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Darkling Mage #0.5
Penumbra
Death is only the beginning.
Dustin Graves was a jack of all trades, a directionless dreamer until the day he found his purpose: as a ritual sacrifice. Transformed in death, Dust awakens to the eldritch mysteries behind the grit and glamor of the city of Valero – and to the wellspring of dark magic that lives inside his very bones.
This is where it all began. Discover how Dustin met his friends and foes at the Lorica, and get a firsthand look at his death – the very ritual murder that would change his life forever. Experience Penumbra and discover the Darkling Mage universe today!
88 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 6, 2018
43 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
About the author
Nazri Noor
48 books397 followersHi, I'm Nazri, a Filipino-Malaysian author based in California. I’m trilingual, but I really only write in English. I can also speak just enough Sindarin and Valyrian to impress absolutely no one. My urban fantasy novels focus on realistic heroes who use wits, style, and their wildly unpredictable magic to (try) and save the day. Think sass and class, while kicking ass.
My influences come from horror and fantasy: HP Lovecraft, Anne Rice, George R.R. Martin, Chuck Palahniuk, Terry Pratchett, and Neil Gaiman. Growing up I was shaped by the Blood Sword, Fighting Fantasy, Lone Wolf, and Grey Star game book universes. I'm also inspired by video games, specifically the Castlevania, Final Fantasy, and Persona series.
TL;DR: I'm a huge nerd. And yes, that's my real hair. I try to donate it to the American Cancer Society as often as I can. Also, have you heard? You can get a free book at www.NazriNoor.com.
My influences come from horror and fantasy: HP Lovecraft, Anne Rice, George R.R. Martin, Chuck Palahniuk, Terry Pratchett, and Neil Gaiman. Growing up I was shaped by the Blood Sword, Fighting Fantasy, Lone Wolf, and Grey Star game book universes. I'm also inspired by video games, specifically the Castlevania, Final Fantasy, and Persona series.
TL;DR: I'm a huge nerd. And yes, that's my real hair. I try to donate it to the American Cancer Society as often as I can. Also, have you heard? You can get a free book at www.NazriNoor.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
May 11, 2018
Very good urban fantasy for teens up, I really enjoyed this new series. It's well written, has good world building that suits the contemporary UF feel, and the magic is only just beginning. It has humour, interesting and diverse characters - sentient swords included - and a solid, developing storyline.
There are plenty of status updates attached to this review to check the writing out.
You can grab this for free at the authors site. If you like UF then I definitely recommend this novella for you to get a good feel for the upcoming series. I'm now looking forward to book #1 - Shadow Magic on June 6th.
Blog review -
There are plenty of status updates attached to this review to check the writing out.
You can grab this for free at the authors site. If you like UF then I definitely recommend this novella for you to get a good feel for the upcoming series. I'm now looking forward to book #1 - Shadow Magic on June 6th.
Blog review -
May 14, 2023
Should've read this first but, oh well. Some of the contents here were retold in passing in the first book. However, it's good to read how Dustin and Vanitas met. If the sword was human, he'll probably be Dustin's soulmate. I mean, if there's no romance in this series, can we at least recover Vanitas for Dustin?! Ugh. A girl can dream. 🥲🥲🥲 Bastion seriously, I really think he has a secret crush on Dustin but he's a jerk so.
May 27, 2024
I liked PENUMBRA and I'm curious to see where Dustin's story goes. He's a fun MC with a sarcastic "voice" that I can tell will keep things entertaining. He's been thrust into the magical world of the arcane underground after being sacrificed by a cult and he's still navigating his new powers and his place with the Lorica. He has a lot of confidence but it's also mixed with some naiveté and loneliness since he's never felt like he had a purpose in life. I'm looking forward to seeing where the series goes from here.
