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The Unfettered Mage #1
We Are Not Prey
How deep is a mother’s love? Will determination and honor carry you among the stars? A story of loss and discovery, We Are Not Prey, balances the darkness of despair and the joy of new beginnings. This science fiction adventure blends magic and technology with the adventures of Ruth, a normal human, pushed into extraordinary situations. Ruth’s transformation takes her from Earth to worlds and situations of which she never dreamed.
- GenresScience FictionFantasy
193 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 16, 2017
93 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Taki Drake
84 books41 followersThe mixture of technology and magic is where my mind and heart live. In today's world, it mixes engineering and creativity. In the worlds of my mind, technology and magic live intertwined. I hope that you will find my stories interesting enough to be frequent visitors to where my heart beats.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 16, 2017
Ok
This was a good book, I guess it was probably one of Taki Drake’s first, so here’s the problem everything was way too easy there was no angst, except at the beginning all so I get that she as an all knowing of the universe, but seriously everything she attempts for the first just goes according to plan, no little trial and error, with a leading character like this all the are just going to be easy to kill characters on less some other mage pops into existence. Overall this was a 3 star book but I’m going to give it a 4 simply because the overall concept of this new world was intriguing.
This was a good book, I guess it was probably one of Taki Drake’s first, so here’s the problem everything was way too easy there was no angst, except at the beginning all so I get that she as an all knowing of the universe, but seriously everything she attempts for the first just goes according to plan, no little trial and error, with a leading character like this all the are just going to be easy to kill characters on less some other mage pops into existence. Overall this was a 3 star book but I’m going to give it a 4 simply because the overall concept of this new world was intriguing.
February 23, 2022
Ok. Cool book idea with a lot of issues.
First the pros: The book was formed around this really neat concept that if a person is distressed enough they can destroy their own mind and connection with their home planet and gain near unlimited power in exchange. The grandma is the kick ass main character, which is awesome. There was also a bit of amusing culture clashes and misunderstandings and some very cute kids. Tech was interesting, sort of. And of course the dramatic “We are not prey” at the beginning of the book was pretty good.
Now the cons:
Reading this book felt like watching a movie from a screen in someone else’s house, everything felt muted and blurry and a lot of the finer details just couldn’t be understood. There was very little in the way of character or sucent descriptions, physical, emotional, nothing. I have no idea what the characters look like, or how they felt, or why they reacted the ways that they did beyond the most basic and vague reasoning. And there was no background info… not enough was cleverly inserted or explained to clothe characters or the reader, stuff just happened, on or off “screen”, and maybe a bit of explanation was given later
I read for emotions, drama, action, surprise, heartache, respect, fear, burning curiosity, wonder, nerve wracking anxiety, anything, but this story didn’t make me feel anything except a vague curiosity. I wanted to know what happened next but from the get go I was almost certain I’d stop at reading this first book, no sequels for me.
The authors voice remained constant throughout the entire story, the characters didn’t differ in voice either, and the ‘bad guys’ were always unimpressive without any foresight or logic behind their actions.
The jump between tenses was a bit jarring at times. The way thoughts were not differentiated from normal text was also uncomfortable at times.
And finally, the main character became more and more Mary Sue perfect and all powerful as the book went on, making me lose interest rather quickly after the 50% mark and I ended up skimming the last third of the book so I could see how it ended.
First the pros: The book was formed around this really neat concept that if a person is distressed enough they can destroy their own mind and connection with their home planet and gain near unlimited power in exchange. The grandma is the kick ass main character, which is awesome. There was also a bit of amusing culture clashes and misunderstandings and some very cute kids. Tech was interesting, sort of. And of course the dramatic “We are not prey” at the beginning of the book was pretty good.
Now the cons:
Reading this book felt like watching a movie from a screen in someone else’s house, everything felt muted and blurry and a lot of the finer details just couldn’t be understood. There was very little in the way of character or sucent descriptions, physical, emotional, nothing. I have no idea what the characters look like, or how they felt, or why they reacted the ways that they did beyond the most basic and vague reasoning. And there was no background info… not enough was cleverly inserted or explained to clothe characters or the reader, stuff just happened, on or off “screen”, and maybe a bit of explanation was given later
I read for emotions, drama, action, surprise, heartache, respect, fear, burning curiosity, wonder, nerve wracking anxiety, anything, but this story didn’t make me feel anything except a vague curiosity. I wanted to know what happened next but from the get go I was almost certain I’d stop at reading this first book, no sequels for me.
The authors voice remained constant throughout the entire story, the characters didn’t differ in voice either, and the ‘bad guys’ were always unimpressive without any foresight or logic behind their actions.
The jump between tenses was a bit jarring at times. The way thoughts were not differentiated from normal text was also uncomfortable at times.
And finally, the main character became more and more Mary Sue perfect and all powerful as the book went on, making me lose interest rather quickly after the 50% mark and I ended up skimming the last third of the book so I could see how it ended.
October 14, 2020
Nice idea, poor execution.
Seemed like a fun idea: grandmother is kidnapped, gains powers and gets revenge.
The biggest problem with this is that I kept bouncing off of the writing. Things like changing from present to past in the middle of a sentence would jar me. Other cases I'd have to go back a few sentence to understand who was talking or who was being referred to. Then little things like someone calling the main character "Nana" on one page and "Nonna" three pages later. All of this in the first chapter or two.
There also wasn't much fun stuff to pull me into the story. I never felt emotionally connected to any of the characters. The plot wasn't very engaging, didn't have very good pacing, and had some odd changes in where it seemed to be going. For example, all the interesting stuff about escaping from slavery and figuring out what to do next went by quickly and then the last half of the book was worrying about fixing up the personnel at a castle which was a whole different kind of book. Also, no explanation for how all those species were able to communicate with no issues?
There are sequels, but I'm not interested enough to keep reading.
Seemed like a fun idea: grandmother is kidnapped, gains powers and gets revenge.
The biggest problem with this is that I kept bouncing off of the writing. Things like changing from present to past in the middle of a sentence would jar me. Other cases I'd have to go back a few sentence to understand who was talking or who was being referred to. Then little things like someone calling the main character "Nana" on one page and "Nonna" three pages later. All of this in the first chapter or two.
There also wasn't much fun stuff to pull me into the story. I never felt emotionally connected to any of the characters. The plot wasn't very engaging, didn't have very good pacing, and had some odd changes in where it seemed to be going. For example, all the interesting stuff about escaping from slavery and figuring out what to do next went by quickly and then the last half of the book was worrying about fixing up the personnel at a castle which was a whole different kind of book. Also, no explanation for how all those species were able to communicate with no issues?
There are sequels, but I'm not interested enough to keep reading.
December 2, 2017
Wish-fulfillment fantasy. A woman in a bad-as-it-can-get situation has a breakthrough and becomes a Mage. Mages appear every few millennia, and they can do anything. (Is Earth blocking your perfect view of Venus? Just wish it away. No kaboom needed.) That kind of power makes it almost impossible to tell an interesting story, because challenges can only occur if the Mage neglects to wish them away. This also means, from a story-telling perspective, that all challenges are the same 'size', so if the Mage destroys billions of evil aliens one moment and makes sure her people have nice-looking uniforms the next, the plot tension is much the same.
February 25, 2017
Very unexpected!
I refuse to post spoilers, but this premise was unexpectedly well thought out, well written, and I am actively engaged in hunting down anything more by this author. I am definitely a fan!
I refuse to post spoilers, but this premise was unexpectedly well thought out, well written, and I am actively engaged in hunting down anything more by this author. I am definitely a fan!
June 12, 2017
Can't wait for more.
I came across this author from her co-author T.S. Paul on Shade Of Honor which I enjoyed. I am very happy to say I will be reading the other books which have been released and I really want to find out what happen in this story arc.
I came across this author from her co-author T.S. Paul on Shade Of Honor which I enjoyed. I am very happy to say I will be reading the other books which have been released and I really want to find out what happen in this story arc.
July 27, 2017
Awesome
I love the story. I love the imagination behind it. I read alot so I'm always trying to find new authors to feed my habit. Please don't keep me wating for the next book in the series.
I love the story. I love the imagination behind it. I read alot so I'm always trying to find new authors to feed my habit. Please don't keep me wating for the next book in the series.
January 19, 2018
Rating really should be 3.5 stars. I liked the book, but I think this was an early work. The writing style is pretty rough around the edges. The author builds good characters and has a compelling story but some of the writing was very difficult to wade through. Still felt it was a worthwhile read.
January 26, 2018
Needs Editing!
Desperately needs editing. The tense was all over the place, and kept throwing me out of the story. Also needs a better ending, or resolution, or foreshadow of things to come.
Desperately needs editing. The tense was all over the place, and kept throwing me out of the story. Also needs a better ending, or resolution, or foreshadow of things to come.
February 1, 2018
Interesting and different
Good story with interesting characters. Some surprises including the development of the mage. Looking forward to the next installment. Should be a fun read.
Good story with interesting characters. Some surprises including the development of the mage. Looking forward to the next installment. Should be a fun read.
September 26, 2019
Very good 👍
A combination of adventures and supernatural magic involved with hidden plots to keep you occupied while you read. Not your normal space adventure and quickly draws you into the universe. Bright and magical the tale flows in such a way that you loss the track of time.
A combination of adventures and supernatural magic involved with hidden plots to keep you occupied while you read. Not your normal space adventure and quickly draws you into the universe. Bright and magical the tale flows in such a way that you loss the track of time.
January 1, 2018
A unique interesting read
This is a very fascinating series.
Throughly enjoyable read, with everything from suspense, intrigue, laughter and love. I can't wait for more.
This is a very fascinating series.
Throughly enjoyable read, with everything from suspense, intrigue, laughter and love. I can't wait for more.
March 15, 2018
Okay
I wanted to like it and parts were good. Seriously needs a good editor. Kept hitting real rough patches that derailed the flow of the story.
I wanted to like it and parts were good. Seriously needs a good editor. Kept hitting real rough patches that derailed the flow of the story.
May 21, 2019
Always an excellent read
Very good read, still awaiting on third book. I would think that these books should be made into a movie for either TV or theatre.
Very good read, still awaiting on third book. I would think that these books should be made into a movie for either TV or theatre.
September 20, 2019
Loved this story
It is interesting how life shapes is into what it needs us to be when needed. So much passion for others and convictions as required.
It is interesting how life shapes is into what it needs us to be when needed. So much passion for others and convictions as required.
January 14, 2017
Needs a proof reader or editor, liked the story line.
The author has a nice concept for the story and with a little work will improve as she matures as an author. Would recommend finding other readers or fans to assist with proof reading. The story was a bit disjointed but again should mature as she writes more. The ending was rather abrupt without any type of transition. At first I considered only giving a 3 star but found myself interested in the authors world building. It was enough for a four star with the understanding and recommendation that the author seeks assistance in correcting and updating the first book. A nice start for a new author.
The author has a nice concept for the story and with a little work will improve as she matures as an author. Would recommend finding other readers or fans to assist with proof reading. The story was a bit disjointed but again should mature as she writes more. The ending was rather abrupt without any type of transition. At first I considered only giving a 3 star but found myself interested in the authors world building. It was enough for a four star with the understanding and recommendation that the author seeks assistance in correcting and updating the first book. A nice start for a new author.
March 6, 2020
There's quite a bit of wish-fulfillment in this story. It also starts out reasonably fast and then inexplicably slows down to a crawl, ending with many questions unanswered. I think the entire series that this book begins is meant to be read as a single book, which is the only thing that makes sense of the abrupt ending. Also, the main character is so powerful that, once she discovers that power, there is basically no conflict she can't resolve, no fight she can't win, no need she can't fulfill. Good concept, but the execution needs work.
March 8, 2017
A short but touching story
I liked the book, too bad it is short. I hope there is another one for this series. I am still baffled by the culture mash of the author.
Well some loose ends have not been tied yet, I sure hope that change.
I liked the book, too bad it is short. I hope there is another one for this series. I am still baffled by the culture mash of the author.
Well some loose ends have not been tied yet, I sure hope that change.
September 14, 2024
Desperately in need of an editor
This book had an interesting premise but an extremely flawed execution. The author mixed present and past tense constantly, there were missing words and punctuation and the grammar issues were constant. There wasn't much world building, so some parts didn't flow since the author expected you to understand things that hadn't been brought up or explained. There was no character development, the author just stated that the characters had certain traits like a checklist and left it at that. There was no real relationship building either, just "Bam! You're a mage and Bam! he's an anchor and y'all are together". There were continuity issues as well, from the very first chapter. The characters all know that Ruth is Cal's mother, because he calls her that, and they know that Troyer is her grandson, because he calls her so but the entire group of Pawlick's men are surprised that Call is her son rather than her mate; the alien who brings Techla somehow knows about human growth cycles and they all speak English; Ruth grew up in an Earth society with academia and computers but no money? In my not so humble opinion, the author has potential but desperately needs an editor and beta readers that can read critically.
This book had an interesting premise but an extremely flawed execution. The author mixed present and past tense constantly, there were missing words and punctuation and the grammar issues were constant. There wasn't much world building, so some parts didn't flow since the author expected you to understand things that hadn't been brought up or explained. There was no character development, the author just stated that the characters had certain traits like a checklist and left it at that. There was no real relationship building either, just "Bam! You're a mage and Bam! he's an anchor and y'all are together". There were continuity issues as well, from the very first chapter. The characters all know that Ruth is Cal's mother, because he calls her that, and they know that Troyer is her grandson, because he calls her so but the entire group of Pawlick's men are surprised that Call is her son rather than her mate; the alien who brings Techla somehow knows about human growth cycles and they all speak English; Ruth grew up in an Earth society with academia and computers but no money? In my not so humble opinion, the author has potential but desperately needs an editor and beta readers that can read critically.
January 30, 2017
A new perspective on the universe, worlds and cultures
Full life view in new circumstances and cultures. With a focus on what is true family and its importance. Enjoyed the development of characters and societies.
Full life view in new circumstances and cultures. With a focus on what is true family and its importance. Enjoyed the development of characters and societies.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews