Author: Garth Nix
Age: Young Adult
Genres: Fantasy
Publication Date: October 1, 2019
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Source: eArc
Purchase: Hardcover | Paperback | Kindle | Audible | B&N | Kobo | Play Store | iBooks | Book Depository
Synopsis:
More than a century has passed since Liliath crept into the empty sarcophagus of Saint Marguerite, fleeing the Fall of Ystara. But she emerges from her magical sleep still beautiful, looking no more than nineteen, and once again renews her single-minded quest to be united with her lover, Palleniel, the archangel of Ystara.
A seemingly impossible quest, but Liliath is one of the greatest practitioners of angelic magic to have ever lived, summoning angels and forcing them to do her bidding.
Liliath knew that most of the inhabitants of Ystara died from the Ash Blood plague or were transformed into beastlings, and she herself led the survivors who fled into neighboring Sarance. Now she learns that angels shun the Ystaran’s descendants. If they are touched by angelic magic, their blood will turn to ash. They are known as Refusers, and can only live the most lowly lives.
But Liliath cares nothing for the descendants of her people, save how they can serve her. It is four young Sarancians who hold her interest: Simeon, a studious doctor-in-training; Henri, a dedicated fortune hunter; Agnez, an adventurous musketeer cadet; and Dorotea, an icon-maker and scholar of angelic magic. They are the key to her quest.
The four feel a strange kinship from the moment they meet, but do not know why, or suspect their importance. All become pawns in Liliath’s grand scheme to fulfill her destiny and be united with the love of her life. No matter the cost to everyone else. . .
My Rating:
My Thoughts:
This was an interesting fantasy novel surrounded around Angels and magic. I was intrigued by the synopsis and excited to see how angels and magic would work in this story. Even though I enjoyed the concept, the story just took too long for me to commit to. I struggled getting into the world and connecting to the characters on a personal level.
The characters annoyed me a lot more than I thought they ever would. I just couldn't connect with any of them or their motivation for the things they did. I did love each characters individual "power" but other than that none of them were really memorable for me. The Four had their comical moments, but other than that I didn't care much for them.
If this was a first in a series I definitely would have given it a clean 4 star rating, but with knowing that its a standalone and will not be expounded on further I have to go with a 3.75 star rating.
Though I didn't enjoy this, I do plan to re-read this book early next year to see if my opinion will change. I know that Garth is a fantastic writer, so maybe I just need to give this a second go.
About the Author
Garth’s books include the Old Kingdom fantasy series, comprising Sabriel, Lirael; Abhorsen; Clariel and Goldenhand; SF novels Shade’s Children and A Confusion of Princes; and a Regency romance with magic, Newt’s Emerald. His novels for children include The Ragwitch; the six books of The Seventh Tower sequence; The Keys to the Kingdom series and others. He has co-written several books with Sean Williams, including the Troubletwisters series; Spirit Animals Book Three: Blood Ties; Have Sword, Will Travel; and the forthcoming sequel Let Sleeping Dragons Lie. A contributor to many anthologies and magazines, Garth’s selected short fiction has been collected in Across the Wall and To Hold the Bridge.
More than five million copies of his books have been sold around the world, they have appeared on the bestseller lists of The New York Times, Publishers Weekly and USA Today and his work has been translated into 42 languages. His most recent book is Frogkisser! now being developed as a film by Twentieth Century Fox/Blue Sky Animation.
Giveaway
Prize: 2 finished copies of Angel Mage by Garth Nix (USA)
Starts: 10/21/19
Ends: 10/31/19
This tour was hosted by Fantastic Flying Book Club.