Starred review from October 21, 2024
This magnificent debut from Campbell brings together a classic magical school setting with political unrest and expansive worldbuilding. Naila, a foundling in the mage-governed city of Amoria, knows she has magic, but despite years of study, she has yet to achieve even the simplest spell. She must remain in classes with the youngest and least powerful mages, and is taunted by her peers. Meanwhile, Oriven, one of the highest ranked among the mages, seeks to increase his political standing by dehumanizing the nonmagical population of Amoria. When disasters occur throughout the city, Oriven blames the nonmagical community, putting Naila in a dangerous position. He also targets Naila’s teacher, Haelius, one of only a few mages powerful enough to have obtained the rank of wizard and an outspoken opponent of Oriven’s hate-filled movement. When Haelius gives Naila a rare magical artifact that Oriven also covets, she discovers that, using it, she can control the element of water. It’s a different kind of magic than most mages possess, and it makes her an even greater target. Meanwhile, in “interludes” throughout, Campbell describes entire villages destroyed by the elements and a mysterious pair of hunters tracking the destruction. The captivating heroine and hints of even graver danger to come make for a thrilling series starter. Campbell is an exciting new voice in epic fantasy.
November 1, 2024
Amoria is a city of mages, a refuge, and one member of the ruling body, motivated by fear and hungry for power, is angling to get rid of all the nonmages who live and work there. Naila is caught up in this fight because, despite the fact that she has enough magic to be required to attend the mage Academy, she's never been able to manifest it enough to so much as pass the basic control class. When she is threatened with expulsion, or worse, one of the most powerful Amorian wizards takes her under his wing. While she struggles to make sense of the phonemes of magic, the adults around her are embroiled in a struggle for the city. The entire grain supply has been destroyed by unknown magic, which provides the perfect excuse for the mage council to take over. Naila is largely tossed around by events, lacking the knowledge to even ask the right questions, but she slowly begins to unravel some secrets. The conclusion leaves Naila--and the reader--with more questions than answers but raises hopes for potential sequels to this epic-fantasy debut.
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Starred review from January 31, 2025
DEBUT Campbell makes a strong debut with this first of an epic fantasy trilogy. Amoria is a city encased in a magical glass dome, with a population divided into those who have magic and those who don't. Foundling Naila is identified as having magic and is sent to the Academy to learn to use and control her powers. After years of study, though, she's still unable to perform even the most basic of spells and is often ridiculed by her classmates. The city's most powerful wizard, Haelius Akana, decides to take Naila under his wing to teach her. When she inadvertently discovers how to trigger her magic, it becomes apparent that she wields something incredibly powerful. Meanwhile, a greedy mage schemes his way to more power and seizes rule over the city, harming those without magic and anyone who stands in his way, including Haelius. This sends Naila fleeing to safety in unexpected company and on a dangerous quest to find out more about her magic. Campbell has created a fascinating world with rich characterization that balances tender moments with heart-pounding action. VERDICT An excellent series launch full of magic, found family, and intrigue.--Melissa DeWild
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