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Mystic Reborn
Some paths are meant to be walked alone.
Mystic Reborn is the continuation of Paladin Unbound, the
award-winning start of the Archives of Evelium.
After embracing his destiny as the last of the Paladins, Umhra
the Peacebreaker is granted ancient powers by the gods. When
he returns to the ruins of Antiikin to fulfill a promise, he
embarks on a journey that will push the limits of his abilities.
As the Grey Queen’s arrival heralds the fulfillment of a
prophecy that could mean the end of humanity, the kingdom
of Evelium desperately needs a hero. Can Umhra once more
rise to the challenge and save mankind from annihilation?
Mystic Reborn is the continuation of Paladin Unbound, the
award-winning start of the Archives of Evelium.
After embracing his destiny as the last of the Paladins, Umhra
the Peacebreaker is granted ancient powers by the gods. When
he returns to the ruins of Antiikin to fulfill a promise, he
embarks on a journey that will push the limits of his abilities.
As the Grey Queen’s arrival heralds the fulfillment of a
prophecy that could mean the end of humanity, the kingdom
of Evelium desperately needs a hero. Can Umhra once more
rise to the challenge and save mankind from annihilation?
- GenresFantasy
414 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2023
1 person is currently reading
57 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 14, 2023
Original review posted on my blog Out of This World SFF:
https://outofthisworldrev.blogspot.co...
This follow up to the incredibly fun D&D style Paladin Unbound is a wonderful continuation of the Archives of Evelium universe. I found myself blowing through 300 pages this weekend because I seriously could not put the book down, I was so sucked into this story. I think I liked MYSTIC REBORN even better than the first book because it feels like Speight has really found his voice in this one. Umhra especially has obviously been transformed through his actions and experiences in book one and he's much more comfortable in his own skin so to speak.
The adventure aspect of the story truly kept the narrative moving at a brisk pace, which further enhanced my enjoyment. I'm not a huge fan of books that take a long time to get going and I often grow impatient if I'm a third of the way in and I'm still being fed setup. But no worries here as MYSTIC REBORN starts off with a bang and doesn't slow down for even a second of it's 400+ page length. So if you enjoy books that move fast and pack a big punch, you will find much to savor here.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the giddy nostalgia I feel when I read these books. As someone who cut his teeth on the books of R.A. Salvatore, Margaret Weis, and Tracy Hickman, both Paladin Unbound and now its sequel bring me back to those early days of wonder as I was just discovering how great fantasy books were. There's something to be said for books that make you feel a certain comfort level while entertaining the heck out of you and Speight does both for me in equal measure.
I have come to love this magical world with its fantastic inhabitants of frost giants, orcs, sorcerers, golems, heroes, and heroines. There's so much packed into this one and Speight takes us all over the map of Evelium in the process. From the decrepit fallen ruins of Antiikin, to the legendary gathering place of gods Ember's Watch, through the frigid ice lands of The Bite, to the cold unforgiving northern city of Oda Norde, this is a mesmerizing trek through some of the most treacherous and mystical lands imaginable. And that's a huge part of the fun of MYSTIC REBORN, not only do we get a great story but we also get the bonus of a tour of these amazing places along the way through Speight's vivid descriptions.
Jeffrey Speight has done it again with MYSTIC REBORN. He's delivered one of the most entertaining and enjoyable fantasy books and continues to expand on his utterly brilliant world of Evelium. If you appreciate your fantasy with a bit of D&D flair, you should absolutely be reading this series. I had a ton of fun reading this and I can't wait to see where Speight takes us next in this highly evocative and inspired world.
https://outofthisworldrev.blogspot.co...
This follow up to the incredibly fun D&D style Paladin Unbound is a wonderful continuation of the Archives of Evelium universe. I found myself blowing through 300 pages this weekend because I seriously could not put the book down, I was so sucked into this story. I think I liked MYSTIC REBORN even better than the first book because it feels like Speight has really found his voice in this one. Umhra especially has obviously been transformed through his actions and experiences in book one and he's much more comfortable in his own skin so to speak.
The adventure aspect of the story truly kept the narrative moving at a brisk pace, which further enhanced my enjoyment. I'm not a huge fan of books that take a long time to get going and I often grow impatient if I'm a third of the way in and I'm still being fed setup. But no worries here as MYSTIC REBORN starts off with a bang and doesn't slow down for even a second of it's 400+ page length. So if you enjoy books that move fast and pack a big punch, you will find much to savor here.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the giddy nostalgia I feel when I read these books. As someone who cut his teeth on the books of R.A. Salvatore, Margaret Weis, and Tracy Hickman, both Paladin Unbound and now its sequel bring me back to those early days of wonder as I was just discovering how great fantasy books were. There's something to be said for books that make you feel a certain comfort level while entertaining the heck out of you and Speight does both for me in equal measure.
I have come to love this magical world with its fantastic inhabitants of frost giants, orcs, sorcerers, golems, heroes, and heroines. There's so much packed into this one and Speight takes us all over the map of Evelium in the process. From the decrepit fallen ruins of Antiikin, to the legendary gathering place of gods Ember's Watch, through the frigid ice lands of The Bite, to the cold unforgiving northern city of Oda Norde, this is a mesmerizing trek through some of the most treacherous and mystical lands imaginable. And that's a huge part of the fun of MYSTIC REBORN, not only do we get a great story but we also get the bonus of a tour of these amazing places along the way through Speight's vivid descriptions.
Jeffrey Speight has done it again with MYSTIC REBORN. He's delivered one of the most entertaining and enjoyable fantasy books and continues to expand on his utterly brilliant world of Evelium. If you appreciate your fantasy with a bit of D&D flair, you should absolutely be reading this series. I had a ton of fun reading this and I can't wait to see where Speight takes us next in this highly evocative and inspired world.
March 22, 2023
Mystic Reborn takes everything from Paladin Unbound and just makes it even greater. The stakes seem deeper, the characters have more depth, and we get to see more of the political side of the world of Evangelium. I thoroughly enjoyed my time returning to this world and was able to see a depth to all of the characters that I had been hoping for. It is layered in complexities that will keep a reader turning pages and wanting to know what will happen with the group that we came to enjoy throughout the first book.
The strength of the novel was the characters that are throughout the novel. There are several that will be favorites for many and it is great to see another side of them as they go throughout their lives and the adventure that they are thrust into because of the history of the world. I liked the setup that was taken in order to create the air of mystery, especially as it surrounded a new character. The chivalry that is shown from all characters is great, but can make it a little hard to keep track of some of the side characters when they are all so formally introduced. This does add to the depth of the world in a new and unique way.
The Tales of Evelium are great fun and intriguing stories of adventure. The paladin has returned to the world and is a hero that everyone will cheer for, with his new and great powers!! The political aspect of the kingdom was great and was one of my favorite aspects of this new novel. It was great to see the author take some great new twists that allowed the story to be more intriguing and allow for the complexities of the characters to really come to life. I continue to look forward to all of the tales of Evelium that we are allowed to discover!
Thank you for taking the time to read my review. As always, happy reading and Stay Great!!
Disclaimer: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
https://escapistbookcompany.com/2023/...
The strength of the novel was the characters that are throughout the novel. There are several that will be favorites for many and it is great to see another side of them as they go throughout their lives and the adventure that they are thrust into because of the history of the world. I liked the setup that was taken in order to create the air of mystery, especially as it surrounded a new character. The chivalry that is shown from all characters is great, but can make it a little hard to keep track of some of the side characters when they are all so formally introduced. This does add to the depth of the world in a new and unique way.
The Tales of Evelium are great fun and intriguing stories of adventure. The paladin has returned to the world and is a hero that everyone will cheer for, with his new and great powers!! The political aspect of the kingdom was great and was one of my favorite aspects of this new novel. It was great to see the author take some great new twists that allowed the story to be more intriguing and allow for the complexities of the characters to really come to life. I continue to look forward to all of the tales of Evelium that we are allowed to discover!
Thank you for taking the time to read my review. As always, happy reading and Stay Great!!
Disclaimer: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
https://escapistbookcompany.com/2023/...
December 27, 2022
Review to come closer to launch :)
January 29, 2025
What had once started as a D&D campaign turned into a novel has now become an epic tale involving gods, prophecies, magic, and the fate of the world. The buildup is all there for the finale which I plan on reading very soon. Cheers!
April 22, 2023
What a joy it was to return to The Archives of Evelium. Paladin Unbound was incredibly fun book, which I loved both as a fantasy reader and a D&D player, and I have to admit I had high expectations for this book – and oh boy, Mystic Reborn did not disappoint. There is no second book hesitation here, Mystic Reborn knew exactly what it was doing and where it was going from the moment it exploded out of the starting box, and it doesn’t let up for the entire ride, and this was a book that I struggled to put down (not that I wanted to). And what a ride! Everything that I loved about the first outing in this world – from the worldbuilding, to the characters, and the action are all here, but on a whole other level.
Firstly though – THE MAPS. I loved the map of Evelium in Paladin Unbound, but now we have two maps – by the amazing Thomas Rey – and we get to see the true scope of this world that Speight has created, and we need that insight in this book, because people and events are on the move, and in Mystic Reborn we get a true sense of the scale of the story that Speight is out to tell us. Both in terms of geography, but also in terms of the fate of the world – and how every action and choice have an impact; and the maps help to ground that, to let us look at these places, and the paths the characters are taking and see it all come together.
One of my favourite aspects of this series has always been the worldbuilding, and we see that expand greatly in Mystic Reborn – and one part of that is because of the world opening up as the characters take different paths, even going so far as to split the party (Speight how could you?!), and we get to learn about the world through their interactions and experiences. I love how organic that learning is, and its one of the reasons why those diverting storylines work so well, because we get to experience the world with the characters rather than through those dreaded info-dumps, and it works especially well here in a full-throttle book. We also have the wonderful chapter epigraphs, which add in pieces of lore from various sources throughout the book and is one of my favourite ways of having layers added to a world.
Within the ~400 pages of the adventure, we are taken on a tour of Evelium and here we really get both that feeling of a classic fantasy, D&D campaign, but also a real sense of the author’s love of this world. We get to crawl through ancient ruins, travel through freezing lands and even stand in the footsteps of Gods, and all of it is brought to life with some of the amazingly, vivid descriptions that will have you feeling as though you are stood right there. Building that on top of the organically expanding world, and Evelium has well and truly become a character in it’s own right, this world lives and breathes, it feels the impact of events past and current, and is continually in motion.
And then there are its denizens from the characters that flood the pages, to the many fantastical creatures that inhabit this world from frost giants and orcs, to wyverns and Fae Hobbs, and one of my favourites… Tursas.
‘The swell erupted. A monstrosity with a dozen tentacles protruding from a teal whalelike body burst through the sea’s turbulent surface. It was covered in white scars, each a testimony to the battles it had survived.’
We also get to learn more about the Mystics, and the new powers that Umhra has gained. One aspect that I liked about this, and one that is prevalent throughout the entire book is consequences. Here we see the impact of the events from the first book, that have shaped Umhra to this point – a far cry from the mercenary that we first met, and now we see that shaping his current path, and how he grows throughout the course of Mystic Reborn.
Which leads me nicely to the characters. Umhra remains my favourite, he’s still to my mind an unexpected main character but a wonderful one, and Speight’s characterisation is spot on with him. As I’ve said, that we can see the impact of what he’s been through, and what he’s become on his character is brilliant, and Speight has a deft hand at keeping Umhra true to himself while reflecting those changes. In Mystic Reborn it feels as though both Umhra and the author have really come into their own – perhaps hand in hand. We also get the feeling of Umhra really stepping into his role, from his efforts to learn about his powers and the mystics, even when it takes him down dangerous paths where his companions can’t follow; to then becoming a hero he probably never expected to be, when he finds himself against much greater threats. There is very much the feel of a classic hero’s story, and yet in an utterly modern way – yes fate is playing a hand here – but Umhra is a character with great growth and agency, and Speight allows us to see that, and creates a believable and gripping character arc.
The diverging storylines, at least for part of the book, meant that while Umhra and his story remain the main story and the long term arc, other characters had the chance to steal the limelight. We get the return of the Barrow’s Pact, also changed and shaped by the events of the first book – and facing new perils in this book, and I love that though the stakes are different, they felt no less real or important than what Umhra was facing; it was also great to see the bonds remain, even during the times they were apart.
Then there was Alessa and Talus, whose storyline was possibly one of my favourites. And while it took me a little while to warm to Talus, by the end he was probably one of my favourite – non-Umhra – characters in this book, again because of the development that Speight takes him through but also his personality and his attitude to what he was facing. (I also had to laugh when he was contemplating his odds against an entire ship’s crew).
Also…a personal favourite, for so many reasons is Forsetae (I just love a good sentient sword).
‘Ah. My final resting place. You intend to return me to these halls of the dead. The sword’s voice resonated in Umhra’s mind.
I intend to keep my promise. I have no desire to lose you as my companion, Umhra said.’
Mystic Reborn saw a ramping up of all elements, and we get to see that even more when the diverging storylines are reunited, and it really makes that splitting of the party worth it. Speight really has reached the next level with all elements of this book, it was a hugely entertaining read that swept me along from start to finish, with vivid, beautiful descriptions, epic flowing battle scenes, and intimate character moments that kept the stakes ever present and relatable. We get to live and breathe this world, to feel the perils and the fact that this world is a narrow knife’s edge. While the crescendo of this book was breath-taking and surprising and have left me with a dire need for the next book, and I was sad to reach the final page.
Mystic Reborn definitely saw both the author and the series really hitting its stride, without losing that core feeling of classic fantasy made modern, and of being caught up in a chaotic (are there any other kind?) D&D campaign – right down to shouting at the characters not to split the party. Paladin Unbound set the foundation, and Mystic Reborn has built a vast, sprawling world and story, filled with peril and fate on that foundation, without losing the power and charm that lies at the heart of this story. A hugely entertaining read that I will return to again, as it is perfect to scratch that classic fantasy and D&D itch all at once, and with characters that take your hand and haul you headfirst into their stories, and I can’t wait to see where Speight takes them and us next.
Firstly though – THE MAPS. I loved the map of Evelium in Paladin Unbound, but now we have two maps – by the amazing Thomas Rey – and we get to see the true scope of this world that Speight has created, and we need that insight in this book, because people and events are on the move, and in Mystic Reborn we get a true sense of the scale of the story that Speight is out to tell us. Both in terms of geography, but also in terms of the fate of the world – and how every action and choice have an impact; and the maps help to ground that, to let us look at these places, and the paths the characters are taking and see it all come together.
One of my favourite aspects of this series has always been the worldbuilding, and we see that expand greatly in Mystic Reborn – and one part of that is because of the world opening up as the characters take different paths, even going so far as to split the party (Speight how could you?!), and we get to learn about the world through their interactions and experiences. I love how organic that learning is, and its one of the reasons why those diverting storylines work so well, because we get to experience the world with the characters rather than through those dreaded info-dumps, and it works especially well here in a full-throttle book. We also have the wonderful chapter epigraphs, which add in pieces of lore from various sources throughout the book and is one of my favourite ways of having layers added to a world.
Within the ~400 pages of the adventure, we are taken on a tour of Evelium and here we really get both that feeling of a classic fantasy, D&D campaign, but also a real sense of the author’s love of this world. We get to crawl through ancient ruins, travel through freezing lands and even stand in the footsteps of Gods, and all of it is brought to life with some of the amazingly, vivid descriptions that will have you feeling as though you are stood right there. Building that on top of the organically expanding world, and Evelium has well and truly become a character in it’s own right, this world lives and breathes, it feels the impact of events past and current, and is continually in motion.
And then there are its denizens from the characters that flood the pages, to the many fantastical creatures that inhabit this world from frost giants and orcs, to wyverns and Fae Hobbs, and one of my favourites… Tursas.
‘The swell erupted. A monstrosity with a dozen tentacles protruding from a teal whalelike body burst through the sea’s turbulent surface. It was covered in white scars, each a testimony to the battles it had survived.’
We also get to learn more about the Mystics, and the new powers that Umhra has gained. One aspect that I liked about this, and one that is prevalent throughout the entire book is consequences. Here we see the impact of the events from the first book, that have shaped Umhra to this point – a far cry from the mercenary that we first met, and now we see that shaping his current path, and how he grows throughout the course of Mystic Reborn.
Which leads me nicely to the characters. Umhra remains my favourite, he’s still to my mind an unexpected main character but a wonderful one, and Speight’s characterisation is spot on with him. As I’ve said, that we can see the impact of what he’s been through, and what he’s become on his character is brilliant, and Speight has a deft hand at keeping Umhra true to himself while reflecting those changes. In Mystic Reborn it feels as though both Umhra and the author have really come into their own – perhaps hand in hand. We also get the feeling of Umhra really stepping into his role, from his efforts to learn about his powers and the mystics, even when it takes him down dangerous paths where his companions can’t follow; to then becoming a hero he probably never expected to be, when he finds himself against much greater threats. There is very much the feel of a classic hero’s story, and yet in an utterly modern way – yes fate is playing a hand here – but Umhra is a character with great growth and agency, and Speight allows us to see that, and creates a believable and gripping character arc.
The diverging storylines, at least for part of the book, meant that while Umhra and his story remain the main story and the long term arc, other characters had the chance to steal the limelight. We get the return of the Barrow’s Pact, also changed and shaped by the events of the first book – and facing new perils in this book, and I love that though the stakes are different, they felt no less real or important than what Umhra was facing; it was also great to see the bonds remain, even during the times they were apart.
Then there was Alessa and Talus, whose storyline was possibly one of my favourites. And while it took me a little while to warm to Talus, by the end he was probably one of my favourite – non-Umhra – characters in this book, again because of the development that Speight takes him through but also his personality and his attitude to what he was facing. (I also had to laugh when he was contemplating his odds against an entire ship’s crew).
Also…a personal favourite, for so many reasons is Forsetae (I just love a good sentient sword).
‘Ah. My final resting place. You intend to return me to these halls of the dead. The sword’s voice resonated in Umhra’s mind.
I intend to keep my promise. I have no desire to lose you as my companion, Umhra said.’
Mystic Reborn saw a ramping up of all elements, and we get to see that even more when the diverging storylines are reunited, and it really makes that splitting of the party worth it. Speight really has reached the next level with all elements of this book, it was a hugely entertaining read that swept me along from start to finish, with vivid, beautiful descriptions, epic flowing battle scenes, and intimate character moments that kept the stakes ever present and relatable. We get to live and breathe this world, to feel the perils and the fact that this world is a narrow knife’s edge. While the crescendo of this book was breath-taking and surprising and have left me with a dire need for the next book, and I was sad to reach the final page.
Mystic Reborn definitely saw both the author and the series really hitting its stride, without losing that core feeling of classic fantasy made modern, and of being caught up in a chaotic (are there any other kind?) D&D campaign – right down to shouting at the characters not to split the party. Paladin Unbound set the foundation, and Mystic Reborn has built a vast, sprawling world and story, filled with peril and fate on that foundation, without losing the power and charm that lies at the heart of this story. A hugely entertaining read that I will return to again, as it is perfect to scratch that classic fantasy and D&D itch all at once, and with characters that take your hand and haul you headfirst into their stories, and I can’t wait to see where Speight takes them and us next.
May 17, 2023
Aaaaah, just what the doctor ordered, a new book from Jeff Speight, and let me tell you, it's proper dim sum.
Mystic Reborn is another enjoyable entry in the Archives of Elevium and the tales of the half orc Umhra.
This time Umhra is learning a bit more about himself and his powers with the aid of legendary mystic Spara.
Meanwhile, The Barrows Pact are dragged into a plot that will see the catastrophic prophecy of the Grey Queen coming to fruition.
I found this second book to be much more accomplished than the first book. While I thoroughly enjoyed the adventure on the first book, Mystic Reborn just feels to have more depth and scope to the story. We get to see more of the world of Elevium and get a deeper understanding of world as whole.
It still maintains that D&D feel to it and it does remind me of Ed Greenwood in many ways.
As usual, the book is chock full of adventure and intrigue. I must say I particularly enjoyed the Grey Queen prophecy, and Jeff Speight builds this aspect of the story extremely well.
The book is chock full of plots and subplots, and Jeff Speight manages to fit so much into this story, the book simply romps along at a lightning pace.
In this book, Umhra spends quite a while away from The Barrows Pact learning about himself and his powers. As he moves through the world growing his powers you wonder how it is all going to work out, however, with Umhra being a bit on his own, it did give the story that greater depth as it showed more of the mythology surrounding his rise to mystichood and the world as a whole.
It was great to be in Elevium again. These books are a ton of fun and they just make me happy. I raced through this book and found it to be thoroughly enjoyable
Mystic Reborn is another enjoyable entry in the Archives of Elevium and the tales of the half orc Umhra.
This time Umhra is learning a bit more about himself and his powers with the aid of legendary mystic Spara.
Meanwhile, The Barrows Pact are dragged into a plot that will see the catastrophic prophecy of the Grey Queen coming to fruition.
I found this second book to be much more accomplished than the first book. While I thoroughly enjoyed the adventure on the first book, Mystic Reborn just feels to have more depth and scope to the story. We get to see more of the world of Elevium and get a deeper understanding of world as whole.
It still maintains that D&D feel to it and it does remind me of Ed Greenwood in many ways.
As usual, the book is chock full of adventure and intrigue. I must say I particularly enjoyed the Grey Queen prophecy, and Jeff Speight builds this aspect of the story extremely well.
The book is chock full of plots and subplots, and Jeff Speight manages to fit so much into this story, the book simply romps along at a lightning pace.
In this book, Umhra spends quite a while away from The Barrows Pact learning about himself and his powers. As he moves through the world growing his powers you wonder how it is all going to work out, however, with Umhra being a bit on his own, it did give the story that greater depth as it showed more of the mythology surrounding his rise to mystichood and the world as a whole.
It was great to be in Elevium again. These books are a ton of fun and they just make me happy. I raced through this book and found it to be thoroughly enjoyable
April 11, 2023
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For more reviews, go to: https://wolfmantula.com/recent-posts/
MY ⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5
FORMAT: Advanced Reader Copy
🚨 I received an advanced reader copy, provided by the author for an honest review. 🚨 This did not impact my rating in any way.
Where to start… After reading Paladin Unbound last year, I fell in love with this world that Speight has created, which is inspired by Dungeons and Dragons. And though I may have never actually played D&D, I feel like I have after being in this world of his. I had so much fun reading this, that once I was able to get some good sit-down time, I knocked out 48% in 2 days because I couldn’t get enough of it. Mystic Reborn soars above its predecessor, Paladin Unbound, in every way.
It’s a fast-paced, action packed, thrill-ride, filled with pirates, wyverns, dragons, giant guardians, and so much more! Just when you think the action was going to slow down, something else happens and will keep your eyes on the page even longer. Speight did such a fantastic job of setting every scene and making me feel like I was there with the characters going through what they went through. Speaking of that, I really have to say, Kalmindon sounds like such a beautiful place! When he went through that detail I was lost in my own head imagining how awesome it was. There also seems to be a bit of Greek-like inspired mythology with its petty gods squabbling with each other, caring only for themselves and not actually flawless like we’ve come to believe. Maybe it’s not inspired by that, but as a Greek mythos lover, I saw some similarities.
“Your loss is transient, like the passing of the seasons. As, in the depths of winter, one longs for spring, death eventually blooms for us all and we once more long for the frigid sting of life.”
I really enjoyed getting to know these characters even more, this time around. Uhmra is such a wonderful character and it’s impossible to not to like him. The dynamic between Alessa and Talus was great, and though I love Uhmra, Talus grew on me more and more as the story progressed. Jeff just does a wonderful job with these characters, but I will say this, without being too spoilery. There was one part where something happens to a character and then the next chapter it’s kinda undone. I felt like the second part could’ve been saved for the next book for a stronger effect. Back on to some good stuff, I LOVED the smaller chapters because it made it easier to find stopping points when I was winding down for the day, instead of stopping mid-chapter, I knew I could just make it to the end of it instead.
All in all, this was a fantastic character driven sequel with exhilarating action scenes, and part of an underrated series that I think more people need to jump into asap. If not for the one thing I am certain I would’ve graded this with a 5/5.
For more reviews, go to: https://wolfmantula.com/recent-posts/
MY ⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5
FORMAT: Advanced Reader Copy
🚨 I received an advanced reader copy, provided by the author for an honest review. 🚨 This did not impact my rating in any way.
Where to start… After reading Paladin Unbound last year, I fell in love with this world that Speight has created, which is inspired by Dungeons and Dragons. And though I may have never actually played D&D, I feel like I have after being in this world of his. I had so much fun reading this, that once I was able to get some good sit-down time, I knocked out 48% in 2 days because I couldn’t get enough of it. Mystic Reborn soars above its predecessor, Paladin Unbound, in every way.
It’s a fast-paced, action packed, thrill-ride, filled with pirates, wyverns, dragons, giant guardians, and so much more! Just when you think the action was going to slow down, something else happens and will keep your eyes on the page even longer. Speight did such a fantastic job of setting every scene and making me feel like I was there with the characters going through what they went through. Speaking of that, I really have to say, Kalmindon sounds like such a beautiful place! When he went through that detail I was lost in my own head imagining how awesome it was. There also seems to be a bit of Greek-like inspired mythology with its petty gods squabbling with each other, caring only for themselves and not actually flawless like we’ve come to believe. Maybe it’s not inspired by that, but as a Greek mythos lover, I saw some similarities.
“Your loss is transient, like the passing of the seasons. As, in the depths of winter, one longs for spring, death eventually blooms for us all and we once more long for the frigid sting of life.”
I really enjoyed getting to know these characters even more, this time around. Uhmra is such a wonderful character and it’s impossible to not to like him. The dynamic between Alessa and Talus was great, and though I love Uhmra, Talus grew on me more and more as the story progressed. Jeff just does a wonderful job with these characters, but I will say this, without being too spoilery. There was one part where something happens to a character and then the next chapter it’s kinda undone. I felt like the second part could’ve been saved for the next book for a stronger effect. Back on to some good stuff, I LOVED the smaller chapters because it made it easier to find stopping points when I was winding down for the day, instead of stopping mid-chapter, I knew I could just make it to the end of it instead.
