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Keiran: The Eternal Mage #1
The Faded Land
Keiran clawed his way from gutter rat to archmage in his first life.
His second was supposed to be easier...
Keiran of the Night Vale has staved off death for two thousand years. His mind and his magic remain as sharp as ever, but his body is old, worn out, and failing. What he needs is to reincarnate into a new, young body, and he bends his prodigious talents towards doing exactly that.
He awakens to find that he’s been reborn in a wasteland where mana has become a scarce resource. Even the internal mana generated by people is stolen away by those who rule them. And without mana, he’s no longer a mage.
It will take more than that to stop Keiran. With each passing week, he regains more of his old strength, but can he keep his secrets safely hidden? Standing in his way is his new home’s cult-like nightly mana tithing, a governor with deadly secrets, and a monster-ridden desert.
It's a deadly scramble to claim the mana he so desperately needs to survive, but Keiran didn’t become an archmage by accident.
He’s willing to use every dirty trick and tactic he knows to get there again.
A reincarnated archmage's journey to the peak – perfect for fans of The Beginning After the End, Imperial Wizard, and Birth of the Demonic Sword.
His second was supposed to be easier...
Keiran of the Night Vale has staved off death for two thousand years. His mind and his magic remain as sharp as ever, but his body is old, worn out, and failing. What he needs is to reincarnate into a new, young body, and he bends his prodigious talents towards doing exactly that.
He awakens to find that he’s been reborn in a wasteland where mana has become a scarce resource. Even the internal mana generated by people is stolen away by those who rule them. And without mana, he’s no longer a mage.
It will take more than that to stop Keiran. With each passing week, he regains more of his old strength, but can he keep his secrets safely hidden? Standing in his way is his new home’s cult-like nightly mana tithing, a governor with deadly secrets, and a monster-ridden desert.
It's a deadly scramble to claim the mana he so desperately needs to survive, but Keiran didn’t become an archmage by accident.
He’s willing to use every dirty trick and tactic he knows to get there again.
A reincarnated archmage's journey to the peak – perfect for fans of The Beginning After the End, Imperial Wizard, and Birth of the Demonic Sword.
440 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 15, 2024
1191 people are currently reading
568 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
April 20, 2024
Great Story Buried in Introspection...
The overall plot and setting are interesting. Powerful and ruthless wizard is reincarnated to a small family in a village within a desert, which is starved in more ways than one. Seeing the reincarnated child trying to better himself and save his family in a world that isn't what is seems can easily hook you.
Unfortunately, there is an overabundance of internal monologuing and introspection, which pretty much kills the entire story. The series narrates almost every decision the MC makes, why it's the best decision in that situation, why he doesn't consider other choices, and the repercussions for if he fails, as well as the results of what will happen if/when he succeeds. Every. Single. Time. A good 60% percent of the story is the MC considering his choices, 10% is him acting on them, and the last 30% is the actual progression of the story and small but interesting cast of family members and other side characters.
The overall plot and setting are interesting. Powerful and ruthless wizard is reincarnated to a small family in a village within a desert, which is starved in more ways than one. Seeing the reincarnated child trying to better himself and save his family in a world that isn't what is seems can easily hook you.
Unfortunately, there is an overabundance of internal monologuing and introspection, which pretty much kills the entire story. The series narrates almost every decision the MC makes, why it's the best decision in that situation, why he doesn't consider other choices, and the repercussions for if he fails, as well as the results of what will happen if/when he succeeds. Every. Single. Time. A good 60% percent of the story is the MC considering his choices, 10% is him acting on them, and the last 30% is the actual progression of the story and small but interesting cast of family members and other side characters.
May 8, 2024
I like reincarnation stories so I was interested from the start. Ancient mage with knowledge surpassing everyone around - sign me up. It was going really well, but...BUT... ugh. I have an issue with this book's pacing . MC has a tendency to overanalize a lot. There are times when carefull consideration is ok, but when he is in the middle of time sensitive situation analizing all his options ruins the pace.
July 31, 2025
Another "old cranky dude reborn in a kid body" series. I enjoy them so much. How these authors avoid making this trope super creepy is beyond me, but they do it! No creeps here! Love this series, interesting world and having a really powerful mage in a kid body is a fun concept that gets paid off in the end. The series is complete too, I think? Which is nice. Recc it!
June 15, 2024
Wow
Just way too much of talking and not actually doing anything. Just a lot of explaining that he could not do much cause no mana but he was a great mage just too much internal dialogue not enough story
Just way too much of talking and not actually doing anything. Just a lot of explaining that he could not do much cause no mana but he was a great mage just too much internal dialogue not enough story
November 29, 2024
"The Faded Land: A Progression Fantasy Epic (Keiran: The Eternal Mage Book 1)" by D.E. Sherman is an intriguing entry into the burgeoning progression fantasy genre. This novel, the first in the Keiran: The Eternal Mage series, introduces readers to a world where magic and personal growth intertwine in a narrative of epic proportions.
Plot and Premise:
"The Faded Land" appears to follow the journey of Keiran, an eternal mage, as he navigates a world in decline. The title suggests a setting that has lost its former glory, providing a rich backdrop for exploration and adventure. As is typical in progression fantasy, Keiran likely faces numerous challenges that push him to expand his magical abilities and personal growth.
Themes and Genre Elements:
"The Faded Land" embraces core themes of the progression fantasy genre:
Character Development: The focus on Keiran as an eternal mage suggests a deep dive into his growth, both in terms of magical prowess and personal character.
Power Scaling: As a hallmark of the genre, readers can expect to see Keiran's abilities evolve significantly throughout the narrative.
World Exploration: The concept of a "faded land" implies a rich setting for Keiran to explore, likely uncovering secrets and facing challenges that contribute to his progression.
Comparison to Contemporaries:
In the landscape of progression fantasy, "The Faded Land" stands alongside notable works such as Will Wight's "Cradle" series and Andrew Rowe's "Arcane Ascension." Like these contemporaries, Sherman's novel likely focuses on a clear system of magical advancement and character growth.
The concept of an "eternal mage" sets "The Faded Land" apart, potentially exploring themes of immortality or long-term magical development that aren't as common in other progression fantasies. This unique angle may offer fresh perspectives on the genre's typical power scaling and character development tropes.
Compared to Eastern-influenced works like "Cradle," which draws heavily from xianxia traditions, "The Faded Land" appears to lean more towards a Western fantasy style, potentially offering a blend of familiar fantasy elements with the structured progression typical of the genre.
Writing Style and World-Building:
The epic scope suggested by the title implies rich world-building and potentially complex magical systems, elements that are highly valued in the progression fantasy community.
The concept of a "faded land" suggests a world with a deep history, potentially allowing Sherman to explore themes of restoration and rediscovery alongside Keiran's personal growth. This approach could set the book apart from contemporaries that focus more on forward-looking advancement.
Contribution to the Genre:
"The Faded Land" appears to contribute to the progression fantasy genre by:
Introducing the concept of an "eternal mage," potentially exploring long-term magical development in unique ways.
Setting the story in a world past its prime, offering a different backdrop for character progression compared to many genre contemporaries.
Blending elements of epic fantasy with the structured growth typical of progression fantasy, potentially appealing to a wide range of fantasy readers.
Conclusion:
"The Faded Land" by D.E. Sherman presents an intriguing addition to the progression fantasy genre. Its unique premise of an eternal mage in a faded world offers potential for fresh perspectives on character growth and world exploration. While it shares common elements with genre staples like "Cradle" and "Arcane Ascension," Sherman's work appears to carve out its own niche within the progression fantasy landscape.
For fans of the genre, "The Faded Land" likely offers a compelling blend of familiar progression elements with potentially unique twists on magical development and world-building. Readers who enjoy seeing characters grow in power while exploring rich, complex worlds will likely find much to appreciate in Keiran's journey.
As the first book in a series, "The Faded Land" sets the stage for what could be an expansive and engaging progression fantasy epic. It will be interesting to see how Sherman develops the concepts introduced in this initial volume and how Keiran's journey as an eternal mage unfolds in subsequent books.
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
May 15, 2024
This book was difficult to rate. The first half dragged on quite a bit, even skipping the hundreds of pages of introspection that did nothing for the plot. The last quarter, however, was excellent. I wanted to move straight on to book two (it doesn't exist yet).
I don't think the author handled the reincarnation element very well. I've read many other books with this premise; adult mind in a baby's body. This one didn't ring true. Making matters worse was the personality of the protagonist – Keiran was unsympathetic, somewhat arrogant, and lacking empathy.
What brought the story out of the doldrums was the addition of an external threat actively trying to oppose Keiran's plans. I also liked the central mystery which looks to overturn all of his assumptions.
I'm just hoping the author's upward trend continues in book two.
I don't think the author handled the reincarnation element very well. I've read many other books with this premise; adult mind in a baby's body. This one didn't ring true. Making matters worse was the personality of the protagonist – Keiran was unsympathetic, somewhat arrogant, and lacking empathy.
What brought the story out of the doldrums was the addition of an external threat actively trying to oppose Keiran's plans. I also liked the central mystery which looks to overturn all of his assumptions.
I'm just hoping the author's upward trend continues in book two.
July 3, 2024
In a word . . .Tedious
The premise of the story is really good. The character development Is also well done Phenomenal Magic system Unfortunately Everything is spelled out in Detail Including The main character's thought process. An order to go through The action sequences You must endure Hypothetical hypotheticals that the author Takes The main Character through. In addition to enduring the thought processes the author also literally beats The premise of the story to death By By continually mentioning the lack of mana That the main character has To work through in order to successfully complete almost any action. I made it through a little more than 50% of the book before I gave up. Although it is well written it plods.
The premise of the story is really good. The character development Is also well done Phenomenal Magic system Unfortunately Everything is spelled out in Detail Including The main character's thought process. An order to go through The action sequences You must endure Hypothetical hypotheticals that the author Takes The main Character through. In addition to enduring the thought processes the author also literally beats The premise of the story to death By By continually mentioning the lack of mana That the main character has To work through in order to successfully complete almost any action. I made it through a little more than 50% of the book before I gave up. Although it is well written it plods.
April 24, 2024
Starts off incredibly slow
And never really picks up the pace. For all that happens, there is very little story. I struggled to finish it.
And never really picks up the pace. For all that happens, there is very little story. I struggled to finish it.
June 22, 2024
To much inside his head as a three year old….
June 25, 2024
Too much telling
The book starts off strong but somewhere around the halfway mark falls into the trap of telling and not show to the point where every page felt like a slog.
The book starts off strong but somewhere around the halfway mark falls into the trap of telling and not show to the point where every page felt like a slog.
January 14, 2025
could of been great
The MC has a good backstory. The plot has great questions that the reader wants answered.
The issues are simple. The magic system is boring and isn’t fleshed out enough that the reader understands the basic edges of what can and cannot be done. The author makes up the boundaries as he goes.
Which leads to the biggest issue. The MC is always telling you why he can or could do something magically. Then later the MC uses that said thing and the reader is then informed why this situation it made sense. As the reader I feel like I’m being convinced as to why not really shown why. Also all the explanation in the middle of a fight gets really tedious to read. The author gives you 3 options that he won’t use and then claims he has the most perfect solution that then becomes the MCs bread and butter move for a chapter or two.
I think the fights are the worst part of the story. The politics and family parts are so bad.
The MC has a good backstory. The plot has great questions that the reader wants answered.
The issues are simple. The magic system is boring and isn’t fleshed out enough that the reader understands the basic edges of what can and cannot be done. The author makes up the boundaries as he goes.
Which leads to the biggest issue. The MC is always telling you why he can or could do something magically. Then later the MC uses that said thing and the reader is then informed why this situation it made sense. As the reader I feel like I’m being convinced as to why not really shown why. Also all the explanation in the middle of a fight gets really tedious to read. The author gives you 3 options that he won’t use and then claims he has the most perfect solution that then becomes the MCs bread and butter move for a chapter or two.
I think the fights are the worst part of the story. The politics and family parts are so bad.
February 16, 2025
"The Faded Land" by D.E. Sherman is an interesting entry, particularly through its 2024 audiobook release narrated by John Joseph Rogers and Rylee Kuberra. This novel, the 1st in the "Keiran: The Eternal Mage" series, delves into themes of rebirth, power, and the struggle for survival in a magically diminished world.
The story begins with Keiran, a character who has lived through millennia, having climbed from the depths of poverty to the heights of magical supremacy in his first life. Now, in his second life, Keiran faces a world where mana, the very essence of magic, is scarce. Awakened in a body that's both young and powerless, he must navigate a new society where even the internal mana of people is systematically harvested by those in power. Here, Sherman crafts a world where magic isn't just a tool or weapon but a currency and a means of control.
The narrative strength of "The Faded Land" lies in its character development and world-building. Keiran, despite his vast experience and wisdom, must adapt to a life where he's underestimated due to his youthful (3 year old) appearance. This setup provides a rich playground for exploring themes of identity, power dynamics, and the ethics of survival. Sherman cleverly uses Keiran's internal monologues to reveal his strategic mind, his memories of past lives, and the cunning he employs to regain his former strength.
The book's pacing is brisk, fueled by Keiran's relentless pursuit of mana amidst a backdrop of political intrigue and a cult-like society. The plot is driven by his interactions with a cast of characters, from a governor with dark secrets to villagers who are both victims and unwitting accomplices in the mana theft. These interactions not only push the story forward but also flesh out the societal structure and the harsh realities of this faded land.
John Joseph Rogers and Rylee Kuberra's narration brings an additional layer of depth to the storytelling. Rogers captures Keiran's ancient wisdom and strategic cunning with a voice that conveys both authority and the vulnerability of his new situation. Kuberra's contribution, especially in voicing the secondary characters, adds diversity and emotional range to the narrative, enhancing the listener's engagement with the story's intricate web of alliances and enmities.
However, the audiobook isn't without its flaws. The rapid progression of Keiran's power recovery is a bit too convenient, undermining the tension of his struggle. Additionally, while the dual narration adds dynamism, there are moments where the transition between narrators could have been more seamless. The biggest issue, as others have stated, is that there was a LOT of internal monologues to reveal Keiran's thinking, and not enough action. In addition, some of the thinking by his village people seems very contrary to their survival, such as trying to punish Keiran for defending both himself and others by resorting to violence. The book may be better suited to younger readers.
The story begins with Keiran, a character who has lived through millennia, having climbed from the depths of poverty to the heights of magical supremacy in his first life. Now, in his second life, Keiran faces a world where mana, the very essence of magic, is scarce. Awakened in a body that's both young and powerless, he must navigate a new society where even the internal mana of people is systematically harvested by those in power. Here, Sherman crafts a world where magic isn't just a tool or weapon but a currency and a means of control.
The narrative strength of "The Faded Land" lies in its character development and world-building. Keiran, despite his vast experience and wisdom, must adapt to a life where he's underestimated due to his youthful (3 year old) appearance. This setup provides a rich playground for exploring themes of identity, power dynamics, and the ethics of survival. Sherman cleverly uses Keiran's internal monologues to reveal his strategic mind, his memories of past lives, and the cunning he employs to regain his former strength.
The book's pacing is brisk, fueled by Keiran's relentless pursuit of mana amidst a backdrop of political intrigue and a cult-like society. The plot is driven by his interactions with a cast of characters, from a governor with dark secrets to villagers who are both victims and unwitting accomplices in the mana theft. These interactions not only push the story forward but also flesh out the societal structure and the harsh realities of this faded land.
John Joseph Rogers and Rylee Kuberra's narration brings an additional layer of depth to the storytelling. Rogers captures Keiran's ancient wisdom and strategic cunning with a voice that conveys both authority and the vulnerability of his new situation. Kuberra's contribution, especially in voicing the secondary characters, adds diversity and emotional range to the narrative, enhancing the listener's engagement with the story's intricate web of alliances and enmities.
However, the audiobook isn't without its flaws. The rapid progression of Keiran's power recovery is a bit too convenient, undermining the tension of his struggle. Additionally, while the dual narration adds dynamism, there are moments where the transition between narrators could have been more seamless. The biggest issue, as others have stated, is that there was a LOT of internal monologues to reveal Keiran's thinking, and not enough action. In addition, some of the thinking by his village people seems very contrary to their survival, such as trying to punish Keiran for defending both himself and others by resorting to violence. The book may be better suited to younger readers.
September 18, 2024
An example of too much exposition
I really wanted to like this book. I liked the story well enough, but it was such a chore to read through. Nothing could happen without the author explaining stuff for 2 pages.
I really wanted to like this book. I liked the story well enough, but it was such a chore to read through. Nothing could happen without the author explaining stuff for 2 pages.
July 18, 2024
Good story, very wordy and very over explained.
Overall I enjoyed the story and look forward to book two. The main characters plot line isn't original but it's a unique take on it. The biggest issue is the over explanation of every situation, most of it becoming irrelevant. An example of this is the main character about to attack a group of enemy, he gives inner dialogue and expose for 10 pages on how his magic staff could attack in many different ways, 10 pages worth, only to say "but since my staff isn't working, I'll just throw a fireball and kill them All". Very wordy to the point where it's almost filler in over explaining.
If you took away all those information dumps and cleaned up the story you would lose over a hundred pages of this book but it would be much better paced and a cleaner read. All that said, I enjoyed the story as a whole.
Overall I enjoyed the story and look forward to book two. The main characters plot line isn't original but it's a unique take on it. The biggest issue is the over explanation of every situation, most of it becoming irrelevant. An example of this is the main character about to attack a group of enemy, he gives inner dialogue and expose for 10 pages on how his magic staff could attack in many different ways, 10 pages worth, only to say "but since my staff isn't working, I'll just throw a fireball and kill them All". Very wordy to the point where it's almost filler in over explaining.
If you took away all those information dumps and cleaned up the story you would lose over a hundred pages of this book but it would be much better paced and a cleaner read. All that said, I enjoyed the story as a whole.
July 17, 2024
So much unnecessary description of making decisions and introspective/retrospective... Why would I care to know there are 300 ways to do something, and why is the MC making that decision to do it a certain way....Just do it!!! Then his family is SO stupid. I wished the dogs ate them actually, especially the sister! What an obnoxious character. I bet you the sister is going to fight him at some point. The idea of the book was great but so poorly developed. Onto my next adventure, Happy Readings!!!!
May 23, 2024
So much fun
I really enjoyed reading this book. The characters were easy to buy into and enjoy To feel the ups and downs of the relationships between each of the family members and the members of the Village. The ending will break your heart, but makes you want to read the sequel.
I really enjoyed reading this book. The characters were easy to buy into and enjoy To feel the ups and downs of the relationships between each of the family members and the members of the Village. The ending will break your heart, but makes you want to read the sequel.
May 3, 2024
totally enjoyable
Reading this book was very enjoyable but takes a lot of trust. No definitive system. Magic is what the Mc says it is. The story was phenomenal and I def want to see how it progresses.
Reading this book was very enjoyable but takes a lot of trust. No definitive system. Magic is what the Mc says it is. The story was phenomenal and I def want to see how it progresses.
July 9, 2024
Interesting and quite good
An interesting take on the rebirth genre. Maybe a bit wordy and repeating the same thoughts at times, but the world, action and characters make me want to read the next book as well.
An interesting take on the rebirth genre. Maybe a bit wordy and repeating the same thoughts at times, but the world, action and characters make me want to read the next book as well.
September 12, 2024
What a great book!
I can't say enough! It was such a fun book to,read ! Great story and the caricatures were great as well ! I'm hooked on this series!
Thanks for the pleasure of reading it!
I can't say enough! It was such a fun book to,read ! Great story and the caricatures were great as well ! I'm hooked on this series!
Thanks for the pleasure of reading it!
August 6, 2024
3.5 to 4 stars , I like this type of book
May 16, 2024
This was a strong first book in a series about a reincarnated archmage. This is a familiar premise as I have read a lot of this sort of story recently, and I have a serious soft spot for it. However, I have also read enough of them to know that there are a great many pitfalls that usually let them down, and I am pleased that this one didn't fall into those pitfalls.
This is an enjoyable, character-led story with an interesting premise, believable decision-making, and an engaging plot. The only things that let it down are:
1. Pacing
The story sets up a lot of milestones in the plot that we know have to happen. I like to think of a plot as points on a map. When you don't know the destination, it's okay to meander and explore a bit as you try to find your way, but once you know your destination, you need to head straight for that destination, or you are needlessly wasting time. There are multiple times when we, as readers, know full well where a story is headed, but it takes its time to get there regardless. It meant considerably less distance was covered than probably should have been given the length of this story, and that was frustrating at times.
2. Self-interested main character
On the one hand, it's refreshing to have a main character who is okay putting his own interests first. Not every protagonist needs to have the desire to save the world. But that doesn't mean they should be completely lacking in empathy. It's okay to want to help people who mean a lot to you, and it's also okay to want to help the community you are in if it's not going that far out of your way. There are multiple times in this book where the main character expresses an interest in just leaving everyone around him to a dark fate that he could stop with minimal effort, but he doesn't want to go out of his way. This is a bit too detached from humanity for my tastes.
Final Verdict
None of the downsides were enough to put me off this story. I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading this book and can't wait to get going on the next one. The pacing issue was my biggest frustration here, so if the next book covers a little more ground, then I think this will comfortably turn into a 5-star series.
I recently read the Ascendant trilogy by the same author (under the pen name Emergency Complaints), and while there were some issues with those books, on the whole, I really enjoyed them, and it put this author on my radar as someone to watch. This book shows all the same signs of a quality writer, and as a result, I have high hopes for what comes next.
This is an enjoyable, character-led story with an interesting premise, believable decision-making, and an engaging plot. The only things that let it down are:
1. Pacing
The story sets up a lot of milestones in the plot that we know have to happen. I like to think of a plot as points on a map. When you don't know the destination, it's okay to meander and explore a bit as you try to find your way, but once you know your destination, you need to head straight for that destination, or you are needlessly wasting time. There are multiple times when we, as readers, know full well where a story is headed, but it takes its time to get there regardless. It meant considerably less distance was covered than probably should have been given the length of this story, and that was frustrating at times.
2. Self-interested main character
On the one hand, it's refreshing to have a main character who is okay putting his own interests first. Not every protagonist needs to have the desire to save the world. But that doesn't mean they should be completely lacking in empathy. It's okay to want to help people who mean a lot to you, and it's also okay to want to help the community you are in if it's not going that far out of your way. There are multiple times in this book where the main character expresses an interest in just leaving everyone around him to a dark fate that he could stop with minimal effort, but he doesn't want to go out of his way. This is a bit too detached from humanity for my tastes.
Final Verdict
None of the downsides were enough to put me off this story. I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading this book and can't wait to get going on the next one. The pacing issue was my biggest frustration here, so if the next book covers a little more ground, then I think this will comfortably turn into a 5-star series.
I recently read the Ascendant trilogy by the same author (under the pen name Emergency Complaints), and while there were some issues with those books, on the whole, I really enjoyed them, and it put this author on my radar as someone to watch. This book shows all the same signs of a quality writer, and as a result, I have high hopes for what comes next.
November 16, 2025
D.E. Sherman’s Keiran: The Eternal Mage #1: The Faded Land arrives with the promise of a classic epic fantasy—a powerful, enigmatic mage facing a decaying world. The premise itself holds genuine potential, suggesting a sweeping narrative ripe with lore and complex challenges. Unfortunately, a promising concept is completely undermined by execution, making the experience of reading this book a frustrating and tedious slog.
The central issue lies squarely in the author's narrative approach, which can only be described as a constant immersion in "slop and trivial conversation." Pages are filled not with meaningful plot development or engaging world-building, but with the main protagonist, Keiran, endlessly overthinking every minor detail. He is a character paralyzed by rumination, perpetually slow to action, leading to a pace that drags the entire story to a near standstill. Actions that should take a paragraph require a chapter of internal debate, draining the narrative of any urgency or forward momentum.
This problem is most egregious during moments of supposed excitement: the battle scenes. Instead of delivering sharp, visceral action, the fights are rendered slow and dull. Keiran possesses a crippling habit of over-monologuing, spouting trivial or nonsensical internal dialogues while an enemy is literally mid-strike. This constant, misplaced verbal noise—or mental noise—destroys any tension the scene might have built, replacing it with confusion and irritation. When the fight finally resumes, it’s often resolved anticlimactically, feeling more like a chore the author had to complete than a thrilling conflict.
Ultimately, The Faded Land feels like an unpolished early draft, where great ideas are buried beneath layers of unnecessary filler and poor pacing decisions. The novel demands more ruthless editing and a clearer focus on advancing the plot over dwelling on the trivial anxieties of its protagonist.
Conclusion: While the seed of a compelling fantasy exists within these pages, the cumbersome writing style and the main character's inability to simply act make this a highly unenjoyable read. I cannot recommend Keiran: The Eternal Mage #1 to fantasy readers looking for compelling action, tight pacing, or engaging dialogue.
The central issue lies squarely in the author's narrative approach, which can only be described as a constant immersion in "slop and trivial conversation." Pages are filled not with meaningful plot development or engaging world-building, but with the main protagonist, Keiran, endlessly overthinking every minor detail. He is a character paralyzed by rumination, perpetually slow to action, leading to a pace that drags the entire story to a near standstill. Actions that should take a paragraph require a chapter of internal debate, draining the narrative of any urgency or forward momentum.
This problem is most egregious during moments of supposed excitement: the battle scenes. Instead of delivering sharp, visceral action, the fights are rendered slow and dull. Keiran possesses a crippling habit of over-monologuing, spouting trivial or nonsensical internal dialogues while an enemy is literally mid-strike. This constant, misplaced verbal noise—or mental noise—destroys any tension the scene might have built, replacing it with confusion and irritation. When the fight finally resumes, it’s often resolved anticlimactically, feeling more like a chore the author had to complete than a thrilling conflict.
Ultimately, The Faded Land feels like an unpolished early draft, where great ideas are buried beneath layers of unnecessary filler and poor pacing decisions. The novel demands more ruthless editing and a clearer focus on advancing the plot over dwelling on the trivial anxieties of its protagonist.
Conclusion: While the seed of a compelling fantasy exists within these pages, the cumbersome writing style and the main character's inability to simply act make this a highly unenjoyable read. I cannot recommend Keiran: The Eternal Mage #1 to fantasy readers looking for compelling action, tight pacing, or engaging dialogue.
June 15, 2025
This book surprised me.
It's been a while since I had time to listen to an audiobook. Blame it on moving to a new country.
With life settling back down, this book is the first one I picked, out of curiosity for the unusual trope.
The Narration:
It was competent enough not to distract from the tale, even if some accents felt a bit overplayed at times. Definitely not Andrea Parsneau level (God bless that woman!), but good enough.
The Good:
I liked the general maturity of the tale. The contrast between the apparent age of the MC and his thoughts and actions is a nice touch. It's always hard to drum up stakes for OP characters, but I appreciated the kind of challenges he had to face and the tone of the human interactions; it was quite satisfying. This first book only sets the stage for the MC's main quest, which is to find out about his new world, but it does so in a very interesting way, couching the motivation into a mystery to solve. Hopefully the following volumes make this setup worthwhile.
The Less Good
I will admit MC does tend to get quite verbose, but it didn't bother me as much, as I felt it in tune with the didactic nature of a mind shaped by the pursuit of knowledge.
I was a bit bothered by the author's choice of past tense even for supposedly intemporal assertions; it sounded bizarre.
The Bad
The supposed age of the MC didn't work for me. I think this would have been more believable if the author had dropped a zero. There is something fundamentally inconsistent in a creature so old remaining so... incongruously close to human foibles. Every line that leaned on it sounded false.
The Conclusion
I had fun with this book. My mantra is that a good book is one that makes me willfully ignore its flaws. Mission accomplished for author on this one!
I will remain on the lookout for the next volume.
It's been a while since I had time to listen to an audiobook. Blame it on moving to a new country.
With life settling back down, this book is the first one I picked, out of curiosity for the unusual trope.
The Narration:
It was competent enough not to distract from the tale, even if some accents felt a bit overplayed at times. Definitely not Andrea Parsneau level (God bless that woman!), but good enough.
The Good:
I liked the general maturity of the tale. The contrast between the apparent age of the MC and his thoughts and actions is a nice touch. It's always hard to drum up stakes for OP characters, but I appreciated the kind of challenges he had to face and the tone of the human interactions; it was quite satisfying. This first book only sets the stage for the MC's main quest, which is to find out about his new world, but it does so in a very interesting way, couching the motivation into a mystery to solve. Hopefully the following volumes make this setup worthwhile.
The Less Good
I will admit MC does tend to get quite verbose, but it didn't bother me as much, as I felt it in tune with the didactic nature of a mind shaped by the pursuit of knowledge.
I was a bit bothered by the author's choice of past tense even for supposedly intemporal assertions; it sounded bizarre.
The Bad
The supposed age of the MC didn't work for me. I think this would have been more believable if the author had dropped a zero. There is something fundamentally inconsistent in a creature so old remaining so... incongruously close to human foibles. Every line that leaned on it sounded false.
The Conclusion
I had fun with this book. My mantra is that a good book is one that makes me willfully ignore its flaws. Mission accomplished for author on this one!
I will remain on the lookout for the next volume.
November 20, 2024
DNF after ~60%
Positives:
- Well edited and, for a technical standpoint, well written
- Dialogue, although too long at times, flows flows nicely, especially compared to other books of this genre
Negatives:
- Incredibly generic premise: ancient mage reincarnated in a time where magic has significantly weakened for some reason. There is absolutely nothing here that sets it apart from other books in the same subgenre, like Legend of the Archmagus
- Super young MC: I had some initial hope here, as the MC is surprised that his fingers are much bigger than they are supposed to be when his personality awakens in the new body. Unfortunately he is still only 2 (3 for most of what I read) years old. Just like most other book with this premise, it completely fails to show the struggles someone in the body of 3-year old would face, regardless of how mature and powerful they might have been at some point in their earlier life
- Endless exposition and inner monologuing completely kill any kind of suspense and disrupt the pacing of the story: Honestly, every time you think the story might finally start going, the main character starts to pontificate (mainly about what he cannot do) for ages. I'm pretty sure you could have cut out two thirds of the pages I read before I gave up, and you would have lost absolutely nothing of value
2/5
Positives:
- Well edited and, for a technical standpoint, well written
- Dialogue, although too long at times, flows flows nicely, especially compared to other books of this genre
Negatives:
- Incredibly generic premise: ancient mage reincarnated in a time where magic has significantly weakened for some reason. There is absolutely nothing here that sets it apart from other books in the same subgenre, like Legend of the Archmagus
- Super young MC: I had some initial hope here, as the MC is surprised that his fingers are much bigger than they are supposed to be when his personality awakens in the new body. Unfortunately he is still only 2 (3 for most of what I read) years old. Just like most other book with this premise, it completely fails to show the struggles someone in the body of 3-year old would face, regardless of how mature and powerful they might have been at some point in their earlier life
- Endless exposition and inner monologuing completely kill any kind of suspense and disrupt the pacing of the story: Honestly, every time you think the story might finally start going, the main character starts to pontificate (mainly about what he cannot do) for ages. I'm pretty sure you could have cut out two thirds of the pages I read before I gave up, and you would have lost absolutely nothing of value
2/5
January 19, 2025
Condescending
Yup. That’s the best word for it: Condescending.
This really applies in two ways:
1. The MC is a sociopath that thinks everyone is beneath him and therefore expendable in the long run. This also means that the MC is the only really fleshed-out character, the rest fall flat in the development category.
Yes, the MC is a 2000+ year old spirit in a toddler’s body, but if the previous life brought any enlightenment to the MC then it was very self-centered. The amount of navel-gazing this kid does is off-putting. Which leads to the second point…
2. The writing comes off as condescending because every decision is laid out before the reader as if the reader can’t draw logical conclusions. And then multiple hypothetical conclusions are laid out in detail. It’s like the author doesn’t think the readers can get what’s going on/at risk without holding hands and leading them through a 342-step process of pouring a glass of milk from a jug.
I appreciate detail, context, research, and exposition, but I don’t need all of it crammed down my throat. I skipped pages in order to get to the next bit of action or dialogue and didn’t feel a lack of info at all.
Like so many other reviews say, the story premise is good, the writing (from a grammatical standpoint) is solid. The execution is just too exaggerated.
Yup. That’s the best word for it: Condescending.
This really applies in two ways:
1. The MC is a sociopath that thinks everyone is beneath him and therefore expendable in the long run. This also means that the MC is the only really fleshed-out character, the rest fall flat in the development category.
Yes, the MC is a 2000+ year old spirit in a toddler’s body, but if the previous life brought any enlightenment to the MC then it was very self-centered. The amount of navel-gazing this kid does is off-putting. Which leads to the second point…
2. The writing comes off as condescending because every decision is laid out before the reader as if the reader can’t draw logical conclusions. And then multiple hypothetical conclusions are laid out in detail. It’s like the author doesn’t think the readers can get what’s going on/at risk without holding hands and leading them through a 342-step process of pouring a glass of milk from a jug.
I appreciate detail, context, research, and exposition, but I don’t need all of it crammed down my throat. I skipped pages in order to get to the next bit of action or dialogue and didn’t feel a lack of info at all.
Like so many other reviews say, the story premise is good, the writing (from a grammatical standpoint) is solid. The execution is just too exaggerated.
May 8, 2024
An enjoyable and interesting progression novel where an archmage plans his reincarnation into his next body with his memories, power and knowledge intact. However things do not go as planned as he discovers he is in a place starved for mana and without it he isn't an archmage or even really a mage. It gets interesting where he doesn't become awakened to his past life until he is a few years old so his love for his new family intermingles with his ruthlessness from his old life. It is also interesting to see how his family struggles to react to him as they learn he isn't just their little boy anymore.
There are a few things I have a quibble with. The action is a bit slow at times, which I understand at the beginning, particularly. Keiran spends too much time ruminating over his actions. Also, while the problems of being in a 3 or 4-year-old body is mentioned, I think that limitation is minimized too much. For example, He goes into a shop alone and people actually trade with him. Why don't they just take his stuff, or at least really try to. Also, traveling is just too easy for him. Yes, sometimes he uses magic to make up for his size but it is too often glossed over.
Still, I will read more in the series.
There are a few things I have a quibble with. The action is a bit slow at times, which I understand at the beginning, particularly. Keiran spends too much time ruminating over his actions. Also, while the problems of being in a 3 or 4-year-old body is mentioned, I think that limitation is minimized too much. For example, He goes into a shop alone and people actually trade with him. Why don't they just take his stuff, or at least really try to. Also, traveling is just too easy for him. Yes, sometimes he uses magic to make up for his size but it is too often glossed over.
Still, I will read more in the series.
June 14, 2024
Do you know why a characters parents are absent in most action adventure stories? Simple, there is too much inconvenience. The parents act as a stop gap, preventing or delaying the protagonists actions. Everything's too dangerous, so you're not allowed to do it. If the story introduces a love interest, its pretty awkward/embarrassing to have your parents shadowing you if any romantic hijinks occurs. There is also all the worrying and having to constantly protect them if danger arrives. Having the protagonist set off on a solo adventure at the end of the story was a good call.
The progression was satisfactory. But I think you need to better emphasize the advantages of reincarnation. I may have forgotten the exact terminology but the protagonist tiered up his core using a highly advanced pattern? which he can modify as he grows older. More stuff like that needs to be introduced. What's the point of reincarnating if your not going to min-max. Which I hope the protagonist does. If he gets a familiar why not aim for something powerful that the protagonist can derive unique benefits from. Create rare and unknown potions that will strengthen his physique or grants permanent poison immunity.
8/10 and I can see the stories potential to improve
The progression was satisfactory. But I think you need to better emphasize the advantages of reincarnation. I may have forgotten the exact terminology but the protagonist tiered up his core using a highly advanced pattern? which he can modify as he grows older. More stuff like that needs to be introduced. What's the point of reincarnating if your not going to min-max. Which I hope the protagonist does. If he gets a familiar why not aim for something powerful that the protagonist can derive unique benefits from. Create rare and unknown potions that will strengthen his physique or grants permanent poison immunity.
8/10 and I can see the stories potential to improve
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2025
This is one of those stories where I really wonder how it received that many 5 stars reviews to be solidly above 4 on average.
The story is obviously about a child protagonist, sadly a VERY young one, and while it is better in some aspects than other stories using the same trope, it fails rather spectacularly in others.
The Good: The parents learn early on that the MC has the reincarnated soul of the mega uber mage, so no weird kid doing adult things and nobody bats an eye like other stories.
The Bad: The kid stays 3 years old and physical limitations, despite being mentioned on occasion early on, are dropped by the wayside and the story treats the MC as if he was an adult with all that entails. Size, walking speed, etc. But he is 3 years old and should not be able to look into certain places, constantly struggle with looking on tables requiring chairs or ladders to reach things, but the author did NOT follow through with it.
The Power Fantasy: The MC is obviously the uber archmage of the long forgotten past and everyone else are absolute morons when it comes to magic. Just magic? Nope, all adults are borderline special needs with the intellect of a wet sponge. Naïve, slow to understand, and overall very 2D characters.
If you think the author might do a time skip after book 1 to age the MC or come up with some magic to age him quickly so we do not have to read the story about a 3-4 year old, no such luck.
I highly recommend avoiding this book and series.
The story is obviously about a child protagonist, sadly a VERY young one, and while it is better in some aspects than other stories using the same trope, it fails rather spectacularly in others.
The Good: The parents learn early on that the MC has the reincarnated soul of the mega uber mage, so no weird kid doing adult things and nobody bats an eye like other stories.
The Bad: The kid stays 3 years old and physical limitations, despite being mentioned on occasion early on, are dropped by the wayside and the story treats the MC as if he was an adult with all that entails. Size, walking speed, etc. But he is 3 years old and should not be able to look into certain places, constantly struggle with looking on tables requiring chairs or ladders to reach things, but the author did NOT follow through with it.
The Power Fantasy: The MC is obviously the uber archmage of the long forgotten past and everyone else are absolute morons when it comes to magic. Just magic? Nope, all adults are borderline special needs with the intellect of a wet sponge. Naïve, slow to understand, and overall very 2D characters.
If you think the author might do a time skip after book 1 to age the MC or come up with some magic to age him quickly so we do not have to read the story about a 3-4 year old, no such luck.
I highly recommend avoiding this book and series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2024
Why do authors feel the need to reincarnate characters into babies?
Why? Why? WHY?!?!
NONE OF US WANT TO READ A STORY ABOUT A 3-YEAR-OLD!
I don't know why some authors feel the need to isekai or reincart their protagonist into the body of a child but it's disturbing and it does not make for good storytelling. It totally disrupts the suspension of disbelief does anyone who's ever interacted with a 3-year-old knows how dumb this idea is.
I Don't care what caveats are governors you place on the characters power it's a dumb idea.
I really wanted to like this story and it had a really cool interesting edge of a protagonist who knows a ton about magic but doesn't have any magic to work with when he gets reincarnated because the world has changed so much.
The problem is I don't want to read a story about a toddler regardless of who's driving the body. It's such an incredibly dumb idea. You want to reincarnate into a toddler and then Time Warp I head to the characters 15 or 16 sure that's fine.
I made it to the 50% point of this book and it's still about a toddler running around having adult conversations and shooting laser beams so I'm out.
Why? Why? WHY?!?!
NONE OF US WANT TO READ A STORY ABOUT A 3-YEAR-OLD!
I don't know why some authors feel the need to isekai or reincart their protagonist into the body of a child but it's disturbing and it does not make for good storytelling. It totally disrupts the suspension of disbelief does anyone who's ever interacted with a 3-year-old knows how dumb this idea is.
I Don't care what caveats are governors you place on the characters power it's a dumb idea.
I really wanted to like this story and it had a really cool interesting edge of a protagonist who knows a ton about magic but doesn't have any magic to work with when he gets reincarnated because the world has changed so much.
The problem is I don't want to read a story about a toddler regardless of who's driving the body. It's such an incredibly dumb idea. You want to reincarnate into a toddler and then Time Warp I head to the characters 15 or 16 sure that's fine.
I made it to the 50% point of this book and it's still about a toddler running around having adult conversations and shooting laser beams so I'm out.
October 15, 2024
DNF - I tried, the first few pages got me but then the book started telling you what COULD have been possible for the main character to do in various situations and WHY it couldn't be done.... not enough ambient mana in the land ... we get after the first 30 times but every time he has to or wants to do something he rattles off a list f what he could have done and did do in his past life and again why he can't do it here .... WE GET IT!!!! .. ok so we are being told how the magic words and not shown there is so much dialogue where information is being dumped on you by the and explaining every possible way to use magic in a situation but finally after reading all that ..but I can't do any of that I'm not strong enough, why, there isn't enough ambient mana.... GOD FOR THE 50TH TIME .... WE KNOW!!!!! so why waste so much time telling us what you could do just to tell us again that he cant do it, its info dumping, it felt like there was supposed to be a narrator in my head and at moments the characters themselves would interact with each other and then continue reading about what the MC was thinking..... it got to the point i felt like i was wasting my time.
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