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The Rhenwars Saga #1
Darkmage
The hope of the world rests in the hands of a Darkmage.
The Well of Tears is open and the terror of the night has been unleashed. Now, the last Sentinel left alive with the power to defend his world against the minions of the Netherworld is a man destined to be corrupted into the image of what he hates. In the name of duty, Darien Lauchlin will see oaths forsaken, crowns toppled, friends sacrificed and the land he loves desecrated. For there is a very thin line between duty… and brutal inhumanity.
The Well of Tears is open and the terror of the night has been unleashed. Now, the last Sentinel left alive with the power to defend his world against the minions of the Netherworld is a man destined to be corrupted into the image of what he hates. In the name of duty, Darien Lauchlin will see oaths forsaken, crowns toppled, friends sacrificed and the land he loves desecrated. For there is a very thin line between duty… and brutal inhumanity.
558 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 11, 2011
867 people are currently reading
1997 people want to read
About the author
M.L. Spencer
23 books720 followersM.L. Spencer is an epic fantasy author. Her debut novel Darkmage won the 2012 IndieReader Discovery Award for Fantasy, and her novel Dragon Mage won the 2021 Readers' Favorite Gold Award for Fantasy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
February 14, 2018
Reading a book is an intimate thing between author and reader. Usually I don't talk about the experience of reading a book because it is hard to describe just how a book hits me. But in this case I'm going to try. This case is special because the very nature of the book is special. So here goes.
See this book comes in strong. It starts chilling and brings you in close. It is sinister and hits you with a prologue that dazes you and you feel the grip of the author on your collar. The writer whispers in your ear that this might not be exactly what you were wanting but you belong to her now and you go where she wants you to.
We see the world. Not all at once. We don't get it explained to us. We have to keep moving to see what is all there. No lengthy descriptions of lands and backgrounds. No long-winded tales of history, just a slowly growing sense of the world that gradually builds as you explore one setting after the next. One scene after the next. The magic system is not shoved down our throats like a classroom lecture. We get to see it at work through the the action of the book. We understand it remarkably quickly even though it is not explained in detail. Soon we know exactly how it works and we let the idea settle on our shoulders.
The characters are easy to love. I found myself getting pissed at the writer for the tortures she was giving my favorite characters. I loved them so much that I wanted only good things for them. She doesn't give us that. It is however easy to tell that this author loves her characters. It is in the little descriptions, the slight bits about the way they move and the things they think. The small gifts she gives them in the heart of their troubles that displays a deep love for the people in her stories. The writer's love comes through even as her treatment of them is harsh and at times ruthless.
I am a man who loves high fantasy. I want my heroes and villains to be capable of summoning up crippling power and wielding it to devastating effect. If this is not your kind of story then turn away. This is not a gritty low fantasy telling. Great forces are at work here and we get to see just how startling and potent they are when held in the hands of flawed characters doing what they think is the right thing. There is no perfect hero in this book. If you are looking for a shining knight, turn away now. These heroes are all flawed people that are driven by the same desires we find built in our hearts. We feel for them because we largely are them. They are working their way through a world just as bleak as ours can at times be.
I read this book fast and it is not a short book. Give yourself plenty of time to read because when you get your feet in this world you are going to want to run.
I like the books I read to be filled with high themes. Love, fear, hate, compassion, honor and trust fill the pages of this book. It is not fluff and deals with the stark realities of living in any world, ours or theirs.
I am giving this book five stars. For a lot of reasons, many of which I have spoken of but also for this reason. It grows. This book doesn't spike as most books do with a good section that falls into a lesser section. This is not a "keep reading it gets better" book. This book starts off good and only climbs. Like a piece of music growing in crescendo to an ultimate climax, this book grows. This book is a five. This book is alive.
I want to thank the writer for a few things. When you read the book, you will have a list like mine. Here is it. Thank you for the hare. The green flamed candle. And the bow. The veil. The Force Commander's knife. There are many more, but they come with spoilers and this is not a book I want spoiled for you.
See this book comes in strong. It starts chilling and brings you in close. It is sinister and hits you with a prologue that dazes you and you feel the grip of the author on your collar. The writer whispers in your ear that this might not be exactly what you were wanting but you belong to her now and you go where she wants you to.
We see the world. Not all at once. We don't get it explained to us. We have to keep moving to see what is all there. No lengthy descriptions of lands and backgrounds. No long-winded tales of history, just a slowly growing sense of the world that gradually builds as you explore one setting after the next. One scene after the next. The magic system is not shoved down our throats like a classroom lecture. We get to see it at work through the the action of the book. We understand it remarkably quickly even though it is not explained in detail. Soon we know exactly how it works and we let the idea settle on our shoulders.
The characters are easy to love. I found myself getting pissed at the writer for the tortures she was giving my favorite characters. I loved them so much that I wanted only good things for them. She doesn't give us that. It is however easy to tell that this author loves her characters. It is in the little descriptions, the slight bits about the way they move and the things they think. The small gifts she gives them in the heart of their troubles that displays a deep love for the people in her stories. The writer's love comes through even as her treatment of them is harsh and at times ruthless.
I am a man who loves high fantasy. I want my heroes and villains to be capable of summoning up crippling power and wielding it to devastating effect. If this is not your kind of story then turn away. This is not a gritty low fantasy telling. Great forces are at work here and we get to see just how startling and potent they are when held in the hands of flawed characters doing what they think is the right thing. There is no perfect hero in this book. If you are looking for a shining knight, turn away now. These heroes are all flawed people that are driven by the same desires we find built in our hearts. We feel for them because we largely are them. They are working their way through a world just as bleak as ours can at times be.
I read this book fast and it is not a short book. Give yourself plenty of time to read because when you get your feet in this world you are going to want to run.
I like the books I read to be filled with high themes. Love, fear, hate, compassion, honor and trust fill the pages of this book. It is not fluff and deals with the stark realities of living in any world, ours or theirs.
I am giving this book five stars. For a lot of reasons, many of which I have spoken of but also for this reason. It grows. This book doesn't spike as most books do with a good section that falls into a lesser section. This is not a "keep reading it gets better" book. This book starts off good and only climbs. Like a piece of music growing in crescendo to an ultimate climax, this book grows. This book is a five. This book is alive.
I want to thank the writer for a few things. When you read the book, you will have a list like mine. Here is it. Thank you for the hare. The green flamed candle. And the bow. The veil. The Force Commander's knife. There are many more, but they come with spoilers and this is not a book I want spoiled for you.
November 23, 2018
Darkmage starts off strong, with an intricate society and an immense level of destruction. The pacing slows down while the main characters regroup. The scope feels too broad at first. It takes awhile for all the pieces to get into position, but once they do, this book becomes nearly impossible to put down. Halfway through, I was enjoying the read, thinking, “Yes, I see why people are excited about this series.” Still, I was unprepared for how excellent it would be. The intensity that commands the latter portion of the book is nearly crippling. I felt like the story took me hostage.
The Sentinels are a magical order with the purpose of preserving and protecting their homeland. When Darien becomes the last surviving Sentinel, he has to break their laws in order to fulfill their purpose during an epic war. In an effort to continue the magical legacy, he manages to find an apprentice and tries to squeeze in magic lessons amidst the growing tension of their battle plans. Darien has to make terrible decisions, over and over again. He doesn’t do the honorable thing, or the ethical thing, but it’s still somehow the right thing. He sacrifices so much of himself, with very little hope or indication of redemption.
The writing encompasses a careful attention to detail that speaks of the author’s love of the craft. It’s set in an original fantasy world with a vast history, various religions, and old adversaries. The author gives us nothing from the viewpoint of the Enemy, which adds to their ominous reputation and leaves a lot of open questions. Although the included bonus chapter from the sequel, Darklands, indicates the next book delves fully into the Enemy’s side of the war. I am excited to read that, and plan to read the series prequel as well.
I recommend this book to fantasy fans who enjoy sprawling war stories with epic magic, the challenges of a new master-apprentice experience, and tragic characters with intense emotional struggles.
The Sentinels are a magical order with the purpose of preserving and protecting their homeland. When Darien becomes the last surviving Sentinel, he has to break their laws in order to fulfill their purpose during an epic war. In an effort to continue the magical legacy, he manages to find an apprentice and tries to squeeze in magic lessons amidst the growing tension of their battle plans. Darien has to make terrible decisions, over and over again. He doesn’t do the honorable thing, or the ethical thing, but it’s still somehow the right thing. He sacrifices so much of himself, with very little hope or indication of redemption.
The writing encompasses a careful attention to detail that speaks of the author’s love of the craft. It’s set in an original fantasy world with a vast history, various religions, and old adversaries. The author gives us nothing from the viewpoint of the Enemy, which adds to their ominous reputation and leaves a lot of open questions. Although the included bonus chapter from the sequel, Darklands, indicates the next book delves fully into the Enemy’s side of the war. I am excited to read that, and plan to read the series prequel as well.
I recommend this book to fantasy fans who enjoy sprawling war stories with epic magic, the challenges of a new master-apprentice experience, and tragic characters with intense emotional struggles.
Read
June 13, 2019I decided to give Darkmage a try after asking for recommendations in a Facebook group, having heard the series mentioned a number of times in the past with a consistently positive reception.
Darkmage is a fun epic fantasy that holds it own against other contemporary works. The world has depth, and from the very beginning there is a great sense of epic background and history. The character's feelings about their allegiances and oaths are well expressed. This is really important, as the oath taken by the magic users is something of a baffling one (refusing to harm anyone else, even as their own city is being annihilated), and had their own sense of zealousness failed to come across effectively it would have been an issue. As it stands, however, the Sentinel's bindings are made believable by the legends and history of the world. This world feels deep.
Spencer's word crafting is polished, clipped and practical. The prose reminds me of a faithful palfrey in the best possible way. It's not an overburdened packhorse, slogging on with too much baggage, and neither is it a flamboyant showhorse, prancing for attention. It carries the reader from A to B at just the right pace without causing distraction, which for me is the best option. The writing style allowed me to get on with the story, and that's what I tend to want with this kind of story.
I don't think that I would like to live in the Rhen, and I certainly don't want to have to go and guard the border. There is a feel of bleak, impending doom, where ultimately the castle must fall. The nations that comprise the Rhen seem to not bother supplying their guardians with anything except criminals, who are all then given rusted weapons to fight with alongside a promise that they won't survive more than a couple of years at best. Although I wouldn't call Darkmage a grimdark book necessarily, there are certainly some bleak elements!
I would recommend Darkmage to fans who enjoy big epic fantasy, getting to grips with a magic system from the inside, and impending doom. Elements reminded me of Gemmell's Legend and Jordan's Wheel of Time and if that's your bag, then Darkmage may be the book for you.
Darkmage is a fun epic fantasy that holds it own against other contemporary works. The world has depth, and from the very beginning there is a great sense of epic background and history. The character's feelings about their allegiances and oaths are well expressed. This is really important, as the oath taken by the magic users is something of a baffling one (refusing to harm anyone else, even as their own city is being annihilated), and had their own sense of zealousness failed to come across effectively it would have been an issue. As it stands, however, the Sentinel's bindings are made believable by the legends and history of the world. This world feels deep.
Spencer's word crafting is polished, clipped and practical. The prose reminds me of a faithful palfrey in the best possible way. It's not an overburdened packhorse, slogging on with too much baggage, and neither is it a flamboyant showhorse, prancing for attention. It carries the reader from A to B at just the right pace without causing distraction, which for me is the best option. The writing style allowed me to get on with the story, and that's what I tend to want with this kind of story.
I don't think that I would like to live in the Rhen, and I certainly don't want to have to go and guard the border. There is a feel of bleak, impending doom, where ultimately the castle must fall. The nations that comprise the Rhen seem to not bother supplying their guardians with anything except criminals, who are all then given rusted weapons to fight with alongside a promise that they won't survive more than a couple of years at best. Although I wouldn't call Darkmage a grimdark book necessarily, there are certainly some bleak elements!
I would recommend Darkmage to fans who enjoy big epic fantasy, getting to grips with a magic system from the inside, and impending doom. Elements reminded me of Gemmell's Legend and Jordan's Wheel of Time and if that's your bag, then Darkmage may be the book for you.
April 2, 2021
3.5 stars.
I liked the start, though it was a bit on the gruesome side. I also liked the idea of the magic system and the way that magic can be passed down from one mage to another upon their death.
I found that the characters weren't fleshed-out enough. The other characters seemed to blindly follow the main character purely because he was powerful and they had nothing better to do. I would have liked reasons why they would suddenly become so devoted to someone who was almost a stranger to them.
The other problem was that the person who you think is going to be the bad guy/gal from the start, actually isn't. The real bad guys/gals are said to be so very powerful but they didn't really seem to do much, IMO.
The author shows a great deal of potential for better things as this series continues. I will be going on with this series, but I have a stand-alone book that I will slot in ahead of them.
This is a decent start to a series, though I felt it could have been better. Still, the author has clearly got talent and I look forward to returning to her world in a few weeks time.
Thanks for reading.
I liked the start, though it was a bit on the gruesome side. I also liked the idea of the magic system and the way that magic can be passed down from one mage to another upon their death.
I found that the characters weren't fleshed-out enough. The other characters seemed to blindly follow the main character purely because he was powerful and they had nothing better to do. I would have liked reasons why they would suddenly become so devoted to someone who was almost a stranger to them.
The other problem was that the person who you think is going to be the bad guy/gal from the start, actually isn't. The real bad guys/gals are said to be so very powerful but they didn't really seem to do much, IMO.
The author shows a great deal of potential for better things as this series continues. I will be going on with this series, but I have a stand-alone book that I will slot in ahead of them.
This is a decent start to a series, though I felt it could have been better. Still, the author has clearly got talent and I look forward to returning to her world in a few weeks time.
Thanks for reading.
August 14, 2018
Darkmage is a solidly good read (4.0 of 5 stars). Spencer ratchets up the tension slowly but surely as things go from bad to worse in this story of a people trying to fend off an invasion by an overwhelming enemy.
The story's hero is a rebel with a cause named Darien. On the night he ascends from acolyte to full mage, his hometown is destroyed and everyone he knows is killed when his jealous, power-hungry brother opens up a portal to hell. Darien survives by pure luck, but then, as the world's last surviving mage, he employs his wits to do whatever is necessary to stop the invasion of demons and their huge army, which his brother has unleashed.
Darien is the best thing about this book. Heroic and tormented, he makes choices that he himself, as well as his allies, find appalling, but which are the only way to defeat the enemy. I liked how Spencer developed his character and boxed him into a narrow path without options, and I liked how he remained plagued by remorse for the blood on his hands, but continued forging ahead with his plan. The magic system was also really interesting, in which potential mages acquire the ability to wield magic only if they are touching a full mage at the moment of the mage's death. There is a system of power tiers, and we're told that people above a certain level will suffer madness and a wasting illness. Darien unintentionally surpasses this level, which adds to the burdens he carries in the novel.
A few weaknesses are worth mentioning. There are a few anticlimaxes, such as an early chapter from Darien's mother's POV, which misleads the reader into thinking she'll be an important character, but then she's killed off-page. The priestess who was with the mother when she died is important, and I think the storytelling would have been more effective if we'd seen some of the narrative through the priestess's POV. Sometimes the action-effect-consequence scenarios weren't as clearly described as I would have liked, and I thought there were a few too many neat coincidences that allowed the main characters to survive and fight another day. These problems were relatively minor, however, and really didn't impair my overall enjoyment of the book.
The story's hero is a rebel with a cause named Darien. On the night he ascends from acolyte to full mage, his hometown is destroyed and everyone he knows is killed when his jealous, power-hungry brother opens up a portal to hell. Darien survives by pure luck, but then, as the world's last surviving mage, he employs his wits to do whatever is necessary to stop the invasion of demons and their huge army, which his brother has unleashed.
Darien is the best thing about this book. Heroic and tormented, he makes choices that he himself, as well as his allies, find appalling, but which are the only way to defeat the enemy. I liked how Spencer developed his character and boxed him into a narrow path without options, and I liked how he remained plagued by remorse for the blood on his hands, but continued forging ahead with his plan. The magic system was also really interesting, in which potential mages acquire the ability to wield magic only if they are touching a full mage at the moment of the mage's death. There is a system of power tiers, and we're told that people above a certain level will suffer madness and a wasting illness. Darien unintentionally surpasses this level, which adds to the burdens he carries in the novel.
A few weaknesses are worth mentioning. There are a few anticlimaxes, such as an early chapter from Darien's mother's POV, which misleads the reader into thinking she'll be an important character, but then she's killed off-page. The priestess who was with the mother when she died is important, and I think the storytelling would have been more effective if we'd seen some of the narrative through the priestess's POV. Sometimes the action-effect-consequence scenarios weren't as clearly described as I would have liked, and I thought there were a few too many neat coincidences that allowed the main characters to survive and fight another day. These problems were relatively minor, however, and really didn't impair my overall enjoyment of the book.
July 14, 2018
I really enjoyed the last half of this book, but it did take some time to get going. I love how Spencer forced her characters through some changes. A few minor pacing issues, but overall a great book. Full review to come
February 24, 2018
If you thought this series couldn’t get better after Darkstorm, you thought wrong.
Excellent follow on. Glad I’ve got the next book already!
Excellent follow on. Glad I’ve got the next book already!
May 17, 2017
I very much enjoyed M.L. Spencer's Darkstorm novel, which was a breath of fresh air from the usual fantasy novels which have a massive threat to the world only for the heroes to resolve it with a laugh and a lark. So, I was very interested in picking up Darkmage which was the sequel set a millennium later. The world has managed to recover from the first book's apocalypse but bear's permanent scars. Furthermore, there are still those who would like to repeat casting opening the gates of hell to let the forces of Xerys, God of the Netherworld through.
Which happens in the first few chapters. Say what you will about M.L. Spencer but she wastes no time in setting up the drama of the situation. The Hellgate is open the same way the Oblivion Crisis was started in The Elder Scrolls. The ancient order of mages which protected the world are wiped out in similar swift fashion and soon all of their accumulated power is trapped in a single individual who is insane with grief over his lover being sacrificed to bring about the end of the world.
I have a bit of a complaint in that it's a bit difficult to see where the original story relates to the current one save for a few references and the obvious fact the threat of hell invading is the primary one. I really bonded with the original story's cast and it was disappointing to find out they wouldn't be returning due to the immense time skip (as well as events in the previous book). Still, I gradually warmed to Dairen, Naia, and Kyel. They are a trio similar to the original in the context of being thoroughly unsuitable to be heroes and that turning out NOT to be an asset (unlike in all other fantasy fiction where misfits are always the best opponents of evil).
Of the main cast, I'm most fond of Dairen as he's a nice Rand Al'Thor figure (more on this later) where he's being driven insane by his powers but is willing to sacrifice everything in order to get revenge. Unlike Robert Jordan's creation, though, the price for his actions are very upfront and clear. There's no "reward" of three wives and universal adoration to balance out the pain. Everyone despises him for his status as an abomination, he will be forced to die if he's going to stop the end of the world, and he's already suicidal due to the loss of his lover Meiran.
In fact, there's a lot of Wheel of Time influences in the book but the world is considerably darker. Good people die left and right with the "good kingdoms" being more or less content to let the borderlands bleed themselves white protecting the world. It's extraordinarily hard to take any of the figures who'd be heroes in fantasy worlds seriously with their concerns about Dairen as they'd rather he leave the Hellgate open than potentially threaten the status quo. By the end of the book, I had almost zero respect for their trust in law and goodness to win the day and that was obviously what the author was going for. This is very much an Anti-Tolkien book as the One Ring is the only way to defeat Sauron.
Indeed, I found it quite refreshing to have a fantasy novel where the extremists and people willing to make horrible sacrifices as well as do terrible things are the ones in the right. The Oath of Harmony has a direct parallel with the Aes Sedai's oaths in that it is extraordinarily questionable as anything other than a geas meant to reign in mages from ruling the world. The fact everyone considers it a objective good when it may result in SATAN taking over the world via pacifism is not a philosophy I get behind despite my own religious beliefs.
Bizarrely, I also give this book credit for having one of the few truly good grimdark romances. The romance between Dairen and his dead lover (i.e. his obsession with her memory as well as insane hate-filled desire to both avenge as well as join her) mixes with his uncomfortable lust for Naia. Naia is an idealistic priestess (of death) who believes there's a chance she can have a tragic but idealistic relationship with Dairen despite the fact he's recovering from his lover's horrific murder/damnation. It's such a deconstruction of typical fantasy romances that I really enjoyed it and was reminded of Crysania and Raistlin in Dragonlance's Twins Trilogy.
In conclusion, this is a really good book for people who want some darker-than-normal epic fantasy. It's closer to Warhammer than The Lord of the Rings but that's not a bad thing and I think people will really enjoy the ending.
9/10
Which happens in the first few chapters. Say what you will about M.L. Spencer but she wastes no time in setting up the drama of the situation. The Hellgate is open the same way the Oblivion Crisis was started in The Elder Scrolls. The ancient order of mages which protected the world are wiped out in similar swift fashion and soon all of their accumulated power is trapped in a single individual who is insane with grief over his lover being sacrificed to bring about the end of the world.
I have a bit of a complaint in that it's a bit difficult to see where the original story relates to the current one save for a few references and the obvious fact the threat of hell invading is the primary one. I really bonded with the original story's cast and it was disappointing to find out they wouldn't be returning due to the immense time skip (as well as events in the previous book). Still, I gradually warmed to Dairen, Naia, and Kyel. They are a trio similar to the original in the context of being thoroughly unsuitable to be heroes and that turning out NOT to be an asset (unlike in all other fantasy fiction where misfits are always the best opponents of evil).
Of the main cast, I'm most fond of Dairen as he's a nice Rand Al'Thor figure (more on this later) where he's being driven insane by his powers but is willing to sacrifice everything in order to get revenge. Unlike Robert Jordan's creation, though, the price for his actions are very upfront and clear. There's no "reward" of three wives and universal adoration to balance out the pain. Everyone despises him for his status as an abomination, he will be forced to die if he's going to stop the end of the world, and he's already suicidal due to the loss of his lover Meiran.
In fact, there's a lot of Wheel of Time influences in the book but the world is considerably darker. Good people die left and right with the "good kingdoms" being more or less content to let the borderlands bleed themselves white protecting the world. It's extraordinarily hard to take any of the figures who'd be heroes in fantasy worlds seriously with their concerns about Dairen as they'd rather he leave the Hellgate open than potentially threaten the status quo. By the end of the book, I had almost zero respect for their trust in law and goodness to win the day and that was obviously what the author was going for. This is very much an Anti-Tolkien book as the One Ring is the only way to defeat Sauron.
Indeed, I found it quite refreshing to have a fantasy novel where the extremists and people willing to make horrible sacrifices as well as do terrible things are the ones in the right. The Oath of Harmony has a direct parallel with the Aes Sedai's oaths in that it is extraordinarily questionable as anything other than a geas meant to reign in mages from ruling the world. The fact everyone considers it a objective good when it may result in SATAN taking over the world via pacifism is not a philosophy I get behind despite my own religious beliefs.
Bizarrely, I also give this book credit for having one of the few truly good grimdark romances. The romance between Dairen and his dead lover (i.e. his obsession with her memory as well as insane hate-filled desire to both avenge as well as join her) mixes with his uncomfortable lust for Naia. Naia is an idealistic priestess (of death) who believes there's a chance she can have a tragic but idealistic relationship with Dairen despite the fact he's recovering from his lover's horrific murder/damnation. It's such a deconstruction of typical fantasy romances that I really enjoyed it and was reminded of Crysania and Raistlin in Dragonlance's Twins Trilogy.
In conclusion, this is a really good book for people who want some darker-than-normal epic fantasy. It's closer to Warhammer than The Lord of the Rings but that's not a bad thing and I think people will really enjoy the ending.
9/10
October 15, 2017
The second in Spencer's acclaimed indie debut Rhenwars Saga, Darkmage begins a thousand years after the cataclysmic events of book #1.
In that time much has changed, as one might expect. The global disaster that prompted the original eight ruling wizards to flirt with demonic black magic has been averted, but at considerable cost: Caladorn is long ruined, its surrounding lands having been laid waste by the power unleashed by the treacherous darkmage Merris/Arden, its civilization lost to the world.
Now it is the turn of Aerysius, once Caladorn's rival, to share her ugly fate. For this is an epoch-spanning saga where history repeats itself with tragic consequences: this time it is Aidan, a serving mage at Aerysius, who decides to tamper with the forces of darkness, resurrecting the original eight darkmages who brought ruin on Caladorn in demonic form to further his own ambitions.
His brother Darien is an unwitting victim of this plot, along with the entire population of Aerysius, and loses his family, friends, homeland and lover as a result - once again sibling rivalry is a core theme underpinning Spencer's work. Worse still, Darien's fate is to gradually become like the monsters he fights, and he turns out to be a sort of Aragorn meets Anakin Skywalker type of anti-hero as he succumbs to the dark side of magic himself.
And so once again we are plunged into a gloomy, doom-laden world of grim choices and pyrrhic victories, as Darien is forced to sacrifice his soul to give his world even a fighting chance of survival. The prose is aptly austere throughout, and reminiscent of parts of the Silmarillion and the Elric sagas in its portrayal of a darkly beautiful world one step closer to annihilation. Lovers of 'bad vs worse' scenarios and qualified victories will, I suspect, find much to appreciate in this work.
As well as being pleased to see the return of Arden, a spectacularly delicious villain thoroughly commited to doing evil for its own sake, I also warmed to Kyel a lot: perhaps Spencer's most sympathetic character, a seemingly ordinary tradesman apprenticed to Darien as a trainee mage when his latent powers are discovered, his unassuming demeanour and basic decency provide a welcome respite from compromised characters such as Darien, or the ruthless frontier commander Proctor who will sacrifice anyone and anything to defeat the invading Enemy.
One tantalising question that the novelist deliberately left hanging was the exact origin of said enemy: this mysterious and ever encroaching force of black-clad soldiers (apparently allied with Aidan's resurrected darkmages but seemingly acting on its own agenda before their return to the mortal world) is never really explained. Curiously enough, this put me in mind of Kafka's The Trial: a steadily encroaching menace that never fully reveals its reason for being.
I would highly recommend this series to readers of grimdark and dark fantasy who are looking for a more literary approach to the genre that is not strictly bound by the conventions of contemporary fantasy storytelling, and I for one am very curious to see what happens in the next instalment of this exciting and unpredictable series.
In that time much has changed, as one might expect. The global disaster that prompted the original eight ruling wizards to flirt with demonic black magic has been averted, but at considerable cost: Caladorn is long ruined, its surrounding lands having been laid waste by the power unleashed by the treacherous darkmage Merris/Arden, its civilization lost to the world.
Now it is the turn of Aerysius, once Caladorn's rival, to share her ugly fate. For this is an epoch-spanning saga where history repeats itself with tragic consequences: this time it is Aidan, a serving mage at Aerysius, who decides to tamper with the forces of darkness, resurrecting the original eight darkmages who brought ruin on Caladorn in demonic form to further his own ambitions.
His brother Darien is an unwitting victim of this plot, along with the entire population of Aerysius, and loses his family, friends, homeland and lover as a result - once again sibling rivalry is a core theme underpinning Spencer's work. Worse still, Darien's fate is to gradually become like the monsters he fights, and he turns out to be a sort of Aragorn meets Anakin Skywalker type of anti-hero as he succumbs to the dark side of magic himself.
And so once again we are plunged into a gloomy, doom-laden world of grim choices and pyrrhic victories, as Darien is forced to sacrifice his soul to give his world even a fighting chance of survival. The prose is aptly austere throughout, and reminiscent of parts of the Silmarillion and the Elric sagas in its portrayal of a darkly beautiful world one step closer to annihilation. Lovers of 'bad vs worse' scenarios and qualified victories will, I suspect, find much to appreciate in this work.
As well as being pleased to see the return of Arden, a spectacularly delicious villain thoroughly commited to doing evil for its own sake, I also warmed to Kyel a lot: perhaps Spencer's most sympathetic character, a seemingly ordinary tradesman apprenticed to Darien as a trainee mage when his latent powers are discovered, his unassuming demeanour and basic decency provide a welcome respite from compromised characters such as Darien, or the ruthless frontier commander Proctor who will sacrifice anyone and anything to defeat the invading Enemy.
One tantalising question that the novelist deliberately left hanging was the exact origin of said enemy: this mysterious and ever encroaching force of black-clad soldiers (apparently allied with Aidan's resurrected darkmages but seemingly acting on its own agenda before their return to the mortal world) is never really explained. Curiously enough, this put me in mind of Kafka's The Trial: a steadily encroaching menace that never fully reveals its reason for being.
I would highly recommend this series to readers of grimdark and dark fantasy who are looking for a more literary approach to the genre that is not strictly bound by the conventions of contemporary fantasy storytelling, and I for one am very curious to see what happens in the next instalment of this exciting and unpredictable series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2023
I really enjoyed the amount of magic in here, as I get a bit bored by so many low, to almost none, magic books. I don't need it in every book, but now and then I really enjoy plenty of magic being flung around and interspersed in the world!
I clicked well with the main characters, but some of the side characters could have been a bit deeper for my personal liking, though I hope with some I'll see some more growth in later books of the series - and I'll definitely want to see what happens next! I especially want to find out what side some of them end up on!
The story kept me well entertained and there were so many things yet to be resolved without it feeling overwhelming or hard to follow, which is a big plus in my eyes. I don't like it overly simplistic, but I also don't want to need a flowchart just to keep up. And this one struck a good balance between having multiple things going on and yet not becoming overladen or confusing.
The prose was fluent and easy to follow without sticking out, so it allowed me to dive right into the world instead of consciously reading about the world. At times the pace felt a tiny bit uneven and I would have liked to stay in a scene a bit longer and / or get a bit more information before jumping to the next one,
All in all a great, sometimes grim and all around entertaining read that I'm happy to follow up!
I clicked well with the main characters, but some of the side characters could have been a bit deeper for my personal liking, though I hope with some I'll see some more growth in later books of the series - and I'll definitely want to see what happens next! I especially want to find out what side some of them end up on!
The story kept me well entertained and there were so many things yet to be resolved without it feeling overwhelming or hard to follow, which is a big plus in my eyes. I don't like it overly simplistic, but I also don't want to need a flowchart just to keep up. And this one struck a good balance between having multiple things going on and yet not becoming overladen or confusing.
The prose was fluent and easy to follow without sticking out, so it allowed me to dive right into the world instead of consciously reading about the world. At times the pace felt a tiny bit uneven and I would have liked to stay in a scene a bit longer and / or get a bit more information before jumping to the next one,
All in all a great, sometimes grim and all around entertaining read that I'm happy to follow up!
October 18, 2018
Darn that was good - here's the review: https://www.alwroteabook.com/2018/10/...
April 29, 2020
Darien Lauchlin has everything: youth, position, a beautiful partner and the promise of becoming Grand Master of Aerysius, the mage’s capital, when he comes into his inheritance. Then everything is taken away from Darien in apocalyptic fashion when a gateway to hell is opened, bringing destruction to Aerysius and threatening the stability of the world. Lauchlin, damaged in mind, body and soul, is the only one who can save the day…but he has trouble even saving himself.
Darkmage is big-screen stuff, with plenty of visual extravaganzas from the coruscating opening of the Well to a journey to the cursed Black Lands, a short cut (is that ever a good idea?) through haunted catacombs, and blood-and-thunder battle scenes. A couple of lower-key characters add contrast to Darien’s story, Kyel Archer and his roguish companion Traver Larsen, civilians pressed into an army fighting the existential war against the forces of chaos.
The world, known as the Rhen, is one of high fantasy with a goodly dash of D&D – some righteous dungeon-crawling, ‘fifth-tier’ mages and baddies with demonic pets – and although very much sword-and-sorcery, the milieu is more early modern than medieval, with streetlights, wall clocks, (horse powered) elevators, social mobility, and saloons packed with card-playing gamblers, giving the Rhen a style all its own.
Darien is not a sympathetic character, as the title more than hints; his flaws and lack of moral compass lead to poor decisions and serious bloodshed. This is not a simple tale of revenge, more one of battling through bad situations and suffering the consequences of one's (and other people's) actions. While there is a certain amount of simple Good vs Evil, more nuanced ethical issues are touched on too – such using the magical equivalent of nuclear weapons.
Darkmage is an introduction to a world with its own history, magic system and multiple religions, and one that looks well worth further exploration.
Darkmage is big-screen stuff, with plenty of visual extravaganzas from the coruscating opening of the Well to a journey to the cursed Black Lands, a short cut (is that ever a good idea?) through haunted catacombs, and blood-and-thunder battle scenes. A couple of lower-key characters add contrast to Darien’s story, Kyel Archer and his roguish companion Traver Larsen, civilians pressed into an army fighting the existential war against the forces of chaos.
The world, known as the Rhen, is one of high fantasy with a goodly dash of D&D – some righteous dungeon-crawling, ‘fifth-tier’ mages and baddies with demonic pets – and although very much sword-and-sorcery, the milieu is more early modern than medieval, with streetlights, wall clocks, (horse powered) elevators, social mobility, and saloons packed with card-playing gamblers, giving the Rhen a style all its own.
Darien is not a sympathetic character, as the title more than hints; his flaws and lack of moral compass lead to poor decisions and serious bloodshed. This is not a simple tale of revenge, more one of battling through bad situations and suffering the consequences of one's (and other people's) actions. While there is a certain amount of simple Good vs Evil, more nuanced ethical issues are touched on too – such using the magical equivalent of nuclear weapons.
Darkmage is an introduction to a world with its own history, magic system and multiple religions, and one that looks well worth further exploration.
April 29, 2020
4/5
This isn't a bad book per se, in fact far from it, this is a solid dark fantasy story. Spencer masterfully played with her set pieces to create shocking and satisfying twists. However, at the same time, it is very trope-y, playing the rules pretty much straight by dark and epic fantasy playbook. In terms of worldbuilding, there's nothing to write home about: vaguely Medieval European world with a blend of Anglo and Latin-inspired names, castles, mages, clerics, demon hounds, etc.
Stylistically, I feel this book is a crossbreed between A Song of Ice and Fire and Wheel of Time, where the looming invasion from the north was buffered by a stronghold manned with convicts, while an ancient council of mages got their hands tied since they were sworn not to use their magic for violence or killing.
Enter Darien, one of the most promising acolytes back from his exile to Aerysius where the council of mages ruled. He tried to plea for the abolishment of the oath so the mages could use their magic for urgent military use, that was to stave off the invasion. However, things got dark real fast when ancient evils under the Lord of Chaos (again, WoT tribute/shoutout) were released by a traitor in the Well of Tears. Darien must act quickly to survive and possibly find new acolytes to ensure the survival of the mages.
The book plays a lot with how power corrupts even well-intentioned people. Again, similar arc to WoT book 12, The Gathering Storm , although Spencer had her own spins and twists. The use of magic can be devastating, and the horrific acts of magic are addressed well in this book; I think it interestingly straddles the line between dark and grimdark fantasy, where morally grey characters and decisions are explored but without going full nihilistic.
There are violent scenes, but it never panders or gazes too long on the graphic scenery, almost no sexual assault or rape either. Still, most female characters only play supporting roles for their male counterparts, featuring casual Damsel in the Distress and Woman in Refrigerators tropes.
At the end of the book, it is obvious that this is no standalone story as it still leaves major plot threads hanging. I gathered that Spencer would play more twists and turns in later books, but the very next book in the saga features desert civilisation/Muslim analogue so I'm both cautious and curious.
This isn't a bad book per se, in fact far from it, this is a solid dark fantasy story. Spencer masterfully played with her set pieces to create shocking and satisfying twists. However, at the same time, it is very trope-y, playing the rules pretty much straight by dark and epic fantasy playbook. In terms of worldbuilding, there's nothing to write home about: vaguely Medieval European world with a blend of Anglo and Latin-inspired names, castles, mages, clerics, demon hounds, etc.
Stylistically, I feel this book is a crossbreed between A Song of Ice and Fire and Wheel of Time, where the looming invasion from the north was buffered by a stronghold manned with convicts, while an ancient council of mages got their hands tied since they were sworn not to use their magic for violence or killing.
Enter Darien, one of the most promising acolytes back from his exile to Aerysius where the council of mages ruled. He tried to plea for the abolishment of the oath so the mages could use their magic for urgent military use, that was to stave off the invasion. However, things got dark real fast when ancient evils under the Lord of Chaos (again, WoT tribute/shoutout) were released by a traitor in the Well of Tears. Darien must act quickly to survive and possibly find new acolytes to ensure the survival of the mages.
The book plays a lot with how power corrupts even well-intentioned people. Again, similar arc to WoT book 12, The Gathering Storm , although Spencer had her own spins and twists. The use of magic can be devastating, and the horrific acts of magic are addressed well in this book; I think it interestingly straddles the line between dark and grimdark fantasy, where morally grey characters and decisions are explored but without going full nihilistic.
There are violent scenes, but it never panders or gazes too long on the graphic scenery, almost no sexual assault or rape either. Still, most female characters only play supporting roles for their male counterparts, featuring casual Damsel in the Distress and Woman in Refrigerators tropes.
At the end of the book, it is obvious that this is no standalone story as it still leaves major plot threads hanging. I gathered that Spencer would play more twists and turns in later books, but the very next book in the saga features desert civilisation/Muslim analogue so I'm both cautious and curious.
September 9, 2018
This grimdark fantasy follows the story of Darien Lauchlin, a rebellious but honourable mage who returns to his hometown to take his official mage oath only to see the city, and his loved ones, destroyed by his wicked brother. Said brother opens a portal to the netherworld and unleashes all kinds of hellish creatures on the real world. Darien must regain control, even if that means he has to break the oath he holds so dear…
The narrative is told for the most part from Darien’s point of view, as well as a character called Kyel who is in the wrong place at the wrong time with a gambler friend and is sent to the ‘front’. There is a war raging between the empire of The Rhen and The Black Lands, where the Enemy resides. The Enemy lives in darkness and is encroaching on Darien and Kyel’s land. There are a few other character POVs, including Darien’s mother and Darien’s soldier friends at the front.
Darien returns to the front after his hometown is destroyed and devises deeply-woven plots to hold back the Enemy, including bringing together the various armies across The Rhen to fight as one. He must make tough decision after tough decision and suffer some huge personal sacrifices in order to do his duty as one of the last surviving mages after his brother’s atrocity.
Kyel is a more down-to-earth character. He doesn’t have a powerful family like Darien or a deep feeling of duty and destiny. But he’s a good, decent guy. Basically, a run of bad luck leads him to fight at the front. He’s not a soldier, but realises he has some skill as an archer and comes to the attention of Darien. Darien devises ways for Kyel to learn and develop which aren’t always to Kyel’s liking.
From the opening prologue the emotional intensity of this book was high with a dark and ominous atmosphere that continues throughout. The looming conflict with the Enemy creates a wonderfully grim tension. And the desperate measures Darien and his allies take to attempt to save their world, and the people within, have a sense that they are just about clinging on but at any moment the thin thread will snap.
The characters are really well developed, and we spend a lot of time in the minds of Darien and Kyel. There is plenty of action and some epic fight scenes, as well as some more intimate moments between friends and lovers.
I really enjoyed this story, there was some interesting worldbuilding and magic concepts. However, I did want to spend more time with the one main female character, Naia, and not just through Darien’s perspective. I was also hoping we’d see more from Darien’s mother as well as a feisty Queen, Romana, but unfortunately not.
Darkmage is a treat for grimdark fantasy fans who appreciate well-crafted characters and a heavy sense that ‘good’ is probably not going to win. And if it does, it’s going to have to go through a lot of ‘bad’ to get there!
This review and more can be found on my blog www.rosalynkelly.co.uk/blog
The narrative is told for the most part from Darien’s point of view, as well as a character called Kyel who is in the wrong place at the wrong time with a gambler friend and is sent to the ‘front’. There is a war raging between the empire of The Rhen and The Black Lands, where the Enemy resides. The Enemy lives in darkness and is encroaching on Darien and Kyel’s land. There are a few other character POVs, including Darien’s mother and Darien’s soldier friends at the front.
Darien returns to the front after his hometown is destroyed and devises deeply-woven plots to hold back the Enemy, including bringing together the various armies across The Rhen to fight as one. He must make tough decision after tough decision and suffer some huge personal sacrifices in order to do his duty as one of the last surviving mages after his brother’s atrocity.
Kyel is a more down-to-earth character. He doesn’t have a powerful family like Darien or a deep feeling of duty and destiny. But he’s a good, decent guy. Basically, a run of bad luck leads him to fight at the front. He’s not a soldier, but realises he has some skill as an archer and comes to the attention of Darien. Darien devises ways for Kyel to learn and develop which aren’t always to Kyel’s liking.
From the opening prologue the emotional intensity of this book was high with a dark and ominous atmosphere that continues throughout. The looming conflict with the Enemy creates a wonderfully grim tension. And the desperate measures Darien and his allies take to attempt to save their world, and the people within, have a sense that they are just about clinging on but at any moment the thin thread will snap.
The characters are really well developed, and we spend a lot of time in the minds of Darien and Kyel. There is plenty of action and some epic fight scenes, as well as some more intimate moments between friends and lovers.
I really enjoyed this story, there was some interesting worldbuilding and magic concepts. However, I did want to spend more time with the one main female character, Naia, and not just through Darien’s perspective. I was also hoping we’d see more from Darien’s mother as well as a feisty Queen, Romana, but unfortunately not.
Darkmage is a treat for grimdark fantasy fans who appreciate well-crafted characters and a heavy sense that ‘good’ is probably not going to win. And if it does, it’s going to have to go through a lot of ‘bad’ to get there!
This review and more can be found on my blog www.rosalynkelly.co.uk/blog
January 19, 2018
So here is my second foray into the Rhen.
I just re-read my review of Darkstorm to put this into perspective.
And to be honest, I leave this book with generally the same misgivings as the other.
I'm left with too many questions, and not enough meat on the story.
The Bad Guys:
I was expecting to pick up where we left off last time, and finally get into the core of the problems raised in Darkstorm. Instead, we're sent a thousand years later (and the world has not changed one bit), into a brand new conflict where old antagonists get revived, but do very little in terms of antagonizing, while old conflicts rage on without we ever knowing why or how.
We never really find out what we're fighting against. We only know that it's "Black" and it's fielding fighters in the hundred of thousands.
The Magic:
I couldn't understand the weight of the vow of Harmony and how exactly Sentinels were "fighting" within its limitations. I couldn't fault Darien's logic. Even as almost everybody insists that Harmony must be upheld, we're shown nothing but the ruins of its impotence. I would have liked to see at least "something" to justify why it being so bitterly held onto. No viable counter-argument was ever offered. So every debate on the subject got more and more grating as the pages went by.
The concept of Magic Transference also was a bit problem for me. It felt... wasteful of a resource that is clearly finite in a time of continual war. Which ties into my point above.
The Characters:
We should have stuck with two POVs at most. Darien and his acolyte. None of the others had anything worthwhile to add to the story.
Darien does what he can, and I felt sorry for him all the while. He Is Right!
But for some reason, his very world stubbornly refuses to acknowledge it, while at the same time proving him right at every single turn. Very frustrating.
Kyel is a weird one. His journey could have been interesting in itself. But it got rushed along so fast I didn't even get so see him change. Maybe he did. I just didn't see it.
Conclusion:
I felt rushed. It went too freaking fast. I didn't get to see enough of the world to care about it. I cared about Darien, for his philosophical conundrum. I tried to care about Kyel, for a while, but got lost. The rest just blurred past before I knew what was happening. It was just too big and it happened too fast.
final score: 3
I just re-read my review of Darkstorm to put this into perspective.
And to be honest, I leave this book with generally the same misgivings as the other.
I'm left with too many questions, and not enough meat on the story.
The Bad Guys:
I was expecting to pick up where we left off last time, and finally get into the core of the problems raised in Darkstorm. Instead, we're sent a thousand years later (and the world has not changed one bit), into a brand new conflict where old antagonists get revived, but do very little in terms of antagonizing, while old conflicts rage on without we ever knowing why or how.
We never really find out what we're fighting against. We only know that it's "Black" and it's fielding fighters in the hundred of thousands.
The Magic:
I couldn't understand the weight of the vow of Harmony and how exactly Sentinels were "fighting" within its limitations. I couldn't fault Darien's logic. Even as almost everybody insists that Harmony must be upheld, we're shown nothing but the ruins of its impotence. I would have liked to see at least "something" to justify why it being so bitterly held onto. No viable counter-argument was ever offered. So every debate on the subject got more and more grating as the pages went by.
The concept of Magic Transference also was a bit problem for me. It felt... wasteful of a resource that is clearly finite in a time of continual war. Which ties into my point above.
The Characters:
We should have stuck with two POVs at most. Darien and his acolyte. None of the others had anything worthwhile to add to the story.
Darien does what he can, and I felt sorry for him all the while. He Is Right!
But for some reason, his very world stubbornly refuses to acknowledge it, while at the same time proving him right at every single turn. Very frustrating.
Kyel is a weird one. His journey could have been interesting in itself. But it got rushed along so fast I didn't even get so see him change. Maybe he did. I just didn't see it.
Conclusion:
I felt rushed. It went too freaking fast. I didn't get to see enough of the world to care about it. I cared about Darien, for his philosophical conundrum. I tried to care about Kyel, for a while, but got lost. The rest just blurred past before I knew what was happening. It was just too big and it happened too fast.
final score: 3
December 28, 2017
I'm far, far, far overdue to review this book, and the only excuse I have is a hell of a lot happened all at once between me starting and finishing it and immediately after, and I've only just had the clarity of mind to write a review that would do her work justice.
This is the second of Spencer's books I've read, and the true start of her Rhenwars Saga, my first foray into her world being Darkstorm, which I thoroughly enjoyed earlier this year.
Darkmage, I found however, outstrips it a fair bit in my eyes. Despite being written prior to Darkstorm, I found Spencer's writing a great deal more rich and mature in this book. Part of me wonders if this is due to it being a fair bit lengthier and simply allowing herself time to grow and toy with her characters, who are, as in Darkstorm, at the very forefront of her writing.
Again, a high fantasy epic with a distinctive grimdark twist through its characters' questionable motives and actions, I found the level of thought and depth to Spencer's world to be continually impressive, and I'm envious of her ability to build both nations and magic systems in such detail. Especially without stumbling over them, as is easy to do so when creating something of such grinding complexity.
I've often felt Spencer's work will appeal to a range of fantasy enthusiasts, with her ability to weave grimdark assholery into a sprawling high fantasy tapestry that, if tropes are to be believed, should be populated by bland, uninspired white knights and big titty elf princesses trying to save the world because save the world.
A great book, especially for the start of a series, and I'm looking forward to getting around to Darklands when I (eventually) get through a couple of other books in my TBR.
This is the second of Spencer's books I've read, and the true start of her Rhenwars Saga, my first foray into her world being Darkstorm, which I thoroughly enjoyed earlier this year.
Darkmage, I found however, outstrips it a fair bit in my eyes. Despite being written prior to Darkstorm, I found Spencer's writing a great deal more rich and mature in this book. Part of me wonders if this is due to it being a fair bit lengthier and simply allowing herself time to grow and toy with her characters, who are, as in Darkstorm, at the very forefront of her writing.
Again, a high fantasy epic with a distinctive grimdark twist through its characters' questionable motives and actions, I found the level of thought and depth to Spencer's world to be continually impressive, and I'm envious of her ability to build both nations and magic systems in such detail. Especially without stumbling over them, as is easy to do so when creating something of such grinding complexity.
I've often felt Spencer's work will appeal to a range of fantasy enthusiasts, with her ability to weave grimdark assholery into a sprawling high fantasy tapestry that, if tropes are to be believed, should be populated by bland, uninspired white knights and big titty elf princesses trying to save the world because save the world.
A great book, especially for the start of a series, and I'm looking forward to getting around to Darklands when I (eventually) get through a couple of other books in my TBR.
March 21, 2019
This tale is a tad slow to start while the author gathers up his characters and sets the stage, but once the stage is set a wonderful show starts. A final mage. The last sentinel. His city destroyed by his brother's greed for the ultimate magic of the underworld, now released. The mage is powerful, save one interesting premise. The last sentinel must help to destroy the armies of the released evil. However, he has sworn an oath that he can only use his magic to heal, to maintain harmony and for things good. This last sentinel cannot use his powers to destroy and destroy he must.
An interesting concept. Read and find the answer to this intriguing conundrum.
An interesting concept. Read and find the answer to this intriguing conundrum.
December 13, 2018
Darkmage by M.L. Spencer is the second book in The Rhenwars Saga. Set 1000 years after Darkstorm, the Well of Tears is opened, yet again, and Darien Lauchlin is determined to close the Well of Tears, and keep it closed.
I enjoy Spencer's writing and world building. The characters are tormented, and emotions run high in this dark fantasy story. Spencer's writing takes us to the edge of darkness and keeps us there, hoping to find the light. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
I enjoy Spencer's writing and world building. The characters are tormented, and emotions run high in this dark fantasy story. Spencer's writing takes us to the edge of darkness and keeps us there, hoping to find the light. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
October 22, 2018
This is a roller coaster between two covers. The characters are built along with the story and I enjoyed getting to know them. The action scenes written very well. I don't care for how most war episodes are written and tend to skim the, these I didn't. They were well developed and not full of blood and gore. I will be reading the rest of the series. Found another favorite author.
October 11, 2018
Very Interesting
Fast paced. Intricately woven stories of a damaged mage, his fractured family, a priestess, many incredible warriors and an blessed acolyte. Very good.
Fast paced. Intricately woven stories of a damaged mage, his fractured family, a priestess, many incredible warriors and an blessed acolyte. Very good.
October 15, 2018
DarkMage is one of the Best Books I have ever Read.Some Books have Heros in Shining Armor and Happy endings.That is not these books!
I am about half way done with the second Book and Loving every page.
I am about half way done with the second Book and Loving every page.
January 28, 2019
M.L. Spencer catches my attention with the story she's crafted, and her word choices. Wow. She's accomplished a huge thing in fantasy reads with her descriptions that give more than simply shows the scene. She draws me in with the words as it creates a vision in my mind that projects a feeling as well. Wonderful!
****FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW****
****FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW****
Read
May 18, 2021Darkmage opens with bad people doing bad things, and the situation just goes downhill from there. It's ultimately the story of Darien Lauchlin and the lengths to which someone will go to do right, even if it costs them their soul.
The plot of this is big. In general, it reminded me somewhat of a slimmed-down Wheel of Time: evil + evil's minions emerging from the beyond, multiple viewpoints as the protagonists struggle against that, different factions with their own preferred ways of dealing with said events. I was quite interested after the first few chapters to see how it unfolded. The whole thing has an epic feel to it and should appeal to someone looking to sink their teeth into a sprawling tale. The world portrayed feels large, yet accessible; there's enough backstory and history interspersed in the narrative to make the world feel grounded and lived-in. I found the prose decent and easy to read. It never felt like the book good mired in too many details ...
... though perhaps it should have. The pacing was rushed, in my opinion. I think this plot could have taken two full books to tell and expanded on some of the building tensions. There's a romantic element that feels equally rushed, based on the amount of interaction the couple has before that reveal. It too would have benefited from a slightly slower pace. And while many of the characters were fine, I absolutely could not connect with the main protagonist and that hampered my enjoyment of the book. I preferred the chapters focusing on his apprentice, who seemed to grow and change through the book while the main character ... stagnated, for lack of a better term. But that is probably just me.
I enjoyed this book and I am going to keep reading the series. I'm intrigued to see where the story goes. So far, I like it. But I wanted to love it and just never quite got there.
The plot of this is big. In general, it reminded me somewhat of a slimmed-down Wheel of Time: evil + evil's minions emerging from the beyond, multiple viewpoints as the protagonists struggle against that, different factions with their own preferred ways of dealing with said events. I was quite interested after the first few chapters to see how it unfolded. The whole thing has an epic feel to it and should appeal to someone looking to sink their teeth into a sprawling tale. The world portrayed feels large, yet accessible; there's enough backstory and history interspersed in the narrative to make the world feel grounded and lived-in. I found the prose decent and easy to read. It never felt like the book good mired in too many details ...
... though perhaps it should have. The pacing was rushed, in my opinion. I think this plot could have taken two full books to tell and expanded on some of the building tensions. There's a romantic element that feels equally rushed, based on the amount of interaction the couple has before that reveal. It too would have benefited from a slightly slower pace. And while many of the characters were fine, I absolutely could not connect with the main protagonist and that hampered my enjoyment of the book. I preferred the chapters focusing on his apprentice, who seemed to grow and change through the book while the main character ... stagnated, for lack of a better term. But that is probably just me.
I enjoyed this book and I am going to keep reading the series. I'm intrigued to see where the story goes. So far, I like it. But I wanted to love it and just never quite got there.
April 30, 2019
I finished reading this book a week ago and finally had time to review it. I had no idea what to expect when I picked up the entire Rhenwars Saga by author M.L. Spencer. Darkmage is the first book in the series.
The tale begins with death and destruction and the opening of the Well of Tears which unleashes chaos upon the world, Eight Servants of Xerys; demons. Great start. I was drawn into the book right away.
Darien Lauchlin is a minor acolyte of Aerysius who still hasn't committed to the faith, bearing the markings, the chains of his binding on his wrists while bearing a sword against tradition. Through desperation and Transference, with the ancient city falling apart around them, Darien is hoisted up into a Master's role, a Sentinel, absorbing enough power from the dying to become an unheard of Eighth Tier mage.
Surviving the onslaught, Darien travels through various locales, gaps, shrines and temples, enlisting the aid of an apprentice, Kyel Archer, and Naia Seleni, First Daughter of the Goddess Isap and a priestess of Death. Makes for interesting company.
Sworn to honor the Oath of Harmony which prevents him from using his powers to injure, Darien must decide if breaking the binding and sacrificing his soul to defeat the enemies of chaos is the right choice to save his people. An unbound mage is an abomination. He will not be looked upon as a hero even if he wins.
To make matters worse, the mage who opened the Well and poses his greatest threat, is his brother, Aiden.
I found Darkmage to be an extremely entertaining fantasy tale and I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series. Highly recommended for lovers of fantasy.
The tale begins with death and destruction and the opening of the Well of Tears which unleashes chaos upon the world, Eight Servants of Xerys; demons. Great start. I was drawn into the book right away.
Darien Lauchlin is a minor acolyte of Aerysius who still hasn't committed to the faith, bearing the markings, the chains of his binding on his wrists while bearing a sword against tradition. Through desperation and Transference, with the ancient city falling apart around them, Darien is hoisted up into a Master's role, a Sentinel, absorbing enough power from the dying to become an unheard of Eighth Tier mage.
Surviving the onslaught, Darien travels through various locales, gaps, shrines and temples, enlisting the aid of an apprentice, Kyel Archer, and Naia Seleni, First Daughter of the Goddess Isap and a priestess of Death. Makes for interesting company.
Sworn to honor the Oath of Harmony which prevents him from using his powers to injure, Darien must decide if breaking the binding and sacrificing his soul to defeat the enemies of chaos is the right choice to save his people. An unbound mage is an abomination. He will not be looked upon as a hero even if he wins.
To make matters worse, the mage who opened the Well and poses his greatest threat, is his brother, Aiden.
I found Darkmage to be an extremely entertaining fantasy tale and I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series. Highly recommended for lovers of fantasy.
December 20, 2022
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up. The world building was cool, and the opening in particular I really enjoyed. That being said, the magic wasn’t quite soft enough for me to just go with the flow, while simultaneously not being hard enough for me to full understand so some “rules” didn’t feel evenly applied and felt more like the reason was…because plot. Also, during some climactic scenes the POV’s would change so rapidly (like literally every couple of sentences) that I had whiplash and it took me out of the story. But if you’re looking for a fun, magic forward story with minimal romance subplot, this is a good option.
April 18, 2019
A very solid wizarding adventure in the mold of Raymond Feist. Darkmage is classic fantasy, skillfully executed.
I've been reading a lot of stranger stories lately, with weirder structures and more unique stylings, and so Spencer's Darkmage felt a bit like comfort food. It was suspenseful in turns, exciting, full of action, mysticism, all the great staples of classic fantasy, and what it arguably lacked in innovation it amply made up for in skill of execution. It's a fun read, and fantasy lovers will find a lot here to enjoy... doomed romance, earth-shattering villainy, apocalyptic stakes, and arcane heroism.
I've been reading a lot of stranger stories lately, with weirder structures and more unique stylings, and so Spencer's Darkmage felt a bit like comfort food. It was suspenseful in turns, exciting, full of action, mysticism, all the great staples of classic fantasy, and what it arguably lacked in innovation it amply made up for in skill of execution. It's a fun read, and fantasy lovers will find a lot here to enjoy... doomed romance, earth-shattering villainy, apocalyptic stakes, and arcane heroism.
October 29, 2018
It started off strong enough, but the pacing was too uneven and I kept losing interest. Derian and Kyel are cool, but a lot of the other side characters and chapters felt unneeded. The limitations and abilities of magic were unclear - I kept expecting it to be able to do things it apparently can't, then being surprised when it actually could do things I'd come to believe were beyond it.
Derian's storyline felt odd and rushed, and I get the distinct feeling there's something seriously wrong with his psyche. His emotions and reactions seem to regularly bounce from one extreme to another. Perhaps because of this, many scenes which were reasonably well-written and really should have had some kind of emotional impact to me just fell flat. I found myself mentally reworking the plot more often than not.
Without context, arbitrary power rankings are thrown about, and we're expected to swallow that Derian is one of the most powerful people ever, a thing which hasn't been done before? Except one infamous case, of course, and after that no one ever tried to become that powerful again. Until now.
Halfway through the book, it is repeatedly mentioned by side characters how good his plans are, despite all evidence to the contrary. He then goes off on a dramatic internal rant about how he's damning himself and his soul - because he put on a very minor show to increase the morale of his followers?
And don't get me started on how consummate the darkness was, how consummate the light was, how consummate anything was. Because if there's one thing I distinctly remember, it was consummate.
I feel bad rating it low, because the beginning was so promising, but the rest of the book really doesn't live up to it.
Derian's storyline felt odd and rushed, and I get the distinct feeling there's something seriously wrong with his psyche. His emotions and reactions seem to regularly bounce from one extreme to another. Perhaps because of this, many scenes which were reasonably well-written and really should have had some kind of emotional impact to me just fell flat. I found myself mentally reworking the plot more often than not.
Without context, arbitrary power rankings are thrown about, and we're expected to swallow that Derian is one of the most powerful people ever, a thing which hasn't been done before? Except one infamous case, of course, and after that no one ever tried to become that powerful again. Until now.
Halfway through the book, it is repeatedly mentioned by side characters how good his plans are, despite all evidence to the contrary. He then goes off on a dramatic internal rant about how he's damning himself and his soul - because he put on a very minor show to increase the morale of his followers?
And don't get me started on how consummate the darkness was, how consummate the light was, how consummate anything was. Because if there's one thing I distinctly remember, it was consummate.
I feel bad rating it low, because the beginning was so promising, but the rest of the book really doesn't live up to it.
April 7, 2020
Talk about a grip and rip, this book flies and doesn't stop. LOVED.
January 5, 2018
Awesome thriller!
Darkmage is an action packed story with lots of twists and turns along the way! It follows the life of Darien as he strives to protect his city and those he loves. It is a great sequel to the original story!
Darkmage is an action packed story with lots of twists and turns along the way! It follows the life of Darien as he strives to protect his city and those he loves. It is a great sequel to the original story!
December 16, 2018
I just can not get into this, even if it came highly recommend. Speed reading I'm so bored. Just too macho with a long boring battle by cookie cutter, two dimensional fantasy characters.
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