Status Updates From The Innocent Mage (Kingmake...

Couldn't believe in the change in the relationship between Fane and Gar; it was obvious given her character she would never be okay with his new status. But I could understand why Gar wanted to believe it. Ending was a major cliffhanger - too sudden for my tastes. I expected something more substantial. it didn't get the page count it deserved. For someone so evil, Morg's plan was a little...weak.

I could see Durm's choice from a mile away, but I never expected what would happen next. I'm so worried for Gar, If anything happens to him I'll be so upset; he's my favorite character! This book is really keeping me on my toes, and I'm loving it!

This book keeps surprising me with its depth of emotion. Darran has always seemed like a two-dimensional character, obsessed with propriety & status. It was touching to see him care about the prince as more than just his boss, and great to see him become more fully realized. Loved how Miller created such a tense scene in the storm. It was inspired to show it though two points of view and settings.

Miller has done a fabulous job making her characters feel real and their problems and feelings relatable. She puts a lot of emphasis on character, not just the magical, fantastical elements, and along with her prose, this makes the story compulsively readable.

It's quite extraordinary that Miller has managed to bring to life a believable family conflict in a fantasy context. The squabbles, jealousies, hurts and struggles for respect and love feel so realistic, especially between Fane and Gar. It would be easy to hate her for being cruel, but Miller has made her feelings for Gar understandable. Gar's longing to have a loving relationship with Fane is heartbreaking.

This book has my rapt attention. The action has picked up, the political scenes are fascinating, the characters are well drawn and complex, and Miller writes with emotion. I love the world that's been created, and I really appreciate that the plot is unpredictable. Even when characters are evil (looking at you, Jarralt!), they're not cartoonish, & you could see such a person in our world, albeit not so extreme!

I love how the characters and their relationships are slowly being explored. Each page you learn a little something more about each person!

The action and intrigue are picking up, and the writing has really hooked me. I'm enjoying the story a lot so far and I love Prince Gar! I think Asher can be ungrateful and a little too prickly and ill-tempered, but I also think those qualities are essential for his character -- if he didn't have these traits, Gar would never have needed him.

I'm intrigued by the prophecy and the bond shared by Matt and Dathne. I'm especially interested by Dathne's past. I also like Prince Gar; I think it's a great idea that this first born-priviledged character is flawed, making him less powerful than his sister. I also appreciate that the world is slowly being revealed rather than info-dumped. Although there are things mentioned I don't know about yet, I'm not confused.

Asher's style of speaking initially annoyed me. It's stereotypical "common", with syllables cut off and improper grammar. I found it jarring and difficult to read, and it kept me from connecting to the story at first, since whenever you spend time in his head all the narration is in his voice. But I'm starting to get used to it, and I can understand why the author chose to have him talk that.