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The Revenge of Magic #5
The Chosen One
Fort and his friends face more perilous ancient magic as they race towards a battle to save humanity in this fifth and final installment in the fantastical series from the author of the New York Times bestselling Story Thieves!Fort Fitzgerald is finally reunited with his father and wants nothing more than for life to return to normal, the way things were before magic burst back into the world. But normal isn’t an option anymore. Not when the Old Ones could still return to enslave humanity and Damian is dead set on making that happen. Convinced he’s the Chosen One the prophecy says will save the world, Damian has mastered all six books of magic and plans to summon the Old Ones to destroy them. Fort knows better though—Damian has no chance of defeating the Old Ones once they arrive. Maybe Fort could stop Damian if he could use the magic from the dragon dictionary, but he’s consumed with strange visions each time he tries. The only hope left is for Fort, Jia, and Rachel to recruit the help of old friends—and enemies. But how can they know who to trust? Because unless they can find the truth behind the web of secrets and lies surrounding the prophecy of the Chosen One, Fort’s visions, Arthurian legends, and even magic itself, they’ve already lost.
480 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 2, 2021
46 people are currently reading
608 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
April 5, 2021
The final fight is coming. Fort Fitzgerald and his friends have one week until Damian has promised to return and unleash the Old Ones on the Earth. Damian thinks he can defeat the Old Ones, but Fort believes that Damian will fail, unleashing the Old Ones on the Earth. Fort thinks his only hope is to find a way to destroy magic once and for all. But can he figure out how to do that in time?
This is the final book in the series, so if you haven’t read the earlier books, I definitely recommend you go back and start there. If you don’t, you’ll have some pretty cool twists spoiled for you. Fans will be happy with the story we get here. I do feel the author took a bit too long in the first half, time that could have been cut without impacting the story overall. But the second half is great, with the complications we’ve grown to expect from the series and a page turning climax. All the characters we love show up again here, and I enjoyed the growth some of them got. Fans of the series will be happy with how things are wrapped up.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
This is the final book in the series, so if you haven’t read the earlier books, I definitely recommend you go back and start there. If you don’t, you’ll have some pretty cool twists spoiled for you. Fans will be happy with the story we get here. I do feel the author took a bit too long in the first half, time that could have been cut without impacting the story overall. But the second half is great, with the complications we’ve grown to expect from the series and a page turning climax. All the characters we love show up again here, and I enjoyed the growth some of them got. Fans of the series will be happy with how things are wrapped up.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
March 12, 2021
I very much enjoyed this series. I'm sad to get to the end of the journey with Fort and his friends, but I like how it ended.
April 7, 2021
Oooooooooo yaa. Cool 📖.
Man without a skull is not at all disturbing!!
Kool kuver (cover). Fruit lady... Oof. (Noice ending even though there wasn't much BLOOD!! LOL)
Man without a skull is not at all disturbing!!
Kool kuver (cover). Fruit lady... Oof. (Noice ending even though there wasn't much BLOOD!! LOL)
September 1, 2025
I appreciate the way the "chosen one" trope was approached head on and with humor, but still included and explained. This was a highly satisfying conclusion to the story, but I wouldn't say no to some short stories about what happened between the ending and the epilogue!!
December 26, 2024
It was an amazing book, nothing less.
September 22, 2021
Series review:
Another fantastical entertaining story by James Riley. There is lots of action, some interesting characters and an unexpected ending. My biggest complaint is that I never really liked or connected to the main character. However, his weaknesses and commonality did make him more believable in some ways. No questionable content. Appropriate for all ages
Another fantastical entertaining story by James Riley. There is lots of action, some interesting characters and an unexpected ending. My biggest complaint is that I never really liked or connected to the main character. However, his weaknesses and commonality did make him more believable in some ways. No questionable content. Appropriate for all ages
April 22, 2021
One of the most satisfying endings I've ever listened to. This would be five-star, but I'm disappointed with Riley that he didn't keep his books entirely clean. I love Rachael and Jia as characters, but I wish he hadn't done this with them. Luckily it's small and not focused on, so I can still love this series. Good job, James Riley.
September 3, 2023
Best book ever!!!
March 21, 2024
Pretty high four stars. It feels like every time I read this book, I enjoy it more than I remembered. Seeing all of the allies and friends that we met along the course of the series is just so satisfying! Not to mention, Fort actually had some pretty nice character development (and some seriously sweet moments with other characters that made me tear up the first time I read this book). Not to mention I would do literally anything for Cyrus at this point, and I wish someone would give him a hug.
Basically the end of this book was so SATISFYING, and my only complaints are that we didn’t get too much of Rachel and Jia, or Sebastian (who actually opened the book this time, which was a fun change of pace. Pity he just disappears the rest of the time), and we didn’t get too much of after the last fight. I do appreciate that there was SOME attempt made to conclude the aftermath of. . . Everything. . . But after some 450 pages, it felt almost rushed.
Pretty much all of my complaints are very nitpicky, though, as once again this book refused to let me put it down. Overall, I love this series, and honestly can’t wait to reread it again.
Basically the end of this book was so SATISFYING, and my only complaints are that we didn’t get too much of Rachel and Jia, or Sebastian (who actually opened the book this time, which was a fun change of pace. Pity he just disappears the rest of the time), and we didn’t get too much of after the last fight. I do appreciate that there was SOME attempt made to conclude the aftermath of. . . Everything. . . But after some 450 pages, it felt almost rushed.
Pretty much all of my complaints are very nitpicky, though, as once again this book refused to let me put it down. Overall, I love this series, and honestly can’t wait to reread it again.
January 19, 2022
This book is so creative, emotional, and very well thought out. I cried countless times throughout the book, but the end made me cry the most. Because it was over.
September 20, 2022
That's a wrap for the whole series! It did not disappoint and I am really sad that this series have come to an end.
October 28, 2022
I really appreciate the way all the dropped hints are fulfilled and the loose threads are woven back in for a spectacular finale.
March 10, 2022
First time reading: 5 stars!
Okay it's really hard for me to give a middle grade book 5 stars since there's a big difference in quality and intrigue compared to YA books. But even though I struggled between 4.5 and 5 stars I know this book is really 5 stars. It's such a great series! I'm pretty sure if I re-read Story Thieves and Half Upon a Time I'd give them 5 stars too, but it's been a while and I just rated it on what I think I would've given it after reading it. So..seeing Fort struggle to be a good parent to a dragon is pretty interesting. It's almost as epic as Endgame! All the characters meet and it's like..there's 4 sides in this ending fight pretty much. I had to stay up so late to finish this in a matter of hours. There's certain types of scenes the author writes that are the scenes the reader REALLY WANTED TO SEE DEEP DOWN..and the scene where Cyrus and Fort are back in time and it's truly their first meeting (which is super cool..time travel!!!) and Cyrus looks excited when he realizes Fort will be his friend..oo I really needed that scene after the blow that he was a traitor hit me. I can't believe Helio..(Helios?) is Fort's dad in changeling form...James Riley is a genius. I like how Fort says there isn't such a thing as chosen ones-just people who are trying to do the right thing. I can't believe this had King Arthur lore, Atlantis, Time Travel, Old ones, the beginning of time, the end of time, wizards, fairies, dragons...so much more! It was so interesting to learn how the old ones controlled magic and turned it bad and how humans and old ones can be just as bad as each other..and then the ending. Fort had all the power in the world but he gave it to his friends so they could fight together and then they released that power altogether to the whole world so everyone could use magic instead of controlling it!!! And now I know why it's called the REVENGE OF MAGIC! Oh this book was so good and so deep and so wonderful! And then Cyrus and Fort become friends again..and Fort gets to meet his dad!! I can't wait to read more of James Riley's books..!!
I'm still very shocked. I would definitely recommend this.
Okay it's really hard for me to give a middle grade book 5 stars since there's a big difference in quality and intrigue compared to YA books. But even though I struggled between 4.5 and 5 stars I know this book is really 5 stars. It's such a great series! I'm pretty sure if I re-read Story Thieves and Half Upon a Time I'd give them 5 stars too, but it's been a while and I just rated it on what I think I would've given it after reading it. So..seeing Fort struggle to be a good parent to a dragon is pretty interesting. It's almost as epic as Endgame! All the characters meet and it's like..there's 4 sides in this ending fight pretty much. I had to stay up so late to finish this in a matter of hours. There's certain types of scenes the author writes that are the scenes the reader REALLY WANTED TO SEE DEEP DOWN..and the scene where Cyrus and Fort are back in time and it's truly their first meeting (which is super cool..time travel!!!) and Cyrus looks excited when he realizes Fort will be his friend..oo I really needed that scene after the blow that he was a traitor hit me. I can't believe Helio..(Helios?) is Fort's dad in changeling form...James Riley is a genius. I like how Fort says there isn't such a thing as chosen ones-just people who are trying to do the right thing. I can't believe this had King Arthur lore, Atlantis, Time Travel, Old ones, the beginning of time, the end of time, wizards, fairies, dragons...so much more! It was so interesting to learn how the old ones controlled magic and turned it bad and how humans and old ones can be just as bad as each other..and then the ending. Fort had all the power in the world but he gave it to his friends so they could fight together and then they released that power altogether to the whole world so everyone could use magic instead of controlling it!!! And now I know why it's called the REVENGE OF MAGIC! Oh this book was so good and so deep and so wonderful! And then Cyrus and Fort become friends again..and Fort gets to meet his dad!! I can't wait to read more of James Riley's books..!!
I'm still very shocked. I would definitely recommend this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2022
After all Fort's done to save his dad, teleporting to the different magic schools, time jumping and fighting the General and discovering Cyrus -- Fort's best friend -- is the Old One trying to open the portal that will ensure humans are enslaved forever, Fort has found a solution for this mess -- destroy magic. Forever. Once and for all.
Except…he's got Ember, his baby girl dragon to think of. She's a (huge) creature of magic. If he can get her to Avalon, with the other older dragons hiding out, she'll be okay if he destroys magic, right?
And there's the fairies, and Fort's deal with the Fairy Queen, which he still hasn't fulfilled. Now she wants all the magic in Fort's head in return for his father's safe return (no, the man Fort rescued wasn't his dad -- it was a changeling, posing as his dad, who has a very interesting take on the whole "changling" thing that I really liked!).
And Damian, the arrogant boy-dragon, who's convinced he's the Chosen One of the prophecy, because of that little ditty that starts every Book of Magic? The one about The One who learns all the magic in all six books?
Except, Fort suspects, he's now got the same knowledge in his head -- from Ember's dragon dictionary. The one Merlin -- Cyrus as an old man -- gave him to learn to speak to Ember. Which it turns out he never really needed, as Ember learned English pretty darn fast.
So… maybe Fort's the Chosen One? But he doesn't want the magic. Not an ounce of it. He's had it with it. It creates more problems than it solves.
And even moreso, when he goes back in time and discovers Cyrus' family weakened and fouled magic when they bound it to the books. It got its revenge on them by … ah, no.
You'll have to read to find that out! But it was quite clever on the author's part, and I really enjoyed that twist!
This was a satisfying conclusion to the series, with some delightful twists and turns, and I highly recommend it!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
Except…he's got Ember, his baby girl dragon to think of. She's a (huge) creature of magic. If he can get her to Avalon, with the other older dragons hiding out, she'll be okay if he destroys magic, right?
And there's the fairies, and Fort's deal with the Fairy Queen, which he still hasn't fulfilled. Now she wants all the magic in Fort's head in return for his father's safe return (no, the man Fort rescued wasn't his dad -- it was a changeling, posing as his dad, who has a very interesting take on the whole "changling" thing that I really liked!).
And Damian, the arrogant boy-dragon, who's convinced he's the Chosen One of the prophecy, because of that little ditty that starts every Book of Magic? The one about The One who learns all the magic in all six books?
Except, Fort suspects, he's now got the same knowledge in his head -- from Ember's dragon dictionary. The one Merlin -- Cyrus as an old man -- gave him to learn to speak to Ember. Which it turns out he never really needed, as Ember learned English pretty darn fast.
So… maybe Fort's the Chosen One? But he doesn't want the magic. Not an ounce of it. He's had it with it. It creates more problems than it solves.
And even moreso, when he goes back in time and discovers Cyrus' family weakened and fouled magic when they bound it to the books. It got its revenge on them by … ah, no.
You'll have to read to find that out! But it was quite clever on the author's part, and I really enjoyed that twist!
This was a satisfying conclusion to the series, with some delightful twists and turns, and I highly recommend it!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
February 19, 2022
LITERALLY WHY DID THIS BOOK TAKE ME ON SUCH AN EMOTIONAL RIDE
Okay. Deep breath. Coherent review starts in three, two, one...
I've been a fan of these books from the start, despite a few minor complaints (mostly the fact that when characters switch sides, they kind of undergo personality transplants to make them seem more evil, namely
But anyway, minor grievance, and I'm not here to criticize. I am here to say that this series started off as a fun, cozy comfort series, and while I loved the first three, I was not a fan of the twist in book four. "You've ruined my favorite character because of an out-of-nowhere plot twist, Mr. Riley," I thought. "How could you do this to me?"
Meanwhile, in the shadows, Mr. Riley *probably* cackled knowingly as he hammered out the draft for book five, because said favorite character is BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER, and that "contrived" plot twist (I cringe in shame at my younger self's folly, much like another character I could mention) added a layer of depth to both the character and the story that blew me away. Book five is on another level than the first four, because it delves into the questions I've been wondering about since the first book, such as, "Did the Old Ones ever look human?" and the ones I forgot to ask, like "Who was the Old One of Space Magic?" and the ones I didn't think there was any point in asking, like "How is it possible for Merlin to live backward in time??"
If you're wondering if you should just pick this book up right now and start absorbing this tale of magic and family and power-corruption, I will say YES, ABSOLUTELY, DO IT RIGHT THIS MINUTE. Unless, of course, you haven't read the first four. You should probably do that. Otherwise you're not going to get the emotional payoff that was The Chosen One's ending.
Seriously. Read the book. Thank you, Mr. Riley, for writing this showstopper.
Okay. Deep breath. Coherent review starts in three, two, one...
I've been a fan of these books from the start, despite a few minor complaints (mostly the fact that when characters switch sides, they kind of undergo personality transplants to make them seem more evil, namely
But anyway, minor grievance, and I'm not here to criticize. I am here to say that this series started off as a fun, cozy comfort series, and while I loved the first three, I was not a fan of the twist in book four. "You've ruined my favorite character because of an out-of-nowhere plot twist, Mr. Riley," I thought. "How could you do this to me?"
Meanwhile, in the shadows, Mr. Riley *probably* cackled knowingly as he hammered out the draft for book five, because said favorite character is BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER, and that "contrived" plot twist (I cringe in shame at my younger self's folly, much like another character I could mention) added a layer of depth to both the character and the story that blew me away. Book five is on another level than the first four, because it delves into the questions I've been wondering about since the first book, such as, "Did the Old Ones ever look human?" and the ones I forgot to ask, like "Who was the Old One of Space Magic?" and the ones I didn't think there was any point in asking, like "How is it possible for Merlin to live backward in time??"
If you're wondering if you should just pick this book up right now and start absorbing this tale of magic and family and power-corruption, I will say YES, ABSOLUTELY, DO IT RIGHT THIS MINUTE. Unless, of course, you haven't read the first four. You should probably do that. Otherwise you're not going to get the emotional payoff that was The Chosen One's ending.
Seriously. Read the book. Thank you, Mr. Riley, for writing this showstopper.
March 20, 2021
Perfect.
Absolutely perfect.
After finishing "The Timeless One" the other month, I honestly wasn't sure if I'd continue reading. I just felt so betrayed. But I'm so glad I finished the series.
The plot was confusing in places because of all the time travel stuff. Lots of books have been written with time travel, but they're just plain confusing if not written well. But after a moment to think, I could understand what was going on.
The characters' development was INCREDIBLE. I loved seeing how much Fort has grown. Also, I'M SO GLAD CYRUS TURNED AROUND!!!!! Now, THIS is the silver-haired Clairvoyance boy I immediately liked when I began the series.
Oh, yeah!! Everyone has magic now?? A new magic school is being started?? AND MERLIN...?
EPIC
Yet bittersweet...
Thank you so much for the adventure, James Riley!!!
Absolutely perfect.
After finishing "The Timeless One" the other month, I honestly wasn't sure if I'd continue reading. I just felt so betrayed. But I'm so glad I finished the series.
The plot was confusing in places because of all the time travel stuff. Lots of books have been written with time travel, but they're just plain confusing if not written well. But after a moment to think, I could understand what was going on.
The characters' development was INCREDIBLE. I loved seeing how much Fort has grown. Also, I'M SO GLAD CYRUS TURNED AROUND!!!!! Now, THIS is the silver-haired Clairvoyance boy I immediately liked when I began the series.
Oh, yeah!! Everyone has magic now?? A new magic school is being started?? AND MERLIN...?
EPIC
Yet bittersweet...
Thank you so much for the adventure, James Riley!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2021
Magic is as Magic does...
I'll admit, i was not a fan of this series. For whatever reason it just never quite clicked.
But it stuck with me, and then of course, it's a JAMES RILEY series, so I simply had to finish it...
I'm glad i did.
The magic, the characters, the mythology... all won me over in the end.
I'll admit, i was not a fan of this series. For whatever reason it just never quite clicked.
But it stuck with me, and then of course, it's a JAMES RILEY series, so I simply had to finish it...
I'm glad i did.
The magic, the characters, the mythology... all won me over in the end.
March 19, 2021
The Chosen One is not a three star but it wasn't a four star either. It was getting boring but finally it picked up. It only really picked up because of Helio. Now that was a character I liked. I mean really almost everything that happened only happened because of some really bad decisions on the part of children, who thought they knew more than adults. Which is usually how it is but still at least one entire book could have been deleted if the children hadn't thought they knew better than others what needed to be done.
December 14, 2023
The Chosen One is actually my favorite in the series. It's not my favorite book ever but it is the best in the series.
Why did it take so long for me to realize that Sierra is also my favorite character? (Ember is my other favorite character)
Yay! Fort's dad is back! I love reunions and when Fort's dad came back it was really sweet.
I think that the series was ended really well. What I mean is that the author finished it really well. The epilogue was kinda confusing tho. Don't get me wrong I just love epilogues it's just that that this one was confusing.
Why did it take so long for me to realize that Sierra is also my favorite character? (Ember is my other favorite character)
Yay! Fort's dad is back! I love reunions and when Fort's dad came back it was really sweet.
I think that the series was ended really well. What I mean is that the author finished it really well. The epilogue was kinda confusing tho. Don't get me wrong I just love epilogues it's just that that this one was confusing.
April 27, 2025
first thing is the final battle in this book was epic!!! I loved how long and thought out it was. it also felt like the stakes were so high and the chance of losing totally crossed my mind. it also had a lot of good conclusion. aside from the end though this book just felt like a rush to pack it all in. I don't actually feel like I needed so much back story that I was given. it could've been a little more spread throughout the books. I did like the chosen one/not chosen one though.
March 2, 2022
I really liked this book. Lots of good character developement and plot was cool! I AM a little bit annoyed, though--nothing that's James Riley's fault, of course, but... There is a LOT in this book that is similar to a series I am writing. 1) Character name 2) dragon what-not 3) started writing around the same time
May 16, 2024
This was a great end to the series. I liked RA the series better though, and the plot was so easy to interpret in this series. It also follows the most basic fantasy plot, in which the MC figures out their a chosen one, woah!!! SO AWESOME. Guys its no big deal, and I was getting tired of this whole unrealistic fantasy stuff, so stick to RA if you want medieval, realistic, fantasy.
July 17, 2021
*4.75 stars
December 13, 2021
4.5 stars
December 18, 2021
A beautiful and heartwarming goodbye to our beloved heroes.
September 20, 2022
4.5 stars. I enjoyed reading this. Riley did a good job wrapping up loose ends and keeping the reader engaged.
November 12, 2022
Ik it isn't something to cry at but i cried
January 8, 2024
It's remarkable how the author ties up the myriad loose ends of the entire series in one book.
April 10, 2024
I'm not crying.. you are. I need a dragon named Ember. This book ended just so perfectly. I really enjoyed this book series. You got me right in the feels, Mr. Riley. You did your job well. ♥️
May 20, 2024
Good but like confusing. Very confusing
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews