The Tethered Mage
In the Raverran Empire, magic is scarce and those born with power are strictly controlled -- taken as children and conscripted into the Falcon Army.
Zaira has lived her life on the streets to avoid this fate, hiding her mage-mark and thieving to survive. But hers is a rare and dangerous magic, one that threatens the entire empire.
Lady Amalia Cornaro was never meant to be a Falconer. Heiress and scholar, she was born into a treacherous world of political machinations. But fate has bound the heir and the mage.
War looms on the horizon. A single spark could turn their city into a pyre.
The Tethered Mage is the first novel in a spellbinding new fantasy series.
Genre: YA Fiction
Author: Melissa Caruso
Paperback, 438 pages
Published: October 24th, 2017
Publishing House: Orbit
My Review
First of all….cover love ♥
Two girls from different backgrounds are bound together in an act to save themselves unbeknown of their consequences.
The empire has seen long lasting peace and is in control of the Falcons. Those are mage-marked warlocks that are separated from their families if they show a special marking after birth and brought to the Mews. Some of their magic abilities can get out of control and therefore they are kept away.
Amalia, the heir to her mother’s throne goes out into the town Raverra to look for a book. Sometimes she just has to get away from growing council matters and her mother's lead. As Amalia meets Zora with malnutrition in the streets, she is trying to befriend and help her. Zora turns out to be a Falcon and has been living low in the streets to avoid being taken to the Mews. But the streets are a dangerous place sometimes and the two of them get tangled up in a battle with other factions. In an effort to help Zora control her powers, Amalia puts a bracelet on Zora’s wrist. For now, they end up safe.
It does not take long for Amalia’s mother to be informed of the incident by a witness and she is furious. Amalia is sent to the council to explain herself. As it turns out, she is now bound to the Falcon for life due to the exchange of the bracelet and is sent to find Zora, bring her back and train with her.
Amalia and Zora are like day and night and Zora’s unwillingness to corporate poses a challenge. As some political drama unfolds sidelining the plot, the two of them are forced to work together and end up finding a huge secret. One that can cost not only their lives but that of many innocent people as well.
***
This novel was a mixed bag for me and settled at middle grange overall. I liked the beginning and the end the best, the middle was a little slow. The world of Eruvia and its council is full of magical flair. The weaponry, the bracelets and the surroundings set a charming magical tone and the writing was done well. Reading about the Mews and the children was heartbreaking. I definitely want to find out how it all continues and I will pick up the next book in the trilogy soon.
