The Trials of Daphne Holdfast

Magelands Origins #2

by Christopher Mitchell

Daphne Holdfast is a young captain assigned to defend an isolated fort far behind enemy lines.
Promoted due to her family’s connections and mistrusted by the garrison’s officers, Daphne must find the strength to unite her troops and repel the advancing enemy hordes.

She has one advantage – she is an elite vision mage, endowed with supreme fighting skills.

Can Daphne learn to master her growing powers before the enemy attack?

Or will her first command be her last…?

Genres: Fantasy

246 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 29, 2020

About the author

For news and special offers you can join my mailing list through my website where you will receive a FREE copy of 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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Reviews

[kartik narayanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Trials of Daphne Holdfast reveals Daphne's backstory – how she was betrayed, the loss of her left arm and the introduction of the church as an enemy. I found it entertaining and compelling enough to read the book in one sitting. This is a great entry in the Magelands Universe.

[Tallulah Hadfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book actually really surprised me! I was in a reading slump, nothing was looking interesting and I purely started this since I’m Scottish and so is the author 😂

However, I was extremely pleasantly surprised. The writing is so well done and actually highlighted to me how other authors I’ve recently read have actually been pretty terrible in hindsight.

Couple things did annoy me though, the names of the characters are so similar that it does get a bit irritating trying to differentiate everyone, I’m a super fast reader and this did slow me down. Also I felt like the characters were building a great relationship together and then all of a sudden someone gets left behind on purpose with no really second thought? And then the MC does it again to the people she left with, gets them almost caught and then abandons them. It makes me kind of not like her but I’m routing for her at the same time. Frustrating! 😂

Not sure if you really need to start with this one but I did as I seen somewhere online say this is the start of the world timeline, but I felt it was a good place to start.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Magelands Origins: The Trials of Daphne Holdfast), my eighteenth read from prolific author Christopher Mitchell, the follow-up to 2020’s The Magelands Origins: Retreat of the Kell. 246-pages of epic fantasy. When I want to read epic fantasy I first look for author Christopher Mitchell. With 34 books written over 3 series, I need to get going & read more Christopher Mitchell books. 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. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018)

[Rachel Scaglione · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars it was ok but i felt it was a necessary read as a prequel to the epic fantasy Magelands books because she is one MC in the first book and I feel like I was dumped in the middle of her POV which takes place after the trials in this book. Maybe it would have been more exciting if i didn't already know the events of the first half of the book from the main series. However it is also important for the events of book 2 as one POV refers back to her captivity a lot. It was a quick read and answered a lot of questions about Daphne's past so worth it overall.

[Donna Wollf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, a kindle series worth reading!

After a whole bunch of thin plots and error-filled novels in the kindle unlimited section, Mitchell has renewed my faith with his epic Magelands series. The original stories and the two prequels were beautifully written and the stories new and original. I am so excited to see that I now get to follow Corthie into the strange new land into which he was stolen away.

[Nigel P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cracking back story

Again it was great to be back on the Star Continent and great to get some insight into the shaping of Daphne’s future character, definitely felt this book was right to ge released after the Magelands Epic still not sure about Retreat of the Kell. But very happy to read and enjoy Christopher Mitchell’s superb penmanship.

[Bob Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good explanation of the origins of Daphne Holdfast. I find these "prequels" to be lacking the intricacy of the actual Mageland epics. Like trying to fill in the gaps without any real plotlines to draw from. I'm moving on to books 5-8, hopeful that they will rekindle my love of the original stories told in books 1-4.

[Cigdem Marco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Good Story

Very good books to start the series. I wanted to read the The Magelands Origins before I started the whole series and I’m glad I did. I read Killons’, Kiaras’ and Daphnes’ story first to get a better understanding of the series. I don’t know yet if these characters are going to be in the actual series but I would be sad if they aren’t.

[Arya · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 *********

[Marta Esterkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wish I had read before the main series... but maybe not
It clarifyed and expanded but it doesn't have the pluck oc the exellent multi-series. Will read the other books in the "origins", though, since I bought it :) and I likecMitchell's writting

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Origin story

I read all the label and stories a while ago but had somehow missed these two. Great to go back and see how Daphne Holdfast and Killop started out. This is just Daphne's story but both are great!

[Sappho Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am pleased to find a series that is of such quality in plot, character, prose, typesetting, access to printable maps, and other information making reading a pleasure. I seldom award more than 3 stars, 4 is reserved for very special works like Shakespeare.

[Mary-ellen Holmes · Rating 4 out of 5]

👍

This book started slow. But then it grabbed me and I had a very hard time putting it down! Excellent!

[Katrina Pounds · Rating 5 out of 5]

What next?

I have read all your books now. What I'm going to read next? I enjoyed very one of them .

[Volpot · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. OK, but somewhat flat. The story didn't capture my interest.

[Phil Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well developed story lines.
Very easy reading and very enjoyable.
If anything, could use some more "Magic" throughout.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novella and onwards to the rest!!!

[Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars

[Kenneth Medford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting, excited to read the next book!

Can’t wait to start the next book, riveting and exciting, but I’ll need a cup of tea before I do!

[Shannon Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christopher Mitchell once again captivates the reader and draws us into the Magelands world. Keep in mind that these origin stories set up The Magelands Saga. I would actually recommend reading this first so you don't already know what to expect. You gain great insight as to how characters get where they are so don't worry if you've already read The Epic, you will still enjoy this.

This is the second story of origins and we get the backstory of Daphne in Trials and find out how she got into the position she did in The Queens Executioner. We also learn exactly what happened in Sanang and why she fell out with the Holdings church. It was great to see the dynamic she had and watch as she transitions and grows as an individual. Reading the saga first I was used to seeing her so sure of herself so it was interesting to see something different.

Christopher Mitchell knows just how to draw a reader in and keep us captivated from start to finish and leave us begging for more.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindle edition

Started: 03/04/22
Completed : 03/04/22
Rated: *3 STARS *