The Tethered Mage cover art

The Tethered Mage

Swords and Fire, Book 1

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The Tethered Mage

By: Melissa Caruso
Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
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About this listen

'I couldn't put it down' Genevieve Cogman, author of The Invisible Library

In the Raverran Empire, magic is scarce and those born with power are strictly controlled - taken as children and conscripted into the Falcon Army.

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 could threaten 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.

SET IN A RICH WORLD OF POLITICAL INTRIGUE AND DANGEROUS MAGIC, THE TETHERED MAGE IS A SPELLBINDING DEBUT FROM A MAJOR NEW TALENT.

'An enchanting voice and an original world you won't want to leave' RJ Barker, author of The Bone Ships

'I raced through this exquisite debut in three days and adored it' Fantasy Book Review

'A breathtaking book. Equal parts fantasy and political intrigue, The Tethered Mage pulls readers relentlessly through labyrinthine turns of conspiracy, adventure and romance' BookPage

Books by Melissa Caruso:

Swords and Fire
The Tethered Mage
The Defiant Heir
The Unbound Empire

Rooks and Ruin
The Obsidian Tower
The Quicksilver Court
The Ivory Tomb

2018, Gemmell Morningstar Award for Fantasy Debut, Short-listed

©2017 Melissa Caruso (P)2017 Little, Brown Book Group
Action & Adventure Coming of Age Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Magic Wizardry Magic Users

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All stars
Most relevant
I wish I could give more than 5 stars for the narration, which was excellent. All the characters and emotions were distinct and it brought the book to life,

In fact without the narration I think that the quality of the writing and story would have brought the marks down considerably. The overall story was a reasonable, enjoyable work of fantasy but it was dragged down by a couple of factors. I found the overall style and quality of the writing quite poor, it was very simplistic and almost childlike, Not what I would have expected of an adult, as opposed to young adult, fantasy. The early chapters dragged a little and were very slow and I did not really like the main characterisations, which were quite one dimensional, strangely I thought that the secondary characters were better drawn. Amalia was somewhat weak and young-seeming, a bit whiny in places. Zaira was a stronger character but had no emotion but childish, shouty anger throughout most of the book, understandable in some respects but exhibiting no growth until suddenly at the end of the book. The lieutenant just didn't really make sense to me, too young for a position of second in command, too indecisive and generally just a foil.

Enjoyable but slow

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The story is a good concept and definitely has potential, I'm yet to decide if I'll continue with the trilogy though TBH. While the story and idea is good I found some of the story telling and conversations a little stilted and awkward. I didn't check the expected audience and maybe it is aimed at teens or young adults which may explain some of the tamer language used or maybe I'm just used to more blunt and graphic books.

Good but a little awkward in places

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looking forward to the next book in the series, a timid kitten turning into a fierce tiger.

good story and easy listening

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The captivating narration by Saskia is what gives soul body to the book. The characters have there own unique voices and mannerisms, something to be coveted in this age of screen gazing.. just close your eyes and Marvel. Thank you, Saskia..

The captivating narration by Saskia

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I loved this book. It is well written, intriguing with a novel plot. I look forward to the next book in the series

New and fresh

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