Brief synopsis (no spoilers): Chronicles the adventures of Arram Draper, a young and powerful mage, during his time at Carthak University learning to harness and expand his "gift" (magical abilities). Here he meets friends Orzone and Varice who take him under their wings.
Category: YA
Why I chose this book: Read and enjoyed other books by the same author
My personal opinion: I have not enjoyed a book this much in quite a while. I haven't had much time for reading lately, but when I have I've been disappointed and had trouble staying engaged with the books. Though the book felt like it took a long time to read I never got bored. I enjoy books that include those with magical powers and their journey of learning to use those powers.
Warnings - I felt like the author did a good job of not over dramatizing things in the warnings section - yes violence, adult situations, and death do occur but she didn't over describe or dramatize them. All was done in a "matter of fact" manner.
Language: None
Violence: Gladiator fights with some brief description of wounds
"Adult" situations: As a boy in his early teenage years Arram has a few brief encounters with girls that cause his "male member" to react and doesn't know what that means. He is later briefly and appropriately instructed by his friend and told that he will attend a class on these things in the upcoming semester. Teenage type kissing at the end of the book. Also there are two very brief mentions of a male teacher having a male partner.
Death: Yes, not of main characters
Movie rating equivalent: PG-13
Protagonist description: Arram is young and inexperienced but ultimately powerful mage. He feels that his family doesn't understand him and he is much more at home at the university where he his sent to study. He is above the level of his classmates and is moved to upper level classes quickly, where he meets Varice and Ozorne his friends. All three are good with animals and often spend time together with the sick and injured animals.
Varice is good with kitchen magic, potions, and poisons. She is also very social.
Ozorne is called the "left over" prince as there are several in line before him for the throne, but he is eager to prove himself and to get revenge for his father's death.
Point of view of story: 3rd person focused on Arram
Book length: Long, but enjoyable
Story flow: Linear
Grammar and spelling issues: A few weird words and place/people names since it takes place in it's own fictional world, but nothing that is confusing.
Character connection (no spoilers): I am excited to see what becomes of all three of the main characters.
Category: YA
Why I chose this book: Read and enjoyed other books by the same author
My personal opinion: I have not enjoyed a book this much in quite a while. I haven't had much time for reading lately, but when I have I've been disappointed and had trouble staying engaged with the books. Though the book felt like it took a long time to read I never got bored. I enjoy books that include those with magical powers and their journey of learning to use those powers.
Warnings - I felt like the author did a good job of not over dramatizing things in the warnings section - yes violence, adult situations, and death do occur but she didn't over describe or dramatize them. All was done in a "matter of fact" manner.
Language: None
Violence: Gladiator fights with some brief description of wounds
"Adult" situations: As a boy in his early teenage years Arram has a few brief encounters with girls that cause his "male member" to react and doesn't know what that means. He is later briefly and appropriately instructed by his friend and told that he will attend a class on these things in the upcoming semester. Teenage type kissing at the end of the book. Also there are two very brief mentions of a male teacher having a male partner.
Death: Yes, not of main characters
Movie rating equivalent: PG-13
Protagonist description: Arram is young and inexperienced but ultimately powerful mage. He feels that his family doesn't understand him and he is much more at home at the university where he his sent to study. He is above the level of his classmates and is moved to upper level classes quickly, where he meets Varice and Ozorne his friends. All three are good with animals and often spend time together with the sick and injured animals.
Varice is good with kitchen magic, potions, and poisons. She is also very social.
Ozorne is called the "left over" prince as there are several in line before him for the throne, but he is eager to prove himself and to get revenge for his father's death.
Point of view of story: 3rd person focused on Arram
Book length: Long, but enjoyable
Story flow: Linear
Grammar and spelling issues: A few weird words and place/people names since it takes place in it's own fictional world, but nothing that is confusing.
Character connection (no spoilers): I am excited to see what becomes of all three of the main characters.
For series:
Independent or integral: Independent as the first in the series. That beings said, it does come as part of a larger set of books set in the world of Tortall. I have read a few of these other books and don't feel like they gave me a great advantage to understanding what was happening, but I did recognize place names and felt like I understood some of the culture from the other stories.
Series review as a whole: Unknown at this point as only the first in the series has been released.
If you only have time for one, read: So far, start with this as first in the series.
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