Title: The Mage on the Hill
Series: The Web of Arcana 01
Author: Angel Martinez
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Length: Novel (194pgs)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (May 7, 2019)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts
Blurb: A young magic user who wants desperately to live. A jaded recluse who has forgotten what living means. They’re each other’s only chance.
Toby’s wild magic is killing him. The mage guilds have given up on him, and it’s only a matter of time before he dies in a spectacular, catastrophic bang. His only hope is an exiled wizard who lives in seclusion—and is rumored to have lost his mind.
The years alone on his hilltop estate have not been good for Darius Valstad. After the magical accident that disfigured him and nearly drowned Pittsburgh, he drifts through his days, a wraith trapped in memories and depression. Until a stricken young man collapses on his driveway, one who claims Darius is his last chance. For the first time in fifteen years, Darius must make a choice—leave this wild mage to his fate or take him in and try to teach him, which may kill them both. The old Darius, brash and commanding, wouldn’t have hesitated. Darius the exile isn’t sure he can find the energy to try.
ISBN-13: 978-1-64405-264-8
Product Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK
Reviewer: Shorty
Review: Toby is being killed slowly by the wild magic inside him that he can not control. Having gone to many guild’s for help has not helped. The last guild he goes to wants to in a sense put him down for good before the magic causes a catastrophe. Toby flees to find another like him that can help, Darius, who was outcast after he lost control while trying to help someone who had the same problem Toby does.
The two do everything in their power to control the magic flowing through Toby. Toby meets Darius’ other students like himself who had trouble with various magic’s that Darius had helped. All the while trying to stay out of the guild’s grasp. I loved this story and the way it was told.
Fascinating and intriguing it caught my attention from start to finish. The magic aspect was appealing and somewhat horrifying in what could happen if not controlled. The characters were unique in their abilities in that they struggled at times with their gifts.
Amazing beginning to a series I am looking forward to reading more of.
Fantastic read.