Magician: Master by Raymond E. Feist

Title: Magician: Apprentice

Author: Raymond E. Feist

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Riftwar Saga # 2

Publication: November 1, 1982 499 pages

Source: Libby, Audiobook

Buy|AMAZON|B&N

He held the fate of two worlds in his hands...

Once he was an orphan called Pug, apprenticed to a sorcerer of the enchanted land of Midkemia.. Then he was captured and enslaved by the Tsurani, a strange, warlike race of invaders from another world.

There, in the exotic Empire of Kelewan, he earned a new name--Milamber. He learned to tame the unimagined powers that lay within

MY THOUGHTS

Magician: Master is the second half of the first book in the series and continues the story of Pug and Tomas. In the previous volume, Pug was captured by the enemy while his friends in Midkemia dealt with an ongoing war against the Tsurani, alien invaders from across the rift. This installment gives readers a deeper understanding of the Tsurani people, their governmental system, and, most importantly, their reasons for coming to Midkemia.

The story spans ten years. When we first met Pug and Tomas, they were barely teenagers. By the end of this volume, they’ve become young men leading vastly different lives, each propelled toward unimaginable power. Tomas is imbued with the abilities of an ancient suit of armor once worn by a Valheru, a Dragon Lord. And Pug—unsurprisingly, given the title; joins a brotherhood of magicians and becomes one of the most powerful magic users in both worlds.

The writing remains dense, much like the first volume. However, since the characters, plot, and world-building are already well established, there's less exposition to digest. While the war continues in the background, the focus shifts more toward character development. Side characters like Arutha, Martin, Amos, and Laurie receive more attention, and I found myself just as invested in their arcs as I was in those of Pug (now Milamber) and Tomas.

All in all, Volume II is a solid continuation. There were moments when the pacing dragged and made it hard to stay engaged, but the standout scenes more than made up for those lulls. I plan to continue the series, though I won’t be in a rush to pick up the next book.

The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem

Title: The Jasad Heir

Author: Sara Hashem

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Scorched Throne # 1

Publication: July 18, 2023, 523 pages

Source: Personal Library

Buy|AMAZON|B&N

Ten years ago, the kingdom of Jasad burned. Its magic was outlawed. Its royal family murdered. At least, that’s what Sylvia wants people to believe. The Heir of Jasad escaped the massacre, and she intends to stay hidden, especially from the armies of Nizahl that continue to hunt her people.

But a moment of anger changes everything. When Arin, the Nizahl Heir, tracks a group of Jasadi rebels to her village, Sylvia accidentally reveals her magic—and captures his attention. Now Sylvia’s forced to make a deal with her greatest enemy: Help him hunt the rebels in exchange for her life.

A deadly game begins. Sylvia can’t let Arin discover her identity, even as hatred shifts into something more between the Heirs. And as the tides change around her, Sylvia will have to choose between the life she wants and the one she abandoned.

The scorched kingdom is rising, and it needs a queen.

MY THOUGHTS

I've had The Jasad Heir on my TBR since its release but hadn't gotten around to it due to the mixed reviews. I'm so glad I finally gave it a chance; it exceeded all my expectations!

The Jasad Heir is an Egyptian-inspired Romantasy that breathes new life into some of our favorite tropes. That said, I wouldn't categorize it strictly as "Romantasy", a term I'm honestly not fond of. This book is so much more than that. It's a perfect blend of action, suspense, romance, rich cultural depth, an engaging plot, and, most importantly, complex and compelling characters. The story is very character-driven, which is exactly what I love.

I was astonished to learn that this is Hashem's debut novel. The writing feels like the work of a seasoned author. The attention to detail, the depth of research, and the immersive world-building are top-notch. It’s clear how much heart and hard work went into crafting this story. I was hooked from the very first chapter.

I absolutely loved the characters, especially the contrast between Sylvia and Arin. Both are stubborn, strong-willed, and in control, but while Sylvia embodies controlled chaos, Arin exudes disciplined restraint. I truly appreciated the slow-burn tension between them. It felt subtle and organic, unlike many recent Romantasies that tend to overemphasize the romantic tension to the point of being forced.

What stood out most to me was the world-building. Readers get glimpses of the four main kingdoms, their rulers, citizens, and daily lives, it was fascinating. The trial arc, though brief and occurring later in the book (around the 70% mark), was well-executed and kept me engaged. I've read plenty of trial and competition-centered stories, and I can confidently say the trials here were above par—concise, well-paced, and genuinely interesting, without dragging down the story.

If you haven’t read The Jasad Heir yet, I highly recommend it. With the final book in the duology just around the corner, there’s no better time to dive in!

Magician: Apprentice by Raymond E. Feist

Title: Magician: Apprentice

Author: Raymond E. Feist

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Riftwar Saga # 1

Publication: October 1, 1982 485 pages

Source: Libby, Audiobook

Buy|AMAZON|B&N

To the forest on the shore of the Kingdom of the Isles, the orphan Pug came to study with the master magician Kulgan. But though his courage won him a place at court and the heart of a lovely Princess, he was ill at ease with the normal ways of wizardry.

Yet Pug's strange sort of magic would one day change forever the fates of two worlds. For dark beings from another world had opened a rift in the fabric of spacetime to being again the age-old battle between the forces of Order and Chaos.

MY THOUGHTS

Feist is a well-known author who has been publishing fantasy books for decades. After learning that a book company was creating special editions of The Riftwar Saga, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to finally dive into his work.

I was immediately enthralled as I was introduced to the world of Midkemia, a young orphan named Pug, and his best friend Tomas. The story begins in the Kingdom of Crydee, where the two boys live. They’re at the age where they must be chosen as apprentices for one of the available roles in the kingdom. Tomas joins the Duke's military, while Pug becomes the apprentice of the magician Kulgan, beginning his journey into the world of magic and spells.

But their daily lives are upended when alien invaders threaten their kingdom, and others, sending them on a journey across Midkemia in search of aid and alliances. Volume I spans about three years, following the boys as they grow into young men, thrust into war and the unknown.

I thought the worldbuilding was unique, though at times a bit overwhelming with the number of key players and factions to keep track of. On top of that, we meet elves, dwarves, aliens, the Brotherhood (who are closely tied to the elves), dragons, and other beasties. It was just… a lot.

I think the author did a good job developing Pug and Tomas, but many of the other characters felt underdeveloped. The adults, in particular, were stereotypical in their roles, very cookie-cutter. If you replaced one with another (say, swapped out Kulgan for a different magician), you probably wouldn’t notice much difference.

Many readers compare this series or Feist's work in general, to Tolkien’s. While I haven’t read Tolkien myself, I imagine Magician must feel a bit like The Lord of the Rings. The descriptions are often overly detailed, and some scenes drag on, becoming monotonous.

I understand this first book, Volume I is just one half of a larger story (split into two books in the U.S.), but overall, it was decent. There were some solid, enjoyable moments. I’m still looking forward to seeing how the rest of the story unfolds.

Twin Crowns by Catherine Doyle & Katherine Webber

Title: Twin Crowns

Author: Catherine Doyle & Katherine Webber

Genre: YA Fantasy

Series: Twin Crowns # 1

Publication: May 17, 2022 480 pages

Source: Libby, Audiobook

Buy|AMAZON|B&N

Wren Greenrock has always known that one day she would steal her sister's place in the palace. Trained from birth to return to the place of her parents' murder and usurp the only survivor, she will do anything to rise to power and protect the community of witches she loves. Or she would, if only a certain palace guard wasn't quite so distractingly attractive, and if her reckless magic didn't have a habit of causing trouble...

Princess Rose Valhart knows that with power comes responsibility. Marriage into a brutal kingdom awaits, and she will not let a small matter like waking up in the middle of the desert in the company of an extremely impertinent (and handsome) kidnapper get in the way of her royal duty. But life outside the palace walls is wilder and more beautiful than she ever imagined, and the witches she has long feared might turn out to be the family she never knew she was missing.

Two sisters separated at birth and raised into entirely different worlds are about to get to know each other's lives a whole lot better. But as coronation day looms closer and they each strive to claim their birthright, the sinister Kingsbreath, Willem Rathborne, becomes increasingly determined that neither will succeed. Who will ultimately rise to power and wear the crown?

MY THOUGHTS

Twin Crowns has been on my TBR for years. After a string of mediocre reads, I felt a book slump coming on and needed something quick and easy to pull me out of it. Twin Crowns absolutely delivered.

I went into it with little knowledge of the story and no real expectations, and I was pleasantly surprised by what I found.

As the title and cover suggest, Twin Crowns centers on twin sisters separated at birth: one raised as royalty, the other in a small village community. Without giving away too much, the book alternates between the perspectives of the two sisters, Wren and Rose. I immediately connected with Wren, while it took me at least half the book to warm up to Rose. Naturally, I found myself more engaged in Wren’s chapters, especially her budding relationship with Rose’s betrothed’s bodyguard. I do love a good bodyguard trope.

The girls’ voices were distinct, making it easy to differentiate between them and imagine their separate journeys. While I preferred Wren and Tor’s dynamic over Rose and Shen’s, I still enjoyed watching both relationships develop.

The overall plot isn’t groundbreaking, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying it. Twin Crowns has the charm and heart of a YA fantasy from 10–15 years ago. It’s hard to describe exactly, but it has that nostalgic feel, simple, light, and immersive. So many YA books today feel like they’re written for an older audience, desperately trying to cram in every trending trope. It can feel overwhelming and forced.

But Twin Crowns was refreshing. It was exactly what I needed: fun, engaging, and unexpectedly delightful. I found myself hanging on to every page and smiling until the very end. I can’t wait to continue the series. If you haven’t read Twin Crowns yet, I highly recommend giving it a try.

The Scorpion and the Night Blossom by Amélie Wen Zhao

Title: The Scorpion and the Night Blossom 

Author: Amélie Wen Zhao

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Three Realms duology # 1

Publication: March 4, 2025 400 pages

Source: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

Buy|AMAZON|B&N

Nine years ago, the war between the Kingdom of Night and the Kingdom of Rivers tore Àn’yīng’s family apart, leaving her mother barely alive and a baby sister to fend for. Now the mortal realm is falling into eternal night, and mó—beautiful, ravenous demons—roam the land, feasting on the flesh of humans and drinking their souls.

Àn’yīng is no longer a helpless child, though. Armed with her crescent blades and trained in the ancient art of practitioning, she has decided to enter the Immortality Trials, which are open to any mortal who can survive the journey to the immortal realm. Those who complete the Trials are granted a pill of eternal life—the one thing Àn’yīng knows can heal her dying mother. But to attain the prize, she must survive the competition.

Death is common in the Trials. Yet oddly, Àn’yīng finds that someone is helping her stay alive. A rival contestant. Powerful and handsome, Yù’chén is as secretive about his past as he is about his motives for protecting Àn’yīng.

The longer she survives the Trials, the clearer it becomes that all is not right in the immortal realm. To save her mother and herself, Àn’yīng will need to figure out whether she can truly trust the stranger she’s falling for or if he’s the most dangerous player of all . . . for herself and for all the realms.

MY THOUGHTS

Lately, there have been many Eastern Asian fantasy novels, and I’m still on the lookout for a good one. The synopsis for The Scorpion and the Night Blossom sounded intriguing; demons and a magical trial held by the gods? That was right up my alley! I had such high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it was extremely disappointing and so bad.

The world-building was confusing. The author drops the reader into the story, expecting them to already understand what’s going on. There are different realms and a magic system that is barely explained, if at all. The mortal realm is infested with nightmarish creatures, but their descriptions were vague, leaving me unsure of what they actually looked like. Àn’yīng, our main heroine, wields multiple magical blades, each with a different name and purpose, but again, none of it is properly explained. As the first book in a new series, it desperately needed a clearer foundation and setup.

The writing was okay, but the pacing suffered due to long, dense paragraphs that detailed every little thing, making the story drag. There was barely any dialogue, and the narration relied heavily on telling rather than showing. This made it difficult to stay engaged or connect with the characters. One of the biggest aspects of the novel was the trials, but they were so dull and uninspired that they never felt high-stakes or life-threatening.

Àn’yīng, our main character, was beyond insufferable. I had hoped that as the book progressed, she would grow on me but no, she never did. She is one of the most immature and annoying protagonists I’ve ever read. From the start, readers are told how strong Àn’yīng is, yet we never actually see it. Throughout the entire novel, she constantly needed saving—by Yù’chén, Hao Yang, his mother, and even the other contestants. She also harbors major prejudices against halflings until it’s convenient for her to forget them. For example, when she discovers that Yù’chén is a halfling, she tells him to stay away from her, refusing his help because he disgusts her. And what does she do right after? She befriends and hangs out with a group of halflings. She made disgusting remarks about Yù’chén to his face yet constantly lusts after him. She strings him along, pushes him away, then demands his help whenever she needs it; only to get mad when he uses his demon powers or bends the rules for her. She’s completely delusional, convinced that she’s been saving Yù’chén’s life and that he owed her. But when did she ever save him? Never. And somehow, he’s the one accused of stringing her along? I honestly felt bad for the guy. I have no idea why he likes her when her personality is awful. And don’t even get me started on Yù’chén’s nickname for Àn’yīng, Scorpion, it was not cute at all. I lost count of how many times I rolled my eyes.

I sadly did not enjoy any part of The Scorpion and the Night Blossom. The plot was weak, the world-building was lackluster, and most of the characters were flat. The most important thing to me in any novel is the protagonist, and Àn’yīng was truly a revolting person. I don’t recommend this book, but if you’re still curious, I’d suggest borrowing it from the library. 

Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare

Title: Sword Catcher

Author: Cassandra Clare

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Chronicles of Castellane # 1

Publication: October 10, 2023 624 pages

Source: Personal Library

Buy|AMAZON|B&N

In the vibrant city-state of Castellane, the richest of nobles and the most debauched of criminals have one thing in common: the constant search for wealth, power, and the next hedonistic thrill.

Kel is an orphan, stolen from the life he knew to become the Sword Catcher—the body double of a royal heir, Prince Conor Aurelian. He has been raised alongside the prince, trained in every aspect of combat and statecraft. He and Conor are as close as brothers, but Kel knows that his destiny is to die for Conor. No other future is possible.

Lin Caster is one of the Ashkar, a small community whose members still possess magical abilities. By law, they must live behind walls within the city, but Lin, a physician, ventures out to tend to the sick and dying of Castellane. Despite her skills, she cannot heal her best friend without access to forbidden knowledge.

After a failed assassination attempt brings Lin and Kel together, they are drawn into the web of the mysterious Ragpicker King, the criminal ruler of Castellane’s underworld. He offers them each what they want most; but as they descend into his world of intrigue and shadow, they discover a conspiracy of corruption that reaches from the darkest gutters of Castellane to the highest tower of its palaces.

As long-kept secrets begin to unravel, they must ask themselves: Is knowledge worth the price of betrayal? Can forbidden love bring down a kingdom? And will their discoveries plunge their nation into war—and the world into chaos?

MY THOUGHTS

Finally, Cassandra Clare writes something other than a Shadowhunter novel. Sword Catcher marks her foray into the adult genre. However, to be honest, it still reads like a Young Adult novel despite the characters being in their 20s and 30s. Many reviews have compared it to another popular series, but aside from the fact that Kel is an orphan who becomes the prince's shield and companion, the two stories are nothing alike, at least, not to me.

Sword Catcher revolves around the politics of Castellane, exploring its relationships with other kingdoms as well as the criminal underbelly within its own walls. The magic element is minimal and takes a backseat to the political intrigue. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but going into the book, I expected more fantasy. The story follows Prince Conor, his Sword Catcher, Kel, and the physician, Lin. Kel serves as the prince’s body double; stepping in for Conor during dangerous situations and publicly posing as his "cousin" when needed. His entire purpose is to serve House Aurelian; until he gets entangled with criminals like the Ragpicker King and Prosper Beck. Lin, on the other hand, lives in the Sault, a walled-off district within Castellane, home to the Ashkari people who sought refuge in the city after fleeing their homeland. As a physician, she cares for the lower class, but her life is upended when she finds herself caught between nobility and the city's criminal underworld.

Clare's new world is intriguing. I enjoyed the political maneuvering and seeing both sides of Castellane, and everything was presented in a clear, easy-to-follow manner. The story unfolded in a way that left me curious enough to pick up the sequel. I struggled to connect with the characters. I didn’t find them particularly likable or well-developed. Most of them were self-serving; even Kel, who convinces himself that everything he did was for the prince.

Two major events near the end drastically changed life for both the nobility on the Hill and the people of the Sault, yet they felt anticlimactic. Normally, moments like these would have me on the edge of my seat, frantically turning pages, but instead, I found myself thinking, 'That’s it?'

Overall, Sword Catcher is a solid introduction to a new series, and I hope the sequel delivers a stronger impact.

Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

Title: Warbreaker

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Genre: Science Fiction

Series: N/A

Publication: June 9, 2009, 688 pages

Source: Audiobook, Libby

Buy|AMAZON|B&N

Warbreaker is the story of two sisters, who happen to be princesses, the God King one of them has to marry, the lesser god who doesn't like his job, and the immortal who's still trying to undo the mistakes he made hundreds of years ago.

Their world is one in which those who die in glory return as gods to live confined to a pantheon in Hallandren's capital city and where a power known as BioChromatic magic is based on an essence known as breath that can only be collected one unit at a time from individual people.

By using breath and drawing upon the color in everyday objects, all manner of miracles and mischief can be accomplished. It will take considerable quantities of each to resolve all the challenges facing Vivenna and Siri, princesses of Idris; Susebron the God King; Lightsong, reluctant god of bravery, and mysterious Vasher, the Warbreaker.

MY THOUGHTS

I think most readers have at least heard of Brandon Sanderson or read one of his books. With his extensive catalog, I decided that this would be the year I finally started one of his works. I chose Warbreaker, which, in hindsight, probably wasn’t the best entry point. The synopsis and rave reviews promised an epic fantasy, but unfortunately, I didn’t experience that at all. There were many aspects I disliked, and I didn’t even find it mildly enjoyable.

First, the cover and title felt misleading. Siri is featured on the cover, yet the book is named after another character. In the grand scheme of the story, with so many characters, Siri and Vasher were two of the main ones, but their roles felt small and somewhat insignificant. They had plenty of page time, yet their presence barely moved the story forward. It’s hard to explain, but their impact just didn’t feel substantial.

At first, the worldbuilding intrigued me. The concept of colors and Breath as a magical system was unique; people could animate inanimate objects by drawing color from their surroundings, provided they had accumulated enough Breath. To gain Breath, they had to take it from another living person. Things became more complex with the introduction of gods and the Returned: people who had died but were brought back to life and worshiped as deities. While the idea was interesting, the execution became confusing and convoluted. The reasoning behind the Breath system and its connection to the gods was poorly explained, and when the truth was finally revealed, it felt underwhelming and inane.

Character-wise, I immediately disliked Vivenna. She was one of the dullest protagonists I’ve ever read. Though she underwent significant development over the course of the book, she remained unlikable. Siri, the younger princess who became the Hallandren Queen, fared slightly better. Initially dismissed as the useless princess, she actually grew over the course of the book. However, I didn’t feel connected to any of the characters. Vivenna, Siri, Lightsong, Vasher, Denth, Tonk Fah, the God King, and even the side characters all felt underdeveloped. None of them had a single memorable moment or defining trait. As the story progressed, I lost interest in the story and didn't care what happened to them.

The pacing was a major issue. Warbreaker was unnecessarily long, with the middle section dragging painfully. Then, after all that buildup, thousands of Lifeless marching on Idris, Vasher’s hidden army, there was no actual battle scene? The ending felt rushed, abrupt, and anticlimactic. One of the worst ending I've read in a long time.

Overall, I don’t recommend this book. It was drawn out for far too long, and I honestly wish I had DNF-ed it instead of wasting so much time, only to be left disappointed.