Battlemage (Age of Darkness #1) is Stephen Aryan’s debut novel, released by Orbit in the UK this September. Battlemage is not a book I would typically go for – not only is it fantasy, but it has elements of many of its subgenres that I don’t usually consider my cup of tea. However, I’ve been looking forward to reading Steve’s debut for a fair old while – we reviewed together at Walker of Worlds back in 2011, and it’s through his recommendation and gentle pushing that I got hooked on the Dresden Files. He’s also the co-host of the Comic Book Outsiders and Bags of Action podcasts. While it was because of my friendship with Steve that I picked up Battlemage, it was because of what I found within the pages that I kept on reading…
With the army of the apparently immortal, and ever-so-slightly-mad, Emperor Taikon invading the lands of Seveldrom, the King sends out a call to arms, and the battlemages answer. With a warlock and his splinters behind the Zecorrian army, the battlemages are a much-needed source of power to fight against them, and it’s through Balfruss’s eyes that we follow their plight. But the magical fight is not all that must be dealt with, and Vargus leads the common soldiers on the battlefield, forming a brotherhood with them to strengthen their bonds, and their resolve. Meanwhile Talandra, princess and spymaster, must deal with differing elements that are coming together to cause trouble for both her home and that of her enemy. It is through her network that unrest is sown where possible against Emperor Taikon, and by her hand and that of her trusted spies.
To start with let me say that Battlemage is a very quick read. Not only are the characters and story interesting, but Stephen Aryan manages to tell the story fluidly and without preamble. It’s easy to get caught up in the narrative, and the switching between the three main protagonists does little to slow the story – if anything it ensures that you keep on reading to find out what is happening to them when they are off-page. The structure is sound, while the action, intrigue, and entertainment really makes this a debut that shows great promise for the future.
The story itself is, perhaps, a familiar one. Invading armies, magical abilities, down and dirty front-line fighting, political intrigue, and espionage. It’s a combination that works well together, but the final product has a somewhat familiar feel – even to me, a relatively irregular fantasy reader. However, it’s because of this familiar feel that Battlemage is so enjoyable. You know that the genre tropes have been used time and again, yet it doesn’t stop you turning the pages for the next magical or brutal battle to come around, and to see what Steve has up his sleeve next.
The characters through whose eyes we follow the unwinding story are all interesting. Balfruss, the battlemage, is your magical warrior. He’s strong and committed to the cause, yet hesitant to accept the power and role he must step into. The descriptions of the magic system that we get are from his point of view, while we learn more and more as events unfold. One of the first fights he is a part of, against the splinters, is a great introduction and really sets the scene and expectations for following battles. With Vargus we have the typical and familiar fighter, but there is much more to him than initial impressions portray. I won’t go into detail to avoid spoilers, but his narrative arc is one of the most interesting in the novel, and one I’m very much looking forward to reading more about in the rest of the trilogy. Rounding out our main characters is Talandra, princess of Seveldrom and master spy for the kingdom. She’s a strong and fierce woman, skilled at many aspects of her trade, yet there are personal relationships and issues that she must deal with as events force her into a different situation. It’s her story that has the most political, wide-reaching effects, and it’s handled very well, keeping the tension high, and actions exact.
While the story and characters are both interesting, it’s the world in which Battlemage is set that I really enjoyed reading about. While we are dropped into this fully formed world and learn little things about it in the early chapters, it’s as the story progresses that other aspects become apparent, and many questions raised. This was, perhaps, the most frustrating thing about Battlemage for me – I wanted to learn more and more about the history of the world, the races that inhabit it, and how everything has changed throughout the ages. But Steve peppers the narrative with titbits, not quite giving full explanations, but presenting enough to make me want to read the next novel to find out more.
Battlemage is the type of epic fantasy novel that is easy to be drawn in to. It has a depth that belies its quick and punchy prose, and delivers action, adventure, and entertainment on many different levels. I am very much looking forward to the next novel in the Age of Darkness trilogy. Recommended.
Publisher: http://www.orbitbooks.net/
Author: http://stephen-aryan.com/
September 2015, 512 Pages
Paperback, ISBN: 9780316298278
Review from purchased copy
© 2015 Mark Chitty
