We follow Kellen who is 15, turning 16. He is taking part in his mages trials desperate to become a Jan'Tep. The only downside: Kellen has no magic.
Kellen's magic only got weaker as he got older. He is adamant not to live life as a Sha'Tep, who serve the Jan'Tep. So he gets clever. Kellen is incredibly smart and manipulates other mages thoughts and methods to throw them off as each band of magic requires specific elements and focuses to be cast successfully.
I really like the characterisation of Ferius and Kellen. They are both head-strong and very sarcastic. They also know how to use the skills they have to their advantage against characters that are much stronger.
I like the idea of having the main character in a book about magic not having any magic himself. It allows a certain cynicism that he views the world with. It's also a slightly different take that I haven't seen very often and I definitely haven't seen it recently.
Castell's world is very well established in this first novel but it's also not lacking in plot. It really hooks you in and gives you a few unanswered questions to take into the second book. I can't wait to continue this series.
Kellen's magic only got weaker as he got older. He is adamant not to live life as a Sha'Tep, who serve the Jan'Tep. So he gets clever. Kellen is incredibly smart and manipulates other mages thoughts and methods to throw them off as each band of magic requires specific elements and focuses to be cast successfully.
I really like the characterisation of Ferius and Kellen. They are both head-strong and very sarcastic. They also know how to use the skills they have to their advantage against characters that are much stronger.
I like the idea of having the main character in a book about magic not having any magic himself. It allows a certain cynicism that he views the world with. It's also a slightly different take that I haven't seen very often and I definitely haven't seen it recently.
Castell's world is very well established in this first novel but it's also not lacking in plot. It really hooks you in and gives you a few unanswered questions to take into the second book. I can't wait to continue this series.