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Magelands Epic #0.5
From the Ashes
Revenge is sweet…
…but whisky tastes better.
The lands of Kellach Brigdomin lie devastated and broken. The survivors cower for safety in the mountains. The mighty Rahain army occupies the fertile lowlands, stripping the land of its resources and enslaving its inhabitants.
Keira, last of the fire mages, is all that stands between the Rahain and complete victory. Cocky, reckless, and reeling from the loss of her brother, she has no desire to be responsible for the safety of anyone.
As the enemy closes in, will she stand fast in defence of her people? Or will her thirst for vengeance turn all she has to ash?
The Kellach Brigdomin need a hero, and Keira is the chosen one.
If she can remain sober for long enough...
…but whisky tastes better.
The lands of Kellach Brigdomin lie devastated and broken. The survivors cower for safety in the mountains. The mighty Rahain army occupies the fertile lowlands, stripping the land of its resources and enslaving its inhabitants.
Keira, last of the fire mages, is all that stands between the Rahain and complete victory. Cocky, reckless, and reeling from the loss of her brother, she has no desire to be responsible for the safety of anyone.
As the enemy closes in, will she stand fast in defence of her people? Or will her thirst for vengeance turn all she has to ash?
The Kellach Brigdomin need a hero, and Keira is the chosen one.
If she can remain sober for long enough...
- GenresFantasy
121 pages, ebook
First published December 27, 2018
41 people are currently reading
246 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Mitchell
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From the Ashes
, a Magelands prequel novella.
About Me
I love deserts, which is too bad as I live in Scotland, but the mountains, glens and lochs more than make up for it. My other love is Greek Tragedy, especially Euripides, and I also read history, science, fantasy, and pretty much anything about the Beatles…
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About Me
I love deserts, which is too bad as I live in Scotland, but the mountains, glens and lochs more than make up for it. My other love is Greek Tragedy, especially Euripides, and I also read history, science, fantasy, and pretty much anything about the Beatles…
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I would love to hear from you by email or through any of the social media options below:
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 11, 2019
What a great book!
I started reading it slowly and doubtful, but once I got used to the main character's rude personality - I started understanding her - the book went by in a heartbeat.
It's funny how, in my head, all the characters changed when I read for the first time the words "arse" and "ye/yer". When I think about great warriors I, most definitely, think about scottish people (too much Bravehearth, maybe).
I can't wait to see what Mageland as still to offer. So far it's been great!
I started reading it slowly and doubtful, but once I got used to the main character's rude personality - I started understanding her - the book went by in a heartbeat.
It's funny how, in my head, all the characters changed when I read for the first time the words "arse" and "ye/yer". When I think about great warriors I, most definitely, think about scottish people (too much Bravehearth, maybe).
I can't wait to see what Mageland as still to offer. So far it's been great!
April 5, 2019
This was Ok. I just don't like short books or stories. To me they are a waist of my time.
February 19, 2019
Definetly different!
I throughly enjoyed the read, I hope the rest of the series is as entertaining. I really like the play between Kiera & the others, certainly no lady like inhibitions of or her. On to book two!
I throughly enjoyed the read, I hope the rest of the series is as entertaining. I really like the play between Kiera & the others, certainly no lady like inhibitions of or her. On to book two!
April 16, 2019
From seeing the beautiful art work on the cover, I was expecting great things from this novella- and I wasn’t disappointed.
Christopher Mitchell has absolutely nailed it- Keira is a kick-ass, whisky drinking, reluctant hero with an awesome sense of humour!
Just enough descriptive settings to draw me into the world, yet at the same time, plenty of action with compelling characters. So looking forward to the rest of the series to see what becomes of Keira and the Magelands.
Christopher Mitchell has absolutely nailed it- Keira is a kick-ass, whisky drinking, reluctant hero with an awesome sense of humour!
Just enough descriptive settings to draw me into the world, yet at the same time, plenty of action with compelling characters. So looking forward to the rest of the series to see what becomes of Keira and the Magelands.
May 26, 2019
I received a copy from the author. This is my honest opinion.
It took me a little bit to get into this story, but once I got past the character's initial abrasiveness, I found I was intrigued to see where the story was heading. I also read the characters' voices in a Scottish accent which is always a great thing.
Keira, the main character, is a Mage of Pyre - a fire mage, in layman's terms. She's part of a ragged band of fighters, refugees from a war devastating their homelands. We're thrown into the action, as Keira and her lover Kylon stumble upon a band of Rahain, the lizard-like race killing and enslaving Keira's people. Keira dispatches them with awesome power, yet once back at their own camp there are signs of strife. Instead of praise, the leadership are unhappy with Keira's actions, though as the last Mage of Pyre she is still a vital ally.
Keira and her allies must learn to trust and work together. There are four clans, all at odds with each other, which is part of why the Rahain managed to win against them. But it makes for some amusing banter especially regarding which clan makes the best booze. Lots of swearing, drinking and innuendo - a fun read for me but maybe not to everyone's tastes.
This is a novella, so it's somewhat like a long prologue to the series to come.
It took me a little bit to get into this story, but once I got past the character's initial abrasiveness, I found I was intrigued to see where the story was heading. I also read the characters' voices in a Scottish accent which is always a great thing.
Keira, the main character, is a Mage of Pyre - a fire mage, in layman's terms. She's part of a ragged band of fighters, refugees from a war devastating their homelands. We're thrown into the action, as Keira and her lover Kylon stumble upon a band of Rahain, the lizard-like race killing and enslaving Keira's people. Keira dispatches them with awesome power, yet once back at their own camp there are signs of strife. Instead of praise, the leadership are unhappy with Keira's actions, though as the last Mage of Pyre she is still a vital ally.
Keira and her allies must learn to trust and work together. There are four clans, all at odds with each other, which is part of why the Rahain managed to win against them. But it makes for some amusing banter especially regarding which clan makes the best booze. Lots of swearing, drinking and innuendo - a fun read for me but maybe not to everyone's tastes.
This is a novella, so it's somewhat like a long prologue to the series to come.
January 18, 2019
I had a lot of fun reading this, once I started I couldn't put it down.
Lots of action, interesting characters and a good sense of the world moving beyond the confines of the book : I can't wait to see what else The Magelands series has to offer.
Highly recommended.
Lots of action, interesting characters and a good sense of the world moving beyond the confines of the book : I can't wait to see what else The Magelands series has to offer.
Highly recommended.
December 24, 2018
An exciting and refreshing read from start to finish.
Keira is one gutsy, brave but flawed individual and so totally loveable Cannot wait to see her and other characters develop.
Well done Mr Mitchell!
Keira is one gutsy, brave but flawed individual and so totally loveable Cannot wait to see her and other characters develop.
Well done Mr Mitchell!
October 4, 2022
I wasn’t sure whether to give this 3 or 3.5* but I have been generous and given it 3.5*. It was not what I expected having read Mitchell’s Eternal Siege series (well the first 3 books, anyway) which I love! I got it for free so I have no problem with this being a novella. There was plenty of action and I assume it introduces us to the world of his Magelands Epic series that happens before the siege books. My problem with the story was that I didn’t really like any of the characters until 75% of the way through when some changes occur. Keira is an abrasive swearing Fire Mage who initially comes across as not really giving a damn about anyone or anything! She also spends an awful lot of time smirking. She doesn’t seem to smile, or grin or beam -just smirks. It grated on me a little. A good smirk has its place… but as I said it was an introduction to the series and it was free so I won’t complain and it might be exactly what other people want. I bought the first 4 books of the main series in a boxset and will reserve judgement on this first series of Mitchell’s until I have read at least one.
June 6, 2020
Keira is the last fire Mage. With a small band of warriors, reminiscent of feuding Scottish clans, she is fighting in a war against the Rahain, a reptilian race who invaded their lands.
If you’re expecting a Princess in love with a Prince this isn’t the book for you. Expect grit, swearing, skirmishes, infighting, bloodshed, and a reluctant hero whose always looking for booze.
This book is brutal and raw and filled with many flawed characters who you end up fighting for. At first, I wasn’t sure what to make of Keira and it took me a while to understand her, but when I did, I genuinely liked her.
If you’re expecting a Princess in love with a Prince this isn’t the book for you. Expect grit, swearing, skirmishes, infighting, bloodshed, and a reluctant hero whose always looking for booze.
This book is brutal and raw and filled with many flawed characters who you end up fighting for. At first, I wasn’t sure what to make of Keira and it took me a while to understand her, but when I did, I genuinely liked her.
February 28, 2020
This is my first time reading anything by Christopher Mitchell. With a hilarious opening sequence, I can gladly say I didn’t encounter a bear while reading From the Ashes. Humor turns into an Indiana Jones action scene and I never left the edge of my seat for the rest of the book. Being a short story by page number and word count only, this big adventure still found a way to make you feel claustrophobic when there seemed no way out. If you like twists there is one tastier than a sour dough pretzel and I personally can’t wait to dive into more Magelands.
July 12, 2019
Action packed!
The lands have been invaded by an enemy army of lizard type creatures, who are bent on destruction and enslaving the people. A well written, fast paced story. Enter a world of sword and sorcery with a feisty protagonist who happens to be the last Fire Mage with intense action!.... (For adults. Language).
The lands have been invaded by an enemy army of lizard type creatures, who are bent on destruction and enslaving the people. A well written, fast paced story. Enter a world of sword and sorcery with a feisty protagonist who happens to be the last Fire Mage with intense action!.... (For adults. Language).
June 30, 2019
The Magelands Epic: From the Ashes (Book 0) by Christopher Mitchell is a wonderful story that I have read. This is book number 0 and a wonderful start to a brand new series and I highly recommend this story to all.
Want to read
January 8, 2021a good read enjoyed it immensely, unputdownable bloody need the next ones now. 06-24am and just finished it until I have read the series and what ever else comes along another EDDING 's...….5 stars .
November 3, 2019
Another new author fir me.
Great story enjoyed plenty going on.
I am not spoiling but you will have to read yourselves.
Once you get into it you cannot put it down.
Great story enjoyed plenty going on.
I am not spoiling but you will have to read yourselves.
Once you get into it you cannot put it down.
April 11, 2021
Great read, interesting characters , good story that leaves you wanting to read the next book in the series.
July 22, 2022
Just a great in between story about my favorite fire mage Keira doing exactly what Keira does best. Highly recommended
December 20, 2022
I am never a fan of novellas but this was a great one!
August 11, 2024
Well written and engaging. The environment/landscape is not my preferred setting.
October 14, 2019
Two very short stories. Unfortunately I just about give the whole story away in my review of Flora.
I'm not sure if Flora appeared in any of the other books. If so, she did not make a big enough impression on me to be remembered. In my own defense, there are a lot of characters. Anyway, this story tells of her unrequited crush on another girl. Said girl has her father admonish Flora to leave his daughter alone and that he has reported Flora to the village authorities. Understandably, Flora is crushed and decides to drown her sorrows with a bottle of rum. Not only is she heartbroken, but now may have to endure the ridicule of others. When she is approached by a couple of military recruiters she decides that joining up would be the lesser of two evils.
Douanna: I have to admit that I rather liked Douanna when she made her first appearance in The Queen's Executioner since she helped Daphne. Of course we soon find that she had reprehensible motives. So, this story is after she has ascended to the Senate and is a powerful and feared member. We get a behind the scene view of some of her macinations.
I'm not sure if Flora appeared in any of the other books. If so, she did not make a big enough impression on me to be remembered. In my own defense, there are a lot of characters. Anyway, this story tells of her unrequited crush on another girl. Said girl has her father admonish Flora to leave his daughter alone and that he has reported Flora to the village authorities. Understandably, Flora is crushed and decides to drown her sorrows with a bottle of rum. Not only is she heartbroken, but now may have to endure the ridicule of others. When she is approached by a couple of military recruiters she decides that joining up would be the lesser of two evils.
Douanna: I have to admit that I rather liked Douanna when she made her first appearance in The Queen's Executioner since she helped Daphne. Of course we soon find that she had reprehensible motives. So, this story is after she has ascended to the Senate and is a powerful and feared member. We get a behind the scene view of some of her macinations.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2019
I read this fun new fantasy novel earlier this week and really liked it - enough to pick up the first full novel in the Magellan’s Series called The Queen’s Executioner.
In this (prequel) story, the lead character is a foul-mouthed, drunken (and very powerful) mage named Keira. It’s set in a land where an invading force has just come in and soundly defeated four distinct groups of people. Keira leads a small band of warriors that do their best to fight back against the invading/occupying forces. There’s action and humor and adventure and a lot of really fun characters.
You should check it out - especially since this is free off the author’s website.
Super quick read - read it in an evening.
In this (prequel) story, the lead character is a foul-mouthed, drunken (and very powerful) mage named Keira. It’s set in a land where an invading force has just come in and soundly defeated four distinct groups of people. Keira leads a small band of warriors that do their best to fight back against the invading/occupying forces. There’s action and humor and adventure and a lot of really fun characters.
You should check it out - especially since this is free off the author’s website.
Super quick read - read it in an evening.
September 16, 2020
Divine Retribution (The Magelands Eternal Siege), my second read from author Christopher Mitchell. Prequel story to the epic in the making. I look forward to reading more from this author, In fact, my next read will be The Dragon's Blade (The second book in the Magelands Eternal Siege series). (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
December 2, 2019
Fighting the invaders with magic!
Keira, a Pyre Mage of incredible strength, is fighting the Rahain, a lizard alien civilization that has invaded the world to gain coal resources and slaves. The survivors on earth are few but with Keira's help they are determined to overcome the invaders. This is a good start to a series but ended much too soon.
Keira, a Pyre Mage of incredible strength, is fighting the Rahain, a lizard alien civilization that has invaded the world to gain coal resources and slaves. The survivors on earth are few but with Keira's help they are determined to overcome the invaders. This is a good start to a series but ended much too soon.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews