The Tethered Mage
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A mage with coveted magic and the scion of a powerful family are magically bound together in service to the Empire in the first book of a spellbinding fantasy trilogy from David Gemmell Award-nominated author Melissa Caruso.
Magic is scarce in the Raverran Empire, and those born with such powers are strictly controlled — taken as children and conscripted into the Falcon army, to be used as weapons in times of war.
Zaira has lived her life on the streets to avoid this fate, hiding her mage mark and thieving to survive. But hers is a rare and dangerous magic, one that threatens the entire Empire.
Lady Amalia Cornaro was never meant to be a Falconer. Heiress and scholar, she was born into a treacherous world of political machinations.
But fate has bound the heir and the mage. And as war looms on the horizon, a single spark could turn their city into a pyre.
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3 primary books#1 in Swords and Fire
Swords and Fire is a 3-book series with 3 released primary works first released in 2017 with contributions by Melissa Caruso.
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This Venetian-inspired debut novel features great characters (including a variety of women), magic, political intrigue, mystery, friendship, and a dash of romantic subplot, but it's the solid worldbuilding that truly sets it apart. The Tethered Mage is one of the most engaging novels I've encountered this year and my favorite debut set in a secondary world so far, and I found it so compulsively readable and exciting that I stayed up until 2:00 AM to finish it.
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Zaira is a fire-mage who can decimate a whole city with her power. Amalia is the heir of Raverra who accidentally becomes the Falconer of Zaria to prevent her from burning down the city. Now, Zaira can only unleash her power when Amalia utters the release word. Zaira is taken to the island of Mews where other Falcons and Falconers reside. Lieutenant Marcello Verdi is a top Falconer and an accomplished soldier at the Mews. Ardence, another state in Eruvia is on the verge of a rebellion provoked by its disgruntled nobility and the covert support of the Witch-Lords of Vaskandar. Most of the story follows the three main characters trying to wade through the conspiracy, find the traitors and prevent the war – basically to stop Zaira from having to burn down Ardence for its rebellion.
The story is enjoyable enough. I liked the growth of Amalia's character from a studious reluctant heir to being able to use her diplomatic skills for good use. Marcello is a loyal soldier who believes the best of his superiors. I especially enjoyed their time together, trying to navigate their attraction in spite of the difference in ranks. There is a lot of courtly intrigue and back stabbing and conspiracies that made for a engaging read. My most problem was with Zaira. Obviously she doesn't like being taken to the Mews against her will but her character is way too angry and rude to even understand the bigger picture. I am sure there will be more to her in the coming books because she is the only fire-mage but I really didn't like her in this. Overall, it's an enjoyable YA fantasy read and hopefully the series will get better.
PS: Thanks you to Orbit Books and Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In Raverra, if a child shows a mage mark, they are taken by the Empire to become a Falcon. They are the protectors of the realm. Some mage marked have escaped notice and want to remain that way.
I loved this book! This is the second book that I have read by this author this year and she is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I love her writing style, the magic she creates and the characters are fabulous.
