FORSWORN
Started: 09/03/22
Finished: 11/03/22
Spoilers: No
I loved the Powdermage trilogy, so when I learned there were so many novellas set in that world, I was super excited. I want to read them all before moving on to the sequel trilogy.
This short story follows Kez noblewoman, Erica, who I stupidly didn't realise was Taniel's mother until after I finished it, haha. But I'm glad I know now. She's seldom spoken of in the trilogy so it was really cool to get a good look at what she was like in her younger years. She was something of a badass, spitting in the eye of authority. We certainly know where Taniel gets it from now, which gives me all kinds of warm fuzzies.
Also, totally weird picturing Nikslaus as a young man, but another really cool angle that I'm glad we got to explore. He makes such a great antagonist.
And of course, the cameo at the end brings back all the old feels.
SERVANT OF THE CROWN
Started: 18/03/22
Finished: 26/03/22
Spoilers: No
This one is great and my favourite Powder Mage novella so far. I'm trying to work my way through all of them but I'm not read the blurbs before starting so each one is a pleasant surprise. I had no idea going into this that this one was going to be about a young Tamas when he first meets Erica, and it was delightful.
It was so fantastic to see Tamas again and in a lower military position knowing how far he comes and how high he rises. It was also lovely seeing his relationship with Erica blossom from the very start. I enjoyed her character in the previous novella, so getting more of her was awesome.
I don't know why, but I assumed all these novellas would be about new, unknown characters. I wasn't expecting old favourites to take centre stage.
It felt like a fully rounded story with a complete arc. Really great little story and I'd definitely recommend it to any Powder Mage fan.
MURDER AT THE KINNEN HOTEL
Started: 31/03/22
Finished: 01/03/22
Spoilers: No
There's something about being back in this world and around familiar characters that has made me really forgiving. During the Powder Mage trilogy, Adamat was one of my least cared for characters, not because I didn't like him, I just generally don't connect to police/detective characters or storylines.
Based on the title of this one, I assumed it would probably an Adamat story investigating a murder. Again, not usually my cup of tea, but as I said, just being back in a world I love with names I recognised softened my somewhat to the detective genre.
I quite enjoyed this one, not as much as the others, but more than I expected to. It was quite short though and it did feel a little bit like it was all solved and wrapped up a little too quickly. I know these novellas are only supposed to be brief looks at the characters when they were younger, but still, I would've like perhaps a little more from it. Even though I'm not a big lover of murder mysteries, if I'm going to read one, I want it to have substance. I feel this was more nod to former characters and it was enjoyable on that count and I would recommend for Powder Mage fans, of course.
Besides being a little sparse and rushed, the story was well explained and concise, had a full and developed arc and the story concluded itself nicely.
Despite wanting just a little bit more from it, I can't deny I enjoyed it.
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