Read for: Netgalley/ Requested Review
Synopsis: "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 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.
War looms on the horizon. A single spark could turn their city into a pyre."
My Review: I really haven't seen much about this book but was drawn in by the cover and found the synopsis intriguing enough to give it a shot. I am so glad that I did! While this book has a lot of magic in it, there is also a lot of political intrigue, behind closed door dealings and a lot of puzzles to figure out, my favorite combinations in a book. The characters are so widely varied from political powerhouses and super spies to loyal military members to reluctant/cynical citizens trapped in the system. I thoroughly loved all the thought that went into reading this book, there were a lot of twists and turns to figure out. They were so carefully done you could figure them out but not so easy that you saw it coming a mile away (at least for me). The magic system is really unique, it blends outright power with a little bit of artistry and a touch of steampunk like devices. Then of course you have the element of Falcons and Falconers for an added element of connection and tension throughout the book. This is one that I highly recommend and cannot wait until the next book!
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.
War looms on the horizon. A single spark could turn their city into a pyre."
My Review: I really haven't seen much about this book but was drawn in by the cover and found the synopsis intriguing enough to give it a shot. I am so glad that I did! While this book has a lot of magic in it, there is also a lot of political intrigue, behind closed door dealings and a lot of puzzles to figure out, my favorite combinations in a book. The characters are so widely varied from political powerhouses and super spies to loyal military members to reluctant/cynical citizens trapped in the system. I thoroughly loved all the thought that went into reading this book, there were a lot of twists and turns to figure out. They were so carefully done you could figure them out but not so easy that you saw it coming a mile away (at least for me). The magic system is really unique, it blends outright power with a little bit of artistry and a touch of steampunk like devices. Then of course you have the element of Falcons and Falconers for an added element of connection and tension throughout the book. This is one that I highly recommend and cannot wait until the next book!
My Rating: This was so much more than I expected! I love that it didn't get bogged down with romance and that there was so much use of mental abilities as opposed to just fighting and magic. If you liked The Winner's Curse definitely check this one out! I give it a rating of Four Paws!
I received this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
You can find out more about Melissa Caruso on her Goodreads Page or Website.
Tethered Mage was just released on October 24th and you can obtain your own copy in print or digital format from Amazon or Barnes and Noble or check with your local bookstore.
The other good news is that the second book is currently scheduled for release on April 19th so not too long to wait!!
Sounds very good. I love when a book surprises you like this and blows you away. Especially when you weren’t expecting it. I love political intrigue in books. Not so much in real life.
ReplyDeleteI hope you give this one a try, I know you really enjoyed the Winner's Curse and think this might be up your alley. I love political intrigue and spy type books but agree, not in real life.
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