To become a mage among the Jan'Tep, there are three requirements. One; be able to defend your family. Two; wield the high magics that protect the people. Three; reach the age of sixteen.
Unfortunately for Kellen, none of those things will happen to him, since his magic is gone...
Fortunately for him, he finds a way to cheat.
Sebastien De Castell's story is great for multiple reasons, but I shall only focus on the main three.
First off, he writes funny and lighthearted about darker and more serious problems; betrayal, pressure, fear and bullying are things we all recognize, yet De Castell brings it in a way that it is not (completely) depressing to read about.
Secondly, he breaks cliches. Of course there is the one fat friend, but he is super smart. Then you have the pretty girl, but she is not fancied by everyone, just Kellen. And the typical bully every YA-story seems to have is not a hulk of a guy with biceps and triceps and other -eps for days, but more this scrawny guy who has to look up to people (in the literal way).
Then thirdly, because of all the cliche-breaking, it's surprising. The story takes turns and twists itself in curious bends that keep you interested and urge you to continue reading.
I really enjoyed this story and highly recommend it to everyone with a taste for fantasy and (dark) magic.
Unfortunately for Kellen, none of those things will happen to him, since his magic is gone...
Fortunately for him, he finds a way to cheat.
Sebastien De Castell's story is great for multiple reasons, but I shall only focus on the main three.
First off, he writes funny and lighthearted about darker and more serious problems; betrayal, pressure, fear and bullying are things we all recognize, yet De Castell brings it in a way that it is not (completely) depressing to read about.
Secondly, he breaks cliches. Of course there is the one fat friend, but he is super smart. Then you have the pretty girl, but she is not fancied by everyone, just Kellen. And the typical bully every YA-story seems to have is not a hulk of a guy with biceps and triceps and other -eps for days, but more this scrawny guy who has to look up to people (in the literal way).
Then thirdly, because of all the cliche-breaking, it's surprising. The story takes turns and twists itself in curious bends that keep you interested and urge you to continue reading.
I really enjoyed this story and highly recommend it to everyone with a taste for fantasy and (dark) magic.