Let's start with the PROS: The writing style is phenomenal. I love the first person view, the inner monologes and the interactions between characters. Every charater, side character has it's own personality, and goal. The MC is still smart(ish, see cons below) and cunning, very relatable. I was really excited about this book, and it made me laugh a few times, but despite all that, I can't give it more than 1 star.
The CONS: [HEAVY SPOILERS below] To understand why I'm dissappointed, let me sum up the story real quick: The book starts a little after the 6th book ends. Matthew lives his life, trying to find a solution for his broken well. His brother, Desmond got on track with his life, the Archons are trying to help Matthew and everythin is fine-ish. Matthew finds a person who is capable of helping him, while he learns enchanting from one of the Archon. But everything goes amiss, after the see-er Achron warns everyone about mysterious danger, saying that they will need all the five Archons to defeat it, making more pressure on Mathew. One night, Desmond betrays Matthew and steals his shadows with the (I forgot what it's called)knife. Jumping forward a bit, withouth his shadows, Matthew is still The Primal and a demigod asks for help from him, saying that her island is in danger. Matthew, of course helps her, but suprise, suprise, she betrays him twitce, and she helps Desmond to attempt to kill Matthew.
Okay, so now you know the basics, I can start ramping about the issues. First of, it's not enough to cripple Matthew, you, dear writer HAD to stole his power from him. WHY? I hate when the MC becomes strong after a lot of struggling and than you just think, "oh, hee is too OP, I will just make him weak". NO! Don't do that, idiot! I am with Matthew for 6 books now, I want to see him succeed, not throwing him back 5 steps.
Okay, Im still willing to forgive that, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. After Desmond almost kills him, the Archons just like: "sorry, we need all 5 of us, so he will be the first shadow from now on and we trust him so much that we will not monitor him at all, and we are outraged by your hex that you cast on Desmomt in order to stop him from killing you and your family. Oh, and also, give him the shadow codex that is full of black magic and more nasty stuff, because he needs it for doing bad thing to you. But don't woory, we will tell him not to." I mean, I dont have siblings, but if I were Matthew, I would have sent them all away to screw themselves. It's like, they want Matthew to suffer. Oh, and the cream on the cake is that every time Desmond does something, ie: kills Metthew's only hope, tries to kill him, tries to jail him, tries to kill his friends, the Archons just like. "sorry, our bad, we will be more careful next time..." What an incapable lot, and they call themseves Archons... Sure, go to hell.
Okay, so far we established that rhe Archons are useless a$$holes, Matthew is still incapable of killing Desmond but wait, there is more! After being betrayed by the demigod TWICE, almost getting Cassanra killed, and being humiliated and mocked by the island leaders, he STILL decides to help them! For Free! He even punts a lot of money into it. And the excuse from Matthew is: "people will probably die" People who despise you, want to kill you and betrayed you already."
And to top it off, the whole story is useless. Nothing gets fixed. At the end, Desmomd is still the first shadow (sort of), Matthew's well is still damaged, the Archons are still morons and the world endig apocalypse is still there.
SUMMARY: I just can't. I love this series, but I just cant give it more stars. I understand that Matthew has his own personality, but being tricked the 100th time and helping the ones that betray you, i just don't understand. Maybe the problem is with me, and I will read the next book, but if it will take the same direction as this book, I just can't help but drop this series. I hope you, goodreads comment reader, will have a better time reading it than I have
I had enjoyed the earlier volumes the #6 and this one habe been a major disappointment, early girlfriends dumb, not taking his brothers head a mistake!!!!!
Good read, however they de-powered the main character which is disappointing.
Overall I enjoyed the series, it's been an enjoyable read with good twists and turns, fast paced and interesting characters. I don't like how they took away the power of the main character and keep making him a weak and suffering protagonist who always has to take the blunt and abuse of his friends in the name of joking. It's very belittling and the author continuously does it throughout the book to where it becomes abusive instead of endearing. Taking away the main character's key Powers which the whole series was based on feels weak as it continues in this book and into the next and is disappointing as the main character just isn't as fun using cunning and trickery. Again overall it's a good story but I wish they would do away with the belittling of the character disguised as a showing of affection.
I am going to keep this part spoiler free for y’all.
Let’s start with my two big complaints 1. Books ends on a brutal cliffhanger even worse then book 6 which felt very unsatisfactory. The main premise of this book and what they are trying to do is not even really solved which leaves me feeling cheated 2. The ending felt very rushed and this is my main reason for giving it 3 stars instead of 4. If I could I’d give it 3.75 but that’s not an option.
The good and this part is spoilers
Loved seeing the MC finally embrace his darker side and do his brother mischief.
Seeing characters like Tethys develop was good as it has been building up for a while.
Overall I’m excited for the next one and I really hope it wraps it all up nicely
I’ll start with what we all don’t like in hopes that it gets fixed by the next book lol. Can the sexual non sexual tension just go away?! Please???? No man is having all these attractive women around that actually want to sleep with him and not doing anything with them. And he’s way way way too powerful for every woman in his life to keep mistreating and making fun of him. It’s gets super old after a while. I don’t care how much stronger they are physically nobody can stop him when it comes to magic. Love the world building, love the magic, hate the moral dilemmas on what to do about being betrayed again and again. Hate the harem that’s not a harem. Hate him enjoying being made fun of all the time.
Logically, I know that rating this book 1 star because Usbryd died is wrong, but it was still a close call. This was, as expected, a very enjoyable read and stacks up to the previous books in quality. I was about halfway through the book and was amazed at how long it is. I was nearly convinced that it would never end, and that I'd be stuck in my arm chair for the rest of eternity reading it. To be fair, though, I wouldn't have been too upset if that was the case. All I hope is that I don't have to wait so bloody long for the next book, because I nearly tore out my hair just waiting for this one.
This book sidles up to you with a bright smile and a laugh that warms you to the bones. And then it wraps you into the creative warped reality of ‘What the HELL!” that only this author brings to the fore! Then it leaves you broken begging for more on the edge of a cliffhanger that cannot be survived, only endured. There are no curses in entish, elvish, orcish, or the tongues of men that can encapsulate my suffering for want of more at the end of this book. There will be a reckoning and it will begin on the next books release day with me howling, “Just take my money and go!”
So I love this book but for one itty bitty little thing. . .
The Archons are just useless. Given the situation with the characters and their background, I expect a modicum of competency. I did not get it. It made for good story, but broke immersion. The sass, the choices, the horrible luck, all of that made sense and worked. The Archons actions versus their choices, that was silly. For that reason, I knocked off a star.
I LOVE this series!!! I look forward to every new release. This deserves 5/5 stars. It is a continuation of a great story with amazing characters! There is a few missed words and wrong spelling but I didn’t care!! Read this series!! ** Did you notice the reversal in roles for magic twins?
Robert's is able to craft a story in such a rare fashion that I react with legitimate emotion. The byplay between Mathew and the Archons, especially Killian has me rolling with laughter, the same could be said for his relationships with his Wardens. I can't wait for the next one.
The plot of the entire series is predicated by the lack of two brain cells between any of the main characters. Every single inevitable betrayal is obvious to the point of parody. This coupled with the lack of agency from the mc and the authors need to add literal deus ex machinas makes this by far the worst in the series.
Please keep them coming. I love these books! It is so refreshing to read about a hero who knows how to use his powers. In fact, he knows how to use them well.
Stubbornness is truly one of his greatest traits. Can't imagine what comes from this set up but I expect to enjoy it. Poor Matthew, he needs a vacation!
How dare you take away his shadows just to set up the hope that he will get it back or worst become a “Black” magician. Leaving the plot hole of the soul fragments the fairies too is impressive but lacking in imagination as it leave a get out of jail free card.
I am in love with this series. There has never been any series that has made me read until 5 in the morning. It is sooooooooo good I can't even put it into words. This is my all time favorite series and I have read more than 2000 books. It's simply the best
I accidentally downloaded a sample of the magician’s brother and I am so glad that I did, this series is great I couldn’t put it down. Cannot wait for the next books that come out.