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Blacklight Chronicles #2
Sun Mage
Book Two in the Blacklight Chronicles fantasy series:
Far out to sea, a mysterious island holds the ancient city of Darkov. The immortal sorcerer Aurellia awaits the arrival of Talis and Mara. The Temple of the Sun lures both dark and light forces to discover its power.
Talis and Mara will have to use their wits to escape slavery and trek out into the jungle. Foul fields of undead will trap them. Twin ancient cities, one of light and one of darkness, one ruined and one hideous in its power. Only one map can guide them.
But can they bear to enter the land of the dead? To face the God of the Underworld himself? If they fail, their family and city will fall to the Jiserians. And the world itself will slip into darkness. Unless Talis can first unlock the power of light magic.
Shadow Mage, Book Three in the Blacklight Chronicles, is now available.
Dragon Mage, Book Four in the Blacklight Chronicles series, is coming in December!
Far out to sea, a mysterious island holds the ancient city of Darkov. The immortal sorcerer Aurellia awaits the arrival of Talis and Mara. The Temple of the Sun lures both dark and light forces to discover its power.
Talis and Mara will have to use their wits to escape slavery and trek out into the jungle. Foul fields of undead will trap them. Twin ancient cities, one of light and one of darkness, one ruined and one hideous in its power. Only one map can guide them.
But can they bear to enter the land of the dead? To face the God of the Underworld himself? If they fail, their family and city will fall to the Jiserians. And the world itself will slip into darkness. Unless Talis can first unlock the power of light magic.
Shadow Mage, Book Three in the Blacklight Chronicles, is now available.
Dragon Mage, Book Four in the Blacklight Chronicles series, is coming in December!
210 pages, Paperback
First published January 3, 2012
139 people are currently reading
452 people want to read
About the author
John Forrester
17 books106 followersJohn Forrester is the author of Reins of Power, in the Shandian Chronicles epic fantasy series. He is also the author of Fire Mage, Sun Mage, Shadow Mage, Dragon Mage, and Death Mage from the Blacklight Chronicles fantasy series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
February 1, 2012
The second in the series didn't disappoint.Once again it was a fast read with the same four main characters. The action was pretty much nonstop until the end. I will be looking forward to the next installment.
August 20, 2017
Better Than the First Volume
I am impressed with the imaginative use of different forms of magic in this sword and sorcery tale. Forrester goes into some detail, and has evidently put a lot of thought into the logic of different magic systems. Very interesting.
I am impressed with the imaginative use of different forms of magic in this sword and sorcery tale. Forrester goes into some detail, and has evidently put a lot of thought into the logic of different magic systems. Very interesting.
May 8, 2012
Highly complex fantasy tale of magical teens fighting for life, freedom and their people
October 22, 2012
This book had such good detail. I felt like I was running for my life in the underworld. Certainly never want to be there. Good book.
July 13, 2012
Even better than the first book!
Overall Rating: 4 stars
Summary
A continuation from Fire Mage (Book 1 in the Blacklight Chronicles), this fantasy book picks up where the first ended. Talis Storm and his 3 companions are slaves on a ship bound for the island they so desperately need in order to find the temple of the goddess Nacrea, which will hopefully give them a way to save their native land of Naru. Throughout this novel, the focus is more on the battle for leadership between Talis and Rikar , who have ulterior motives for their trip through the underworld. Rikar is attempting to save his father and follow his dark Lord Aurellia, while Talis is focused on the plight back home and keeping Mara safe. Meanwhile all four have to rely on each other as they face the children of the five Calazars, the god of the underworld, demons, and dark terrors and creatures. All the while, their beloved city of Naru and all of their family and friends face the necromancers of Jisterian and army of the undead.
Evaluation
John Forrester really steps up to the plate in the second book. His characterization induces empathy and sympathy. His descriptions are even better than the first book, aiding to the flow and pace and allowing the reader to really see what he has in mind. His characters’ personalities really blossom in this book, as well as the understanding of the different types of magic and gods found in this land. The plot is full of twists and turns and, as the reader, I was in suspense through most of the book. This led to a fairly and enjoyable read! Honestly, after this book, I can’t wait to find out what happens in the next book! My favorite part of the novel is the discovery of the ancient artifacts and the distrust and development of their relationships through this.
Despite all the good praise, I would like to warn others that the language in this book seems more on an adult level in terms of difficulty and content than book 1. I would rate this higher for my personal category (4 stars compared to book 1’s 3.5 stars), based on the better plot and writing. However, with the language being more sophisticated, I found myself wondering how many times my students would have to stop to look up these SAT vocabulary words. I also found the darkness itself could be a little too much for the middle school crowd, though high schoolers would likely be fine. Aside from that, I found the plot jumpy in a few places. For example, at one point it’s nighttime, and then the next paragraph it says “Later the next day,” jumping entirely in the story with one phrase. But those mistakes (as well as a few typos or misspellings) are few and far between. When compared to book one, this book does a much better job of keeping the pace and intensity throughout.
On a side note, in future printings, I would like to see a graphic of the Surineda map!
Overall Rating: 4 stars
Summary
A continuation from Fire Mage (Book 1 in the Blacklight Chronicles), this fantasy book picks up where the first ended. Talis Storm and his 3 companions are slaves on a ship bound for the island they so desperately need in order to find the temple of the goddess Nacrea, which will hopefully give them a way to save their native land of Naru. Throughout this novel, the focus is more on the battle for leadership between Talis and Rikar , who have ulterior motives for their trip through the underworld. Rikar is attempting to save his father and follow his dark Lord Aurellia, while Talis is focused on the plight back home and keeping Mara safe. Meanwhile all four have to rely on each other as they face the children of the five Calazars, the god of the underworld, demons, and dark terrors and creatures. All the while, their beloved city of Naru and all of their family and friends face the necromancers of Jisterian and army of the undead.
Evaluation
John Forrester really steps up to the plate in the second book. His characterization induces empathy and sympathy. His descriptions are even better than the first book, aiding to the flow and pace and allowing the reader to really see what he has in mind. His characters’ personalities really blossom in this book, as well as the understanding of the different types of magic and gods found in this land. The plot is full of twists and turns and, as the reader, I was in suspense through most of the book. This led to a fairly and enjoyable read! Honestly, after this book, I can’t wait to find out what happens in the next book! My favorite part of the novel is the discovery of the ancient artifacts and the distrust and development of their relationships through this.
Despite all the good praise, I would like to warn others that the language in this book seems more on an adult level in terms of difficulty and content than book 1. I would rate this higher for my personal category (4 stars compared to book 1’s 3.5 stars), based on the better plot and writing. However, with the language being more sophisticated, I found myself wondering how many times my students would have to stop to look up these SAT vocabulary words. I also found the darkness itself could be a little too much for the middle school crowd, though high schoolers would likely be fine. Aside from that, I found the plot jumpy in a few places. For example, at one point it’s nighttime, and then the next paragraph it says “Later the next day,” jumping entirely in the story with one phrase. But those mistakes (as well as a few typos or misspellings) are few and far between. When compared to book one, this book does a much better job of keeping the pace and intensity throughout.
On a side note, in future printings, I would like to see a graphic of the Surineda map!
July 9, 2012
Wow another dazzling tale from John Forrester. Talis has the daunting task of finding the Temple of the Sun goddess Nacrea. Together with his friends he winds up as a slave sold into bondage by slave traders. After escaping unknowingly using Aurellia the Immortal Sorcerer the adventure turns more perilous with each step. A rousing page turner for MG and older. Must read if you read Fire Mage.
July 13, 2013
Great book in the series never quite going the way you think it will but always exciting and full of action packed adventure of four friends sticking together until the end with one lost but hopefully soon to be found and rescued from his dark master over lord.
September 18, 2013
This is a great 2nd installment:
the characters are beleivable and flawed.
When the hard times come, the boy gives it all for his friends.
The girl loves the boy and he loves her back, niether as of yet admits this.
this is a series anyone can read and enjoy
the characters are beleivable and flawed.
When the hard times come, the boy gives it all for his friends.
The girl loves the boy and he loves her back, niether as of yet admits this.
this is a series anyone can read and enjoy
Read
October 19, 2012loving it so far
was way good, just started the third one
was way good, just started the third one
November 12, 2012
SOO GOOOD!!!!
April 18, 2013
this book is just awesome
February 10, 2024
Alright ... After reading Fire Mage ( Blacklight Chronicles #1 ), I decided not to read this book. Fate however interveened. Some time during January 2024 I had nothing to read, and I was looking for something new, reading through a few samples I had just to find out if I'd like to continue reading them. Then I remembered the story from Fire Mage and wondered if I wanted to look into this book. As fortune would have it I opened Fire Mage just to discover that Sun Mage was in the same book! So instead of haveing to buy a new book I decided to continue reading a book I already had, but for some reason hadn't noticed there were more content to.
In any case ... There's still alot of typoes through the book. Noticable ones, but the story isn't all that bad. Since the story got started in Fire Mage, this book starts of exactly where the last book left us, thus Fire Mage and Sun Mage could very much be the same book.
I noticed I wrote the review about Fire Mage not really understanding it's title. This one was different. And the funny thing I suppose is that because of this book, I kinda get why the first one was called Fire Mage. I still don't really think it's adequate, but I get it.
This book is called Sun Mage, and there is a good reason for it, even if it takes a while to get there. It continues the journey of Rikar, Mara, Talis and Nikulo. It shares some secrets and plot twists and it gives our adventurer a more common goal as well as some perils. It's better than Fire Mage, tough as said, I think they should be the same book.
In any case .... this one was worth the read. It's a book I enjoyed reading, and it went rather fast reading it. I'll probably give book #3 a try as well, tough concidering how Sun Mage is letting us know about the third installment and trying to bait me into continueing reading I won't really get my hopes up. The story could to some extent have stopped after this book, but I'm glad it didn't. I just wish the transition to the next book would have been a bit better.
In any case ... There's still alot of typoes through the book. Noticable ones, but the story isn't all that bad. Since the story got started in Fire Mage, this book starts of exactly where the last book left us, thus Fire Mage and Sun Mage could very much be the same book.
I noticed I wrote the review about Fire Mage not really understanding it's title. This one was different. And the funny thing I suppose is that because of this book, I kinda get why the first one was called Fire Mage. I still don't really think it's adequate, but I get it.
This book is called Sun Mage, and there is a good reason for it, even if it takes a while to get there. It continues the journey of Rikar, Mara, Talis and Nikulo. It shares some secrets and plot twists and it gives our adventurer a more common goal as well as some perils. It's better than Fire Mage, tough as said, I think they should be the same book.
In any case .... this one was worth the read. It's a book I enjoyed reading, and it went rather fast reading it. I'll probably give book #3 a try as well, tough concidering how Sun Mage is letting us know about the third installment and trying to bait me into continueing reading I won't really get my hopes up. The story could to some extent have stopped after this book, but I'm glad it didn't. I just wish the transition to the next book would have been a bit better.
June 11, 2018
Book 2
This book was a bit harder to follow than book 1. It is a good story line. Talus has to find where the goddess is located to help save his city. Of course great challenges on the journey. But it was the descriptions and the way things jumped to another scene that was difficult. Otherwise I am excited to see what happens in book 3, since book 2 had a great ending.
This book was a bit harder to follow than book 1. It is a good story line. Talus has to find where the goddess is located to help save his city. Of course great challenges on the journey. But it was the descriptions and the way things jumped to another scene that was difficult. Otherwise I am excited to see what happens in book 3, since book 2 had a great ending.
March 8, 2018
Good
Goodnight love the new to be able and ready when the same way I could be worse and a lot to learn to live
Goodnight love the new to be able and ready when the same way I could be worse and a lot to learn to live
May 12, 2016
Far out to sea, a mysterious island holds the ancient city of Darkov. The immortal sorcerer Aurellia awaits the arrival of Talis and Mara. The Temple of the Sun lures both dark and light forces to discover its power. Talis and Mara will have to use their wits to escape slavery and trek out into the jungle. Foul fields of undead will trap them. Twin ancient cities, one of light and one of darkness, one ruined and one hideous in its power. Only one map can guide them. But can they bear to enter the land of the dead? To face the God of the Underworld himself? If they fail, their family and city will fall to the Jiserians. And the world itself will slip into darkness. Unless Talis can first unlock the power of light magic.
The beginning of the Sun Mage picks up exactly where book one ended. Their journey is now harder than ever. More dangers lie ahead, many more dark forces and evil, undead creatures, and a few tricky sorcerers are out to make each step more difficult. Talis' magic is growing daily, showing he is good to the core. I loved how descriptive the author was in this book. Great Reading Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!
The beginning of the Sun Mage picks up exactly where book one ended. Their journey is now harder than ever. More dangers lie ahead, many more dark forces and evil, undead creatures, and a few tricky sorcerers are out to make each step more difficult. Talis' magic is growing daily, showing he is good to the core. I loved how descriptive the author was in this book. Great Reading Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 20, 2014
A Quest completed
A Quest completed
This is the second in a series of four. Interesting concepts of light and dark as well as life and death. A son's courageous love for his father, a daughter's refusal to accept the husband selected for her, a young man with knowledge of alchemy and our hero whose beliefs, love of family, home and hid Goddess make up the Questing youths. Lessons of history, worship and the vagaries of their Gods lead them along pathways which include betrayal, deception, bondage and personal growth. Moving on to Book 3...
A Quest completed
This is the second in a series of four. Interesting concepts of light and dark as well as life and death. A son's courageous love for his father, a daughter's refusal to accept the husband selected for her, a young man with knowledge of alchemy and our hero whose beliefs, love of family, home and hid Goddess make up the Questing youths. Lessons of history, worship and the vagaries of their Gods lead them along pathways which include betrayal, deception, bondage and personal growth. Moving on to Book 3...
November 8, 2012
I thought this book was a little bit better than the first book, Fire Mage. It seemed as though the writer was trying hard to be descriptive using adjectives and adverbs, but not actually describing anything. I found myself having to re-read sentences just to figure out what was said through all of the adjectives. This book did have a better story to it though, and it actually had an event that was complete at the end of the book.
January 15, 2014
once again I enjoyed the story perhaps even a little more than the first book but not enough to bump up my rating another star. Different book same complaints. Everything is rushed and on a grand scale, even the momentary peace after the war for Naru took place was brief. Luckily it looks like our main Protagonist is growing up some which makes the book a more enjoyable read even if Talis is bumping shoulders with every God know to man.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2012
This one was much darker. Felt there could have been a more detail about the world, especially who Aurellia is. See my full review at Girl Who Reads .
February 6, 2014
Must read
I just started this series a few days ago and am starting the third one now. It is full of action and adventure. I just purchased books three and four, and can't wait to read them.
I just started this series a few days ago and am starting the third one now. It is full of action and adventure. I just purchased books three and four, and can't wait to read them.
May 3, 2014
I love how Sun Mage picks up right where Fire Mage left off. The journey these kids are on just keeps getting better in my opinion. The story still flowed and I really enjoyed book 2. Anxiously looking forward to book 3 now. I want to know what happens next.
December 22, 2014
I enjoyed this second installment a little more than the 1st book. did the goddess give Talis the means for black and/or shadow magic? can he overcome the evil others see in the black crystal? just starting 3rd book.
June 11, 2012
Review coming soon!
August 17, 2012
Not as good as the first book. Story is convoluted with lots of strange parts that are dreams or visions. Not everything is tied together at the end.
July 3, 2013
Not bad but pretty short
September 2, 2016
Good pace in this next installment and some unexpected twists and turns...who is the enemy?
Read
February 18, 2015The sheer amount of typos, the incoherent storyline, and the juvenile overall feel of the series kept me from enjoying this. I read the first and second but could not force myself to go any further.
November 13, 2014
Ok, always looking for good YA to gift to my teen relatives - too much black magic in this series for my comfort
January 17, 2015
Amazing
Another amazing installment in this series. I can't wait to read the next one. A definite must read! Highly recommended.
Another amazing installment in this series. I can't wait to read the next one. A definite must read! Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews