Magefall

by Stephen Aryan

Overview

When magic is feared, the mages must learn to fight for themselves in this powerful sequel to the standout epic fantasy Mageborn by Stephen Aryan.

The land is in turmoil. Mages are hunted by men and gods alike. Even their own kind betray each other in the name of safety and protection.

With their last refuge fallen, two young mages must conspire against a god to show the world that their abilities aren't a curse; they are the only way to ensure lasting peace. Under the threat of anti-magic fanatics, Wren struggles to find her place as a leader and to keep her people safe as they build a new home. While Danoph searches for answers on a spiritual journey, determined to find out who he really is and where he came from in an effort to calm the coming storm.

Their world has turned against them, yet only they can save the world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316554817
Publisher:	Orbit
Publication date:	09/04/2018
Series:	The Age of Dread , #2
Pages:	480
Sales rank:	428,061
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

Stephen Aryan was born in 1977 and was raised by the sea in northeast England. A keen podcaster, lapsed gamer and budding archer, when not extolling the virtues of Babylon 5, he can be found drinking real ale and reading comics.

He lives in a village in Yorkshire with his partner and two cats.

Editorial Reviews

09/03/2018
The admirable second novel in Aryan’s Age of Dread fantasy saga extends the story lines advanced in 2017’s Mageborn. Following the destruction of the Red Tower, the magic-wielding seekers whom it was schooling and the mages who instructed them furtively disperse. In the wilds outside of Zeccoria, Wren and Tianne attempt to forge a community in which seekers are schooled to harness and channel the innate magical powers that nonmages deem dangerous. Their efforts to remain unobtrusive and altruistically beneficial to their kingdom are threatened by former confederates who have gone rogue: Akosh, who is subtly trying to establish a theocracy with herself as the goddesshead, and the power-drunk Garvey, who, with his cronies, cuts a swath of murderous destruction across the countryside. Though displays of magic occasionally manifest, Aryan’s tale is steeped more solidly in the intrigues of character clashes, petty politics, and power struggles in a culture whose marginalization of outsiders has significant contemporary resonance. His novel will whet fans’ appetites for the next installment in this gripping high fantasy series. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

"This fast-moving, plot-heavy series doesn't skimp on the characters or worldbuilding... unique and compelling."—B&N's Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog

"Strong offering that should appeal both to those who like their fantasy cynical and those who prefer it sentimental. "—Kirkus

"Will whet fans' appetites for the next installment in this gripping high fantasy series."—Publishers Weekly

"A propulsive combination of thrills, mystery, and magic."—B&N's Sci-Fi and Fantasy Blog on Mageborn

"[Stephen Aryan] enlivens his tale with abundant politics, intrigues, double-crossings, and plot twists to keep the pacing brisk and whet readers' appetites for future installments."—Publishers Weekly on Mageborn

"A vivid and rousing adventure with the kind of magic that punches you right in the face"—Jen Williams on Battlemage

"This is epic fantasy for readers who appreciate extra helpings of carnage with their backstabbing."—Publishers Weekly on Battlemage

"Stephen Aryan puts the epic into Epic Fantasy. This is a ground-shaking debut, full of fiery promise"—Den Patrick, on Battlemage

From the Publisher

2018-08-21

Prejudice against magic and the secret powermongering of a goddess continue to have repercussions in the second installment of a high fantasy trilogy.

The goddess Akosh's existence depends on worshipers, and her chosen devotees are orphans. Therefore, she must continue to stir up war and chaos to create more of them. But her stoking of hatred against magic users, which ultimately led to the destruction of the Red Tower, a school for mages, is attracting unwanted attention from vengeful mages, law enforcement officers and governments of multiple countries, and her fellow divine beings, who have sworn not to intervene in mortal concerns. Can she and her network of followers survive the onslaught of the many parties determined to shut them down? And what of the anonymous god who has offered her an alliance; might accepting his help prove more dangerous than refusing it? Meanwhile, the young survivors of the Red Tower seek various new paths, some avenging themselves against the nonmagical people who hate and fear them, one falling under the sway of an ambitious politician, and others forming a community of magic users who at first try to remain secret but ultimately can't help interfering in the local bandit situation despite the ingratitude of those they rescue. This book is blessedly freer than the prior volume of clunky attempts to associate the story's issues and events with contemporary political and social problems, other than a relatively well-done exploration of the poisonous consequences of prejudice and how it can be exploited for gain. This is a fairly solid middle volume, with good action sequences, plausible character development, and enough dangling plotlines to motivate the reader to pick up the conclusion. One might certainly hope that Book 3 will clarify the currently murky motivations of Garvey, a mage who deliberately set himself up as a villain.

A relatively strong offering that should appeal both to those who like their fantasy cynical and those who prefer it sentimental.

Kirkus Reviews