Mages of Buldoun

Aether's Revival #5

by Daniel Schinhofen

Gregory, Yukiko, and Jenn were thrilled— not only had they won their first apprentice tournament, their friends finally joined them in Aether’s Guard. Daciana, Nessa, and Victoria were only halfway through their novice year, but had made an impact during their novice tournament.

Besides the three novices, more friends joined their clan: Ling and Clover. They’d studied hard and were eager to prove that they could help, too. It wasn’t long before they had their chance, as the tactics tournament was held right after the winter solstice. The games proved the determination and resourcefulness of everyone in the group. The final game used tactics that Ling and Clover put forward, propelling them to the win.

As the year drew to an end, it was time for Gregory and his growing inner circle to say farewell. Parting with the children was hard for all of them. Not only were Gregory and his wives leaving, but so was Elsa— Yukiko’s parents were going to take her in, training her to be a maid.

When the day finally came for Gregory and the Aether’s Guard magi to leave for Buldoun, they said a final farewell to their novice clanmates, then followed Lightshield to the academy gates for a grand send off. They wouldn’t be back for years, and Gregory felt a bit of melancholy as he considered all that had happened in the two years he’d been at the academy.

What would Buldoun hold for Gregory, his wives, and their friends? Even Gregory, with his foresight, couldn’t see what the future held, but he had a feeling that important events would unfold during the tournament.

Genres: Fantasy, Harem, Audiobook, Romance, Magic, Litrpg, Adventure

671 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 10, 2022

About the author

Daniel James Schinhofen is a self-published author in the burgeoning genre of LitRPG/Gamelit. He published his first book, Last Horizon: Beta, in October of 2016, and has recently published his fifteenth book. A best-selling author on Amazon multiple times, his four series have achieved name recognition in the genre. When not slavishly typing away at the next book, Daniel tries to unwind with video games, playing with his dog Sugar, or going for walks around his neighborhood. His books can be found easily via his website http://schinhofenbooks.com/. Daniel can be found via Twitter using the handle @DJSchinhofen.

Reviews

[Shonari · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, this was a hot pile of 💩.

Yeah yeah I know, "if I didn't like it, why did I read it?" Well, my fellow readers, it's book 5, and if I've hung on for this long, might as well stick it out. Right?

But I digress, this book was an utter mess. The content was overly repetitive to the extreme. Not only was the book similar to previous books in the series, but within the book itself, the author constantly repeated things that a character may have said, or thought. The apologetic personalities just didn't jive well with characters learning to fight and to kill. Add to the apologizing, imagine apologizing for the same things over and over again. Useless waste of paper that I'm sure was intended to stretch the word count. If you've ever watched anime, this book would remind you of a "filler episode".

Anyway, if you didn't quite get what I'm trying to say... this was a terrible book.

--
Those who can't write, review.

[XR · Rating 4 out of 5]

The harem thing irks me, but I wanted to follow the story so there's that. Ignoring the eye-roll worthy moments Schinhofen has written about Greg with his wives and wives to be, I actually dig this story.

The Eternal Flame twats showing their true colours was amusing to me, knowing it's being recorded for all to read was satisfying. The friendships harboured by Greg, Jenn and Yuki amongst their clans AND the mages in Buldoun was so good. The Empire could learn more than a few lessons from the Aether's Guard. The assination attempt on Claudia was a twist I didn't see coming but it sure made the story interesting.

I seriously want this family to adopt Elsa, she's such a little cutie pie and deserves a family... but more than that, I hope she ends up a magi. Please, please PLEASE do not make her end up being one of Greg's wives... that's gross.

Anyway... I'm undecided about the next book, but I seriously want to know how Yuki, Jenn and Greg endure their initiate year. If the next book takes too long to come out I might forget about getting back into this.

[Justin Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great addition

Another great addition to a great series. Just sad that it's almost a year before book 6 week come out. Can't wait for the next book.

[Michael Burnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Great book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone

[Dave Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than the last one
The formula is still in effect, but it gets loosened slightly.
This is the Tri-Wizzard tournament at Chinese Hogwarts, and our polygamous potter is in the group that travels to the other school to compete. Oh thank god something happened to shake this series out of the rut it's been in. Hard work and dedication are all well and good, but reading them here was becoming a grind. So we got introduced to a fresher grind, a looser grind.
I have renewed hope that the next one will be even better.

[Jay Paparella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This harem has reached critical mass

The harem in this story seems to have become a huge, ponderous edifice.
Also, the women proclaim their profound love at the drop of a hat.
So much so that I was beginning to wonder if they were in a cult, or suffering from Stockholm Syndrome?
Still, the fights and strategy and intrigue are all good, so "4 stars"

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome book.

This is one of my favorite series as I really like the MC and the secondary characters. The world building is very interesting and the story always keeps me engaged and entertained.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

The Dynamics in this book are outstanding. I love the way the characters are evolving with each other. Especially like the way the author described in detail the tournament fights and the gaming aspect.

[Vikas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great edition to the series, in this one our team travels to Buldoun to participate in the tournaments there. It was fun to see Greg and the team's interactions with the mages from Buldoun and the friendships they developed. It was fun to see the deterioration of the Eternal Clan and their team as they kept falling due to their unnecessary hate and bigotry. It was great to see all the fights; sadly, we also have a great loss here. There are some great and fun intimate scenes as well as our harem continues to grow, and I am enjoying every second of that. Now our team is going to stay apart for a couple of years, so let's see how that pans out in the next book. Good thing that I started reading this series when all 10 books are out so no waiting for me so onto Book 6 right away and let's go on and Keep on Reading.

People who don't read generally ask me my reasons for reading. Simply put, I love reading, so I have made it my motto to Forever Keep on Reading. I love reading everything except for self-help books, even occasionally. I read almost all the genres, but YA, Fantasy, and Biographies are the most read. My favorite series is Harry Potter, but then there are many more books I adore. I have bookcases filled with books that are waiting to be read so I can't stay and spend more time on this review, so remember I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.

[Jonathan Werner · Rating 2 out of 5]

So Sloooow

MC doesn’t stress about life & death struggles but his absolute paralysis around women who are throwing themselves at him has become SO tiresome in this series. I know it’s an eastern trope but there’s SO much repetition I find myself skipping entire chapters just to get the plot moving.

I feel like this series is rapidly loosing momentum, being bogged down by this simp harem lit side story being forced into the main plot. The plot doesn’t need a harem - it could’ve been the same story with less family dynamics.

I’m conflicted because the writing and editing if very clean. The plot is genuinely interesting and I can see a potential for a grand storyline. However, at this pace it’s going to take 15 books.

We’re 5 books in now and the character development is basically at a stand still. The plot development has been predicted for 2 books & it feels like it’s going to take forever (2 more books?) to reach those milestones. And that’s not even for the main antagonist - only getting through mage school & socio-economic obstacles.

How long will it take for a teenage mage to overthrow an immortal arch mage w/ an empire backing him? My fear is the readers will leave and DS will wrap up the series with plot armor and overpowered MC just to give loyalists closure.

[Kiba Snowpaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Final Rating: 3.14/5.00

Starting score: 2.50
+0.30 for a foreign setting whose customs and political interests affect the story.
+0.20 for Rafiq, Stef, and developing friendships that broaden the supporting cast.
+0.19 for Mindie's individual values, respected boundaries, and relationship growth.
+0.14 for explicit intimacy that develops mutual desire and follows through on its buildup.
+0.16 for clear combat, varied abilities, and effective teamwork.
+0.12 for strategic play that gives supporting characters useful roles and political decisions weight.
+0.27 for real danger, lasting consequences, and an emotionally significant change in circumstances.
+0.11 for family connections and Elsa's need to belong beyond what she can provide.
+0.10 for immersive narration and the sense of being in the characters' company.
-0.27 for repetitive routines and explanations that slow the journey and tournament.
-0.16 for repetitive emotional dialogue that blurs otherwise distinct personalities.
-0.22 for courtship constrained by supernatural approval and repeated tests of devotion.
-0.16 for advantages that make too many of Gregory's decisions and victories feel secure.
-0.09 for familiar antagonists whose hostility offers little fresh character complexity.
-0.05 for resolving or explaining away difficult feelings too neatly.
Calculated final score: 3.14/5.00

This is a real step forward for the series, with far too much familiar padding attached. I bought this audiobook wanting the departure from the academy to change how Gregory and his companions understood their place in the world. Buldoun eventually delivers. Foreign loyalties matter, friendship becomes politically inconvenient, and danger acquires a weight that another supervised tournament cannot provide by itself. The journey also packs nearly every familiar habit into the carriage: training, bathing, studying, reassurance, and discussions about who may eventually join the family. I could feel the story advancing and still get irritated by how slowly it reached the next meaningful change. The chosen family warms this HowlStrom wolf's chest, and the broader conflict finally tests that warmth. I wanted the audiobook to trust those developments enough to stop repeating what everyone already knows about everyone else's devotion.

Buldoun works best when its institutions interfere with the visitors' assumptions. Magical power can remove someone from the noble position they previously occupied, complicating the familiar relationship between power and status. Differences enter conversations about obligations, education, and what influential people expect from the young people they train. I also liked the smaller cultural details: unfamiliar sayings, wedding customs, and the awkwardness of participating in traditions Gregory has not thought to study. Those moments let him be a visitor with gaps in his knowledge. Aliminus gives the setting a useful point of resistance. His concern about promising Buldoun mages forming strong attachments to imperial competitors has a political logic. A friendship can be sincere and still threaten somebody's plans. That is a more interesting obstacle than another person deciding to hate Gregory because the plot needs an argument.

Rafiq is one of the strongest additions to Gregory's company. The limitations placed on an enslaved eurtik's magic, speech, and freedom make the empire's injustice concrete. He chooses his words carefully, volunteers for a task that matters to him, and finds room to help within what he is permitted to do. I appreciated that resourcefulness. Stef adds another perspective through the personal cost of imperial prejudice and its effect on someone she loved. My ears pin back at that casual dehumanisation, especially when its practitioners can wrap themselves in military authority. These characters give the hostility between nations a cost beyond banners and tournament pride. Stef also defends Rafiq herself. That matters to me: a world starts feeling inhabited when someone outside the central pack can recognise an injustice and act before the hero gives them permission.

Hayworth's willingness to acknowledge his earlier behaviour gives a former rival more substance than a permanent sneer would. His admission carries history, including actions that endangered Gregory, so the change has something to work against. Across the national divide, gatherings between the clans and Buldoun's houses turn opponents into people who can learn from each other. Sharing the Peaceful Fist is especially effective because the possible consequences are raised. Teaching another country's mages could strengthen future enemies; it might also build relationships that make future hostility harder. The group takes a position through its behaviour, and older people have reasons to scrutinise it. These exchanges make communal meals valuable because something changes around the table. I can enjoy sitting with a fictional pack when the conversation alters an opinion or creates an obligation that will survive the evening.

Unfortunately, many stretches settle into the same daily sequence with little new pressure. The road out of the academy exposes how portable the old routine has become. There is always another round of puzzles, meditation, training, washing, eating, or planning the next training period. I already believe these people work hard. I need their work to produce developments worth following. In an audiobook, the transitions become especially noticeable because conversations keep demanding attention even when the situation barely changes. The first arena fights take a substantial portion of the book to arrive, and the intervening character work varies sharply in value. Mindie and Rafiq give the journey purpose. Reconfirming a schedule does considerably less. My ears know the routine by now. Give them something that changes it. Information and intentions keep being restated after their significance is clear.

The combat makes good use of different weapons, ranges, and magical specialities. A physically powerful opponent, a spatial mage, and someone controlling shadows create different tactical problems. Team bouts let positioning and coordination matter alongside individual power. Jenn and Yukiko have capabilities of their own, and their setbacks prevent the group from feeling uniformly untouchable. I can follow why a feint, a change in reach, or a defensive item matters without needing a technical manual beside my ears. The arena's healing arrangements also reduce the lasting uncertainty around many injuries, making variety and character behaviour especially important. Respect between opponents, a clever adjustment, or a lesson someone needs gives me more to enjoy than another demonstration that Gregory came exceptionally well prepared. Several bouts supply those pleasures, even when the likely result is easy to anticipate.

Gregory's accumulating advantages remain a problem for suspense. Combining foresight with resonance extends its usefulness toward identifying the path that feels right. The apple exercise clearly teaches the idea. Its wider effect is less satisfying: decisions about trust, loyalty, and future possibilities become increasingly available for magical checking. Add powerful equipment, stored aether, influential protectors, and further gifts, and the situations that can unsettle him narrow. These advantages often have established explanations; his fire protection, for example, predates the encounters where it proves useful. The problem is their cumulative effect around someone already difficult to challenge. I want power to complicate judgement as well as improve his chances. Exhaustion and later physical vulnerability impose limits that eventually matter. Much of the earlier competition still feels like waiting to discover which existing advantage will settle the encounter.

Mindie gives the relationship side a welcome centre of gravity. Her dedication to healing and reluctance to fight give her something more individual than another version of eager devotion. The others accept that reluctance. When she chooses to learn to defend herself, Clover helps her begin with the basics; Clover's own history gives that tenderness meaning. Gregory's handling of the early bathing question is another strong detail. He asks Mindie privately, notices her hesitation, and makes room for her comfort without requiring an elaborate refusal in front of everyone. That small action makes affection credible to me. I want someone to notice where another person's ears flatten and ease the pressure. Mindie's increasing openness feels connected to experiences of being listened to. Her gentleness has a function in the group, and desire develops alongside it instead of erasing it.

The adult material follows through more fully than the teasing initially suggests. There is one extended explicit encounter later in the audiobook, surrounded elsewhere by sexual discussion, anticipation, and shorter or implied intimacy. It has physical detail and room for the participants' responses. I want good harem storytelling and satisfying explicit sex, and this scene earns credit for bringing those aims together. Mindie communicates how she wants to participate, and the others respond. Affection between the women gives the family a shared erotic life beyond everybody taking a turn admiring Gregory. Her uncertainty changes through participation, giving the scene emotional progression alongside the physical encounter. I enjoyed that exploration. The surrounding explanations sometimes spell out preferences the interaction has already established, but the scene supplies the payoff that repeated coy promises had left me wanting.

The larger courtship structure leaves me colder. Supernatural approval, access to different paths, past connections, and demonstrations of devotion are tightly entwined with joining this family. Darkness confirms suitability, Yukiko directs much of the process, and hopeful women repeatedly worry about qualifying. The promise rings concentrate that problem: a generous gift arrives with another explanation of what they must demonstrate before full acceptance. Repeated assurances that relationships are destined, approved, and waiting for the correct stage drain uncertainty from the romance. Claudia brings confidence, obligations, and a life in another country, yet enters the same system of waiting and proving herself. I want room in the den for a difficult answer. Let someone be loved while remaining inconvenient or at odds with the group's preferred way of doing things. Constant confirmation that everyone is moving toward the right arrangement leaves little emotional discovery.

Andrea Parsneau's narration is immersive for me, and spending time in the characters' company remains part of the audiobook's appeal. The written emotional dialogue becomes tiring through repetition. Endearments, apologies, blushes, and promises of unwavering love flatten moments that should feel distinct. Yukiko can be strategic, Jenn direct, Mindie hesitant, and Claudia proud; their actions establish differences. Romantic conversations too often return to the same vocabulary and emotional destination. Another assurance tells me little about the individual speaker. I wanted more personal humour, stubbornness, misunderstanding, or a change of subject revealing a life beyond the family arrangement. The scenes recognising Gregory's goodness could also leave more for me to infer. When several people explain how exceptional his loyalty is, their praise repeats work his considerate actions already accomplished more convincingly.

Empire's Gambit still presses against my dislike of tabletop-heavy storytelling. Explaining moves, troop choices, and rules quickly drains my interest. Here, the exercise has worthwhile connections to the surrounding story. A commander mistakes a tense border situation for an already declared war, and the distinction has consequences. Questions of aggression, information, and national resources give the game political substance. Clover, Ling, and Roshana get useful roles dependent on preparation and support. Building local loyalty becomes a strategic resource. When devastating civilian land becomes useful, I wanted more consideration of the cost than Gregory's acceptance that both sides have used the tactic. The strongest material asks what command means. The weaker material resumes explaining what the pieces will do. Real events eventually interrupt Gregory's involvement, helping the game contribute without containing everything that matters.

I remain tired of the recurring antagonists' emotional simplicity. Nick's anger and prejudice are familiar enough that another display produces recognition more readily than tension. The Eternal Flame continues supplying occasions for insult, confrontation, and authoritative rebuke. Dan Yulin likewise makes his unpleasantness so obvious that there is little uncertainty about my intended response. My fangs were already out; the story did not need to keep poking the same nerve. Institutional interests and conflicting loyalties offer more interesting opposition, especially when someone can be reasonable while also trying to control another person's future. I want an opponent whose judgement exposes a blind spot, whose priorities I understand, or whose refusal to cooperate forces a difficult choice. Repeatedly proving that an established bully is still a bully contributes very little by this point.

Elsa reaches a different part of me. She is eager to be useful and worried about doing enough for the people who gave her a place. Gregory asking her to sit with him instead of making herself busy matters because companionship becomes sufficient. As the Alpha Ice Wolf of HowlStrom, I respond fiercely to that distinction. A pack should make room for somebody's need to be held, including when they bring nothing practical. Her inclusion in the family occasion and the assurance of a welcome regardless of becoming a magi give that principle substance. I objected to the suggestion that reassurance pushes the last remnants of her damaged past away. That is too neat for the insecurity the story has shown. Safety can change a child's expectations while old fear remains. Letting both exist would make the kindness more convincing and give Elsa room to grow beyond this grateful moment.

Some quieter moments carry more emotional texture than the romantic assurances. Lightshield's dwindling strength makes his generosity and attention feel finite. The magical hierarchy gives way to the reality of a body that cannot keep doing what it once could. Darkness also benefits from a private moment of loneliness after everyone else has gone. Her desire to be close to Gregory has a personal cost beyond her usual function of approving relationships. I felt the ache beneath the certainty she presents to others. These shifts towards what someone cannot do, must wait for, or carries privately make affection less tidy. The wider family connections help as well. Parents have concerns about their children's happiness, and those concerns need answering. Bringing the relationships into a social world outside the immediate group gives the love something demanding to encounter beyond another collective declaration of acceptance.

The later danger is the strongest argument for continuing. Violence outside the supervised matches forces Gregory to react under conditions he cannot comfortably organise. The consequences extend into his recovery, his fears, the clan's position, and relations between countries. Some changes cannot be dismissed when the next training session starts. Care now involves exposure to something the group cannot simply reassure away. My chest tightened around that. The aftermath also quickly explains how pain serves a larger purpose or improves the clan's prospects. Those explanations fit the political circumstances, but hurry the emotional accounting. Grief does not get lighter because somebody can explain what it bought. I wanted room for the hurt to remain difficult. The absence, fear, and altered responsibilities still give this part of the audiobook a gravity the tournament alone could never supply.

By the end, the journey has changed the group's circumstances. Future duties and separation have more force because the relationships carry additional history, and the political world has started paying attention. Military service still lies ahead; this volume remains largely a journey, a tournament, and the trouble surrounding it. I finished interested in what those experiences will demand when familiar support is less immediately available. I also wanted firmer editing, more varied emotional conversations, and romance with space for individual uncertainty. The alliances, tenderness, explicit intimacy, and lasting consequences deepened my investment. The returning routines and assurances kept testing my patience. This wolf has reasons to follow these tracks further. I want them to lead somewhere the pack cannot already predict.

[Kurt · Rating 3 out of 5]

My least favorite book in the series so far. I almost made this two stars instead of three. First off, it's the third book in a row that focuses on a tournament. It's old. It's been done. It's time to move on. Second, the female characters feel very monocultural or one-dimensional. And their interactions w/ Greg feel very repetitive as well. The author tries to differentiate the characters, but not enough, imo. Plus, where the first couple of books either skipped the harem entirely or only lightly touched on it, it's front and center in this book. Almost distractingly so. I skipped over big chunks of the book because there's only so many times I want to read about one character washing another one's back in the daily bathing ritual.

Also, 5 installments in, the tropes present in the other books start to really stand out here. The protagonist is good and virtuous - everyone else is either weak-willed or evil. The protagonist is open-minded - everyone else is racist. All tropes that have been present since book 1, but really start to feel...overdone...by this point.

When I look at the release cadence of the overall series, with a book getting released every ~6 months, I wonder how much better this series could be if the author took more time to refine his stories instead of churning them out.

I still plan to read the sixth installment because, thankfully, they'll at least be done with the tournaments, but there's a high probability I'll drop the series at that point if things don't significantly improve.

[Jon Svenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's apparent that the author has found a style that works for him, because most of his books now follow the same formula. Slow pacing, lots of loving comments, nothing explicit but plenty of allusions, and bits of action that pick up the pace just a fraction.

And the thing is, I'm fine with it now.

Aether's Guard heads off to Buldoun, which is technically a part of the Empire but comes across as Western Europe. There are German, Spanish and other elements which make it seem this way. The group is there because they won the second year fights, and for the game the name of which I can't remember. Something gambit I think.

Anyway, they have singles fights, doubles fights, and then one last group fight before playing the gambit game.

The story plods along at a steady pace, and while I won't spoil anything, Eternal Flame are exactly how I remembered them from the previous four books, while the other groups have lightened up on Aether's Guard.

Greg makes lots of new friends along with Yuki and Jenn, and Elsa from the orphanage shows up. There is a large cast of characters, and I freely admit I forgot who some of them were until later in the book.

Overall, I enjoyed this installment. Book 6 will be quite different for reasons I won't go into, and I'm interested to see how that works out.

Recommended 5/5*

[Jenny Schultz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Over and oover

You repeat the a me things over and over. The start of the day getting out of bed, breakfast going to the library the same greeting. To the same people the puzzle on and on. How lazy. This isn't a book. There is no imagination. Even when you have the opportunity to add more interest. Talk about new people, go over information to make it interesting. Add new plot you don't. You skip it and repeat the same writing. And the whole multi wife thing is just weird. Creepy. You do not justify it in the culture. You are a formulaic romance writer the likes of which I can't stand. No imagination. Why in the world are you writing multiple books when you say nothing new. It's only the lane so called romance with nothing new. Quit. Write a romance one two volumes then stop if you have nothing left to say. Really awful and it makes me mad. Anyone can write the same thing again and again. Build a plot, explores tell about new people. Make it interesting. Just because you do not write in depth sex scenes doesn't mean you are not write romances by the number like paint by number. I'm upset I stuck with you only to be given nothing.

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fond of repetition

Finally the author seems to be able to break out of the endless loop the previous book seemed stuck in. Endless repetition of days, schedules and happenings. It really feels like the author is padding the story. There are few plot points that are more subtle than a dead horse in a shopping mall... But this book finally advances the story again and lets us have a look around the world some more. I have given up on keeping up with the harem though, anyone else than Yuki an Jenn feels like needless and unimportant. I wish there was more presence in the cultures shown to having harems like the MC if the story is going to focus so heavily on it. Everyone seems to accept it, but there is little shown around the world where this behavior is common. To me it just becomes an uninteresting horny teenage fantasy which brings little to nothing to the main story. I really like the setting, world and "main quest" though, im tentatively hopeful that the next book does not bog down into the same repetition traps again.

[Bert Babb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent series

Gotta love a plucky warrior on the path of leadership. He works, trains and loves passionately as he gathers allies, while his adversaries in the Flaming Fist look like bigoted idiots. Looking forward to hearing how Nick and his grandfather get sanctioned as granddad was sumoned by the emperor. Also curious to find out what happened to Nick's estranged mother. All told, another interesting story by Daniel Schinhofen, along with his Binding Worlds series, that l have really enjoyed. There is a curious focus on domestic situations, especially mealtimes, group bathing and sleeping arrangements. (LOL). This is balanced by the excellent martial sequences as well as the tactics and dedication to training that Aethers Guards' employ to further their growth. Looking forward to reading more of Mr. Schinhofen's excellent works.

[Sam Gill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as pleased from the other books.

I really feel that this has taken a turn into the realm of Harem books. I understand that using the reincarnation theme is central to the story line, but all female and he's going to be having sex with all of them and they're having sex with each other. So the main character was a great and powerful leader in a previous life that had no male followers that are being reborn?? I was really looking forward to this book being released but my excitement has really waned. I will give it one more book just in case this was needed to further the plot. Did enjoy the tournaments and the coming together of different clans right up to the point of adding another future wife.

[ebun t. muhammad · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK, first of all the my heart and my love is over done and why do you have to have everyone answers instead of all of them answers at once. Then you have the MC who's always questioning his wife(even though he said he trusted them)even after they said they agreed with it. I've read every series these authors has written, and every time the MC is white, he ends up with a harem that always includes these grouping every time, the main wife, the submissive, one darky( I can say these MFs) and then the rest just fill in. I don't care how young you are. You would be sore after all the sex the MC is having. So, change it up it basically the same (exactly the same down to the harem and the antagonists)story in fantasy worlds. (And I don't care about my grammar either)The MC is fucking slow as shit and always lost about the most simple things.

[Roberto Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was painful to finish, but. . .

Not for the usual reasons. I read a series by Tullbane that ended perfectly, but it left me wanting more so much it hurt. There simply was no more to be had. This has more, I want more. It hurts that I have to wait for more. But such is life. I was five hundred pages in and had not stopped reading once. That is just superb writing with an amazing story. I am going to go sit in a corner for about eight months while I wait for the next one. Schinhofen, if you are reading this , no need to rush on my account but I wouldn't mind if you felt the need to try.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could have been a great book if it weren't for the filler at the beginning and end. There were about 200 pages of filler at the beginning. The middle was great and more filler at the end. If the author is going to do the whole harem orgy thing, he might as well just do it instead of beating around the bush. At times the author seems quite juvenile while writing a book about a harem. He's incredibly repetitive, leaves important plot lines out that deserve clarification such as rivals and elders. Glad they're out of the academy. It's no wonder he's self published. Don't know if I'll make it to the 6th book.

[David Harriss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Varied

With this volume, the tournament centered structure is maintained but the content is changed in interesting ways. The intrigues of Buldoun, the Houses of the College of Magic, and the minimization of the Eternal Flame clan combine into a very different feeling tournament arc in this book. The romance plots are fairly consistent with the previous volumes.
The next arc should be a military training and unit tournament arc. A variation I have rarely encountered but do enjoy. I look forward to it.

[Jamie Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read!

I've loved this series since I started reading the first book, and each consecutive book has only deepened my regards to Mr. Schinhofen for such an excellently written book.

It has a myriad of characters, culture and lore that expands on the world as you read. The character developments are balanced and you can feel the emotions they share.

Saying such, the ending of this book whilst a touch bittersweet, has me eager to read the next and see how their training proceeds!

[Levia · Rating 5 out of 5]

More polyam than harem

I like that with each added person the love is shared as a group, not hoarded as a harem. Makes my polyamorous heart sing. I'm also enjoying how Greg is rising to each new challenge and surpassing expectations. It's probably not relevant, but learning more about how the different magically capable people are found has me questioning: did Aether originally ignite this power potential in others? Are there magic capable people who naturally find their power? Just an offhand thought I had.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the smut and romance to be rather stilted and not the author's strong point, but I was willing to overlook it for the rest of the story and character development.

Romance: apprentice clairvoyant reincarnated god MMC with..

Current wives:
1. apprentice merchant's daughter snow owl part-eurtik shadow magi FMC
2. incorporeal spirit FMC
3. apprentice half-dwarf warrior FMC
4. adept fox part-eurtik healer FMC

Future wives:
5. novice wolf part-eurtik earth magi FMC
6. novice horse part-eurtik wind magi FMC
7. novice spatial magi FMC
8. apprentice squirrel part-eurtik alchemist FMC
9. apprentice lioness part-eurtik enchanter FMC
10. Limaz apprentice rabbit part-eurtik water magi FMC
11. Buldoun fire magi FMC

[Dr Anurag Jena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 5 — Mages of Buldoun
By Mages of Buldoun, I had become genuinely attached not only to Gregory, Yukiko, and Jenn but to the entire group slowly forming around them. This book continues expanding that circle, and I really enjoyed seeing the newer members finding their places within Aether’s Guard.
The tournaments and training remain enjoyable, but what interested me more was the feeling that the Academy phase of their lives was gradually moving toward something much larger. Friendships deepen, responsibilities increase, and the world beyond the Academy finally feels closer.
The romantic and intimate side of the series also becomes considerably stronger here. I enjoy the relationships and understand why they are important to these characters, although some scenes were definitely more vivid than I expected! 😄 At times, I felt a little less detail would have achieved the same emotional purpose.
My other minor issue was repetition. Certain conversations, reassurances, and relationship moments could have been shorter.
Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. By this stage, these characters had become the real reason I kept turning the pages.

[Tim Nielsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The adventure continues

I really enjoying the story it has a lot of content and it has a lot of world building and the personalities of the characters I really enjoy. The challenges and the bad people that are main characters meet are v BBery challenging but they keep on trying to overcome their adversities. This is real fun story and I can't wait to read what happens next in their life's journey

[Les · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two reviews

The main plot which takes Greg and his harem to Buldoun to participate in the tournaments is excellent, we get to know a few of the contestants but very little about Buldoun. The sub plot about Greg's harem (it's actually more like a cult) where every woman he meets instantly desires him but must be approved by cult leader Yuki just gets more boring every book ,a group of love sick hormonal children just isn't that interesting.

[Donny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mages of Buldoun finishes up Greg's second year. The majority of the book gives us the fighting competition between the Empire and Buldoun. We see a bit about how Buldoun mages are treated and fight. The Empire's Gambit second half is not drawn out, thankfully. We do get a bit of intrigue. But this is told from Greg's point of view. We only get his perspective and knowledge of events.

A word of warning. Prepare for onion ninjas.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heading to the neighbouring country of Buldoun can they win the tournament there .

After winning novice tournament, the apprentice tournament, the academy tournament now heading to the neighbouring country of Buldoun for their tournament to see whose the best overall between the to . Can Gregory an his clan finish strong an defeat all new comers an make an grand finale for generations to come .recommend reading excellent series .

[Dennis Plante · Rating 3 out of 5]

Less Boring than the last book.

This book was still boring, but not as bad as the last one. Very little action, lots of sex, and sex talk. The author must have a deep-seated fantasy about having multiple wives who see him as the universe's gift to women. He sure spends a lot of pages on the subject. These books have many, many pages that can be skimmed. It's an OK read, nothing special.