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Fisherman's Children #2
The Reluctant Mage
It's been many months since Rafel ventured over Barl's Mountains into the unknown, in a desperate bid to seek help for their ravaged land. With his father's Weather Magic exhausted, there seemed no other hope. Now this too has died.
Only Deenie believes Rafel still lives, sensing her brother in tortured dreams. She also knows she must try to find him, as only Rafel's talents could heal their land. The prospect terrifies Deenie, yet she sees no other choice.
She soon learns of a dangerous new power. Deenie comes to suspect that not only is her brother involved, but that the evil their father destroyed is somehow reborn. And if she can't save Rafel, then through him, Morg's vast power could once again command their world.
Only Deenie believes Rafel still lives, sensing her brother in tortured dreams. She also knows she must try to find him, as only Rafel's talents could heal their land. The prospect terrifies Deenie, yet she sees no other choice.
She soon learns of a dangerous new power. Deenie comes to suspect that not only is her brother involved, but that the evil their father destroyed is somehow reborn. And if she can't save Rafel, then through him, Morg's vast power could once again command their world.
544 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
58 people are currently reading
2436 people want to read
About the author
Karen Miller
120 books1,142 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. Please see this thread for more details.
Also writes as "K.E. Mills"
Lord, do you really want to know?
Oh, all right.
I was born in Vancouver, Canada, and came to Australia with my parents when I was 2. I think. Dad’s an Aussie, Mum’s English, go figure. Talk about Fate and Destiny. But three passports come in handy.
I’ve always lived in Sydney, except when I didn’t. After graduating with a BA Communications from the then Institute of Technology (now University) a few years ahead of Hugh Jackman, dammit, talk about rotten timing, I headed off to England and lived there for 3 years. It was interesting. I worked for a bunch of nutters in a community health centre and got the sack because I refused to go do EST with them (you stand in the middle of a circle and thank people for hurling verbal abuse at you for your own good, they said, and then were surprised when I said no), was a customer services officer for DHL London (would you believe at one time I knew every single airport code for every single airport in the world, off by heart?!?), got roped into an extremely dubious life insurance selling scheme (I was young and broke, need I say more?) and ended up realizing a life-long dream of working professionally with horses. After 18 grueling months I woke up, and came home.
Since then I’ve done customer service in the insurance and telecommunications industries, been a training officer, PR Officer in local government, production assistant in educational publishing, taught English and Business Communication at TAFE, been a supervisor and run my own sf/fantasy/mystery bookshop. Money for jam, there! I also managed to squeeze in a Master’s Degree in Children’s Literature from Macquarie University.
I used to have horses of my own, and spent lots of time and money showing, breeding, training and judging, but then I came off one time too many and so a large part of my life ended.
When I’m not writing I’m heavily involved in the Castle Hill Players, my local community theatre group, as an actor, director, prompt, stage manager (but not all at once!) and publicity officer.
I’m a story junkie. Books, film, tv ... you name it. Star Wars, Star Trek, Babylon 5, Battlestar Galactica (the new series), Stargate, Firefly, X-Men, Buffy, Angel, Supernatural, The Professionals, Forever Knight, Due South, The West Wing, The Shield, Sandbaggers, Homicide, Wiseguy, The Shield, The Closer ... and the list goes on. And that’s just the media stuff!
I love music. While writing I listen primarily to film soundtracks, because they’ve been written primarily to evoke emotional responses in the listener. This helps access emotion during tough scenes. Plus, the music is pretty. At least the stuff I listen to is. Favourite film composers include Hans Zimmer, Alan Silvestri, James Horner and John Williams. Vocalists I enjoy are Josh Groban, Russell Watson, Sarah McLachlan, Simon and Garfunkel , Queen, The Moody Blues, Steeleye Span, Meatloaf, Mike Oldfield ... anyone who can carry a tune, basically.
In short, I’m an only child with an overactive imagination, 3 dogs, 2 cats and not enough hours in the day. I don’t drink, smoke, or do enough exercise. I make periodic stabs at eating properly. Chocolate is my besetting downfall.
So that’s me. You can wake up now ...
Also writes as "K.E. Mills"
Lord, do you really want to know?
Oh, all right.
I was born in Vancouver, Canada, and came to Australia with my parents when I was 2. I think. Dad’s an Aussie, Mum’s English, go figure. Talk about Fate and Destiny. But three passports come in handy.
I’ve always lived in Sydney, except when I didn’t. After graduating with a BA Communications from the then Institute of Technology (now University) a few years ahead of Hugh Jackman, dammit, talk about rotten timing, I headed off to England and lived there for 3 years. It was interesting. I worked for a bunch of nutters in a community health centre and got the sack because I refused to go do EST with them (you stand in the middle of a circle and thank people for hurling verbal abuse at you for your own good, they said, and then were surprised when I said no), was a customer services officer for DHL London (would you believe at one time I knew every single airport code for every single airport in the world, off by heart?!?), got roped into an extremely dubious life insurance selling scheme (I was young and broke, need I say more?) and ended up realizing a life-long dream of working professionally with horses. After 18 grueling months I woke up, and came home.
Since then I’ve done customer service in the insurance and telecommunications industries, been a training officer, PR Officer in local government, production assistant in educational publishing, taught English and Business Communication at TAFE, been a supervisor and run my own sf/fantasy/mystery bookshop. Money for jam, there! I also managed to squeeze in a Master’s Degree in Children’s Literature from Macquarie University.
I used to have horses of my own, and spent lots of time and money showing, breeding, training and judging, but then I came off one time too many and so a large part of my life ended.
When I’m not writing I’m heavily involved in the Castle Hill Players, my local community theatre group, as an actor, director, prompt, stage manager (but not all at once!) and publicity officer.
I’m a story junkie. Books, film, tv ... you name it. Star Wars, Star Trek, Babylon 5, Battlestar Galactica (the new series), Stargate, Firefly, X-Men, Buffy, Angel, Supernatural, The Professionals, Forever Knight, Due South, The West Wing, The Shield, Sandbaggers, Homicide, Wiseguy, The Shield, The Closer ... and the list goes on. And that’s just the media stuff!
I love music. While writing I listen primarily to film soundtracks, because they’ve been written primarily to evoke emotional responses in the listener. This helps access emotion during tough scenes. Plus, the music is pretty. At least the stuff I listen to is. Favourite film composers include Hans Zimmer, Alan Silvestri, James Horner and John Williams. Vocalists I enjoy are Josh Groban, Russell Watson, Sarah McLachlan, Simon and Garfunkel , Queen, The Moody Blues, Steeleye Span, Meatloaf, Mike Oldfield ... anyone who can carry a tune, basically.
In short, I’m an only child with an overactive imagination, 3 dogs, 2 cats and not enough hours in the day. I don’t drink, smoke, or do enough exercise. I make periodic stabs at eating properly. Chocolate is my besetting downfall.
So that’s me. You can wake up now ...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
September 3, 2011
I have read the previous books from this series a while ago, and I liked them. Somehow I only picked this one up recently.
This time we follow Deenie, Asher's daughter, who is nicknamed Mouse. Without giving spoilers, Deenie, together with her sharp-tongued friend Charis, sets out to rescue her brother Rafe from the clutches of the evil sorcerer Morg. Karen Miller again develops some interesting characters, who have sufficient depth. Especially the development of Deenie from a mouse to a strong mage, and the ever-arrogant Doranen Arlin, who is struggling to fins his way under the scrutiny of Morg, is interesting.
This book has its slower parts, and some things did get irritating. The constant bickering and make-ups between Charis and Deenie is sometimes a bit too much. Also, the "language" of the people from the embattled country Vharne was tiresome. Especially with Ewen, a prince of Vharne. Annoying his speech is, like Star Wars' Yoda talking, he does. Where Asher's quaint language really added to his voice - a voice copied by his daughter Deenie - in case of the Vharne's people it is less successful. It "fratched at me", and I wished they would "clap tongue" more often.
Having said that, the plot kept moving forward, and there was a palpable build-up towards a tense and engaging climax. Karen Miller has build an interesting world, with it's own particular sorts magic, and it makes for some fascinating reading. In that regard, it was a good follow-up to the previous books in the series, and an engaging novel.
This time we follow Deenie, Asher's daughter, who is nicknamed Mouse. Without giving spoilers, Deenie, together with her sharp-tongued friend Charis, sets out to rescue her brother Rafe from the clutches of the evil sorcerer Morg. Karen Miller again develops some interesting characters, who have sufficient depth. Especially the development of Deenie from a mouse to a strong mage, and the ever-arrogant Doranen Arlin, who is struggling to fins his way under the scrutiny of Morg, is interesting.
This book has its slower parts, and some things did get irritating. The constant bickering and make-ups between Charis and Deenie is sometimes a bit too much. Also, the "language" of the people from the embattled country Vharne was tiresome. Especially with Ewen, a prince of Vharne. Annoying his speech is, like Star Wars' Yoda talking, he does. Where Asher's quaint language really added to his voice - a voice copied by his daughter Deenie - in case of the Vharne's people it is less successful. It "fratched at me", and I wished they would "clap tongue" more often.
Having said that, the plot kept moving forward, and there was a palpable build-up towards a tense and engaging climax. Karen Miller has build an interesting world, with it's own particular sorts magic, and it makes for some fascinating reading. In that regard, it was a good follow-up to the previous books in the series, and an engaging novel.
October 2, 2014
The previous book in this series spent a great deal of time build up toward the possibility of exploring beyond the bounds of the land of Lur, but ended just as it was starting to happen, so I entered this book with a lot of expectation.
While Rafel's journey was cut short by tragedy, I got to experience that exploration as Deenie sets off on her quest. In a lot of ways book 1 was just set-up for book 2. In the Reluctant Mage, the plot really starts moving.
Karen Millar's great strength seems to be the development of characters and people groups. This continues to show through in this book. She creates a brand new race of people, and again gives them their own turns of phrase. The people of Vharne feel very distinct from the people of Lur.
This book gave Deenie the development she needed, and watching her growth was a lot of fun. I felt that Rafel's character was lacking in this book, as he was incapacitated due to important plot reasons. It all worked, it's just that he was so important in the last book that I wanted more of him.
I enjoyed the dynamic that built between Arlin and both Rafel and Deenie. It's always fulfilling to see former foes forced to develop a begrudging respect for one another.
The book brings the series to a satisfying conclusion. I now look forward to going back and reading some of the earlier books set in this world.
While Rafel's journey was cut short by tragedy, I got to experience that exploration as Deenie sets off on her quest. In a lot of ways book 1 was just set-up for book 2. In the Reluctant Mage, the plot really starts moving.
Karen Millar's great strength seems to be the development of characters and people groups. This continues to show through in this book. She creates a brand new race of people, and again gives them their own turns of phrase. The people of Vharne feel very distinct from the people of Lur.
This book gave Deenie the development she needed, and watching her growth was a lot of fun. I felt that Rafel's character was lacking in this book, as he was incapacitated due to important plot reasons. It all worked, it's just that he was so important in the last book that I wanted more of him.
I enjoyed the dynamic that built between Arlin and both Rafel and Deenie. It's always fulfilling to see former foes forced to develop a begrudging respect for one another.
The book brings the series to a satisfying conclusion. I now look forward to going back and reading some of the earlier books set in this world.
April 8, 2017
The Reluctant Mage is the fourth book in Karen Miller's Mage Series and wraps up the story that began with Asher, The Innocent Mage. I won't share the synopsis as it will spoil the first three books, but I will say that the conclusion to the series was very satisfying. I loved that this story focussed mostly on Deenie, Asher's daughter, who we didn't learn much about previously. We are also introduced to a whole new set of characters (from a different land), and while I will admit that I found some of these characters to be very annoying (SO MUCH BICKERING! STOP WITH THE BICKERING!), I'll also say that Karen Miller did a FANTASTIC job at making these characters seem like real, unique people with very different personalities and manners of speaking. Despite feeling a bit annoyed in the middle of the story, I enjoyed reading the vast majority of this book and especially loved when the different characters stories finally came together. 4 stars!
March 21, 2013
I enjoyed this book, but several things spoiled it for me:
1. The Yoda-speak I very much did not like - maybe not Yoda, but more old time Music Hall style Welsh without the the "Look you". Whatever it was, it became very irritating after a couple of pages.
2. I never did find Asher sympathetic and Rafel is not much better, but Deenie! The number of times I wanted to give her a good smack as - right at the most crucial, dangerous moments - she goes into a kind of Thomas Covenant act, or rather she doesn't act when she should.
3. The magic. If I may quote from the Kobold Book of Game Design: "Just because you are reinventing the rules of physics, sociology, and biology does not mean you get a free pass to invent anything and everything. On the contrary, you must first describe and explain your premises, and then you must adhere to them scrupulously. Work your premise, and make it sing, and the world will dream the same strange dream you have. Fail to stick with it, or treat your premise with any disdain, and your high-wire act will flop and fail."
I appreciate that this is a novel rather than a game, but the same sort of premise should still apply. Now, in the first 3 books, starting with "A Blight of Mages", the author keeps the magic more or less under control. Barl and Morgan go pretty far out, but it seems to work. However, there is nothing that can explain what happens to Deenie in this book, firstly at the Reef and secondly when she faces Morg. Nor does an explanation follow. To me, this is cheating. I like magic, but if magic is to replace science then it must follow some rules, and if weird things happen, the reader deserves to be told why and how.
Having had my moan, I found this an exciting and interesting ending to the series.
1. The Yoda-speak I very much did not like - maybe not Yoda, but more old time Music Hall style Welsh without the the "Look you". Whatever it was, it became very irritating after a couple of pages.
2. I never did find Asher sympathetic and Rafel is not much better, but Deenie! The number of times I wanted to give her a good smack as - right at the most crucial, dangerous moments - she goes into a kind of Thomas Covenant act, or rather she doesn't act when she should.
3. The magic. If I may quote from the Kobold Book of Game Design: "Just because you are reinventing the rules of physics, sociology, and biology does not mean you get a free pass to invent anything and everything. On the contrary, you must first describe and explain your premises, and then you must adhere to them scrupulously. Work your premise, and make it sing, and the world will dream the same strange dream you have. Fail to stick with it, or treat your premise with any disdain, and your high-wire act will flop and fail."
I appreciate that this is a novel rather than a game, but the same sort of premise should still apply. Now, in the first 3 books, starting with "A Blight of Mages", the author keeps the magic more or less under control. Barl and Morgan go pretty far out, but it seems to work. However, there is nothing that can explain what happens to Deenie in this book, firstly at the Reef and secondly when she faces Morg. Nor does an explanation follow. To me, this is cheating. I like magic, but if magic is to replace science then it must follow some rules, and if weird things happen, the reader deserves to be told why and how.
Having had my moan, I found this an exciting and interesting ending to the series.
May 9, 2015
I ended up liking this one more than book 1. I think it was cos it was less whining, less Doranen-Olken conflicts. Less Asher (he was good for two books, in the last one he was too arrogant). And even though Rafeel was a good hero, he was too..male.
Deenie on the other hand was a great heroine. She and her friend go on an adventure. Their world is going to hell, and she fears her brother is in trouble. The adventure takes them to new lands and I liked it being just her and her friend. And then some other people that showed up. Ok so you will know at once when they are mentioned but still I shall not say more.
But I wonder, no one ever went over the mountains? Even before Morg? That just seems weird....I mean come on.
Anyway. This is the end. Is the world saved? Oh I wont spoil things but duh, the planet does not blow up, so figure it out. The end was a bit too fast but I liked how it was all wrapped up. Sad to see the world go.
I do like her books.
Deenie on the other hand was a great heroine. She and her friend go on an adventure. Their world is going to hell, and she fears her brother is in trouble. The adventure takes them to new lands and I liked it being just her and her friend. And then some other people that showed up. Ok so you will know at once when they are mentioned but still I shall not say more.
But I wonder, no one ever went over the mountains? Even before Morg? That just seems weird....I mean come on.
Anyway. This is the end. Is the world saved? Oh I wont spoil things but duh, the planet does not blow up, so figure it out. The end was a bit too fast but I liked how it was all wrapped up. Sad to see the world go.
I do like her books.
December 24, 2011
The final chapter in theoffice Mage series by Karen Miller has it's high points and some serious annoying points as well.
While it is an entertaining story and packed full of the magic we've been wanting since The Innocent Mage, Dennie and Charis' moping and weeping got so annoying. I would really like to know how many time weep wept or weeping were used, as it must be a ludicrous amount.
I gave it four stars because apart from that bother, the story was compelling, chock full of magic and adventure.
While it is an entertaining story and packed full of the magic we've been wanting since The Innocent Mage, Dennie and Charis' moping and weeping got so annoying. I would really like to know how many time weep wept or weeping were used, as it must be a ludicrous amount.
I gave it four stars because apart from that bother, the story was compelling, chock full of magic and adventure.
July 20, 2011
And so it resolves. Still a good yarn, worth reading...but there's so much going on, in so many different places, and a lot of it feels like foregone conclusions. Introducing new characters in this book allows, I suppose, for some sort of resolution, but some of it feels a little too late. Probably the weakest of the series.
July 30, 2012
I wasn't all that impressed with the first book, way too much whining and and irrational actions by the characters (Asher & Dathne I'm looking at you) but the second book is a bit better. It leaves the angst behind and gets to the meat of actually doing something. Still not as good as the first series.
April 23, 2023
SO much better than the first installment in this series. I was enraptured in the story the entire time.
While the ending felt a little lackluster for me, it did not feel rushed.
While the ending felt a little lackluster for me, it did not feel rushed.
July 14, 2015
These last two books should never have been written. Not only was it a waste of my time, it tainted the original fisherman series.
September 17, 2019
A very long sequel to a very long introduction. But not a bad conclusion. KM is very good at writing conclusions and providing a satisfying sense of denouement after a long epic tale. And yes, this book really did have its moments, the characters were wonderful, and wonderful at arguing all the time. But I felt like the whole thing was just a nicely copy-edited draft 1 or 2 of book that could have been so soooo much better.
Like... there's SO much that didn't need to be in the book.
I was surprised when the plot went in a completely new direction in this book, with Deenie and Charis as the main characters. But I kept thinking Charis and Ewen, as supporting characters, would have some relevance to the plot in the end, do something that only they could do that would change the outcome, like Sam in LotR. But instead they were just sort of thrown in for the ride... And that felt... anticlimactic?
Anyway, I enjoyed the dynamics between Morg and Arlin Garrick. Arlin really was one of the more unique characters I've read in fantasy and had an absolutely phenomenal growth arc. I'd say Arlin was the best and most interesting character in these books.
So for the unexpected plot direction in book 2 and Arlin's character, this book gets 4 stars. But the duology together is about 1000 pages and I think about 500 pages could have been cut out, and that's where it loses a star.
Lastly, Karen Miller needs someone to help her write dialogue that has less conflict in it. What the characters say and how they say it seems realistic but every conversation turns into an argument! I've read 8 of her books and can safely say that this is an area she definitely needs to work on as a writer.
Like... there's SO much that didn't need to be in the book.
I was surprised when the plot went in a completely new direction in this book, with Deenie and Charis as the main characters. But I kept thinking Charis and Ewen, as supporting characters, would have some relevance to the plot in the end, do something that only they could do that would change the outcome, like Sam in LotR. But instead they were just sort of thrown in for the ride... And that felt... anticlimactic?
Anyway, I enjoyed the dynamics between Morg and Arlin Garrick. Arlin really was one of the more unique characters I've read in fantasy and had an absolutely phenomenal growth arc. I'd say Arlin was the best and most interesting character in these books.
So for the unexpected plot direction in book 2 and Arlin's character, this book gets 4 stars. But the duology together is about 1000 pages and I think about 500 pages could have been cut out, and that's where it loses a star.
Lastly, Karen Miller needs someone to help her write dialogue that has less conflict in it. What the characters say and how they say it seems realistic but every conversation turns into an argument! I've read 8 of her books and can safely say that this is an area she definitely needs to work on as a writer.
December 22, 2021
I don't believe I can write an individual review on this book; I have to look at the series in entirety. At least the first four written books: "The Innocent Mage", "The Awakened Mage", "The Prodigal Mage" and finally "The Reluctant Mage." I rated them differently as novels apart, but as a complete series, a set? It's absolutely a 5 star series for me.
This was a journey of 4 books and I suggest if you want to take on the first book you must commit to all four before you can have an honest opinion. If you stop before reading all 4 books, it's not worth your time and you'd be missing out completely. It would be like reading one or two of the Lord of the Rings books. That's ridiculous.
What an adventure this was. And you need patience. But if you have patience for the story and the journey and you have patience to allow the characters to develop through their interactions with each other and their individual journeys and challenges and self exploration, you will not be disappointed when you get to book four and finally get to the conclusion. This story begins on page one of "The Innocent Mage." And concludes with this book. I could not put this book down. This one of the four was my favorite. Deenie and Charis are my favorite characters and I loved their friendship with each other. Raw, honest and full of love and support for each other.
The author will surprise you through the entire journey, in all 4 books. I will read the prequel "A Blight of Mages." I am hooked to this story and would love to travel with Barl next and see how she escapes Morg.
One of my favorite series I've read.
This was a journey of 4 books and I suggest if you want to take on the first book you must commit to all four before you can have an honest opinion. If you stop before reading all 4 books, it's not worth your time and you'd be missing out completely. It would be like reading one or two of the Lord of the Rings books. That's ridiculous.
What an adventure this was. And you need patience. But if you have patience for the story and the journey and you have patience to allow the characters to develop through their interactions with each other and their individual journeys and challenges and self exploration, you will not be disappointed when you get to book four and finally get to the conclusion. This story begins on page one of "The Innocent Mage." And concludes with this book. I could not put this book down. This one of the four was my favorite. Deenie and Charis are my favorite characters and I loved their friendship with each other. Raw, honest and full of love and support for each other.
The author will surprise you through the entire journey, in all 4 books. I will read the prequel "A Blight of Mages." I am hooked to this story and would love to travel with Barl next and see how she escapes Morg.
One of my favorite series I've read.
February 24, 2018
I adored Innocent mage and awakened mage, truly 2 of the best books I have ever read! And was delighted to see another series with the same world and characters was being released, but I was worried it wouldn't be as good as the first series. I wouldn't say the 2 books in this series stand up to the AWESOME-ness of the first series, but they still totally deserve their 5 stars.
in this book we mostly follow Deenie (asher's daughter and rafel's sister) as she and charis try to travel through Morg's land to find Rafel, Goose and the others who went on the expedition over the wall. They face some terrifying things and you really feel as if you are there with them, feeling their pain and suffering in the harsh lands. They are joined by Eric, who, along with his men, help them get to Morg's city.
Morg's power is growing, and the stronger he grows, the more he destroys of rafel's mind and body (which he is possessing). So it's up to deenie, charis, eric and arlin to fight him and hopefully save rafel in the process.
This is an excellent book which had me hooked from the start. Usually female characters in books drive me mad, but Deenie is such a great character that I didn't mind reading the story mostly from her view.
Well worth the read, but at least read Prodigal mage first, but I highly recommend reading Innocent mage and awakened mage before that, otherwise a lot of the references may not make sense to you.
in this book we mostly follow Deenie (asher's daughter and rafel's sister) as she and charis try to travel through Morg's land to find Rafel, Goose and the others who went on the expedition over the wall. They face some terrifying things and you really feel as if you are there with them, feeling their pain and suffering in the harsh lands. They are joined by Eric, who, along with his men, help them get to Morg's city.
Morg's power is growing, and the stronger he grows, the more he destroys of rafel's mind and body (which he is possessing). So it's up to deenie, charis, eric and arlin to fight him and hopefully save rafel in the process.
This is an excellent book which had me hooked from the start. Usually female characters in books drive me mad, but Deenie is such a great character that I didn't mind reading the story mostly from her view.
Well worth the read, but at least read Prodigal mage first, but I highly recommend reading Innocent mage and awakened mage before that, otherwise a lot of the references may not make sense to you.
May 7, 2020
I liked that we got to explore more of the world in this book - and that characters ran into issues with things like language and differing attitudes, which gave it a sense of realism. I did get a bit sick of the bickering between Charis and Deenie, which got rather repetitive and tiresome. And the romantic subplot felt a bit predictable - and not really relevant to the plot. It felt like the author felt obliged to match the heroine with up with male supporting character just for the sake of convention. Or perhaps because if they have kids, they could be the subject of another book in future.
The book also adds some horror elements in terms of what happens to Morg's victims. On one hand, that distinguishes the book a little bit from others in the genre, but personally, I'm not brilliant with detailed descriptions of gore and it did get a bit much at times.
Overall though, it's a decent read and a satisfying end to the series.
The book also adds some horror elements in terms of what happens to Morg's victims. On one hand, that distinguishes the book a little bit from others in the genre, but personally, I'm not brilliant with detailed descriptions of gore and it did get a bit much at times.
Overall though, it's a decent read and a satisfying end to the series.
July 19, 2018
A fitting way to conclude this two-part series. Karen seems to favour two-parters; something which bucks the usual trend of trilogies within the fantasy genre.
Memorable and sympathetic characters and great world-building. Without posting too much in the way of spoilers, I loved the transformation of the quiet mouse into a feisty heroine. That had an immense impact, given that she was such an insubstantial character in the first book.
