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Magebreakers #5
The Mage War
The world is on the verge of war, and only the Magebreakers can stop it. The exciting conclusion to the Magebreakers saga!
The nations of the Continent are on the verge of declaring war with Audland over the actions of the man who would be the next Mage Emperor, and only Tane, Kadka, Indree, and Tinga know the truth about Endo Stooke's plot. The problem is, they're on the run, blamed for the attempted assassination of the Belgrian Kaiser. And the non-magical forces gathering off Audland's coast are the perfect target for the terrible spell Endo has created—a spell that saps the life out of anyone without magic. A spell that won't be sated by foreign armies alone, if it reaches Audish shores.
With few friends to count on, fewer resources, and time quickly running out, the Magebreakers have no choice but to sneak back into their homeland as fugitives in the hopes of stopping Endo before he plunges the world into the next Mage War.
The nations of the Continent are on the verge of declaring war with Audland over the actions of the man who would be the next Mage Emperor, and only Tane, Kadka, Indree, and Tinga know the truth about Endo Stooke's plot. The problem is, they're on the run, blamed for the attempted assassination of the Belgrian Kaiser. And the non-magical forces gathering off Audland's coast are the perfect target for the terrible spell Endo has created—a spell that saps the life out of anyone without magic. A spell that won't be sated by foreign armies alone, if it reaches Audish shores.
With few friends to count on, fewer resources, and time quickly running out, the Magebreakers have no choice but to sneak back into their homeland as fugitives in the hopes of stopping Endo before he plunges the world into the next Mage War.
231 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 21, 2021
179 people are currently reading
172 people want to read
About the author
Ben S. Dobson
9 books185 followersBen S. Dobson is Canadian writer who has achieved nothing of consequence. Many people like him anyway. This is inexplicable.
When he isn't writing fantasy novels, he can be found enjoying many fine, geeky activities. These include playing Dungeons and Dragons, watching Studio Ghibli movies, and playing video games (as long as they have a good storyline and require little to no skill).
You can email him at bensdobson@bensdobson.com, or find him online at these places:
Website: http://bensdobson.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bensdobson
When he isn't writing fantasy novels, he can be found enjoying many fine, geeky activities. These include playing Dungeons and Dragons, watching Studio Ghibli movies, and playing video games (as long as they have a good storyline and require little to no skill).
You can email him at bensdobson@bensdobson.com, or find him online at these places:
Website: http://bensdobson.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bensdobson
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
July 27, 2022
okay
As expected, an okay end to the series. Simple, straightforward, and predictable, but still a fun read. Zero growth over the series. If food, it’d be fast food.
As expected, an okay end to the series. Simple, straightforward, and predictable, but still a fun read. Zero growth over the series. If food, it’d be fast food.
December 13, 2023
Excellent series. Interesting characters and story. It’s a quick easy read. I would definitely recommend this series if you don’t want anything too dark or serious
October 17, 2024
A strong finish to a series that also had a strong start, though for me one or two of the middle books seemed like they were mainly there to get the plot from situation A to situation B, without a lot of tension or development. That's not a problem in this book whatsoever.
There's plenty of tension and action; most of the second half of the book is an extended struggle by the now-ensemble cast against difficult odds, using varied skills and approaches to meet a variety of challenges. In the course of those struggles, they grow and develop as characters and some of their relationships also develop or change. The emotional beats are more than solid - in fact, I was moved at multiple points by the bravery and dedication of the characters and the losses they sustained during their fight for what they believed in. This is a true noblebright book, in which the line between good and evil is the line between people who will accept suffering and loss for the benefit of others, and people who will push suffering and loss onto others for their own benefit.
The worldbuilding, and the way in which the author has conveyed that worldbuilding, is good enough that I predicted multiple times how the characters would solve a problem right before they did so. This is a strength, not a weakness; it shows that the world makes sense and the magic system conforms to Sanderson's First Law.
The characters themselves are distinct and memorable. I read the previous book four years ago, but it didn't take long for me to remember who they all were and how they were connected, a mark of an author who has made his characters feel like people, rather than stereotypes who have roles in a plot. I'm sure the fact that I was listening to the audiobook helped, since the narrator did a good job of distinguishing the voices. His voice for the villain hit just the right note of arrogant, condescending smugness, and the characters who had accents had consistent-sounding accents that were not just Earth accents taken over into a fantasy world; I appreciated that.
Because I listened to the audiobook, I can't comment on the copy editing, though it's been mostly good in the previous books. I did wonder a couple of times if the author was writing "hurtling" when he meant "hurling".
There's very little to criticize here, and plenty to praise. The final book definitely brings a lot of things full circle from the first book, including the original premise of the Magebreakers: that the biggest flaw in magic is the mage, and if you can exploit that, you can defeat an enemy who has magic without having it yourself. I was glad to see it come back, after dropping somewhat out of sight in the middle books while they set things up for this rousing conclusion.
There's plenty of tension and action; most of the second half of the book is an extended struggle by the now-ensemble cast against difficult odds, using varied skills and approaches to meet a variety of challenges. In the course of those struggles, they grow and develop as characters and some of their relationships also develop or change. The emotional beats are more than solid - in fact, I was moved at multiple points by the bravery and dedication of the characters and the losses they sustained during their fight for what they believed in. This is a true noblebright book, in which the line between good and evil is the line between people who will accept suffering and loss for the benefit of others, and people who will push suffering and loss onto others for their own benefit.
The worldbuilding, and the way in which the author has conveyed that worldbuilding, is good enough that I predicted multiple times how the characters would solve a problem right before they did so. This is a strength, not a weakness; it shows that the world makes sense and the magic system conforms to Sanderson's First Law.
The characters themselves are distinct and memorable. I read the previous book four years ago, but it didn't take long for me to remember who they all were and how they were connected, a mark of an author who has made his characters feel like people, rather than stereotypes who have roles in a plot. I'm sure the fact that I was listening to the audiobook helped, since the narrator did a good job of distinguishing the voices. His voice for the villain hit just the right note of arrogant, condescending smugness, and the characters who had accents had consistent-sounding accents that were not just Earth accents taken over into a fantasy world; I appreciated that.
Because I listened to the audiobook, I can't comment on the copy editing, though it's been mostly good in the previous books. I did wonder a couple of times if the author was writing "hurtling" when he meant "hurling".
There's very little to criticize here, and plenty to praise. The final book definitely brings a lot of things full circle from the first book, including the original premise of the Magebreakers: that the biggest flaw in magic is the mage, and if you can exploit that, you can defeat an enemy who has magic without having it yourself. I was glad to see it come back, after dropping somewhat out of sight in the middle books while they set things up for this rousing conclusion.
September 3, 2021
This book and the entire series have been a fun ride. The characters are great and you can see that the author enjoys writing them all, the good, the bad and the evil. The book (and, ultimately, the entire series) is a story about friendship, love, resilience, acceptance. The fantasy background just helps bring them to the forefront. All in all, I have enjoyed the read and, even though the author said the story ends here (for now), I truly hope we read more about Tane and Kadka's new adventures.
January 19, 2024
And so it ends
...or at least pauses for a while until Dobson decides to revisit these characters.
This book was a decent conclusion to the Emperor Mask story arc. The books conclusion worked for Tane and Kadka, out smarty their adversary. That said, it was a rough getting through the book. The last battle started too early and it took several, agonizingly slow chapters before Endo was stopped. Several chapters could have been condensed to a few pages of precise dialogue and described actions. This could have helped with the books pacing, but leave the author short of meeting any obligatory word count.
Overall, i enjoyed series, it had interesting characters, good story arcs, and a fun universe to get lost in, if only for a short while.
...or at least pauses for a while until Dobson decides to revisit these characters.
This book was a decent conclusion to the Emperor Mask story arc. The books conclusion worked for Tane and Kadka, out smarty their adversary. That said, it was a rough getting through the book. The last battle started too early and it took several, agonizingly slow chapters before Endo was stopped. Several chapters could have been condensed to a few pages of precise dialogue and described actions. This could have helped with the books pacing, but leave the author short of meeting any obligatory word count.
Overall, i enjoyed series, it had interesting characters, good story arcs, and a fun universe to get lost in, if only for a short while.
January 7, 2023
Excellent series!
I really enjoyed this series! It had lots of adventure, some mystery, orcs and dragons! Who could ask for more! And magic, of course magic! This last book wraps up all the loose ends and ties it all together. I hope the author decides to visit this world again!
I really enjoyed this series! It had lots of adventure, some mystery, orcs and dragons! Who could ask for more! And magic, of course magic! This last book wraps up all the loose ends and ties it all together. I hope the author decides to visit this world again!
September 21, 2023
Exceptional Series
In a world of magic, our MC has none. He and his partner wrestle with, and accept, their past challenges and, arguably, failures. Still, via personal fortitude, clever alliances, and friendships, they persevere. Well-written and I enjoyed the entire series, immensely. You will, too!
In a world of magic, our MC has none. He and his partner wrestle with, and accept, their past challenges and, arguably, failures. Still, via personal fortitude, clever alliances, and friendships, they persevere. Well-written and I enjoyed the entire series, immensely. You will, too!
July 3, 2021
Very good book
This is fine steampunk fantasy novel. The main pair of protagonists are simply a delight. A pair of low magic beings being the fulcrum of change in which magic world. I anxiously await the sequel.
This is fine steampunk fantasy novel. The main pair of protagonists are simply a delight. A pair of low magic beings being the fulcrum of change in which magic world. I anxiously await the sequel.
July 9, 2021
LOng Live the Magicbreaker!
Wow, I've gone through the entire serie in 2 days time and the action and mysteries just keeps going. In this installment, I'll admit that Iwas feeling pumped for battle myself. The inspiration that were given throughout the whole book. Just amazing.
Wow, I've gone through the entire serie in 2 days time and the action and mysteries just keeps going. In this installment, I'll admit that Iwas feeling pumped for battle myself. The inspiration that were given throughout the whole book. Just amazing.
July 21, 2021
I love it
Great characters, good ending, great series I'm have and sad the series had to end. I hope the rest of the book get an audiobook adaptation because that's how I found the series.
Great characters, good ending, great series I'm have and sad the series had to end. I hope the rest of the book get an audiobook adaptation because that's how I found the series.
May 22, 2022
Excellent series!
First of all, this series needs to be read in order. You need to be able to fully appreciate the unique characters as well as the overarching plot. Even the villain needs understanding, I suppose.
This is a very fun series. I invite you to explore it fully.
First of all, this series needs to be read in order. You need to be able to fully appreciate the unique characters as well as the overarching plot. Even the villain needs understanding, I suppose.
This is a very fun series. I invite you to explore it fully.
January 20, 2023
Last of the series, Oh my!
I cried, laughed, was on the edge of my seat with the last book of the series. Couldn't put it down longer then to get a drink, snack or change my laundry around.
GREAT JOB!!! Excellent work! Glad I could read it.
I cried, laughed, was on the edge of my seat with the last book of the series. Couldn't put it down longer then to get a drink, snack or change my laundry around.
GREAT JOB!!! Excellent work! Glad I could read it.
February 1, 2024
Magical fantasy
The Magebreakers sneak back into Audland on a smugglers ship, still in pursuit of Endo and desperate to find a way to stop him. Things come to a head rapidly and the war is at hand. Every ally is needed and not everyone will survive.
The Magebreakers sneak back into Audland on a smugglers ship, still in pursuit of Endo and desperate to find a way to stop him. Things come to a head rapidly and the war is at hand. Every ally is needed and not everyone will survive.
June 19, 2024
great finale
This series stayed strong and true to it’s story. This an end that closes everything off but leaves room for more. Adventure character growth and dragons are abundant in this book and the whole series.
This series stayed strong and true to it’s story. This an end that closes everything off but leaves room for more. Adventure character growth and dragons are abundant in this book and the whole series.
June 28, 2021
Found family, clever heros, friendship and action. I love it!
July 18, 2021
Fantastic ending to a fantastic series. Dobson is on my insta-buy list!
August 4, 2021
Rather action packed conclusion for the series. For the most part it continues on from the last book full of highs and lows, and I think its an excellent addition to the series.
May 11, 2022
Great Series.
Loved this series of 5 books. Wonderful chapters, with lots of action. I enjoyed reading It very much. Start at the beginning, you will be glad you did.
Loved this series of 5 books. Wonderful chapters, with lots of action. I enjoyed reading It very much. Start at the beginning, you will be glad you did.
June 4, 2022
I enjoyed the whole series and found myself rushing from book to book to read more.
August 8, 2022
Great ending to the series. I'll be reading other Ben S. Dobson books.
November 4, 2022
Overall I enjoyed this series, but found this concluding book to be a bit formulaic and predictable. Despite that, I am hoping that he will write future Magebreaker stories.
March 14, 2023
What cam you say when you finish a series? It went quicker than I wanted,the characters were vibrant and will stay in my head far longer than it took to read.
June 13, 2023
Couldn’t put the series down!
Great ending and a fun quick moving series! Read the whole series in less than a week. Maybe I will get something else done now.
Great ending and a fun quick moving series! Read the whole series in less than a week. Maybe I will get something else done now.
October 16, 2023
I really liked this series
February 28, 2024
Nice action packed conclusion to the series.
July 9, 2024
Great to the end
Keep reading if you like dragons and magic and love and family. This is a beautiful story that is well written.
Keep reading if you like dragons and magic and love and family. This is a beautiful story that is well written.
July 9, 2024
A solid ending to the Magebreakers saga. I hope to see more from them in the future!
October 28, 2024
The best fantasy seriesI have read in a long time!
March 4, 2025
While it was still a decent addition (and certainly conclusion) to the series, this was a bit of a slog.
April 25, 2025
It was fine. It tied up the earlier books. It inherited all the things that annoyed me from the earlier books too. 2.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews