What do you think?
Rate this book
The Academy Journals #1
The Alchemist's Touch: A Book of Underrealm
The first in a new series by bestselling author Garrett Robinson.
At the age of six, Ebon Drayden discovered he was an alchemist—a wizard who can transform matter with a simple touch. But his father forbade him to use his magic, and kept him from attending the Academy where he could learn to use it.
Just before his seventeenth birthday, Ebon’s aunt intervenes on his behalf and enrolls him in the Academy. Now at last he has the chance to use the magic he has so desperately yearned to control—yet the learning comes hard, for he has wasted more than half his life squandering his gift.
To make matters worse, the darkness of his family name plagues him. The other students are terrified. Teachers regard him with suspicion. And before long, his family begins to draw him into their schemes that span all the nine kingdoms of Underrealm.
A dark plot is brewing upon the High King’s Seat, and slowly Ebon finds himself being drawn into it. If he is to learn to become an alchemist—indeed, if he is to survive at all—he must cast off his family’s black legacy, and become the wizard he was always meant to be.
The Academy Journals is a new series set in the world of Underrealm, and a companion series to the Nightblade Epic, hailed as one of the best new sword and sorcery series in years. Your journey begins here.
JOIN TENS OF THOUSANDS OF READERS ON AN EPIC ADVENTURE.
At the age of six, Ebon Drayden discovered he was an alchemist—a wizard who can transform matter with a simple touch. But his father forbade him to use his magic, and kept him from attending the Academy where he could learn to use it.
Just before his seventeenth birthday, Ebon’s aunt intervenes on his behalf and enrolls him in the Academy. Now at last he has the chance to use the magic he has so desperately yearned to control—yet the learning comes hard, for he has wasted more than half his life squandering his gift.
To make matters worse, the darkness of his family name plagues him. The other students are terrified. Teachers regard him with suspicion. And before long, his family begins to draw him into their schemes that span all the nine kingdoms of Underrealm.
A dark plot is brewing upon the High King’s Seat, and slowly Ebon finds himself being drawn into it. If he is to learn to become an alchemist—indeed, if he is to survive at all—he must cast off his family’s black legacy, and become the wizard he was always meant to be.
The Academy Journals is a new series set in the world of Underrealm, and a companion series to the Nightblade Epic, hailed as one of the best new sword and sorcery series in years. Your journey begins here.
JOIN TENS OF THOUSANDS OF READERS ON AN EPIC ADVENTURE.
354 pages, Hardcover
First published January 26, 2016
470 people are currently reading
2854 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
February 7, 2018
I came to this book thinking (due to some facebook/tumblr posts) that it was supposed to be similar to Harry Potter but LGBT-friendly.
Fair warning: This book is only similar to Harry Potter in that it takes place in a magic school. It's a magic school in a fantasy world, not like Rowling's magic school set in our surroundings. It's about as different as you can get.
That said, it was an enjoyable enough read and worth the $.99 I paid for the ebook. Just don't come to it expecting something it's not.
Also: This gets better in the later books but the constant overuse of the word "mayhap" was extremely distracting. In at least once instance, a 3-sentence long paragraph included the word four times.
Fair warning: This book is only similar to Harry Potter in that it takes place in a magic school. It's a magic school in a fantasy world, not like Rowling's magic school set in our surroundings. It's about as different as you can get.
That said, it was an enjoyable enough read and worth the $.99 I paid for the ebook. Just don't come to it expecting something it's not.
Also: This gets better in the later books but the constant overuse of the word "mayhap" was extremely distracting. In at least once instance, a 3-sentence long paragraph included the word four times.
December 10, 2017
The Alchemist's Touch is a fantasy book about a merchant's son with the potential to become an alchemist. He has a horrible relationship with his father, but eventually, his family relents and lets him attend a magical academy to learn to harness his abilities.
I thought this book had a lot of potential. The three main characters were likable, and I thought the branched magic system was interesting. However, not enough happened in this book. Our main character was very passive, and I didn't even have a hint that a plot would actually be happening until about halfway through the book. Even then, the plot point was, "Main character asked to deliver parcel. Assumes it will be dangerous or bad in some way. Delivers parcel. Nothing happens." Though the character's curiosity regarding what was inside the parcel was eating away at him, he didn't decide to investigate this while he was out delivering it. No, he went home, lived his life, and what I believe to be at least weeks later, he finally decides he can't take it anymore and wants to go on a mission to figure out what was within the parcel. This seemed so absurd to me, A) because it would have been much more interesting to read if some actual action had taken place during the initial delivery, and B) because most people who receive parcels tend to OPEN THEM, meaning that the characters had no reason to even believe that they could just return to the same place and have the person still be there and the parcel still be unopened. The whole thing made no sense to me.
The slow-to-develop plot and lack of direct action by the protagonist was my biggest complaint, but there were a couple little things that also bothered me about the book. One, though it may have been something I personally projected onto the book, was that it felt a little bit like a less interesting version of Harry Potter. Our male main character, who comes from a miserable home life, makes friends with a ginger boy and a blonde-ish girl and they attend an academy together that's located in a castle and has them dress up in black robes to learn how to do magic. You can see where I'm coming from. However, the main character hardly learns any actual magic throughout the course of the book and there's a lot less going on.
This is perhaps a little nitpicky, but I was also somewhat bothered by the fact that the only person of color in the entire book was an antagonist. I have no problem with non-white antagonists, but if you're going to do that, you should have other characters of color that are good (or at the very least, neutral) as well.
Also, there was what felt like a little bit of an inconsistency with terminology. Ebon, our main character, referred to individuals who could do magic by colloquial terms (alchemist, weremage, etc.). In the book, there were more proper terms that they used to refer to themselves (transmuter,therianthrope, etc.) and everybody yelled at Ebon in the beginning for not using these proper terms. In real life, as you immerse yourself more and more in a field of study, the proper terminology comes naturally to you, and you tend to find yourself annoyed with people who refer to things improperly. However, instead of that happening here, Ebon continued to use the improper terms, and the characters slowly stopped policing him and, toward the end of the book, started using these improper terms themselves, which made no sense to me. It felt like the author didn't really want to use the proper terms, either, which leaves me to question why he bothered putting them in in the first place.
One more positive thing that I would like to mention about this book, though, was that it handled women very well. I liked that pretty much any position in this world (including High King) could be held by a male or a female, and there were a lot of powerful women in the story. I felt that this world was a lot more equal in power and rights than the real world, which is something I always hope to see in fictional universes. Also, one of the main characters was a lesbian, and it was not relevant to the plot in any way, which I also liked.
Overall, this definitely wasn't a bad book, but it could have been done better, and I don't feel particularly inclined to pick up the next volume of the series.
I thought this book had a lot of potential. The three main characters were likable, and I thought the branched magic system was interesting. However, not enough happened in this book. Our main character was very passive, and I didn't even have a hint that a plot would actually be happening until about halfway through the book. Even then, the plot point was, "Main character asked to deliver parcel. Assumes it will be dangerous or bad in some way. Delivers parcel. Nothing happens." Though the character's curiosity regarding what was inside the parcel was eating away at him, he didn't decide to investigate this while he was out delivering it. No, he went home, lived his life, and what I believe to be at least weeks later, he finally decides he can't take it anymore and wants to go on a mission to figure out what was within the parcel. This seemed so absurd to me, A) because it would have been much more interesting to read if some actual action had taken place during the initial delivery, and B) because most people who receive parcels tend to OPEN THEM, meaning that the characters had no reason to even believe that they could just return to the same place and have the person still be there and the parcel still be unopened. The whole thing made no sense to me.
The slow-to-develop plot and lack of direct action by the protagonist was my biggest complaint, but there were a couple little things that also bothered me about the book. One, though it may have been something I personally projected onto the book, was that it felt a little bit like a less interesting version of Harry Potter. Our male main character, who comes from a miserable home life, makes friends with a ginger boy and a blonde-ish girl and they attend an academy together that's located in a castle and has them dress up in black robes to learn how to do magic. You can see where I'm coming from. However, the main character hardly learns any actual magic throughout the course of the book and there's a lot less going on.
This is perhaps a little nitpicky, but I was also somewhat bothered by the fact that the only person of color in the entire book was an antagonist. I have no problem with non-white antagonists, but if you're going to do that, you should have other characters of color that are good (or at the very least, neutral) as well.
Also, there was what felt like a little bit of an inconsistency with terminology. Ebon, our main character, referred to individuals who could do magic by colloquial terms (alchemist, weremage, etc.). In the book, there were more proper terms that they used to refer to themselves (transmuter,therianthrope, etc.) and everybody yelled at Ebon in the beginning for not using these proper terms. In real life, as you immerse yourself more and more in a field of study, the proper terminology comes naturally to you, and you tend to find yourself annoyed with people who refer to things improperly. However, instead of that happening here, Ebon continued to use the improper terms, and the characters slowly stopped policing him and, toward the end of the book, started using these improper terms themselves, which made no sense to me. It felt like the author didn't really want to use the proper terms, either, which leaves me to question why he bothered putting them in in the first place.
One more positive thing that I would like to mention about this book, though, was that it handled women very well. I liked that pretty much any position in this world (including High King) could be held by a male or a female, and there were a lot of powerful women in the story. I felt that this world was a lot more equal in power and rights than the real world, which is something I always hope to see in fictional universes. Also, one of the main characters was a lesbian, and it was not relevant to the plot in any way, which I also liked.
Overall, this definitely wasn't a bad book, but it could have been done better, and I don't feel particularly inclined to pick up the next volume of the series.
September 1, 2019
Originally posted on DW:
Just read The Alchemist's Touch (Underrealm) because of a popular post floating around, and...disappointed. (Some spoliers) Like, first of all, it was not remotely like Harry Potter. HP is set ambiguous now, and is a secret magic world hidden within the real world. This book was written all Old Timey (seriously, it keeps using mayhap like every paragraph), where magic is open, known, respected, etc. and creates a privileged magical overclass, and is about political intrigue. So it's not even the same genre. Kind of feel like maybe the author has never read any fantasy books other than HP, or else thinks anything set at a school which is like half of SFF is identical. Anyway I really wish people wouldn't try to write things all Old Timey as it rarely adds anything and usually is just distracting and irritating - the book would've been decent with that script change.
The part that really bothers me is that even though this is a world that explicitly has power and access differentials based on money (among other things), and has starving and homeless people, the main character keeps talking about bigotry against rich people ('it hurts just the same' style) and the narrative treats it as not only reasonable but important? There's also a lot of multiculturalist racism, but sort of the background radiation sort you get in typical fantasy.
Anyway, the thing it advertised itself on was women and queer characters, and it did not do well at all. First off, there was only one explicitly queer character, a woman, no explicitly queer men. A few times people suggested queerness in relation to the main character and he got offended and was like 'no clearly I'm normal'. Also does the regular bi erasure things of suggesting people can only be attracted to men or women, not both (or, god forbid, some other category entirely), and then the really creepy thing of one dude being sad about a chick rejecting him, but then he finds out she's a lesbian and is okay with it??? Really hate that trope, also hate people in real life who do that. Creepy. But the thing is, there weren't even that many women, and all in archetypal roles:
central character girl, fellow student, both older and has been studying much longer so not in a position to threaten mc's competence. also explicitly a poor orphan, so nonthreatening sociopolitically as well. by far the most developed female character, but also extremely typical to have one in a school based story.
mc's aunt. very motherly, doesn't know what's going on. not significant to the story, also doesn't appear that much except to do deus ex machina. does not seem to have any motivations or personality.
mc's sister. mentioned only. not a character.
mc's mom. appears briefly as accessory to mc's dad (an important and central figure), barely mentioned.
a prostitute, mc's love interest. does not seem to have any motivations, personality consists of interest in mc's work and goals.
The Mean Girl
also some other Mean Girls in her squad
an administrative type with unclear job. described as ugly, implied to be stupid and not very useful. mc hates her.
The Teacher. wise, competent. motivations unclear and unimportant. personality: Teacher.
a student, who for some reason really likes and looks up to mc. no other personality traits, no motivations. doesn't even know him.
That's it! That's all of them! Only one of them is even characterized, as opposed to the reasonably strong characters of mc, central character boy, the Mysterious Assassin, and the VotW, as well as a fairly well developed depiction of mc's dad, who only appears briefly but then is talked about through the entire rest of the book and probably responsible for the whole plot. I don't think two women even have a genuine interaction anywhere in this story. There's like one place where mc's mom and aunt wink at each other. For a book that promised a lot of strong women, this really did not deliver.
Just read The Alchemist's Touch (Underrealm) because of a popular post floating around, and...disappointed. (Some spoliers) Like, first of all, it was not remotely like Harry Potter. HP is set ambiguous now, and is a secret magic world hidden within the real world. This book was written all Old Timey (seriously, it keeps using mayhap like every paragraph), where magic is open, known, respected, etc. and creates a privileged magical overclass, and is about political intrigue. So it's not even the same genre. Kind of feel like maybe the author has never read any fantasy books other than HP, or else thinks anything set at a school which is like half of SFF is identical. Anyway I really wish people wouldn't try to write things all Old Timey as it rarely adds anything and usually is just distracting and irritating - the book would've been decent with that script change.
The part that really bothers me is that even though this is a world that explicitly has power and access differentials based on money (among other things), and has starving and homeless people, the main character keeps talking about bigotry against rich people ('it hurts just the same' style) and the narrative treats it as not only reasonable but important? There's also a lot of multiculturalist racism, but sort of the background radiation sort you get in typical fantasy.
Anyway, the thing it advertised itself on was women and queer characters, and it did not do well at all. First off, there was only one explicitly queer character, a woman, no explicitly queer men. A few times people suggested queerness in relation to the main character and he got offended and was like 'no clearly I'm normal'. Also does the regular bi erasure things of suggesting people can only be attracted to men or women, not both (or, god forbid, some other category entirely), and then the really creepy thing of one dude being sad about a chick rejecting him, but then he finds out she's a lesbian and is okay with it??? Really hate that trope, also hate people in real life who do that. Creepy. But the thing is, there weren't even that many women, and all in archetypal roles:
central character girl, fellow student, both older and has been studying much longer so not in a position to threaten mc's competence. also explicitly a poor orphan, so nonthreatening sociopolitically as well. by far the most developed female character, but also extremely typical to have one in a school based story.
mc's aunt. very motherly, doesn't know what's going on. not significant to the story, also doesn't appear that much except to do deus ex machina. does not seem to have any motivations or personality.
mc's sister. mentioned only. not a character.
mc's mom. appears briefly as accessory to mc's dad (an important and central figure), barely mentioned.
a prostitute, mc's love interest. does not seem to have any motivations, personality consists of interest in mc's work and goals.
The Mean Girl
also some other Mean Girls in her squad
an administrative type with unclear job. described as ugly, implied to be stupid and not very useful. mc hates her.
The Teacher. wise, competent. motivations unclear and unimportant. personality: Teacher.
a student, who for some reason really likes and looks up to mc. no other personality traits, no motivations. doesn't even know him.
That's it! That's all of them! Only one of them is even characterized, as opposed to the reasonably strong characters of mc, central character boy, the Mysterious Assassin, and the VotW, as well as a fairly well developed depiction of mc's dad, who only appears briefly but then is talked about through the entire rest of the book and probably responsible for the whole plot. I don't think two women even have a genuine interaction anywhere in this story. There's like one place where mc's mom and aunt wink at each other. For a book that promised a lot of strong women, this really did not deliver.
January 7, 2018
Managed to make a very promising start very boring
For a book about magic, there is surprisingly little of it. The lack of magic is forgivable in the beginning as it is a good, if not predictable, plot device. Our protagonist is forbidden to use magic and then gets his chance. However, he doesn't use that chance. I have stopped what feels like an obligatory slog though this book at the 87% and he has maybe cast 1 spell. He spends his time at a MAGIC academy studying history. History. Oh and trying for months to cast 1 spell. When there is actual spell casting, it's so lackluster and dry to read. Perhaps this series becomes good with the second book but if you were looking for fantasy in which the protagonist actually does something, I'm afraid you will be disappointed. This book is so dreadfully boring. It's like opening a brand new carton of strawberry cheesecake ice cream, only to find it tastes like unsalted oatmeal. Not tasty and certainly not what you expected.
For a book about magic, there is surprisingly little of it. The lack of magic is forgivable in the beginning as it is a good, if not predictable, plot device. Our protagonist is forbidden to use magic and then gets his chance. However, he doesn't use that chance. I have stopped what feels like an obligatory slog though this book at the 87% and he has maybe cast 1 spell. He spends his time at a MAGIC academy studying history. History. Oh and trying for months to cast 1 spell. When there is actual spell casting, it's so lackluster and dry to read. Perhaps this series becomes good with the second book but if you were looking for fantasy in which the protagonist actually does something, I'm afraid you will be disappointed. This book is so dreadfully boring. It's like opening a brand new carton of strawberry cheesecake ice cream, only to find it tastes like unsalted oatmeal. Not tasty and certainly not what you expected.
January 26, 2016
the main thing that got me through the first third of this book was knowing how it linked to the nightblade saga. BUT once I was through the beginning which was less interesting as we were introduced to a whining child of a main character who is completely in the dark to his families dark reputation.
As Ebon finally becomes free of his families overpowering presence it becomes a great read song this character develop into a, we'll not quite strong lead, but moving toward the greatness with a new self-confidence that he discovers through the help of new friends he finds in the academy.
this book becomes a great addition to the underrealm's world. I can't wait to see how this characters story develops and eventually merges into the greater story that begins in the nightblade saga.
As Ebon finally becomes free of his families overpowering presence it becomes a great read song this character develop into a, we'll not quite strong lead, but moving toward the greatness with a new self-confidence that he discovers through the help of new friends he finds in the academy.
this book becomes a great addition to the underrealm's world. I can't wait to see how this characters story develops and eventually merges into the greater story that begins in the nightblade saga.
March 11, 2016
Combining his own spin on a school for sorcerers with the paranoia of a political thriller, Robinson has created a tale that will appeal to fans of both character- and plot-driven fantasy.
Ebon Drayden discovered as a child that he possessed the gift of transmutation, one of the four schools of magic. However, his father forbade him to learn; a prohibition that only grew stronger after the death of Ebon’s older brother left Ebon heir to his father’s share of the Drayden merchant empire. Finally, just before his seventeenth birthday, his aunt convinces the family to let him join the Academy. Over a decade older than the other first year students, he is alternately mocked for his ineptitude and feared for his connection to one of the most distrusted families in Underrealm; a situation that only deteriorates when his father demands he perform a few simple tasks in exchange for continued study.
Certain events in this book overlap events from the Nightblade arc. However, they are presented with sufficient surrounding detail that they will not lack weight or clarity to readers who enter Underrealm here.
All of the events take place within the King’s Seat, capital city of the realm, with most taking place within the Academy itself. As such, the background focuses on depth where Nightblade displayed the width of the world. However, Robinson maintains his lightness of exposition, preventing this focus from turning the story into a lesson.
Indeed, Robinson makes the actual lessons that Ebon attends free of lectures. In addition to serving as a powerful vessel for Ebon’s sense of lacking the understanding other mages have had since childhood, this mystical “feel the magic rather than follow the steps” approach skilfully avoids the issue of writing a set of instructions that both sound like rules of magic and don’t make that magic seem as mundane (in process if not in ingredients) as any other subject.
While the curriculum differs strongly from that of most real world schools, student life is immediately recognisable. Students form hierarchies and cliques based on a school of magic being better or worse, respect and power within the student body goes to those who are the most forceful not the most worthy, and the bookish and odd are outsiders still.
However, what differentiates this from many “ill-at-ease youth enters a school/society/paramilitary force for those with magical gifts” tales, is that Ebon is – apart from starting his training much later than usual – not that special. Although he is a scion of a powerful family, he does not bear the traits of a destined hero; he shows no unusual gift lost to the ages; he is – for a mage – a decent and dutiful but unremarkable youth.
His only potential advantage – that of the Dreyden lineage – is a burden to him, as he is too decent to be the man who would use its power while still bearing the reputation of one marked by unpleasant deeds. A reputation made closer to the truth by his father’s demands.
Ebon’s lack of a manifest destiny renders him a highly empathetic character. While his options include those not available to the reader, his choices must be made with the same lack of a universe conspiring for his success that readers face. As such, he is likely to seem as familiar to those who had pleasant school days as those who were consigned to the periphery.
The supporting cast share the same qualities as both Ebon and the background. Similar, rather than a broad mix, they are distinguished not by the unique roles and skills that Loren and her companions displayed through the Nightblade arc, but by differences of character and viewpoint. While each mage is shaped by their magical school, even the most briefly mentioned of mages is defined by more than their spells.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel greatly. I recommend it to readers seeking a fast-paced fantasy with an interesting, but not overpowering, magic system.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for a fair review.
Ebon Drayden discovered as a child that he possessed the gift of transmutation, one of the four schools of magic. However, his father forbade him to learn; a prohibition that only grew stronger after the death of Ebon’s older brother left Ebon heir to his father’s share of the Drayden merchant empire. Finally, just before his seventeenth birthday, his aunt convinces the family to let him join the Academy. Over a decade older than the other first year students, he is alternately mocked for his ineptitude and feared for his connection to one of the most distrusted families in Underrealm; a situation that only deteriorates when his father demands he perform a few simple tasks in exchange for continued study.
Certain events in this book overlap events from the Nightblade arc. However, they are presented with sufficient surrounding detail that they will not lack weight or clarity to readers who enter Underrealm here.
All of the events take place within the King’s Seat, capital city of the realm, with most taking place within the Academy itself. As such, the background focuses on depth where Nightblade displayed the width of the world. However, Robinson maintains his lightness of exposition, preventing this focus from turning the story into a lesson.
Indeed, Robinson makes the actual lessons that Ebon attends free of lectures. In addition to serving as a powerful vessel for Ebon’s sense of lacking the understanding other mages have had since childhood, this mystical “feel the magic rather than follow the steps” approach skilfully avoids the issue of writing a set of instructions that both sound like rules of magic and don’t make that magic seem as mundane (in process if not in ingredients) as any other subject.
While the curriculum differs strongly from that of most real world schools, student life is immediately recognisable. Students form hierarchies and cliques based on a school of magic being better or worse, respect and power within the student body goes to those who are the most forceful not the most worthy, and the bookish and odd are outsiders still.
However, what differentiates this from many “ill-at-ease youth enters a school/society/paramilitary force for those with magical gifts” tales, is that Ebon is – apart from starting his training much later than usual – not that special. Although he is a scion of a powerful family, he does not bear the traits of a destined hero; he shows no unusual gift lost to the ages; he is – for a mage – a decent and dutiful but unremarkable youth.
His only potential advantage – that of the Dreyden lineage – is a burden to him, as he is too decent to be the man who would use its power while still bearing the reputation of one marked by unpleasant deeds. A reputation made closer to the truth by his father’s demands.
Ebon’s lack of a manifest destiny renders him a highly empathetic character. While his options include those not available to the reader, his choices must be made with the same lack of a universe conspiring for his success that readers face. As such, he is likely to seem as familiar to those who had pleasant school days as those who were consigned to the periphery.
The supporting cast share the same qualities as both Ebon and the background. Similar, rather than a broad mix, they are distinguished not by the unique roles and skills that Loren and her companions displayed through the Nightblade arc, but by differences of character and viewpoint. While each mage is shaped by their magical school, even the most briefly mentioned of mages is defined by more than their spells.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel greatly. I recommend it to readers seeking a fast-paced fantasy with an interesting, but not overpowering, magic system.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for a fair review.
August 17, 2020
I’m now five books deep into Underrealm, and In order to continue to read in chronological order, I’ve once again jumped to a new series. The Alchemist’s Touch is book one of The Academy Journals, and just like Blood Lust, it takes place in the same world as the Nightblade saga and is connected to the events of the core series.
Ebon is the unwanted son of a powerful family. His father keeps him locked away, unable to enjoy life to the fullest, practice with his ability as an alchemist, or even learn what is required of him to become the head of his house. But after his aunt somehow convinces his father to allow him to attend the Academy. Overjoyed to finally fulfill his dream to become a wizard, he struggles to catch up in an arena where he is years behind. But life isn’t so simple. There’s a dark plot brewing on the High Seat, and it looks like Ebon and newfound friends have stumbled right into the middle of it.
This novel is best read after Shadeborn and Blood Lust for reasons that become obvious after you reach the story’s climax. However, this novel also works without reading any other Underrealm novel. For that reason, The Alchemist’s Touch is an entirely independent entry point for the world of Underrealm. So feel free to dive in first here if you choose, but like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there is a chronological reading order that adds extra depth and scope to the story.
While we don’t get to explore every magic system in-depth, I love what we do get from this novel. It delivers just enough to have you chopping at the bit to read the next installment and learn more about where this world can go. It really sparked my imagination and had me wondering which type of mage I’d prefer to be.
Ebon functions as a vessel for the reader to experience the wonder of Underrealm. While he does has personality, he’s a fish out of water and reserved compared to his companions, reminding me of another famous fish-out-of-water character who attends a magical school: Harry Potter. The magical school story is familiar ground for most of us. Robinson’s twist is that it takes place in his now firmly established Underrealm. I do wish that there was more wonder added to the novel. I feel like it was a much-needed element that would have made this story feel like the genre it represents.
The Alchemist’s Touch is another great series opener and another building block to the ever-expanding Underrealm universe. I recommend this story to anyone who loves the magic school setup in high fantasy stories. If you’re a Harry Potter fan and you’d love to try a story with a similar vibe, give this one try. However, the story is stronger on the school-adventure element than it is on the fantasy element.
*Full Disclosure — I work for the publisher, but I wasn't paid to review this book. While this is an honest review, I was involved in the production of the audiobooks of other books in this series, and I receive a small royalty for purchases of those audiobook versions.*
Ebon is the unwanted son of a powerful family. His father keeps him locked away, unable to enjoy life to the fullest, practice with his ability as an alchemist, or even learn what is required of him to become the head of his house. But after his aunt somehow convinces his father to allow him to attend the Academy. Overjoyed to finally fulfill his dream to become a wizard, he struggles to catch up in an arena where he is years behind. But life isn’t so simple. There’s a dark plot brewing on the High Seat, and it looks like Ebon and newfound friends have stumbled right into the middle of it.
This novel is best read after Shadeborn and Blood Lust for reasons that become obvious after you reach the story’s climax. However, this novel also works without reading any other Underrealm novel. For that reason, The Alchemist’s Touch is an entirely independent entry point for the world of Underrealm. So feel free to dive in first here if you choose, but like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there is a chronological reading order that adds extra depth and scope to the story.
While we don’t get to explore every magic system in-depth, I love what we do get from this novel. It delivers just enough to have you chopping at the bit to read the next installment and learn more about where this world can go. It really sparked my imagination and had me wondering which type of mage I’d prefer to be.
Ebon functions as a vessel for the reader to experience the wonder of Underrealm. While he does has personality, he’s a fish out of water and reserved compared to his companions, reminding me of another famous fish-out-of-water character who attends a magical school: Harry Potter. The magical school story is familiar ground for most of us. Robinson’s twist is that it takes place in his now firmly established Underrealm. I do wish that there was more wonder added to the novel. I feel like it was a much-needed element that would have made this story feel like the genre it represents.
The Alchemist’s Touch is another great series opener and another building block to the ever-expanding Underrealm universe. I recommend this story to anyone who loves the magic school setup in high fantasy stories. If you’re a Harry Potter fan and you’d love to try a story with a similar vibe, give this one try. However, the story is stronger on the school-adventure element than it is on the fantasy element.
*Full Disclosure — I work for the publisher, but I wasn't paid to review this book. While this is an honest review, I was involved in the production of the audiobooks of other books in this series, and I receive a small royalty for purchases of those audiobook versions.*
October 6, 2019
If I have to read another instance of the word 'mayhap' again I might have to poke my own eyes out.
This book... had some potential, the magic system was interesting, but nothing that was actually interesting was really developed. Nothing was really developed period. Things just sort of happened and the big threat near the end of the book wasn't even foreshadowed well.
Ebon, Kalem, and Theren feel like yet another ripoff of the Golden Trio from Harry Potter. Lilith and her cronies are the Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle ripoffs. And Ebon was such an unlikable character. The book is mostly him whining about this or that thing. He doesn't seem to have much of a personality other than generic hero except he's really bad at being a hero. Visiting prostitutes (in the second chapter, no less) and taking a 13 year old kid to get him drunk aren't very heroic.
And all that bullshit with Adara (Ebon's favorite prostitute) being with Cyrus and Ebon suddenly grasping magic and Adara deciding to go with Ebon because Cyrus is a bully... was all stupid as hell.
It was an amateur effort. I'm sure the author's later books are probably better, but with the headache I got reading this one I don't think I'm going to check them out.
This book... had some potential, the magic system was interesting, but nothing that was actually interesting was really developed. Nothing was really developed period. Things just sort of happened and the big threat near the end of the book wasn't even foreshadowed well.
Ebon, Kalem, and Theren feel like yet another ripoff of the Golden Trio from Harry Potter. Lilith and her cronies are the Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle ripoffs. And Ebon was such an unlikable character. The book is mostly him whining about this or that thing. He doesn't seem to have much of a personality other than generic hero except he's really bad at being a hero. Visiting prostitutes (in the second chapter, no less) and taking a 13 year old kid to get him drunk aren't very heroic.
And all that bullshit with Adara (Ebon's favorite prostitute) being with Cyrus and Ebon suddenly grasping magic and Adara deciding to go with Ebon because Cyrus is a bully... was all stupid as hell.
It was an amateur effort. I'm sure the author's later books are probably better, but with the headache I got reading this one I don't think I'm going to check them out.
June 27, 2019
I really appreciated reading about a fantasy world that is so magical and daring that there is equality between genders. A third gender and homosexuality also seem to be completely normal and accepted.
However, the plot didn't really live up to the world building. If this was a murder mystery our MC would have seen lots of clues of someone planning to murder someone, do nothing about it and then get sad when the person is killed and the killer gets away. It all felt very futile in the end and our MC was way too passive. Many plot threads were set up only to be left dangling, and not as if "to be continued in book 2", but more like "wait, why did that scene happen and then again later if it would have no bearing on the plot whatsoever?".
However, the plot didn't really live up to the world building. If this was a murder mystery our MC would have seen lots of clues of someone planning to murder someone, do nothing about it and then get sad when the person is killed and the killer gets away. It all felt very futile in the end and our MC was way too passive. Many plot threads were set up only to be left dangling, and not as if "to be continued in book 2", but more like "wait, why did that scene happen and then again later if it would have no bearing on the plot whatsoever?".
October 29, 2019
Disappointing. I was expecting more magic and more LGBT presence. Sure, there was an LGBT character, but... Meh.
Poorly conceived fantasy world in which the main characters attend a magic school. The protagonist is distressingly naive and slow at coming into his powers, and he repeats himself --nearly verbatim-- far too often.
Unlike the other people writing reviews, I don't give a flying !@#$! about the repeated use of the word "mayhap." Whatever.
Poorly conceived fantasy world in which the main characters attend a magic school. The protagonist is distressingly naive and slow at coming into his powers, and he repeats himself --nearly verbatim-- far too often.
Unlike the other people writing reviews, I don't give a flying !@#$! about the repeated use of the word "mayhap." Whatever.
June 7, 2019
Ebon is an (at times painfully) shy sixteen-year-old boy, who has lived a sheltered life under the thumb of his wealthy and cruel father. His family name carries a lot of baggage with it and seems to be universally feared, though we don’t quite find out why. Not yet, anyway.
Oh, and he’s an Alchemist. Errr, Transmuter, sorry. Except he never got to practice his magic, since that was just one of those things his father forbade him to do. Right along with growing a spine, apparently. Or speaking up. Or having an original thought. Really, his dad is a dick.
Poor Ebon. But hey! He gets his greatest wish, that one thing he’s dreamed of for so long and is allowed to attend the Academy, where he promptly tries to play catchup since he’s about six years late to the party. It’s okay though, ’cause for some reason the benches and stuff in the room made for ten year olds fit him, too. Or maybe he was just awkwardly squeezed into them and had to hunch the whole time. That’ll do a number on the posture.
Ebon is… a little inconsistent at times, though it sort of makes sense, considering how he’s so far behind on being allowed to be himself. Fortunately, he manages to make friends at the Academy relatively quickly. He also makes enemies though, naturally. In particular there’s one going by the name of Lillith, and I admit that their rivalry (if that is what we want to call it) is probably the only thing that I didn’t enjoy much. It came out of no-where and felt just a little too unreasonably cruel and “Ha ha, high school kids, amirght?”
Are we really that horrible to each other? Wait. Don’t answer that.
His friendships, on the other hand, feel well deserved and organic, and I liked both Theren and Kalem reasonably well. Ebon, of course, needs them both, and it isn’t until long that he’s swept into a conspiracy hatched by his father. Or so we are led to believe, because there are still questions unanswered by the end. Even for Ebon, who decided to try and unravel the mystery, his two friends by his side.
It goes reasonably well. Sort of. Kind of.
Overall, I liked this book, though I am finding it a little hard to place? It’s not a story about a magical academy, for one. Even though it takes place in one. It’s also not really a coming of age sort of story since Ebon has still so much room to grow. It’s also not one entirely about personal growth in his craft, considering he barely manages two proper spells throughout the entire thing. Adventure? Kind of? Maybe? Mystery? Hmmm, getting there. A bit of political intrigue?
Alright, it’s probably all of the above. Plus, it’s just generally a really nice read. I’m glad I picked it up.
… and, just for the record, my favourite character in the whole thing is Mako and I want to know more about him. Which one of the reasons why I will keep reading through the series, hoping to uncover more.
Oh, and he’s an Alchemist. Errr, Transmuter, sorry. Except he never got to practice his magic, since that was just one of those things his father forbade him to do. Right along with growing a spine, apparently. Or speaking up. Or having an original thought. Really, his dad is a dick.
Poor Ebon. But hey! He gets his greatest wish, that one thing he’s dreamed of for so long and is allowed to attend the Academy, where he promptly tries to play catchup since he’s about six years late to the party. It’s okay though, ’cause for some reason the benches and stuff in the room made for ten year olds fit him, too. Or maybe he was just awkwardly squeezed into them and had to hunch the whole time. That’ll do a number on the posture.
Ebon is… a little inconsistent at times, though it sort of makes sense, considering how he’s so far behind on being allowed to be himself. Fortunately, he manages to make friends at the Academy relatively quickly. He also makes enemies though, naturally. In particular there’s one going by the name of Lillith, and I admit that their rivalry (if that is what we want to call it) is probably the only thing that I didn’t enjoy much. It came out of no-where and felt just a little too unreasonably cruel and “Ha ha, high school kids, amirght?”
Are we really that horrible to each other? Wait. Don’t answer that.
His friendships, on the other hand, feel well deserved and organic, and I liked both Theren and Kalem reasonably well. Ebon, of course, needs them both, and it isn’t until long that he’s swept into a conspiracy hatched by his father. Or so we are led to believe, because there are still questions unanswered by the end. Even for Ebon, who decided to try and unravel the mystery, his two friends by his side.
It goes reasonably well. Sort of. Kind of.
Overall, I liked this book, though I am finding it a little hard to place? It’s not a story about a magical academy, for one. Even though it takes place in one. It’s also not really a coming of age sort of story since Ebon has still so much room to grow. It’s also not one entirely about personal growth in his craft, considering he barely manages two proper spells throughout the entire thing. Adventure? Kind of? Maybe? Mystery? Hmmm, getting there. A bit of political intrigue?
Alright, it’s probably all of the above. Plus, it’s just generally a really nice read. I’m glad I picked it up.
… and, just for the record, my favourite character in the whole thing is Mako and I want to know more about him. Which one of the reasons why I will keep reading through the series, hoping to uncover more.
November 29, 2018
I really, really love the Nightblade books, so I wanted to check out more of the Underrealm universe. I still intend to get the next book in The Academy Journals, but I have to say that so far this just did not grab me the way Loren's story has. Two major reasons, I think:
1. Ebon feels inconsistent. He's painfully shy and terrified of calling attention to himself due to a life of emotional abuse from his father, and has dreamed of attending the Academy his whole life...but he's also totally cool with sneaking out and skipping class, slams his hand loudly on tables any time he gets angry (I think this happens at least 3 times in the book, and it's not a very long book!), sneaks out of the castle multiple times when he really doesn't have to (at one point just angrily barreling past the gatekeeper), and seems to just generally risk expulsion from school on a weekly basis. He also loves going to bars, apparently, and schmoozing the barkeeps with gold. Now, I'm not saying that an emotionally abused kid wouldn't or couldn't have anger issues or a drinking problem - that's totally realistic and fine. But the WAY he does it seems to clash with everything else we're shown about his character. I just feel like...character who is shy and tends to run away (literally, at times) and avoid people and who was raised in an environment where he was mocked for his interests and opinions and constantly watched and spied on for bad behaviour WOULD have anger, but wouldn't express it by raising voice, slamming hands on tables, crashing through doors. Just my opinion.
2. If you've already read Shadeborn (The Nightblade Epic, book 4), then you know exactly what's going to happen, you know exactly what the map means, and thus the big mystery falls flat. And there's a good chance you HAVE already read it, because Shadeborn is listed before The Alchemist's Touch in the reading order posted on underrealm.net.
Here's what I did like: Ebon's friends. The further explanations of magic we haven't gotten yet in the Nightblade books. More info on various kingdoms/cultures that we haven't seen in the Nightblade books. A few extra little details surrounding the big event that happens in this book and Shadeborn.
1. Ebon feels inconsistent. He's painfully shy and terrified of calling attention to himself due to a life of emotional abuse from his father, and has dreamed of attending the Academy his whole life...but he's also totally cool with sneaking out and skipping class, slams his hand loudly on tables any time he gets angry (I think this happens at least 3 times in the book, and it's not a very long book!), sneaks out of the castle multiple times when he really doesn't have to (at one point just angrily barreling past the gatekeeper), and seems to just generally risk expulsion from school on a weekly basis. He also loves going to bars, apparently, and schmoozing the barkeeps with gold. Now, I'm not saying that an emotionally abused kid wouldn't or couldn't have anger issues or a drinking problem - that's totally realistic and fine. But the WAY he does it seems to clash with everything else we're shown about his character. I just feel like...character who is shy and tends to run away (literally, at times) and avoid people and who was raised in an environment where he was mocked for his interests and opinions and constantly watched and spied on for bad behaviour WOULD have anger, but wouldn't express it by raising voice, slamming hands on tables, crashing through doors. Just my opinion.
2. If you've already read Shadeborn (The Nightblade Epic, book 4), then you know exactly what's going to happen, you know exactly what the map means, and thus the big mystery falls flat. And there's a good chance you HAVE already read it, because Shadeborn is listed before The Alchemist's Touch in the reading order posted on underrealm.net.
Here's what I did like: Ebon's friends. The further explanations of magic we haven't gotten yet in the Nightblade books. More info on various kingdoms/cultures that we haven't seen in the Nightblade books. A few extra little details surrounding the big event that happens in this book and Shadeborn.
August 5, 2020
I did not enjoy this book. It had a lot of potential, the magic system of the different branches of sorcerers is interesting and the political intrigue hook seemed interesting but it all was just kind of underdeveloped. Most importantly, I spent the majority of the time frustrated by the characters and their actions (especially that one teacher who didn't believe that Ebon didn't know any magic when he told him).
First, we have the protagonist Ebon who's this 'woe is me' 'hello darkness my old friend' emo kid. He has magic talent and wants to learn magic but his despotic father won't let him. He's been very downtrodden. His family name apparently inspires fear or contempt in everyone he meets and he just wants to get away but doesn't really do anything about it. He's just too passive for a YA protagonist and as a result, the plot moves very slowly.
Then, there's the two friends Ebon makes along the way but I just couldn't see why they liked Ebon and they seemed to be hanging out with him for material gains (Ebon agreed to pay one kid to help him learn magic and then a girl joined them because she was poor and Ebon had money for alcohol). Like, I guess, by the end Ebon became more pro-active and it made sense that they had a bond but I just couldn't see why those kids would stick with Ebon to reach that point.
First, we have the protagonist Ebon who's this 'woe is me' 'hello darkness my old friend' emo kid. He has magic talent and wants to learn magic but his despotic father won't let him. He's been very downtrodden. His family name apparently inspires fear or contempt in everyone he meets and he just wants to get away but doesn't really do anything about it. He's just too passive for a YA protagonist and as a result, the plot moves very slowly.
Then, there's the two friends Ebon makes along the way but I just couldn't see why they liked Ebon and they seemed to be hanging out with him for material gains (Ebon agreed to pay one kid to help him learn magic and then a girl joined them because she was poor and Ebon had money for alcohol). Like, I guess, by the end Ebon became more pro-active and it made sense that they had a bond but I just couldn't see why those kids would stick with Ebon to reach that point.
September 3, 2023
3.9 stars rounded up. I enjoyed this book as I enjoyed all the books that take place at a magical school. I always find that books that center around a magical academy of sorts are so interesting because you learn about the complex system of magic that takes place in this world along with the main character as they also learn more about their magic and themselves. I did enjoy the way that this main character, Ebon, was introduced to this school, as a sixteen-year-old who got into the school six years too late and started off his classes with ten years old which I thought was really funny, but also sad because it was his father that made him fall so behind in his studies with no good reason. I can't even imagine being that old in a class with children and it does of course cause him some trouble, but thankfully he is able to make friends with some of his other peers: Kalem, a bookworm, and Theren, who sometimes got on my nerves so badly because of how she hated rich people so much that she often allows it to get in her own way and friendships. But the most fascinating relationship was between Ebon and Adara, his lover, because she is determined to keep them at that level of relationship but Edon definitely wants more.
March 14, 2018
Hmm. I rather enjoyed the read but I felt like nothing at all was solved at any point. There were only hints and mentions but nothing certain and I wish some smaller questions were answered at least since the bigger plot tends to unravel through the series. But there was nothing, not even regarding the parcel which was a plot point of some importance. I was lead to believe it is not so, but now I don't know if I maybe had to read the nightblade series books first to understand better.
That aside, I liked the characters but I wish they had a bit more depth, maybe in the next books. The plot was slow to develop. Some times a bit silly. Like the second trip to the Shining Door was all ???? Why would after what felt like idk a week would they go there? It makes no sense that the guy or the package would still be there. The whole ordeal in the end with Adara felt a bit clumsy too. And kinda out of blue, I dunno.
Well the book was written solely from Ebon's point of view and we know as much as he does, but I felt like it wasn't enough.
From what little glimpses of the world and lore I read I liked but I felt it, again, wasn't quite enough, probably bcz of the very strict Ebon POV only.
That aside, I liked the characters but I wish they had a bit more depth, maybe in the next books. The plot was slow to develop. Some times a bit silly. Like the second trip to the Shining Door was all ???? Why would after what felt like idk a week would they go there? It makes no sense that the guy or the package would still be there. The whole ordeal in the end with Adara felt a bit clumsy too. And kinda out of blue, I dunno.
Well the book was written solely from Ebon's point of view and we know as much as he does, but I felt like it wasn't enough.
From what little glimpses of the world and lore I read I liked but I felt it, again, wasn't quite enough, probably bcz of the very strict Ebon POV only.
June 17, 2017
Sixteen year old Ebon Drayden has wanted nothing more than to study at the famed Academy, where gifted individuals spend their days learning and perfecting one of the four branches of magic. Though the test years ago revealed him to be gifted with the talents of an alchemist, his father has forbidden him to either study or practice what he considers a useless talent. Others don't see it that way, it soon Ebon is granted a reprieve and allowed to attend the mystical school. However, he finds he is light years behind even the youngest of students, and a combination of his lack of skill and whispered family name soon see the other students either tormenting him or outright avoiding him. Despite this, he is able to find friendship in a young alchemist name Kalem and a fiery mentalist named Theren. Together, the trio begin studies of their own, as well as looking into a series of seemingly unrelated events, culminating in the ultimate betrayal and a race to salvation. The Alchemist's Touch was an enjoyable read and I look forward to the next in the series.
January 20, 2022
I don’t know what I was expecting, but maybe after Harry Potter, it’s difficult to portray a magic school effectively. While I did find the magic system to be quite intriguing and love the thought of harnessing one’s ability for alchemy, there were a few weak points in the book.
The plot itself was rather simple without many interesting or exciting events occurring, until halfway into the book. It is somewhat effective, since there is lots of suspense, but a long time for delivery.
Part of the reasoning may have also been due to the passivity of the characters. Like the rest of the book, they had potential, but they didn’t advance the plot. The characters themselves weren’t one-sided though and they had development. There were even some powerful women who didn’t fit into classic tropes of women, which is a plus (and slightly sad that this isn’t the norm).
Overall, it’s not a bad read, I just wanted a faster pace.
The plot itself was rather simple without many interesting or exciting events occurring, until halfway into the book. It is somewhat effective, since there is lots of suspense, but a long time for delivery.
Part of the reasoning may have also been due to the passivity of the characters. Like the rest of the book, they had potential, but they didn’t advance the plot. The characters themselves weren’t one-sided though and they had development. There were even some powerful women who didn’t fit into classic tropes of women, which is a plus (and slightly sad that this isn’t the norm).
Overall, it’s not a bad read, I just wanted a faster pace.
April 25, 2018
A fine start. Simple story, with a short arc. It's the first in a series, so its bound to set more up than it resolves, and yet it was satisfying in and of itself.
I have to say, though, I'm disappointed by Adara. As a love interest, she's incredibly weak. She has three scenes total, and the only thing she does is (1) make general smalltalk with Ebon, (2) act really impressed with Ebon's unimpressive magic, (3) show her loyalty to Ebon over the Dean, who is just another one of her clients so not anyone she cares about. At no point does she talk about her own interests or history or life or anything.
She doesn't have a personality. There's no reason given why Ebon should like her, and no reason she should like him. No reason he should chase through the streets and almost come to his death for her, outside of just basic kindness shown to any stranger.
I have to say, though, I'm disappointed by Adara. As a love interest, she's incredibly weak. She has three scenes total, and the only thing she does is (1) make general smalltalk with Ebon, (2) act really impressed with Ebon's unimpressive magic, (3) show her loyalty to Ebon over the Dean, who is just another one of her clients so not anyone she cares about. At no point does she talk about her own interests or history or life or anything.
She doesn't have a personality. There's no reason given why Ebon should like her, and no reason she should like him. No reason he should chase through the streets and almost come to his death for her, outside of just basic kindness shown to any stranger.
September 2, 2018
Mayhap this book is okay
For reference it’s a cross between “name of the wind” and a more adult “Harry Potter”.
The name of the wind has more depth and a better story, but this book isn’t bad for a short read. The main character Ebon is whiny like Harry Potter and not as cool as Kvothe. Their are times you think it will become something more like the name of the wind but it doesn’t. That’s okay but I wish it had.
My biggest issue is with the repetitive use of the word mayhap. I get the author wants a 16th century feel to the characters and dialogue. However the over use of this word is equivalent to someone say “like”, “seriously”, “literally”, or “believe me” in every conversation. It gets really old. In the first chapter it almost spoiled the whole book for me.
For reference it’s a cross between “name of the wind” and a more adult “Harry Potter”.
The name of the wind has more depth and a better story, but this book isn’t bad for a short read. The main character Ebon is whiny like Harry Potter and not as cool as Kvothe. Their are times you think it will become something more like the name of the wind but it doesn’t. That’s okay but I wish it had.
My biggest issue is with the repetitive use of the word mayhap. I get the author wants a 16th century feel to the characters and dialogue. However the over use of this word is equivalent to someone say “like”, “seriously”, “literally”, or “believe me” in every conversation. It gets really old. In the first chapter it almost spoiled the whole book for me.
April 24, 2018
For a while...it seems like the book goes no where. You may read some books where the climax happens too soon, or perfectly in the middle. With THE ALCHEMISTS TOUCH, it may have come a bit after the middle...but it was still a good ride none the less.
The characters seem very well fleshed out, even from the beginning. The story telling flowed quite smooth and there isn't a one thing that gets left behind or forgotten that makes you wonder "why did they bring this up for one paragraph at the start of the book and never mention it again?"
even though the book left on a cliff hanger, everything still tied up nicely, yet making you want to read more to find out what happened
The characters seem very well fleshed out, even from the beginning. The story telling flowed quite smooth and there isn't a one thing that gets left behind or forgotten that makes you wonder "why did they bring this up for one paragraph at the start of the book and never mention it again?"
even though the book left on a cliff hanger, everything still tied up nicely, yet making you want to read more to find out what happened
June 15, 2017
The first book in the new series from author Garrett Robinson. Well written with captivating characters and a story line that will continue to grow in the sequel, The Mindmage’s Wrath. If the Nightblade series can be compared favorably to The Lord of the Rings, then this series could go beyond. A little slow at the start but build like a runaway locomotive to its inevitable conclusion. No spoilers here though, I highly recommend you to buy the book and prepare yourself for a journey into a well-woven world!
November 16, 2017
Didn't bother finishing
I have read about three quarters of this book, and I'm bored. My main issue, I have not connected with the main character or his struggles.
Over all, this is not a bad book. The story is solid, and editing is good. But the depth is missing. It is obvious that the main issues will not be resolved in this story. But, outside of those issues, there is little to no conflict. Without that conflict, I feel like I am slogging through the story.
So... Yeah... Bored.
I have read about three quarters of this book, and I'm bored. My main issue, I have not connected with the main character or his struggles.
Over all, this is not a bad book. The story is solid, and editing is good. But the depth is missing. It is obvious that the main issues will not be resolved in this story. But, outside of those issues, there is little to no conflict. Without that conflict, I feel like I am slogging through the story.
So... Yeah... Bored.
January 4, 2020
Well that was...disappointing. The story and world were dull, the characters were uninspired and the annoyingly over-formal style, especially in the frankly ridiculous dialogue, was so distracting that it killed any chance I might have had of enjoying this book. Seriously, take a drink every time someone says "mayhap" and you'll be under the table in less than a chapter. Overall it was just boring, and I was waaaaay oversold on the queer presence. I didn't quite hate it, but I won't be continuing with the series.
March 10, 2019
An interesting mystery woven into an interesting already existing world. This book also clears up some questions posed by the books in the Nightblade epic, which made it more interesting still.
I'm very fascinated by this magic system, and I'm always fond of books which accomplish that. I look forward to finding out what happens next!
I'm very fascinated by this magic system, and I'm always fond of books which accomplish that. I look forward to finding out what happens next!
December 24, 2019
Enjoyable fluffy read
A high fantasy story that did not seem to catch its pace until half way through. I enjoyed the characters even if they were a bit fan fictiony at times. The magical system was intriguing but there were a lot of loose ends. Despite its rough start I enjoyed the book and will be reading the next in the series.
A high fantasy story that did not seem to catch its pace until half way through. I enjoyed the characters even if they were a bit fan fictiony at times. The magical system was intriguing but there were a lot of loose ends. Despite its rough start I enjoyed the book and will be reading the next in the series.
September 18, 2021
This was an interesting read at times.
It was quick to get into the plot, though at times, it could have focussed on what was happening and delved into further detail. I think that certain characters could have had more development and the advertisement that this novel was LGBTQIA+ is not totally true.
It was quick to get into the plot, though at times, it could have focussed on what was happening and delved into further detail. I think that certain characters could have had more development and the advertisement that this novel was LGBTQIA+ is not totally true.
September 19, 2023
DNF at 10%. I know this sounds like I barely even gave it a chance, but the writing style is just so annoying (what's with the "mayhap"??) and not very pleasant, so I can't imagine dealing a whole book with such inaccessible language. And the MC just comes over as a whiny and self-centered and I'd rather just not read this book at all.
October 18, 2017
Oh wow! I love the depth of this world! I love that the stories encompass other characters and touch on connections to characters in previous books. Definitely drew me in even more to this world and I cannot wait to read the next one!
March 6, 2018
This book ended with more questions then I started. At the end of the book, a lot of important stuff happened without any real build up (there was a bit of build up from the character but not from the background/world) or explanation. But I'll probably read the next one to see if any are answered.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews