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Fifth Mage War #3
Mississippi Missing
Mary was a mundane middle-aged woman adjusting to her role as an empty-nester when she drank from a magical chalice and became fae. A few months later, she’s still adapting to her new life when the Mississippi River suddenly disappears.
The only river nymph left, Mary sets out to find it. A were-jaguar, frog prince, and multiple fae lords entangle themselves in her quest, turning what should have been an exciting adventure across the American Midwest into a treacherous journey fraught with ancient magick, twisted faerie “games,” and even a glimpse into the Hereafter to see what awaits on the Other Side.
Mary is determined to rescue the river, but isn’t sure she’s ruthless enough to become an avenging faerie. Can she save the Mississippi’s soul without sacrificing her own?
Mississippi Missing is a standalone novel set in the contemporary fantasy world of the Fifth Mage War. It’s a spiritual story of new beginnings, a heartfelt tale of remaining true to yourself, even when you don’t know who you are.
***WINNER 2022 Hoffer Award for Best SciFi/Fantasy & named a Finalist for the Hoffer Grand Prize***
The only river nymph left, Mary sets out to find it. A were-jaguar, frog prince, and multiple fae lords entangle themselves in her quest, turning what should have been an exciting adventure across the American Midwest into a treacherous journey fraught with ancient magick, twisted faerie “games,” and even a glimpse into the Hereafter to see what awaits on the Other Side.
Mary is determined to rescue the river, but isn’t sure she’s ruthless enough to become an avenging faerie. Can she save the Mississippi’s soul without sacrificing her own?
Mississippi Missing is a standalone novel set in the contemporary fantasy world of the Fifth Mage War. It’s a spiritual story of new beginnings, a heartfelt tale of remaining true to yourself, even when you don’t know who you are.
***WINNER 2022 Hoffer Award for Best SciFi/Fantasy & named a Finalist for the Hoffer Grand Prize***
Kindle Edition
Published July 27, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 24, 2021
Mississippi Missing
is a standalone novel that is set in the world of the Fifth Mage War series. The main character, Mary, in this story is featured in the main series. Some characters and events from the series are also referenced in this story, but this can be read without any prior knowledge of the other series. This novel is a “side quest” where Mary has her own adventure as she helps figure out a mystery involving the Mississippi River.
Mary is now a full river nymph (fae) after being transformed from Nimoe’s chalice. She went from seemingly mundane homemaker to her truth-teller husband, Mike, to a full magical river nymph in the course of nine hours. She is seemingly the last river nymph as their numbers have been reducing for years and the last known remaining disappeared in the 1800s. She is in the Ohio River in Paducah, Kentucky trying to grow her new powers. Her song can help remove contaminants and runoff, such as excess Nitrogen, from the ecosystem, however, she needs to practice to not remove too many nutrients from the water. She receives word suddenly that the Mississippi River is gone. However, it is still physically there as it is its essence that has been stolen.
She heads to the Shawnee Preserve as her first stop in the investigation. Here she meets Kresimir, the frog prince, and Alicia, the were-jaguar, who join her on her quest. When it seems to be three high-level mages that are the culprits, the group sets off to find more answers. Along the way, they find a potentially more sinister plot involving Lord Nga, the Lord of the Underworld, with plans involving the use of Mary to assist in his plans. The story continues to follow this cast of characters to try and restore balance to the world as they travel through the American Midwest. Their journey goes through multiple states and rivers, including Cairo, Illinois, Keokuk, Iowa, Belmont Township, Minnesota, and Lake Itasca, Minnesota (the main source of the Mississippi River).
This story was very captivating as I was curious to see how everything would come together. After learning a lot about her siblings, and even her husband, in the main series since their stories get a larger spotlight, it was nice to have the focus on Mary. I loved her as a character as she was very clever and enjoyable. I loved her interactions with the other characters as the conversations had a nice sense of realism, even if they were discussing more fantasy-oriented subjects. The pacing was great in this story as there was a nice build-up to introducing Mary while leading to her leading the quest to try and right the Mississippi. Not only was there the main quest, but there was a nice element of Mary trying to learn more about herself. She has new powers and a new life, so she is working to try and find out how to continue to be with those she cares about and keep herself happy along the way. Overall, this story may be a standalone, but it did make me excited to read the next novel in the Fifth Mage War series. I cannot wait to see what Laura will come up with next for this amazing cast of characters!
**I give a special thank you to Book Sirens and the author, Laura Engelhardt, for the opportunity to read this interesting novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**
Mary is now a full river nymph (fae) after being transformed from Nimoe’s chalice. She went from seemingly mundane homemaker to her truth-teller husband, Mike, to a full magical river nymph in the course of nine hours. She is seemingly the last river nymph as their numbers have been reducing for years and the last known remaining disappeared in the 1800s. She is in the Ohio River in Paducah, Kentucky trying to grow her new powers. Her song can help remove contaminants and runoff, such as excess Nitrogen, from the ecosystem, however, she needs to practice to not remove too many nutrients from the water. She receives word suddenly that the Mississippi River is gone. However, it is still physically there as it is its essence that has been stolen.
She heads to the Shawnee Preserve as her first stop in the investigation. Here she meets Kresimir, the frog prince, and Alicia, the were-jaguar, who join her on her quest. When it seems to be three high-level mages that are the culprits, the group sets off to find more answers. Along the way, they find a potentially more sinister plot involving Lord Nga, the Lord of the Underworld, with plans involving the use of Mary to assist in his plans. The story continues to follow this cast of characters to try and restore balance to the world as they travel through the American Midwest. Their journey goes through multiple states and rivers, including Cairo, Illinois, Keokuk, Iowa, Belmont Township, Minnesota, and Lake Itasca, Minnesota (the main source of the Mississippi River).
This story was very captivating as I was curious to see how everything would come together. After learning a lot about her siblings, and even her husband, in the main series since their stories get a larger spotlight, it was nice to have the focus on Mary. I loved her as a character as she was very clever and enjoyable. I loved her interactions with the other characters as the conversations had a nice sense of realism, even if they were discussing more fantasy-oriented subjects. The pacing was great in this story as there was a nice build-up to introducing Mary while leading to her leading the quest to try and right the Mississippi. Not only was there the main quest, but there was a nice element of Mary trying to learn more about herself. She has new powers and a new life, so she is working to try and find out how to continue to be with those she cares about and keep herself happy along the way. Overall, this story may be a standalone, but it did make me excited to read the next novel in the Fifth Mage War series. I cannot wait to see what Laura will come up with next for this amazing cast of characters!
**I give a special thank you to Book Sirens and the author, Laura Engelhardt, for the opportunity to read this interesting novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**
October 5, 2021
This is a luscious, playful fantasy with an enchanting cast.
Middle-aged Mary finds herself transformed into a river nymph. She uses music to communicate with all bodies of water and sings life-changing spells. She is simultaneously one of the most powerful magical beings in a world thronging with magical races, and a complete newbie in their society. When the soul of the Mississippi River vanishes, she sets out on a quest to find and return it, navigating the tricks and allegiances of the fae who try to help or hinder her.
Laura Engelhardt draws on a history of fae characters, like Titania and Morgan le Fay, but her world is fresh and inventive. The faerie lords pitch between playful jester types and dangerous trickster gods - I particularly enjoyed the frog prince Kresimir, who accompanies Mary on her journey.
The world of the book is suffused with sensory magic, affecting the characters' appearances, dress, environment and perceptions. Engelhardt writes beautifully of music, colour and nature in a way that is both vivid and totally fantastical.
I didn't always know what was happening with the back-story of the world and the magic, particularly in the first half of the book. That's not uncommon in a fantasy - but some readers have more tolerance for this than others. (The book is described as standalone, but Engelhardt has published two previous novels set in this world, which I haven't read... yet!). It definitely swept me along. I loved the tension of Mary trying to hold onto her own voice against the tumult of big characters and current events, and the outcome is really satisfying.
Middle-aged Mary finds herself transformed into a river nymph. She uses music to communicate with all bodies of water and sings life-changing spells. She is simultaneously one of the most powerful magical beings in a world thronging with magical races, and a complete newbie in their society. When the soul of the Mississippi River vanishes, she sets out on a quest to find and return it, navigating the tricks and allegiances of the fae who try to help or hinder her.
Laura Engelhardt draws on a history of fae characters, like Titania and Morgan le Fay, but her world is fresh and inventive. The faerie lords pitch between playful jester types and dangerous trickster gods - I particularly enjoyed the frog prince Kresimir, who accompanies Mary on her journey.
The world of the book is suffused with sensory magic, affecting the characters' appearances, dress, environment and perceptions. Engelhardt writes beautifully of music, colour and nature in a way that is both vivid and totally fantastical.
I didn't always know what was happening with the back-story of the world and the magic, particularly in the first half of the book. That's not uncommon in a fantasy - but some readers have more tolerance for this than others. (The book is described as standalone, but Engelhardt has published two previous novels set in this world, which I haven't read... yet!). It definitely swept me along. I loved the tension of Mary trying to hold onto her own voice against the tumult of big characters and current events, and the outcome is really satisfying.
July 26, 2021
Mary is embracing her new life as a river nymph. She is meeting new rivers and lakes, working her way along, when the rivers tell her the MISSISSIPPI River is missing!!
This book has it all. Mages, faerie, frog princes, and were-jaguars. Mary is learning what it means to deal with the fae and how to negotiate with them.
The book was really good, I did have moments where I wasn't 'feeling' it, but that could have just been me and my mood. Great story for lovers of the Sirens Duology series, and upcoming Mage War books.
This book has it all. Mages, faerie, frog princes, and were-jaguars. Mary is learning what it means to deal with the fae and how to negotiate with them.
The book was really good, I did have moments where I wasn't 'feeling' it, but that could have just been me and my mood. Great story for lovers of the Sirens Duology series, and upcoming Mage War books.
September 7, 2021
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book is wonderfully written and has a very unusual take for urban fantasy. The world building and characters are fleshed out well. The main character Mary is a singer and uses her voice to correct wrongs and hopefully save a river. I love the fact she is middle aged when she is transformed into a river nymph who still loves her family including her husband. For me it was a bit slow; I had a hard time getting into the book; let alone keeping my attention. This is not meant as being critical of the author. She has done a wonderful job crafting an unusual story line that is very well written.
Unfortunately for me I need a book that is fast moving and has lots of actions (fight scenes) My attention is that of a nat so, in using this review as whether you wish to read this book; please keep that in mind.
Unfortunately for me I need a book that is fast moving and has lots of actions (fight scenes) My attention is that of a nat so, in using this review as whether you wish to read this book; please keep that in mind.
July 27, 2021
This was a great continuation of the series. I really enjoyed Mary's journey. This was a wonderfully visual experience. The descriptions and experiences were well written. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 24, 2021
Generally, I avoid books featuring fae, finding them too often derivative or pollyannish.
This book came as a surprise, not demanding I know everything about the entire fairy world and assuming I share a fan’s devotion to the intricacies of Welsh, Scottish, etc. mythologies. Sure, a few terms were tossed around, like Seelie, but were grounded so a neophyte to the Seelie court like me, felt comfortable. The heroine is, in fact, a recently converted human, learning the ropes. And teaching the reader of the world as she finds out.
This same with the magic system, which was delightfully refreshing, built upon music, of all genera, instrumental, a capella, and combined. Granted, if I knew what a major seventh was, I would have heard scenes better, but I was never lost in the musical terms. They seem more flavoring, adding to the way the magic of her world works. Which was softer at times, yet, when need be, hard enough I didn’t feel cheated by a bit of Deus-Ex-Machina. There were nicely tense set-pieces when encountering spirits far older and more powerful than the protagonist Mary. There were long stretches with Mary bonding with two companions, Julia, a mage hungry were-jaguar, and Kresimir, a frog prince with a flaming crown.
The story pulled me along, at times tense, leaving me to wonder what would happen, other times more philosophical. A step or three up from most fae stories I’ve read.
The soundtrack (Apple Music and Spotify) was nice to read to. Overall, an enjoyable trip through the hidden worlds of the fae, here, in the 21st century, North America. Mostly. Swiming along the Ohio, Des Moines, and Mississippi river valleys.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book came as a surprise, not demanding I know everything about the entire fairy world and assuming I share a fan’s devotion to the intricacies of Welsh, Scottish, etc. mythologies. Sure, a few terms were tossed around, like Seelie, but were grounded so a neophyte to the Seelie court like me, felt comfortable. The heroine is, in fact, a recently converted human, learning the ropes. And teaching the reader of the world as she finds out.
This same with the magic system, which was delightfully refreshing, built upon music, of all genera, instrumental, a capella, and combined. Granted, if I knew what a major seventh was, I would have heard scenes better, but I was never lost in the musical terms. They seem more flavoring, adding to the way the magic of her world works. Which was softer at times, yet, when need be, hard enough I didn’t feel cheated by a bit of Deus-Ex-Machina. There were nicely tense set-pieces when encountering spirits far older and more powerful than the protagonist Mary. There were long stretches with Mary bonding with two companions, Julia, a mage hungry were-jaguar, and Kresimir, a frog prince with a flaming crown.
The story pulled me along, at times tense, leaving me to wonder what would happen, other times more philosophical. A step or three up from most fae stories I’ve read.
The soundtrack (Apple Music and Spotify) was nice to read to. Overall, an enjoyable trip through the hidden worlds of the fae, here, in the 21st century, North America. Mostly. Swiming along the Ohio, Des Moines, and Mississippi river valleys.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 6, 2021
Mississippi Missing was a delight to read. I loved every single one of the characters; all were well rounded, with their strengths and shortcomings interesting to watch as they developed. I was invested in the problems that needed to be solved, and satisfied with how they were handled. There were times when I actually argued with the computer when someone was being a dunderhead! Overall, I highly recommend this book.
August 9, 2021
I loved the main character. She took pride and embraced what role in life that she was given before and after becoming a Water Nymph. She took on her new role and ran with it. I liked the details that were written into this story. I am looking forward to reading more from this Author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 24, 2021
This is a modern fairy tale/ hero’s journey that asks what would happen if you gained unlimited power? Could you keep your humanity? Would you?
Mary has drunk from the chalice and become a powerful river nymph, with a duty to heal the world’s rivers. The soul of the Mississippi has gone missing and Mary is on a quest to find it. But the fae, who love to play complex games, see the first new new player in centuries, and want to engage her, woo her, win her.
Mary is completely in over her head. She has the power, but limited understanding of the game and the stakes. With help from two companions, she must learn how to play fae games and change the narrative to match her own sensibilities.
This is a stand alone, but a great companion to Sirens Unbound and Mages Unbound. It adds to the world Engelhardt is building in the Fifth Mage War Series.
Mary has drunk from the chalice and become a powerful river nymph, with a duty to heal the world’s rivers. The soul of the Mississippi has gone missing and Mary is on a quest to find it. But the fae, who love to play complex games, see the first new new player in centuries, and want to engage her, woo her, win her.
Mary is completely in over her head. She has the power, but limited understanding of the game and the stakes. With help from two companions, she must learn how to play fae games and change the narrative to match her own sensibilities.
This is a stand alone, but a great companion to Sirens Unbound and Mages Unbound. It adds to the world Engelhardt is building in the Fifth Mage War Series.
March 25, 2024
Least favorite of the trilogy. Beautiful writing. I’ve never read a book that relied so much on musical theory and I enjoyed learning new information in that regard.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews