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Return of the High Mage King

Age of Heroes, Book 1

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Return of the High Mage King

By: Shane Hammond
Narrated by: Jessica Threet, Boise Blue
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About this listen

All of the incredibly powerful high mages died out centuries ago. Nobody expected one to return.

I was just a simple blacksmith apprentice when a visit by the mages of Essalin confirmed what I’d long suspected—I could touch the aether. Destined to be a mage, I’m plucked from my village alongside a feisty redhead so we could journey to the fabled city of the high mages to learn how to control and wield the aether.

The road there isn’t going to be easy though. Brutal orc raiders are spreading across the continent for the first time in a hundred years, and rogue mages are stirring chaos in their wake. I find some allies along the way, including a highborn blonde with a sassy mouth, but it’s clear to me that I’ll need all the help I can get.

Especially when my coming shakes the foundations of the entire continent—all the way to the long-dormant throne of the High Mage King itself.

I hope they’re ready for me.

©2024 Royal Guard Publishing LLC (P)2025 Royal Guard Publishing LLC Action & Adventure Epic Fantasy Magic Magic Users Wizardry Emotionally Gripping Royalty
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If I read another book where the characters that have been established to murder people to save their own lives give up and be imprisoned, even though it was stated that they would be fine if they murdered a lot of people… let’s just say I will wait for future reviews of the next book before buying it.

Other than “hand of the author removing agency” the story is serviceable and does what it sets out to do with interesting characters that aren’t that deeply explored. They are all surface motivations and that’s fine for a book like this. I would have liked for the villains motivations were a bit more understandable at times but again, for a book like this it’s fine. The book generally is fine and I’d recommend it, just know what you are here for and that the characters are going to be tossed around a bit.

Decent story but…

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overall a great opening book. sets the stakes high, great intro to the characters. the pacing feels a bit off and you never quite get the sense that mages are all that "game changing" in combat with how their power starts off as underwhelming.

the narrators do a great job with only a few odd pronunciation issues (saying signet as "sing-yet" was weird) and they really bring the characters to life.

very much a setting up book. entertaining but just wish the combat scenes felt a bit tighter and the power levels a little more consistent and telegraphed (as there was a sense that all his power turns up at the 11th hour).

I'm definitely getting book two as the world building and politics certainly feels interesting and established.

a good start

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