Dragon Mage
Rivenworld #1
By M.L. Spencer
Aram Raythe has the power to challenge the gods. He just doesn’t know it yet.
Aram thinks he’s nothing but a misfit from a small fishing village in a dark corner of the world. As far as Aram knows, he has nothing, with hardly a possession to his name other than a desire to make friends and be accepted by those around him, which is something he’s never known.
But Aram is more. Much, much more.
Unknown to him, Aram bears within him a gift so old and rare that many people would kill him for it, and there are others who would twist him to use for their own sinister purposes. These magics are so potent that Aram earns a place at an academy for warrior mages training to earn for themselves the greatest place of honor among the armies of men: dragon riders.
Aram will have to fight for respect by becoming not just a dragon rider, but a Champion, the caliber of mage that hasn’t existed in the world for hundreds of years. And the land needs a Champion. Because when a dark god out of ancient myth arises to threaten the world of magic, it is Aram the world will turn to in its hour of need.
982 pages
Published by Stoneguard Publications
Published on January 8, 2021
Author’s webpage
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Dragon Mage was a thrilling read from start to finish. Engrossing and heart-felt, Spencer has woven an epic fantasy in the grand tradition of Robert Jordan, but even more impressive, she has worked the scope of The Wheel of Time into one book (this was originally a standalone title, but given the clamouring of its readers, Spencer has decided to write more in the Rivenworld – hooray!) – a massive book albeit, but one book none the less.
I was utterly captivated, as much by the world and the mythology Spencer has created as I was by the story and the character of Aram and his friend Markus.
Spencer is not unknown to the readers of grimdark fantasy with her Rhenwars Saga and the Chaos Cycle books, and while I have started the first book of Rhenwars, I haven’t as yet finished it (this is not a DNF but rather an ‘I’ll get back to it’). However, from the day I picked up Dragon Mage, I powered through it (with only a few small breaks). Dragon Mage is the kind of fantasy I love and is the kind of story I am always on the lookout for.
If you are a fan of Robert Jordan, Sara Douglass or James Islington, then check out Dragon Mage. You won’t be disappointed.
