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Useless: Tincaste
Kirin has died nine times.
Mages are expected to advance over the course of their ten lives, but Kirin has never made it past the lowest caste. The empire has a name for people like Useless.
Unfortunately, he’s also supposed to save the world.
Now on his tenth and final life, still a lowly tincaste, Kirin is bound to Shad—a sarcastic shadow spirit engineered by the most powerful mages alive. Shad is supposed to guide a hero to greatness. Instead, he got Kirin.
As monsters rise and something far worse approaches, Kirin has one last chance to do the Advance. Survive. Save the world. If he fails, there’ll be no next life for anyone.
No pressure.
Mages are expected to advance over the course of their ten lives, but Kirin has never made it past the lowest caste. The empire has a name for people like Useless.
Unfortunately, he’s also supposed to save the world.
Now on his tenth and final life, still a lowly tincaste, Kirin is bound to Shad—a sarcastic shadow spirit engineered by the most powerful mages alive. Shad is supposed to guide a hero to greatness. Instead, he got Kirin.
As monsters rise and something far worse approaches, Kirin has one last chance to do the Advance. Survive. Save the world. If he fails, there’ll be no next life for anyone.
No pressure.
373 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 4, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 3, 2026
Magic, Reincarnation & a Sarcastic Soul/Mind Bond? Sign me up!
Honestly the dynamic between Kirin & Shad is what sets this book apart for me. Love the magic system & the universe you get from the get-go but Shad especially has my heart.
The entire time I imagined Charlie Day voicing Shad in my head!
Highly recommend!
Honestly the dynamic between Kirin & Shad is what sets this book apart for me. Love the magic system & the universe you get from the get-go but Shad especially has my heart.
The entire time I imagined Charlie Day voicing Shad in my head!
Highly recommend!
July 15, 2026
Another great book by Ryan O'Neill. Wonderful story, entertaining characters I can't wait to see where the series goes. If you loved Wil Wight's Cradle series you love this one as well.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews