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Starship’s Mage #8
Mountain of Mars
The Mage-King of Mars is dead
Chaos rocks Olympus Mons
A new monarch must rise – but she does not stand alone!
As the celebration of the victory at Legatus cools, a shuttle accident claims the lives of the Mage-King of Mars and his heir. The Crown and the Mountain fall to the Mage-King’s daughter, seventeen-year-old Kiera Alexander. She recalls Damien Montgomery, her father’s First Hand, to stand as her Lord Regent.
The pair are unprepared to govern but are thrust into the heart of Protectorate politics as the Mage-King had left behind everything from an unfinished war to an incomplete new Constitution.
Even as they get a handle on the list Kiera’s father left them, Damien is grimly certain of one thing: when it comes to the deaths of Kings, he doesn’t believe in accidents.
Chaos rocks Olympus Mons
A new monarch must rise – but she does not stand alone!
As the celebration of the victory at Legatus cools, a shuttle accident claims the lives of the Mage-King of Mars and his heir. The Crown and the Mountain fall to the Mage-King’s daughter, seventeen-year-old Kiera Alexander. She recalls Damien Montgomery, her father’s First Hand, to stand as her Lord Regent.
The pair are unprepared to govern but are thrust into the heart of Protectorate politics as the Mage-King had left behind everything from an unfinished war to an incomplete new Constitution.
Even as they get a handle on the list Kiera’s father left them, Damien is grimly certain of one thing: when it comes to the deaths of Kings, he doesn’t believe in accidents.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 17, 2020
1331 people are currently reading
596 people want to read
About the author
Glynn Stewart
115 books1,749 followersGlynn Stewart is the author of over 60 books, including Starship’s Mage, a bestselling science fiction and fantasy series where faster-than-light travel is possible–but only because of magic.
Writing managed to liberate Glynn from a bleak future as an accountant. With his personality and hope for a high-tech future intact, he lives in Southern Ontario with his partner, their cats, and an unstoppable writing habit.
Writing managed to liberate Glynn from a bleak future as an accountant. With his personality and hope for a high-tech future intact, he lives in Southern Ontario with his partner, their cats, and an unstoppable writing habit.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
October 26, 2021
The King is dead, long live the queen. I've been binging the entirety of the STARSHIP'S MAGE series and very much enjoying the twists and turns of Glynn Stewart's series. The shift in the MOUNTAINS OF MARS changes the status quo of the books forever. While the loss of a major supporting character is something that is important by itself, it also slowly has permanently moved Damien Montgomery from his position on the frontlines of the war. This is the set up for the end of "his" part of the series and that is something that I struggle with as a reader. I just don't gel with the other characters as Damien and want to read about his adventures rather than Roslin's.
March 19, 2020
This was best, most difficult book to read of the entire series so far! I was so sad from page one, and yet I absolutely couldn't put this book down! These characters enthrall you and move into your life by how brilliantly they are written. Glynn threw in some incredible plot twists that made me cry, laugh, and want to throw my Kindle a couple times lol! I am fully addicted to this series, and salivating for the next book! I can't recommend it enough! By far one my all time favorite books!
March 17, 2020
Rollercoaster of a book!
When you have overwhelming emotions almost IMMEDIATELY after starting a book (and they're not of disgust), you know it is going to be a trip!
There are so many details I would love to share but I do not want to spoil anything. Damien is still my hero and I can't wait to see him evolve more. I'm also glad we got to see more of his bodyguard. Next I'm hoping to see more of Kira. 🙂
When you have overwhelming emotions almost IMMEDIATELY after starting a book (and they're not of disgust), you know it is going to be a trip!
There are so many details I would love to share but I do not want to spoil anything. Damien is still my hero and I can't wait to see him evolve more. I'm also glad we got to see more of his bodyguard. Next I'm hoping to see more of Kira. 🙂
March 19, 2020
I love this series.
From the moment I started reading the first book in this series it has drawn me in. The magic system is brilliantly thought out and blends believably with the science and technology of this wonderful tale. This series takes you on a journey full of the best humanity has to offer, loyalty honour and respect for all, and the worst, betrayal murder and brutal extremism. I’ve loved every single book in this series and I cannot wait to read the next.
From the moment I started reading the first book in this series it has drawn me in. The magic system is brilliantly thought out and blends believably with the science and technology of this wonderful tale. This series takes you on a journey full of the best humanity has to offer, loyalty honour and respect for all, and the worst, betrayal murder and brutal extremism. I’ve loved every single book in this series and I cannot wait to read the next.
September 16, 2020
This book finally reveals the secret the ‘Keepers’ were trying to protect, and it matches what I had been expecting. My problem was that I couldn’t understand why rational people would willingly kill thousands just to stop the secret getting to the King. As for ‘Winton’, the justification that more progress is made due to ‘the cauldron of war’ was pathetic.
Although I often quite like these books I have started to find them beginning to drag a bit and the main plotlines are illogical.
Although I often quite like these books I have started to find them beginning to drag a bit and the main plotlines are illogical.
March 20, 2020
This is the first of the author's series that I discovered, and it remains my favourite. I still think that Montgomery has a deathwish, as magic or not he should be dead many times over, but hey, magic.
Well-written as always, and if you've followed the series this far this won't disappoint. Hopefully not so long between this and the next one.
Well-written as always, and if you've followed the series this far this won't disappoint. Hopefully not so long between this and the next one.
March 20, 2020
Rave review
This series is absolutely mesmerizing. Start at the beginning and read the whole series. The author has several other series available on kindle that you should consider reading too.
This series is absolutely mesmerizing. Start at the beginning and read the whole series. The author has several other series available on kindle that you should consider reading too.
March 30, 2020
The Mage King of Mars and his son were murdered. Damien has to return home and is installed as Kiera‘s regent until she turns sixteen. While trying to cope with the responsibility and his new duties, he tries to find the culprits.
When it comes to the last two books, I had to criticize the interminable space battles that read like math problems. They were boring to tears. Therefore, it filled me with great joy that there isn’t one of those in sight. Instead, we mostly follow Damien while he navigates Mars politics or investigates the murder.
I found the book enjoyable, though, as have to say that David is almost too rational at times. The way he would let people get away with murder to get to the head of the conspiracy was sometimes a little strange.
At the end of the book, the author introduces a new element. This new storyline could be quite engaging in future installments as he might finally add aliens to the mix. We’ll see.
I am looking forward to the next one.
When it comes to the last two books, I had to criticize the interminable space battles that read like math problems. They were boring to tears. Therefore, it filled me with great joy that there isn’t one of those in sight. Instead, we mostly follow Damien while he navigates Mars politics or investigates the murder.
I found the book enjoyable, though, as have to say that David is almost too rational at times. The way he would let people get away with murder to get to the head of the conspiracy was sometimes a little strange.
At the end of the book, the author introduces a new element. This new storyline could be quite engaging in future installments as he might finally add aliens to the mix. We’ll see.
I am looking forward to the next one.
March 25, 2020
Well worth waiting for so long. There was never a dull moment as the various threads came together. This book went all over the place from a whodunnit to space battles.I never saw what the Mage King had in mind for Damien. Yay! Rosemary what's-her-name's pov has been done away with. Denis and Samara provide better povs anyway.
April 24, 2023
Review of books 8 to 13. I do not think there's any real spoilers but still beware.
I fell into a bit of binge-mode with this series and read books eight to thirteen back to back. Obviously I really like this series. It would probably would have gotten five stars if it was not for one unfortunate thing that really annoys me. We will get to that one later.
The series is a mix of magic and science. Normally that is really difficult to get right and more often than not it sucks. This author got it right, again obviously. The magic does not really screw up the science and overall it works really well. Also, the author has spun together a really nice and rich universe and story around the discovery of magic, human strife and… (drumroll) mysterious aliens.
Just to make it even more interesting the good guys, the Protectorate, are ruled by a monarchy. I quite like stories where, in the future, there a kings and queens instead of a bunch of dumbass politicians screwing things up. Okay, there are a few of those in this series as well but you cannot have everything.
This is a military science fiction series and there are of course space battles, ground battles and, well for the lack of a better word, magical battles and all that. However, it is also a series with a lot of interesting characters, mysteries and some books are more crime and mystery investigations than military action.
Then there are of course a bit of romance as well. You cannot really have kings, queens and princesses in distress without some romance after all.
It is all very well done and no part intrudes on the other. I am especially happy that the romance on politics are not going haywire. Well, there was one of the earlier books where the politicians were up to their usual bullshit, as politicians always are, but it got quickly resolved.
There are plenty of action and it is all well done. The characters are really, really likable. At least the ones on the good side. There are a few twists here and there. Some that I actually did not see coming.
In the last few books the main protagonist changes somewhat from that of Damien Montgomery to his protégé Chambers who, in the last few books, has quite some character development and gets some serious “upgrades”. It is not always it works for me when an author decides to pass on from one character to another in the series. I often end up missing the original character. In this series it works though. Chambers is also a very likable character and Montgomery is still very present even though he is not really the main protagonist anymore in several of the books.
Overall this is one of the best series I have read lately. Maybe not the best ever but definitely the best one I’ve read in the last half year or so.
Unfortunately there is one thing that really annoys me and is really the reason I will not go for five stars. It is this bloody twist where the main protagonist got hurt and lost some of his powers. He is now no longer uber-badass but just badass. For me that was a totally unnecessary twist. What makes it worse is that in every bloody book the author harps about how he lost his runes and can no longer do this and that. It is so annoying.
Without that bullshit this would have been a five star series. Now it is “only” a very solid four star one for me.
I fell into a bit of binge-mode with this series and read books eight to thirteen back to back. Obviously I really like this series. It would probably would have gotten five stars if it was not for one unfortunate thing that really annoys me. We will get to that one later.
The series is a mix of magic and science. Normally that is really difficult to get right and more often than not it sucks. This author got it right, again obviously. The magic does not really screw up the science and overall it works really well. Also, the author has spun together a really nice and rich universe and story around the discovery of magic, human strife and… (drumroll) mysterious aliens.
Just to make it even more interesting the good guys, the Protectorate, are ruled by a monarchy. I quite like stories where, in the future, there a kings and queens instead of a bunch of dumbass politicians screwing things up. Okay, there are a few of those in this series as well but you cannot have everything.
This is a military science fiction series and there are of course space battles, ground battles and, well for the lack of a better word, magical battles and all that. However, it is also a series with a lot of interesting characters, mysteries and some books are more crime and mystery investigations than military action.
Then there are of course a bit of romance as well. You cannot really have kings, queens and princesses in distress without some romance after all.
It is all very well done and no part intrudes on the other. I am especially happy that the romance on politics are not going haywire. Well, there was one of the earlier books where the politicians were up to their usual bullshit, as politicians always are, but it got quickly resolved.
There are plenty of action and it is all well done. The characters are really, really likable. At least the ones on the good side. There are a few twists here and there. Some that I actually did not see coming.
In the last few books the main protagonist changes somewhat from that of Damien Montgomery to his protégé Chambers who, in the last few books, has quite some character development and gets some serious “upgrades”. It is not always it works for me when an author decides to pass on from one character to another in the series. I often end up missing the original character. In this series it works though. Chambers is also a very likable character and Montgomery is still very present even though he is not really the main protagonist anymore in several of the books.
Overall this is one of the best series I have read lately. Maybe not the best ever but definitely the best one I’ve read in the last half year or so.
Unfortunately there is one thing that really annoys me and is really the reason I will not go for five stars. It is this bloody twist where the main protagonist got hurt and lost some of his powers. He is now no longer uber-badass but just badass. For me that was a totally unnecessary twist. What makes it worse is that in every bloody book the author harps about how he lost his runes and can no longer do this and that. It is so annoying.
Without that bullshit this would have been a five star series. Now it is “only” a very solid four star one for me.
April 5, 2020
This is the Eighth book in the ( Starship's Mage book's )
This book was a ROLLER coaster from start to finish in this book the protectorate has lost their king and his heir to treachery the mountain is in chaos and everyone is reeling from this tragedy . Damien is called back to Mars in order to help the kings sixteen year old daughter who now will be the queen of all of the human race . Damien is made the regent as was the diseased kings wishes with the investigation in t to the tragic accident and helping Keira get settled also running the government Damien must find out what really happened too his king and heir . G
This book was a ROLLER coaster from start to finish in this book the protectorate has lost their king and his heir to treachery the mountain is in chaos and everyone is reeling from this tragedy . Damien is called back to Mars in order to help the kings sixteen year old daughter who now will be the queen of all of the human race . Damien is made the regent as was the diseased kings wishes with the investigation in t to the tragic accident and helping Keira get settled also running the government Damien must find out what really happened too his king and heir . G
February 5, 2021
Another consistently entertain read featuring spaceships and magic. This time the novel leans a bit more towards intrigue than military action but still another fun romp.
March 31, 2020
It's brilliantly dark
The Mage universe is even darker than before and it's very tense. The politics are becoming more complex and the naval strength matrix is very interesting. It changes with every victory and defeat as the forces are at near parity in general, while the strategic environment still favored Mars by a wide margin. There's even a threat to a continuation of the Martian Empire.
The shadowy background forces are worthy of a spy novel. The actors and their relationships are all solid. I really like this series and this instalment is a very good addition.
The Mage universe is even darker than before and it's very tense. The politics are becoming more complex and the naval strength matrix is very interesting. It changes with every victory and defeat as the forces are at near parity in general, while the strategic environment still favored Mars by a wide margin. There's even a threat to a continuation of the Martian Empire.
The shadowy background forces are worthy of a spy novel. The actors and their relationships are all solid. I really like this series and this instalment is a very good addition.
March 29, 2020
As always, this series is a great story. I have to admit, I didn't see this one coming, I'm a bit disappointed that I didn't see it as a possibility, but hey, I'm only a reader, and can't predict everything, but still. I'm not sure I like this new offshoot, but it should provide loads of new and interesting adventures to say the least. I'm loving the series though, and I suspect most scifi fans (and even the fantasy folks) will enjoy this one too. If you haven't picked up any books in this series yet, then if you're a fan of spaceships, magic, or spoace travel stories, you definitely should. Looking forward to the next one.
April 1, 2020
like lot this best hybri fantasy science fiction read this serie
March 31, 2020
Good, except
I don't like any book that uses the ''f'' word this much and definitely not when a 16 year old is the one using it. After 4 years in the military I never heard it used this much and it detracts from the story. A VERY misused word anywhere.
I don't like any book that uses the ''f'' word this much and definitely not when a 16 year old is the one using it. After 4 years in the military I never heard it used this much and it detracts from the story. A VERY misused word anywhere.
March 31, 2020
Great series - fantastic author - I read everything he writes because he creates such interesting and compelling characters.
March 29, 2020
Excellent new book
The king is dead, long live the king. Wow what a book finally getting some answers for the mysteries that have been hinted at. Would have like more but the action and political drama always keeps me hooked
The king is dead, long live the king. Wow what a book finally getting some answers for the mysteries that have been hinted at. Would have like more but the action and political drama always keeps me hooked
March 25, 2020
Should be required reading
I read, a lot. Westerns 12 every two days sort of a lot. Glynn Stewart's grasp of plot, character, reveals-- everything--
should be required reading for the sheer elegance and extreme competence of the writing. It takes me at least a day to savor the excellence of the offering
I read, a lot. Westerns 12 every two days sort of a lot. Glynn Stewart's grasp of plot, character, reveals-- everything--
should be required reading for the sheer elegance and extreme competence of the writing. It takes me at least a day to savor the excellence of the offering
March 26, 2020
It was a good addition to the series with big changes taking place although the long arc is still crawling along. I thought the end was a bit abrupt but I wouldn't call it a cliff hanger. It just felt like a longer story that was stopped in the middle. Fortunately the next one comes out in September of this year.
March 28, 2020
Good
A good entry into the book series, I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book released.
A good entry into the book series, I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book released.
March 27, 2020
Great continuation
Really like this series and the characters,and figuring out the larger arc. Can't wait to see, well read, what comes next.
Really like this series and the characters,and figuring out the larger arc. Can't wait to see, well read, what comes next.
March 24, 2020
Wow, beginning in to the story was shocking. The Mage-King of Mars and his heir died unexpectedly, after being killed. Damien Montgomery, story continues on the planet of Mars. His hands are never empty, and his job is always deadly. This book was packed with action and well created storyline. I enjoyed it for the entire time. I'm glad Damien has finally a girlfriend!
March 23, 2020
Great book
Great story and a wonderful continuation of this series. The character are whole and completely fleshed out. The magic and the science are a real treat. This book is a real page turner and hard to put down.
Great story and a wonderful continuation of this series. The character are whole and completely fleshed out. The magic and the science are a real treat. This book is a real page turner and hard to put down.
March 24, 2020
Glynn you've done it again. I can't wait for September.....!!!! Thanks again for bringing these people to life!
March 24, 2020
That was a surprising story plot with shocking start. I will wait for more to come.
March 22, 2020
Won’t disappoint
The board has been set up to be cleared, a huge military complex is built. We can only guess for what. And haven’t what was planted is it a reference to magic or a book on how to “serve humans”
The board has been set up to be cleared, a huge military complex is built. We can only guess for what. And haven’t what was planted is it a reference to magic or a book on how to “serve humans”
March 23, 2020
8/10: Excellent read, well written, fell right into the fictional world created.
“An Alexander must sit the throne at Olympus Mons.”
Another good addition to the series.
“An Alexander must sit the throne at Olympus Mons.”
Another good addition to the series.
March 21, 2020
These books of Damien's adventures just don't last long enough!!
Magic, space opera, and intrigue. Damien continues to astound the reader with insight, ethics, and just plain chutzpah at every turn of the page.
Time zooms by when in this universe as if by magic anticipating the next chapter...
Magic, space opera, and intrigue. Damien continues to astound the reader with insight, ethics, and just plain chutzpah at every turn of the page.
Time zooms by when in this universe as if by magic anticipating the next chapter...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews