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willrefuge's review against another edition
4.0
Battlemage by Stephen Aryan
The Age of Darkness Book 1
3.5 / 5.0 stars.
I’ve read Battlemage twice, and here are my best impressions of it: 1) It’s pretty easy to read, but 2) pretty hard to get really into. Lemme explain that.
The characters and world-building are what make Battlemage good. But even as they build it up, they also let it down. Let’s start with the good. Early on, a cast of interesting and relatable characters are introduced. The first chapter is a gem—and the world is vibrant and colorful, filled with very human characters, very real situations, and a lovely, if simple, magic system. But further on the overarching plot slows, as do the individual storylines. I found them somewhat repetitive too, if I’m honest. And while the world appeared deep and vibrant from without, it turns out to be only skin-deep. It’s not terrible, so long as you know what’s coming. It’s like a painting of a beautiful woman (or man)—they’re beautiful on the surface, just don’t expect any depth of character.
Actually… yeah. Battlemage is quite like a beautiful painting.
Where it suffers most from a lack of character development, something that the remaining two entries in tAoD work hard to correct (and do, to be fair). It’s typically difficult in a debut novel, set in a new world, to get and keep readers interested. The complaint a lot of my friends have with fantasy books is that they don’t move fast enough. Such is the norm nowadays to lead with a hook then introduce the cast of characters (in brief), moving the story along to keep the reader’s interest. Then, slow the pace in the middle a bit, enough to sprinkle in the history of the world and its’ characters (usually via flashbacks).
Battlemage does this, at least in part.
It starts with a hook: an impending war, led by a dark and powerful mage and a mad and vicious king. Then a cast of characters: Balfruss—a battlemage, sworn to use his magic to stand against the coming darkness; Vargus—a common soldier with a not-so-common secret, fights the war in the trenches, on the front line; Talandra—princess and spymaster, reluctant leader; Gunder—a spy posing as a spice merchant in an already occupied nation. Then, as the plot slows in the heart of the book, the past—really never emerges. Okay, okay, there are a few brief glimpses, but mostly just Balfruss and never anything important.
Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s a good read. But it suffers in the middle, once you realize the person that is Battlemage is only 2D. It’s something that the following two entries correct quite nicely. It is a decent start to a rather good trilogy, one that improves with each subsequent sequel.
The Age of Darkness Book 1
3.5 / 5.0 stars.
I’ve read Battlemage twice, and here are my best impressions of it: 1) It’s pretty easy to read, but 2) pretty hard to get really into. Lemme explain that.
The characters and world-building are what make Battlemage good. But even as they build it up, they also let it down. Let’s start with the good. Early on, a cast of interesting and relatable characters are introduced. The first chapter is a gem—and the world is vibrant and colorful, filled with very human characters, very real situations, and a lovely, if simple, magic system. But further on the overarching plot slows, as do the individual storylines. I found them somewhat repetitive too, if I’m honest. And while the world appeared deep and vibrant from without, it turns out to be only skin-deep. It’s not terrible, so long as you know what’s coming. It’s like a painting of a beautiful woman (or man)—they’re beautiful on the surface, just don’t expect any depth of character.
Actually… yeah. Battlemage is quite like a beautiful painting.
Where it suffers most from a lack of character development, something that the remaining two entries in tAoD work hard to correct (and do, to be fair). It’s typically difficult in a debut novel, set in a new world, to get and keep readers interested. The complaint a lot of my friends have with fantasy books is that they don’t move fast enough. Such is the norm nowadays to lead with a hook then introduce the cast of characters (in brief), moving the story along to keep the reader’s interest. Then, slow the pace in the middle a bit, enough to sprinkle in the history of the world and its’ characters (usually via flashbacks).
Battlemage does this, at least in part.
It starts with a hook: an impending war, led by a dark and powerful mage and a mad and vicious king. Then a cast of characters: Balfruss—a battlemage, sworn to use his magic to stand against the coming darkness; Vargus—a common soldier with a not-so-common secret, fights the war in the trenches, on the front line; Talandra—princess and spymaster, reluctant leader; Gunder—a spy posing as a spice merchant in an already occupied nation. Then, as the plot slows in the heart of the book, the past—really never emerges. Okay, okay, there are a few brief glimpses, but mostly just Balfruss and never anything important.
Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s a good read. But it suffers in the middle, once you realize the person that is Battlemage is only 2D. It’s something that the following two entries correct quite nicely. It is a decent start to a rather good trilogy, one that improves with each subsequent sequel.
readtheblurb's review against another edition
4.0
Brilliant start to a trilogy! Loved the visceral action and gore in this book along with the strong cast of characters. Again one of the rare times I liked all the characters, especially Balfruss the Battlemage, who struggles with his powers and others perception of his kind. Aryan put a huge focus on comradely in this book and it paid of as I was really invested in all the characters. I think this is definitely worth a read of you’re like me and into dark, gritty, gorey-war-themed medieval fantasy!
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
5.0
I hoped to enjoy this book, and was blown away by how much I loved it. Truly living up to the heart of epic fantasy, this was a book that I couldn't want to put down. I loved the world, the characters, the magic and monsters, and the nearly endless action.
I really did love all the characters. They all had distinct personalities, and I couldn't tell you whom I loved more. They are all easy to relate to and I was always rooting for them. The action was ferocious and constant thanks to the war setting. I absolutely loved the magic. It was intense, near cosmic. I also really loved the creatures and monsters and am hoping to learn more about them and the world.
The story was fairly loose, mainly focused on the war and battles, but there were some unexpected twists that had me re-reading pages, especially in regards to the gods. This was a fantastic, exciting book and I truly look forward to meeting new characters and seeing where the story goes from here. A must read if you love epic fantasy stories!
I really did love all the characters. They all had distinct personalities, and I couldn't tell you whom I loved more. They are all easy to relate to and I was always rooting for them. The action was ferocious and constant thanks to the war setting. I absolutely loved the magic. It was intense, near cosmic. I also really loved the creatures and monsters and am hoping to learn more about them and the world.
The story was fairly loose, mainly focused on the war and battles, but there were some unexpected twists that had me re-reading pages, especially in regards to the gods. This was a fantastic, exciting book and I truly look forward to meeting new characters and seeing where the story goes from here. A must read if you love epic fantasy stories!
blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed this one. I did not know what to expect, but I decided to give it a go and I am glad I did.
It was all war. I like war ones!
There are 3 major POVs.
Balfruss is a battlemage who tries to keep his country safe. All around good powerful guy.
Tallandra is a princess, but no dainty miss. She is the country's spymaster and tries to sow discord in other countries to help their own cause.
And now my favorite. Vargus, a grizzled veteran who made me go all whaaat? I love going whaaat!
This idiot king is invading and has invaded lots more. All in the disguise of true religion. Grrr, kick their asses back to where they came!
SO like I said, it is all war. Spying and battles. It was easyread and enjoyable. I do want more. But dang, the next book is about 4 new people?! Nooo, what about Vargus!? Must read more!
It was all war. I like war ones!
There are 3 major POVs.
Balfruss is a battlemage who tries to keep his country safe. All around good powerful guy.
Tallandra is a princess, but no dainty miss. She is the country's spymaster and tries to sow discord in other countries to help their own cause.
And now my favorite. Vargus, a grizzled veteran who made me go all whaaat? I love going whaaat!
This idiot king is invading and has invaded lots more. All in the disguise of true religion. Grrr, kick their asses back to where they came!
SO like I said, it is all war. Spying and battles. It was easyread and enjoyable. I do want more. But dang, the next book is about 4 new people?! Nooo, what about Vargus!? Must read more!
samstrong's review against another edition
2.0
TL;DR: For a novel called Battlemage, there was a surprising lack of battlemaging going on.
There were a few enjoyable moments in this surprisingly short (for an epic fantasy) novel. Ultimately though, there were too many ideas and all of them were under-developed. We didn't spend long enough with any of the characters for me to really connect with them, or for them to distinguish themselves from their archetypes. Two entire perspectives (along with several sub-plots) could have been dropped and others strengthened without dropping the word count. Despite this, the action was well described and suitably visceral, and some interesting themes occasionally poked their heads over the battlements.
There were a few enjoyable moments in this surprisingly short (for an epic fantasy) novel. Ultimately though, there were too many ideas and all of them were under-developed. We didn't spend long enough with any of the characters for me to really connect with them, or for them to distinguish themselves from their archetypes. Two entire perspectives (along with several sub-plots) could have been dropped and others strengthened without dropping the word count. Despite this, the action was well described and suitably visceral, and some interesting themes occasionally poked their heads over the battlements.
ecooper99's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
hgranger's review against another edition
2.0
This book was supposed to be an epic fantasy but mostly I found it...boring. It's quite a feat to bite your reader to tears with a book full of gore, magic, Warriors, and mad kings,, but Battlemage succeeded in doing just that. I could not muster any enthusiasm for any of the many characters, none of which ever became in any way interesting to me.
bookish_satty's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
The most intriguing aspect of this story was the world that the author created here especially the battlemages and their power. I loved all the characters as all the three main characters were well fleshed out with unique personalities and different talents. I loved the chapters from Balfruss POV much more because of the awesome magical battle we got to see on page.
The prose was accessible but not juvenile which was a huge plus point for me. The action scenes were well written which helped me visualize the epic battle taking place in this world. I loved that the female characters were equally important to the plot as the male characters especially Talandra and her contribution to the overall battle strategy and it's outcome. The romance subplot is handled well and is quite realistic.
Though the story mainly focusses on the battle between nations I didn't feel bored at all which was quite a surprise for me. That ending was shocking for me but in a good way. Hoping to read Book 2 soon.
P.S. - Would definitely recommend the audiobook as the narration was done quite well.
The prose was accessible but not juvenile which was a huge plus point for me. The action scenes were well written which helped me visualize the epic battle taking place in this world. I loved that the female characters were equally important to the plot as the male characters especially Talandra and her contribution to the overall battle strategy and it's outcome. The romance subplot is handled well and is quite realistic.
Though the story mainly focusses on the battle between nations I didn't feel bored at all which was quite a surprise for me. That ending was shocking for me but in a good way. Hoping to read Book 2 soon.
P.S. - Would definitely recommend the audiobook as the narration was done quite well.
scrollsofdragons's review against another edition
2.0
Much prefer the Age of Dread, way more original and enjoyable then this one. That said I don't know about dnfing the series because book 2 follows different characters and a different plot that's better sounding so may continue but this one was just boring, following a typical war with meh characters with nothing new added to the high fantasy genre whatsoever.
kevspointofview's review
Soft DNF, characters seem a little dry, dialogue is simple. Feels like someone who was trained to write vs someone who loves to write and tell stories 🤔