Another Review at MyShelf.Com

The Awakened Mage
Kingmaker, Kingbreaker book 2

by Karen Miller



      Following on breathlessly from the cliff hanger ending of The Innocent Mage (also reviewed on this site) here is the conclusion to that rarity in fantasy, a duology. Prince Gar is the sole survivor of the coach crash, with Master Magician Durm near death. But Morg is waiting in the wings, and conveniently leaps into Durm’s body -but does he really want to be trapped in a crippled husk more likely to die than live? Meanwhile, King Gar has to master the weather working, but surely his magic is going to fail -and what is it exactly that prophecy wants fisherman’s son Asher to do to save the kingdom?

Having devoured book one, I was eager for the conclusion to be released. Ms Miller has created a well-realized land, peopled with some entertaining characters. Asher with his lack of concession to court life is particularly enjoyable, and he makes the perfect foil to gloomy, tormented Gar. It is true that many of the characters could be described as "stock," but they do come to vibrant life and that is enough for me. The story proceeds in increments, rather as if it was happening in "real time," which has the boon of really pulling the reader in; but the disadvantage is that it makes the action flag, seem repetitive and ultimately, it culminates in a rushed ending. That there is so much more to learn about the land and its people is surely to the good, and I have no doubt that Ms Miller is penning another set about it all. Some editing might make a good tale even better!

The Book

Orbit (Little, Brown)
September 2007
Paperback
9781841496054
Fantasy - Fantastic Location
More at Amazon.com US|| UK
Excerpt
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The Reviewer

Rachel A Hyde
Reviewed 2007
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© 2007 MyShelf.com