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Guardians of Algardis #1
Mages By Chance
This is the first in a new series set in the same universe as the Courtlight books. Take the journey into a spellbinding story of conquering fear and overcoming love as they become Mages By Chance, free in Kindle Unlimited.
Maeryn 'Mae' Darnes is a young woman torn between two worlds...life or death.She has watched her siblings slowly wither away just like all the others blighted by the cursed Darnes bloodline. Now its the two youngest that will be dead within days.
Desperate to find a cure Mae does the unthinkable and breaks her family's code of honor to practice dark magic. If she can find the cure and convince a band of rogue relatives to join her cause, she might even be able to activate the most powerful casting ever seen.
But in her attempts to circumvent her elder's powerful rulings, Mae stumbles upon a plot to prolong the suffering of the afflicted. Now she not only needs to throw off the yolk that bounds her to her family, but carve out the darkness that is hiding within.
Maeryn 'Mae' Darnes is a young woman torn between two worlds...life or death.She has watched her siblings slowly wither away just like all the others blighted by the cursed Darnes bloodline. Now its the two youngest that will be dead within days.
Desperate to find a cure Mae does the unthinkable and breaks her family's code of honor to practice dark magic. If she can find the cure and convince a band of rogue relatives to join her cause, she might even be able to activate the most powerful casting ever seen.
But in her attempts to circumvent her elder's powerful rulings, Mae stumbles upon a plot to prolong the suffering of the afflicted. Now she not only needs to throw off the yolk that bounds her to her family, but carve out the darkness that is hiding within.
Blood and family have always been a constant in Mae's life, but as the wasting sickness is being masterminded for other's desire, Mae becomes determined to risk everything to reveal the truth. No matter the cost.
This first novel begins the story of Maeryn 'Mae' Darnes.
234 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2019
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Terah Edun
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 25, 2019
I’m always happy to pick up a new series from an author I know and like. I’ve read the Courtlight series and liked it but this has a different feel to that series. If I’m honest I found the beginning a little slow to start with, I wasn’t sure if I liked Mae to start with and didn’t really get a feel for the setting until a little later on in the story.
From 2/3 of the book in, I was hooked though. Read the rest of it almost in a single sitting. This book serves mostly as an introduction to the characters I assume we will learn more about in the coming stories, and I’m keen to find out how the story plays out.
From 2/3 of the book in, I was hooked though. Read the rest of it almost in a single sitting. This book serves mostly as an introduction to the characters I assume we will learn more about in the coming stories, and I’m keen to find out how the story plays out.
Want to Read
March 3, 2020🎁 Books 1 & 2 in the Series are FREE on Amazon today (3/3/2020)! 🎁
October 17, 2021
I can't award half stars, so I'm giving this a 2, although I think it deserves 2.5. In a lot of respects, this is pretty standard YA fantasy, although Edun has a nice turn of phrase and good worldbuilding skills. Also unusual for a YA series (in my experience), is that the main character is headstrong and opinionated to the point of being very hard to empathise with - and it should be easy to empathise with her, as she comes from what is a pretty rotten society - women are very clearly second-class citizens.
This was my first introduction to Terah Edun, and I don't think it's a good starting point, I probably should have started with her main series - the Courtlight books. However, I was misled (by Fantastic Fiction) into believing that this was just a renamed version of the first book she wrote - Red Madrassa - which was released in 2012. After having finished this book, and discovering that it ends on a cliff-hanger, I read some reviews of Red Madrassa, and found that it is a completely different book.
Apart from the unsatisfying ending, the first two-thirds of the book are very slow. The first 150-odd pages consists of the main character, Maeryn Darnes, arguing with her sister Ember - told entirely from Mae's point-of-view. I think the amount of character development and worldbuilding contained in that could have been covered in half that number of pages. The last third of the book certainly picks up in pace and action, before the cliff-hanger ending.
So, I would have to say my first experience of Terah Edun has not been very satisfying, but I see enough in her writing to give her another chance.
This was my first introduction to Terah Edun, and I don't think it's a good starting point, I probably should have started with her main series - the Courtlight books. However, I was misled (by Fantastic Fiction) into believing that this was just a renamed version of the first book she wrote - Red Madrassa - which was released in 2012. After having finished this book, and discovering that it ends on a cliff-hanger, I read some reviews of Red Madrassa, and found that it is a completely different book.
Apart from the unsatisfying ending, the first two-thirds of the book are very slow. The first 150-odd pages consists of the main character, Maeryn Darnes, arguing with her sister Ember - told entirely from Mae's point-of-view. I think the amount of character development and worldbuilding contained in that could have been covered in half that number of pages. The last third of the book certainly picks up in pace and action, before the cliff-hanger ending.
So, I would have to say my first experience of Terah Edun has not been very satisfying, but I see enough in her writing to give her another chance.
May 11, 2019
I'm going to be honest, this one has me on the fence.
It just felt too long for what it was. The first chapters about Mae and her sister standing in the hallway nearly made me put the book aside. Dragging it out and repeating nearly the same lines over and over... It wasn't the great start of the book I had hoped for.
There was a great eye for detail for the (few) different settings our cast were in. As this installment mostly took place indoors I'm looking forward to reading more about life beyond the keep.
Character development was good. We got to know Mae fairly well, we uncovered her history, her reasoning why she made those choices and we got to know some of her fears. She's a very headstrong young woman who would sacrifice a lot for her family. She doesn't always like them or even see eye to eye with most of them, but they are of the same blood and that is enough. She resents the fact that she (or any other female) has no access to magic, something that the men hold over their heads in order to control them (pretty medieval actually).
Pacing and flow weren't good. As stated in the beginning, it felt dragged out, a lot. That said, as soon as Mae went outside (about 3/4 into the book) the pacing picked up and it was smooth sailing till the end.
The book itself was well written with no (noticeable) errors. There is no sex described in this book (if that is important to you).
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book and while I know the first book of a series is more about setting the stage, I'm happy I finished the book. The last part of the book picked up the pace and things got really interesting, so that saved it for me.
I am looking forward to the next part since the plot is excellent and has a lot of potential!
It just felt too long for what it was. The first chapters about Mae and her sister standing in the hallway nearly made me put the book aside. Dragging it out and repeating nearly the same lines over and over... It wasn't the great start of the book I had hoped for.
There was a great eye for detail for the (few) different settings our cast were in. As this installment mostly took place indoors I'm looking forward to reading more about life beyond the keep.
Character development was good. We got to know Mae fairly well, we uncovered her history, her reasoning why she made those choices and we got to know some of her fears. She's a very headstrong young woman who would sacrifice a lot for her family. She doesn't always like them or even see eye to eye with most of them, but they are of the same blood and that is enough. She resents the fact that she (or any other female) has no access to magic, something that the men hold over their heads in order to control them (pretty medieval actually).
Pacing and flow weren't good. As stated in the beginning, it felt dragged out, a lot. That said, as soon as Mae went outside (about 3/4 into the book) the pacing picked up and it was smooth sailing till the end.
The book itself was well written with no (noticeable) errors. There is no sex described in this book (if that is important to you).
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book and while I know the first book of a series is more about setting the stage, I'm happy I finished the book. The last part of the book picked up the pace and things got really interesting, so that saved it for me.
I am looking forward to the next part since the plot is excellent and has a lot of potential!
May 18, 2019
4/5 Stars
After having been in a reading slump for some long, this was the type of book I needed.
Mae Darnes is a headstrong girl that just wants to save her siblings. They are wasting away from the very aptly named Wasting Sickness. Mae is determined to use any means necessary to eliminate the malady, even if it means turning to dark magic.
Terah Edun has a beautiful way of world building. It's slow and steady, ebbing and flowing with her story. Her characters are rich in detail, even if they make you want to strangle them.
I will admit I found the story a bit slow paced in the beginning. But to establish characters and the plot it made sense. I myself just happen to enjoy fast paced action!
The story however, was intriguing and I loved the imaginative compound the characters lived. I was left with a cliffhanger, but done well, they can make you hungry for more. And I am definitely starving!
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
After having been in a reading slump for some long, this was the type of book I needed.
Mae Darnes is a headstrong girl that just wants to save her siblings. They are wasting away from the very aptly named Wasting Sickness. Mae is determined to use any means necessary to eliminate the malady, even if it means turning to dark magic.
Terah Edun has a beautiful way of world building. It's slow and steady, ebbing and flowing with her story. Her characters are rich in detail, even if they make you want to strangle them.
I will admit I found the story a bit slow paced in the beginning. But to establish characters and the plot it made sense. I myself just happen to enjoy fast paced action!
The story however, was intriguing and I loved the imaginative compound the characters lived. I was left with a cliffhanger, but done well, they can make you hungry for more. And I am definitely starving!
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
May 1, 2019
This novel was a good start to the series. The summary plot can be a little misleading though. Mae Darnes has watched several members of her family destroyed by this disease that spreads among the young. Mae discovers a book and plans to use it to save her family. However, her sister and cousin discover her plans. Mae has no magic, for only men have magic. She has a strained relationship with some members of her family, including her sister. Mae is prone to make rash decisions, but her heart is in the right place. The three decide to seek out help from an unlikely source to aid in their quest. Mae and Ember discover something horrifying and need to warn the elders of their clan. However, things do not go according to plan. Mae will be confronted with a choice to become a mage and save her family, but allow the study of the tattoos she has. Her choice will set her on a path that could change everything she thought she knew.
May 23, 2019
Great introduction to a new series.
The story is about a girl who does not accept the position allotted to her - to be inferior to men with power of magic. She pays attention to the smallest details when mages are at work and dreams of the ability to cast magic.
Mae is constantly in trouble because she does not accept things at face value and likes to argue. Her siblings are taken by a blight and she is looking for a cure for them no matter what the cost to her.
Will the price be too high for her and the ones close to her? This is something we are not going to learn in the end of the book as it is a cliffhanger.
Also, the book is not the usual action filled plot in Terah's style. The story flows slowly as it has a lot of details to reveal in the best interest of the series. I am sure that the following books in the series are going to pack a lot more action and sharp edge dialogs that we love from Terah Edun.
My curiosity is tickled :)
The story is about a girl who does not accept the position allotted to her - to be inferior to men with power of magic. She pays attention to the smallest details when mages are at work and dreams of the ability to cast magic.
Mae is constantly in trouble because she does not accept things at face value and likes to argue. Her siblings are taken by a blight and she is looking for a cure for them no matter what the cost to her.
Will the price be too high for her and the ones close to her? This is something we are not going to learn in the end of the book as it is a cliffhanger.
Also, the book is not the usual action filled plot in Terah's style. The story flows slowly as it has a lot of details to reveal in the best interest of the series. I am sure that the following books in the series are going to pack a lot more action and sharp edge dialogs that we love from Terah Edun.
My curiosity is tickled :)
March 8, 2020
Good basic plot and premise, WAY too much waffling
The plot is great. The details of the plot - tattoos, mysterious disease, the societal structure - have a lot of run in them.
This book was totally let down by an excess of dialogue and description. It felt like I was 30% through and they were standing in the same corridor having the same conversation they were when the book began. The book would have a little spurt of really interesting plot development, and then pages and pages of the description of how people related to each other, or pointless dialogue repeating the same pieces of information.
For large chunks I was reading one sentence per page, but I would love to see it get a hefty edit because the premise has so much promise.
The plot is great. The details of the plot - tattoos, mysterious disease, the societal structure - have a lot of run in them.
This book was totally let down by an excess of dialogue and description. It felt like I was 30% through and they were standing in the same corridor having the same conversation they were when the book began. The book would have a little spurt of really interesting plot development, and then pages and pages of the description of how people related to each other, or pointless dialogue repeating the same pieces of information.
For large chunks I was reading one sentence per page, but I would love to see it get a hefty edit because the premise has so much promise.
December 20, 2019
A fantasy mystery
This is a really good start to a series. Mae is a stubborn girl who wants to save her two younger siblings. She persuades her older sister & cousin to help.
However is everything she has been taught right? Who are the strangers who have turned up? Is her family who she thought they were?
So it's a fantasy story with mystery & on the whole I really enjoyed it.
The only glaring note for me is when the author went on about the broken bones in a broken nose! The nose is made of cartilage, but that was the only thing that I muttered about under my breath!
I have already got the next book & I'm looking forward to it.
This is a really good start to a series. Mae is a stubborn girl who wants to save her two younger siblings. She persuades her older sister & cousin to help.
However is everything she has been taught right? Who are the strangers who have turned up? Is her family who she thought they were?
So it's a fantasy story with mystery & on the whole I really enjoyed it.
The only glaring note for me is when the author went on about the broken bones in a broken nose! The nose is made of cartilage, but that was the only thing that I muttered about under my breath!
I have already got the next book & I'm looking forward to it.
November 29, 2019
This is another good story by Terah Edun, author of the Courtlight series. The story starts well, yet the pacing fails to keep the reader's interest. At points, the story becomes very slow and bogged down in details. The ending leaves the reader with more questions than answers - which attempts to set up the sequel.
There are many formatting issues in the beginning followed by many editing issues where words are missing which detracts from the flow.
I look forward to reading the sequel and hope the story becomes stronger.
There are many formatting issues in the beginning followed by many editing issues where words are missing which detracts from the flow.
I look forward to reading the sequel and hope the story becomes stronger.
September 12, 2020
Ended halfway through
Fantastic, well written book, excellent world and character building but it ended on a major cliff hanger, which was very obviously designed to force the purchase of the next book.
I'm all good with cliff hangers, but not when the story is not satisfactorily completed.
This kind of cliff hanger just makes me angry, and as such I don't recommend reading it if you want a satisfactory ending.
Look to amazing authors such as Tamora Pierce, or Brandon Sanderson to see how to complete a story but still have the reader wanting to know what's coming up next.
Fantastic, well written book, excellent world and character building but it ended on a major cliff hanger, which was very obviously designed to force the purchase of the next book.
I'm all good with cliff hangers, but not when the story is not satisfactorily completed.
This kind of cliff hanger just makes me angry, and as such I don't recommend reading it if you want a satisfactory ending.
Look to amazing authors such as Tamora Pierce, or Brandon Sanderson to see how to complete a story but still have the reader wanting to know what's coming up next.
December 17, 2019
Genre: Fantasy, young adult
Review: Some of the ideas in this book were interesting, and I would have liked to have read more about them. But the angst. Good gravy, the angst. At 50% through the book all that had happened was the MC had an argument with her sister and walked down a hallway. Then at the end it just stops. Nothing is resolved. Maybe in book 2 she becomes a mage? The title felt misleading.
Review: Some of the ideas in this book were interesting, and I would have liked to have read more about them. But the angst. Good gravy, the angst. At 50% through the book all that had happened was the MC had an argument with her sister and walked down a hallway. Then at the end it just stops. Nothing is resolved. Maybe in book 2 she becomes a mage? The title felt misleading.
May 27, 2019
Terah Edun has done it again!!! Mages by Chance does start off slow but ends with you wanting more!
I love the Courtlight series so I anticipate a new love for this.
The young protagonist, Mae, is trying to find a way to save her younger siblings. In the process, she is finding out that not all is what it appears to be.
I love the Courtlight series so I anticipate a new love for this.
The young protagonist, Mae, is trying to find a way to save her younger siblings. In the process, she is finding out that not all is what it appears to be.
May 2, 2019
Wow, such a great book, and so strange, too! Because it's the world that we've gotten to know, but it's also not, because events that happen in this series, and the others, haven't happened yet! Such a great read, can't wait for the sequel!
May 17, 2019
Exciting new series!
How far would you go to save your family? Stealing an ancient grimoire when you have been banned from using magic? Trusting foreigners? Riveting first book in a new series with twists and turns that kept me guessing. Loved the book and can't wait for the next one.
How far would you go to save your family? Stealing an ancient grimoire when you have been banned from using magic? Trusting foreigners? Riveting first book in a new series with twists and turns that kept me guessing. Loved the book and can't wait for the next one.
May 2, 2019
The current story summary is being changed because now the book has been released it is very different & this about page is 90% spoilers for book 2, not relevant to book 1
December 31, 2019
Somewhat interesting but far too much conversation and stream of consciousness filler and too little plot development.
September 19, 2019
Good 1
It was a good story but I felt the ending was rushed. The last book felt like there should be more
It was a good story but I felt the ending was rushed. The last book felt like there should be more
May 2, 2019
I love most the books by this author so was excited to see a new series set within the Algardis Universe.
The first few chapters are a little slow, setting the scene with sibling rivalries etc but from about chapter 10 onwards it becomes hard to put down & can't wait to see what happens next.
Strongly recommend do not read the summary because it contains spoilers - just start reading the book & watch the story develop
The first few chapters are a little slow, setting the scene with sibling rivalries etc but from about chapter 10 onwards it becomes hard to put down & can't wait to see what happens next.
Strongly recommend do not read the summary because it contains spoilers - just start reading the book & watch the story develop
May 26, 2019
I have been seamped with work and school and have not been able to read as much as I wanted to. So when I saw Terah had put out another Algardis universe book I was so excited and it did not disappoint. On Mages by Chance we get to meet Mae who is headstrong (I mean all the Algardis women are) and she is willing to do anything to save her siblings. The plot is great the character development is great and I can't wait to read the next one.
May 2, 2019
Great New Series
I just finished reading this first book in the Algardis series it is going to be a winner Terah Edun is a great at bringing characters to life and what an ending.Loved it!!
I just finished reading this first book in the Algardis series it is going to be a winner Terah Edun is a great at bringing characters to life and what an ending.Loved it!!
May 7, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. It was a little slow in the beginning but then it just got super exciting and hard to put down. I enjoyed the main character and the interactions she has with others. It ends on a cliffhanger but it just makes me want to read more. Can't wait for the next book
June 19, 2019
This is anther great starting of a series
This was a great read. The main character Mae gets what she has always wanted. I can't wait for the next book.
This was a great read. The main character Mae gets what she has always wanted. I can't wait for the next book.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews