The Innocent Mage, by Karen Miller, is the first in the Kingmaker, Kingbreaker duology.
Asher, a poor fisherman’s son, decides to try to make something of himself in the city of Dorana, hoping to return in a year to help out his father. When he gets to the city, Asher soon befriends Prince Gar and gains employment working at the palace. Meanwhile, Dathne and Matt also befriend Asher, but they have ulterior motives. Dathne believes that Asher is destined to fulfill prophecy and save civilization, at the cost of his own life.
In an absorbing story about friendship, family, love, and betrayal; Miller has created an impressive fantasy. Asher is a wonderfully written character who speaks his mind and isn’t easily intimidated. The secondary characters are just as vivid. Despite being so abrupt and headstrong, Asher is also honorable and loyal. His qualities are endearing, making it that much harder to know that his end may be near.
The Innocent Mage ends in a perilous cliffhanger, which concludes in the sequel The Awakened Mage. Fantasy fans of all ages will enjoy this fantastic story.
Oh I like the sound of this one. Since all my books are currently packed, I don’t have anything to read. I’ll have to see if I can pick this up.
A perilous cliffhanger? Gah. I hate those if I don’t have the next book handy, I am going to have to pick up book two next time I am at the bookstore!
I still haven’t started it. I need to.
This is on my to-read list. For some reason, I appear to have a copy of the sequel to this book – hmm…