A review by mrsdarcylynn
The Reluctant Mage by Karen Miller
4.0
If you read my review for [b:The Prodigal Mage|6237480|The Prodigal Mage (The Fisherman's Children, #1)|Karen Miller|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327919482s/6237480.jpg|6420202], you'll know that I came into the second book in the series with low expectations. Karen Miller, again, spends too much time "building up" and too little moving the plot forward. Her characters are inexplicably always in disagreement with one another (which I find to be statistically unlikely, they have to agree at some point!), making this book a lot like the last in that respect.
But, you say, I reviewed this book higher! I did. Because, for me, the ending was worth it. The Reluctant Mage introduces new hunky-man love-interest Ewan, making the Fisherman's Children return more closely to Kingmaker/Kingbreaker's love story between Asher and Dathne (something that was missing from The Prodigal Mage). The intrigue continues though, because everyone insists on lying to each other for no real reason (so, drama!). Basically, after 300 or so pages the plot finally builds up and the book becomes an exciting read.
Addressing another my complaint in my last review, Deenie and Charis (the main characters in this book, and both female!!!!) are center stage and they finally don't suck! Unfortunately they share the same motivation: saving Rafel (instead of, you know, saving Lur, which is in danger). Overall I want to say that having two interacting female characters was a vast improvement over the original series and the previous book, and I really enjoyed both butt-kicking girls. Neither girl experiences the "so-weak-I'm-bedridden" trap that the previous book put them in (despite being beaten up by magic more thoroughly in this book), and both girls show more initiative in this book. I think it speaks toward a real "coming-of-age" story in a way that I never felt Rafel's story did in The Prodigal Mage. Both girls grow and learn, where Rafel held the same beliefs at 10 as he did at 21.
In my last review I mention how I love made-up slang- in this book it was overdone. Not only was the slang overdone, but Ewan's people talk like Yoda and it is insanely hard to read. This is my biggest complaint with the writing. When writing a special dialect, make sure your audience can understand it.
Overall, a good ending to the series. I wouldn't recommend the books in Fisherman's Children to people who don't have the time to read nearly 1,000 pages of build-up before getting to the chase, but if you're a dedicated reader, this wouldn't be a bad read.
But, you say, I reviewed this book higher! I did. Because, for me, the ending was worth it. The Reluctant Mage introduces new hunky-man love-interest Ewan, making the Fisherman's Children return more closely to Kingmaker/Kingbreaker's love story between Asher and Dathne (something that was missing from The Prodigal Mage). The intrigue continues though, because everyone insists on lying to each other for no real reason (so, drama!). Basically, after 300 or so pages the plot finally builds up and the book becomes an exciting read.
Addressing another my complaint in my last review, Deenie and Charis (the main characters in this book, and both female!!!!) are center stage and they finally don't suck! Unfortunately they share the same motivation: saving Rafel (instead of, you know, saving Lur, which is in danger). Overall I want to say that having two interacting female characters was a vast improvement over the original series and the previous book, and I really enjoyed both butt-kicking girls. Neither girl experiences the "so-weak-I'm-bedridden" trap that the previous book put them in (despite being beaten up by magic more thoroughly in this book), and both girls show more initiative in this book. I think it speaks toward a real "coming-of-age" story in a way that I never felt Rafel's story did in The Prodigal Mage. Both girls grow and learn, where Rafel held the same beliefs at 10 as he did at 21.
In my last review I mention how I love made-up slang- in this book it was overdone. Not only was the slang overdone, but Ewan's people talk like Yoda and it is insanely hard to read. This is my biggest complaint with the writing. When writing a special dialect, make sure your audience can understand it.
Overall, a good ending to the series. I wouldn't recommend the books in Fisherman's Children to people who don't have the time to read nearly 1,000 pages of build-up before getting to the chase, but if you're a dedicated reader, this wouldn't be a bad read.