A review by vms_lcsw
The Prodigal Mage, by Karen Miller
3.0
This novel tracks the young life of the son of Asher, who was the protagonist in the two books Innocent Mage and Awakened Mage. Rafel, Asher's son, is growing up with a sister, Deenie, and both have some odd magic due to their father having both the Doranen and Olken magic in him.
As I begin to write the review I realize I've forgotten half the character's names though I read this fairly recently. I wonder if that means I'm getting old or the characters were not very memorable. Hmm.
The problems that were thought to have been overcome in the other series have come back to haunt everyone. Of course there is another Doranen who hates Olkens and has a son who he breeds to hate Olkens as well.
In the beginning of the book we hear quite a bit about Asher and his wife and how things have changed in the passed decade. Then we find that Lur (the earth) feels sick and something is very wrong. As the story progresses it becomes more about how Rafel wants to use magic and his father won't let him because he's afraid Rafel will get hurt or the Doranen will hate him for using their magic.
The storytelling itself is very good and there is a well-structured and interesting society that Karen Miller has built for these stories. There are a few styles of magic including the Olken magic which is never quite described aside from being refered to as 'earthy'. The Doranen magic is said to be more warlike but that most dangerous parts have been banned and/or lost and so there are some powerful Doranen who wish they could do the old magic their people used.
There is something called WeatherMagic (long story) that was developed by a woman thousands of years earlier who is now worshipped as a goddess (forgot her name, too). This WeatherMagic was something that was to be used to keep a protecting wall strong and that wall is now coming down. You sort of have to read the other books to understand what is going on.
The characters are likeable and most Olkens speak as though they're from Yorkshire and could be a character in Wuthering Heights. The main characters all have realistic personalities and interesting quirks that identify them and make them personable.
The story is more political and person-driven than magic or action driven. You won't find epic battles or sweeping adventure, but the story is entertaining nonetheless.
As I begin to write the review I realize I've forgotten half the character's names though I read this fairly recently. I wonder if that means I'm getting old or the characters were not very memorable. Hmm.
The problems that were thought to have been overcome in the other series have come back to haunt everyone. Of course there is another Doranen who hates Olkens and has a son who he breeds to hate Olkens as well.
In the beginning of the book we hear quite a bit about Asher and his wife and how things have changed in the passed decade. Then we find that Lur (the earth) feels sick and something is very wrong. As the story progresses it becomes more about how Rafel wants to use magic and his father won't let him because he's afraid Rafel will get hurt or the Doranen will hate him for using their magic.
The storytelling itself is very good and there is a well-structured and interesting society that Karen Miller has built for these stories. There are a few styles of magic including the Olken magic which is never quite described aside from being refered to as 'earthy'. The Doranen magic is said to be more warlike but that most dangerous parts have been banned and/or lost and so there are some powerful Doranen who wish they could do the old magic their people used.
There is something called WeatherMagic (long story) that was developed by a woman thousands of years earlier who is now worshipped as a goddess (forgot her name, too). This WeatherMagic was something that was to be used to keep a protecting wall strong and that wall is now coming down. You sort of have to read the other books to understand what is going on.
The characters are likeable and most Olkens speak as though they're from Yorkshire and could be a character in Wuthering Heights. The main characters all have realistic personalities and interesting quirks that identify them and make them personable.
The story is more political and person-driven than magic or action driven. You won't find epic battles or sweeping adventure, but the story is entertaining nonetheless.