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The Mage-Born Chronicles #1
Sorcerous Rivalry
Named one of Kirkus’ Reviews Best Books of 2020!
Finalist in the LGBT category for the Independent Author's Network 2018 Awards!
In the peace following the Great Mage Hunt, the king's long-time mistress is revealed as a sorceress. Locked away for the safety of the kingdom, bounties are placed upon the heads of the seven children she birthed. Mage hunters have scoured the kingdom for four years, searching for the seven scattered mage-born bastards.
After growing up in an orphanage, Reshi discovers his parentage and learns to hide his magic, living peacefully in a remote village with an unusual friend. But when an alluring mage hunter comes to town, his secret is revealed, forcing Reshi to reach out to his brothers and sisters for help. A family reunion might be Reshi's only hope for survival--or it might become a spell-slinging battle royale.
Who can Reshi rely on when his own family turns against him?
Finalist in the LGBT category for the Independent Author's Network 2018 Awards!
In the peace following the Great Mage Hunt, the king's long-time mistress is revealed as a sorceress. Locked away for the safety of the kingdom, bounties are placed upon the heads of the seven children she birthed. Mage hunters have scoured the kingdom for four years, searching for the seven scattered mage-born bastards.
After growing up in an orphanage, Reshi discovers his parentage and learns to hide his magic, living peacefully in a remote village with an unusual friend. But when an alluring mage hunter comes to town, his secret is revealed, forcing Reshi to reach out to his brothers and sisters for help. A family reunion might be Reshi's only hope for survival--or it might become a spell-slinging battle royale.
Who can Reshi rely on when his own family turns against him?
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 5, 2018
81 people are currently reading
909 people want to read
About the author
Kayleigh Nicol
6 books73 followersLifelong nerd and fangirl Kayleigh Nicol earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Animal Science at Cal Poly Pomona, California. After years of volunteering at zoos and aquariums in California, Kayleigh now works at a therapeutic horseback riding center in Long Island, NY. When not taking care of her own menagerie of rescued animals, she enjoys watching anime, playing video games and reading as many fantasy books as she can get her hands on.
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August 13, 2018
SPFBO Review!
I had seen quite a few positive reviews pop up for this as part of my TBRindr project, so I had high hopes for this one despite the fact that I knew it was going to be a romance heavy novel. I liked this one, and I have also passed it on to our resident romance reader, Superstardrifter, to get her thoughts on it as well.
Right away you know that this is a high fantasy story since magic and shapeshifting appear in the very first chapter. Reshi is a shapeshifter/mage and his kind were almost wiped off the planet during The Great Mage Hunt which was headed up by none other than his father, the king. Being the king's son didn't spare Reshi or his other siblings from the hunt, and all of them have now gone into hiding since there are large and tempting bounties for their heads.
He's been hiding out in a very small farming community taking up residence at an inn which is run by his friend Wix. She lets him stay there for free in exchange for some favors to help boost business. Reshi is able to shapeshift into a cat and he can inconspicuously siphon energy off of people near him. It's how he recharges his magical ability and he doesn't 'hurt' anybody, it just makes it so after they've been siphoned they're extra tired in the morning. Having a bunch of tired guests at the inn makes them buy large quantities of tea from the innkeeper. Wix herself is kind of interesting, she's a Fae and can communicate with wood or trees - Oaks, for example, have high integrity and are worth listening to, while pines are shady motherfuckers that can't be trusted.
A stranger comes into town and stays at the inn, Reshi goes about his normal business shifting into a cat and siphoning off energy, but something strange happens because this person seems like a bottomless well of energy. No matter how much Reshi takes, the man is spry and energetic in the morning. The man is a mage hunter, the small town that Reshi lives in caught his eye because they are one of the few villages that haven't reported any harassment from magical creatures like centaurs or griffons, and that usually means the village has magical protection. Reshi's cover is blown and he goes to seek out his siblings, none of which he's never met in a last-ditch attempt to try and save himself. The first sibling he seeks out is his sister Cera, she's been visiting him in his dreams since he was a child and she's been begging him for years to come and find her. She's a far-speaker and far-seer, it allows her to both communicate with people over long distances and to observe where they are and what they're doing. It's not a deadly power in the conventional sense, but it can be useful, especially when part of a team.
The siblings have taken different routes to combat the bounty on their heads, most have stuck to hiding, but one of them has made a challenge to come and find her on the bloodiest battlefield in the world - so far she's killed over 40 mage hunters and counting.
The Queen is dead and the king is dying without an heir, his wife was always very sickly and never produced an heir - so all of his children are both bastards and magic users. Not all of Reshi's siblings are kind and welcoming like Cera, some of them are trying to assassinate all of their remaining siblings in an attempt to have the sole claim to the throne. So Reshi isn't just being hunted down by mage-hunters, he also has to run from his own family.
There are lots of different kinds of magic in this, so if you're someone who gets overwhelmed by a lot of magic and prefer low fantasy stories this one may not be for you. I, however, love that shit. There are shapeshifters, people talking to trees, fireball throwing assholes, lighting bolt douchebags, people who can turn inanimate objects into living things, telepathic abilities, scrying abilities, weather magic - basically anything you can think of, there's that kind of magic.
Reshi is able to shapeshift into any of the well-known mage "familiars", so he's not able to change into something like a bear, to his disadvantage he's limited to less than lethal forms. A rat, a raven, a snake.... and a spider. What I found kind of funny is that he's a very specific type of spider, he claims that he's not venomous. 99.9% of spider species are venomous, with just two families of spiders being nonvenomous - so basically Reshi looks like this Reshi Spider . He's a light-hearted guy and a very easy character to like, he can be charming and funny and doesn't mean anyone any harm. He's also bisexual and is flirting back and forth with his love interest for about half the book before it goes anywhere for real. I tend to gravitate away from romances, but because this one was such a slow burn I didn't mind it. It's insta-love that turns me off most of the time, but the romance didn't truly start until ~170ish pages into the book and I much prefer that kind of plotline.
The writing was quick and straightforward, there wasn't much in the way of simile or metaphor and I wouldn't describe the book as purple. It's meant to be an easy fast read with a fun story. The writing was clean, I don't know if she used an editor but I didn't catch many errors. This book did hit a pet peeve of mine though, in-world curse words that have meaning in English drive me bananas. "Dust" is a curse in this book so things like "Dusting" "Dust off" "Dust it" were all used and I can't help but get a little taken out of the moment. I've never been able to adjust to real words being used as curses in fantasy.
This was pretty fast paced, it was one thing after the next with this kid and he just had to keep running until he found a safe place to be. That combined with the writing style and this is a book you may be able to read in a day.
Overall, I was surprised by how much I liked this, I was very unsure while reading the first few chapters if this would work for me or not. The tone changed pretty drastically after Reshi leaves the inn and I enjoyed it more once he was off on his adventure. It was fun and fast paced and it wasn't overly dark. Many of the side characters don't make it out and that really lent itself to the tension of dangerous moments. When characters are repeatedly saved 'just in time' the battle scenes or scenes which are supposed to create an atmosphere of danger lose their umph because you assume everyone is going to be fine.
Audience:
* high fantasy
* lots of different kinds of magic
* character in hiding
* romance - LGBT
* fast paced
* short - med length
* easy to like main character
Ratings:
* Plot: 11/15
* Characters: 11.5/15
* World Building: 12/15
* Writing: 12/15
* Pacing: 12.5/15
* Originality: 11/15
* Personal Enjoyment: 7.5/10
Final Score: 77.5/100 or 3.87/5 stars on GR
I had seen quite a few positive reviews pop up for this as part of my TBRindr project, so I had high hopes for this one despite the fact that I knew it was going to be a romance heavy novel. I liked this one, and I have also passed it on to our resident romance reader, Superstardrifter, to get her thoughts on it as well.
Right away you know that this is a high fantasy story since magic and shapeshifting appear in the very first chapter. Reshi is a shapeshifter/mage and his kind were almost wiped off the planet during The Great Mage Hunt which was headed up by none other than his father, the king. Being the king's son didn't spare Reshi or his other siblings from the hunt, and all of them have now gone into hiding since there are large and tempting bounties for their heads.
He's been hiding out in a very small farming community taking up residence at an inn which is run by his friend Wix. She lets him stay there for free in exchange for some favors to help boost business. Reshi is able to shapeshift into a cat and he can inconspicuously siphon energy off of people near him. It's how he recharges his magical ability and he doesn't 'hurt' anybody, it just makes it so after they've been siphoned they're extra tired in the morning. Having a bunch of tired guests at the inn makes them buy large quantities of tea from the innkeeper. Wix herself is kind of interesting, she's a Fae and can communicate with wood or trees - Oaks, for example, have high integrity and are worth listening to, while pines are shady motherfuckers that can't be trusted.
A stranger comes into town and stays at the inn, Reshi goes about his normal business shifting into a cat and siphoning off energy, but something strange happens because this person seems like a bottomless well of energy. No matter how much Reshi takes, the man is spry and energetic in the morning. The man is a mage hunter, the small town that Reshi lives in caught his eye because they are one of the few villages that haven't reported any harassment from magical creatures like centaurs or griffons, and that usually means the village has magical protection. Reshi's cover is blown and he goes to seek out his siblings, none of which he's never met in a last-ditch attempt to try and save himself. The first sibling he seeks out is his sister Cera, she's been visiting him in his dreams since he was a child and she's been begging him for years to come and find her. She's a far-speaker and far-seer, it allows her to both communicate with people over long distances and to observe where they are and what they're doing. It's not a deadly power in the conventional sense, but it can be useful, especially when part of a team.
The siblings have taken different routes to combat the bounty on their heads, most have stuck to hiding, but one of them has made a challenge to come and find her on the bloodiest battlefield in the world - so far she's killed over 40 mage hunters and counting.
The Queen is dead and the king is dying without an heir, his wife was always very sickly and never produced an heir - so all of his children are both bastards and magic users. Not all of Reshi's siblings are kind and welcoming like Cera, some of them are trying to assassinate all of their remaining siblings in an attempt to have the sole claim to the throne. So Reshi isn't just being hunted down by mage-hunters, he also has to run from his own family.
There are lots of different kinds of magic in this, so if you're someone who gets overwhelmed by a lot of magic and prefer low fantasy stories this one may not be for you. I, however, love that shit. There are shapeshifters, people talking to trees, fireball throwing assholes, lighting bolt douchebags, people who can turn inanimate objects into living things, telepathic abilities, scrying abilities, weather magic - basically anything you can think of, there's that kind of magic.
Reshi is able to shapeshift into any of the well-known mage "familiars", so he's not able to change into something like a bear, to his disadvantage he's limited to less than lethal forms. A rat, a raven, a snake.... and a spider. What I found kind of funny is that he's a very specific type of spider, he claims that he's not venomous. 99.9% of spider species are venomous, with just two families of spiders being nonvenomous - so basically Reshi looks like this Reshi Spider . He's a light-hearted guy and a very easy character to like, he can be charming and funny and doesn't mean anyone any harm. He's also bisexual and is flirting back and forth with his love interest for about half the book before it goes anywhere for real. I tend to gravitate away from romances, but because this one was such a slow burn I didn't mind it. It's insta-love that turns me off most of the time, but the romance didn't truly start until ~170ish pages into the book and I much prefer that kind of plotline.
The writing was quick and straightforward, there wasn't much in the way of simile or metaphor and I wouldn't describe the book as purple. It's meant to be an easy fast read with a fun story. The writing was clean, I don't know if she used an editor but I didn't catch many errors. This book did hit a pet peeve of mine though, in-world curse words that have meaning in English drive me bananas. "Dust" is a curse in this book so things like "Dusting" "Dust off" "Dust it" were all used and I can't help but get a little taken out of the moment. I've never been able to adjust to real words being used as curses in fantasy.
This was pretty fast paced, it was one thing after the next with this kid and he just had to keep running until he found a safe place to be. That combined with the writing style and this is a book you may be able to read in a day.
Overall, I was surprised by how much I liked this, I was very unsure while reading the first few chapters if this would work for me or not. The tone changed pretty drastically after Reshi leaves the inn and I enjoyed it more once he was off on his adventure. It was fun and fast paced and it wasn't overly dark. Many of the side characters don't make it out and that really lent itself to the tension of dangerous moments. When characters are repeatedly saved 'just in time' the battle scenes or scenes which are supposed to create an atmosphere of danger lose their umph because you assume everyone is going to be fine.
Audience:
* high fantasy
* lots of different kinds of magic
* character in hiding
* romance - LGBT
* fast paced
* short - med length
* easy to like main character
Ratings:
* Plot: 11/15
* Characters: 11.5/15
* World Building: 12/15
* Writing: 12/15
* Pacing: 12.5/15
* Originality: 11/15
* Personal Enjoyment: 7.5/10
Final Score: 77.5/100 or 3.87/5 stars on GR
September 25, 2018
Actual rating:3.75/5
As I enjoy lighthearted books I needed to check Nicol's debut novel. We've all seen persecuted mages and mage-hunters. Happily, Sorcerous Rivalry plays with the theme and offers something fresh.
Mage hunters scour the Kingdom looking for seven mage-born siblings. Each of them has a special talent and a unique way to replenish his/her magical well when it empties. The story's protagonist, Reshi, is the youngest and weakest of the siblings. Able to shape-shift in few animal forms, he tries to hide from bounty hunters and enjoy himself and the company of both men and women.
Two leading characters and their slowly developing (gay) romance move the story forward and make it charming. Reshi is a flirty, talkative and easily distracted young man. Kestral is a cold, disciplined ex-soldier. I'm not sure what made them develop feelings toward each other but I appreciate the slow-burning journey.
Antagonists feel somewhat two-dimensional. Their motivations seem more complex than it appears but the big reveal is still ahead of us.
The book is told from first person POV. To be honest, it took me a while to figure out Reshi's gender. I was convinced he was a woman. Interestingly, Rishi's voice feels more feminine than the voice of many female characters. As enjoyable as it is, it may not appeal to readers looking for a strong, masculine lead.
Nicol's easygoing, accessible writing style gives her book a light-reading appeal. A thing I deeply appreciate as it allows to breeze through the book in one, two sittings.
While Sorcerous Rivalry is a largely enjoyable read, it’s not without its flaws. A few characters could do with a bit more depth and occasionally Reshi’s attitudes seem strangely reductive, jarring with an otherwise well-rounded protagonist. The plot hinges around protagonists and antagonists playing cat and mouse and going from point A to point B. And then C and D.
Battles, while imaginative, lack tension and follow the same scenario - our protagonists almost win, but then something happens and an antagonist runs away in the last moment or they join forces to fight the bigger threat.
I liked the story for its amiable writing, likeable protagonists and a lot of heart. It moves briskly and almost never fails to entertain. I plan to read the sequel soon.
As I enjoy lighthearted books I needed to check Nicol's debut novel. We've all seen persecuted mages and mage-hunters. Happily, Sorcerous Rivalry plays with the theme and offers something fresh.
Mage hunters scour the Kingdom looking for seven mage-born siblings. Each of them has a special talent and a unique way to replenish his/her magical well when it empties. The story's protagonist, Reshi, is the youngest and weakest of the siblings. Able to shape-shift in few animal forms, he tries to hide from bounty hunters and enjoy himself and the company of both men and women.
Two leading characters and their slowly developing (gay) romance move the story forward and make it charming. Reshi is a flirty, talkative and easily distracted young man. Kestral is a cold, disciplined ex-soldier. I'm not sure what made them develop feelings toward each other but I appreciate the slow-burning journey.
Antagonists feel somewhat two-dimensional. Their motivations seem more complex than it appears but the big reveal is still ahead of us.
The book is told from first person POV. To be honest, it took me a while to figure out Reshi's gender. I was convinced he was a woman. Interestingly, Rishi's voice feels more feminine than the voice of many female characters. As enjoyable as it is, it may not appeal to readers looking for a strong, masculine lead.
Nicol's easygoing, accessible writing style gives her book a light-reading appeal. A thing I deeply appreciate as it allows to breeze through the book in one, two sittings.
While Sorcerous Rivalry is a largely enjoyable read, it’s not without its flaws. A few characters could do with a bit more depth and occasionally Reshi’s attitudes seem strangely reductive, jarring with an otherwise well-rounded protagonist. The plot hinges around protagonists and antagonists playing cat and mouse and going from point A to point B. And then C and D.
Battles, while imaginative, lack tension and follow the same scenario - our protagonists almost win, but then something happens and an antagonist runs away in the last moment or they join forces to fight the bigger threat.
I liked the story for its amiable writing, likeable protagonists and a lot of heart. It moves briskly and almost never fails to entertain. I plan to read the sequel soon.
July 3, 2018
Thank you, Kayleigh Nicol, for providing me with a review copy of this book.
I enjoyed Sorcerous Rivalry a lot and read it on a sunny Sunday, lying on a beach towel in the shade, while occasionally dipping into the Hampstead Heath ponds in London.
It's the perfect read for such a day.
I'm not usually a fan of romance (and this is not strictly romance but fantasy with a romantic element), but this book turned out to be such a nice surprise. The romance is m/m, and I'm always interested in reading diverse books. The romantic element is not the main emphasis of the book, does not follow your typical romance plot, and the two leads have great chemistry and are basically just perfect.
Sorcerous Rivalry is written in the first person from the point of view of Reshi. Reshi is endearing and fun. His ideal life consists of flirting, drinking and taking pretty things to bed, and you just can't help but find him adorable. (I dare you to read this and not like Reshi!) I fell in love with Kestral, the other lead, almost immediately, because of how serious and correct he is. Plus, they both carry the burden of a hidden and painful past, and, I must admit, I'm a sucker for that!
All characters are well developed, and the pacing is great from the very start. The prose is filled with humour, and everything that happens is just so damn entertaining, that I could not put it down. There's dark moments, but overall the tone is light and uplifting, and there were a few scenes that made me feel all warm and bubbly. Overall, the style is comfortable and made me feel like I belonged. I love when an author manages to do that!
There's plenty of magic, and each mage we encounter has unique powers. The world building is not intricate and detailed, but there's enough to support the fantastic plot and I can't wait to discover more in the sequel.
I recommend Sorcerous Rivalry to any fantasy fan who likes a bit of romance and enjoys fast-paced battles and is looking for a fun romp.
I enjoyed Sorcerous Rivalry a lot and read it on a sunny Sunday, lying on a beach towel in the shade, while occasionally dipping into the Hampstead Heath ponds in London.
It's the perfect read for such a day.
I'm not usually a fan of romance (and this is not strictly romance but fantasy with a romantic element), but this book turned out to be such a nice surprise. The romance is m/m, and I'm always interested in reading diverse books. The romantic element is not the main emphasis of the book, does not follow your typical romance plot, and the two leads have great chemistry and are basically just perfect.
Sorcerous Rivalry is written in the first person from the point of view of Reshi. Reshi is endearing and fun. His ideal life consists of flirting, drinking and taking pretty things to bed, and you just can't help but find him adorable. (I dare you to read this and not like Reshi!) I fell in love with Kestral, the other lead, almost immediately, because of how serious and correct he is. Plus, they both carry the burden of a hidden and painful past, and, I must admit, I'm a sucker for that!
All characters are well developed, and the pacing is great from the very start. The prose is filled with humour, and everything that happens is just so damn entertaining, that I could not put it down. There's dark moments, but overall the tone is light and uplifting, and there were a few scenes that made me feel all warm and bubbly. Overall, the style is comfortable and made me feel like I belonged. I love when an author manages to do that!
There's plenty of magic, and each mage we encounter has unique powers. The world building is not intricate and detailed, but there's enough to support the fantastic plot and I can't wait to discover more in the sequel.
I recommend Sorcerous Rivalry to any fantasy fan who likes a bit of romance and enjoys fast-paced battles and is looking for a fun romp.
March 22, 2019
Thank you, Kayleigh Nicol, for giving me the wonderful opportunity to listen to the audiobook
You can also read my review here
I SUPPORT RESHI AND KESTRAL WITH ALL MY HEART
I liked the plot, it was great though I found myself a little bore at the end of the book. I guess after all what the characters have been through, they deserve a mind-blown ending. Not that it was bad, I just think there were some scenes that didn't sit well with me. But the ending at the end of the last chapter—like really the end of the first book—was heartbreaking. I can't get over it, I mean, how could he?
The world was interesting. This book has a great concept but Nicol didn't discover much of it in the first book. I wish I would see more of Zarapheth in the sequel. There are some fantasy books that's hard to get into in the beginning but not this one. Sorcerous Rivalry was well-written, I could dive in easily into the story and enjoyed my time reading it.
This book has an amazing magic system. Yes, I knew there will be magic involved but it turned out better than I thought it would be. It's new and unique at the same time so I enjoyed every part where the characters were blasting their powers. Unfortunately, even though the magic sounded amazing, I couldn't say the same about the battles. I expected them to be grand but they were a little disappointing.
Now, let's talk about the characters!
Oh my, how I love Reshi! He was enchanting, funny, strong, and kind. This book was written in the third person of his POV but it doesn't decrease his characterization. Stand out and charming, I had a great time being in his head and saw the story unfold through his eyes.
Kestral; an ex-captain and now a mage hunter. He was mysterious, quiet, and strong-willed. He balanced Reshi's presence perfectly. I love his sharp mind and soft heart. Yeah, he sure has the softest heart. Don't let his serious behavior fool you.
Kila; MY GIRL! Brave, strong, and honest, she stole my heart from the very first moment she appeared with her sword. She's my favorite.
Aside from the story, I also loved the romance! I smiled and giggled whenever Reshi and Kestral started their banter, or when the tension was so thick, or when they were just having a moment of loving each other. I'm expecting more awesome magic battles, a deeper look into Zarapheth, more Kila's badass moments, and especially more Restral in Mistress Mage!Please ignore my poor attempt of making a ship name of one of my favorite OTP
Overall, Sorcerous Rivalry was an enjoyable read with a great potential. If you like magic, hunting, great characters, and thirsty for M/M romance, I recommend you to try this book.
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You can also read my review here
I SUPPORT RESHI AND KESTRAL WITH ALL MY HEART
“I don't recommend you run, though.”
“Why is that?”
“Because then I'll have to chase you.”
I liked the plot, it was great though I found myself a little bore at the end of the book. I guess after all what the characters have been through, they deserve a mind-blown ending. Not that it was bad, I just think there were some scenes that didn't sit well with me. But the ending at the end of the last chapter—like really the end of the first book—was heartbreaking. I can't get over it, I mean, how could he?
The world was interesting. This book has a great concept but Nicol didn't discover much of it in the first book. I wish I would see more of Zarapheth in the sequel. There are some fantasy books that's hard to get into in the beginning but not this one. Sorcerous Rivalry was well-written, I could dive in easily into the story and enjoyed my time reading it.
This book has an amazing magic system. Yes, I knew there will be magic involved but it turned out better than I thought it would be. It's new and unique at the same time so I enjoyed every part where the characters were blasting their powers. Unfortunately, even though the magic sounded amazing, I couldn't say the same about the battles. I expected them to be grand but they were a little disappointing.
I love seeing his face when he laughs. One day he might kill me. But until then, I'd like to keep making him laugh.
Now, let's talk about the characters!
Oh my, how I love Reshi! He was enchanting, funny, strong, and kind. This book was written in the third person of his POV but it doesn't decrease his characterization. Stand out and charming, I had a great time being in his head and saw the story unfold through his eyes.
Kestral; an ex-captain and now a mage hunter. He was mysterious, quiet, and strong-willed. He balanced Reshi's presence perfectly. I love his sharp mind and soft heart. Yeah, he sure has the softest heart. Don't let his serious behavior fool you.
Kila; MY GIRL! Brave, strong, and honest, she stole my heart from the very first moment she appeared with her sword. She's my favorite.
Aside from the story, I also loved the romance! I smiled and giggled whenever Reshi and Kestral started their banter, or when the tension was so thick, or when they were just having a moment of loving each other. I'm expecting more awesome magic battles, a deeper look into Zarapheth, more Kila's badass moments, and especially more Restral in Mistress Mage!
Overall, Sorcerous Rivalry was an enjoyable read with a great potential. If you like magic, hunting, great characters, and thirsty for M/M romance, I recommend you to try this book.
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June 20, 2018
This was such a fun book. Not perfect, but I always looked forward to picking it up and I had fun reading it, so what more can you ask for in a book really?
The King has a mistress and they have seven kids together, but things get awkward when the King outlaws mages and it turns out the mistress is a mage. So now the seven bastard mage kids are scattered across the kingdom with shiny bounties to make any mage hunter drool.
This is such a cool concept for a book, with real potential for drama. This book doesn't have much patience for drama though, and even when characters are dying or betraying each other or delving into their sad backstories things stay mostly light. It's part of what makes this such a fun read, but part of me would have liked to see a touch more darkness.
The other part of what makes things book such a breeze is our protagonist, Reshi. An incorrigible rogue who just wants to drink, dance and take pretty people to bed. (Regardless of gender. This book approaches bisexuality as too normal to even warrant comment, which I loved).
Mage-hunter Kestral, who comes to kill Reshi but ends up roadtripping with him instead, is a perfect stoic, long-suffering foil to the cheeky rogue.
I enjoyed watching Reshi and Kestral plat off each other. I enjoyed how reach of the mage siblings had unique powers that were explored in different ways, and made for some really thrilling mage battles. Reshi's shape-shifting and affinity for animals was utalised in fun ways and kept me from getting bored during the fight scenes, which is rare for me. I'm normally a fight scene skimmer.
It's not a perfect book, like I said. Some of the sentences are a little awkward and could have been easily fixed, but there were no typos or grammatical errors that jumped out at me. The plot gets a little point a to point b, and it ends with the characters doing some pretty dumb stuff to ensure a sequel.
But you can be sure it's a sequel I will be reading. Being inside Reshi's head was a wonderful holiday from real life, and even if the problems at the end of this book felt unnaturally contrived I still want to see them get solved.
The King has a mistress and they have seven kids together, but things get awkward when the King outlaws mages and it turns out the mistress is a mage. So now the seven bastard mage kids are scattered across the kingdom with shiny bounties to make any mage hunter drool.
This is such a cool concept for a book, with real potential for drama. This book doesn't have much patience for drama though, and even when characters are dying or betraying each other or delving into their sad backstories things stay mostly light. It's part of what makes this such a fun read, but part of me would have liked to see a touch more darkness.
The other part of what makes things book such a breeze is our protagonist, Reshi. An incorrigible rogue who just wants to drink, dance and take pretty people to bed. (Regardless of gender. This book approaches bisexuality as too normal to even warrant comment, which I loved).
Mage-hunter Kestral, who comes to kill Reshi but ends up roadtripping with him instead, is a perfect stoic, long-suffering foil to the cheeky rogue.
I enjoyed watching Reshi and Kestral plat off each other. I enjoyed how reach of the mage siblings had unique powers that were explored in different ways, and made for some really thrilling mage battles. Reshi's shape-shifting and affinity for animals was utalised in fun ways and kept me from getting bored during the fight scenes, which is rare for me. I'm normally a fight scene skimmer.
It's not a perfect book, like I said. Some of the sentences are a little awkward and could have been easily fixed, but there were no typos or grammatical errors that jumped out at me. The plot gets a little point a to point b, and it ends with the characters doing some pretty dumb stuff to ensure a sequel.
But you can be sure it's a sequel I will be reading. Being inside Reshi's head was a wonderful holiday from real life, and even if the problems at the end of this book felt unnaturally contrived I still want to see them get solved.
June 3, 2018
Thanks to the author for contacting me about providing a review copy. Turns out I'd already purchased this book when it was on sale a few months back! This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
This is a TBRindr review.
I didn't really know what to expect for Sorcerous Rivalry. It sounded awesome but I'd recently read a couple of indie/self-published books that had a lot of problems with characterization and prose. Sorcerous Rivalry has none of these problems.
Right off the bat Reshi's character makes the story. He's playful, masquerades as the town drunk, and flirts with everyone. I love, love, love seeing a bisexual main character who is a roguish flirt and that it's not a big deal. We get tons of dashing, straight male roguish types who flirt their way in and out of dangerous situations. Reshi is firmly in this archetype and nobody bats an eye when he flirts with the blacksmith's apprentices, expect to yell that he's distracting them from working.
Reshi contrasts really well with other characters like Kestral, the mage hunter who comes to town. I'm a sucker for good romantic tension between flirty, roguish characters and serious brooding military types. The arc of their relationship is really good and kept me turning the pages in anticipation. I wound up reading it in two days flat.
From my understanding of fantasy sub-genres, Sorcerous Rivalry falls into sword and sorcery. That's not usually my favourite type of book but Sorcerous Rivalry is a really fun read. It suffers a little bit of the trekking across the country narrative as Reshi and his siblings look to find each other. But the battle scenes are fun, easy to understand and the development of Reshi and Kestral's relationship really kept me going.
My main problem with the book is that it has a cliff hanger ending. I know this is the first book in a series but I need more! The day the second book comes out I'm probably going to drop everything for it.
I recommend Sorcerous Rivalry if:
- You love flirty rogue types
- You love romantic tension between a carefree character and a serious character
- You're looking fantasy with a bisexual main character
- You love a good fight scene with magic
This is a TBRindr review.
I didn't really know what to expect for Sorcerous Rivalry. It sounded awesome but I'd recently read a couple of indie/self-published books that had a lot of problems with characterization and prose. Sorcerous Rivalry has none of these problems.
Right off the bat Reshi's character makes the story. He's playful, masquerades as the town drunk, and flirts with everyone. I love, love, love seeing a bisexual main character who is a roguish flirt and that it's not a big deal. We get tons of dashing, straight male roguish types who flirt their way in and out of dangerous situations. Reshi is firmly in this archetype and nobody bats an eye when he flirts with the blacksmith's apprentices, expect to yell that he's distracting them from working.
Reshi contrasts really well with other characters like Kestral, the mage hunter who comes to town. I'm a sucker for good romantic tension between flirty, roguish characters and serious brooding military types. The arc of their relationship is really good and kept me turning the pages in anticipation. I wound up reading it in two days flat.
From my understanding of fantasy sub-genres, Sorcerous Rivalry falls into sword and sorcery. That's not usually my favourite type of book but Sorcerous Rivalry is a really fun read. It suffers a little bit of the trekking across the country narrative as Reshi and his siblings look to find each other. But the battle scenes are fun, easy to understand and the development of Reshi and Kestral's relationship really kept me going.
My main problem with the book is that it has a cliff hanger ending. I know this is the first book in a series but I need more! The day the second book comes out I'm probably going to drop everything for it.
I recommend Sorcerous Rivalry if:
- You love flirty rogue types
- You love romantic tension between a carefree character and a serious character
- You're looking fantasy with a bisexual main character
- You love a good fight scene with magic
February 2, 2019
You can also read my review here: https://devouringbooks2017.wordpress....
Sorcerous Rivalry is a review copy that I've had for a while, but haven't had the chance to get to until now. If I had any idea of how great it was actually going to be, I would probably have pushed aside all my other books and read it on day one. Sorcerous Rivalry is one of those rare hidden gems of a book that is amazing, but no one has heard of it. I feel like a pirate because I just discovered gold treasure in the shape of an epic fantasy book.
As soon as I started reading it I didn't want to set it down. In the beginning, Kayleigh Nichol's writing kept me reading because I was curious about what was going on. But once some of my curiosity had been satisfied the plot had grabbed my attention. Reshi was one of 7 of the King's bastard children, all of which had magical powers and bounties on their heads. Now some of Reshi's siblings had started to hunt one another in order to steal each other's powers and ultimately the throne as well. While Reshi on the other hand, was just trying to survive he made an unlikely alliance with a mage hunter, Kestral.
This plot kept me on my toes. It kept moving, full of surprises and deep characters. The plot had a quest feel to it, but was never boring, as weeks traveling on the road can be. It was filled with magic, bloodshed, characters with dark pasts and bits of sarcastic humor thrown in at the exact right moments. I found the book to be compulsively readable and endlessly entertaining. Sorcerous Rivalry had lots of battles and magic that kept a high pace, but the slower moments were used to help the reader gain insight to who the characters were.
The character development was done perfectly. Little pieces of information were given at a time and it felt very natural to get to know the characters over the course of the story. When bigger, emotional parts of their lives were shared it didn't feel over dramatic and the writing showed how it affected the characters, rather than telling us how they felt. I wound up deeply attached to Reshi and Kestral, rooting for them every step of the way. As for minor characters, I tried not to get attached because they died rather frequently. The many deaths made battles have that much more importance while reading, as I could never be sure who would actually survive them. I truly loved everything about this story.
Sorcerous Rivalry is a rarity in the way that both the plot and the characters were amazing. The world building is intricate and full of many different kinds of magic as well. The writing is great and the pace never stops moving, but not at the loss of character depth. I am very impressed by Kayleigh Nichol's debut novel and not surprised to read that it was a finalist in the Independent Author's Network awards. I want to read the next book and everything else that Kayleigh Nichol writes. Most of all, I hope that some of my readers give this book a chance, because this isn't a novel that should remain in the shadows.
Sorcerous Rivalry is a review copy that I've had for a while, but haven't had the chance to get to until now. If I had any idea of how great it was actually going to be, I would probably have pushed aside all my other books and read it on day one. Sorcerous Rivalry is one of those rare hidden gems of a book that is amazing, but no one has heard of it. I feel like a pirate because I just discovered gold treasure in the shape of an epic fantasy book.
As soon as I started reading it I didn't want to set it down. In the beginning, Kayleigh Nichol's writing kept me reading because I was curious about what was going on. But once some of my curiosity had been satisfied the plot had grabbed my attention. Reshi was one of 7 of the King's bastard children, all of which had magical powers and bounties on their heads. Now some of Reshi's siblings had started to hunt one another in order to steal each other's powers and ultimately the throne as well. While Reshi on the other hand, was just trying to survive he made an unlikely alliance with a mage hunter, Kestral.
This plot kept me on my toes. It kept moving, full of surprises and deep characters. The plot had a quest feel to it, but was never boring, as weeks traveling on the road can be. It was filled with magic, bloodshed, characters with dark pasts and bits of sarcastic humor thrown in at the exact right moments. I found the book to be compulsively readable and endlessly entertaining. Sorcerous Rivalry had lots of battles and magic that kept a high pace, but the slower moments were used to help the reader gain insight to who the characters were.
The character development was done perfectly. Little pieces of information were given at a time and it felt very natural to get to know the characters over the course of the story. When bigger, emotional parts of their lives were shared it didn't feel over dramatic and the writing showed how it affected the characters, rather than telling us how they felt. I wound up deeply attached to Reshi and Kestral, rooting for them every step of the way. As for minor characters, I tried not to get attached because they died rather frequently. The many deaths made battles have that much more importance while reading, as I could never be sure who would actually survive them. I truly loved everything about this story.
Sorcerous Rivalry is a rarity in the way that both the plot and the characters were amazing. The world building is intricate and full of many different kinds of magic as well. The writing is great and the pace never stops moving, but not at the loss of character depth. I am very impressed by Kayleigh Nichol's debut novel and not surprised to read that it was a finalist in the Independent Author's Network awards. I want to read the next book and everything else that Kayleigh Nichol writes. Most of all, I hope that some of my readers give this book a chance, because this isn't a novel that should remain in the shadows.
May 27, 2019
Full review is here, on my blog!~
[5/27/19 Update after a re-listen via the audiobook. I still love this one! The narrator, Scott R. Smith did a great job. His Kestral voice is a-mazing, and I have to say, since this is a re-listen, so to speak, of a book I have already read, he made me love both Reshi and Kestral even more. Very well done!]
This one was legitimately on my TBR before the SPFBO started so, having an opportunity to read it for that purpose was great (and also probably saved it a few years on the TBR list, lol). Hooray! Esme read this one and liked it (despite it having *gasp* romance as a pretty major theme!) and so passed it along to me as well.
This is the story of Reshi, who is secretly a mage. Not just any mage though, the king (who hates mages) and his mistress (secretly a mage) had seven children. When the king found out that his mistress was a mage, he threw her in prison and put out bounties for the seven kids. Reshi is the youngest of these kids. They don’t know each other at all, because they didn’t grow up together, and they’re in hiding, for the most part. Mage hunters are constantly looking to kill them for the bounty.
Each of the kids have different powers, and the older ones are generally more powerful than the younger. Reshi is a shapeshifter, with a few different forms that help him sneak around. Reshi, having grown up an orphan in a town known for its seedier underside, is a pretty capable thief, and can hold his own pretty well with daggers and throwing knives. He’s been living in a small village for several years, under the protection of an exiled fairy.
One day a mage hunter named Kestral wanders into town, and shenanigans ensue that not only out the fairy, but they out Reshi too, and he runs from the village right into the arms of one of his sisters. She’s hoping that all the siblings can come together as a family and stick together. So when one of their brothers shows up, Reshi is hoping for a lovely family reunion. And… that’s when he learns that if one of his siblings dies, their power can be collected by another, making that sibling more powerful. Also it turns out that like 75% of his siblings are power hungry murderers, and so he runs again, with not only murderous siblings on his tail, but Kestral too.
It’s Kestral that catches up with him first, but instead of killing him, Kestral decides to help him get some vengeance against his murderous brother. So they make a deal to become companions until Reshi gets his vengeance, but then Kestral will probably kill him. But, he’ll give him a head start though, because he’s an honorable guy. But it turns out that vengeance takes a little longer than anticipated, and they go through a lot of adventures getting to it.
This was a really quick and easy read, which was hard to put down once I got into it. Admittedly the first few pages made my eyes roll because the way that the fairy is introduced is very, very ‘bouncing boobily’ and I had to stop myself from just putting the book down and sighing. However, I stuck with it, and I’m glad I did. There wasn’t any more egregious bouncing throughout the rest of the book.
There is a romantic subplot that makes up a decent amount of this story, between the two male leads. There appears to be no stigma regarding sexuality in this world whatsoever, so that was nice. The romance between Kestral and Reshi was a fairly slow burn, and while there was obvious attraction between them from the get-go, especially from Reshi, as this is told from his POV in the first person, I didn’t feel like the romance was the only thing holding this plot aloft. I felt like the plot would have held up pretty well had there not been a romance included. So, if they had remained just companions, I don’t think the overall plot would have suffered for it, but I thought the romance was well done, and I rooted for both of them throughout. There are ups and downs, Reshi has his reasons for what he does, and Kestral his own for what he does. Sometimes they are maddening, and sometimes adorable. But, I thought that this part of the plot worked out well.
Reshi is a great character who is so easy to like, and I rooted for him from the very beginning. He’s pretty down to earth, he’s often snarky, and witty. I love a snarky rogue, you see, and Reshi is very much that. He’s rather lovable, in his way. Even when he’s being stupid, which is more than never. Kestral is more of the stoic ex-soldier type. Seeing the banter between Reshi and Kestral, and seeing Reshi be able to make Kestral truly laugh made me smile.
The magic system was really interesting, and well executed I think. Each sibling has specific powers, and as some siblings die, some of those abilities are distributed over the other siblings. So, Reshi finds himself gaining new abilities just by being on the sidelines of a bunch of his siblings’ infighting. Also, some of the ways that Reshi uses his shapeshifting abilities to get out of (or into) trouble, were well thought out. There’s also a fair bit of fighting, and I thought it was well described. It was easy for me to imagine at any rate. Kestral is a fighter of some skill, with a sword or a bow, and Reshi is, as I said, perhaps not super-skilled, but certainly not unskilled with daggers and throwing knives. I imagined him as any number of roguish characters I have played in various games over the years.
There was fake cursing, which I am known not to like. But, I will give this one half a pass, because while the fake cursing was used in place of the f-bomb, it was also used in place of most other swearing, too. The thing that gets it a partial-pass, it that the word used in lieu of swearing has other colloquialisms and expressions in the world based on it, and really, you don’t usually see authors going to such lengths to fake-swear. So, I’m conflicted. On the one hand, just use the damn f-bomb, but on the other… props for actually going the mile and doubling down on your fake-curses, I guess?
The ending made sense, and definitely left this one open for more story (there better be more story *glare*), but I would not consider it a cliffhanger, exactly. It does end rather abruptly, and while I was worried that it would end in an unsatisfying manner, it… it wasn’t very unsatisfying given some of the information imparted at the end. I’m okay with it.
So, I loved the characters, I loved the magic system, I found it really hard to put down (and if I didn’t drop my kindle on my face at about 75% I probably would have read it all in one night, but alas, I guess sleeping was a thing), and while the beginning was a bit eye-rolly, it bounced back (#notsorry) quickly to become an enjoyable slightly-romancey magey romp with plenty of action, stabbing, and magical siblings killing the hell out of each other.
I’m going to say that I had 8.5/10 stars of fun with this book (that's 5 stars on GR). I will very likely read any sequels!
[5/27/19 Update after a re-listen via the audiobook. I still love this one! The narrator, Scott R. Smith did a great job. His Kestral voice is a-mazing, and I have to say, since this is a re-listen, so to speak, of a book I have already read, he made me love both Reshi and Kestral even more. Very well done!]
This one was legitimately on my TBR before the SPFBO started so, having an opportunity to read it for that purpose was great (and also probably saved it a few years on the TBR list, lol). Hooray! Esme read this one and liked it (despite it having *gasp* romance as a pretty major theme!) and so passed it along to me as well.
This is the story of Reshi, who is secretly a mage. Not just any mage though, the king (who hates mages) and his mistress (secretly a mage) had seven children. When the king found out that his mistress was a mage, he threw her in prison and put out bounties for the seven kids. Reshi is the youngest of these kids. They don’t know each other at all, because they didn’t grow up together, and they’re in hiding, for the most part. Mage hunters are constantly looking to kill them for the bounty.
Each of the kids have different powers, and the older ones are generally more powerful than the younger. Reshi is a shapeshifter, with a few different forms that help him sneak around. Reshi, having grown up an orphan in a town known for its seedier underside, is a pretty capable thief, and can hold his own pretty well with daggers and throwing knives. He’s been living in a small village for several years, under the protection of an exiled fairy.
One day a mage hunter named Kestral wanders into town, and shenanigans ensue that not only out the fairy, but they out Reshi too, and he runs from the village right into the arms of one of his sisters. She’s hoping that all the siblings can come together as a family and stick together. So when one of their brothers shows up, Reshi is hoping for a lovely family reunion. And… that’s when he learns that if one of his siblings dies, their power can be collected by another, making that sibling more powerful. Also it turns out that like 75% of his siblings are power hungry murderers, and so he runs again, with not only murderous siblings on his tail, but Kestral too.
It’s Kestral that catches up with him first, but instead of killing him, Kestral decides to help him get some vengeance against his murderous brother. So they make a deal to become companions until Reshi gets his vengeance, but then Kestral will probably kill him. But, he’ll give him a head start though, because he’s an honorable guy. But it turns out that vengeance takes a little longer than anticipated, and they go through a lot of adventures getting to it.
This was a really quick and easy read, which was hard to put down once I got into it. Admittedly the first few pages made my eyes roll because the way that the fairy is introduced is very, very ‘bouncing boobily’ and I had to stop myself from just putting the book down and sighing. However, I stuck with it, and I’m glad I did. There wasn’t any more egregious bouncing throughout the rest of the book.
There is a romantic subplot that makes up a decent amount of this story, between the two male leads. There appears to be no stigma regarding sexuality in this world whatsoever, so that was nice. The romance between Kestral and Reshi was a fairly slow burn, and while there was obvious attraction between them from the get-go, especially from Reshi, as this is told from his POV in the first person, I didn’t feel like the romance was the only thing holding this plot aloft. I felt like the plot would have held up pretty well had there not been a romance included. So, if they had remained just companions, I don’t think the overall plot would have suffered for it, but I thought the romance was well done, and I rooted for both of them throughout. There are ups and downs, Reshi has his reasons for what he does, and Kestral his own for what he does. Sometimes they are maddening, and sometimes adorable. But, I thought that this part of the plot worked out well.
Reshi is a great character who is so easy to like, and I rooted for him from the very beginning. He’s pretty down to earth, he’s often snarky, and witty. I love a snarky rogue, you see, and Reshi is very much that. He’s rather lovable, in his way. Even when he’s being stupid, which is more than never. Kestral is more of the stoic ex-soldier type. Seeing the banter between Reshi and Kestral, and seeing Reshi be able to make Kestral truly laugh made me smile.
The magic system was really interesting, and well executed I think. Each sibling has specific powers, and as some siblings die, some of those abilities are distributed over the other siblings. So, Reshi finds himself gaining new abilities just by being on the sidelines of a bunch of his siblings’ infighting. Also, some of the ways that Reshi uses his shapeshifting abilities to get out of (or into) trouble, were well thought out. There’s also a fair bit of fighting, and I thought it was well described. It was easy for me to imagine at any rate. Kestral is a fighter of some skill, with a sword or a bow, and Reshi is, as I said, perhaps not super-skilled, but certainly not unskilled with daggers and throwing knives. I imagined him as any number of roguish characters I have played in various games over the years.
There was fake cursing, which I am known not to like. But, I will give this one half a pass, because while the fake cursing was used in place of the f-bomb, it was also used in place of most other swearing, too. The thing that gets it a partial-pass, it that the word used in lieu of swearing has other colloquialisms and expressions in the world based on it, and really, you don’t usually see authors going to such lengths to fake-swear. So, I’m conflicted. On the one hand, just use the damn f-bomb, but on the other… props for actually going the mile and doubling down on your fake-curses, I guess?
The ending made sense, and definitely left this one open for more story (there better be more story *glare*), but I would not consider it a cliffhanger, exactly. It does end rather abruptly, and while I was worried that it would end in an unsatisfying manner, it… it wasn’t very unsatisfying given some of the information imparted at the end. I’m okay with it.
So, I loved the characters, I loved the magic system, I found it really hard to put down (and if I didn’t drop my kindle on my face at about 75% I probably would have read it all in one night, but alas, I guess sleeping was a thing), and while the beginning was a bit eye-rolly, it bounced back (#notsorry) quickly to become an enjoyable slightly-romancey magey romp with plenty of action, stabbing, and magical siblings killing the hell out of each other.
I’m going to say that I had 8.5/10 stars of fun with this book (that's 5 stars on GR). I will very likely read any sequels!
May 23, 2018
This book was just a nice surprise. It did a few things that genuinely surprised me, it took the plot in a direction I wasn’t expecting right off, and as for the romance (which was very tame btw) for the most part it avoided the typical romance storyline, and when it did veer into the one trope which instigated the” confession” I couldn’t even complain much because the rest was so damned entertaining.
The characters were fun and the lead Reshin, endearing. His flirty, fun-loving spirit was never over-done and hints of his past gave us moments of depth.
Kestral, the other lead, won my heart mostly because he’s the kind of character I usually love the best- quieter more serious, with a good dose of sarcasm, and also with some hidden past hurts he’s carrying around.
They reminded me somewhat personality-wise, of my other two favourite characters Royce and Hadrian (from the Ryria series) and in the way that we get to see them go from uneasy allies to friendship, and of course eventually, at least for these two- attraction (For anyone who was ever shipping Royce and Hadrian- well, there you go).
Reshi’s sister Kila, was a great ~~third wheel~~ travel companion, the inclusion of her on the road was the perfect foil for keeping the story moving, while balancing the attraction/romance. Plus, the addition of her gave us lots of wonderful and funny scenes with both boys, letting us see them as something other than love interests and helping to round out their characters. I enjoyed her character a lot.
Even the battles are fun! Quick-paced, and sprinkled with humor but like the characters, balanced with some darker moments, that keep this from being too silly or too dark.
Case in point-
I charged again, darting low, hoping to cut through the tendons in his ankles. Those boots were too ridiculous to be of any real protection to him.
There was a couple of rough spots for me in execution. I don’t do names well (as everyone I am sure knows by now), and we get a whole pile of them in a little short name-dropping space as a bit of history, which thankfully it didn’t matter because they’re introduced later in person so it wasn’t a huge deal, but for a minute it was like ugh… oh no! Who?
And my other hmm… spot- the big secret spill/confession. Most people aren’t even going to notice this but if you read romances for twenty years, it’s a pretty common way to have the ‘big not so secret to us’ secret brought out into the light to be hashed out. After some of the other really different choices and paths this book took along the way, I was expecting something a little less tropey for the turning point. But this is minor stuff really, compared to how well the rest held up. I should mention though, I did think the end of the story that this turning point triggered, was spot on and as much as I wanted to shout at the author, I liked the set-up that moved these characters to the next book.
On the whole this was just an enjoyable read with some nice surprises along the way. The whole fact that there were several instances that did surprise me earned it a lot of credit over any of the minor issues I did have. I am totally on-board for the second book.
Other notes-
-The scene with Mouser was ingenious.
-Like the Highlander feel to the magic
-This could almost be considered an origin story- we are learning about the characters magic and special abilities and seeing them learn how to use them when the surrounding change or their magic does.
-The running joke with the horse Shan, amused me quite a bit.
-While there is a romance storyline between the two men, I would still put this firmly in fantasy with a bit of romance on the side, and not the romance fantasy category. The romance is pretty tame and doesn’t carry the story.
-Thank you to the author Kayleigh Nicol, for generously providing a copy through Esme’s tbrinder matchmaking reviewer/author service, which you can find here at The Weatherwax Report-
https://weatherwaxreport.blog/2018/04...
4.5
The characters were fun and the lead Reshin, endearing. His flirty, fun-loving spirit was never over-done and hints of his past gave us moments of depth.
Kestral, the other lead, won my heart mostly because he’s the kind of character I usually love the best- quieter more serious, with a good dose of sarcasm, and also with some hidden past hurts he’s carrying around.
They reminded me somewhat personality-wise, of my other two favourite characters Royce and Hadrian (from the Ryria series) and in the way that we get to see them go from uneasy allies to friendship, and of course eventually, at least for these two- attraction (For anyone who was ever shipping Royce and Hadrian- well, there you go).
Reshi’s sister Kila, was a great ~~third wheel~~ travel companion, the inclusion of her on the road was the perfect foil for keeping the story moving, while balancing the attraction/romance. Plus, the addition of her gave us lots of wonderful and funny scenes with both boys, letting us see them as something other than love interests and helping to round out their characters. I enjoyed her character a lot.
Even the battles are fun! Quick-paced, and sprinkled with humor but like the characters, balanced with some darker moments, that keep this from being too silly or too dark.
Case in point-
I charged again, darting low, hoping to cut through the tendons in his ankles. Those boots were too ridiculous to be of any real protection to him.
There was a couple of rough spots for me in execution. I don’t do names well (as everyone I am sure knows by now), and we get a whole pile of them in a little short name-dropping space as a bit of history, which thankfully it didn’t matter because they’re introduced later in person so it wasn’t a huge deal, but for a minute it was like ugh… oh no! Who?
And my other hmm… spot- the big secret spill/confession. Most people aren’t even going to notice this but if you read romances for twenty years, it’s a pretty common way to have the ‘big not so secret to us’ secret brought out into the light to be hashed out. After some of the other really different choices and paths this book took along the way, I was expecting something a little less tropey for the turning point. But this is minor stuff really, compared to how well the rest held up. I should mention though, I did think the end of the story that this turning point triggered, was spot on and as much as I wanted to shout at the author, I liked the set-up that moved these characters to the next book.
On the whole this was just an enjoyable read with some nice surprises along the way. The whole fact that there were several instances that did surprise me earned it a lot of credit over any of the minor issues I did have. I am totally on-board for the second book.
Other notes-
-The scene with Mouser was ingenious.
-Like the Highlander feel to the magic
-This could almost be considered an origin story- we are learning about the characters magic and special abilities and seeing them learn how to use them when the surrounding change or their magic does.
-The running joke with the horse Shan, amused me quite a bit.
-While there is a romance storyline between the two men, I would still put this firmly in fantasy with a bit of romance on the side, and not the romance fantasy category. The romance is pretty tame and doesn’t carry the story.
-Thank you to the author Kayleigh Nicol, for generously providing a copy through Esme’s tbrinder matchmaking reviewer/author service, which you can find here at The Weatherwax Report-
https://weatherwaxreport.blog/2018/04...
4.5
May 18, 2018
Thanks to the author for providing a copy of their book for review, this did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
Oh man, I really loved this book. Let me count the ways.
In the beginning I was a little bit confused by our main character, but things were cleared up pretty fast. I love Reshi! I really do have a soft spot for these types of characters–freewheeling, bit of a rogue, devil may care, but fostering some kind of deep hurt on the inside. Reshi’s also a huge flirt and I kind of love that about him, especially when it contrasts well with the serious nature of other characters such as Kestral. Overall, I thought all the characters were well-written, but especially the main characters we spend the most time with were really fleshed out. I wish we’d gotten to know some of the siblings more, but perhaps in the next book we’ll spend a little more time with one or two of them. I also love not only that this book has LBGT characters but how they’re presented within the world of Sorcerous Rivalry. The fact that they’re not treated as different or outsiders, that these types of relationships are so unremarkable in the world of the book, feels quite refreshing.
The pacing of the book is great. Events keep our characters moving on from one thing to another. There is quite a bit of traveling in the book, but it never feels bogged down or boring. The authors uses these scenes to let us get to know the characters as they learn about each other through various conversations and activities.
The magic system is just the kind that I like. There are rules but it’s also vague enough that some cool hand-wavy magic happens. I like that the siblings each have different powers and that many of them are elemental magic. Each of the mages has clear strengths and weaknesses, which really makes for some fun battles. I mean, as much fun as siblings trying to kill each other and absorb each other’s powers can be fun.
Overall, I thought Sorcerous Rivalry was a really fun read. There are a lot of things about it that put me in mind of a Dungeons and Dragons campaign, and I mean that in the best possible way. Lot’s of travelling, running into conflicts, fun asides with characters, and interesting battles. Give this one a try if you’re looking for a refreshing take on classic sword and sorcery. 4.5/5 stars.
Oh man, I really loved this book. Let me count the ways.
In the beginning I was a little bit confused by our main character, but things were cleared up pretty fast. I love Reshi! I really do have a soft spot for these types of characters–freewheeling, bit of a rogue, devil may care, but fostering some kind of deep hurt on the inside. Reshi’s also a huge flirt and I kind of love that about him, especially when it contrasts well with the serious nature of other characters such as Kestral. Overall, I thought all the characters were well-written, but especially the main characters we spend the most time with were really fleshed out. I wish we’d gotten to know some of the siblings more, but perhaps in the next book we’ll spend a little more time with one or two of them. I also love not only that this book has LBGT characters but how they’re presented within the world of Sorcerous Rivalry. The fact that they’re not treated as different or outsiders, that these types of relationships are so unremarkable in the world of the book, feels quite refreshing.
The pacing of the book is great. Events keep our characters moving on from one thing to another. There is quite a bit of traveling in the book, but it never feels bogged down or boring. The authors uses these scenes to let us get to know the characters as they learn about each other through various conversations and activities.
The magic system is just the kind that I like. There are rules but it’s also vague enough that some cool hand-wavy magic happens. I like that the siblings each have different powers and that many of them are elemental magic. Each of the mages has clear strengths and weaknesses, which really makes for some fun battles. I mean, as much fun as siblings trying to kill each other and absorb each other’s powers can be fun.
Overall, I thought Sorcerous Rivalry was a really fun read. There are a lot of things about it that put me in mind of a Dungeons and Dragons campaign, and I mean that in the best possible way. Lot’s of travelling, running into conflicts, fun asides with characters, and interesting battles. Give this one a try if you’re looking for a refreshing take on classic sword and sorcery. 4.5/5 stars.
July 30, 2018
This was an interesting read. There is a lot of fun to be had with the characters in Sorcerous Rivalry. It does a good job turning some tropes on their heads. It’s part Highlander, part romance, part fast-paced battle royal. Sometimes the parts that make up the whole seem like they shouldn’t quite work, and yet they come together and do.
One of the greatest strengths of Kayleigh Nicol’s work is the battle scenes. Each is intense and fast-paced and during each I found myself often trying to guess who was going to die. There were few characters I felt like had a free pass in any battle. That’s a…well, not exactly a good feeling, but it certainly kept me engaged and the pages turning. The highlander-esque magic system was also interesting. I wouldn’t have minded a little more depth to it—at times it felt a little generic—but the characters who used the magic—Reshi’s siblings—were colorful characters and I enjoyed getting to know more about them as the book progressed. Of course, the relationship between Kestral and Reshi was interesting as well, if at times slightly predictable.
What didn’t work for me? At times I felt like the tone was a little on the light side. Reshi is flippant, and that’s part of his personality, but there were moments when I felt like a darker or at least more somber tone might have driven home a moment more. For me, the romance also felt a little flat. I don’t understand what drew Kestral and Reshi to one another. How is it that their personalities are compatible? For me, those bits fell flat. This does make up a large portion of the story, but the worldbuilding and fast-paced nature of the rest of the plot really kept me reading. There were a few moments when I felt like some things maybe came off a little too easy (spoiler alert! At one point the MC has to fight his way out of not one, but two, armies and the MC and friends manage to do so with surprising ease).
In the end, if you enjoy fast-paced battles and fun-loving, witty characters this book is probably for you. It isn’t perfect, but it’s definitely worth a look. If the romance hits for you, as it does for so many other reviewers, then I think you’ll be very satisfied. 3/5 stars.
5 – I loved this, couldn’t put it down, move it to the top of your TBR pile
4 – I really enjoyed this, add it to the TBR pile
3 – It was ok, depending on your preferences it may be worth your time
2 – I didn’t like this book, it has significant flaws and I can’t recommend it
1 – I loathe this book with a most loathsome loathing
One of the greatest strengths of Kayleigh Nicol’s work is the battle scenes. Each is intense and fast-paced and during each I found myself often trying to guess who was going to die. There were few characters I felt like had a free pass in any battle. That’s a…well, not exactly a good feeling, but it certainly kept me engaged and the pages turning. The highlander-esque magic system was also interesting. I wouldn’t have minded a little more depth to it—at times it felt a little generic—but the characters who used the magic—Reshi’s siblings—were colorful characters and I enjoyed getting to know more about them as the book progressed. Of course, the relationship between Kestral and Reshi was interesting as well, if at times slightly predictable.
What didn’t work for me? At times I felt like the tone was a little on the light side. Reshi is flippant, and that’s part of his personality, but there were moments when I felt like a darker or at least more somber tone might have driven home a moment more. For me, the romance also felt a little flat. I don’t understand what drew Kestral and Reshi to one another. How is it that their personalities are compatible? For me, those bits fell flat. This does make up a large portion of the story, but the worldbuilding and fast-paced nature of the rest of the plot really kept me reading. There were a few moments when I felt like some things maybe came off a little too easy (spoiler alert! At one point the MC has to fight his way out of not one, but two, armies and the MC and friends manage to do so with surprising ease).
In the end, if you enjoy fast-paced battles and fun-loving, witty characters this book is probably for you. It isn’t perfect, but it’s definitely worth a look. If the romance hits for you, as it does for so many other reviewers, then I think you’ll be very satisfied. 3/5 stars.
5 – I loved this, couldn’t put it down, move it to the top of your TBR pile
4 – I really enjoyed this, add it to the TBR pile
3 – It was ok, depending on your preferences it may be worth your time
2 – I didn’t like this book, it has significant flaws and I can’t recommend it
1 – I loathe this book with a most loathsome loathing
September 3, 2018
Another indie story for the books (pun intended). I am really having a blast with these self-published books as of late and Sorcerous Rivalry is one that I've had the most fun with in a while. It's a short and fast-paced read that is overflowing with humor, secrets and a sibling rivalry that acts as a constant reminder of how relieved I am to be an only child!
A king's mistress, who has birthed him seven children, has been discovered to be a sorceress and while she is imprisoned, bounties have been declared for the lives of her mage-born children. Reshi, shape shifting royal (bastard) mage-born and local town drunk, lives a peaceful life in a small village successfully avoiding the king's law for many years. One day a mysterious and captivating mage hunter arrives and discovers Reshi's secret. In his attempt to flee the danger that arrived on his doorstep, Reshi reaches out to his siblings with the idea that working together will be the only way to survive the unrelenting onslaught of the mage hunters. He soon learns that enemies sometimes take on unsuspecting guises, while friendships may arise from strange circumstances.
Although the story has a plot with serious themes and haunting backstories, it was refreshing to read something with a bit of a light-hearted and humorous tone. In a market currently seeped in grit and grimness, this is definitely a welcomed diversion. The character development is also well planned and skillfully executed. While all the mage-born are of the same parents, they could not be more different from one another as each have their own distinct voices, quirks, powers, strengths and weaknesses. The witty dialogue and interactions between them often had me laughing out loud.
I'd have to say my absolute favorite parts of the book are the intense, thrilling battles. Oh man, can Nicol write an epic battle scene! Elemental magic, swords, daggers, massive ice mantises (yep, you read that right), hulking fire golems, and the list goes on! While the story as a whole was a genuine pleasure to read, these were the most enjoyable parts for me, which is pretty convenient since Reshi and company coincidentally run into conflict at each and every turn.
Sorcerous Rivalry is a strong and entertaining debut that leaves you on a cliffhanger begging for more. It's a fun romp that I thoroughly enjoyed and am excited to see what comes next.
A king's mistress, who has birthed him seven children, has been discovered to be a sorceress and while she is imprisoned, bounties have been declared for the lives of her mage-born children. Reshi, shape shifting royal (bastard) mage-born and local town drunk, lives a peaceful life in a small village successfully avoiding the king's law for many years. One day a mysterious and captivating mage hunter arrives and discovers Reshi's secret. In his attempt to flee the danger that arrived on his doorstep, Reshi reaches out to his siblings with the idea that working together will be the only way to survive the unrelenting onslaught of the mage hunters. He soon learns that enemies sometimes take on unsuspecting guises, while friendships may arise from strange circumstances.
Although the story has a plot with serious themes and haunting backstories, it was refreshing to read something with a bit of a light-hearted and humorous tone. In a market currently seeped in grit and grimness, this is definitely a welcomed diversion. The character development is also well planned and skillfully executed. While all the mage-born are of the same parents, they could not be more different from one another as each have their own distinct voices, quirks, powers, strengths and weaknesses. The witty dialogue and interactions between them often had me laughing out loud.
I'd have to say my absolute favorite parts of the book are the intense, thrilling battles. Oh man, can Nicol write an epic battle scene! Elemental magic, swords, daggers, massive ice mantises (yep, you read that right), hulking fire golems, and the list goes on! While the story as a whole was a genuine pleasure to read, these were the most enjoyable parts for me, which is pretty convenient since Reshi and company coincidentally run into conflict at each and every turn.
Sorcerous Rivalry is a strong and entertaining debut that leaves you on a cliffhanger begging for more. It's a fun romp that I thoroughly enjoyed and am excited to see what comes next.
April 10, 2018
This was a rather fun read!
We meet Reshi, the youngest of the king's seven bastard children. The king basically (around Reshi was born? Timeline isn't too clear) decided that mages should be prohibited and initiated a Great Mage Hunt to kill (or enslave) them all. Unbeknownst to him, his mistress was a mage. She gave him seven children before he discovered this - and once this was discovered, he locked her up and ordered that the rest be hunted.
The seven of them have lived separately from each other. Reshi enjoys that distance, until a hunter finds him. He then flees to his brother and sisters - but shortly after this,
I enjoyed how creative this was. The pacing is perfect - not too slow. I loved Reshi's point of view - he's rather extroverted, but towards the end, it also feels like . I also loved the slow romance between
I'll look forward to the next book.
We meet Reshi, the youngest of the king's seven bastard children. The king basically (around Reshi was born? Timeline isn't too clear) decided that mages should be prohibited and initiated a Great Mage Hunt to kill (or enslave) them all. Unbeknownst to him, his mistress was a mage. She gave him seven children before he discovered this - and once this was discovered, he locked her up and ordered that the rest be hunted.
The seven of them have lived separately from each other. Reshi enjoys that distance, until a hunter finds him. He then flees to his brother and sisters - but shortly after this,
I enjoyed how creative this was. The pacing is perfect - not too slow. I loved Reshi's point of view - he's rather extroverted, but towards the end, it also feels like . I also loved the slow romance between
I'll look forward to the next book.
July 10, 2018
DISCLAIMER: I was provided a free copy of this book through TBRindr in exchange for my honest review. Thanks Nicol for the fun read, and thanks Esme for the great database!
PLOT:
In the peace following the Great Mage Hunt, the king's long-time mistress is revealed as a sorceress. Locked away for the safety of the kingdom, bounties are placed upon the heads of the seven children she birthed. Mage hunters have scoured the kingdom for four years, searching for the seven scattered mage-born bastards. After growing up in an orphanage, Reshi discovers his parentage and learns to hide his magic, living peacefully in a remote village with an unusual friend. But when an alluring mage hunter comes to town, his secret is revealed, forcing Reshi to reach out to his brothers and sisters for help. A family reunion might be Reshi's only hope for survival--or it might become a spell-slinging battle royale. Who can Reshi rely on when his own family turns against him?
OBS: I’ll be splitting this review into two parts: No Spoiler review and Spoiler review. I want everyone to be able to read my thoughts on the book, but there are also a few points I’d like to comment on that require spoilers. Just a heads up to those who haven’t yet read this book. I’ll give appropriate warning before heading into spoiler territory.
This was a fun one! I confess I expected something very different when I picked up this book. Bounty hunters after rogue royal mages is prime breeding ground for a violent, grimdark book. While Sorcerous Rivalry can safely be classified as a fight-centric sword and sorcery book with lots of raid boss style duels and battles, the main selling point is that it is above all else a really fun book. Not fun in a laugh out loud funny way (although I had my share of chuckles) but fun in the way that the narrative, plot, characters and pseudo-superpowers/magicky fights allows you to sit back, relax, and just immerse yourself.
There are a couple of dark spots in the book, namely when dealing with characters past, but for the most part Sorcerous Rivalry could be the book equivalent of a marvel movie (excepting Infinity war of course). Lighthearted, compelling characters, fun fights and a little something for everyone to enjoy, be it romance, quests, magical/superpower battles, outrageous flirting or traveling.
It’s a book that you’re always itching to pick up again, and that says more about the quality than I ever could.
In my opinion the characters and the sword and sorcery are the two strongest points of this book. While I enjoy a well written magical battle, a good fight sort of speaks for itself, so I will be focusing mostly on the characters in this review.
The characters were probably what most surprised me throughout the book. Namely because when the reader is first introduced to them, they seem pretty trope-y. Reshi is a drunk a rogue and a flirt, Kestral a brooding, stern soldier, Kila a bloodthirsty battle-seeker. And while all of these are true, throughout the book we are slowly introduced (in a very natural and organic way) to the other sides of these characters.
Reshi is a devil may care rogue with a me-first survival attitude, but he’s also lonely and craves family which shows in how he cares about Wix and how quickly he comes to care for his sisters. Kestral is sullen, removed, and disciplined, but he also has a romantic, protective, soft side which frequently bites him in the butt. Kila is a thrill seeking bloodthirsty fighter, but she’s also clownish, throws tantrums and is prudish. All these characters start out as tropes but become more than tropes in that their development is so well done they begin to feel like real people. I quickly got invested and wanted to know more about them.
It would have been interesting if we could have seen more of the other siblings, as unfortunately some are introduced as tropes and remain tropes as we never get more than a first impression of them. Some of the siblings felt especially raid boss-y to me, as our only contact with them is when the main characters enter their lair, listen to their monologue/tirade/speech, battle them, then move on. But trope-y does not equal bad. They fulfilled their purpose as being entertaining side characters. I just felt curious to know more about them.
As for the romance aspect of this book, other people have said it in other reviews and I’ll say it again. I really, really, really love how this book handles a bisexual main character, bisexual flirting, and a LGBTQ romance. The romance itself is fun. I’m a sucker for a good enemy-turned-reluctant ally-turned-romantic-interest (always great sexual tension). But more than that, I loved how casual everyone is about sexuality. Reshi flirts shamelessly with men and women and no one thinks twice about it. Kestral is gay (or bi, it’s never made clear) and it’s so normal that it’s unremarkable.
SPOILER TERRITORY AHEAD. ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK. SCROLL TO BOTTOM TO READ MY SPOILER-FREE CONCLUSIONS, RATING AND BINGO SQUARES.
I need to enter spoiler territory to discuss the one negative point this book had, in my opinion, which is the plot. Not the plot overall. I thought the overall idea was original and interesting. The issue for me was how little of the overarching story (and I’m assuming there is an overarching story given that this is the first book in a series) was disclosed to us throughout the book.
So we start out the book knowing (from the blurb) that there was a Great Mage Hunt, the king's long-time mistress is revealed as a sorceress, she’s locked away for the safety of the kingdom, bounties are placed upon the heads of the seven children which are now being hunted. And we finish the book not knowing much more than that.
Sure, we learn a bit about the dynamics of the royal family, who the siblings are and that they can take powers from each other, and that they were all named to be foreign royalty, but this information is mostly padding and adding to what we already know from page 1. Little details and tibbits of information are revealed but none of big questions are ever answered. Why did the mage hunt take place to begin with? Why did mages suddenly become a danger to the realm? Who is the king’s mysterious foreign mistress? Why was a powerful sorceress allowing herself to be an apparently less than enthusiastic mistress to a king with a resentful queen who took away and mistreated her children? Why does Velyn feel obligated to commit fratricide? Something related to...runes? What about Eagan? Why does he leave hiding after 4 years to begin killing his brothers with Velyn? Is it also because of the obscure rune reason, or does he just want power? If he just wants power why wait four years to go after it?
I felt like I ended the book with very little new plot-related information. Velyn mumbling something about runes to explain his killing was a bit of a weak cliffhanger. I was expecting a large plot reveal coupled with a consequently even larger new plot mystery to set up the transition into the second book. But from the looks of it, the second book might be mostly addressing the same unanswered questions we’ve had since the beginning of book one.
The romantic subplot to the book left a much better cliffhanger, and that’s the one that is making me itch to pick up the next book. The romantic subplot throughout the book was perfect. We have the big mystery of Reshi and Kestral’s past which is hinted at throughout the book. Near the end, the mystery is revealed which creates conflict between the two characters and satisfies the reader’s curiosity. And this conflict is what carries the romantic subplot into book 2, and creates the new mystery of not knowing how things will turn out between them, which consequently leaves the reader wanting to pick up book 2 and find out. The lack of this mystery-reveal-conflict-mystery structure/sequence is what I thought weakened the main plot.
END OF SPOILER TERRITORY
Despite my perceived issue with the plot, Sorcerous Rivalry is a wonderful read by a very talented author. No book is 100% perfect, and my critiques were made only with the intent to provide helpful feedback to the author and not take away from the quality of the book. I can safely say it’s one of my favorite all time self published reads, and it’s been a good while since I’ve read such an entertaining book, self published or otherwise. If it seems like your kind of book I strongly recommend picking up a copy.
FINAL SCORE: 4.3/5 stars
PLOT:
In the peace following the Great Mage Hunt, the king's long-time mistress is revealed as a sorceress. Locked away for the safety of the kingdom, bounties are placed upon the heads of the seven children she birthed. Mage hunters have scoured the kingdom for four years, searching for the seven scattered mage-born bastards. After growing up in an orphanage, Reshi discovers his parentage and learns to hide his magic, living peacefully in a remote village with an unusual friend. But when an alluring mage hunter comes to town, his secret is revealed, forcing Reshi to reach out to his brothers and sisters for help. A family reunion might be Reshi's only hope for survival--or it might become a spell-slinging battle royale. Who can Reshi rely on when his own family turns against him?
OBS: I’ll be splitting this review into two parts: No Spoiler review and Spoiler review. I want everyone to be able to read my thoughts on the book, but there are also a few points I’d like to comment on that require spoilers. Just a heads up to those who haven’t yet read this book. I’ll give appropriate warning before heading into spoiler territory.
This was a fun one! I confess I expected something very different when I picked up this book. Bounty hunters after rogue royal mages is prime breeding ground for a violent, grimdark book. While Sorcerous Rivalry can safely be classified as a fight-centric sword and sorcery book with lots of raid boss style duels and battles, the main selling point is that it is above all else a really fun book. Not fun in a laugh out loud funny way (although I had my share of chuckles) but fun in the way that the narrative, plot, characters and pseudo-superpowers/magicky fights allows you to sit back, relax, and just immerse yourself.
There are a couple of dark spots in the book, namely when dealing with characters past, but for the most part Sorcerous Rivalry could be the book equivalent of a marvel movie (excepting Infinity war of course). Lighthearted, compelling characters, fun fights and a little something for everyone to enjoy, be it romance, quests, magical/superpower battles, outrageous flirting or traveling.
It’s a book that you’re always itching to pick up again, and that says more about the quality than I ever could.
In my opinion the characters and the sword and sorcery are the two strongest points of this book. While I enjoy a well written magical battle, a good fight sort of speaks for itself, so I will be focusing mostly on the characters in this review.
The characters were probably what most surprised me throughout the book. Namely because when the reader is first introduced to them, they seem pretty trope-y. Reshi is a drunk a rogue and a flirt, Kestral a brooding, stern soldier, Kila a bloodthirsty battle-seeker. And while all of these are true, throughout the book we are slowly introduced (in a very natural and organic way) to the other sides of these characters.
Reshi is a devil may care rogue with a me-first survival attitude, but he’s also lonely and craves family which shows in how he cares about Wix and how quickly he comes to care for his sisters. Kestral is sullen, removed, and disciplined, but he also has a romantic, protective, soft side which frequently bites him in the butt. Kila is a thrill seeking bloodthirsty fighter, but she’s also clownish, throws tantrums and is prudish. All these characters start out as tropes but become more than tropes in that their development is so well done they begin to feel like real people. I quickly got invested and wanted to know more about them.
It would have been interesting if we could have seen more of the other siblings, as unfortunately some are introduced as tropes and remain tropes as we never get more than a first impression of them. Some of the siblings felt especially raid boss-y to me, as our only contact with them is when the main characters enter their lair, listen to their monologue/tirade/speech, battle them, then move on. But trope-y does not equal bad. They fulfilled their purpose as being entertaining side characters. I just felt curious to know more about them.
As for the romance aspect of this book, other people have said it in other reviews and I’ll say it again. I really, really, really love how this book handles a bisexual main character, bisexual flirting, and a LGBTQ romance. The romance itself is fun. I’m a sucker for a good enemy-turned-reluctant ally-turned-romantic-interest (always great sexual tension). But more than that, I loved how casual everyone is about sexuality. Reshi flirts shamelessly with men and women and no one thinks twice about it. Kestral is gay (or bi, it’s never made clear) and it’s so normal that it’s unremarkable.
SPOILER TERRITORY AHEAD. ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK. SCROLL TO BOTTOM TO READ MY SPOILER-FREE CONCLUSIONS, RATING AND BINGO SQUARES.
I need to enter spoiler territory to discuss the one negative point this book had, in my opinion, which is the plot. Not the plot overall. I thought the overall idea was original and interesting. The issue for me was how little of the overarching story (and I’m assuming there is an overarching story given that this is the first book in a series) was disclosed to us throughout the book.
So we start out the book knowing (from the blurb) that there was a Great Mage Hunt, the king's long-time mistress is revealed as a sorceress, she’s locked away for the safety of the kingdom, bounties are placed upon the heads of the seven children which are now being hunted. And we finish the book not knowing much more than that.
Sure, we learn a bit about the dynamics of the royal family, who the siblings are and that they can take powers from each other, and that they were all named to be foreign royalty, but this information is mostly padding and adding to what we already know from page 1. Little details and tibbits of information are revealed but none of big questions are ever answered. Why did the mage hunt take place to begin with? Why did mages suddenly become a danger to the realm? Who is the king’s mysterious foreign mistress? Why was a powerful sorceress allowing herself to be an apparently less than enthusiastic mistress to a king with a resentful queen who took away and mistreated her children? Why does Velyn feel obligated to commit fratricide? Something related to...runes? What about Eagan? Why does he leave hiding after 4 years to begin killing his brothers with Velyn? Is it also because of the obscure rune reason, or does he just want power? If he just wants power why wait four years to go after it?
I felt like I ended the book with very little new plot-related information. Velyn mumbling something about runes to explain his killing was a bit of a weak cliffhanger. I was expecting a large plot reveal coupled with a consequently even larger new plot mystery to set up the transition into the second book. But from the looks of it, the second book might be mostly addressing the same unanswered questions we’ve had since the beginning of book one.
The romantic subplot to the book left a much better cliffhanger, and that’s the one that is making me itch to pick up the next book. The romantic subplot throughout the book was perfect. We have the big mystery of Reshi and Kestral’s past which is hinted at throughout the book. Near the end, the mystery is revealed which creates conflict between the two characters and satisfies the reader’s curiosity. And this conflict is what carries the romantic subplot into book 2, and creates the new mystery of not knowing how things will turn out between them, which consequently leaves the reader wanting to pick up book 2 and find out. The lack of this mystery-reveal-conflict-mystery structure/sequence is what I thought weakened the main plot.
END OF SPOILER TERRITORY
Despite my perceived issue with the plot, Sorcerous Rivalry is a wonderful read by a very talented author. No book is 100% perfect, and my critiques were made only with the intent to provide helpful feedback to the author and not take away from the quality of the book. I can safely say it’s one of my favorite all time self published reads, and it’s been a good while since I’ve read such an entertaining book, self published or otherwise. If it seems like your kind of book I strongly recommend picking up a copy.
FINAL SCORE: 4.3/5 stars
June 19, 2019
This was exactly what I wanted when I read it and I totally zipped through it and bought the second book when I finished (and thoroughly enjoyed that one as well). I think I picked this up for free and I enjoyed it enormously. It's entertaining and easy and fast-paced and full of different kinds of magic. Plus, I love the cover.
This is a fairly light-hearted magical quest story with a secondary queer romance plot. The love story is fun; it's one of those slow burn, enemies-to-lovers, opposites-attract romances that builds while the adventure and the traveling and the not-dying is happening, which I tend to like. Reshi is a roguish shape-shifting mage in hiding and he's lively and carefree and a huge flirt, while Kestral is a mage hunter who is a former army officer who is broody and quiet and serious and extremely capable. They reluctantly join forces because of a common goal and come to trust one another. Reshi has moments of being annoying and petulant, but he's quite likable for the most part and the story is told from his POV. This book has one of those things that spec fic books have sometimes that I find groan-inducing: invented swear words that are over-used. In this series it's "dust" and its various forms. Groan.
All in all, this was a great debut. It's a snappy story with engaging characters and smooth writing. I really enjoyed the sequel as well. I will definitely keep an eye on this author.
This is a fairly light-hearted magical quest story with a secondary queer romance plot. The love story is fun; it's one of those slow burn, enemies-to-lovers, opposites-attract romances that builds while the adventure and the traveling and the not-dying is happening, which I tend to like. Reshi is a roguish shape-shifting mage in hiding and he's lively and carefree and a huge flirt, while Kestral is a mage hunter who is a former army officer who is broody and quiet and serious and extremely capable. They reluctantly join forces because of a common goal and come to trust one another. Reshi has moments of being annoying and petulant, but he's quite likable for the most part and the story is told from his POV. This book has one of those things that spec fic books have sometimes that I find groan-inducing: invented swear words that are over-used. In this series it's "dust" and its various forms. Groan.
All in all, this was a great debut. It's a snappy story with engaging characters and smooth writing. I really enjoyed the sequel as well. I will definitely keep an eye on this author.
Want to Read
November 12, 2018Esme Weatherwax wrote a terrific review, which can be found HERE:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
January 3, 2022
Okay wow, I feel like this has been the book to drag me out of my (5 or 6?) year reading slump and I'm so mad I haven't found this book sooner! The plot, the representation, the ENDING OMG!??!? Needless to say I love this book and have grown so attached to our 2 main characters. I cannot wait to read the rest of this series.
July 22, 2019
This book - YOU GUYS, THIS BOOK. I can't even. I started reading this during a readathon during the part of the day where I usually fall into a reading slump, and this book carried me through and had me staying up until midnight reading, then waking up at 6 a.m. the next morning because getting back to this world was more important than getting sufficient sleep. I also squeeled like an anime schoolgirl upon finishing this book and literally flung it at my BFF demanding she read it RIGHT THE HECK NOW so we can fangirl about it together.
I am primarily a romance reader, and sci-fi/fantasy is sort of my secondary genre these days (but I used to read a LOT more fantasy when I was younger...) Sorcerous Rivalry is an *amazing* high fantasy/epic fantasy with a strong romantic subplot going on, and is basically a perfect blend of my two favorite genres. I love a good epic fantasy with a strong romantic subplot. <3
I ADORE Reshi. I pictured him as being very similar to that of Cat Noir in the show Miraculous, only with darker hair and a sexier vibe. Me-ow. And then Kestral is this mysterious stranger who appears and is sexy and intriguing (and OK, yes, I was sort of picturing Viggo as Aragorn in The Fellowship of the Ring while reading Kestral's character, not gonna lie). The forced proximity and antagonistic elements of their relationship are basically my catnip, and the way they go on reminded me a lot of Wesley in The Princess Bride talking about his relationship with the Dread Pirate Roberts ("Good night, Westley. Good work. Sleep well. I'll most likely kill you in the morning.") I just realized how many of my favorite movies/fandoms this books stirred little eddies of while reading it, and maybe that's a part of why I loved it so hard.
The world-building in this book is amazing, and Kayleigh Nicol does a fantastic job of revealing this complex world in a way that isn't a giant info dump (a problem many epic fantasies seem to have) but instead the information unfolds in a very organic way. There's a trail of informational breadcrumbs that lure the reader deeper and deeper into the world and the story.
Sorcerous Rivalry is the first book in The Mage-Born Chronicles, which appears to be a duology. I can't wait to read the second half, Mistress Mage, but I am wisely waiting until the weekend to start it because I know I'm going to be utterly unable to put it down. :)
A copy of this book was provided to me by the author for review. All opinions are unbiased and my own.
Like this review?
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Elley the Book Otter
I am primarily a romance reader, and sci-fi/fantasy is sort of my secondary genre these days (but I used to read a LOT more fantasy when I was younger...) Sorcerous Rivalry is an *amazing* high fantasy/epic fantasy with a strong romantic subplot going on, and is basically a perfect blend of my two favorite genres. I love a good epic fantasy with a strong romantic subplot. <3
I ADORE Reshi. I pictured him as being very similar to that of Cat Noir in the show Miraculous, only with darker hair and a sexier vibe. Me-ow. And then Kestral is this mysterious stranger who appears and is sexy and intriguing (and OK, yes, I was sort of picturing Viggo as Aragorn in The Fellowship of the Ring while reading Kestral's character, not gonna lie). The forced proximity and antagonistic elements of their relationship are basically my catnip, and the way they go on reminded me a lot of Wesley in The Princess Bride talking about his relationship with the Dread Pirate Roberts ("Good night, Westley. Good work. Sleep well. I'll most likely kill you in the morning.") I just realized how many of my favorite movies/fandoms this books stirred little eddies of while reading it, and maybe that's a part of why I loved it so hard.
The world-building in this book is amazing, and Kayleigh Nicol does a fantastic job of revealing this complex world in a way that isn't a giant info dump (a problem many epic fantasies seem to have) but instead the information unfolds in a very organic way. There's a trail of informational breadcrumbs that lure the reader deeper and deeper into the world and the story.
Sorcerous Rivalry is the first book in The Mage-Born Chronicles, which appears to be a duology. I can't wait to read the second half, Mistress Mage, but I am wisely waiting until the weekend to start it because I know I'm going to be utterly unable to put it down. :)
A copy of this book was provided to me by the author for review. All opinions are unbiased and my own.
Like this review?
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Elley the Book Otter
May 23, 2018
*Huge thanks to the author for providing a free paperback in exchange for an honest review!*
Actual Rating: 5
Okay. Here's the thing. I'm not a huge of medieval-ish fantasy stories. Or I'm just very selective about liking them. But DAMN. Sorcerous Rivalry shook me to my very core. It was beautiful, it was unique, it was magical, it was frustrating, and I loved every second of it.
Sorcerous Rivalry takes place in a world of magic, of sorcerers and mages. After giving birth to seven children, the king's mistress is revealed as a sorceress, and she is locked away. The children scattered, becoming the kingdom's most wanted. Mage hunters travel far and wide, hoping to kill the king's illegitimate children and gain money and glory. Reshi is the youngest of the seven; after growing up in an orphanage, he learns to hide his magic to live peacefully amongst others. But then a mage-hunter comes to town, and Reshi is forced to run. But when the stakes are so high, your own flesh and blood can turn against you.
This was absolutely delightful. The plot was twisted and wild, crazy enough to keep me on my toes, and yet still with an intentional energy that kept me anticipative. But the book was also dotted with scenes that were cozy and warm, pacing the book in a way that was authentic to the adventure and comfortable for the reader.
The characters were great. I absolutely love how the reader gets to know the characters through dialogue and actions, in real time, and their backstories are revealed later. You learn to love the characters for who they are, not where they've been or what they've done. The characters have great chemistry with one another, and I absolutely love the authenticity of relationship dynamics between friends, between siblings, and between lovers. A little sidenote - this book has a dash of M/M romance, and I love the fact that it's not highlighted as that. It's just love.
And the writing style was great. As mentioned before, there was a great balance between plot-driven action and more domestic scenes, and as a result not only do we get to understand the characters in different settings and situations, but the author truly succeeded with her writing in creating different settings with visual imagery and atmosphere.
Overall, I would definitely read this book to any lovers of young adult fantasy, and I think fans of books like The Grisha Trilogy or The Young Elites would like this as well. I would love to continue reading this series to find out where Reshi's adventure leads him.
Actual Rating: 5
Okay. Here's the thing. I'm not a huge of medieval-ish fantasy stories. Or I'm just very selective about liking them. But DAMN. Sorcerous Rivalry shook me to my very core. It was beautiful, it was unique, it was magical, it was frustrating, and I loved every second of it.
Sorcerous Rivalry takes place in a world of magic, of sorcerers and mages. After giving birth to seven children, the king's mistress is revealed as a sorceress, and she is locked away. The children scattered, becoming the kingdom's most wanted. Mage hunters travel far and wide, hoping to kill the king's illegitimate children and gain money and glory. Reshi is the youngest of the seven; after growing up in an orphanage, he learns to hide his magic to live peacefully amongst others. But then a mage-hunter comes to town, and Reshi is forced to run. But when the stakes are so high, your own flesh and blood can turn against you.
This was absolutely delightful. The plot was twisted and wild, crazy enough to keep me on my toes, and yet still with an intentional energy that kept me anticipative. But the book was also dotted with scenes that were cozy and warm, pacing the book in a way that was authentic to the adventure and comfortable for the reader.
The characters were great. I absolutely love how the reader gets to know the characters through dialogue and actions, in real time, and their backstories are revealed later. You learn to love the characters for who they are, not where they've been or what they've done. The characters have great chemistry with one another, and I absolutely love the authenticity of relationship dynamics between friends, between siblings, and between lovers. A little sidenote - this book has a dash of M/M romance, and I love the fact that it's not highlighted as that. It's just love.
And the writing style was great. As mentioned before, there was a great balance between plot-driven action and more domestic scenes, and as a result not only do we get to understand the characters in different settings and situations, but the author truly succeeded with her writing in creating different settings with visual imagery and atmosphere.
Overall, I would definitely read this book to any lovers of young adult fantasy, and I think fans of books like The Grisha Trilogy or The Young Elites would like this as well. I would love to continue reading this series to find out where Reshi's adventure leads him.
July 5, 2019
Rishi’s mother was the mistress of the King, and she was also a secret sorceress. Now, the kings guard and mage hunters are looking for all 7 of her children, as it is far too dangerous for a half-royal half-mage young adult to be running around the kingdom unwatched. Rishi has managed to lay low for years, but now a mage hunter has found him. Rishi tries to hide his magic from Kestral, but soon he finds out, and Rishi’s only way to ensure his own safety is to turn to the brothers and sisters he has never met before for help. But, nothing can ever go perfectly, and Reshi soon finds himself caught between a dangerous family and a dangerously alluring mage hunter.
I read this entire book in one day and immediately started the second as soon as I received it! I absolutely loved Reshi the more I read this novel. He had an interesting and unique backstory, but this is hidden for the majority of the novel, so I won’t tell it here. I also was intrigued once he met his siblings. They didn’t grow up together, but they all have one thing in common. They are all so stubborn, which is funny yet sad to see. I can’t wait to see how these siblings interact in the future novels.
This was one of the most in-depth fantasy worlds that I have read in a long time. There were magical creatures of all sorts, mages with different stages of power based on their rank in the family (firstborn vs. seventhborn), there is royalty, there is history, there is a strong military, and then there are the regular commoners who don’t really know much about what is going on in their land. Reshi and Kestral lie in between, but they travel so much that they have to figure out the truth behind all that is going on with the mages and the humans. I was drawn in as they discovered the secrets of their world, and I loved all the characters that they met along their journey.
I don’t think that there was a single thing that I disliked about this book! The pacing was perfect and I was on the edge of my seat throughout the whole reading. The setting draws you in and won’t let you go. And when the more action-packed parts of the story comes, hang on! You are definitely in for a treat once you start reading this book.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a new fantasy series with a fantastic setting, excellent pacing, and LGBT+ characters.
I received a copy of this book and this is my voluntary review.
Overall Rating: 6 out of 5 books.
I read this entire book in one day and immediately started the second as soon as I received it! I absolutely loved Reshi the more I read this novel. He had an interesting and unique backstory, but this is hidden for the majority of the novel, so I won’t tell it here. I also was intrigued once he met his siblings. They didn’t grow up together, but they all have one thing in common. They are all so stubborn, which is funny yet sad to see. I can’t wait to see how these siblings interact in the future novels.
This was one of the most in-depth fantasy worlds that I have read in a long time. There were magical creatures of all sorts, mages with different stages of power based on their rank in the family (firstborn vs. seventhborn), there is royalty, there is history, there is a strong military, and then there are the regular commoners who don’t really know much about what is going on in their land. Reshi and Kestral lie in between, but they travel so much that they have to figure out the truth behind all that is going on with the mages and the humans. I was drawn in as they discovered the secrets of their world, and I loved all the characters that they met along their journey.
I don’t think that there was a single thing that I disliked about this book! The pacing was perfect and I was on the edge of my seat throughout the whole reading. The setting draws you in and won’t let you go. And when the more action-packed parts of the story comes, hang on! You are definitely in for a treat once you start reading this book.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a new fantasy series with a fantastic setting, excellent pacing, and LGBT+ characters.
I received a copy of this book and this is my voluntary review.
Overall Rating: 6 out of 5 books.
January 28, 2019
I came into the book excited because of the premise and the promise of a LGBT+ romance. Though after reading it, I was honestly a bit disappointed with the execution and implementation.
To start with what I liked, I thought the author had a good grasp on prose (though it is a bit sparse on detail). It was easy to read, phrased fairly well and not awkwardly, and the word choices were fairly good. Furthermore, the fight scenes were written well as well. It never felt too cluttered or dragging for me. Finally, the premise itself was interesting and the world showed a lot of promise.
But imo, this is a book that would have benefited from a larger word and page count to elaborate on and show relationships.
To start, the world itself and the concepts presented (a battle royale between siblings, a mage hunt that's alluded to, etc.) were fascinating ideas, but it never really felt like enough time was given to develop and show the world. Mage-hunters never really held any gravity and seriousness in the plot (outside of the obvious Kestral which I'll get to further in) despite the fact that a large-scale mage hunt had taken place and the remaining mages (the siblings) are noted to be fairly powerful (or at least well-wanted because of their connections) in comparison to the average mage. Of course, Kila is noted to have killed multiple mage-hunters but it's never really shown, just stated.
That leads into another problem, some things were mostly told instead of shown. For example, Kestral is stated to not trust easily but his interactions with Reshi don't really convey that part of his personality (especially considering his profession). For me, he came off as a stoic straight-laced type with a almost self-sacrificing sense of honor (which is a nice contrast with Reshi's personality on paper). Additionally, the idea of bonded mages is interesting but again, I'm often told about it rather than actually seeing it portrayed.
Additionally, both Reshi's and Kestral's personalities were a bit bland for me, and their personalities never really bounced off of each other well-enough (essentially poor chemistry). With Reshi, he initially started off fairly strong in the first chapter with his actions but afterwards, he kinda petered out for me outside of a few notable moments. He's supposed to be a flirtatious, clever, and somewhat self-serving character (the "rogue with a heart of gold" type), and I never really saw it.
He often just feels like he goes along with Kestral he never really formulates any plans to escape or solve his own problems This is a bit troubling since the novel hinges on their interactions together.
Their chemistry itself never really worked for me despite how much their character types work on paper. There was never really a sense of "tension" (as would be expected from a mage and mage-hunter) and often, I honestly didn't get what they saw in each other. It felt bland at times and the development between them was a bit boring at times because the conflict and drama didn't feel enough. Essentially, they felt like they never really had anything substantial to really work pass until near the end.
But that development and spice also felt like it came too late for the book since there were less than ~50 pages left.
Another problem I had was that almost every other character, especially the other siblings (except maybe Eagan), felt more interesting in concept than the protagonists. But some of them end up dead too quickly.
Also the relationships between the siblings. It felt lackluster and underdeveloped considering this book is about their battle royale and relationships together.
Honestly, fleshing out the siblings' relationships to each other would have helped immensely (whether through a flaskback chapter or even having a few chapters at the beginning on their childhood before time-skipping to Reshi).
The world also felt barebones at times. The magic system was glossed over at times, and the continent was barely there. It felt like I wasn't getting enough glimpses into the surrounding area or the political climate outside of a few mentions like the war with the bordering mage-run country.
Overall, I didn't hate the book; I'm just somewhat disappointed because there was a lot of promise and interesting concepts that felt squandered at times.
To start with what I liked, I thought the author had a good grasp on prose (though it is a bit sparse on detail). It was easy to read, phrased fairly well and not awkwardly, and the word choices were fairly good. Furthermore, the fight scenes were written well as well. It never felt too cluttered or dragging for me. Finally, the premise itself was interesting and the world showed a lot of promise.
But imo, this is a book that would have benefited from a larger word and page count to elaborate on and show relationships.
To start, the world itself and the concepts presented (a battle royale between siblings, a mage hunt that's alluded to, etc.) were fascinating ideas, but it never really felt like enough time was given to develop and show the world. Mage-hunters never really held any gravity and seriousness in the plot (outside of the obvious Kestral which I'll get to further in) despite the fact that a large-scale mage hunt had taken place and the remaining mages (the siblings) are noted to be fairly powerful (or at least well-wanted because of their connections) in comparison to the average mage. Of course, Kila is noted to have killed multiple mage-hunters but it's never really shown, just stated.
That leads into another problem, some things were mostly told instead of shown. For example, Kestral is stated to not trust easily but his interactions with Reshi don't really convey that part of his personality (especially considering his profession). For me, he came off as a stoic straight-laced type with a almost self-sacrificing sense of honor (which is a nice contrast with Reshi's personality on paper). Additionally, the idea of bonded mages is interesting but again, I'm often told about it rather than actually seeing it portrayed.
Additionally, both Reshi's and Kestral's personalities were a bit bland for me, and their personalities never really bounced off of each other well-enough (essentially poor chemistry). With Reshi, he initially started off fairly strong in the first chapter with his actions but afterwards, he kinda petered out for me outside of a few notable moments. He's supposed to be a flirtatious, clever, and somewhat self-serving character (the "rogue with a heart of gold" type), and I never really saw it.
He often just feels like he goes along with Kestral he never really formulates any plans to escape or solve his own problems This is a bit troubling since the novel hinges on their interactions together.
Their chemistry itself never really worked for me despite how much their character types work on paper. There was never really a sense of "tension" (as would be expected from a mage and mage-hunter) and often, I honestly didn't get what they saw in each other. It felt bland at times and the development between them was a bit boring at times because the conflict and drama didn't feel enough. Essentially, they felt like they never really had anything substantial to really work pass until near the end.
But that development and spice also felt like it came too late for the book since there were less than ~50 pages left.
Another problem I had was that almost every other character, especially the other siblings (except maybe Eagan), felt more interesting in concept than the protagonists. But some of them end up dead too quickly.
Also the relationships between the siblings. It felt lackluster and underdeveloped considering this book is about their battle royale and relationships together.
Honestly, fleshing out the siblings' relationships to each other would have helped immensely (whether through a flaskback chapter or even having a few chapters at the beginning on their childhood before time-skipping to Reshi).
The world also felt barebones at times. The magic system was glossed over at times, and the continent was barely there. It felt like I wasn't getting enough glimpses into the surrounding area or the political climate outside of a few mentions like the war with the bordering mage-run country.
Overall, I didn't hate the book; I'm just somewhat disappointed because there was a lot of promise and interesting concepts that felt squandered at times.
September 15, 2018
Wasn't sure about this one at first but man did it grow on me fast!!! I was so sad when I turned that last page and realized that it was over. I really loved this one and hopefully I can write a review that will do it justice. Plan on posting an entire review in the next few days.
Updated review:
There's something oddly endearing about the idea of a damsel in distress story, we always know how it'll turn out. It's like canned chicken noodle soup, a classic, cozy comfort food that always makes you smile. But just like the canned stuff it's even better when you get the real, homemade version; it's meatier, more filling, and sometimes you can mix up the ingredient list for an out of this world version of the childhood classic. Sorcerous Rivalry is the homemade soup equivalent of that classic damsel in distress story. Kayleigh Nicol brought a whole new list of ingredients to the table and it couldn't have turned out better. Our damsel is actually a male, as is the unsuspecting hero, and the badass barbarian is a woman with loads of smarts and personality.
He must have been a soldier once, judging by his steady, solid gait and the way his eyes swept the room, as if evaluating it as a potential battle field. His face held no expression at all, even as he approached the bar and gestured to the inn keeper. He looked perfectly balanced, perfectly aware and perfectly prepared for anything.
My favorite part about this book is that the story starts exactly when it should. No backstory or introduction to the characters, Kayleigh just puts us right into the exact moment that the plot starts moving. Reshi (our main character) doesn't know it of course, neither he or the soldier do, but it doesn't take very long for everything to change.
Reshi is one of seven bastard children born to the king. All seven of them were born with the ability to wield magic. Reshi's ability is that he can take on the shape of any animal that's known for being a witch's familiar (cat is his favorite). But when society decides to hunt down anyone with magic, Reshi and his siblings run and escape to various areas around the kingdom. Reshi had been hiding with a fairy named Wix until a mage hunter named Kestral came to collect the bounty on him.
He glanced up, meeting my gaze for the first time since we sat down.
"You have unusually colored eyes. Mage blood?"
I looked away hurriedly. Dust it, what had I gotten into?
"Possibly. I grew up in an orphanage in Giltner until they kicked me out. Ended up here after a time." I shrugged. "Are you a mage hunter? Should I be running?"
But Reshi still has a few tricks up his sleeves and is able to escape the inn before Kestral can hunt him down. Now that Reshi is being hunted again he decides to find his sister Cera, and maybe get his siblings to protect him. Cera is as helpful and loving as he had hoped, so he decides to stick with her and wait for his brother, Velyn to show up.
Velyn is like Cera, he's charming, friendly, and full of affection for his new found siblings. But for Velyn, being a loving sibling is all an act. He has other plans for his new found family. This is where things start to get spoilery, so I'll stop before I give away to much of the story. There are a lot of other characters that pop up (we get to meet all of Reshi's siblings) but my favorite character of them all was Reshi's older sister Kila. She is everything that a classic barbarian should be. She reboots her power with the blood of her enemies, swears like a sailor, and can drink anyone under the table; the only thing that differs from the classic is that she isn't male. She has all the things we love about barbarians with just a touch of feminine style that makes her absolutely perfect.
I knew most of us had gone into hiding after our bounties had been posted. But our sister Tekilashan had announced that anyone who wished to kill her could find her on the bloodiest battlefield in the kingdom. The last thing I had heard was that she had killed over forty mage hunters, all while participating in border skirmishes and house wars.
If you like slow burning romances, lgbt characters, intriguing magic systems, and enthralling world building, you should definitely give Sorcerous Rivalry a try. The only complaint I have is that it was a little confusing in the beginning with Reshi, but I didn't have to wait very long to figure it out. This book was the perfect mix of action and magic with just a touch of romance to give it some extra flair, I can't wait to read what Kaleigh Nicol puts out next!
http://bookstocombattherain.blogspot....
Updated review:
There's something oddly endearing about the idea of a damsel in distress story, we always know how it'll turn out. It's like canned chicken noodle soup, a classic, cozy comfort food that always makes you smile. But just like the canned stuff it's even better when you get the real, homemade version; it's meatier, more filling, and sometimes you can mix up the ingredient list for an out of this world version of the childhood classic. Sorcerous Rivalry is the homemade soup equivalent of that classic damsel in distress story. Kayleigh Nicol brought a whole new list of ingredients to the table and it couldn't have turned out better. Our damsel is actually a male, as is the unsuspecting hero, and the badass barbarian is a woman with loads of smarts and personality.
He must have been a soldier once, judging by his steady, solid gait and the way his eyes swept the room, as if evaluating it as a potential battle field. His face held no expression at all, even as he approached the bar and gestured to the inn keeper. He looked perfectly balanced, perfectly aware and perfectly prepared for anything.
My favorite part about this book is that the story starts exactly when it should. No backstory or introduction to the characters, Kayleigh just puts us right into the exact moment that the plot starts moving. Reshi (our main character) doesn't know it of course, neither he or the soldier do, but it doesn't take very long for everything to change.
Reshi is one of seven bastard children born to the king. All seven of them were born with the ability to wield magic. Reshi's ability is that he can take on the shape of any animal that's known for being a witch's familiar (cat is his favorite). But when society decides to hunt down anyone with magic, Reshi and his siblings run and escape to various areas around the kingdom. Reshi had been hiding with a fairy named Wix until a mage hunter named Kestral came to collect the bounty on him.
He glanced up, meeting my gaze for the first time since we sat down.
"You have unusually colored eyes. Mage blood?"
I looked away hurriedly. Dust it, what had I gotten into?
"Possibly. I grew up in an orphanage in Giltner until they kicked me out. Ended up here after a time." I shrugged. "Are you a mage hunter? Should I be running?"
But Reshi still has a few tricks up his sleeves and is able to escape the inn before Kestral can hunt him down. Now that Reshi is being hunted again he decides to find his sister Cera, and maybe get his siblings to protect him. Cera is as helpful and loving as he had hoped, so he decides to stick with her and wait for his brother, Velyn to show up.
Velyn is like Cera, he's charming, friendly, and full of affection for his new found siblings. But for Velyn, being a loving sibling is all an act. He has other plans for his new found family. This is where things start to get spoilery, so I'll stop before I give away to much of the story. There are a lot of other characters that pop up (we get to meet all of Reshi's siblings) but my favorite character of them all was Reshi's older sister Kila. She is everything that a classic barbarian should be. She reboots her power with the blood of her enemies, swears like a sailor, and can drink anyone under the table; the only thing that differs from the classic is that she isn't male. She has all the things we love about barbarians with just a touch of feminine style that makes her absolutely perfect.
I knew most of us had gone into hiding after our bounties had been posted. But our sister Tekilashan had announced that anyone who wished to kill her could find her on the bloodiest battlefield in the kingdom. The last thing I had heard was that she had killed over forty mage hunters, all while participating in border skirmishes and house wars.
If you like slow burning romances, lgbt characters, intriguing magic systems, and enthralling world building, you should definitely give Sorcerous Rivalry a try. The only complaint I have is that it was a little confusing in the beginning with Reshi, but I didn't have to wait very long to figure it out. This book was the perfect mix of action and magic with just a touch of romance to give it some extra flair, I can't wait to read what Kaleigh Nicol puts out next!
http://bookstocombattherain.blogspot....
May 28, 2018
I received this book as a free copy in accordance with FTC and Goodreads policy.
Thank you to the author for providing a free paperback in exchange for an honest review. This is the first fantasy I've ever read and I loved it. I will most definitely be reading more of them in the future. I loved this book, it was so magical. I especially loved Reshi and his shapeshifting. All the characters were very exciting. The author done a really great job with this book and I'm sure she will be writing more great books very soon. Keep up the good work. 5 stars for this one!
Thank you to the author for providing a free paperback in exchange for an honest review. This is the first fantasy I've ever read and I loved it. I will most definitely be reading more of them in the future. I loved this book, it was so magical. I especially loved Reshi and his shapeshifting. All the characters were very exciting. The author done a really great job with this book and I'm sure she will be writing more great books very soon. Keep up the good work. 5 stars for this one!
May 10, 2018
Awesome!
I loved this book! I cannot wait for the next in the series! :)
Keep us posted on a release date please!
I loved this book! I cannot wait for the next in the series! :)
Keep us posted on a release date please!
January 15, 2019
I have been a voracious reader ever since I was a child. I love a good book, and I love a book that makes me feel good. Fantasy and I have had a bit of a strained love affair over the last decade, though, as so many authors have opted to wallow in darkness, depression, and hopelessness. For me, the genre has always been about wondrous escapism, and to subvert that is to betray it.
A rather long-winded introduction to Sorcerous Rivalry, for sure, but a necessary one. Kayleigh Nicol has bucked all the trends and written a throwback to the glory days of high fantasy - and by that I mean a story of sorcery, magical races, romance, humor, and hope.
That is not to say Nicol's world does have its darkness. It must, if it is to have light, for one cannot exist without the other, and there must be despair if there is to be hope. Here we have a world where magic is a crime, the King's mistress a criminal, and their seven bastard children a dirty secret to be snuffed out by bands of violent mage hunters.
Our portal into this world is one of those children, a shapeshifter named Reshi. A sweet, gentle, likable young man, he is largely androgynous, almost non-binary in his expression, and far more feminine than you might expect of a fantasy hero. I loved him from the first page, watching as he shifted into a cat in order to feed upon the energy of a sleeping guest. By contrast, the sister he is forced to seek out, Cera, is a woman whose powers allow her to see and speak at great distances . . . and who boasts of having killed more than 40 mage hunters.
With the introduction into the story of a cold, focused, soldier turned mage hunter, you might expect things to get dark, but quite the opposite. There is immediate chemistry between Reshi and Kestral, a relationship marked by uncomfortable tension. It takes a long time - half the book, in fact - for the romance between the two men to be realized, but the anticipation is sweet, and the way in which Nicol allows us to get to know the characters is wonderful.
Having said all that, this is a fantasy first and a romance second. There are fae who can speak with nature; talk of centaurs and griffons; and magical battles involving fireballs, lightning, telepathy, weather magic, and more. It is a fast-paced story, full of as much adventure as romance. While it has its moments of darkness, plenty of tension, and chaotic violence, the overall tone is uplifting and positive. Sorcerous Rivalry was a wonderful story, everything that I was promised, and perhaps even a bit more. Just delightful.
https://bibrary.blogspot.com/2019/01/...
A rather long-winded introduction to Sorcerous Rivalry, for sure, but a necessary one. Kayleigh Nicol has bucked all the trends and written a throwback to the glory days of high fantasy - and by that I mean a story of sorcery, magical races, romance, humor, and hope.
That is not to say Nicol's world does have its darkness. It must, if it is to have light, for one cannot exist without the other, and there must be despair if there is to be hope. Here we have a world where magic is a crime, the King's mistress a criminal, and their seven bastard children a dirty secret to be snuffed out by bands of violent mage hunters.
Our portal into this world is one of those children, a shapeshifter named Reshi. A sweet, gentle, likable young man, he is largely androgynous, almost non-binary in his expression, and far more feminine than you might expect of a fantasy hero. I loved him from the first page, watching as he shifted into a cat in order to feed upon the energy of a sleeping guest. By contrast, the sister he is forced to seek out, Cera, is a woman whose powers allow her to see and speak at great distances . . . and who boasts of having killed more than 40 mage hunters.
With the introduction into the story of a cold, focused, soldier turned mage hunter, you might expect things to get dark, but quite the opposite. There is immediate chemistry between Reshi and Kestral, a relationship marked by uncomfortable tension. It takes a long time - half the book, in fact - for the romance between the two men to be realized, but the anticipation is sweet, and the way in which Nicol allows us to get to know the characters is wonderful.
Having said all that, this is a fantasy first and a romance second. There are fae who can speak with nature; talk of centaurs and griffons; and magical battles involving fireballs, lightning, telepathy, weather magic, and more. It is a fast-paced story, full of as much adventure as romance. While it has its moments of darkness, plenty of tension, and chaotic violence, the overall tone is uplifting and positive. Sorcerous Rivalry was a wonderful story, everything that I was promised, and perhaps even a bit more. Just delightful.
https://bibrary.blogspot.com/2019/01/...
ugh
March 4, 2021DNF - Not even enough pages to consider it more than the preview
Why?
'A little thrill danced along my spine when his piercing blue eyes met mine.'
…Literally the first time their eyes meet. … Oh, dear.
'Using my ale cup, I nudged her breasts to make them bounce.'
What the fuck!?
'I had unfortunately missed seeing him bathe.'
Oh, I'm done. I do not want to be inside this guy's head ever again.
Why?
'A little thrill danced along my spine when his piercing blue eyes met mine.'
…Literally the first time their eyes meet. … Oh, dear.
'Using my ale cup, I nudged her breasts to make them bounce.'
What the fuck!?
'I had unfortunately missed seeing him bathe.'
Oh, I'm done. I do not want to be inside this guy's head ever again.
December 19, 2018
I make no secret of the fact that I love magic in my fantasy, and I confess that I can be a sucker for a good romance. After having read some great reviews, I started this book expecting to enjoy it, and I wasn't disappointed.
This one was borderline fantasy romance for me: I couldn't quite tell if the romance or the rest of the plot was more important, but in the end it didn't matter. Nicol weaves a fun romp amidst a magical world with well-drawn characters, and the pacing kept me reading. I could nitpick at a few things, but overall my biggest complaint is that I was left wanting to know more--about the world, about the magic (surprise, surprise), about the characters' pasts, and what's going to happen next. It felt as though this book only scratched the tip of an iceberg!
Thankfully, the second book, Mistress Mage, is already out and on my list. Recommended if you're a fan of romance and magic!
This one was borderline fantasy romance for me: I couldn't quite tell if the romance or the rest of the plot was more important, but in the end it didn't matter. Nicol weaves a fun romp amidst a magical world with well-drawn characters, and the pacing kept me reading. I could nitpick at a few things, but overall my biggest complaint is that I was left wanting to know more--about the world, about the magic (surprise, surprise), about the characters' pasts, and what's going to happen next. It felt as though this book only scratched the tip of an iceberg!
Thankfully, the second book, Mistress Mage, is already out and on my list. Recommended if you're a fan of romance and magic!
October 13, 2019
✨FULL REVIEW OVER AT PAGES & PLOTS ✨
Sorcerous Rivalry tells the story of Reshi, a mage who has been hiding from the government. He’s one of the sons of the King’s mistress, all-powerful mages with bounties on their heads. Then comes in Kestral, a mage hunter that, instead of hunting Reshi, ends up helping him find his siblings.
📚 This story is set in your typical fantasy world, filled with magic, mystical creatures, politics, and everything that comprises a good fantasy.
📚 The writing isn’t tiresome or boring. It gives you just enough insight into the world for you to understand what is going on and the motivations behind every character. But it leaves some questions unanswered, and your interest peaked.
Sorcerous Rivalry tells the story of Reshi, a mage who has been hiding from the government. He’s one of the sons of the King’s mistress, all-powerful mages with bounties on their heads. Then comes in Kestral, a mage hunter that, instead of hunting Reshi, ends up helping him find his siblings.
📚 This story is set in your typical fantasy world, filled with magic, mystical creatures, politics, and everything that comprises a good fantasy.
📚 The writing isn’t tiresome or boring. It gives you just enough insight into the world for you to understand what is going on and the motivations behind every character. But it leaves some questions unanswered, and your interest peaked.
July 23, 2019
Liked this a lot. Solid story and characters, plus I'm all for more M/M romance in fantasy, especially how this book presents it as not a taboo at all (why would it be in a different world?) Magic was very cool, and the idea was totally original.
I was personally distracted by some phrases getting over used, and could have used more dialogue between the two MCs regarding their relationship beginning.
I was personally distracted by some phrases getting over used, and could have used more dialogue between the two MCs regarding their relationship beginning.
November 22, 2019
Reshi was cute, Kestral likeable, plot and pacing - decent, writing style good. World building though I found rather poor. The kingdom seems bland and we actually don't learn much about it, just some bits and pieces. I'd like to know more about the magical races, the mages, King's motivations, the army, the society in general... Something more about the siblings' backgrounds would also be nice. Overall it's not bad though. I had fun and will probably be reading the second volume.
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