What do you think?
Rate this book
The Avatar of Calderia #3
The Lost Mage
The Dark sorcerer, Rak`koth, invades Balleterria, bringing death and destruction to the land as he unleashes his vast Imperial armies of ruthless killers and vicious war beasts upon the brave but greatly outnumbered Alliance of human and Elfin defenders. Only they stand between him and certain doom for their peoples as he pursues his malevolent dream of bloody conquest.
Meanwhile, Killian, Ellianthia and their intrepid companions continue their long, perilous quest for the mysterious lost mage, leaving the Plains people behind and following the shining stone ever southward into the ominous black Glass Mountains. Great danger, ferocious beasts, mythical creatures and startling surprises await them as they search for what lies beyond the enigmatic “door above the clouds,” knowing that every day’s delay means that more of their countrymen will suffer and die.
Battered by the enemy’s relentless assault, the Alliance forces led by Gavan, Rillandariel and Mik`kel struggle to survive epic battles fought with deadly steel and arcane magic—and a treacherous assassin in their own ranks—desperately hoping to endure long enough for Killian to return with the only weapon that can defeat the evil wizard and save them from annihilation.
Meanwhile, Killian, Ellianthia and their intrepid companions continue their long, perilous quest for the mysterious lost mage, leaving the Plains people behind and following the shining stone ever southward into the ominous black Glass Mountains. Great danger, ferocious beasts, mythical creatures and startling surprises await them as they search for what lies beyond the enigmatic “door above the clouds,” knowing that every day’s delay means that more of their countrymen will suffer and die.
Battered by the enemy’s relentless assault, the Alliance forces led by Gavan, Rillandariel and Mik`kel struggle to survive epic battles fought with deadly steel and arcane magic—and a treacherous assassin in their own ranks—desperately hoping to endure long enough for Killian to return with the only weapon that can defeat the evil wizard and save them from annihilation.
421 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 24, 2016
About the author
David M. Echeandia
4 books31 followersI was raised on the East Coast, enduring the freezing winters and loving New York pizza by the slice, the kind you fold in half and start eating. After serving in the Army, I put down roots in California. Now a psychologist, I live here in the sun with my family and a brawny Pekingese. I really don’t miss the snow and the cold, but I do still miss the pizza.
I have been enamored with science fiction/fantasy since I was (as my Georgia-born southern grandmother used to say) "knee-high to a grasshopper." My early loves were authors like Heinlein, Isaac, Herbert and Le Guin. More recent influences include Salvatore, Brooks, Eddings, Feist, Gabaldon and Carey, among many others.
I enjoy reading, RPG video games, canning preserves, old time radio, and attending Highland Games festivals (my middle name is McMaster). I've been promising to learn how to play "Scotland the Brave" on the bagpipes for too long to take myself seriously anymore, but perhaps one day...
I have been enamored with science fiction/fantasy since I was (as my Georgia-born southern grandmother used to say) "knee-high to a grasshopper." My early loves were authors like Heinlein, Isaac, Herbert and Le Guin. More recent influences include Salvatore, Brooks, Eddings, Feist, Gabaldon and Carey, among many others.
I enjoy reading, RPG video games, canning preserves, old time radio, and attending Highland Games festivals (my middle name is McMaster). I've been promising to learn how to play "Scotland the Brave" on the bagpipes for too long to take myself seriously anymore, but perhaps one day...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 2, 2016
In "The Lost Mage" the thrilling conclusion to the " Avatar of Calderia" trilogy, Rak`koth the evil sorcerer and his dark horde have invaded Balleterria hammering the Alliance of human and Elfin defenders with ferocious beasts, the walking dead, deadly weaponry and explosive volleys of magic. Gavan, Rillandariel, Mik`kel and their forces struggle against overwhelming odds including the treachery of a betrayal as they wait for Killian and his companions to return with a formidable weapon that will destroy the wizard and save them from extinction.
In this well-written, imaginative epic fantasy the action never stops as the Alliance battles not only the sorcerer's army of ruthless killers but vicious beasts and zombie soldiers that seem invincible. In an electric atmosphere that resonates with dark uncertainty, and fear as the clash of deadly forces brings ongoing death, destruction and chaos , the Alliance clings to the hope that Killian and his companions will return with a weapon to end the madness. Driven back from their defensive positions time and again Rak`koth's conquest seems inevitable until miracles occur that have the human and Elfin kings forging new alliances and overcoming an assassination attempt.
