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FLASHBACK REVIEW: Dragon Mage (Rivenworld #1) by M.L. Spencer

October 13, 2024 by Seanchalant Leave a Comment

Rating: 10/10

SYNOPSIS

Aram Raythe has the power to challenge the gods. He just doesn’t know it yet.

Aram thinks he’s nothing but a misfit from a small fishing village in a dark corner of the world. As far as Aram knows, he has nothing, with hardly a possession to his name other than a desire to make friends and be accepted by those around him, which is something he’s never known.

But Aram is more. Much, much more.

Unknown to him, Aram bears within him a gift so old and rare that many people would kill him for it, and there are others who would twist him to use for their own sinister purposes. These magics are so potent that Aram earns a place at an academy for warrior mages training to earn for themselves the greatest place of honor among the armies of men: dragon riders.

Aram will have to fight for respect by becoming not just a dragon rider, but a Champion, the caliber of mage that hasn’t existed in the world for hundreds of years. And the land needs a Champion. Because when a dark god out of ancient myth arises to threaten the world of magic, it is Aram the world will turn to in its hour of need.

REVIEW

Aram isn’t like the other kids. He has trouble communicating with them, doesn’t understand how to connect with other people. He’s content with his mom and his knots. But all of that is about to change. Aram has a secret hidden from even himself. A power to take hold of the fabric of the universe itself and bend it to his will. With his best friend, Markus, Aram will have to embrace his destiny, lest it be stolen from him.

What worked for me the most in this book was Aram. Aram displays many attributes of autism and ML Spencer portrayed him with a realism and understanding I haven’t seen before. As an autistic male, this meant so much to me. Countless times I would stumble across little lines that spoke volumes to me. Never did it feel like Spencer was writing Aram as dumb, he is a very smart character. It’s in the little details, the social misunderstandings, the internal debates and self berating. The lack of confidence and anxiety over possible embarrassment. I could go on forever. So I would like to slip in a little thank you, to ML Spencer, for taking such care with your portrayal of Aram.

Markus is the friend I wish I had growing up. He understands Aram in a way no one else does and they’re platonic love for each other is the backbone of this story. Both characters go through so much believable growth over the course this thick book, and it pays off in spades.

The world is vividly realized and celebrates all of what epic fantasy amazing. Secret lineages, forbidden magic, other worlds, magic schools, big bad mysterious baddie, oh, and BIG ASS FREAKIN’ DRAGONS!

The quality of the hardback is stunning. It survived me reading with no real wear and tear. The art under the jacket is beautiful and the print never faded. I’m truly blown away with the production quality of this book.

I swear, I must’ve been smiling the whole way through Dragon Mage. Everything about it made me happy. Spencer nails the tropes, the world, the story. But for me, the clincher was Aram. I’ve never felt so close to a character or related with one so much.

*Review originally written June 19th, 2021

Filed Under: Action & Adventure, Adventure Fantasy, Dragons, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, High Fantasy, Reviews Tagged With: Book Review, Dragon Mage, Dragons, Fantasy, ML Spencer, Self Published

About Seanchalant

Sean Conley (not Connery) aka Seanchalant is an proud father of three little nerds, AnaMaurin Victoria, Landyn Lawrence, and Raylan Aviendha Mae. He is a stay at home dad while his hardworking and wonderful fiancée,
Gabriella Oropeza brings home the 🥓 and he always has a book on his person. On the autism spectrum, he has a tendency to become an encyclopedia on things he enjoys. Raised on horror films (The Evil Dead series is #1) and Stephen King, his love of fantasy was born from Army of Darkness and Tad Williams; cultivated by John Gwynne and Mark Lawrence. He enjoys everything from epic fantasy to urban fantasy, grimdark to high fantasy. His favorite bands are blink-182, The Beatles, and Wu-Tang Clan.

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