pretty easy to read, but 2) pretty hard to get really into. Lemme explain that.
The characters and world-building are what make Battlemage good. But even as they build it up, they also let it down. Let’s start with the good. Early on, a cast of interesting and relatable characters are introduced. The first chapter is a gem—and the world is vibrant and colorful, filled with very human characters, very real situations, and a lovely, if simple, magic system. But further on the overarching plot slows, as do the individual storylines. I found them somewhat repetitive too, if I’m honest. And while the world appeared deep and vibrant from without, it turns out to be only skin-deep. It’s not terrible, so long as you know what’s coming. It’s like a painting of a beautiful woman (or man)—they’re beautiful on the surface, just don’t expect any depth of character.
Actually… yeah. Battlemage is quite like a beautiful painting.
Where it suffers most from a lack of character development, something that the remaining two entries in tAoD work hard to correct (and do, to be fair). It’s typically difficult in a debut novel, set in a new world, to get and keep readers interested. The complaint a lot of my friends have with fantasy books is that they don’t move fast enough. Such is the norm nowadays to lead with a hook then introduce the cast of characters (in brief), moving the story along to keep the reader’s interest. Then, slow the pace in the middle a bit, enough to sprinkle in the history of the world and its’ characters (usually via flashbacks).
Battlemage does this, at least in part.
It starts with a hook: an impending war, led by a dark and powerful mage and a mad and vicious king. Then a cast of characters: Balfruss—a battlemage, sworn to use his magic to stand against the coming darkness; Vargus—a common soldier with a not-so-common secret, fights the war in the trenches, on the front line; Talandra—princess and spymaster, reluctant leader; Gunder—a spy posing as a spice merchant in an already occupied nation. Then, as the plot slows in the heart of the book, the past—really never emerges. Okay, okay, there are a few brief glimpses, but mostly just Balfruss and never anything important.
Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s a good read. But it suffers in the middle, once you realize the person that is Battlemage is only 2D. It’s something that the following two entries correct quite nicely. It is a decent start to a rather good trilogy, one that improves with each subsequent sequel.
The Age of Darkness Book 1
3.5 / 5.0 stars.
I’ve read Battlemage twice, and here are my best impressions of it: 1) It’s pretty easy to read, but 2) pretty hard to get really into. Lemme explain that.
The characters and world-building are what make Battlemage good. But even as they build it up, they also let it down. Let’s start with the good. Early on, a cast of interesting and relatable characters are introduced. The first chapter is a gem—and the world is vibrant and colorful, filled with very human characters, very real situations, and a lovely, if simple, magic system. But further on the overarching plot slows, as do the individual storylines. I found them somewhat repetitive too, if I’m honest. And while the world appeared deep and vibrant from without, it turns out to be only skin-deep. It’s not terrible, so long as you know what’s coming. It’s like a painting of a beautiful woman (or man)—they’re beautiful on the surface, just don’t expect any depth of character.
Actually… yeah. Battlemage is quite like a beautiful painting.
Where it suffers most from a lack of character development, something that the remaining two entries in tAoD work hard to correct (and do, to be fair). It’s typically difficult in a debut novel, set in a new world, to get and keep readers interested. The complaint a lot of my friends have with fantasy books is that they don’t move fast enough. Such is the norm nowadays to lead with a hook then introduce the cast of characters (in brief), moving the story along to keep the reader’s interest. Then, slow the pace in the middle a bit, enough to sprinkle in the history of the world and its’ characters (usually via flashbacks).
Battlemage does this, at least in part.
It starts with a hook: an impending war, led by a dark and powerful mage and a mad and vicious king. Then a cast of characters: Balfruss—a battlemage, sworn to use his magic to stand against the coming darkness; Vargus—a common soldier with a not-so-common secret, fights the war in the trenches, on the front line; Talandra—princess and spymaster, reluctant leader; Gunder—a spy posing as a spice merchant in an already occupied nation. Then, as the plot slows in the heart of the book, the past—really never emerges. Okay, okay, there are a few brief glimpses, but mostly just Balfruss and never anything important.
Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s a good read. But it suffers in the middle, once you realize the person that is Battlemage is only 2D. It’s something that the following two entries correct quite nicely. It is a decent start to a rather good trilogy, one that improves with each subsequent sequel.
June 3, 2016
Un bon roman de fantasy épique, voilà ce qu'est Mage de guerre.
Le récit retrace la guerre qui va opposer le petit royaume de Seveldorn à la coalition de ses voisins venus de l'Ouest et au terrible Nécromancien, un mage qui constitue la meilleure arme de la dite coalition..
Pas vraiment de préambule pour ce récit, on commence directement dans le vif du sujet avec le rassemblement de l'armée où un mystérieux vétéran, Vargus (qui m'a rappelé Légende, de David Gemmell) développe une confrérie de "frères d'armes", mais aussi le recrutement des fameux mages de guerre du titre, à commencer par leur leader Balfruss.
On suit donc au fil des pages les diverses opérations et manœuvres mises en place par Seveldorn pour sauver son pays. Tout y passe : complots, espionnage, batailles épiques, duels de mages surpuissants, conseils de guerre houleux...
Heureusement, le récit ne se limite pas à ça, nous avons quand même à faire à un vrai talent d'écriture. Les personnages sont très réussis, leurs relations bien pensées et leur donne suffisamment de relief pour qu'on s'attache à eux. Cependant, petit bémol, même si on s'attache à eux, je n'ai pas réussi pour autant à avoir une forte empathie avec eux. Lorsqu'ils perdent des amis ou compagnons d'armes, je n'ai pas été aussi touché que j'avais pu l'être en lisant Légende (oui, encore, mais c'est vraiment à ce livre que j'ai pensé en lisant Mage de guerre).
Les combats de magie sont impressionnants, les mages pouvant manipuler des énergies proprement hallucinantes, même si c'est au péril de leurs vies. Le nécromancien est un bon méchant, juste fou et pervers ce qu'il faut et d'une puissance redoutable, cela va de soi.
Bien que ce roman soit le premier tome d'une trilogie, il a le mérite de nous livrer un récit complet (vous connaîtrez le résultat de la guerre à la fin, si, si !) et de mettre en place certains éléments que l'on pressent d'importance pour la suite (notamment la présence sur Terre d'êtres d'essence divine ou approchante).
Un roman efficace, très prenant, mais qui peine à créer de l'empathie avec tous ces personnages (j'en ai quand même eu un peu pour la princesse de Seveldorn et son amour contrarié, mais ça doit être mon côté fleur bleue)
September 27, 2015
Als ich das wunderschöne Cover zu "Tage des Krieges", dem ersten Band der "Battlemage"-Trilogie gesehen habe, war ich direkt Feuer und Flamme und wollte dem Buch unbedingt eine Chance geben. Da auch die Kurzbeschreibung sehr vielversprechend klang, habe ich das Buch direkt begonnen, nachdem es bei mir eingetrudelt ist. Leider musste ich dann doch immer mehr für mich feststellen, dass das Buch leider gar nicht meinen Geschmack trifft.
Stephen Aryan besitzt zwar einen sehr beeindruckenden Schreibstil, der mir auf weiten Strecken zugesagt hat, allerdings bestand das Problem darin, dass ich bei der Geschichte irgendwann einfach nicht mehr mitgekommen bin, da diese einfach viel zu vollgepackt ist. Man merkt, dass der Autor hierbei wahnsinnig viele Ideen hatte, allerdings hat er diese anscheinend auch alle auf einmal umgesetzt, denn mir passierte im Laufe der Geschichte einfach zu viel und vieles wurde viel zu schnell abgearbeitet, sodass ich die Geschichte einfach nicht genießen konnte und somit auch leider immer mehr das Interesse an der Geschichte verloren habe.
Auch die Welt, die hier geschaffen wurde, hatte deutliche Schwächen, denn manche Beschreibungen - auch wenn sie sehr malerisch waren - wollten für mich einfach nicht zum Rest der Geschichte passen, sodass ich hier immer wieder ein paar Fragezeichen über meinem Kopf schweben hatte. Sicherlich, bei Fantasy-Roman ist immer alles erlaubt, allerdings wollte für mich die Geschichte rund um den König und den Hexenmeister einfach nicht funktionieren, sodass ich das Buch leider schweren Herzens bei ca. der Hälfte abgebrochen habe.
Ich denke aber, dass das Buch, bzw. die Trilogie in Deutschland viele Anhänger finden wird, nur bei sollte es leider trotz interessanter Kurzbeschreibung und imposanten Cover einfach nicht sein.
Stephen Aryan besitzt zwar einen sehr beeindruckenden Schreibstil, der mir auf weiten Strecken zugesagt hat, allerdings bestand das Problem darin, dass ich bei der Geschichte irgendwann einfach nicht mehr mitgekommen bin, da diese einfach viel zu vollgepackt ist. Man merkt, dass der Autor hierbei wahnsinnig viele Ideen hatte, allerdings hat er diese anscheinend auch alle auf einmal umgesetzt, denn mir passierte im Laufe der Geschichte einfach zu viel und vieles wurde viel zu schnell abgearbeitet, sodass ich die Geschichte einfach nicht genießen konnte und somit auch leider immer mehr das Interesse an der Geschichte verloren habe.
Auch die Welt, die hier geschaffen wurde, hatte deutliche Schwächen, denn manche Beschreibungen - auch wenn sie sehr malerisch waren - wollten für mich einfach nicht zum Rest der Geschichte passen, sodass ich hier immer wieder ein paar Fragezeichen über meinem Kopf schweben hatte. Sicherlich, bei Fantasy-Roman ist immer alles erlaubt, allerdings wollte für mich die Geschichte rund um den König und den Hexenmeister einfach nicht funktionieren, sodass ich das Buch leider schweren Herzens bei ca. der Hälfte abgebrochen habe.
Ich denke aber, dass das Buch, bzw. die Trilogie in Deutschland viele Anhänger finden wird, nur bei sollte es leider trotz interessanter Kurzbeschreibung und imposanten Cover einfach nicht sein.
May 7, 2016
Battlemage was so exciting. It held on tight and didn’t let go. I was hooked from the very first few sentences from the first chapter and from there it just got better. It was everything I’d hoped it would be. It had an exciting, well thought-out plot, complex and interesting characters, good writing, great humor, and amazing war-time magic. It had an interesting (subtle) religious and political commentary running through it that added dimension to the world. It made it more real. And it had a character that I had to really think about, really pay attention to, to figure out his true identity! I love that. I love a book that makes me think, and that surprises me.
I love good-guy/bad-guy magic. Magic that can take you to higher levels of selflessness and servant-hood and kindness, and that same magic can be used to pull you and everyone around you into filth and degradation. The Source is so powerful that, if used in the wrong hands, can completely break and ruin a person. And we see that in the battlemages. That’s my favorite kind of magic.
The narration was very good. Addis created a perfect voice for the personalities of the characters. He has superb accents and articulation, spoke clearly at a good pace, and took a book that was at 100% great and made it 200% great (which is exactly what the narrator should do! Add to the experience, not take away from it.)
The only thing about Battlemage I thought was slightly lacking was the very end. It was a little abrupt and open. Open in a good way, meaning it immediately demands a sequel. But I felt like the author was like “Hah! It’s over! bwahahahah!” rather than the kind of gentile ease away that leaves the reader feeling satisfied but still excited for what is to come. However I was still highly satisfied with the story, would totally read/listen to it again, and recommend it to anyone 18+.
I love good-guy/bad-guy magic. Magic that can take you to higher levels of selflessness and servant-hood and kindness, and that same magic can be used to pull you and everyone around you into filth and degradation. The Source is so powerful that, if used in the wrong hands, can completely break and ruin a person. And we see that in the battlemages. That’s my favorite kind of magic.
The narration was very good. Addis created a perfect voice for the personalities of the characters. He has superb accents and articulation, spoke clearly at a good pace, and took a book that was at 100% great and made it 200% great (which is exactly what the narrator should do! Add to the experience, not take away from it.)
The only thing about Battlemage I thought was slightly lacking was the very end. It was a little abrupt and open. Open in a good way, meaning it immediately demands a sequel. But I felt like the author was like “Hah! It’s over! bwahahahah!” rather than the kind of gentile ease away that leaves the reader feeling satisfied but still excited for what is to come. However I was still highly satisfied with the story, would totally read/listen to it again, and recommend it to anyone 18+.
June 7, 2023
Battlemage
by Stephen Aryan
Fantasy Epic Magic
Scribd Audio
read by Matt Addis
Ages 18+
Balfruss, a battlemage, answers the call from his king to protect his homeland from the Warlock and the mad king who are raging war across the lands. Vargus, a soldier does the same, as he has for most of his life, and Talandra, the king's daughter, who also runs the kingdom's spies.
These three people, along with many others vow to protect their land from the giant army the mad king forced into his service, swearing not to fall under his control.
The blurbs I read after finishing this book don't sound all that good, so I don't know what it was about this book that caught my attention. It wasn't a bad story, the world was great, as was the magic, though I think the magic needed some more explanation, but that could be in the next book.
Vargus, I think, is my favorite for some reason, even before (spoiler), Talandra was a nice change to the 'princess' trope, there was more to her than royalty. And Balfruss got cocky.
There were other characters, who also, as the three above, had their own chapters, and with the number of characters, third person point-of-view was the best choice, first would have gotten too confusing. One of these characters, I can't remember his name, I think he wasn't exactly human, but I'm not sure. He and the other city he was in, needed more work and descriptions.
But the descriptions of the battles, death, it was pretty graphic/gory so it's not suitable for readers under 18. There were some funnies, surprises, and there is something that I don't know if it was confirmed or not.
The story moved at a steady pace, even when they were waiting for the battle to start, the reader could feel the tension.
The narrator was very good and had a great voice range for the different characters.
3 Stars
by Stephen Aryan
Fantasy Epic Magic
Scribd Audio
read by Matt Addis
Ages 18+
Balfruss, a battlemage, answers the call from his king to protect his homeland from the Warlock and the mad king who are raging war across the lands. Vargus, a soldier does the same, as he has for most of his life, and Talandra, the king's daughter, who also runs the kingdom's spies.
These three people, along with many others vow to protect their land from the giant army the mad king forced into his service, swearing not to fall under his control.
The blurbs I read after finishing this book don't sound all that good, so I don't know what it was about this book that caught my attention. It wasn't a bad story, the world was great, as was the magic, though I think the magic needed some more explanation, but that could be in the next book.
Vargus, I think, is my favorite for some reason, even before (spoiler), Talandra was a nice change to the 'princess' trope, there was more to her than royalty. And Balfruss got cocky.
There were other characters, who also, as the three above, had their own chapters, and with the number of characters, third person point-of-view was the best choice, first would have gotten too confusing. One of these characters, I can't remember his name, I think he wasn't exactly human, but I'm not sure. He and the other city he was in, needed more work and descriptions.
But the descriptions of the battles, death, it was pretty graphic/gory so it's not suitable for readers under 18. There were some funnies, surprises, and there is something that I don't know if it was confirmed or not.
The story moved at a steady pace, even when they were waiting for the battle to start, the reader could feel the tension.
The narrator was very good and had a great voice range for the different characters.
3 Stars
February 18, 2024
[Ich habe das Buch auf Deutsch als Hörbuch gehört!]
Wow was ein Buch! Eigentlich wollte ich Hörbücher zum Einschlafen hören, aber das Buch hat mir glaube ich noch mehr Stunden Schlaf geraubt ... Was zum einen an der fantastischen Stimme gelegen hat, aber zu großen Teilen an der Geschichte.
Die Figuren fand ich allesamt klasse. Sie waren lebhaft, gut ausgearbeitet und tolle Helden für eine Dark Fantasy Geschichte. Und der Kaiser .... Brrrr, der lässt es mir wirklich kalt den Rücken hinunterlaufen.
Der Plot war spannend, dadurch, dass die meiste Zeit des Buchs Krieg geherrscht hat, kam bei mir keine Langeweile auf und die ruhigen Kapitel dazwischen ließen mich dann immer wieder Durchatmen. Zum Teil hat mit aber bei den Perspektivwechseln die Einordnung gefehlt, wo und wann wir uns gerade befinden. Auch fand ich es schade, dass es so wenig Interaktion zwischen den Figuren gab.
Das Worldbuilding ist auch eine der großen Stärken des Buchs. Es wird nur nach und nach aufgedröselt, was ich sehr gern mag, und ist wahnsinnig facettenreich. Ich bin sehr gespannt, wie es in den weiteren Teilen ausgearbeitet wird! Gut fand ich, dass Homosexualität mehr oder weniger akzeptiert wird, ebenso wie Frauen an der Macht.
Ah. Und es ist sehr brutal. Zum Teil hat es fast Splatter-Horror-Charakter und ist echt widerlich. Es passt zur Geschichte, aber darauf muss man sich einstellen. Für schwache Mägen ist das absolut nichts.
Alles in allem: ganz große Empfehlung!
Wow was ein Buch! Eigentlich wollte ich Hörbücher zum Einschlafen hören, aber das Buch hat mir glaube ich noch mehr Stunden Schlaf geraubt ... Was zum einen an der fantastischen Stimme gelegen hat, aber zu großen Teilen an der Geschichte.
Die Figuren fand ich allesamt klasse. Sie waren lebhaft, gut ausgearbeitet und tolle Helden für eine Dark Fantasy Geschichte. Und der Kaiser .... Brrrr, der lässt es mir wirklich kalt den Rücken hinunterlaufen.
Der Plot war spannend, dadurch, dass die meiste Zeit des Buchs Krieg geherrscht hat, kam bei mir keine Langeweile auf und die ruhigen Kapitel dazwischen ließen mich dann immer wieder Durchatmen. Zum Teil hat mit aber bei den Perspektivwechseln die Einordnung gefehlt, wo und wann wir uns gerade befinden. Auch fand ich es schade, dass es so wenig Interaktion zwischen den Figuren gab.
Das Worldbuilding ist auch eine der großen Stärken des Buchs. Es wird nur nach und nach aufgedröselt, was ich sehr gern mag, und ist wahnsinnig facettenreich. Ich bin sehr gespannt, wie es in den weiteren Teilen ausgearbeitet wird! Gut fand ich, dass Homosexualität mehr oder weniger akzeptiert wird, ebenso wie Frauen an der Macht.
Ah. Und es ist sehr brutal. Zum Teil hat es fast Splatter-Horror-Charakter und ist echt widerlich. Es passt zur Geschichte, aber darauf muss man sich einstellen. Für schwache Mägen ist das absolut nichts.
Alles in allem: ganz große Empfehlung!
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