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Magelands Origins #1
Retreat of the Kell
The four highland clans have fought each other for as long as history remembers. Killop and Keira, the twins of fire have grown up amid constant tribal warfare, each destined to become the champions of their clan. As Keira’s powers have grown, so too have her people’s expectations of her. When their homeland is invaded in an overwhelming attack aimed at the destruction of their culture and the enslavement of their families, together can they unite the clans to defend their land? Or will the old rivalries tear them apart?
- GenresFantasy
230 pages, Paperback
Published February 28, 2020
327 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Mitchell
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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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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 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 15, 2022
The Retreat of the Kell is probably the one book in the entire Magelands Universe (about 26 in all?), that I found boring and wished it would end. I needed multiple sessions spread over a week to finish it. I suppose it is because it contains two characters that I do not care about – Killop and Keira (the only one dimensional, irredeemable asshole in the whole series).
September 24, 2021
Over 30% and I just hated everyone. Well at least those that I could differentiate since everyone had the same name. Or at least they started with the same letter. It was like reading the Iliad. And while I like that, reading classic Greek literature can be gratifying, it's still not my favorite pastimes.
I have to say that the book itself is very well written, the combat scenes are awesome. My problem is with everything in between those.
I get that most men are not very good at writing romance and fighting a battle together can be a bonding experience, but looking up at someone after knowing them for months and deciding that wow, they look beautiful, I must be in love with them, and in the morning being validated, that her beauty was not a fever dream so I can still be in love with them was so disturbingly male and shallow that I just couldn't get over it. I would get it if in the heat of the moment they got together and had sex, but no, they fell in love.
Keira had some personality, unfortunately it was detestable. Everyone else was there as a cannon fodder, an authority figure or just a person who told the story. And I get that as a writer you have limitations and can't have background stories for everyone, but being good with one weapon or another does not a character make.
Maybe I'm in a sensitive mood but when boring characters just get worse by disturbing events I give up.
I have to say that the book itself is very well written, the combat scenes are awesome. My problem is with everything in between those.
I get that most men are not very good at writing romance and fighting a battle together can be a bonding experience, but looking up at someone after knowing them for months and deciding that wow, they look beautiful, I must be in love with them, and in the morning being validated, that her beauty was not a fever dream so I can still be in love with them was so disturbingly male and shallow that I just couldn't get over it. I would get it if in the heat of the moment they got together and had sex, but no, they fell in love.
Keira had some personality, unfortunately it was detestable. Everyone else was there as a cannon fodder, an authority figure or just a person who told the story. And I get that as a writer you have limitations and can't have background stories for everyone, but being good with one weapon or another does not a character make.
Maybe I'm in a sensitive mood but when boring characters just get worse by disturbing events I give up.
Read
April 12, 2020DNF. I stopped at 30%.
No rating
No rating
October 9, 2022
This took me forever to read, I was just not that interested. I really thought I was going to like this but just couldn’t get myself to enjoy it. Again the names all so similar is excruciatingly annoying. I really wasn’t much of a fan of Keira, her one liner insults were almost cringe worthy. The relationship between Kallie and Killop appeared out of nowhere and was done really badly. All she done was not let him die and what, all of a sudden he’s attracted to her?
Again the story and world is amazing, like I can’t get over how many amazing ideas the writer has and world building is incredible, but I just don’t connect with a single character.
I’m also a bit disappointed with how MUCH Scottish there was, like to me it felt like shoved in my face but that could be because I am a Scottish person reading it and it felt like too much? But maybe that’s necessary for those that aren’t Scottish, I dunno.
Again the story and world is amazing, like I can’t get over how many amazing ideas the writer has and world building is incredible, but I just don’t connect with a single character.
I’m also a bit disappointed with how MUCH Scottish there was, like to me it felt like shoved in my face but that could be because I am a Scottish person reading it and it felt like too much? But maybe that’s necessary for those that aren’t Scottish, I dunno.
February 25, 2022
The Magelands Origins: Retreat of the Kell, my thirteenth read from prolific author Christopher Mitchell. When I want to read epic fantasy I first look for author Christopher Mitchell. With 23 books written over 3 series, I need to get going & read more Christopher Mitchell books. I finally got around to reading this book, now I look forward to reading more from this author. “I received a free Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. Now I need to go back to the Magelands Origins Series, and read The Magelands Origins: The Trials of Daphne Holdfast next. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
September 11, 2020
Great to be back
I’ve only just finished the Magelands Epic (all right books) and I was already missing the Star Continent and it’s peoples also, it’s been nice to pick up some of the back story of the Kellach Brigdommin and of course Killop and Keira.
This is a great tale and I really wish I’d read it first, not complaining- happy to read it. It feels like the first book, but.
I’ve only just finished the Magelands Epic (all right books) and I was already missing the Star Continent and it’s peoples also, it’s been nice to pick up some of the back story of the Kellach Brigdommin and of course Killop and Keira.
This is a great tale and I really wish I’d read it first, not complaining- happy to read it. It feels like the first book, but.
March 27, 2023
Stupendous!
There are 27 books in this EPIC tale beginning with The Magelands Origins, Retreat of the Kell. This series rivals Game of Thrones!!! There’s even potential to continue in other directions, which I hope Christopher Mitchell will consider writing! THE BEST SERIES of books EVER WRITTEN *********
There are 27 books in this EPIC tale beginning with The Magelands Origins, Retreat of the Kell. This series rivals Game of Thrones!!! There’s even potential to continue in other directions, which I hope Christopher Mitchell will consider writing! THE BEST SERIES of books EVER WRITTEN *********
February 1, 2023
I decided to start my journey into the Magelands with this book, one of the two -three, if you count the novella- that forms the Origins arc. And I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with its relentless pace, with the long list of characters, and with the prospect of what was coming. Love it.
September 20, 2021
Quick read but it is fast and it made me laugh , I have all of the authors' 'work so cannot wait to read them.
October 28, 2021
Not for me, doubt I'll continue with this series
November 29, 2022
Very Good
Very good story and likable characters. There is lot of death and it is a bit sad because as soon as you start liking a character they might end up dying.
Very good story and likable characters. There is lot of death and it is a bit sad because as soon as you start liking a character they might end up dying.
December 31, 2022
4 1/2 stars
April 24, 2020
I forgot that I had purchased this book in March as I was reading a different series at the time. I was skimming the books in my Kindle library looking for my next read when I discovered this Magelands Origins along with The Trials of Daphne Holdfast.
Now, I haven't finished this book as I write this but I know that I have read certain aspects of it before. My initial "What the heck?" was when the Kells sought out the reclusive mage who lived in a cave to learn what he foresaw for their future. This does not diminish my enjoyment but is sort of driving me nuts trying to determine where I might have already read it.
Finished. I'm still positive I had read this and know for certain that I read The Trials of Daphne Holdfast. Maybe I have more than one copy, although Amazon is usually pretty good about letting me know I already have something before purchase.
Mr. Mitchell has a wonderful way of depicting his characters in such a way that I genuinely care for them and feel like I understand what motivates them.
Aha! I did purchase these books in October 2019 as a single edition and reviewed them here:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Mystery solved and I haven't lost my mind.
Now, I haven't finished this book as I write this but I know that I have read certain aspects of it before. My initial "What the heck?" was when the Kells sought out the reclusive mage who lived in a cave to learn what he foresaw for their future. This does not diminish my enjoyment but is sort of driving me nuts trying to determine where I might have already read it.
Finished. I'm still positive I had read this and know for certain that I read The Trials of Daphne Holdfast. Maybe I have more than one copy, although Amazon is usually pretty good about letting me know I already have something before purchase.
Mr. Mitchell has a wonderful way of depicting his characters in such a way that I genuinely care for them and feel like I understand what motivates them.
Aha! I did purchase these books in October 2019 as a single edition and reviewed them here:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Mystery solved and I haven't lost my mind.
February 29, 2020
Christopher Mitchell captivates the reader and draws us into the Magelands world. This is book one in Magelands Origins but the Saga came out first. Keep in mind this is an origin story and sets up The Magelands Saga. I would recommend starting here so you don't already know what to expect. If you’ve already read the Saga stories you can still enjoy this as it beautifully illustrates how characters get where they and the relationships they have.
This story focuses of Keira and Killop as we see them navigate the retreat of the Kell. I loved seeing more of the twin dynamic. I also gained a better understanding of Keira and why she seemed to change so much over the series. I really felt like I could see what they experienced. The descriptions are vivid and captivating. Christopher Mitchell sets the scene perfectly so the reader is captivated in the tale and invested in the outcome.
This story focuses of Keira and Killop as we see them navigate the retreat of the Kell. I loved seeing more of the twin dynamic. I also gained a better understanding of Keira and why she seemed to change so much over the series. I really felt like I could see what they experienced. The descriptions are vivid and captivating. Christopher Mitchell sets the scene perfectly so the reader is captivated in the tale and invested in the outcome.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews