The Prodigal Mage (Fisherman's Children Series #1)

The long awaited new series is severely disappointing

The Innocent and Awakened Mage introduced us to Asher and the land of Lur. These books were filled with Asher, the blunt, colorful Fisherman who told it like it was and taught honor and honesty. The prince Gar, a complicated and fully dimensional character. Other people such as Dathne and Matt as well as others created a rich tapestry in which to enjoy the story.
Sadly, The Prodigal Mage falls very, very short. 10 years after finds Asher ruler of Lur, married to Dathne, with two children Rafel and Deenie. Every scene with Asher has him arguing with someone, especially his son...and it will be the same arguments over and over ...and over again. Honest Asher is gone. He now lies pretty much to everyone around him especially his family.
Mysterious things keep happening and Asher keeps arguing with everyone about what he can or can't do. The new Asher feels responsible for everyone and anyone, including his enemies and endangers himself and his family in the process. We are never clear WHY or WHAT Asher knows, but he will still argue about it.
There are several major crisis in the book, all requiring a lot of arguing and dishonesty. Yet they all are essentially the same crisis, however since Asher doesn't want to talk about it or decides to lie when he does, nothing ever really gets resolved. Except thanks to the books cover, you pretty much have a clear idea what is eventually going to happen....after the tedious lying and arguing.
Oh yeah, one last thing. Asher had the yokel way of talking when he came to Doranna and eventually got a little "citified". This book not only does Asher regress and gets "fratched" alot, so does everyone else.
However the last 60 pages shows some hope......
look forward to the next one, hope to see more of the excellent first two, then this one.

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

THE PRODIGAL MAGE is an intriguing high fantasy

Ten years have passed since the INNOCENT MAGE Asher defeated the evil Morg and the Kingdom of Lur (see The Kingmaker, Kingbreaker duo). The land overall has been peaceful due mostly to Asher who as the AWAKENED MAGE has magical roots with both the Doranen and the Olken. However below the surface calm a hostile racial divide remains between the blond haired immigrant Doranen and the black haired native Olken.

Asher just wants to raise his two children (Rafel and Deenie) with his wife Dathne in peace. Just because he wishes for peace does not mean he will get it as Lur has begun to plot anew plots to conquer its neighbor at a time when something bad seems to be happening to the Olken earth magic. Besides fears for the nation, Asher also worries about his feisty children who are beginning to discover their mage talents. Once again Asher will have to try to save the land from the foolishness of its own people as some of them are trying to infiltrate the "natural" boundaries, which means if successful those kept on the other side also will have passage. However; this time he has his family to help him if he can keep them in line and focus on the bigger issues beyond keeping them safe especially the chip off the old block, THE PRODIGAL MAGE offspring.

The first of a duet, THE PRODIGAL MAGE is an intriguing high fantasy as the quest has not begun though the anticipation of learning what is on the other side of the mountains, etc will fascinate readers. The "Fisherman's Children" story line focuses mostly on Rafel as the title character coming into his own as a mage and the concerns of Asher and Dathne; Deenie's role is more of an observer. Fans of the first saga will enjoy THE PRODIGAL MAGE as the family that practices magic together stays together.

Harriet Klausner

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Agree

I'm just curious how can none of you agree on how long after the first two books this one takes place?

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Read it.

Just read it.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

ASHERS NOT SO HAPPILY EVER AFTER

5 years after Ashers defeat of the evil Morg. He's still the same blunt honest fisherman we all know and love and king in all but name yet broken in many ways.Unable to forgive himself for the death of king Gar and haunted by the destuctive magic that still lives within him. Asher is still called on to deal with any magiclal crisis that comes along still forced to risk all for the greater good. This shows what happens to heroes after they become heroes. I feel this is a good follow up to KING MAKER KING BREAKER.

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