Content Warning: ritual sacrifice
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Connected Series:
1. Darkling Mage
2. Sins of the Father
3. Infernal Inheritance
4. Vampire Vigilante
Content Warning: ritual sacrifice
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Connected Series:
1. Darkling Mage
2. Sins of the Father
3. Infernal Inheritance
4. Vampire Vigilante
July 17, 2019
After a fight with his dad about his latest dumb business idea, Dustin is attacked in the park and killed in a ritual sacrifice by a cult. However, Dustin wakes up, sore but alive and finds himself rescued by The Lorica, who help victims of magic related crime and protect both the normal and arcane worlds. Now Dustin is being given a chance to work for them as a Hound, someone who uses his newly awakened magic to help him seek out and rescue magical items that are being misused or in the wrong hands.
I got this book free from the author for taking his newsletter and used this to see what the writing was like and whether I might be interested in continuing with the series. I liked Dustin as a character. He was a bit of a loser with a poor relationship with his dad, who suddenly realises he is not only meant to have died in the attack, but has woken up with the ability to travel through shadows. His skills are actually cooler than they sound as he can literally drop into his shadow and travel under buildings and things. His both Thea was interesting as were his partners on his first case-Prudence and Bastion. But my favourite character was the talking sword Vanitas which I hope we see more of in the series. I liked this enough to take a look at at least the first book in the series to see what happens next.
3.5 stars.
I got this book free from the author for taking his newsletter and used this to see what the writing was like and whether I might be interested in continuing with the series. I liked Dustin as a character. He was a bit of a loser with a poor relationship with his dad, who suddenly realises he is not only meant to have died in the attack, but has woken up with the ability to travel through shadows. His skills are actually cooler than they sound as he can literally drop into his shadow and travel under buildings and things. His both Thea was interesting as were his partners on his first case-Prudence and Bastion. But my favourite character was the talking sword Vanitas which I hope we see more of in the series. I liked this enough to take a look at at least the first book in the series to see what happens next.
3.5 stars.
April 25, 2020
A great beginning to what I think will be a wonderful series.
Mr. Noor definitely has a vivid imagination, but not to the point of unbelievablity. This prequel is an excellent jumping off point to familiarize readers with what is to come. The protagonists are introduced and marginally developed, leaving further development for the upcoming books. Rivalries are begun, as are friendships. It will be intriguing to climb aboard this magical train and see where it leads.
Mr. Noor definitely has a vivid imagination, but not to the point of unbelievablity. This prequel is an excellent jumping off point to familiarize readers with what is to come. The protagonists are introduced and marginally developed, leaving further development for the upcoming books. Rivalries are begun, as are friendships. It will be intriguing to climb aboard this magical train and see where it leads.
May 29, 2018
Penumbra is a nice introduction to the upcoming Darkling Mage series, the troubled Dustin Graves, and the characters who are likely to feature in his new life as a magic-type person.
Dust is a jack-of-all-trades who can't just stick to one thing, so after his murder and "resurrection", he finds himself shoved into a world that existed alongside the one he was existing in, with powers and a possibility of making something of himself for once in his life. But first, he has to figure his new powers out and learn to work together with some other magic users from a hidden organisation.
This is a one-sitting read that will give you a feel for the writing and story, and also leaves you wondering about -enough- things that we will probably learn more about in upcoming books.
Disclaimer: I am friends with the author and he didn't bribe or threaten me to write this.
Dust is a jack-of-all-trades who can't just stick to one thing, so after his murder and "resurrection", he finds himself shoved into a world that existed alongside the one he was existing in, with powers and a possibility of making something of himself for once in his life. But first, he has to figure his new powers out and learn to work together with some other magic users from a hidden organisation.
This is a one-sitting read that will give you a feel for the writing and story, and also leaves you wondering about -enough- things that we will probably learn more about in upcoming books.
Disclaimer: I am friends with the author and he didn't bribe or threaten me to write this.
April 20, 2019
Good intro to the series. Surprisingly long for a 0.5 book, but it's a great introduction to the world and the characters without being a infodump book. I actually stopped reading book 1 and went to read this one, because I was curious and I don't regret it.
Going to book 1 now XD
Going to book 1 now XD
January 17, 2019
Such an amazing and compelling tale of Dustin Graves! I'm glad that there are other books out already!
March 14, 2020
I loved this beginning to the series that swirls around this character. I immediately acquired all of the books so I could put everything else in my library on the back of the old wood stove. Why would I do that without knowing what adventures lay in wait for me to stroll by? Well, you see, this author is a master of his craft. I saw that straight away. I usually read fast. With this book, I slowed down a lot. A lot. I wanted to savor the technique and style of writing that just leaped out at me and told me to.
What the writer does with characters is brilliant. As he introduces each into the action, and there is plenty of that, he allows you to see deep into their persona. You know their habits, their quirks and the appearance of each one. They are all different. That is as it should be, of course, but very often is not in other novels. The main character who is called, Dust, has a charm in this beginning introduction to the rest of what is to come in future readings. I can hardly wait to get into them.
I think you will recognize just how great the author is when you read his Penumbra. I dare you to resist leaping with determination right into the next book. If this is your kind of genre, I guarantee you will be thrilled. As an author myself, I am happy to say, I expect to learn something from this young man about storytelling.
What the writer does with characters is brilliant. As he introduces each into the action, and there is plenty of that, he allows you to see deep into their persona. You know their habits, their quirks and the appearance of each one. They are all different. That is as it should be, of course, but very often is not in other novels. The main character who is called, Dust, has a charm in this beginning introduction to the rest of what is to come in future readings. I can hardly wait to get into them.
I think you will recognize just how great the author is when you read his Penumbra. I dare you to resist leaping with determination right into the next book. If this is your kind of genre, I guarantee you will be thrilled. As an author myself, I am happy to say, I expect to learn something from this young man about storytelling.
March 6, 2019
Penumbra is essentially about a man in his 20's whose life is in shambles and one day acquires magical powers by being stabbed by magical cultists. A magical society called the Lorica saves him and gives him an opportunity to work for them and change his life. Dustin (the main character) accepts and has his powers awakened (in a very extreme way) and is sent on his first mission with two quirky companions named Prudence and Bastion. The mission succeeds but Dustin gets careless with the artifact they were supposed retrieve and ends up being chased by thugs. The artifact turns out to be a sentient sword and helps him defeat the bad guys. When he returns to the Lorica he gets a scolding from Thea and becomes an official member of the Lorica.
The book is fairly short but it is a fun and easy to read. The wording flows together quite naturally and the characters seem likable. I say "seem" because we don't really get see much of the other characters just a few scenes here and there. Overall I really enjoyed the book and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
The book is fairly short but it is a fun and easy to read. The wording flows together quite naturally and the characters seem likable. I say "seem" because we don't really get see much of the other characters just a few scenes here and there. Overall I really enjoyed the book and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
June 5, 2022
So a friend got me book one and two of a Darkling Mage series and I found out it had a prequel so... After glancing over some reviews decided to read the prequel first. Hopefully get a feeling for the style and writing.
It’s okay. Penumbra is a novella so not that long, the pace is a bit too quick. But I think that was suppose to show how fast things were happening for Dustin. I like how the author never lets things get too dark or serious which I appreciate. Humour is interjected between the dark, without taking away from the drama of the scene too much. For me anyway.
I think I didn’t really start getting into it until Vanitas showed up. That’s when it started to pull me in slightly.. So of course near the end. lol
I am... intrigued. I look forward to seeing how things progress and flow in the full length novels.. I’m optimistic.
It’s okay. Penumbra is a novella so not that long, the pace is a bit too quick. But I think that was suppose to show how fast things were happening for Dustin. I like how the author never lets things get too dark or serious which I appreciate. Humour is interjected between the dark, without taking away from the drama of the scene too much. For me anyway.
I think I didn’t really start getting into it until Vanitas showed up. That’s when it started to pull me in slightly.. So of course near the end. lol
I am... intrigued. I look forward to seeing how things progress and flow in the full length novels.. I’m optimistic.
May 27, 2018
This the prequel novella to the Darkling Mage series. It's a fairly short read, and details Dustin's initial experience with the arcane - as an unwilling human sacrifice.
This is a very well-written story. The author has done a very good job of laying out Dustin's prior existence, how he finds himself tied to an altar, and the aftermath, including how he gets involved with the Lorica.
I am a bit disappointed that it doesn't have any major revelations that impacted my understanding of the first book in the series, however. Still, it's a very good read, and I very much enjoyed it.
I received a free copy from the author.
This is a very well-written story. The author has done a very good job of laying out Dustin's prior existence, how he finds himself tied to an altar, and the aftermath, including how he gets involved with the Lorica.
I am a bit disappointed that it doesn't have any major revelations that impacted my understanding of the first book in the series, however. Still, it's a very good read, and I very much enjoyed it.
I received a free copy from the author.
June 7, 2018
This is a prequel to the series, which gives an insight into the main character, Dustin Graves, the life he led before he became magical and, also, how he became magical. It gives an additional insight into some of the characters we meet later in the series. It contributes greatly to the development of Dustin’s character, understanding of his magic, and his personal circumstances. I enjoyed it greatly and immediately continued with the novel. Even if you don’t feel like starting with this prequel, it would be best to read it somewhere halfway through the novel, because it does give missing parts of the story.
September 2, 2018
Forgot to review this when I finished it because I read it in between a couple of other books.
It's a pretty short read, a lead up to book 1 in the Darkling Mage series, Shadow Magic (I think.) I kinda liked it? But it wasn't anything to really shout about. Just how Dustin gets into trouble (by being kidnapped as a sacrifice), doesn't die, finds out he has magic powers, gets into trouble again and finds a talking sword.
The thing I remember most about this story is the talking sword. Which actually sounds vaguely familiar, but I can't remember where I've seen a similar talking sword, so whatever.
I also don't remember exactly when I finished reading this, but sometime in August.
It's a pretty short read, a lead up to book 1 in the Darkling Mage series, Shadow Magic (I think.) I kinda liked it? But it wasn't anything to really shout about. Just how Dustin gets into trouble (by being kidnapped as a sacrifice), doesn't die, finds out he has magic powers, gets into trouble again and finds a talking sword.
The thing I remember most about this story is the talking sword. Which actually sounds vaguely familiar, but I can't remember where I've seen a similar talking sword, so whatever.
I also don't remember exactly when I finished reading this, but sometime in August.
May 23, 2022
Nice little backtrack to how Dustin was brought into this wild ride. My main question was if this prequel is a flashback or whether it starts off in the past. A couple lines hint that it may be a flashback, but really, in every way that matters, this is set prior to book 1. It has no spoilers and can be read as a true prequel for the series.
As far as content ... I liked seeing how it all started. Book 1 starts with him already knee deep in chaos and I didn't realize how much I missed the introduction until it was available.
As far as content ... I liked seeing how it all started. Book 1 starts with him already knee deep in chaos and I didn't realize how much I missed the introduction until it was available.
April 28, 2025
So much fun!!!
Having found this prequel novella “out of sequence,” so to speak, let me say that it offers an incredible introduction into one of the most enjoyable fantasy universes it has been my pleasure to explore.
Populated, now, by more than seven independent but still interconnected series, Noor has created a wonderful place for new readers to explore and enjoy, and I promise you: you shall ENJOY!
Having found this prequel novella “out of sequence,” so to speak, let me say that it offers an incredible introduction into one of the most enjoyable fantasy universes it has been my pleasure to explore.
Populated, now, by more than seven independent but still interconnected series, Noor has created a wonderful place for new readers to explore and enjoy, and I promise you: you shall ENJOY!
