I love, love, love this book! I love dragons and quests and couldn't resist the book after reading the blurb. Let me tell you out front, this is one of the best fantasy books I have read lately, and I do read a lot. Within pages, I was glued to the story and couldn't wait to get back to it in every free moment.
"Dragon Mage" by M.L. Spencer is a refreshing epic fantasy tale (and the first in the series) revolving around a protagonist on the autism spectrum. The story alternates between three main POVs: Aram, a gifted boy, his friend Markus, and Sergan, a hungry-power mage.
Our story starts with Aram Raythe, a twelve-year-old outcast boy from a seaside village who sees in colors, loves knots, and dreams of becoming a sailor. He doesn't like interacting with others, lacks confidence, doesn't understand subtle nuances, and is being abused by the village's bullies. All that changes when he befriends Markus and the two become a bard's apprentices. When the Exilaris find out about Aram's gifts, they want to exploit them to enhance their magic. They go after him, and he has to run for his life. What follows is an enchanting tale of magic, dragons, quests, and adventures that hooks you from the very first line.
I enjoyed the story immensely and found myself sitting on the edge of my seat while reading some scenes. Although 800 + pages, it doesn't feel like it. The story flows smoothly from start to finish, and the author does a great job describing the characteristics of autism without expressly saying it. She also does a sublime job of writing characters that you can't help but love or hate. The author weaves an epic tale that hits all of the right chords: compelling characters, an exceptional world-building, good pace, an intriguing tale, and even romance. The ending left me yearning for more. The book stands on its own, another plus, but I will be glad for more books in this world. If you are looking for a great fantasy that will have you scrambling for more, and don't mind a bit of violent action, this is the book for you!
* Disclaimer: An ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
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