The Powder Mage Novella Collection #1: Stories from the Powder Mage Universe

by Brian McClellan

Enter a new world or return to see old friends in four Powder Mage Universe novellas featuring Erika, Tamas, Adamat, Taniel, Ka-poel, and Ben Styke.

Forsworn
Servant of the Crown
Murder at the Kinnen Hotel
Ghosts of the Tristan Basin.

Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories, Fiction, Epic Fantasy, Audiobook, High Fantasy, Steampunk

257 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 10, 2016

About the author

Brian McClellan is an American epic fantasy author from Cleveland, Ohio. He is known for his acclaimed Powder Mage Universe and essays on the life and business of being a writer.

Brian now lives on the side of a mountain in Utah with his wife, Michele, where he writes books and nurses a crippling video game addiction.

Brian's novels include the Powder Mage Trilogy (Promise of Blood, The Crimson Campaign, and The Autumn Republic), Gods of Blood and Powder (Sins of Empire, Wrath of Empire, and Blood of Empire), and Valkyrie Collections (Uncanny Collateral)

Reviews

[Drachenkatze · Rating 3 out of 5]

The novellas weren't as good as the novels but nice for in-between-books. I just recommend reading them as text: This was the first audiobook I returned. What really put me off was Julie Hoversons reading: Men speak like they are constantly growling and barking through clenched teeth. Even worse was the first story (Forsworn). The story was ok but whenever it was told from the girl's perspective Julies voice piped up like she read to retarded children. I will never ever buy another audiobook read by her! The fact that in one chapter 15 minutes repeated because someone thought it might be nice to listen to the same part twice was really a minor annoyance in comparison.

[Aram Brazilian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could name any one of these short stories as my favorite but instead I will take the high road and love them all equally - now I am ready to take on the Powder Mage trilogy...

[Vagabond of Letters, DLitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5.

Good, enjoyable escapist fiction. No deep thought or message that I can detect, but also, consequent to the author's lack of obsession with foisting an idea upon the reader, rather little warrioring of social justice beyond elite women soldiers and magesses.

[Curtis · Rating 2 out of 5]

If this were a Lemony Snicket book, it would be called The Boring Backstory.

[Derek Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forsworn

Really well done short story, pulling in faces and fears very present in the main books. I thought the characters were quite well developed and certainly felt for their plight. The entire time I read I was looking for "easter eggs" and just enjoyed the read for itself. It captured a part of the world not fully explored as of yet and was grateful for some of the veil being lifted.

Servant of the Crown

Basically a delightful continuation of "Forsworn". It was nice to again read of Tamas - and certainly about some of the start of his rise through the ranks, as well as, many of the pitfalls he dealt with in that rise. I also really enjoyed the relationship blossoming between Tamas and Erika. You don't get much of her in the main books so it's nice to get this here. Compelling story and I enjoyed it all.

Murder at The Kinnen Hotel

As of this time I think this may be my favorite short story by Brian. Adamat is one of my favorite characters in the main story, but also just the compelling nature of a murder mystery with intrigue is always a compelling story. Well told and I fully enjoyed being back in that mindset with Adamat and Ricard.

Ghosts of the Tristan Basin

This is a perfect story to be reading about where I am in the main books. About halfway into Wrath of Empire. The insights to Lindet and Ben Styke were amazing. To see them in this time and with the obsticals before them. The choices made and everything just lays the groundwork for what I have read. Very cool and entertaining. The pacing was wonderful and the fleshing out of past Taniel Two shot was very much appreciated by myself.

[Frank O'Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m completely biased when it comes to Brian McClellan. How can you not be, he is one of the best authors I’ve read in a long, long time. This collection of four short stories are based between 35 years to 8 months before the events of Promise of Blood, book one of the Powder Mage Trilogy. It features much loved characters such as Erika, Tamas, Adamat and Taniel. Whether you’ve read the Powder Mage Trilogy already or just looking to sample some of Mr McClellan’s work this Novella Collection is for you.

[Torgall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: I've read the separated short stories, but decided to rate only this collection to avoid bloating my read count.

If you are interested in all of those optional short stories, be sure to read "In the Field Marshal's Shadow " beforehand. This collection further expands the background of some main characters, taking place before the start of the main Powder Mage trilogy. My favorite one is "Ghosts of the Tristan Basin" because it gives us a glimpse at the Taniel Two-Shot. This conflict allows him to make a name for himself and meet a girl that will change his life.

[John Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t usually like short stories unless they’re prequel stories and give more understanding of a favorite character from the series. This collection does just that, especially the first 2.

The first one is about Tamas’ wife before she met Tamas, and how she started trafficking powder mages to safety.

The 2nd one is about Tamas training his wife and falling in love with her.

The 3rd one is about Adamat and it was pretty good but didn’t really bring anything new to his story. Just him solving another crime.

The 4th one is about Taniel which I didn’t care for too much

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as an intro to his Powder Mage universe (haven't read the series... yet) and it was a great read. Excellent introduction to well-written characters and the plots were enjoyable and nicely handled in the small space he had.
His writing style and content remind me of Sanderson's Mistwraith trilogy and Abercrombie's stand-alone novels (e.g. Best Served Cold) but different enough to keep me reading.

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four enjoyable prequel powder mage short stories, each from a different character. Tamas, Erika (Tamas’ wife to be), Adamat, and Taniel Two-Shot. Good stories with well scripted mysteries and combats. I’d suggest this as an introduction book to the Powder Mage series. These are short, easy and fun to read, and touch on many of the characters, countries, magics, and events that are then central to Promise of Blood and the following novels.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great collection of short stories! I haven't read the Powder Mage trilogy yet but immediately purchased 'Promise of Blood' after finishing the novellas. They do a great job of introducing the reader to the universe, the characters and the magic. I enjoyed the style of writing and want more of it. Especially of freaking Ben Styke, give this man his own book!!

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating between 3.5 & 4

A very enjoyable set of 4 novellas set in the Powder Mage universe.
Works for new readers and old I think and a good introduction for readers who haven’t read the author before.
Available in ebook either separately or in this bind up, more expensive if bought individually so definitely fog for the collection.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forsworn - 4/5 - Backstory for Erika before she meets Tamas. Thirty-Five years prior to the events in Promise of Blood (Powder Mage #1).

Servant of the Crown - 4/5 - Erika meets Tamas, and the Adran Privileged Cabal gets uppity. Directly follows Forsworn.

Murder at the Kinnen Hotel - 3/5 - Richard Tumbler is accused of murder and Adamat is on the case. Twenty-two years prior to the events in Promise of Blood.

Ghosts of the Tristan Basin - 3/5 - Eight months before the events in Promise of Blood. Taniel and Ka-poel fighting in the Tristan Basin (Fatrastan War). Introduces Ben Stykes and the Mad Lancers.

Contains:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
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[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a little like visiting with old friends that you hadn’t seen in a long while. It seemed familiar but something was amiss. I think I would have enjoyed it more with the original narrator.
Looking forward to more books from McClellan.

[Robert Scherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like this author

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

6/6/2018 4 stars-short stories featuring the main Powder Mage characters, set before Promise of Blood

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of novella, very entertaining

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

OM NOM NOM. More Powder Mage novellas, please.

[Martin Sear · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love the novels youll love the novellas

Great series and these novellas just add to the characters and history. Very enjoyable and well written. Great fantasy fiction

[David Windmiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing backstories! Wish there was more.

[Abbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brian McClellan writes believable, well developed characters with creative world building and polished adventure storytelling. This is one of my ultimate favorite fantasy series.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a collection of 4 Powder Mage novellas. If you love the Powder Mage world, read these novellas. They’re fun bite-sized histories of your favorite characters from the series. I read all of the Powder Mage novellas in chronological order (after reading the original trilogy). I had to jump around a bit to do this. I bought this collection, The Siege of Tilpur (not in a collection), and In the Field Marshal’s Shadow collection at the same time. Then I looked at the timeframes & read them in this order:
Forsworn
Siege of Tilpur (stand alone)
Servant of the Crown
Murder at the Kinnen Hotel
Hope’s End (Field Marshal)
The Girl of Hrusch Avenue (Field Marshal)
Green-Eyed Vipers (Field Marshal)
The Face in the Window (Field Marshal)
Ghosts of the Tristan Basin
Return to Honor (Field Marshal)

[Nancy Hinnen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great extra stories to tide me over

If you like the powder mage trilogy you'll like these novellas. They're a fun detour into back stories of the main characters.