All in all, this was a fantastic character driven sequel with exhilarating action scenes, and part of an underrated series that I think more people need to jump into asap. If not for the one thing I am certain I would’ve graded this with a 5/5.
May 11, 2023
What a great follow-up to PALADIN UNBOUND. A great sequel for me increases the depth of a tale and its settings and this book delivers. The cast of characters, the world, and integrated plot lines expand on Book 1 and introduce new content. So much imagination and creativity is in MYSTIC REBORN it makes for a far-reaching and solid fantasy adventure circulating around the mystical abilities of our familiar Paladin half orc, Umhra.
Evelium feels like a REALM in this book and I ate it up. Speight really "spread his wings" with this sequel - we travel to the depths of the oceans to the height of the skies, and levels of influence cross from Gods to mortals and others besides. Great action and characters, and great to be back with Umhra (and his amazing sword) as well as a bunch of suspenseful subplots. Much of it read as very cinematic to me, especially the battles, and I really liked the balance between God-driven/guided character plots and the more "vernacular" on-the-run parts of the storyline. Highly rec!
Evelium feels like a REALM in this book and I ate it up. Speight really "spread his wings" with this sequel - we travel to the depths of the oceans to the height of the skies, and levels of influence cross from Gods to mortals and others besides. Great action and characters, and great to be back with Umhra (and his amazing sword) as well as a bunch of suspenseful subplots. Much of it read as very cinematic to me, especially the battles, and I really liked the balance between God-driven/guided character plots and the more "vernacular" on-the-run parts of the storyline. Highly rec!
May 22, 2023
I had been eagerly anticipating this sequel to Paladin Unbound. To say my expectations were high would be an understatement. I'm thrilled to say that Mystic Reborn does not disappoint. It felt so good coming back to Evelium. Jeffrey Speight has such a talent for writing stories that are just so fun to read. I had a smile on my face throughout this entire book. Speight has really hit his stride with his characters and world that are both so compelling. The story is told with a confidence and focus that is a delight to read. He improved on almost every aspect from the first book in all the right ways. And that's saying a lot considering how much I loved Paladin Unbound. If you are looking for a fantastic D&D inspired series with a great story, interesting world and loveable characters, look no further. Knowledge of D&D is not required. I wholeheartedly recommend this series.
April 9, 2023
Everything that I loved from Mystic Reborn's predecessor, Paladin Unbound, has been ramped up. Umhra is back, as is The Barrow's Pact, but they now face much greater and ancient enemies.
Jeff Speight has taken the epic fantasy genre and made it so accessible. The smaller chapter structure allowed for a lot of substantial plot development to take place and to make this an easy pick up and put down book. The battles are flawless. The plot twists and treachery are deftly done. This is a serious must-read.
The worst part of this book? That moment I realised there was going to be a sequel I have to wait to read!
Jeff Speight has taken the epic fantasy genre and made it so accessible. The smaller chapter structure allowed for a lot of substantial plot development to take place and to make this an easy pick up and put down book. The battles are flawless. The plot twists and treachery are deftly done. This is a serious must-read.
The worst part of this book? That moment I realised there was going to be a sequel I have to wait to read!
April 3, 2023
Even though I wanted more Umhra and Nicholas moments cause I love their friendship and there wasn’t more than one, this book was awesome and I waited so long for it. So much action and emotion, it doesn’t slow down one bit. I finished the whole book in one day. I need another one asap and I need Umhra to reunite with his friends!
March 4, 2023
This review is for an arc provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
They have not seen this,so my thoughts are my own.
Jeff has really improved as an author in his sequel.
His prose just transport you to where he intends you to go
An intense character driven story he has became known for is improved upon further and raises the stakes and then some!!
I honestly cannot wait for the third book!!
They have not seen this,so my thoughts are my own.
Jeff has really improved as an author in his sequel.
His prose just transport you to where he intends you to go
An intense character driven story he has became known for is improved upon further and raises the stakes and then some!!
I honestly cannot wait for the third book!!
September 17, 2023
Once again, Jeffrey Speight brings me into a world full of magic and mystery. If you enjoy DND inspired stories then you will enjoy this world! I love the characters and felt as though there was more character development and wide story arcs within this book and I cannot wait until the next book comes out!
May 22, 2023
I had been eagerly anticipating this sequel to Paladin Unbound. To say my expectations were high would be an understatement. I'm thrilled to say that Mystic Reborn does not disappoint. It felt so good coming back to Evelium. Jeffrey Speight has such a talent for writing stories that are just so fun to read. I had a smile on my face throughout this entire book. Speight has really hit his stride with his characters and world that are both so compelling. The story is told with a confidence and focus that is a delight to read. He improved on almost every aspect from the first book in all the right ways. And that's saying a lot considering how much I loved Paladin Unbound. If you are looking for a fantastic D&D inspired series with a great story, interesting world and loveable characters, look no further. Knowledge of D&D is not required. I wholeheartedly recommend this series.
July 14, 2023
WOW!!!!! I loved book 1 Paladin Unbound, but this one takes everything to a whole other level...the story had me hooked from the beginning and the character development was perfect. I am so intrigued by where this series is heading.... JeffferySpeight. Has truly outdone himself with Mystic Reborn and i cant wait to continue this series...love it love it love it
June 17, 2023
Awesome sequel
I very much enjoyed Mystic Reborn, as Umhra learned to use his powers, and his friends protect the leaders of the kingdom. The revelation of the Gray Queen is quite interesting as well, and I look forward to seeing what happens next.
I very much enjoyed Mystic Reborn, as Umhra learned to use his powers, and his friends protect the leaders of the kingdom. The revelation of the Gray Queen is quite interesting as well, and I look forward to seeing what happens next.
September 20, 2023
This book is an amazing DnD session! The whole party is there: magical princess that needs protection (kind of) and we even have a wizard in the troop now! I love wizards! And did I mention the dragons? I won’t give it away, but if you crave fast paced adventure with heroic characters then you need to read Paladin Unbound and Mystic Reborn!
March 10, 2024
Amazing story line and magic system i really really loved it.
May 8, 2023
Mystic Reborn continues with Umra the Peacebreaker’s adventures after the end of Paladin Unbound. Adventure being the key word here. No one does adventure quite like Jeffrey Speight, his mind for unique and interesting encounters between heroes and villains or monsters are second to none. His D&D experience always shines through in his narrative as Umra rescues an immortal Mystic named Spara to teach him how to use his new powers as a Demi-god.
Bolstering the narrative is a cloak-and-dagger political intrigue plot involving Umra’s party, the Barrow’s Pact. It all makes for a fun read that ends in some fantastic climactic action.
Bolstering the narrative is a cloak-and-dagger political intrigue plot involving Umra’s party, the Barrow’s Pact. It all makes for a fun read that ends in some fantastic climactic action.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2023
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Mystic Reborn will be available on April 1st.
Mystic Reborn is a sequel to Paladin Unbound so there might be some light spoilers. You really should read Paladin Unbound if you haven’t yet, but I’ll do my best to keep any spoilers to a minimum.
I loved Paladin Unbound and the world Jeffrey Speight had created, so I went into the sequel with ridiculously high expectations. I was not disappointed. Mystic Reborn continues a series that is a masterpiece of epic fantasy. As with Paladin Unbound, I found myself completely drawn in by the story and characters.
The group has been split (I know all TTRPG players are yelling “Never split the party!” at this point), and this decision allowed for both interesting character development and an expansion on both the lore and world itself, without ever becoming an info dump. Seeing the seemingly disparate threads of narrative eventually weave into one was a pleasure.
In this book, Umhra goes where the others can’t follow, in search of the last mystic and knowledge regarding his new powers. As is often the case with heroes, he gets far more than he bargained for. A truth-seeking journey becomes a desperate attempt to save Evelium. I was wondering how on earth he would manage it and if it was even possible, which is always a good place to be in a fantasy novel. The way his character grows and the decisions he makes are both smart and believable. The fact that he’s also encountering some of the most unique (and in some cases, skin-shivering) creatures I’ve come across just makes his parts of the book even more compelling.
While the others deal with far different challenges, they were no less dangerous or engrossing. In fact, they were in just as much danger both physically and morally. One of the characters (I won’t say who for fear of spoiling anything) discovered that someone they trusted had taken deplorable actions. I really felt for this character as he tried to come to terms with his newfound knowledge. Seeing his choices despite (or maybe because) of this letdown was a fascinating experience.
Different characters took center stage throughout the book. Shadow was a favorite in Paladin Unbound, but in Mystic Reborn it was Talus who stole the show for me. The things he dealt with and the way his character developed because of them were astounding. He found himself in several sticky situations (to say the least), but they drove the narrative. In fact, in some ways Umhra’s story arc opened up the world more, while the others served to further the events of this sequel. I guess you could say that Umhra’s storyline is playing the long game.
When the separate storylines became a whole, the book ramped up even more, racing with breathtaking speed into a climax that I couldn’t see coming. There were revelations that shook me and the stakes became ever higher. I have no idea what’s coming in the next book but I know it’s going to be even more epic.
I’ve read a lot of fantasy over the year. I mean a lot. The Archives of Evelium continues to stand above many others. Mystic Reborn floored me with a storyline vast in scope and a world fraught with peril. The characters’ narratives are extremely personal despite the roles they play in a prophecy much bigger than themselves. Every choice has the fate of the world hanging in the balance, yet it’s the small things about these characters- their relationships, faith, and even worries- that brings this series to a higher level. They are the beating heart in a book of monsters and gods.
These books deserve to be mentioned among the greats of the genre. I can’t recommend Mystic Reborn enough.
https://wittyandsarcasticbookclub.hom...
Mystic Reborn is a sequel to Paladin Unbound so there might be some light spoilers. You really should read Paladin Unbound if you haven’t yet, but I’ll do my best to keep any spoilers to a minimum.
I loved Paladin Unbound and the world Jeffrey Speight had created, so I went into the sequel with ridiculously high expectations. I was not disappointed. Mystic Reborn continues a series that is a masterpiece of epic fantasy. As with Paladin Unbound, I found myself completely drawn in by the story and characters.
The group has been split (I know all TTRPG players are yelling “Never split the party!” at this point), and this decision allowed for both interesting character development and an expansion on both the lore and world itself, without ever becoming an info dump. Seeing the seemingly disparate threads of narrative eventually weave into one was a pleasure.
In this book, Umhra goes where the others can’t follow, in search of the last mystic and knowledge regarding his new powers. As is often the case with heroes, he gets far more than he bargained for. A truth-seeking journey becomes a desperate attempt to save Evelium. I was wondering how on earth he would manage it and if it was even possible, which is always a good place to be in a fantasy novel. The way his character grows and the decisions he makes are both smart and believable. The fact that he’s also encountering some of the most unique (and in some cases, skin-shivering) creatures I’ve come across just makes his parts of the book even more compelling.
While the others deal with far different challenges, they were no less dangerous or engrossing. In fact, they were in just as much danger both physically and morally. One of the characters (I won’t say who for fear of spoiling anything) discovered that someone they trusted had taken deplorable actions. I really felt for this character as he tried to come to terms with his newfound knowledge. Seeing his choices despite (or maybe because) of this letdown was a fascinating experience.
Different characters took center stage throughout the book. Shadow was a favorite in Paladin Unbound, but in Mystic Reborn it was Talus who stole the show for me. The things he dealt with and the way his character developed because of them were astounding. He found himself in several sticky situations (to say the least), but they drove the narrative. In fact, in some ways Umhra’s story arc opened up the world more, while the others served to further the events of this sequel. I guess you could say that Umhra’s storyline is playing the long game.
When the separate storylines became a whole, the book ramped up even more, racing with breathtaking speed into a climax that I couldn’t see coming. There were revelations that shook me and the stakes became ever higher. I have no idea what’s coming in the next book but I know it’s going to be even more epic.
I’ve read a lot of fantasy over the year. I mean a lot. The Archives of Evelium continues to stand above many others. Mystic Reborn floored me with a storyline vast in scope and a world fraught with peril. The characters’ narratives are extremely personal despite the roles they play in a prophecy much bigger than themselves. Every choice has the fate of the world hanging in the balance, yet it’s the small things about these characters- their relationships, faith, and even worries- that brings this series to a higher level. They are the beating heart in a book of monsters and gods.
These books deserve to be mentioned among the greats of the genre. I can’t recommend Mystic Reborn enough.
https://wittyandsarcasticbookclub.hom...
May 8, 2023
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review – I will always try to avoid spoilers but there maybe some light hinting below…
Having thoroughly enjoyed Jeff’s first book (Paladin Unbound) I was eager to jump back into the world of Evelium with Mystic Reborn.
Everything that I enjoyed in Paladin Unbound comes back with interest and it’s safe to say that Jeff has dialled things up to 11 with Mystic Reborn. It’s a story that sucks you in and I found myself racing through it, which for me is a good indication of how well I engaged with the book.
Mystic Reborn grants us an expanded world view on several levels, geographically we moved from the depths of the oceans to the freezing mountain tops. This sense of scale adds depth to the world of Evelium and left this reader wanting more. There is no shortage of new and fantastic creatures with everything from wyverns and dragons to giants & orcs and the god like guardians (sorry can’t say anymore, spoilers remember). On the “human” side of things we are treated to thrilling escapes, sea battles and a kingdom threatened with a battle of secession / civil war.
We also get to explore what it means to be a mystic and see Umhra significantly grow in his powers & abilities although this growth comes with at times far-reaching consequences. His thirst to expand his knowledge is central theme that I thoroughly enjoyed, and one that comes across as a natural progression of the story rather than an information dump.
Whilst the storylines of Umhra and his fellow adventurers The Barrows Pact do diverge for much of the book, the overall story is the richer for it. It allows us to observe both Umhra’s development but also gives us the chance to see the rest of band of heroes in more detail. Rest assured the story lines do reunite in time for the action to ratchet up several gears and you will be griped to the final page (I’ll say no more for fear giving away spoilers).
Jeff has taken the opportunity to show us the wider world of Evelium and for me the book is richer for that. We have been gifted a fast paced, action rich story and I’m very keen to see where the next book takes us.
Hopefully we won’t have to wait too long to find out.
Having thoroughly enjoyed Jeff’s first book (Paladin Unbound) I was eager to jump back into the world of Evelium with Mystic Reborn.
Everything that I enjoyed in Paladin Unbound comes back with interest and it’s safe to say that Jeff has dialled things up to 11 with Mystic Reborn. It’s a story that sucks you in and I found myself racing through it, which for me is a good indication of how well I engaged with the book.
Mystic Reborn grants us an expanded world view on several levels, geographically we moved from the depths of the oceans to the freezing mountain tops. This sense of scale adds depth to the world of Evelium and left this reader wanting more. There is no shortage of new and fantastic creatures with everything from wyverns and dragons to giants & orcs and the god like guardians (sorry can’t say anymore, spoilers remember). On the “human” side of things we are treated to thrilling escapes, sea battles and a kingdom threatened with a battle of secession / civil war.
We also get to explore what it means to be a mystic and see Umhra significantly grow in his powers & abilities although this growth comes with at times far-reaching consequences. His thirst to expand his knowledge is central theme that I thoroughly enjoyed, and one that comes across as a natural progression of the story rather than an information dump.
Whilst the storylines of Umhra and his fellow adventurers The Barrows Pact do diverge for much of the book, the overall story is the richer for it. It allows us to observe both Umhra’s development but also gives us the chance to see the rest of band of heroes in more detail. Rest assured the story lines do reunite in time for the action to ratchet up several gears and you will be griped to the final page (I’ll say no more for fear giving away spoilers).
Jeff has taken the opportunity to show us the wider world of Evelium and for me the book is richer for that. We have been gifted a fast paced, action rich story and I’m very keen to see where the next book takes us.
Hopefully we won’t have to wait too long to find out.
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