aly_ssa_k's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing!! One of the best fantasy books I've found since Harry Potter and the Tamora Pierce series. Incredibly captivating plot, and even better were the characters. The author effortlessly built a world with women truly in power and where all sexualities are already accepted and unquestioned. I cannot wait to read the next book. I only put it down once, and regretted to do so, finishing it in two sittings. I cannot wait to read the next book!
little_red_dragon's review against another edition
5.0
“My throat tightened. 'I'm not good at these games. Not like you are, Mamma.'
'Then don't play. Figure out what you are good at, and make that the game.”
The Tethered Mage hits the perfect balance of fantasy, magic, politics, and just a touch of romance. The magic system was fascinating, with hints of a bigger world that I can't wait to explore. Overall, there was a solid, fast-paced plot, though the middle gets a bit more political, so it may not be for everyone.
However, I found the characters to be relatable and complex. Zaira is fiery and loyal, while Amalia is independent and smart. They play off each other so well and it's wonderful to see their relationship grow and develop.
It reads a bit like YA, but that's certainly not a bad thing--it makes it more approachable. And that ending was great! I would highly recommend this one.
'Then don't play. Figure out what you are good at, and make that the game.”
The Tethered Mage hits the perfect balance of fantasy, magic, politics, and just a touch of romance. The magic system was fascinating, with hints of a bigger world that I can't wait to explore. Overall, there was a solid, fast-paced plot, though the middle gets a bit more political, so it may not be for everyone.
However, I found the characters to be relatable and complex. Zaira is fiery and loyal, while Amalia is independent and smart. They play off each other so well and it's wonderful to see their relationship grow and develop.
It reads a bit like YA, but that's certainly not a bad thing--it makes it more approachable. And that ending was great! I would highly recommend this one.
mora55's review against another edition
5.0
I have no idea why I like political fantasies, but I absolutely do. This was a very well-written political fantasy! There was scheming and our POV was a main political figure (or, her mother was, and she was her mother's heir). And she liked politics! And she was learning how to maneuver her way around them!
It did take me forever to read it but I think that was mostly because I was in a rut of
The strength was definitely in the politics and twists and scheming and much less in the execution of action scenes, but like, i'm not here for the action scenes. I'm here for the impressive worldbuilding that was delivered very clearly in this fascinating world of mage-marks and Falcons and city-states united under one empire and political schemings.
Amalia is an interesting narrator. She wasn't anything special, in my opinion, but she was interesting and not hard to read and had fairly solid character development. I like how she's into the politics of everything and growing into her mother's shoes and also her close relationship with her mother in the first place. I thought it was a satisfying ending when
I love Zaira and how she's completely unselfconscious but still has a little bit of emotions she tries to hide in order to stay strong and brash. Her comments are hilarious. Marcello didn't really do much for me at all, and neither did most of the other characters except for La Contessa. She supports Amalia but they still clash like mother and daughter usually do, and they have such a close relationship that isn't just fake like so many others. It seems real, and La Contessa is a good character in her own right. In the author interview at the back of the book, she said Zaira and La Contessa were both her favorite characters and the hardest for her to write, and that definitely showed.
I usually don't include a favorite line but this one surprised me so much that I laughed aloud. I'm not sure what I was expecting but it certainly wasn't this:
In summary: New adult, which I've been kinda on the lookout for! Great political fantasy with well-developed politics and worldbuilding!
It did take me forever to read it but I think that was mostly because I was in a rut of
The strength was definitely in the politics and twists and scheming and much less in the execution of action scenes, but like, i'm not here for the action scenes. I'm here for the impressive worldbuilding that was delivered very clearly in this fascinating world of mage-marks and Falcons and city-states united under one empire and political schemings.
Amalia is an interesting narrator. She wasn't anything special, in my opinion, but she was interesting and not hard to read and had fairly solid character development. I like how she's into the politics of everything and growing into her mother's shoes and also her close relationship with her mother in the first place. I thought it was a satisfying ending when
Spoiler
she decided she wouldn't date Marcello because of political reasons because although it was bittersweet for her, she knows what she values and her goals and how she is to accomplish those goals in line with what she values most.I love Zaira and how she's completely unselfconscious but still has a little bit of emotions she tries to hide in order to stay strong and brash. Her comments are hilarious. Marcello didn't really do much for me at all, and neither did most of the other characters except for La Contessa. She supports Amalia but they still clash like mother and daughter usually do, and they have such a close relationship that isn't just fake like so many others. It seems real, and La Contessa is a good character in her own right. In the author interview at the back of the book, she said Zaira and La Contessa were both her favorite characters and the hardest for her to write, and that definitely showed.
I usually don't include a favorite line but this one surprised me so much that I laughed aloud. I'm not sure what I was expecting but it certainly wasn't this:
"So what happens if they kidnap you?"In context with a lead-in that doesn't hint at that direction at all, it's hilarious. There are a few spots (usually when Zaira speaks, or unexpected wry sarcasm) that just aren't what I expected there and I laughed.
"My mother kills them."
In summary: New adult, which I've been kinda on the lookout for! Great political fantasy with well-developed politics and worldbuilding!
storytimed's review against another edition
4.0
I'm so here for POLITICS! It's a sign of how inured I've become to trashy YA fantasy novels that I was surprised and gratified to find that The Tethered Mage had a plot that 1) made sense 2) mattered and 3) ended in a satisfying way.
Surprisingly, the characters were the weak part this time around. The love interest is Standard YA Generic Hot Sword Guy, and for a novel about two characters magically bound to be partners for the rest of their lives, Zaira and Amalia don't get to do very much bonding.
Okay, I'll admit it: I'm disappointed this wasn't gayer. I wanted some of that tentative earning of trust on both sides. Some buddy cop aggressive banter. That moment where they end up having a good time together or making a good team despite not expecting to, despite actively fighting their True Partnership Connection. I'm happy Zaira's canonically bi, but the premise of the novel begs for at the very least a deep platonic connection between the two linked characters, and we really don't get it.
Part of this is because this book is so plot-driven, and Zaira's for the most part secondary to the actual plot. Sure, her power is relevant, but she has no incentive to be a major political player and therefore is treated like an afterthought. The actual politically relevant characters (Amalia, Ruven, Amalia's uncle, Amalia's MOM) are much better written.
Amalia herself is pretty great: she's an academic who hates having to live up to her mother's political expectations, and her shyness and growing skills are realistically portrayed. I liked that she was chronically ill without a big melodramatic deal being made of it, but that her illness informed what she could do narratively.
And, well, Amalia's mom. What's that, Alison, your favorite character in the book is the morally ambiguous, powerful older woman who lives according to her own realpolitik code? Yeah, okay, I have a type, but it's SUCH a good type. She's deployed to perfection too, as a forbidding presence who looms over the actual novel but never a deus ex machina.
Surprisingly, the characters were the weak part this time around. The love interest is Standard YA Generic Hot Sword Guy, and for a novel about two characters magically bound to be partners for the rest of their lives, Zaira and Amalia don't get to do very much bonding.
Okay, I'll admit it: I'm disappointed this wasn't gayer. I wanted some of that tentative earning of trust on both sides. Some buddy cop aggressive banter. That moment where they end up having a good time together or making a good team despite not expecting to, despite actively fighting their True Partnership Connection. I'm happy Zaira's canonically bi, but the premise of the novel begs for at the very least a deep platonic connection between the two linked characters, and we really don't get it.
Part of this is because this book is so plot-driven, and Zaira's for the most part secondary to the actual plot. Sure, her power is relevant, but she has no incentive to be a major political player and therefore is treated like an afterthought. The actual politically relevant characters (Amalia, Ruven, Amalia's uncle, Amalia's MOM) are much better written.
Amalia herself is pretty great: she's an academic who hates having to live up to her mother's political expectations, and her shyness and growing skills are realistically portrayed. I liked that she was chronically ill without a big melodramatic deal being made of it, but that her illness informed what she could do narratively.
And, well, Amalia's mom. What's that, Alison, your favorite character in the book is the morally ambiguous, powerful older woman who lives according to her own realpolitik code? Yeah, okay, I have a type, but it's SUCH a good type. She's deployed to perfection too, as a forbidding presence who looms over the actual novel but never a deus ex machina.
meganmreads's review against another edition
4.0
The Tethered Mage has been sitting on my shelf for quite some time, but once I realized I could get the sequels from my library, I decided it was time to finally read it!
I really enjoyed the story! It was smart, fun, and magical. The magic system was interesting and I enjoyed the world, politics, and characters. This wasn’t a YA fantasy, but it wasn’t a super dense adult fantasy, either. It would be a good jump for people who enjoy YA fantasy but might be sick of following the lives of teenagers since the characters in this trilogy are a bit older.
My only issue was that I thought the potential romance between Amalia and Marcello was way too wholesome for me. I’m not a Marcello fan, but I enjoyed the conflict and plot enough to be genuinely interested in the fate of the characters and will definitely continue the series.
I really enjoyed the story! It was smart, fun, and magical. The magic system was interesting and I enjoyed the world, politics, and characters. This wasn’t a YA fantasy, but it wasn’t a super dense adult fantasy, either. It would be a good jump for people who enjoy YA fantasy but might be sick of following the lives of teenagers since the characters in this trilogy are a bit older.
My only issue was that I thought the potential romance between Amalia and Marcello was way too wholesome for me. I’m not a Marcello fan, but I enjoyed the conflict and plot enough to be genuinely interested in the fate of the characters and will definitely continue the series.
strangethedreamer's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars. The characters are generally likeable and well drawn, although the romance felt unnecessary. Giving this a low score because of the way slavery is treated and morally elided by the author makes me deeply uncomfortable. I’m unlikely to continue with this series.
cloudedhalo's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this, and the narrator on the audiobook was excellent. The magic system and how the world controls those with magic was fab and gave for interesting dynamics. I liked both the main female characters, and the political intrege they had to navigate and I will deffo be continuing with the series but am going to try and continue with the audiobook but it doesn't seem to be on my app yet.
esknight89's review against another edition
11% in and I can already see where things are headed. I really dislike fantasy from the perspective of an elite, so finding out that the entire book is from the POV of a naive but pampered daughter of a countess didn't give me a good feeling. Then I see some CW-inspired romantic chum tossed into the mix, so my YA alarm started blaring.
Most of the way each named character acted seemed unrealistic and if someone did feel realistic, it felt forced, petulant, & unreasonable.
I could have been hook a number of different ways by the introduced plot, but nothing was barbed or sharp enough to grab me.
Most of the way each named character acted seemed unrealistic and if someone did feel realistic, it felt forced, petulant, & unreasonable.
I could have been hook a number of different ways by the introduced plot, but nothing was barbed or sharp enough to grab me.