Battlemage (Age of Darkness Book 1)

Battlemage by Stephen AryanThe Age of Darkness Book 13.5 / 5.0 stars.I’ve read Battlemage twice, and here are my best impressions of it: 1) It’s pretty easy to read, but 2) pretty hard to get really into. Lemme explain that.The characters and world-building are what make Battlemage good. But even as they build it up, they also let it down. Let’s start with the good. Early on, a cast of interesting and relatable characters are introduced. The first chapter is a gem—and the world is vibrant and colorful, filled with very human characters, very real situations, and a lovely, if simple, magic system. But further on the overarching plot slows, as do the individual storylines. I found them somewhat repetitive too, if I’m honest. And while the world appeared deep and vibrant from without, it turns out to be only skin-deep. It’s not terrible, so long as you know what’s coming. It’s like a painting of a beautiful woman (or man)—they’re beautiful on the surface, just don’t expect any depth of character.Actually… yeah. Battlemage is quite like a beautiful painting.Where it suffers most from a lack of character development, something that the remaining two entries in tAoD work hard to correct (and do, to be fair). It’s typically difficult in a debut novel, set in a new world, to get and keep readers interested. The complaint a lot of my friends have with fantasy books is that they don’t move fast enough. Such is the norm nowadays to lead with a hook then introduce the cast of characters (in brief), moving the story along to keep the reader’s interest. Then, slow the pace in the middle a bit, enough to sprinkle in the history of the world and its’ characters (usually via flashbacks).Battlemage does this, at least in part.It starts with a hook: an impending war, led by a dark and powerful mage and a mad and vicious king. Then a cast of characters: Balfruss—a battlemage, sworn to use his magic to stand against the coming darkness; Vargus—a common soldier with a not-so-common secret, fights the war in the trenches, on the front line; Talandra—princess and spymaster, reluctant leader; Gunder—a spy posing as a spice merchant in an already occupied nation. Then, as the plot slows in the heart of the book, the past—really never emerges. Okay, okay, there are a few brief glimpses, but mostly just Balfruss and never anything important.Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s a good read. But it suffers in the middle, once you realize the person that is Battlemage is only 2D. It’s something that the following two entries correct quite nicely. It is a decent start to a rather good trilogy, one that improves with each subsequent sequel.

It really is! It's a big battle, and there are makes that fight in it! It's not your usual introductory first book in the series, more a final book all in! However, it still works as the world is fleshed out around the battle. The reader gradually learns more about the magic, plot and characters, as the war rages on.I usually dislike the final all in, I find prolonged battle wearisome - but this kept me interested all the way through, as it weaved character development around chopping battle axes, and world building as it ducked acid hailstorms.I really look forward to book 2!

After having several disappointing purchases of novels, I found this to be a truly refreshing escape into fantasy. Although written in a familiar realm, it introduces new and invigorating ideas into a well-written dialogue.Although, publishing could have done better with some of the grammar and spelling (what is up with the words "set" and "sat" in this book?).Overall, a fine novel I will add to my collection, plus, look forward to continuing to read more of its adventures.

Based on the book ratings, I gave this book a go. Sadly, I ended up being confused on how well this book had been rated. Unlike the ratings, I found this to be a very poor read. The story line(s) seemed to be very confused and jumbled bits of various possible stories making it a confused and frustrating read.

I loved this book. I loved this book so much i bought the audible so that i can listen to it on my way to and from work. The battle scenes were amazing. I was looking for a book with a badass mage as the main character and this is exactly that!

Pretty good story; I have some issues with the plot and caracters, but overall a decent read,

This book was terrific and I recommend highly. It has great characters that are well written and flawed and not cliches. Great plot. Great storyline. One of the better books that I have read in a long time and I don't usually write reviews. And I read a lot....

I enjoyed it over all, but found it hard to connect with some of the main characters because the scope of the story was so big.

A cracking book. I have had this in my collection for ages, but only got around to reading it now. The fact I read it then went onto read the other 2 books consuming a book a day likely shows how much I enjoyed it. Briefly touching on the trilogy, its a very unique trilogy. I say that because there are a number of primary charecters and each is a story in its own right. While there is a sort of overarching story they are all very much unique and set apart, not something I have seen before.This book in the series is about war on a massive scale and as the name aludes to we see battlemages and magic involved but the neat thing is the book is told from multiple view points. Not just the battlemages wielding powerful magic, but front line grunts, spymasters and so on and so forth. In this book and series, unlike other's women are not just eye candy, but unique and interesting characters in their own right and just as powerful.Now the book is not flawless, the enemy is a sort of cliche, mowing over his own people, ends justify they means etc etc. But overall the book is solid and a joy to read. Recommended.

Someone in the review list said SA was "as good as David Gemmell". High praise indeed and a place in the pantheon of epic fantasy writers that I don't believe Stephen has achieved with this novel.However, it *is* a very good read. There are echoes of Gemmell-like characterisation and I do like the story arc. The world-view reveals a lack of understanding of military and population matters (there is too much fondness for 5,000 as a figure) and sometimes this jars as the implication breaks the 'reality' of Stephens World; its much bigger than the size of the armies.However I do like the book and it definitely left me wanting to poke around some more into the 'Age of Darkness'.Recommended. Four stars reflect my occasional frustration with the wider world view.

The book has an entertaining plot, and somewhat likable characters. It is well narrated, and moves at a brisk pace. Like many multi POV stories, there will be some characters you like more (and look forward to) than others. However, it falls short one main point: good guys are good and bad guys are bad in the most transparent and simple way. Most good guys in the book are understanding, amenable, talk politely and come to agreements. In constrast, the bad guys kill their own flunkies and deeply flawed one way or another. As a result, character interactions are bland, and motivations are very simplistic. The bad guys must be defeated because they are bad; the good guys will cooperate and stand together because they are good. Bonds between characters are weak, and not explored, despite the fact that the author would have us believe they share a deep brotherhood.

Simply couldn't put this book down, devoured every page over two days and looking forward to devouring the rest of his life's work! Absolutely love the writers style and how he introduces characters seamlessly into the story whilst keeping the tempo going and the action flowing. I particularly enjoy how detailed and graphic events are portrayed and how engrossed it makes you feel, like you are actually there in the heat that f the moment!This is the first book I have thoroughly enjoyed since reading every book terry goodkind has written throughout his career (twice!) and have felt a bit of a void reading through other authors work that just hasn't satisfied me since.Time to go fill that void with the age of darkness. Ahh happy days :-)

Started reading this book but put it down a third of the way through, not sure why now. Probably I lost some interest in it. Picked it up again a few months later and enjoyed it.A well told story but with some unexplained features that I felt needed more description.Overall, a very good fantasy fiction novel that should be enjoyable to everyone who likes that genre.