I liked the new characters introduced in this second part and it was good to get to know different lands. Only two lands had been the focus in all the previous novels set on this world, so it added another dimension to the story.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves traditional epic fantasy.
Memorable and sympathetic characters and great world-building. Without posting too much in the way of spoilers, I loved the transformation of the quiet mouse into a feisty heroine. That had an immense impact, given that she was such an insubstantial character in the first book.
I liked the new characters introduced in this second part and it was good to get to know different lands. Only two lands had been the focus in all the previous novels set on this world, so it added another dimension to the story.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves traditional epic fantasy.
August 13, 2018
I really liked Kingmaker/Kingbreaker, The Prodigal Mage was okay..., and this book, fortunately, made up for the let down of The Prodigal Mage! We finally have some characters that I can cheer for, Deenie and Ewen. (I still think Ewen was more of an interesting character than all of the other characters combined...). There was some slow parts (Deenie and Charis with their constant bickering). But overall it was a well executed plot. Overall, it was a good way to end these series of books. I would recommend.
February 15, 2021
The first series I’ve read since Eragon that has captured me with the storyline and characters in quite the same way. Engaging, richly detailed and believably layered. My only gripe if I can say I have any is that...
*SPOILERS*
Asher was magically able to find out Dathne’s fate in a dream. Happy enough as it meant he was at peace with it, but a shame for them to make the two of them so weak to make the children seem stronger. But it made sense so it’s not a particularly strong criticism.
*SPOILERS*
Asher was magically able to find out Dathne’s fate in a dream. Happy enough as it meant he was at peace with it, but a shame for them to make the two of them so weak to make the children seem stronger. But it made sense so it’s not a particularly strong criticism.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2024
An epic end to an epic saga. I did not like how the first part ended with Morg 'possessing' Rafel, but Karen has redeemed herself with this sequel. The reluctant mage, of course, was Rafel's little 'mousy' sister, Deenie. This is a great story though I thought the killing of Morg was a little anticlimactic. Of course, Deenie saved Rafe in killing Morg, but the process seemed a bit innocuous. Anyway, I enjoyed the tale immensely.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2021
I'm glad I read it cuz it gave a good conclusion to this books in both series (kingmaker, king break, and fishermans children). However. It wasn't that good. It was quite tedious with maybe a third of all chapters scattered throughout that where interesting and drew me in as a reader. The constant squabbling between characters was annoying.
May 17, 2017
Best book out of the entire series! Redeemed the prior book! Loved this book! I found it to be very satisfying. This book made it worth reading all the other books in the series because it was so good. I recommend reading all the other books in order to enjoy this book the most.
August 27, 2018
Interesting end to a great group of characters. I enjoyed the ending for the most part. The only thing I didn't like it the way Dathne. I understand that someone had to die but I never expected it to be that simple or that unceremonial. Still a great book and would always recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2019
Outstanding
I have loved every page of every book. Totally absorbed. These books are fantastic. The story is so well thought out and you get swept along. You dont want to put it down. My housework has gone out of the window. Any chance I got I was reading it.
I have loved every page of every book. Totally absorbed. These books are fantastic. The story is so well thought out and you get swept along. You dont want to put it down. My housework has gone out of the window. Any chance I got I was reading it.
February 16, 2021
I thought this was much better than the Prodigal Mage, and really liked understanding why Deenie was the way she was, and her discovering herself and her power. However, it was quite a long build up, and the end seemed rushed in comparison. A great read all in all
June 4, 2018
A fair ending but longer than needed
The series is worth reading but Miller does flit between threads of the story and lose her way in parts.
The series is worth reading but Miller does flit between threads of the story and lose her way in parts.
October 4, 2020
Once again too many repetitions of the same discussions (almost verbatim) in the first half. Send half saved it
October 16, 2020
Compared to the first book in the series, this book definitely picked up. While the characters were different, there was still a lot of angst (and a LOT of griping).
April 30, 2021
3,5 Stars***
Rating: 7,8/10
Rating: 7,8/10
January 9, 2022
I absolutely loved how we got to see the perspective of deenie and it had such a satisfying ending to the series
June 21, 2022
Een geweldige afsluiter van dit episch avontuur ❤️
November 15, 2023
A little fantasy, and a little romance.
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