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Mage Tale Prequels #2
Mage Lessons
A supernatural boarding school. A missing potion. A ghostly figure. A mage who might one day save the world . . . if he can survive.
My father lied. This wasn’t high school. This was hell.
Still grieved over his witch mother’s disappearance, Joshua the mage is shipped off to a paranormal boarding school by his cold vampire father. Mistrusted as a supernatural freak, all Joshua wants to do is lay low until graduation. But when vandalism, thefts, and other crimes start plaguing the school, all fingers point to him. And when one crime takes a turn for the deadly, it’s up to Joshua to clear his name. If he doesn’t, he risks more than expulsion.
He risks paying the ultimate penalty.
My father lied. This wasn’t high school. This was hell.
Still grieved over his witch mother’s disappearance, Joshua the mage is shipped off to a paranormal boarding school by his cold vampire father. Mistrusted as a supernatural freak, all Joshua wants to do is lay low until graduation. But when vandalism, thefts, and other crimes start plaguing the school, all fingers point to him. And when one crime takes a turn for the deadly, it’s up to Joshua to clear his name. If he doesn’t, he risks more than expulsion.
He risks paying the ultimate penalty.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 2, 2016
7 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Ilana Waters
21 books263 followersHi! I’m Ilana Waters, USA Today bestselling author of the Mage Tales and Dark Fae Decree.
I write urban fantasy for those who like it fast, funny, and fierce. If you’re into cross-blended creatures (witch-vampire hybrids, half-breed mages) and supernatural ass-kicking, I'm all over that. Ditto if your book turn-ons are equal parts creepy and action-packed (ancient cities, crypts, beheadings, bombs, etc.).
I write urban fantasy for those who like it fast, funny, and fierce. If you’re into cross-blended creatures (witch-vampire hybrids, half-breed mages) and supernatural ass-kicking, I'm all over that. Ditto if your book turn-ons are equal parts creepy and action-packed (ancient cities, crypts, beheadings, bombs, etc.).
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 3, 2018
I did warm up to this book eventually, but wow it's just a total Harry Potter rip off most of the time. I'm sure the author was aware of this and was trying to do a parody or an homage, but there are too many references for an homage and not enough for a true parody so it just ends up falling in that weird middle space that feels like it's just copying.
I mean okay he goes to a magic school in England. There are four houses. Granted these four houses represent the elements but they are similarly colored coded like the Hogwarts houses. As as he arrives Joshua meets the Draco Malfoy characters of the book [Victor] who 1. has two Crabbe and Goyle esque sidekicks and his own Pansy Parkinson stand-in, 2. thinks he's better because of his family history, and 3. is up to something sneaky and trying to frame Joshua for it. They have a tournament which basically combines quidditch and the Triwizard Tournament [they're even looking for a chalice]. There's a potions teacher who is mean to Joshua for no good reason at all and a headmaster who bends the rules a bit to help our hero's house come out on top. I mean seriously it just goes on and on.
So why the 3 star rating? It's probably more a 2.5 rounded up but I just really like Joshua's character - it's nice to have a snarky male urban fantasy protagonist who isn't a misogynistic asshole - and there's a really cute queer romance between him and an girl. If you're a fan of the series then you can probably get into this after awhile, but I definitely wouldn't read this first as the general Harry Potter-ness of it all might turn off new readers.
I mean okay he goes to a magic school in England. There are four houses. Granted these four houses represent the elements but they are similarly colored coded like the Hogwarts houses. As as he arrives Joshua meets the Draco Malfoy characters of the book [Victor] who 1. has two Crabbe and Goyle esque sidekicks and his own Pansy Parkinson stand-in, 2. thinks he's better because of his family history, and 3. is up to something sneaky and trying to frame Joshua for it. They have a tournament which basically combines quidditch and the Triwizard Tournament [they're even looking for a chalice]. There's a potions teacher who is mean to Joshua for no good reason at all and a headmaster who bends the rules a bit to help our hero's house come out on top. I mean seriously it just goes on and on.
So why the 3 star rating? It's probably more a 2.5 rounded up but I just really like Joshua's character - it's nice to have a snarky male urban fantasy protagonist who isn't a misogynistic asshole - and there's a really cute queer romance between him and an girl. If you're a fan of the series then you can probably get into this after awhile, but I definitely wouldn't read this first as the general Harry Potter-ness of it all might turn off new readers.
January 19, 2019
This was an awesome story! I loved that Joshua kept his secrets even from the reader! I was stunned at how he ousted the culprit! I can’t wait to read more of this series!
February 23, 2017
A great young adult fantasy book! Can be read as a standalone
Think Harry Potter but much funnier and with vampires and elves.
This is a prequel to The Mage Tales of which the main character in this Joshua is also in. He is a 17 year old in this book having been sent to a private magical school to keep him safe and out of trouble shortly after his mother disappeared.
As we find out, that worked absolutely spectacularly - not.
I laughed out loud quite a bit reading this and it was filled with your typical teenage problems with a bit of magic and mystery thrown in.
A great book to read if you want to read something quite light hearted.
Think Harry Potter but much funnier and with vampires and elves.
This is a prequel to The Mage Tales of which the main character in this Joshua is also in. He is a 17 year old in this book having been sent to a private magical school to keep him safe and out of trouble shortly after his mother disappeared.
As we find out, that worked absolutely spectacularly - not.
I laughed out loud quite a bit reading this and it was filled with your typical teenage problems with a bit of magic and mystery thrown in.
A great book to read if you want to read something quite light hearted.
December 2, 2016
I voluntarily reviewed an advance readers copy of this book.
What would you do when you are a boy whose father is a vampire and Roman general. Your mather - a witch that went missing some time ago. Almost everyone think you are a half-breed looser!
You would sink in it, but not Josh - he tries to prove them in some way that he is who he is!
I liked the way Josh was created, as boy who knows what mean hard life and that he has his own issues. He's really clever and inteligent. I was amazed by this. And for sure he is a born to-be-leader.
Main character is well developted, others are also good, but not as much.
There we can find bad guys, romance, friendship and of course lessons.
What i can say, i'm looking forward to read next book.
What would you do when you are a boy whose father is a vampire and Roman general. Your mather - a witch that went missing some time ago. Almost everyone think you are a half-breed looser!
You would sink in it, but not Josh - he tries to prove them in some way that he is who he is!
I liked the way Josh was created, as boy who knows what mean hard life and that he has his own issues. He's really clever and inteligent. I was amazed by this. And for sure he is a born to-be-leader.
Main character is well developted, others are also good, but not as much.
There we can find bad guys, romance, friendship and of course lessons.
What i can say, i'm looking forward to read next book.
December 3, 2016
I adored all of the witty, sarcastic comments – I had a whole bunch of laugh-out-loud moments with them. The characters are believable; the good guys have human failings and the bad guys, while despicable, aren’t complete monsters. On the whole, they’re teenagers behaving like teenagers. They just happen to have some more stuff to deal with than the ordinary hormonal things. I sat down to read it , got sucked in, and wasn’t putting it down until I was done.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book.
December 15, 2016
Snarky Action
I enjoyed the smartass dialogue among the characters. I liked Joshua's competence yet vulnerability when outnumbered and faced with schemes he has no knowledge about. He develops friendships and leadership abilities to win in chess game of life. He even finds love though he didn't think that was possible.
I enjoyed the smartass dialogue among the characters. I liked Joshua's competence yet vulnerability when outnumbered and faced with schemes he has no knowledge about. He develops friendships and leadership abilities to win in chess game of life. He even finds love though he didn't think that was possible.
January 26, 2017
Foundation Year
Excellent story had me riveted until the end! Joshua attends a private school for supernaturals. You have mystery, action, romance and humor. Such an interesting story to learn about the younger Joshua. I figured out who did it but not all of the fine nitty gritty of the mystery. I hope you enjoy if as much as I did!
Excellent story had me riveted until the end! Joshua attends a private school for supernaturals. You have mystery, action, romance and humor. Such an interesting story to learn about the younger Joshua. I figured out who did it but not all of the fine nitty gritty of the mystery. I hope you enjoy if as much as I did!
December 6, 2016
Awesome
I have not read any other books by this author. Before I read them I thought I should read the prequel. I am glad I did. I enjoyed watching the main character grow up. I know I will enjoy the next book.
I have not read any other books by this author. Before I read them I thought I should read the prequel. I am glad I did. I enjoyed watching the main character grow up. I know I will enjoy the next book.
December 30, 2016
High School Trials
Another great sequel. This book looks back to Joshua's high school days. Lots of action and intrigue. Very clever twist at the end.
Good work Ilana.
Another great sequel. This book looks back to Joshua's high school days. Lots of action and intrigue. Very clever twist at the end.
Good work Ilana.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews