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Monday, September 23, 2013

Wilder Mage

As some of you know my friend, CD Coffelt, co-author and founder of Unicorn Bell, recently released her first book through Musa Publishing. I read Wilder Mage - The Magic Withheld when it was an earlier draft and again more recently in its final, finished form. It was fun reading it again and noticing all the improvements as well as enjoying again the things I loved from the first time. 

One of the things I thought was cool was how the different wizards used their magic. Justus, our mc, asks the magic to help - and it does, just not necessarily in a manner of his choosing. Dayne, another wizard, throws his magic, none of that pretty-please-would-you-mind. Both methods suit the characters to a tee. I also thought Carol did a fabulous job of describing the magic, at times in luminous detail.

But as some of you know it's characters who capture my attention and Wilder Mage has some great ones, beginning with Justus, a wizard in hiding who's just trying to stay that way. Then of course we have the deliciously evil Tiarra, the protagonist, who uses her own power to find and enthrall all the wizards, gather them to her, and use them for her own selfish purposes. I especially liked the scene in which she demonstrates how useful Spirit can be. It made me shudder and I loved hating her.

Finally we have Sable, our other mc, who was the perfect mix of innocence and spunk. I loved following her as she broke through Justus' reserve and made a place for herself in his life - but boy, what she had to endure from Tiarra...Yikes!

My take? If you want some characters to follow these guys are the perfect choice. I can't wait to see what they do in book 2.


Justus Aubre is a wilder. A mage unbound to the Imperium, and therefore a dangerous wild card in their eyes. The Imperium wants him, wants his power, but Justus has hidden for many years and now has some semblance of a normal life. All that’s about to change when Sable Rounds walks through the door of his antique shop, looking for work. Justus instantly knows what Sable is, he just doesn't know the danger he’s in.

Alone, also on the run from the Imperium, Sable longs for a normal life. For somewhere to belong. She finds this when Justus hires her, but she knows it’s temporary and fragile, an illusion. Though she hates to think about it, she knows that one day she will have to move on.

The Imperium is always behind her, waiting. When they finally find Sable, they find Justus. And all hell’s about to break loose.


20 comments:

  1. She will dig that review! Have the book on my iPad and look forward to reading it.

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  2. Great review. I love books about wizards. I may have to check this out.

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  3. Love that Justus works in an antique shop! Thanks for the review and info to this magical book! All the best CD!! Take care
    x

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  4. Great recommendation! I love that one character asks magic to help -- as if it's sentient -- and another just hurls it.

    I also like the new picture on your blog.

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  5. If you can't gel with a character then a book is doomed, congrats on your prize on Alex's blog!

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  6. sounds lovely, I do love me wizards.
    I'd work on the cover a bit more, though... such story deserves a bit more imaginative cover

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    1. It's so hard to see, I know. The dark space is a hooded man. You can just see his nose and chin. *cringe*
      I hope the *real* book cover shows this better.

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  7. Firstly, I love the character names she chose. I also liked how you mentioned that J asks for the magic to help and he receives. Just not how he expected. I'm thinking that's a lot like life.

    Congrats to CD!

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  8. Oh, this sounds like a fun book to read. I have to check it out. I like the way you said 'all hell breaks loose' when the Imperium finds Sable and the bonus of Justice.

    Sia McKye Over Coffee

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  9. I like the idea of magic not turning out exactly as planned. Kind of like the show Once Upon a Time where magic always comes with a price.

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  10. I have got to catch up and read all these books you all are putting out.

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  11. i'm reading it and loving it! theyre a great couple against so many odds!!

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  12. Sounds like a really cool read. Thanks for sharing.

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  13. What a great review! Sounds like a terrific book. Thanks for the heads up.

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  14. Your enthusiasm's contagious. That sounds like a great book!

    Thanks for your A-Z support -- Rachel and I are juggling launch dates as I've decided to add personal photos at the end. There's a photo of my grandparents in their salad days I love. It's a big wrinkled from time, but I think it'll work. I'll get back to you when we have a specific launch date early Oct. Thanks, Marcy!

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  15. What a fantastic review. You totally caught my interest and made me want to read the book. You should write blurbs!!

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  16. I"m with you! The characters have to pull me in for me to stay interested!

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  17. ACK! Sorry. I'm a little late to the party. Pass me a margarita. Extra salt, pleeeze.

    And thank you, thank you my friend and boon companion. Not sure what a boon is but it's gotta be good.

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  18. Thanks Everyone! I appreciate the review and everyone's comments.

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