Karen Miller - The Innocent Mage

Title: The Innocent Mage (Kingmaker, Kingbreaker, book 1)
Author: Karen Miller
Pub. year: 2005
Pages: 613
Editor: Orbit

Summary: "The Innocent Mage is come, and we stand at the beginning of the end of everything."
Being a fisherman like his father isn't a bad life, but it's not the one that Asher wants. Despite his humble roots, Asher has grand dreams. And they call him to Dorana, home of princes, beggars and the warrior mages who have protected the kingdom for generations.
Little does Asher know, however, that his arrival in the city is being closely watched by members of the Circle, people dedicated to preserving an ancient magic.
Asher might have come to the city to make his fortune, but he will find his destiny.

After our first CR together, and because I bought Lily a book I had in my TBR pile that I wanted to read with her, here we come again for a four-hands review on a very surprising Fantasy story!

Was the story good?

Lyra: Actually, I liked it, even if it's not really consistent. I mean, clearly, it's not what makes the quality of this book. There isn't a lot of things happening it the first book of this series, though I found it enjoyable. But yeah, you can easily predict of lot of the story.

Lily: Definitely, the scenario isn't the strong point of this one. The first pages I read gave me this deja vu impression, a mix of very classic Fantasy (a quest, a fabulous destiny, an evil magician, blabla) and very predictable action, which kind of spoils the fun of reading from time to time. The thing is, the book has many good points, don't get me wrong, but there are no surprises to expect, no heavy suspense, and mostly you just continue reading knowing where it's going. Luckily, you easily forget about this flaw, thanks to...

Were the characters moving?

Lyra: THAT's the whole point of the book. The main characters are really entertaining. Asher, with his accent, his honesty and everything that makes him who he is, is a very well written character. He brings a lot of fun to the story. Gar, Dathne and Matt add a lot to that, even if Gar is a bit naive and shakeable sometimes. And the "bad guy" is such a cliché that he's almost funny.

Lily: ... yes, the moving characters! This book relies on it's character to hook you, and good for me, I love being hooked by characters. The hero is pretty amazing, talking like a fisherman even in front of the prince, never afraid to say the wrong things, to dress the wrong way. His honesty plays a very big part in the charm of this book. The rest of the characters are also worth mentionning, though not as good as Asher: prince Gar is a good lad but quite predictable, and he really lacks strenght to be a proper leader. Dathne and Matt both have potential but in this first part, they don't do enough to be very interesting. I hope to see more of them in the second half.

So altogether... a must read or not?

Lyra: Maybe not a must read, but I definitely recommend it to you. It's been a week since I finished it, and I still think about it sometimes, even while reading another book.
The Innocent Mage is funny and entertaining. Once you're in it, you want to know what happens next, even if you know that action isn't the key word of the story. I think I'm gonna read the second and last book pretty soon. Maybe with the Muffin!

Lily: It's hard to say "must read" after pointing out so many flaws, but strangely I found it so easy and fun to read that I don't want to qualify it second rate either. For those who are not used to Fantasy, I think this is a great way to start, and anyone who's bored with war and politics would definitely enjoy the fresh atmosphere this book offers. I'll definitely read the second one, but not for some time probably... really, those friends that only offer you the first half of the series, that shouldn't be allowed!

Posted in: 2005,fantasy,Karen Miller,Orbit