David M. Echeandia is not only a master storyteller vividly describing a kingdom on the brink of disaster but a skilled craftsman escalating the intensity and suspense as Killian, Ellianthia and their intrepid companions face the rigours of perilous mountains, steaming vermin-infested jungles, vicious Shapeshifters and a barren wilderness searching for the lost mage who once conquered Rak`koth. With time critical, their countrymen dying every day they're delayed, and armed with cryptic clues to finding the lost mage behind a mysterious "door above the clouds" the companions forge ahead.
In a landscape filled with bloodshed, brutality and carnage so common on a battlefield, and with unknown dangers stalking the companions, the author skillfully breaks the heightened tension when the chemistry between Killan and Ellianthia ignites and romance blossoms between Reagan and Shayienne. For much of the trilogy Ellianthia has denied her attraction to Killan hating the son of a former enemy. Only with time and a shared goal have Killian and Ellianthia's emotions begun to change, drawing closer until the request of a sexy, lustful Shapeshifter sparks their passion. Similarly Shayienne in constant contact with the man who saved her from the brutality of slavery is aroused by the caring kindness of the skilled warrior unjustly accused of being a traitor by the Black Guard.
With every novel David Echeandia's characters have developed in complexity, fuelling this captivating plot with high-energy, passion and drama. Crown Prince Killian of Calderia infused with the power of the gods is brave, empathetic and determined in the quest. With loyal, stalwart companions like the gruff, fierce and quick-thinking Reagen the former Black Guard captain; the compassionate and diligent Elfin healer Dellendrian; the humble and considerate Master Bard Palladarian; the tough, proud Plainswoman Shayienne; the self-conscious and hearty dwarves Ansel and Marta; as well as the impatient, grumbling battle mage Niocal, Killian takes on every challenge. But it's the feisty, courageous strength of Ellianthia whose trust wins his heart. Even in the battlefield the strength-of-will and resolve of Kings Gavin and Rillandariel, the self-sacrifice and bravery of their army as well as Prince Jek`kar's loathing of the senseless bloodshed and self- sacrifice in defiance of his father's brutality tugs at your heart strings as it fires your imagination. Yet it's Rak`koth heartlessness, cruelty, power-hunger and insanity; the viciousness of his shamans; and the fear and futility of his single-minded army that adds a terrifying chill to the war.
I loved the world-building and complexity of the "The Lost Mage" so reminiscent of other epic fantasies by George R.R. Martin and Terry Brooks. This is an unforgettable series you won't put down until the end.
In this well-written, imaginative epic fantasy the action never stops as the Alliance battles not only the sorcerer's army of ruthless killers but vicious beasts and zombie soldiers that seem invincible. In an electric atmosphere that resonates with dark uncertainty, and fear as the clash of deadly forces brings ongoing death, destruction and chaos , the Alliance clings to the hope that Killian and his companions will return with a weapon to end the madness. Driven back from their defensive positions time and again Rak`koth's conquest seems inevitable until miracles occur that have the human and Elfin kings forging new alliances and overcoming an assassination attempt.
David M. Echeandia is not only a master storyteller vividly describing a kingdom on the brink of disaster but a skilled craftsman escalating the intensity and suspense as Killian, Ellianthia and their intrepid companions face the rigours of perilous mountains, steaming vermin-infested jungles, vicious Shapeshifters and a barren wilderness searching for the lost mage who once conquered Rak`koth. With time critical, their countrymen dying every day they're delayed, and armed with cryptic clues to finding the lost mage behind a mysterious "door above the clouds" the companions forge ahead.
In a landscape filled with bloodshed, brutality and carnage so common on a battlefield, and with unknown dangers stalking the companions, the author skillfully breaks the heightened tension when the chemistry between Killan and Ellianthia ignites and romance blossoms between Reagan and Shayienne. For much of the trilogy Ellianthia has denied her attraction to Killan hating the son of a former enemy. Only with time and a shared goal have Killian and Ellianthia's emotions begun to change, drawing closer until the request of a sexy, lustful Shapeshifter sparks their passion. Similarly Shayienne in constant contact with the man who saved her from the brutality of slavery is aroused by the caring kindness of the skilled warrior unjustly accused of being a traitor by the Black Guard.
With every novel David Echeandia's characters have developed in complexity, fuelling this captivating plot with high-energy, passion and drama. Crown Prince Killian of Calderia infused with the power of the gods is brave, empathetic and determined in the quest. With loyal, stalwart companions like the gruff, fierce and quick-thinking Reagen the former Black Guard captain; the compassionate and diligent Elfin healer Dellendrian; the humble and considerate Master Bard Palladarian; the tough, proud Plainswoman Shayienne; the self-conscious and hearty dwarves Ansel and Marta; as well as the impatient, grumbling battle mage Niocal, Killian takes on every challenge. But it's the feisty, courageous strength of Ellianthia whose trust wins his heart. Even in the battlefield the strength-of-will and resolve of Kings Gavin and Rillandariel, the self-sacrifice and bravery of their army as well as Prince Jek`kar's loathing of the senseless bloodshed and self- sacrifice in defiance of his father's brutality tugs at your heart strings as it fires your imagination. Yet it's Rak`koth heartlessness, cruelty, power-hunger and insanity; the viciousness of his shamans; and the fear and futility of his single-minded army that adds a terrifying chill to the war.
I loved the world-building and complexity of the "The Lost Mage" so reminiscent of other epic fantasies by George R.R. Martin and Terry Brooks. This is an unforgettable series you won't put down until the end.
June 11, 2016
In "The Lost Mage" the thrilling conclusion to the " Avatar of Calderia" trilogy, Rak`koth the evil sorcerer and his dark horde have invaded Balleterria hammering the Alliance of human and Elfin defenders with ferocious beasts, the walking dead, deadly weaponry and explosive volleys of magic. Gavan, Rillandariel, Mik`kel and their forces struggle against overwhelming odds including the treachery of a betrayal as they wait for Killian and his companions to return with a formidable weapon that will destroy the wizard and save them from extinction.
In this well-written, imaginative epic fantasy the action never stops as the Alliance battles not only the sorcerer's army of ruthless killers but vicious beasts and zombie soldiers that seem invincible. In an electric atmosphere that resonates with dark uncertainty, and fear as the clash of deadly forces brings ongoing death, destruction and chaos , the Alliance clings to the hope that Killian and his companions will return with a weapon to end the madness. Driven back from their defensive positions time and again Rak`koth's conquest seems inevitable until miracles occur that have the human and Elfin kings forging new alliances and overcoming an assassination attempt.
David M. Echeandia is not only a master storyteller vividly describing a kingdom on the brink of disaster but a skilled craftsman escalating the intensity and suspense as Killian, Ellianthia and their intrepid companions face the rigours of perilous mountains, steaming vermin-infested jungles, vicious Shapeshifters and a barren wilderness searching for the lost mage who once conquered Rak`koth. With time critical, their countrymen dying every day they're delayed, and armed with cryptic clues to finding the lost mage behind a mysterious "door above the clouds" the companions forge ahead.
In a landscape filled with bloodshed, brutality and carnage so common on a battlefield, and with unknown dangers stalking the companions, the author skillfully breaks the heightened tension when the chemistry between Killan and Ellianthia ignites and romance blossoms between Reagan and Shayienne. For much of the trilogy Ellianthia has denied her attraction to Killan hating the son of a former enemy. Only with time and a shared goal have Killian and Ellianthia's emotions begun to change, drawing closer until the request of a sexy, lustful Shapeshifter sparks their passion. Similarly Shayienne in constant contact with the man who saved her from the brutality of slavery is aroused by the caring kindness of the skilled warrior unjustly accused of being a traitor by the Black Guard.
With every novel David Echeandia's characters have developed in complexity, fuelling this captivating plot with high-energy, passion and drama. Crown Prince Killian of Calderia infused with the power of the gods is brave, empathetic and determined in the quest. With loyal, stalwart companions like the gruff, fierce and quick-thinking Reagen the former Black Guard captain; the compassionate and diligent Elfin healer Dellendrian; the humble and considerate Master Bard Palladarian; the tough, proud Plainswoman Shayienne; the self-conscious and hearty dwarves Ansel and Marta; as well as the impatient, grumbling battle mage Niocal, Killian takes on every challenge. But it's the feisty, courageous strength of Ellianthia whose trust wins his heart. Even in the battlefield the strength-of-will and resolve of Kings Gavin and Rillandariel, the self-sacrifice and bravery of their army as well as Prince Jek`kar's loathing of the senseless bloodshed and self- sacrifice in defiance of his father's brutality tugs at your heart strings as it fires your imagination. Yet it's Rak`koth heartlessness, cruelty, power-hunger and insanity; the viciousness of his shamans; and the fear and futility of his single-minded army that adds a terrifying chill to the war.
I loved the world-building and complexity of the "The Lost Mage" so reminiscent of other epic fantasies by George R.R. Martin and Terry Brooks. This is an unforgettable series you won't put down until the end.
April 17, 2017
Starting to catch up on promised read and reviews. This one is another MASSIVELY over due review. To Mr. Echeandia – I humbly apologize it took so long to get around to this, I know it was promised a very long time ago.
Expectations
Since I’d read the second book in the series, there was a sense of what should come in this one. David did not disappoint. There’s lots of action, a little romance, and a several surprises along the way.
World Building
One of the hardest things to do when writing sequels is to continue to develop the world in new and interesting ways. David had an advantage with this, because of the quest style story he was telling. That kept pushing the boundaries beyond what was known, yet created a challenge to continue the world building with the same quality as the last installment. Each new setting was sketched in, and carefully developed without losing the momentum the story had built. As the conclusion approached, the new settings also created their own sense of tension – placing the characters in more challenging situations, or creating a greater threat to their survival. Very nicely done.
Character Development
Even though this is the third installment, the characters continued to learn and grow. Sometimes, it was through self-realizations; other times it was through learning additional skills. There is also a nice bonus, that the characters continued to learn about each other, giving the reader a chance to discover more about the entire cast.
There were a few expected developments, which I expected earlier in the tale. Most of these involved romantic interactions, which wound up adding a new layer of interest. Too many times adding such interactions in causes a loss of tension for the story, so this was a nice surprise. And there were a couple of times I downright laughed due to the results of these changes.
Pacing
Subtly handled, and very well done. With two interwoven/interdependent story lines, David did a wonderful job keeping the overall story moving while keeping both branches of the story aligned. In doing so, David allowed the reader to have a short break from the “Oh, no, the sky is falling on everyone” tension, which allowed me a chance to wrap my head around some of the new developments. And, there were a few unexpected ones, which made turning the pages even more exciting. (No, I will not go into detail, as that leads to spoiler territory.)
Overall rating? A well deserved 5 of 5 stars from me. Even though there are a few overused character types, they fit the story very well. (I’d wondered about one of the final introductions, and David’s answer to that question actually made me laugh a bit.) As I haven’t read the first book to the series yet, I’m looking forward to adding it to my collection and reading everything in chronological order!
Expectations
Since I’d read the second book in the series, there was a sense of what should come in this one. David did not disappoint. There’s lots of action, a little romance, and a several surprises along the way.
World Building
One of the hardest things to do when writing sequels is to continue to develop the world in new and interesting ways. David had an advantage with this, because of the quest style story he was telling. That kept pushing the boundaries beyond what was known, yet created a challenge to continue the world building with the same quality as the last installment. Each new setting was sketched in, and carefully developed without losing the momentum the story had built. As the conclusion approached, the new settings also created their own sense of tension – placing the characters in more challenging situations, or creating a greater threat to their survival. Very nicely done.
Character Development
Even though this is the third installment, the characters continued to learn and grow. Sometimes, it was through self-realizations; other times it was through learning additional skills. There is also a nice bonus, that the characters continued to learn about each other, giving the reader a chance to discover more about the entire cast.
There were a few expected developments, which I expected earlier in the tale. Most of these involved romantic interactions, which wound up adding a new layer of interest. Too many times adding such interactions in causes a loss of tension for the story, so this was a nice surprise. And there were a couple of times I downright laughed due to the results of these changes.
Pacing
Subtly handled, and very well done. With two interwoven/interdependent story lines, David did a wonderful job keeping the overall story moving while keeping both branches of the story aligned. In doing so, David allowed the reader to have a short break from the “Oh, no, the sky is falling on everyone” tension, which allowed me a chance to wrap my head around some of the new developments. And, there were a few unexpected ones, which made turning the pages even more exciting. (No, I will not go into detail, as that leads to spoiler territory.)
Overall rating? A well deserved 5 of 5 stars from me. Even though there are a few overused character types, they fit the story very well. (I’d wondered about one of the final introductions, and David’s answer to that question actually made me laugh a bit.) As I haven’t read the first book to the series yet, I’m looking forward to adding it to my collection and reading everything in chronological order!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews