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The Hidden Mage #1-4
The Hidden Mage: Complete Series
An enemy kingdom. A powerful prince. And an Academy for mages.
To stay alive, Verene will have to uncover her hidden power.
Verene is a disappointment to her entire kingdom—the first royal ever born without power, despite her mother being the most powerful mage in history. So when she's sent to the Academy in neighboring Kallorway to forge ties with her people's traditional enemies, she's determined to succeed and prove she can still be of value to her kingdom.
Prince Darius of Kallorway is the strongest mage in his family—and the only reason his weak father is still clinging to his throne. Starting at the Academy at the same time as Verene, the crown prince is cold and distant and shows no desire to connect with her. Instead he seems suspicious of both her presence and her claimed lack of power.
Surrounded by unfamiliar politics and long-held enemies, Verene discovers that some at the Academy want her gone by whatever means necessary. As the threats grow ever more sinister, she starts to question all of her assumptions. The hardened prince might just be her best hope of survival and—even more shockingly—he might be right about her power. But as danger grows in the shadows, Verene isn't the only one in danger. If she wants to save both her old kingdom and the new one she's starting to love, she must uncover her hidden powers and take her true place among the mages.
This set includes the following titles:
Crown of Secrets
Crown of Danger
Crown of Strength
Crown of Power
Verene lives in a world of written power—a world turned upside down by the first ever Spoken Mage. If you missed the adventures of her mother, Elena, then check out the completed Spoken Mage series, starting with Voice of Power.
To stay alive, Verene will have to uncover her hidden power.
Verene is a disappointment to her entire kingdom—the first royal ever born without power, despite her mother being the most powerful mage in history. So when she's sent to the Academy in neighboring Kallorway to forge ties with her people's traditional enemies, she's determined to succeed and prove she can still be of value to her kingdom.
Prince Darius of Kallorway is the strongest mage in his family—and the only reason his weak father is still clinging to his throne. Starting at the Academy at the same time as Verene, the crown prince is cold and distant and shows no desire to connect with her. Instead he seems suspicious of both her presence and her claimed lack of power.
Surrounded by unfamiliar politics and long-held enemies, Verene discovers that some at the Academy want her gone by whatever means necessary. As the threats grow ever more sinister, she starts to question all of her assumptions. The hardened prince might just be her best hope of survival and—even more shockingly—he might be right about her power. But as danger grows in the shadows, Verene isn't the only one in danger. If she wants to save both her old kingdom and the new one she's starting to love, she must uncover her hidden powers and take her true place among the mages.
This set includes the following titles:
Crown of Secrets
Crown of Danger
Crown of Strength
Crown of Power
Verene lives in a world of written power—a world turned upside down by the first ever Spoken Mage. If you missed the adventures of her mother, Elena, then check out the completed Spoken Mage series, starting with Voice of Power.
1209 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2021
276 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Cellier
126 books2,729 followersMelanie Cellier grew up on a staple diet of books, books and more books. And although she got older, she never stopped loving children’s and young adult novels.
She always wanted to write one herself, but it took three careers and three different continents before she actually managed it.
She now feels incredibly fortunate to spend her time writing from her home in Adelaide, Australia where she keeps an eye out for koalas in her backyard. Her staple diet hasn’t changed much, although she’s added choc mint Rooibos tea and Chicken Crimpies to the list.
She writes young adult fantasy including her Spoken Mage series, and her Four Kingdoms and Beyond the Four Kingdoms series which are made up of linked stand-alone stories that retell classic fairy tales.
She now feels incredibly fortunate to spend her time writing from her home in Adelaide, Australia where she keeps an eye out for koalas in her backyard. Her staple diet hasn’t changed much, although she’s added choc mint Rooibos tea and Chicken Crimpies to the list.
She writes young adult fantasy including her Spoken Mage series, and her Four Kingdoms and Beyond the Four Kingdoms series which are made up of linked stand-alone stories that retell classic fairy tales.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
February 3, 2022
This series was absolutely amazing! I loved The Spoken Mage series so when I heard Melanie Cellier was writing a spin-off series about Elena and Lucas’s daughter, I was SO excited! 😍
This was series was everything I wanted it to be and more!
The world, the powers, the characters, the journey… I loved it all.
If you like books that have:
•characters with unique powers
•books that take place in an academy
•slow-burn love story
•a princess who is finding her powers
•a prince who seems cold and distant
•fantasy politics, royalty, secrets, and danger…
Basically if you love an awesome, clean fantasy… this series has all of that!
I highly recommend reading The Spoken Mage series first because I think it gives you a better understanding of the world’s history, characters, etc… Plus, it’s an amazing series itself!😍
This was series was everything I wanted it to be and more!
The world, the powers, the characters, the journey… I loved it all.
If you like books that have:
•characters with unique powers
•books that take place in an academy
•slow-burn love story
•a princess who is finding her powers
•a prince who seems cold and distant
•fantasy politics, royalty, secrets, and danger…
Basically if you love an awesome, clean fantasy… this series has all of that!
I highly recommend reading The Spoken Mage series first because I think it gives you a better understanding of the world’s history, characters, etc… Plus, it’s an amazing series itself!😍
September 10, 2022
Loved this series. Excellent continuation from the Spoken Mage series. I fell in love with this cast of characters just as much as in the last one. 😊
February 8, 2022
a great fantasy series
Enjoyable 4 books that follow Verene, a foreign princess with no detectable magical ability, at an mage-training academy. We get to watch her grow in her abilities, managing her family and the school dynamics, and affecting the politics in the area. And of course her interest in the handsome but reserved prince is a nice icing on the top.
Enjoyable 4 books that follow Verene, a foreign princess with no detectable magical ability, at an mage-training academy. We get to watch her grow in her abilities, managing her family and the school dynamics, and affecting the politics in the area. And of course her interest in the handsome but reserved prince is a nice icing on the top.
August 28, 2022
As usual, I want to start by saying I listened to the audiobook version of this collection. I enjoyed this series nearly as much as the Spoken Mage. The only reason it didn’t receive 5 stars is because of how similar they were in the overall plot, though many of the details were different. The narrator was fabulous and read the series in such a way to allow me to stay in the story throughout.
August 28, 2022
Interesting progress of the story. Another strong female lead ✌🏻
January 11, 2022
I admit I didn't finish this, but I got close to the end (4 hours left on the audiobooks).
I really enjoyed the spoken mage but this was so disappointing.
First issue: The main character constantly claims to have been well trained to hide her emotions in public and consider political ramifications. Then she spends most of the books behaving exactly oposite to that.
Second issue: She's basically omnipotent and has to do nothing to gain/train her power. Every time a situation comes up her power "guides" her towards the correct solution...
And let's not forget - she doesn't even have to learn anything cause the moment she takes over someone else's power she suddenly knows exactly how to weild it.
I mean... I don't expect too much when I read YA fantasy romance... but this was shallower than any fairy tale I've ever heard of...
I really enjoyed the spoken mage but this was so disappointing.
First issue: The main character constantly claims to have been well trained to hide her emotions in public and consider political ramifications. Then she spends most of the books behaving exactly oposite to that.
Second issue: She's basically omnipotent and has to do nothing to gain/train her power. Every time a situation comes up her power "guides" her towards the correct solution...
And let's not forget - she doesn't even have to learn anything cause the moment she takes over someone else's power she suddenly knows exactly how to weild it.
I mean... I don't expect too much when I read YA fantasy romance... but this was shallower than any fairy tale I've ever heard of...
May 10, 2022
More value than one could ever dream in a box set
This follow-up series to the Spoken Mage and The Power of Pen and Voice does a wonderful job of returning to a world without rehashing the same story told in the original series.
While the world is the same, the viewpoint turns the whole thing to 180° from what the first story covered.
Warning: This series does include mention of child abuse from a survivor. It handles it in a way that is sadly consistent with what we often experience in the real world.
That being said, I deeply enjoyed this well written and edited series. Neither too long nor too short.
This follow-up series to the Spoken Mage and The Power of Pen and Voice does a wonderful job of returning to a world without rehashing the same story told in the original series.
While the world is the same, the viewpoint turns the whole thing to 180° from what the first story covered.
Warning: This series does include mention of child abuse from a survivor. It handles it in a way that is sadly consistent with what we often experience in the real world.
That being said, I deeply enjoyed this well written and edited series. Neither too long nor too short.
January 17, 2022
Amazing
This is my 3rd time reading this story and it was amazing. When I start this story it wasn't completed
I got to finish it this time and I loved it. And I will be adding it to my books so I can read it again.
I highly recommend The Hidden Mage
This is my 3rd time reading this story and it was amazing. When I start this story it wasn't completed
I got to finish it this time and I loved it. And I will be adding it to my books so I can read it again.
I highly recommend The Hidden Mage
February 25, 2022
Addictive
I love fed every minute of these books more YA than I'm used to but still great storyline &Jaime good characters
I love fed every minute of these books more YA than I'm used to but still great storyline &Jaime good characters
May 27, 2022
wonderful series
That was fun. So much fun following the Spoken Mage’s daughter as she discovers her own unique powers. A great story. Highly recommended.
That was fun. So much fun following the Spoken Mage’s daughter as she discovers her own unique powers. A great story. Highly recommended.
June 18, 2024
Honestly the first book showed some progress but that is where it ends.
It is a branch off a series spoken mage and once I started to get into it I noticed that it was VERY similiar to the spoken mage. I understand that it is the same author but the style doesn't have to be almost EXACTLY the same.
The girl was pretty much copy paste of the girl in the spoken mage except just different ability. Same with the boy, Lucas just with different hair.
Their relationship was horrible, it started out fine but then in the 2nd to last book it was just bad. I'd say there was no real development to their relationship until the last few pages which was sad because they had potential.
The plot was kinda boring, and this was a series that I struggled to finish. (But I just can't DNF anything because I can't stand leaving things unfinished)
It is a branch off a series spoken mage and once I started to get into it I noticed that it was VERY similiar to the spoken mage. I understand that it is the same author but the style doesn't have to be almost EXACTLY the same.
The girl was pretty much copy paste of the girl in the spoken mage except just different ability. Same with the boy, Lucas just with different hair.
Their relationship was horrible, it started out fine but then in the 2nd to last book it was just bad. I'd say there was no real development to their relationship until the last few pages which was sad because they had potential.
The plot was kinda boring, and this was a series that I struggled to finish. (But I just can't DNF anything because I can't stand leaving things unfinished)
January 1, 2024
This was a very good magic academy series. I still like The Spoken Mage better, about the heroine's mom. But although this was similar, it had its own unique twists.
Verene has no magic although she is sent to the rival country of Kalloway to be a representative of Ardann. Twenty years have passed since her parents helped stop the war between the 2 countries.
Verene is met by a trashed bedroom and a skeptical prince who she is soon attracted to. Can she convince Prince Darius to trust her before someone succeeds in assassinating her in order to restart the war between their countries?
A great cast of characters in a very different land. Introducing new magic abilities beyond the original series.
This version contains all 4 books of Verene's story.
Verene has no magic although she is sent to the rival country of Kalloway to be a representative of Ardann. Twenty years have passed since her parents helped stop the war between the 2 countries.
Verene is met by a trashed bedroom and a skeptical prince who she is soon attracted to. Can she convince Prince Darius to trust her before someone succeeds in assassinating her in order to restart the war between their countries?
A great cast of characters in a very different land. Introducing new magic abilities beyond the original series.
This version contains all 4 books of Verene's story.
December 20, 2023
Thoroughly captivating
My only problem is what to read next... these series have been so enjoyable that I will miss reading about Kalloway, Ardann, and the Sekali Empire.
Cellier drew in just the right amount of detail and drama to create her vision without overdoing it... the characters were well written and consistent and drew the reader into their world. I'm sad that it has come to an end, and although I would dearly like to know what happens to Cassius when Darius is crowned I cannot see it leading to a story of similar depth or drama so an end it must be. Who could defeat the united nations of Ardann, Kalloway, and Sekali now?
My only problem is what to read next... these series have been so enjoyable that I will miss reading about Kalloway, Ardann, and the Sekali Empire.
Cellier drew in just the right amount of detail and drama to create her vision without overdoing it... the characters were well written and consistent and drew the reader into their world. I'm sad that it has come to an end, and although I would dearly like to know what happens to Cassius when Darius is crowned I cannot see it leading to a story of similar depth or drama so an end it must be. Who could defeat the united nations of Ardann, Kalloway, and Sekali now?
December 8, 2023
A masterful portrayal of leadership qualities
I so enjoyed Melanie Cellier's skilful development of the characters and their skills, as they grow up at the Academy. It was wonderful to see Verene and Darius and their friends developing compassion, self-confidence and unity in the crucial years from 16 to 20, or 18 to 22 in Darius' case. But they couldn't have done it without the commitment, love and willingness to change of their families and teachers. These stories drew an inspiring picture of the power of community. I look forward to reading them again.
I so enjoyed Melanie Cellier's skilful development of the characters and their skills, as they grow up at the Academy. It was wonderful to see Verene and Darius and their friends developing compassion, self-confidence and unity in the crucial years from 16 to 20, or 18 to 22 in Darius' case. But they couldn't have done it without the commitment, love and willingness to change of their families and teachers. These stories drew an inspiring picture of the power of community. I look forward to reading them again.
March 18, 2024
This was an audible book, or books. I was able to buy all four in the series for one credit. I got lucky!!
This series was very interesting. I loved the character development and there were enough twists to keep me guessing. The first is a bit slower, but it is important in the world building. With the first two, I would rate them a solid three stars. But the last two were really good. I enjoyed the narration as well and was sad to have this one end. Definitely suggest you try it. Keep in mind it is set in a University so most characters are that age range. Still solid read.
This series was very interesting. I loved the character development and there were enough twists to keep me guessing. The first is a bit slower, but it is important in the world building. With the first two, I would rate them a solid three stars. But the last two were really good. I enjoyed the narration as well and was sad to have this one end. Definitely suggest you try it. Keep in mind it is set in a University so most characters are that age range. Still solid read.
August 31, 2024
Enjoyable
I really enjoyed reading this, as I did its parent series. For the most part, I like the way this author develops characters. In some ways, her different series are TOO similar. However, I don't mind all the time.
It definitely could have a couple more edits, at least, though. There were several plot holes/character inconsistencies as well as a couple of blatant mistakes.
The end of the climax felt rushed, but it was better than the end of the climax in "The Spoken Mage" series.
I really enjoyed reading this, as I did its parent series. For the most part, I like the way this author develops characters. In some ways, her different series are TOO similar. However, I don't mind all the time.
It definitely could have a couple more edits, at least, though. There were several plot holes/character inconsistencies as well as a couple of blatant mistakes.
The end of the climax felt rushed, but it was better than the end of the climax in "The Spoken Mage" series.
October 11, 2025
Book one was honestly awful, but I pushed through because the idea of the book was intriguing. They got better, but this author seems to have an issue with exposition and really weak and unconvincing romance in her stories. There was no tangible chemistry between Verene and the Prince, though she told us as the reader that there was. And their relationship was just as unhealthy as that in the Spoken Mage, complete with non consensual kisses forced on the main character (and written like they are romantic).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2022
I read the series directly after the prequel, and for me it was worse. It more seems like a little school story for children. The romance is firstly predictable and also not well developed. Then the whole series is like the female trying to persuade the male to marry her, but nothing ever happens, just frustrating und Kind of boring.
Many decisions are like huh, what and why?
And the main trying awfully to be the holy mother becomes sometimes unbearable
Many decisions are like huh, what and why?
And the main trying awfully to be the holy mother becomes sometimes unbearable
May 14, 2024
This is basically the Spoken Mage again, but about the daughter, in a different kingdom, with a different magical power and a different prince. The rest of the plot is basically the same. I found myself wishing the heroine actually didn't discover any magical power so we could see how it might be possible to discover agency and self-worth in such a lowly state. But I guess to save the world you probably do need to be a bit super human. Oh well.
September 27, 2024
Absolutely Brilliant
The amount of times my 11yo daughter would race to me and proudly proclaim “I KNEW IT!” and then launch into an explanation of what had just happened. When an author can make a kid fully entrenched in a story - that’s pure talent. Daughter has also not stopped dropping hints about what she wants for Christmas (this author’s books).
She got the audio - well worth grabbing!
The amount of times my 11yo daughter would race to me and proudly proclaim “I KNEW IT!” and then launch into an explanation of what had just happened. When an author can make a kid fully entrenched in a story - that’s pure talent. Daughter has also not stopped dropping hints about what she wants for Christmas (this author’s books).
She got the audio - well worth grabbing!
March 14, 2022
A good read.
I enjoyed this series. Not quite as much as I enjoyed the Spoken Mage series, but I did still enjoy it. The characters were really good and it was nice to see some of the old characters again. The storyline was complex and interesting. The romance was good. I don’t know if I’d read it all again (it was really long) but it was worth the read.
I enjoyed this series. Not quite as much as I enjoyed the Spoken Mage series, but I did still enjoy it. The characters were really good and it was nice to see some of the old characters again. The storyline was complex and interesting. The romance was good. I don’t know if I’d read it all again (it was really long) but it was worth the read.
May 12, 2022
I read up to chapter 13 in the 1st and her hidden power had not yet been revealed. Talk about slow. We lived in her head with the same thoughts repeated on every page. Torturous. I skipped to the of book one then the end of the series. It seemed to follow the exact format found in THE SPOKEN MAGE. That was better written by far. I wasn’t surprised by the surprises.
October 16, 2023
A well developed plot with a new twist on magic and mages. The characters were believable and enjoyable to see grow with a few well placed surprises along with a little mystery and intrigue. Enjoyed the story and how it played out to the end.
December 6, 2023
Hidden rough gem
Really liked this one. Though I kind of feel wi the a little extra intrigue and challenge it would become epic. The magic system is decent and consistent, pretty hard. The romance is ya, pretty hormonal but a little unearned maybe? Certainly with a read.
Really liked this one. Though I kind of feel wi the a little extra intrigue and challenge it would become epic. The magic system is decent and consistent, pretty hard. The romance is ya, pretty hormonal but a little unearned maybe? Certainly with a read.
January 15, 2024
Escapism at its best!
As a dedicated reader, these books helped me escape, in my own mind, to another reality. There was anticipation every day looking forward to what would be happening next. Definitely not a boring read!
As a dedicated reader, these books helped me escape, in my own mind, to another reality. There was anticipation every day looking forward to what would be happening next. Definitely not a boring read!
October 23, 2024
Such a fun continuation of The Spoken Mage series. Very much its own novel, but similar storylines and elements, obviously. I enjoyed The Spoken Mage series more for sure, but would still highly recommend this book right after it.
August 28, 2023
3.5 book 1 was a bit slow but once I got into the world and the pacing I really enjoyed the journey!
November 24, 2023
A Great read!
This book is very exciting a real page turner. Enjoyed the characters and the adventures they took. I recommend it.
This book is very exciting a real page turner. Enjoyed the characters and the adventures they took. I recommend it.
January 22, 2024
I have submitted the reviews for the various titles held within this set box on each title's listing, after listening to the audiobooks of this set box. (Audible)
February 29, 2024
I love Melanie Celliers stories and these are no exception!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews