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Magelands Epic #3
Needs of the Empire
On the run – again
Branded an enemy by the Church and Emperor, Daphne Holdfast is forced to flee the Imperial City with her young daughter Karalyn, whose own mage powers are now beginning to reveal themselves.
They intend to travel to Rahain, a land in turmoil following the devastating invasion and occupation by Alliance forces.
With Holdings missionaries converting the newly-freed Rahain masses, and the overthrown aristocrats fomenting rebellion against the new regime, Daphne and her infant daughter must undertake a perilous journey to find the safe haven of Slateford, ruled by Karalyn’s father, Killop of the Kellach Brigdomin.
All Daphne desires is to settle down with her family, but as one of the most powerful mages alive, what if the world won’t let her?
What if the world has other plans for Daphne?
Branded an enemy by the Church and Emperor, Daphne Holdfast is forced to flee the Imperial City with her young daughter Karalyn, whose own mage powers are now beginning to reveal themselves.
They intend to travel to Rahain, a land in turmoil following the devastating invasion and occupation by Alliance forces.
With Holdings missionaries converting the newly-freed Rahain masses, and the overthrown aristocrats fomenting rebellion against the new regime, Daphne and her infant daughter must undertake a perilous journey to find the safe haven of Slateford, ruled by Karalyn’s father, Killop of the Kellach Brigdomin.
All Daphne desires is to settle down with her family, but as one of the most powerful mages alive, what if the world won’t let her?
What if the world has other plans for Daphne?
540 pages, Paperback
First published June 27, 2019
184 people are currently reading
208 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Mitchell
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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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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 9, 2019
Book three in this awesome fantasy series! The books just keep getting better. The Emperor and the the Fire mage face off in this epic quest to save the world! Will Keira Kill-Kill beat the Emperor or is she going to be too late? Shella the flow mage faces her own problems, and Daphne and Killop have their hands full with their own powerful mage daughter. I highly recommend this entire series. I received an advance review copy if this book.
June 5, 2019
An excellent continuation into the Magelands epic.
The Holdings are know considered as the rulers of the entire Magelands, but when they start to demand mages from every people, it is obvious that they are planning something.
Daphne Hodfast has given birth to the first mixed race child in the history of the Magelands, and a sect of the Church seek to harm her and her baby for the 'transgression.'
Keira Kill-kill has amassed a huge army and decided to fight against the Empire, but she first has to conquer Agang, the self proclaimed King of Sanang.
With ever mounting tension in the Magelands, new battle lines are being drawn between those who will serve the Church and their upcoming mission, and those who wish to lead a life free from the Church's rule.
This is an action-paced adventure fantasy novel full of demonstrative language from Keira and Shella, and an ever present plot that will keep you reading and drawing your own battle lines.
The Holdings are know considered as the rulers of the entire Magelands, but when they start to demand mages from every people, it is obvious that they are planning something.
Daphne Hodfast has given birth to the first mixed race child in the history of the Magelands, and a sect of the Church seek to harm her and her baby for the 'transgression.'
Keira Kill-kill has amassed a huge army and decided to fight against the Empire, but she first has to conquer Agang, the self proclaimed King of Sanang.
With ever mounting tension in the Magelands, new battle lines are being drawn between those who will serve the Church and their upcoming mission, and those who wish to lead a life free from the Church's rule.
This is an action-paced adventure fantasy novel full of demonstrative language from Keira and Shella, and an ever present plot that will keep you reading and drawing your own battle lines.
December 4, 2024
A fantastic story line throughout the whole series. I have just started book eight and am still loving it. I have also now learnt a new language by reading these books 😁. Thank you...
May 30, 2019
This series just keeps getting better!
We are once again transported into this world. The characters all have rich personalities and each is unique. There is a description of the races at the start of the book including which type of magical abilities each possesses. This can be very helpful as a refresher if it's been awhile since you read the past books. I would recommend reading this series in order, you would have a hard time following the storylines which are rather complex of you start here.
Needs of the Empire takes place a little bit after The Severed City. Keira has already built up and leading the army to try and take down the Empire, they seem quite an unstoppable force as they match towards the capital. Kylon has a bit of a character shift into a darker place.
Meanwhile Daphne and Killop are reunited. Their daughter has powers nobody can even imagine. They try and settle into life together at least until Ladoc asks for help. It seems the Old Free aren't very happy their slaves were freed and their trying to take back the city.
Sheila is bored in her life as an ambassador but her own government is willing to give her a crown. We even get to see a bit of her family again. It's not a happy reunion but then I doubt anyone expected one.
Christopher Mitchell continues to seamlessly weave all the separate parts and paths of this story leaving the reader fully immersed. I though more than once I knew how things would happen but I was so very wrong! Be prepared for a few twists and turns you never see coming. I can't wait for book 4 to learn how it ends.
I received and advanced readers copy of this book and am happy to leave this honest review.
We are once again transported into this world. The characters all have rich personalities and each is unique. There is a description of the races at the start of the book including which type of magical abilities each possesses. This can be very helpful as a refresher if it's been awhile since you read the past books. I would recommend reading this series in order, you would have a hard time following the storylines which are rather complex of you start here.
Needs of the Empire takes place a little bit after The Severed City. Keira has already built up and leading the army to try and take down the Empire, they seem quite an unstoppable force as they match towards the capital. Kylon has a bit of a character shift into a darker place.
Meanwhile Daphne and Killop are reunited. Their daughter has powers nobody can even imagine. They try and settle into life together at least until Ladoc asks for help. It seems the Old Free aren't very happy their slaves were freed and their trying to take back the city.
Sheila is bored in her life as an ambassador but her own government is willing to give her a crown. We even get to see a bit of her family again. It's not a happy reunion but then I doubt anyone expected one.
Christopher Mitchell continues to seamlessly weave all the separate parts and paths of this story leaving the reader fully immersed. I though more than once I knew how things would happen but I was so very wrong! Be prepared for a few twists and turns you never see coming. I can't wait for book 4 to learn how it ends.
I received and advanced readers copy of this book and am happy to leave this honest review.
December 23, 2023
Daphne is on the run again, and this time she is carrying her fast growing daughter Karalyn, who is beginning to come into her own magical powers. They undertake a very dangerous journey to join up with Killop, Karalyn's father and chief of the Kellach Brigdomin, who have settled in Slateford. Meanwhile the land is in turmoil once again as all five factions seem to be bent on acquiring power at any cost and there is a lot of backstabbing and betrayals even after alliances had been formed. This book seems to have unleashed hell on the world, battles galore are fought on all fronts killing thousands from each faction. The Emperor intends to rule the world with his new religious leaders by his side. These are sending missionaries to preach the word of the creator all over the land. Can Daphne join up with Killop and can they keep Karalyn safe in a world gone mad, and where mages everywhere were under threat? I don't know how the author manages to keep all the storylines going, this is a very convoluted series yet one which is so gripping I cannot wait to start reading book 4.
June 19, 2019
Ok, it’s the middle of the night and, while I may regrets the loss of sleep tomorrow, there’s no way I will regret the binge read that I just did oh the third and fourth books of Christopher Mitchell’s The Magelands Epic, Needs of the Empire and Sacrifice. No surprise since I enjoyed books 1 and 2 do much, but still, I wasn’t actually intending to binge. I just couldn’t stop. This is addictive stuff and totally fun to dive into. If you’ve not read the first two books I strongly recommend doing so first. Then be prepared to be absorbed by these volumes. Read the publisher’s blurbs ti find out what these stories are about. Each is totally a well-written blast. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend.
January 17, 2022
When recently recommending this series to a friend, I compared it to the Malazan Books of the Fallen. Now, obviously this is not on the same scope (nothing is!) but the world has the same expansive sense of being richly lived in, as though it extends off the page, forward and backwards in time beyond the bounds of this particular story.
Daphne is such a great character. Too often, when women become mothers, they retreat from the pages of stories, but she remains vibrant, growing in this new role.
I might've complained that the last entry in the series had a shortage of magic for my tastes. Pleased to see that's very much not the case here! Lots of cool magic used throughout.
The balance between battle scenes, plot, and more gentle character-based moments was great. This continues to be a very strong series!
Daphne is such a great character. Too often, when women become mothers, they retreat from the pages of stories, but she remains vibrant, growing in this new role.
I might've complained that the last entry in the series had a shortage of magic for my tastes. Pleased to see that's very much not the case here! Lots of cool magic used throughout.
The balance between battle scenes, plot, and more gentle character-based moments was great. This continues to be a very strong series!
August 11, 2025
The Magelands Epic: Needs of the Empire (Book 3), my thirty-second read from prolific author Christopher Mitchell, 562-pages of epic fantasy. With more than 48 books published over 4 inter-conncted series it's no wonder that when I want to read epic fantasy I first look for Christopher Mitchell. I look forward to reading more from him, in fact Yearning for Evermore: An Epic Fantasy Adventure (The Magelands Dominion Book 11) is already on my TBR list and it won't be published until November of this year. “I received a complementary 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).
June 2, 2019
ONE INTENSE EXPERIENCE!!!
Aaaaah Snap! A spinning, twisting vortex of inadvertent happenstance and surprising mishaps catapults your swirling emotions into play fluidly. All the drama, angst, danger and suspense blaze through melding this baby together one jagged piece at a time. The characters are authentic and realistic with such traits and qualities that blend with one another in a perfect balance. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and descriptions you have no problem picturing each scenario creating a colorful backdrop that makes the storyline pop. Remarkable job Christopher, thanks for sharing.
Aaaaah Snap! A spinning, twisting vortex of inadvertent happenstance and surprising mishaps catapults your swirling emotions into play fluidly. All the drama, angst, danger and suspense blaze through melding this baby together one jagged piece at a time. The characters are authentic and realistic with such traits and qualities that blend with one another in a perfect balance. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and descriptions you have no problem picturing each scenario creating a colorful backdrop that makes the storyline pop. Remarkable job Christopher, thanks for sharing.
May 21, 2019
Another great installment in the Magelands series. Every time I think things couldn't get worse for our heroes, I'm proven wrong. By the end, I'd learned not to get too attached to anyone, as pretty much no one is safe. The world will never be the same again, and almost everyone has been scarred, physically and emotionally. How will they come back from this? It's hard to review without giving too much away, but I will say that many questions are answered - some things I'd guessed at, others took me by surprise - while still leaving enough mystery for the next book.
March 5, 2023
Summary: Heavy going at times but interesting premise, massive scope of each nation and interesting characters within it it got better and better
Plotline: So many threads all independent and still maturing, but the plot is there and slowly comes to the fore.
Premise: Huge and feels like an experiment by some higher beings
Writing: Heavy at times, but excellent characters and descriptions
Ending: Much more to come.
Pace: Never a dull moment!
Plotline: So many threads all independent and still maturing, but the plot is there and slowly comes to the fore.
Premise: Huge and feels like an experiment by some higher beings
Writing: Heavy at times, but excellent characters and descriptions
Ending: Much more to come.
Pace: Never a dull moment!
May 8, 2025
This is probably closer to 3.5* but I can’t round up to 4 as I have given 4* to better books. This is well written as all Mitchell’s books are. None of them are particularly cheery, but this one is nearly all doom and gloom. Battles and massacres and what does the Creator need all the different types of mage for? Something terrible no doubt. I am enjoying discovering all the backstory for the Holdfasts I met in the Eternal Siege books.
June 22, 2019
This is an amazing story it grabs you from the first page to the last. It has you on the edge of your seat. And a real page turner. You have epic battle scenes. And the scenes are written so well that you can vividly see them as you read. This is definitely a must read. The Author has really hit it out of the park. I would love to see this on the big screen.
Shauna Joesten
Shauna Joesten
June 30, 2019
Needs of the Empire(Magelands Epic #3) by Christopher Mitchell is an amazing read. This is book number three in this amazing story that I have loved reading. I hihghly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about magic in their stories.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
February 18, 2020
The story is interesting, if you've stuck with series so far. This will be as far as I go in the series. Too much death, and increasingly over the top with the Creator. Every character you come to recognize, and there quite a few, dies. The narrative becomes depressing, with twisted and illogical plot turns, and, the bad guy keeps winning. Perhaps not in the very end, but if you stick around, you won't be happy.
February 24, 2020
Very exciting!
There is just so much going on in these books! This story is huge and the characters are brilliantly written and draw you in entirely. A few come across as mean and bitter, a few seem weak, a few are strong minded and determined, but you can't help but want the best for them, and you slowly start to see that they are very much more than what's on the surface.
There is just so much going on in these books! This story is huge and the characters are brilliantly written and draw you in entirely. A few come across as mean and bitter, a few seem weak, a few are strong minded and determined, but you can't help but want the best for them, and you slowly start to see that they are very much more than what's on the surface.
June 16, 2019
This series just keeps getting better and better! Character development increases, scene intensity develops more and more, and choices become more important. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
I received an advance copy and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
I received an advance copy and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
June 17, 2019
The author has done a wonderful job on this series. It’s well written and great characters. I’ve been hooked from the beginning. I highly recommend. (I received this book as an arc and am leaving a voluntary honest review)
April 22, 2020
The best one yet!
While books one and two set the pace introducing the land, characters and powers this book really gets down to business in a big way that I could hardly put it down.
If anyone wants some escapism just now then look no further than the Magelands epic - you are in for a treat!
While books one and two set the pace introducing the land, characters and powers this book really gets down to business in a big way that I could hardly put it down.
If anyone wants some escapism just now then look no further than the Magelands epic - you are in for a treat!
Currently reading
October 8, 2022Karalyne for President
Even so young she is so helpful and powerful.
I was wrapped up for every word what would happen next with our MCs. I was also guessing what the Creator's plan was, I think my idea is a possibility.
Even so young she is so helpful and powerful.
I was wrapped up for every word what would happen next with our MCs. I was also guessing what the Creator's plan was, I think my idea is a possibility.
May 29, 2020
Power-
A great power has come to the land but who is it the creator of we-Bear ? How did everything get so screwed up? How will they survive ? Questions, questions, questions.
A great power has come to the land but who is it the creator of we-Bear ? How did everything get so screwed up? How will they survive ? Questions, questions, questions.
January 1, 2021
This was a very good book took me sometime to read it as life was in the way. However a lot has happened in the story and I am looking forward to book 4.
April 6, 2021
Another incredible story! Amazing battles, brilliant characters, a joy to read
December 31, 2022
4 1/2 stars
August 16, 2023
This is the one with heavy self-pity. Don't skip it, though, because the story and writing are very good.
June 4, 2019
Fascinating series—can scarcely put it down!
Upheavals of empires, back and forth, as a new “true religion” claiming to worship the creator and to be doing his will, seeks to gather any gifted from all 5 race. The stated purpose: studying these people. As the episode progresses, we begin to see the malevolent purpose unfold, and the abuse and deaths of many of the gifted. Just who this “creator” is, however is still unclear, although he seem to be becoming more of a destroyer by the end. For what purpose? (Or is that the purpose—to destroy everything the True Creator made?). A truly unique world vision.
I received a free copy of this book. My review is voluntary, and I have no financial relationship with the author or publisher.
Upheavals of empires, back and forth, as a new “true religion” claiming to worship the creator and to be doing his will, seeks to gather any gifted from all 5 race. The stated purpose: studying these people. As the episode progresses, we begin to see the malevolent purpose unfold, and the abuse and deaths of many of the gifted. Just who this “creator” is, however is still unclear, although he seem to be becoming more of a destroyer by the end. For what purpose? (Or is that the purpose—to destroy everything the True Creator made?). A truly unique world vision.
I received a free copy of this book. My review is voluntary, and I have no financial relationship with the author or publisher.
October 3, 2019
Firstly, I would like to commend the author for making the entire series available and not having to wait months or years to find out what happens next. I get aggravated when this happens or, even worse, the author seems to drop off the face of the earth and never finishes the story. I also tend to forget plots so when there is a long stretch between volumes I often can't remember what's already happened, the characters, etc.
This was an exciting tome where the character's lives kept changing so rapidly that there was never a dull moment. Just when you think that a particular situation had been resolved, something would happen to turn it upside down. Alliances are tested and there is certainly not a happy ending for any of our protagonists at this point in time.
We still don't understand exactly what the Creator is trying to achieve. Hopefully he will be defeated in the fourth and final book. I'd like to see the good guys win.
Apropos to nothing - What is the meaning behind ending a sentence with the word 'but'? (Without ellipsis) I noticed it in the earlier books but it really seemed to stand out in this volume. I've never run across it before.
This was an exciting tome where the character's lives kept changing so rapidly that there was never a dull moment. Just when you think that a particular situation had been resolved, something would happen to turn it upside down. Alliances are tested and there is certainly not a happy ending for any of our protagonists at this point in time.
We still don't understand exactly what the Creator is trying to achieve. Hopefully he will be defeated in the fourth and final book. I'd like to see the good guys win.
Apropos to nothing - What is the meaning behind ending a sentence with the word 'but'? (Without ellipsis) I noticed it in the earlier books but it really seemed to stand out in this volume. I've never run across it before.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews