Reviewed: July 10th, 2021
Released: August 20th, 2020
Genre: Epic Fantasy
A city ruled by Gods, a mortal champion, a misfit girl and a disobedient dragon…
Stolen from his home, Corthie Holdfast has arrived in the City of the Eternal Siege as a new Champion.
He must fight alongside the Blades, whose lives are dedicated to the defence of the City against the hordes of monstrous Greenhides; or die at the hands of the Gods who rule.
Maddie Jackdaw, a young Blade, faces her last chance. Thrown out of every unit defending the City, either she takes on a new role, or she will be sent to the Rats, a company of misfits given the perilous tasks beyond the Great Walls.
Her new role, if she takes it, will bring her face to face with her deepest fears, for beneath the walls, in a secret and hidden lair, lies a dragon, imprisoned and waiting…
Helen’s thoughts:
Mortal Blade an ‘epic’ epic fantasy novel, the first book in the Magelands series.
Mitchell has created an amazing world, full of deep, dark secrets and immortal gods and demi gods who rule the people with iron fists, keeping them cowed and destitute.
Mortal Blade is a rich and detailed book, the world evolves as more details are revealed through the lives of the four main characters. It is not fast paced or constant action but thoughtful character development. As if a painting is gradually coming into focus as each layer is added.
We follow four main characters as their paths slowly converge. Aila, a demi-god who is trying to help the people where she can. Maddie, a mortal who can’t keep her mouth shut and eventually gets demoted to dragon sitting. Daniel Aurelian, a reluctant suitor (and soldier) destined to marry a child to sustain his family line and Corthie Holdfast, sold as a slave to defend the city as a champion with battlevision.
Mitchell weaves a wonderful story, developing interesting characters who engage your interest and keep you reading (or listening!) I listened to this book on Audible and I thoroughly enjoyed the narration by Shaun Grindell.
I am so excited this is the first of many books in the series. I am definitely hooked and can’t wait to see where it goes. Beautifully written book, witty dialogue and well developed characters. They each have that element of intrigue that keeps you reading.
5 stars! Highly recommended.
About the Author:
Christopher Mitchell is the author of the epic fantasy series the Magelands.
Christopher’s first memory is of Elvis dying. His gran told him it was because he’d eaten too many cakes, and Christopher believed her. She also told him that there were fairies at the bottom of her garden, and he believed that too.
He counts himself very fortunate to have a supportive wife and four beautiful children. He loves deserts, which is too bad as he lives in Scotland, but the mountains, glens and lochs more than make up for it.
His other love is Greek Tragedy, especially Euripides, and he also reads history, science, fantasy, and pretty much anything about the Beatles…
You can find Christopher on:
You can purchase Book One: Mortal Blade
Link to book on Amazon UK: eBook | Paperback | Audiobook
Link to book on Amazon US: eBook | Paperback
Link book on Amazon Canada: eBook | Paperback
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If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my books which are available in eBook or paperback: Book One: Sentinals Awaken. Book Two: Sentinals Rising. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
Helen Garraway 