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The Last Magus #4
Phantasm Magic
Now that Alec and his friends have flushed out the spy from within the Royal Academy, they return once again to their studies. Never far from Alec's mind, however, is the motivations of this spy, and whether their cause is justified. The spy did not reveal the truth of Alec's nature, of his natural magic, but why not?
But such questions become less important when Instructor Brutus calls Alec to begin his private tuition. If Alec is to learn how to use his magic most effectively, to learn the lethal methods of Brutus, then he will have to cast aside all else.
But such questions become less important when Instructor Brutus calls Alec to begin his private tuition. If Alec is to learn how to use his magic most effectively, to learn the lethal methods of Brutus, then he will have to cast aside all else.
- GenresFantasy
267 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 7, 2021
180 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 24, 2021
Didn't fulfill my expectations
This book is another great adventure story. All about the hero but not his minions.
I'd thought that after book 3 our main character would treat his familiar better. While this is still a good book it could have been great.
This book is another great adventure story. All about the hero but not his minions.
I'd thought that after book 3 our main character would treat his familiar better. While this is still a good book it could have been great.
March 9, 2022
More Brand New Powerful Magic
Starts out with Alec worrying about getting in trouble for the big fight and resulting property damage around fighting off the enemy familiars at end of last installment. Alison goes from being the "discovered spy" to a potential future ally, and brings into question all that Alec has come to believe and rely on, with only a few sentences spoken as she is hauled off to prison.
Alec's need to trust the Battle Magic instructor Brutus to learn what he needs to know, with the tension of also fearing he might be on one of the "other" sides adds some nice tension. Would have liked to see more than a few lessons before Alec becomes the "greatest Battle Mage Ever!" Feels like he just isn't working for and earning his rapid advancement, which makes it all less interesting.
The splintering of the possible enemies into of Chaos, Elitist Establishment, New Plagiarists / Inscribers, Uriel's Son Baldir's Shade, and other things only hinted at makes it a bit harder to follow and understand Alec's true motivation. And it isn't clear why, for instance, the Inscribers wouldn't be coperating with Chaos, given they both are against the establishment.
Eleira continues to get unnecessarily pushed to the back, even going so far as to lend her cool familiar (Firemane) to Alec instead of going along. Too unnecessarily the Alec always has to be the loan hero upon which everything depends.
Out of this mess Alec determines the right course of action is to rescue Alison, who he had only just helped root out and put behind bars. Of course he ropes the crew into this, and also gets Maimonides the Shadebringer, gnomish artificer to help. More whole new areas of magic are discovered and turned to the practical applications opening up magic powered airships within the span of a few days. It seems odd that a well established magic-based civilization would have whole new elements that are simultaneously unknown, and yet only require a bit of research and study to turn to practical application.
Uriel's involvement, and the true nature of the machinations of Tanuin, Uriel and Maimonides could really use some refreshing as the plot moves along. There was foreshadowing of some greater role and critical decisions Alec would need to make in the future when he first entered the school, but it never gets looped back around to whether he is making progress down that path or discovering new things that weren't previously known to explore.
Starts out with Alec worrying about getting in trouble for the big fight and resulting property damage around fighting off the enemy familiars at end of last installment. Alison goes from being the "discovered spy" to a potential future ally, and brings into question all that Alec has come to believe and rely on, with only a few sentences spoken as she is hauled off to prison.
Alec's need to trust the Battle Magic instructor Brutus to learn what he needs to know, with the tension of also fearing he might be on one of the "other" sides adds some nice tension. Would have liked to see more than a few lessons before Alec becomes the "greatest Battle Mage Ever!" Feels like he just isn't working for and earning his rapid advancement, which makes it all less interesting.
The splintering of the possible enemies into of Chaos, Elitist Establishment, New Plagiarists / Inscribers, Uriel's Son Baldir's Shade, and other things only hinted at makes it a bit harder to follow and understand Alec's true motivation. And it isn't clear why, for instance, the Inscribers wouldn't be coperating with Chaos, given they both are against the establishment.
Eleira continues to get unnecessarily pushed to the back, even going so far as to lend her cool familiar (Firemane) to Alec instead of going along. Too unnecessarily the Alec always has to be the loan hero upon which everything depends.
Out of this mess Alec determines the right course of action is to rescue Alison, who he had only just helped root out and put behind bars. Of course he ropes the crew into this, and also gets Maimonides the Shadebringer, gnomish artificer to help. More whole new areas of magic are discovered and turned to the practical applications opening up magic powered airships within the span of a few days. It seems odd that a well established magic-based civilization would have whole new elements that are simultaneously unknown, and yet only require a bit of research and study to turn to practical application.
Uriel's involvement, and the true nature of the machinations of Tanuin, Uriel and Maimonides could really use some refreshing as the plot moves along. There was foreshadowing of some greater role and critical decisions Alec would need to make in the future when he first entered the school, but it never gets looped back around to whether he is making progress down that path or discovering new things that weren't previously known to explore.
September 25, 2022
This is the book where me and this series part ways. Up until this point, these have been underdeveloped novels that have just enough potential to keep my interest but little more. In this book though, some of the issues that I have been overlooking for the last three became much harder to ignore.
The key one for me is the lack of development and depth in this story. This book starts to deal with bigger storylines in this series and sets up larger plot points being moved forward. The thing is that none of the groundwork has been laid for these elements, at least not beyond a cursory mention here and there. So far this series has felt very surface level and this book pays the price for that.
The foundations of this series simply haven't been laid well enough to support the story that is starting to unfold here. This goes doubly true for the character work. As some of the relationships in this series, one in particular, begin to take significant steps forward, it becomes increasingly clear that I don't at all feel the weight of these relationships that the story is trying to trade on. Honestly, the main character still feels like he was an orphan just a few days ago and hasn't done anything to form deep bonds with the characters he is surrounded by. Yet the author is trying to sell us on these relationships like the main characters have an incredible amount of history.
The thing is, 4 books in, that history should be there, so finally the bill has come due for all of the cut corners in earlier books. There has been a lot of telling rather than showing in this series and it's here where we see why that's such a bad idea. The protagonist talking about his deep feelings for the supporting cast just doesn't feel earned because I haven't seen those feelings grow over the course of these books.
Therefore, when we reach a point in the story where it's starting to kick it up a notch, I realise that I am just not invested enough in this series to keep reading. It's a shame because there was plenty of potential here and I thought the author did a good job in the first novel of capturing some of the charm that is missing from a lot of fantasy novels these days.
This one is 2.5-star read that I rounded down just because I struggled to finish it.
The key one for me is the lack of development and depth in this story. This book starts to deal with bigger storylines in this series and sets up larger plot points being moved forward. The thing is that none of the groundwork has been laid for these elements, at least not beyond a cursory mention here and there. So far this series has felt very surface level and this book pays the price for that.
The foundations of this series simply haven't been laid well enough to support the story that is starting to unfold here. This goes doubly true for the character work. As some of the relationships in this series, one in particular, begin to take significant steps forward, it becomes increasingly clear that I don't at all feel the weight of these relationships that the story is trying to trade on. Honestly, the main character still feels like he was an orphan just a few days ago and hasn't done anything to form deep bonds with the characters he is surrounded by. Yet the author is trying to sell us on these relationships like the main characters have an incredible amount of history.
The thing is, 4 books in, that history should be there, so finally the bill has come due for all of the cut corners in earlier books. There has been a lot of telling rather than showing in this series and it's here where we see why that's such a bad idea. The protagonist talking about his deep feelings for the supporting cast just doesn't feel earned because I haven't seen those feelings grow over the course of these books.
Therefore, when we reach a point in the story where it's starting to kick it up a notch, I realise that I am just not invested enough in this series to keep reading. It's a shame because there was plenty of potential here and I thought the author did a good job in the first novel of capturing some of the charm that is missing from a lot of fantasy novels these days.
This one is 2.5-star read that I rounded down just because I struggled to finish it.
December 21, 2021
KU Review
“This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”
As the title says this is a review for Kindle Unlimited and as such is a reflection of my enjoyment of the book and in no way reflects cost to value analysis. I hate trying to define my enjoyment and describe facets of it that would appeal to someone else. It is simply not my style. But for the sake of those fishing for clues:
Character development: good
Game elements: none
Harem elements: none
Tone: keeps the excitement going without losing focus. Fun story.
I will happily discuss the book with you on Goodreads if you are so inclined. As always, I am open to debates and arguments, but also vain enough to seek acknowledgement, so feel free to roast me or applaud my efforts. Either is acceptable, because if you are paying attention to me then you are at least considering the book. And THAT my friends is exactly why you see my comments here.
Cheers
“This was a fun book. I am glad that I read it. You should try it too.”
As the title says this is a review for Kindle Unlimited and as such is a reflection of my enjoyment of the book and in no way reflects cost to value analysis. I hate trying to define my enjoyment and describe facets of it that would appeal to someone else. It is simply not my style. But for the sake of those fishing for clues:
Character development: good
Game elements: none
Harem elements: none
Tone: keeps the excitement going without losing focus. Fun story.
I will happily discuss the book with you on Goodreads if you are so inclined. As always, I am open to debates and arguments, but also vain enough to seek acknowledgement, so feel free to roast me or applaud my efforts. Either is acceptable, because if you are paying attention to me then you are at least considering the book. And THAT my friends is exactly why you see my comments here.
Cheers
November 26, 2023
Fun addition to the series
I enjoyed this story quite a bit. Seeing how the familiars evolve was interesting, and I'm curious to find out why Trystera seemed so out of sorts about the process. The revelations made in this book were interesting, but the timing of everything near the end of the book seemed kinda rushed. Still a fun read, and I will definitely read the next book.
I enjoyed this story quite a bit. Seeing how the familiars evolve was interesting, and I'm curious to find out why Trystera seemed so out of sorts about the process. The revelations made in this book were interesting, but the timing of everything near the end of the book seemed kinda rushed. Still a fun read, and I will definitely read the next book.
October 26, 2021
What a wonderful series
I really enjoyed Alex's character from a orphan to becoming a powerful mage and Elisha the last leaf wakes and so many more creative characters. I loved it! Thanks
I really enjoyed Alex's character from a orphan to becoming a powerful mage and Elisha the last leaf wakes and so many more creative characters. I loved it! Thanks
October 31, 2021
LOVED THIS SERIES
I Really enjoyed the series. I usually don’t read fantasy, but I now look forward to. Ok 5. My tween really enjoyed the series too & we share out favorite chapters, which has opened a huge line of communication with my granddaughter. MORE PLEASE!
I Really enjoyed the series. I usually don’t read fantasy, but I now look forward to. Ok 5. My tween really enjoyed the series too & we share out favorite chapters, which has opened a huge line of communication with my granddaughter. MORE PLEASE!
March 13, 2022
Good enough plot, but getting too dramatic
The way some scenes are written and the way some characters behave is getting dramatic to the point it's difficult to believe it could at all be real (obviously discounting fantasy elements).
The way some scenes are written and the way some characters behave is getting dramatic to the point it's difficult to believe it could at all be real (obviously discounting fantasy elements).
October 18, 2021
Good book
Very good book and one hell of a good series, I so look forward to reading the next book . The series is a hell of a good read well worth the time
Very good book and one hell of a good series, I so look forward to reading the next book . The series is a hell of a good read well worth the time
December 20, 2021
Very good read
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like magic, dragons,elves and lots of action.
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I recommend this book to anyone who like magic, dragons,elves and lots of action.
January 4, 2022
I liked it
It was good and I don't want to leave a long review im just going to say it was worth it
It was good and I don't want to leave a long review im just going to say it was worth it
March 6, 2022
who created the last phantasm
Great story
Lots of good action
A love story or two
Lots of good people
Lots of unknown bad people
Really enjoying the story!
Great story
Lots of good action
A love story or two
Lots of good people
Lots of unknown bad people
Really enjoying the story!
March 21, 2022
Yes!
I really loved book 4! DB King has great imagination! I just could not stop reading. Looking forward to more stories!
I really loved book 4! DB King has great imagination! I just could not stop reading. Looking forward to more stories!
November 18, 2024
The romance is so cheesy/bad that it’s cringe
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews