Rating: 4.75🌈
The third installment in Michael Taggert’s Fledgling God series is out and Gathering Mage is an absolute delight of a fantasy adventure tale!
Epic doesn’t begin to describe Jason and Sandy’s adventures at the Gathering, an enormous conference of the Heads of the Households of the supernatural world , including all the mages and supernatural beings get together. They network, talk regulations, issues…bring up collective problems. It’s an important event, especially for such a young House as House Louisville.
With all the problems facing the House at home, only Sandy and Jason are able to go and represent their house. Thinks newbs headed to NYC for the first time. Or Paris for that matter. You get my drift.
They have no idea what’s in store.
Now if you’re a reader who likes no explanation about their magic other than Kazaam, poof, and the magical spell has done its job, well this isn’t the book or series for you.
However, if you enjoy imaginative interpretations of a magical process, or a highly creative twist on magic, right down to the cellular level, including cute minute characters, dive right in! Taggert runs happily amuck with his magical processes, his highly creative philosophies on runes and magical power. It’s fascinating and it’s uses through Jason and Sandy here , especially Jason, keep us riveted to the story!
Both Jason and Sandy under go enormous amounts of growth here. Some are humorous, some are through some stunning emotional moments. We range from everything from lively hedge wars to intimate moments with llama centaurs and glassblowing to a final heartwarming Circle Dance.
There’s so much here. So many great memorable characters. The llama centaurs especially, that entire nation and element! Great characters, beautifully written scenes, fantastic descriptions…. Be still my heart!
Taggert gives Sandy’s journey an excellent amount of narrative time . She’s so important to Jason and their partnership. I was glad to feel that I never felt her part was less than his.
Gathering Mage was another one of those 2am finishes. I wasn’t going to put it down until it was done.
Michael Taggert has chosen an unusual format for this series in that none of these books end. They just….stop. Or perhaps I should say pause.
And the next starts immediately right where this one stops.
So it’s as if a reader has a divided book chopped into two and it’s missing the other half. Gathering Mage is sort of finished. They are home. But that last page is one where you’re going to turn into the next….
That’s the only reason this isn’t getting a 5 rating. Had it ended with them going through the portal? Awesome. I’d think brilliant.
But this is very close.
I’m highly recommending it and the first two.
I love the attention to details, one’s that don’t exist of course! But that so much fun! Can’t wait for more!
Fledgling God series:
Misfit Mage #1
Melee Mage #2
Gathering Mage #3
Synopsis:
Jason is getting ready to have the adventure of his life!
He and Sandy are heading to the Gathering, which is a conference where the Heads of the Households of the supernatural world network, talk about problems and solutions facing the Houses, and learn a few things.
Jason is going just to support Sandy, and figures he’ll have a mildly interesting time and be home soon. Instead, he gets poisoned, fights for his life, meets a whole new nation, learns the history and secrets of runes, has a cosmic encounter, makes many new friends, and finally gets in touch with his godhood.
It’s a wild ride, so make sure you have snacks, a comfy blanket, hot chocolate, a lap cat/dog/bunny of choice, and get ready for some fun!
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 