May 10, 2019
This is a short prequel for the Darkling Mage series. It introduces the characters we get to know in book one, including the ever sassy sword, Vanitas. You can get this for free by signing up for the author's newsletter, and it's a really quick read. I'd recommend reading it first, but it still feels important even after reading the first book. Another winner from this author!
June 9, 2019
Has some formatting issues, a good proof read would fix it. I read it after reading the first book in the series and truthfully I probably wouldn't have read the I 1st book if I had read this one first due to the formatting issues. Sentences jumped around and parts seemed to be missing. I liked the 1st book well enough though.
December 16, 2023
Intriguing
I love Mr. Noor’s writing. His ability to interweave multiple mythologies into a cohesive story is behind compare. This prequel to the Darkling Mage series is a prime example of eh he succeeds where so many others fail - he creates a backdrop that enables the reader to truly care about the characters and, therefore, become invested in their stories.
I love Mr. Noor’s writing. His ability to interweave multiple mythologies into a cohesive story is behind compare. This prequel to the Darkling Mage series is a prime example of eh he succeeds where so many others fail - he creates a backdrop that enables the reader to truly care about the characters and, therefore, become invested in their stories.
May 23, 2024
AUDIO REVIEW
This prequel was a fun additional story to the Darkling Mage Series, that provided additional information about our characters! Penumbra was also a good introduction to the Darkling Mage Series. The narrator did a great job too! I look forward to Nazri Noor’s future work!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this audiobook.
This prequel was a fun additional story to the Darkling Mage Series, that provided additional information about our characters! Penumbra was also a good introduction to the Darkling Mage Series. The narrator did a great job too! I look forward to Nazri Noor’s future work!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this audiobook.
January 7, 2025
Love it!
This book is short and awesome. It's a little dark, but Dustin is hilarious, and his powers are freaky and cool! I love the sentient sword! I can't wait to read more of this story!
I listened to the audiobook, and I love this narrator so much. He brings Dustin's character to life perfectly.
This book is short and awesome. It's a little dark, but Dustin is hilarious, and his powers are freaky and cool! I love the sentient sword! I can't wait to read more of this story!
I listened to the audiobook, and I love this narrator so much. He brings Dustin's character to life perfectly.
November 17, 2019
Good old Dustin. He is cute and funny. Not boring at all. He have hia weakness.
Its interesting to read how it all started.
I should have started with this book before reading book 1 as it kinda spoil the mood a bit after knowing what would happen in book1.
Yes. A good series to chase.
Its interesting to read how it all started.
I should have started with this book before reading book 1 as it kinda spoil the mood a bit after knowing what would happen in book1.
Yes. A good series to chase.
April 3, 2020
Not a bad start!!!
I'm looking forward to offensive capabilities from our protagonist but a good base is set for the rest of the series. The vanitas angle brings another facet to the story also. Good writing from the author. Looking forward to reading next book.
I'm looking forward to offensive capabilities from our protagonist but a good base is set for the rest of the series. The vanitas angle brings another facet to the story also. Good writing from the author. Looking forward to reading next book.
May 15, 2018
Once again I have found a good book in this story. I could not put it down until the end. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy.
July 13, 2018
Good starting point for the series but could have been longer with more plot
June 29, 2019
Great introduction to Dustin and his life.
September 6, 2019
Quite interesting. Prequel explains how it all started..and Dustin is funny
October 31, 2022
Short but interesting. Good world-building and memorable characters.
A nice introduction to the series of full-length novels.
A nice introduction to the series of full-length novels.
April 2, 2023
An intriguing introduction
This novella has everything I’ve come to expect from this author: humor, banter, sass, and a complex world full of magic and mystery.
This novella has everything I’ve come to expect from this author: humor, banter, sass, and a complex world full of magic and mystery.
November 11, 2023
Nice start
This was a nice start to a new series I'm very curious about destined I'm already filling him as a character Off to book 1
This was a nice start to a new series I'm very curious about destined I'm already filling him as a character Off to book 1
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews