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The Devotee - Magic Academy: The Worlds of Kemir series: book 1
This captivating fantasy love story by award-winning Russian author is based around an eighteen-year-old sorceress Layne Vayris, who has her fair share of adventure, romance and magical times. Layne Vayris has lost the two most dearest people to her. Her mentor and her Uncle Niklas. Each have tasked her with delivering their last requests. Layne's mentor requires three letters to be delivered on specific dates and specific times. Whereas her Uncle Niklas has asked that she deliver an unusual book of his, to an unworthy previous student called Goter. To complete their dying wishes she must leave her peaceful and tranquil village of Wolverdell to enter a bustling city of magic and depravity. There she meets a young homeless boy called Remi, who guides her through the city. Their friendship spurs her on to find the first addressee of the three letters, a Master Sharrez. But Master Sharrez is aloof and spends his time in whore houses, making an audience with him near on impossible. Layne realizes that the only way to fulfill her promise to her dead mentor is to join the Academy of Magic, where the warlock Sharrez teaches the Faculty of Dark Magic. Except this decision comes with its own demons and Layne finds herself setting off on a path she never envisaged. A path that leads her to discover her own dormant magic, which becomes all consuming and more powerful than anyone has ever seen before. But with power comes enemies. And in trying to deliver her second letter, she finds that not all 'old' friends are friends, and things take a turn for the worst. Layne finds herself having to fight for her life with some unlikely friends to boot. Will Layne be able to deliver the third letter in time? Will she pass on her Uncle's book to the unworthy Goter? Or will the power of magic end her before she's even begun?
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2017
95 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
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January 13, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (1/13/2019)! 🎁
October 14, 2024
Not so interesting. Very naive. Not about academy.
January 13, 2019
It wasn't what I was expected for sure. This book is full of random chaos thrown together. If you wondering why I said that? Here the list :
First : the title said about magical academy, but the time that they spent the plot is not at all in academy, totally say something. If you are expecting Harry Potter story alike here, please just leave this book alone.... There's not even a moment she spent her time studying in the academy after the acceptance. I know, maybe in the next book she will study in the academy, but still. I love the first half of the story when she tried to pass the test, her past home in wolverdell, but after that it's a little bit random.
Second : I didn't realize that it was a reverse hareem story, though??? Not that I want to complain about Master Sharrez and ar-Lord. They still have their charm at least. But the rest of the romance is basically all of the men population falling in love with her. Look, if I am being harsh I apologize, but it's just how I see it.
Third : Lot of unnecessary details with no purpose. Why pick up some kid she just met, when she may not able to take care of him, even take him to her homeland, who is by the way so far from where she found him, when the kid is still have his older sister? It's kind, but unusual and strange, If she help the sister situation, so the sister could take care of the kid, I think would be more believable. Why would the masters suddenly feel the need to travel into the Wolverdell? Why with the harsh decision to join army, make the whole situation like in dire need of saving, and then after she failed to save the dragon and faint in need of saving, it was all good again? So random...
The good part of the story : there was a lost princess found, hot war lord dragon, sneaky charming dark master, a possible magic school, cool dark light magic system.
I am sure if I read this story when I was thirteen I would not have this many complaints. I mean I still love Barbie and Disney princesses, but after reading some awesome stories this month, like The Wicked King, it's just so hard to.....
But if you want to read quick magic story with gorgeous cover, don't ever let me stop you!!! Good luck!!
First : the title said about magical academy, but the time that they spent the plot is not at all in academy, totally say something. If you are expecting Harry Potter story alike here, please just leave this book alone.... There's not even a moment she spent her time studying in the academy after the acceptance. I know, maybe in the next book she will study in the academy, but still. I love the first half of the story when she tried to pass the test, her past home in wolverdell, but after that it's a little bit random.
Second : I didn't realize that it was a reverse hareem story, though??? Not that I want to complain about Master Sharrez and ar-Lord. They still have their charm at least. But the rest of the romance is basically all of the men population falling in love with her. Look, if I am being harsh I apologize, but it's just how I see it.
Third : Lot of unnecessary details with no purpose. Why pick up some kid she just met, when she may not able to take care of him, even take him to her homeland, who is by the way so far from where she found him, when the kid is still have his older sister? It's kind, but unusual and strange, If she help the sister situation, so the sister could take care of the kid, I think would be more believable. Why would the masters suddenly feel the need to travel into the Wolverdell? Why with the harsh decision to join army, make the whole situation like in dire need of saving, and then after she failed to save the dragon and faint in need of saving, it was all good again? So random...
The good part of the story : there was a lost princess found, hot war lord dragon, sneaky charming dark master, a possible magic school, cool dark light magic system.
I am sure if I read this story when I was thirteen I would not have this many complaints. I mean I still love Barbie and Disney princesses, but after reading some awesome stories this month, like The Wicked King, it's just so hard to.....
But if you want to read quick magic story with gorgeous cover, don't ever let me stop you!!! Good luck!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2017
Magic, mayhem, romance, and a little more.
I chose a five star rating because it had everything you could ask for in a book. I love the way the characters are described as if you are there and seeing them. It is filled with magic and mayhem and so far a little romance which will continue in the next book in the series. Looking forward to it.
I chose a five star rating because it had everything you could ask for in a book. I love the way the characters are described as if you are there and seeing them. It is filled with magic and mayhem and so far a little romance which will continue in the next book in the series. Looking forward to it.
November 24, 2017
Too much romance
That fact that she is torn between so many men and the fact that there all over bearing is annoying and takes from the book. The only saving grace is the magic system is kind of unique. Also she is fairly independent even with annoying people around her.
That fact that she is torn between so many men and the fact that there all over bearing is annoying and takes from the book. The only saving grace is the magic system is kind of unique. Also she is fairly independent even with annoying people around her.
September 18, 2017
Great Read
Very much enjoyed the book . There was quite a bit of action throughout. I didn't find any sections that left me wanting or board.
Very much enjoyed the book . There was quite a bit of action throughout. I didn't find any sections that left me wanting or board.
January 14, 2019
What a bumpy ride this book has given me. Ms Grinberga tells a good tale with a lot of excitement, magical thrills, and romantic anticipation. I had some problems with this book, but on the whole, I felt that the power of story carried this through, making this a worthwhile read.
Layne Vayris is a young woman who has been sent to Hallberg, the capital city of Kemir, to deliver three messages. Each of her three guardians - her father, her uncle Niklas, and her mentor, the sorceress Sivissa - has died within a short period of each other, and on their deathbeds made her promise to pass a message on.
The first message that she tries to deliver is to Master Sharrez, the professor of Dark Magic at the Magic Academy. It leads to her having to take the tests for admission to the Academy, where her prodigious skills bring her to the notice of the heads of each department and also the very attractive, but non-human, Governor-General of Hallberg, Arlord Etar Haas.
Once she has delivered the first message though, she leaves to deliver the second message to a money lender with whom her father had invested, Amgerd Sid. In trying to get her money back, she is attacked by Amgerd who not only does not want to return the money, but also sees an opportunity to gain her as a wife for his son. He reckons without Layne’s considerable magical abilities, and she manages to defend herself. As a result, she ends up in prison, accused of attacking Amgerd and only manages to escape prosecution because the Masters of the Academy come to her rescue.
Having rescued her, the Masters agree to take her to Teoka to replace her papers which were destroyed in the attack by Amgerd, and then on to her home in Wolverdell. Included in the travel party are Triss, a friend she met at the Academy while doing the entrance examinations, and Remi, an orphan who helped Layne on her first couple of days in Hallberg and whom Layne has taken under her wing. Together they face overt and subtle dangers of many types, but they learn to trust each other, and each of them - Layne included - learns that there is more to the story of her birth and coming to live in Wolverdell than she ever suspected. However, two main problems arise in the course of her travels and subsequent education at the Magic Academy: a dragon that she rescues somehow attaches itself to her and may create even more problems than she has tried to solve, and the man that she has fallen in love with, Arlord Haas, is the last person that she can talk to about any of the things she has learned or is experiencing.
Ms Grinberga has written a complex web of relationships, but manages to do so in such a way that it does not become confusing or unclear. In addition, I loved the description of the types of magic, how they worked, and the divide that appears between the different magicks and their wielders. The society itself remained a little roughly drawn but this is the first book with three more promised, which gives time and space to explain any queries that were raised. The descriptions of the Academy and the tuition made me think very much of J K Rowling’s Harry Potter books, but with adult students. The fight sequences were very well thought through and articulated; the pace on those scenes was tremendous, and it became very hard to put the book down at those points.
However, I did find that the book could have done with a thorough proofreading and perhaps an assessment by an editor. There was a bit of repetition of ideas that could have been pruned. Also, Ms Grinberga’s English is very good for the most part, but it did become apparent at times that the wrong word has been used or that a foreign grammar construction or idiom had been translated directly. These, plus a few typographical errors, caused some confusion and pulled me out of the text. It was the strength of her story-telling and how likeable the characters were that made me press on to see how things would work out.
I am very pleased I persisted with this book. I already have the next in the series, “The Way of the Heart”, and am looking forward to finishing that shortly.
Layne Vayris is a young woman who has been sent to Hallberg, the capital city of Kemir, to deliver three messages. Each of her three guardians - her father, her uncle Niklas, and her mentor, the sorceress Sivissa - has died within a short period of each other, and on their deathbeds made her promise to pass a message on.
The first message that she tries to deliver is to Master Sharrez, the professor of Dark Magic at the Magic Academy. It leads to her having to take the tests for admission to the Academy, where her prodigious skills bring her to the notice of the heads of each department and also the very attractive, but non-human, Governor-General of Hallberg, Arlord Etar Haas.
Once she has delivered the first message though, she leaves to deliver the second message to a money lender with whom her father had invested, Amgerd Sid. In trying to get her money back, she is attacked by Amgerd who not only does not want to return the money, but also sees an opportunity to gain her as a wife for his son. He reckons without Layne’s considerable magical abilities, and she manages to defend herself. As a result, she ends up in prison, accused of attacking Amgerd and only manages to escape prosecution because the Masters of the Academy come to her rescue.
Having rescued her, the Masters agree to take her to Teoka to replace her papers which were destroyed in the attack by Amgerd, and then on to her home in Wolverdell. Included in the travel party are Triss, a friend she met at the Academy while doing the entrance examinations, and Remi, an orphan who helped Layne on her first couple of days in Hallberg and whom Layne has taken under her wing. Together they face overt and subtle dangers of many types, but they learn to trust each other, and each of them - Layne included - learns that there is more to the story of her birth and coming to live in Wolverdell than she ever suspected. However, two main problems arise in the course of her travels and subsequent education at the Magic Academy: a dragon that she rescues somehow attaches itself to her and may create even more problems than she has tried to solve, and the man that she has fallen in love with, Arlord Haas, is the last person that she can talk to about any of the things she has learned or is experiencing.
Ms Grinberga has written a complex web of relationships, but manages to do so in such a way that it does not become confusing or unclear. In addition, I loved the description of the types of magic, how they worked, and the divide that appears between the different magicks and their wielders. The society itself remained a little roughly drawn but this is the first book with three more promised, which gives time and space to explain any queries that were raised. The descriptions of the Academy and the tuition made me think very much of J K Rowling’s Harry Potter books, but with adult students. The fight sequences were very well thought through and articulated; the pace on those scenes was tremendous, and it became very hard to put the book down at those points.
However, I did find that the book could have done with a thorough proofreading and perhaps an assessment by an editor. There was a bit of repetition of ideas that could have been pruned. Also, Ms Grinberga’s English is very good for the most part, but it did become apparent at times that the wrong word has been used or that a foreign grammar construction or idiom had been translated directly. These, plus a few typographical errors, caused some confusion and pulled me out of the text. It was the strength of her story-telling and how likeable the characters were that made me press on to see how things would work out.
I am very pleased I persisted with this book. I already have the next in the series, “The Way of the Heart”, and am looking forward to finishing that shortly.
July 30, 2017
Oksana Grinberga's The Devotee: Magic Academy is literally one of the best novels I've read in a long time. The plot line is well developed with equally amazing characters. Her writing is super vivid and makes picturing it all incredibly easy.
Layne's story is so captivating that it kept me at the edge of my seat throughout and I just couldn't keep it down until I was done with it. The twists and turns go perfectly well with the storyline and to be honest, only a very few authors can pull this off flawlessly. Oksana has certainly done a fantastic job at crafting this gem and I cannot praise her enough for it.
Without giving away any spoilers, I can easily recommend it to anybody who appreciates a rock solid fiction read that is guaranteed to keep you engrossed and engaged in the story. Trust me, this is gonna leave you craving for more.
Layne's story is so captivating that it kept me at the edge of my seat throughout and I just couldn't keep it down until I was done with it. The twists and turns go perfectly well with the storyline and to be honest, only a very few authors can pull this off flawlessly. Oksana has certainly done a fantastic job at crafting this gem and I cannot praise her enough for it.
Without giving away any spoilers, I can easily recommend it to anybody who appreciates a rock solid fiction read that is guaranteed to keep you engrossed and engaged in the story. Trust me, this is gonna leave you craving for more.
November 15, 2017
Awesome World
I like how the author put the story together and introduced each character. The main character Layne is strong and loyal. Sure in herself and her faith. I know I would never be able to walk in her shoes but I want to. The story leads the reader thru a winding set of circumstances like a Shakespearean play, introduction to possible loves that are hell bent on protecting her. She comes to discover her life has been more than simple since birth and book one ends with her becoming more complicated by adding in dragons. I very much recommend reading this book. You will find it hard to put down, wanting to find out how it all ends and who pairs with whom.
I like how the author put the story together and introduced each character. The main character Layne is strong and loyal. Sure in herself and her faith. I know I would never be able to walk in her shoes but I want to. The story leads the reader thru a winding set of circumstances like a Shakespearean play, introduction to possible loves that are hell bent on protecting her. She comes to discover her life has been more than simple since birth and book one ends with her becoming more complicated by adding in dragons. I very much recommend reading this book. You will find it hard to put down, wanting to find out how it all ends and who pairs with whom.
September 8, 2017
Fascinating book with a cazr pd characterz whp are dun and believable. I want ro grow yp and be rhizherpine who actially deals witjlha multiple events intelligently and heart. I love all the twists and turns in the plpt and cant wait ro read rhe next book. I hope the next book has been writren!.
Fascinating book with interesting characters. I want to grow up and be like the heroine. I cant waitto read tje next one.
Fascinating book with interesting characters. I want to grow up and be like the heroine. I cant waitto read tje next one.
September 22, 2017
A pleasant surprise
I am a voracious reader and I really enjoy "series" stories that I can really dig into. So The Devotee was unusual for me because it only had 2 books available. But I liked the cover and it was a Kindle Unlimited book so I read the sample which led to the first book which led to this review. I was definitely a pleasant surprise. The first few pages were a bit dull but the plot catches fire and off- you -go.
I am a voracious reader and I really enjoy "series" stories that I can really dig into. So The Devotee was unusual for me because it only had 2 books available. But I liked the cover and it was a Kindle Unlimited book so I read the sample which led to the first book which led to this review. I was definitely a pleasant surprise. The first few pages were a bit dull but the plot catches fire and off- you -go.
May 7, 2017
Not what I expected
Couldn't put this down. Not the normal magic series. The main character is unaware of her identity and her destiny. Looking into her future is not what she's expecting. The book's characters are strong and well written. Unfortunately you are left panting for part two. Enjoy reading this. It's worth it.
Couldn't put this down. Not the normal magic series. The main character is unaware of her identity and her destiny. Looking into her future is not what she's expecting. The book's characters are strong and well written. Unfortunately you are left panting for part two. Enjoy reading this. It's worth it.
November 11, 2024
It took a while to really get into the story, but once hooked it was very hard to put down. Oksana paints a wonderful picture of the world she has created. You can't help but feel like you become one with the lead character. I do highly recommend this book if you are looking for a good fantasy book with magic being a large part of the story.
September 17, 2017
Unusual, but very good.
Very well-developed characters, with lovely, and very independent heroine. The lot is very unusual, with many twists, turns, surprises. Altogether,a very good book. I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
Very well-developed characters, with lovely, and very independent heroine. The lot is very unusual, with many twists, turns, surprises. Altogether,a very good book. I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
December 7, 2017
Horrible translation
Three pages in, and the spelling, grammar and punctuation was so bad, I had to stop. I realize this was translated to English and whoever did probably speaks English fluently, but they know nothing about written English.
Three pages in, and the spelling, grammar and punctuation was so bad, I had to stop. I realize this was translated to English and whoever did probably speaks English fluently, but they know nothing about written English.
March 6, 2019
Good story
This was an interesting read a bit slow at times but well done. I was surprised that the ending seemed so abruptly ended. Strong character and some budding romance. Enjoyed the read snaps I recommend highly.
This was an interesting read a bit slow at times but well done. I was surprised that the ending seemed so abruptly ended. Strong character and some budding romance. Enjoyed the read snaps I recommend highly.
November 29, 2019
Wonderful story sucks you in from first page
I thought this was a great story and it got me from page on. The characters come to life and you become part of the story. I do wish it would have provided more of the story of how maybe met Reno in the city and how she got there.
I thought this was a great story and it got me from page on. The characters come to life and you become part of the story. I do wish it would have provided more of the story of how maybe met Reno in the city and how she got there.
March 14, 2021
Breathtaking Read
Truly love this series, the book was nice and lengthy, well made world, well made characters, magic, supernaturals, action, twist and turns. Love the main characters, each are unique, especially love Layne. Has some spelling errors but still a good read
Truly love this series, the book was nice and lengthy, well made world, well made characters, magic, supernaturals, action, twist and turns. Love the main characters, each are unique, especially love Layne. Has some spelling errors but still a good read
October 12, 2017
Fun and interesting
I found this book to be fun and interesting. Pretty good characterization and plot. I look forward to more in this world.
I found this book to be fun and interesting. Pretty good characterization and plot. I look forward to more in this world.
December 3, 2020
The devotee
Interesting. Exciting and compelling to read. This feels like in the next book there will be many twists and turns.
Interesting. Exciting and compelling to read. This feels like in the next book there will be many twists and turns.
September 20, 2017
Another new to me author.
I love books that contain magic! And dragons!
Why I liked it: The story is well written although I got confused early on for a short while but soldiered on. It is fast paced and contains plenty of action throughout. I really do like the concept of this awesome fantasy story being told. The main character is a spunky young woman who cares about other people's feelings and health way before her own. She is not afraid to get stuck in and get her hands dirty and I agree, why not use magic to mop a large area ;-). She doesn't suffer fools gladly either. Will Layne turn out to be who they think she is? Some of the scenes are amazing in there description that I want to visit. The characters are brilliantly written you will either love them or loath them with such an intensity you will find your fists clenching every so often :-).
At the beginning I felt a little frustrated because it was kind of like watching one of those sketches where it felt like so many things were going on it was difficult to work at which bit I should be looking at. I found myself 're reading those bits over until I understood the authors meaning behind the words, hey maybe I was a little more tired than I thought. It still held my deep interest and is most definitely worth finishing.
I'm going to get the next book as soon as it is available. Please let there be more written about the dragons.
There is some fighting but there is a war going on.
I love books that contain magic! And dragons!
Why I liked it: The story is well written although I got confused early on for a short while but soldiered on. It is fast paced and contains plenty of action throughout. I really do like the concept of this awesome fantasy story being told. The main character is a spunky young woman who cares about other people's feelings and health way before her own. She is not afraid to get stuck in and get her hands dirty and I agree, why not use magic to mop a large area ;-). She doesn't suffer fools gladly either. Will Layne turn out to be who they think she is? Some of the scenes are amazing in there description that I want to visit. The characters are brilliantly written you will either love them or loath them with such an intensity you will find your fists clenching every so often :-).
At the beginning I felt a little frustrated because it was kind of like watching one of those sketches where it felt like so many things were going on it was difficult to work at which bit I should be looking at. I found myself 're reading those bits over until I understood the authors meaning behind the words, hey maybe I was a little more tired than I thought. It still held my deep interest and is most definitely worth finishing.
I'm going to get the next book as soon as it is available. Please let there be more written about the dragons.
There is some fighting but there is a war going on.
February 21, 2019
I loved the plot of the story to an extent, but the construction of the storyline and grammatical errors made me cringe.
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