Reviews
Check out what others have said about The Mage’s Servant by P. B. Dillon – or scroll to the bottom and add your own thoughts!
Check out what others have said about The Mage’s Servant by P. B. Dillon – or scroll to the bottom and add your own thoughts!
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Wow what a wonderful tale full of adventure, fast-paced action, bravery and magic. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I couldn’t put the book down once I started! A highly recommended read!
I liked it. Well-paced, good story – it’s just like the website says, an entertaining, light read. Very good.
An engaging coming-of-age story of magic and adventure which keep me enthralled to the end.
Thanks for the great comments, guys! Very much appreciated.
I’m not a reader of fantasy fiction so this review does not come from an expert. I imagine that The Mage’s Servant will appeal to young readers, and those young at heart, who appreciate an exciting page-turner that calls on all the standard ingredients of the genre. There’s a wonderful array of caverns and caves, magic spells, swords and jewels, demons, monsters and magicians, all brought together in a quest undertaken by a young hero and his girl. The action-packed scenes are well-described and culminate in the reassuring triumph of good over evil. I like the touches of humour and Lord Salisor’s guide to magic. What I admire most is the marketing idea behind the book’s launch.
An enthralling story of magic and quests. A fine example of the genre. It will appeal to all young fantasy readers.
As I read this book I kept wondering what would happen next and I was compelled to keep reading right to the end. It held my interest right the way through.
Hello, Love fantasy with a magica touch and therefore enjoyed it
. Well done.
Hi everyone, thanks again for the fantastic comments! There’s not much time left before the printed version is available (the printer has just sent the final proof), so keep ‘em coming!
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I’m not a fantasy reader so it was with some trepidation that I started to read the book. Then… couldn’t put it down and nailed it in three sessions. Great escapism, well written and am looking forward to the next installment!
While fantasy is not my usual genre, I was intrigued by the opening chapters to read on as Willem confronts Gothar, the death of Palmander and his own doubts. Ryder, the thief, is an excellent ‘sidekick’ while the adventure unfolds and Willem learns that he certainly has more on his plate than he can deal with as the two journey to Lancel’s Seat.
On the whole I found the book enjoyable, well written and an interesting take on the theme of good over evil. I believe it will find a wide audience as I also believe that you are aggressively approaching the necessary marketing. I only wish that I had someone just as devoted for my own work. Best of luck, Raymond Terry
I’m reading this to my 9 year old daughter, she says “Mummy! Do not read My Book after I’ve gone to sleep, it’s Not Fair!” but I do.
I don’t usually read fantasy books, but once I started, I just had to know what happened to Willem. The story grabs the reader from the start. Although it has the standard elements of fantasy–magic rings, caves, quests, dragons, demons, etc.–they are handled in a unique way. I like that Ryder is a strong female character instead of a damsel in distress. I think YA readers will really like this book.
It is easy to forgive the slow start when the rest of the book is so well written. I was drawn in and enchanted by the non stop action and the clever character and plot development. A great read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
The Mage’s Servant had me hooked from the very first page. Great start, great pace, very visual – I felt like I was really part of the action. The main character (Willem) was as likable as the villain (Gothar) was hateful, and the supporting characters are all well drawn and lifelike. I recommend this book for anyone looking for a light, engaging roller-coaster ride of a book. Great fun!
A very enjoyable read with heroes, villains, surprises and a love interest. For those who worry about such things it is not a “kissing book”. The writing skillfully transports us to a different world with no perception of leaving our own.
“Not a ‘kissing book’” – is this a reference to The Princess Bride, by William Goldman?
I stumbled across this website by chance and am so glad I did. I downloaded a copy of “The Mage’s Servant” and was entranced immediately. It is a fun engrossing read and a real page-turner. I couldn’t put it down once I started! I eagerly await more books like this from the author.
A great, fun, engrossing introduction to fantasy and adventure novels for young adults.
Although I’ve read a lot of fantasy stories like this one, I was glad to say that it’s better-written and has more likable characters than the usual stuff I’ve seen. Good protagonists, good rules for magic, and some good plot development all around. I’ll be sure to give this novel a more detailed review on my WordPress blog as soon as possible!
The measure of a good story is if you think about it whilst not reading it. The Mage’s Servant certainly did this for me. Engaging characters with personalities that draw you in and encourage you to find out what is going to happen to them; good visual scene setting without being bogged down with every tiny detail, allowing the reader to build their own fantasy worlds; and the struggle for triumph that is ulimately what makes the story engrossing. A great, entertaining read. Here’s hoping Willem’s story doesn’t end for us here.
The Mage’s Servant is an enjoyable read. Those who like to read fantasy will find a story of coming of age complete with wizardry, trickery and questing. I will recommend this to my 13 year old son.