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Bookapotamus (289 KP) rated The Philosopher's Flight in Books

May 29, 2018

For anyone who has been suffering withdrawal from the end of a certain magical boy wizard series, The Philosopher's Flight by Tom Miller is the perfect antidote! It's clever, and sharp, but also a quick read based on alternative history where special "powers" can do different things, and one boys journey to"fit in" this world where girls rule! The opposite sexism is interesting (women typically have the most refined powers and go to war, do the dangerous stuff, etc.) and Robert wants to do everything the women do - and we see if he attains that goal, while facing some pretty crazy "roadblocks" along the way.

I love stories that take me away to another place - get me out of reality and imagine what life would be like if things were "different". And this book does just that. It's very clever how it's pretty historically accurate, just with this twist of Sigilry, these signs and symbols drawn to move energy and ultimately produce some sort of effect (hovering/flying, restoring health, moving an object, sending messages). There are great stories of friendship, interesting characters, and stories of love as well. All wrapped up in a creative story of action, adventure and social-awareness.

There are a few "racy" scenes...so I'd recommend a more mature audience, but its fantastic all-around in general. I'm excited to see if the Philosopher Flies Again! Thanks NetGalley!

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David McK (3801 KP) rated Chaosmage (The Age of Darkness Trilogy, #3) in Books

Jan 30, 2019

The final part of [a:Stephen Aryan|10372063|Stephen Aryan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1435501696p2/10372063.jpg]'s 'Age of Darkness' trilogy (that also consists of [b:Battlemage|24396857|Battlemage (The Age of Darkness Trilogy, #1)|Stephen Aryan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1434726211s/24396857.jpg|43981438] and [b:Bloodmage|26030693|Bloodmage (The Age of Darkness Trilogy #2)|Stephen Aryan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1454627052s/26030693.jpg|46819958]), with this one having more-than-a-hint of 'The Walking Dead' about it, primarily set (as it is) in a compound in an eerily abandoned and destroyed city (after the war covered in [b:Battlemage|24396857|Battlemage (The Age of Darkness Trilogy, #1)|Stephen Aryan|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1434726211s/24396857.jpg|43981438]) that is under siege by - more or less - zombies.

OK, maybe not zombies in the classicly - or comtemporarily (is that a word?) - understood sense, but that's more or less what 'The Forsaken' (as they are called) come across as.

This novel also sees the return of the Battlemage Balfruss - who seems to be modelled after [a:David Gemmell|11586|David Gemmell|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1202771023p2/11586.jpg]'s character of Druss, if Druss could use magic - with it taking more or less chapter about to move between his point of view and the other key characters.

All-inan-all a solid ending to the trilogy, that leaves the door open for further tales to be told in this world.