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The Queen's Executioner

(Magelands Epic #1)

Christopher Mitchell (Goodreads Author)

4.37 · Rating details · 19 ratings · 18 reviews

Would you kill for your sister?

High Mage Shella has a choice to make.

When her sister decides she wants to be Queen at any cost, should she help her?

Or stop her?

Feeling restless in the claustrophobic and over-crowded metropolis of her birth, Shella is drawn to the power of her sister’s voice as she assembles thousands of their people, calling upon them to gather their posse ...more

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ebook, 501 pages

Published May 2nd 2019 by Brigdomin Books Ltd.

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4.37 ·

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· 19 ratings · 18 reviews

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Apr 06, 2019 Anna K. Scott rated it really liked it

This certainly lived up to the epic in the series title. The scope of the story is vast, yet not hard to follow as the separate stories converge.

Shella, a flow mage from Arakhanah, leads a dull life that feels eerily familiar. Bureaucracy, crowded commutes, judgemental family... is this really fantasy? But her life is soon overturned, as she and others set off to find a new place to call home, away from the stifling overcrowding of the city.

Killop, brother of the fire mage from the prequel nove This certainly lived up to the epic in the series title. The scope of the story is vast, yet not hard to follow as the separate stories converge.

Shella, a flow mage from Arakhanah, leads a dull life that feels eerily familiar. Bureaucracy, crowded commutes, judgemental family... is this really fantasy? But her life is soon overturned, as she and others set off to find a new place to call home, away from the stifling overcrowding of the city.

Killop, brother of the fire mage from the prequel novella, has been captured along with two others of the Kellach Brigdomin. Many of their people are now slaves working in the mines of Rahain, but the three of them end up as academic research subjects and make some unlikely friends.

Laodoc, an older Rahain councillor, has his sights on the Senate, yet he suffers humiliation and defeat over his anti-war stance in the Council. Dealing with political machinations, he tries to keep his growing admiration for the Kellach Brigdomin people hidden.

Daphne of Hold Fast is unwittingly roped into shady dealings in Rahain while on the run from her own country. She is a mage with fighting powers, making her both useful and dangerous. However, a chance meeting with Killop changes everything for her.

I loved the world building and sense of a long history. The world is large, with various humanoid races, all with their own forms of magic. Each race, or perhaps species, has a very different culture and social structure. Complex issues are addressed in a nuanced way, slavery, invasion, immigration, and the horrors of war to name a few. People on all sides commit atrocities, or show kindness. There are few clearcut evil or good characters, with the POV characters carrying out some questionable actions, yet growing and changing as the story progresses. Shella's transformation was perhaps the most dramatic, while Laodoc revealed a strength of will I'd not expected.

It's an action-packed read, full of twists. The characters rarely have a moment to rest, as a new threat always shows up. I'll definitely be continuing the series. I recommend for any who enjoy epic world building, magic and politics. ...more

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Apr 07, 2019 Shannon Patterson rated it it was amazing

Seriously what can I say about book one of the Magelanders series? It is most certainly a great start to a epic fantasy story. In this world there are different species of people. Each has its own traits such as being compared to frogs, lizards, apes... and each species has their own specific breed/class of mages from rock, fire, vision.. Christopher Mitchell gives each its own unique characteristics related to their species as well and I loved how seamlessly they’re added in.

The Queen’s Executi Seriously what can I say about book one of the Magelanders series? It is most certainly a great start to a epic fantasy story. In this world there are different species of people. Each has its own traits such as being compared to frogs, lizards, apes... and each species has their own specific breed/class of mages from rock, fire, vision.. Christopher Mitchell gives each its own unique characteristics related to their species as well and I loved how seamlessly they’re added in.

The Queen’s Executioner refers to Sheila who is a high flow mage. In her homeland they suffer from monotony, overcrowding and general dissolution of life. Her sister decides to set off in a great migration and names herself Queen. We get to follow their peril filled journey and the struggles they face in both the decisions they make as well as actual physical danger.

We also get to follow some other characters along the way. We have Daphne who starts off being exiled from her homeland and mislead by her ‘friend’. We watch her grow into her magic as a vision mage while she explores the different facets of it.

Then there’s Laodoc who starts off in a position of great power. His personal growth is probably the most defined of everyone and he’s got so much inner strength even when his sons abandon him.

We have our main three Kellach. Killop who seems to have a predetermined fate he can’t resist, Kallie who feels abandoned and betrayed and Bridget who’s trying to hold them all together.

There are other characters along the way, some you will love and some you will love to hate. We are transported between different POV’s and storylines but it doesn’t feel choppy. The events are all happening parallel to each other or directly after and it’s interesting to see the buildup to where the lines may eventually merge in future books. Even though this is a fantasy world many of the struggles faced are ones our current world faces like overcrowding, famine, war and crooked politicians. I look forward to seeing where this series goes next.

I received an advanced copy of this book and am leaving a voluntary honest review. ...more

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Apr 26, 2019 Amy Tavendale rated it it was amazing

The Queens Executioner is the perfect introduction to the new world of the Magelands. The way the author paints a picture of the five different lands immersed me in the novel from the very beginning. They each have distinct environments, people & cultures. Rahain, with its soaring caverns of granite, exudes wealth and power. They have the longest history of all the peoples and are the most educated, however, slavery is still being practised by most living there. This is where Laodoc, a counc ...more

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Apr 29, 2019 Filipa Maia rated it really liked it

** I received an advance review copy of this book - This is my honest (and non paid) review of "The Queen's Executioner" **

Another great book by Christopher Mitchell and his Magelands Epic series. I really enjoyed reading this first novel (I already read "From the Ashes" which is a prequel story).

I really appreciate the author's writing, I love how deep the characters are, how the various societies are built (and how complex they are), the detailing in each of their lands... it's all just amazin ...more

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Apr 30, 2019 Michelle rated it really liked it

Mitchell has created a unique and intriguing world rich in depth of cultures and interpersonal relationships. A truly great read!
At the beginning of the novel, there are a large number of characters presented that were a bit difficult to keep track of until I understood the origins of the various races and the relationships between the countries and the people within each area. Once those key connections were presented, about 10% into the book, it was very easy to invest in one or more of the va ...more

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Apr 28, 2019 Cody Anne rated it it was amazing

Great read. The world building is expertly made. The map is topography at its finest. As you travel through this new landscape with creatures as unbelievably real and humanoids that mirror out own, you can feel at home. The story line grips you from the first paragraph and takes you on a wild ride through multiple peoples' point of view. You get multiple viewpoints that keeps you guessing for what comes next. You think you know where you're being lead but you are very wrong. There really isn't a ...more

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May 01, 2019 Carlynne Toomey rated it it was amazing

This was a great read! Mr. Mitchell has done a fantastic job of character development and world building that draws you in and makes you want to read it all in one sitting! I can't wait for the next book in the series!

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Apr 26, 2019 Vicky Williams rated it it was amazing

Really enjoyed the first book of this epic series. It’s so interesting to see how the characters grow and how creatively the author intertwines their stories. The world building is fantastic and it’s easy to imagine the lands and scenes.
I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

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Apr 30, 2019 Scarolet Ellis rated it it was amazing

The Magelands Epic: The Queen's Executioner (Book 1) by Christopher Mitchell is a great story to read. This is book number one in this great start to a brand new series and I recommend it to all.

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Apr 18, 2019 Christina Luberts rated it liked it

Different creatures, different parts of land. Different language and don't trust anyone. We start each chapter with different parts of land and people then we blend. Between war, overcrowding and more what will everyone do? Now will Shella's sister be able to take over? Will Shella go black or will she stay good? I received a free copy for my honest review.

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Apr 15, 2019 Shauna Joesten rated it it was amazing

Wow this is an Epic read. The Author of this read, has a great creativity with this read. The intertwining of the stories makes this read absolutely fantastic. I Love how the Characters were brought out and the scenes were written so well you can picture them in your minds eye so well. There is lots of twists and turns. And heart pounding adventure. This would make an awesome Netflix addition. This is definitely an epic read.
Shauna Joesten

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Apr 09, 2019 Ferdinand rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: All Fantasy fans

Recommended to Ferdinand by: Author

Shelves: adventure

A professional assassin, an enslaved warrior, a general flow mage, and a politician desperate to end slavery, they are the people standing against the Rahain republic and its need for destroying other civilizations.
Shella, a powerful flow mage, is planning on settling the mass Arakhanah exiles on a land that belongs to the Rahain. Daphne, a vision mage assassin, has fallen for an enslaved warrior, Killop, of the Kellach Brigdomin. Laodoc, a Rahain councillor, is eager to find a way to end slaver ...more

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May 05, 2019 Joy rated it it was amazing

A new fantasy series opener that is certain to make the reader contemplate our troubled times.

SETTING: A place where 5 continents smashed together in the distant past, bringing together 5 different peoples, cultures and values: One culture intent upon expansion and subjecting other races to slavery & servitude; one that has no word for slavery, an idea of which they had never conceived; one in which slavery was not tolerated, but all races viewed as equal.
When an overcrowded people moves t A new fantasy series opener that is certain to make the reader contemplate our troubled times.

SETTING: A place where 5 continents smashed together in the distant past, bringing together 5 different peoples, cultures and values: One culture intent upon expansion and subjecting other races to slavery & servitude; one that has no word for slavery, an idea of which they had never conceived; one in which slavery was not tolerated, but all races viewed as equal.
When an overcrowded people moves to an uninhabited land, a war is set off having unforeseen consequences to all of the combined lands. This is a story of the migration, the setting up of a new homeland, and it’s destruction by the possessive, and oppressive, culture who had previously claimed the unused land. Love stories, battles, conflicts of conscious resulting in the shattering of families are all part of this book. What the end result will be is yet to be determined in a next episode, which I eagerly await.
CRITIQUE: Multiple storylines are developed, blending and separating at times. It was initially a bit confusing (for this new reader of Mr. Mitchell’s work) to sort out what the story was about and how each group was related to the others. It does not take long to sort it out, and the reader then is rewarded with entering into this world, so reflective of our own.
The bright light: the “creator” has a plan to bring peace and reconciliation to the combined continents (or world, if you will). Sometimes, adjustments are having to be made to compensate for the independent actions of the players which can cause consequences not intended by the “creator”. In this book, we have a few clues of the plan, but are led to hope for a plan as the means to end the strife in the world.
With amphibian peoples, dark skinned and light skinned people, flying lizard-like creatures, this fantastical world will appeal to fantasy lovers. The violence and language may not be suitable for younger readers (my opinion). I am excited to find a new author whose thoughtful work inspires hope for a better future for us all.
This review is based on an advanced reader copy. No compensation was provided to this reviewer, nor is there any affiliation between the reviewer and author/publisher. ...more

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Apr 26, 2019 Casia Courtier rated it it was ok

I received a copy from the author for an honest review. Below is my opinion and mine alone. There was no compensation for this review.Hmmm... I really wanted to like this book. I like fantasy. I like politics in fantasy. And I love a unique magic system. However, The Queen's Executioner fell short for me. The writing isn't bad. Let me get that straight. The author can write and he definitely has an interesting story idea. But, the writing is what I would consider the first draft. Not really a fu ...more

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May 02, 2019 Kaye rated it it was amazing

ONE THRILLING ADVENTURE!!!
Holy Crap! Talk about stepping into the dark side. One fast track and furious spin launch you forward on a razors edge and total focus on every word. Non-stop, action packed, hard hitting, heart pounding, page turning thrill that's as riveting as it is captivating. A whirlwind of events and circumstances force all of your swirling emotions exploding into play. Drama, angst, danger and suspense rock this bad boy to the core. Christopher packs a punch with this raging sto ...more

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May 12, 2019 The Mysterious Reader rated it it was amazing

Christopher Mitchell’s The Magelands Epic: The Queen's Executioner (Book 1) is the start of a truly epic, grand scale fantasy with multiple storylines and overlapping action, thrills, twists and turns and really compelling characters. I’m gobsmacked by this book (a very good thing indeed) as I was t expecting anything nearly as powerful and well written. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book defini ...more

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May 06, 2019 Audry Wichelns rated it it was amazing

The Queen's Executioner

What can you say about a book that is so good that you almost drool to get to the next one. I can tell now that this book series should be made into a movie on a par with the Hobbit series. I have read nothing in a long time that leads to an Epic series such as this. Pardon me while I go get the next one in the series to read. Great writing Christopher Mitchell!

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Apr 19, 2019 Steph rated it it was ok

The writing was fine, but I was not really into the characters. Not planning to read the rest of the series at this time.

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Terri rated it really liked it
Apr 28, 2019

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About Christopher Mitchell

Christopher Mitchell

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Thanks for stopping by!

I'm Christopher and I write epic fantasy.

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The Magelands Series

Written over a period of three years , The Magelands series is complete and will be released in full by Summer 2019. The series comes in at around 800,000 wor