Mageborn: The Archmage Unbound: (Book 3): Volume 3 Paperback – 18 May 2012

I read and reviewed the first book in this series and loved it. I immediately read the sequel and loved it more. As I came to his work slightly late, Michael G Manning was just about to publish The Archmage Unbound. I waited a few days and then Kindle did its stuff. I guess I had expected the linear storyline of the first two books to continue, but I guessed wrongly. As our hero Mordecai has thrown off the shackles which limited his magical gifts, his skills and powers are allowed to evolve almost unhindered. His intelligence and determination to understand the magical control of his family line together with absorbing knowledge from his current situation, allows Michael to involve his readers as Mordecai experiments and learns how to become more than just a wizard but an Archmage. Michael G Manning isn't happy simply creating a great story with wonderfully written characters, he goes above and beyond, currently proliferating different threads and types of magical ability and control that really enhance the story line and explain some of the limitations upon his hero, his hero's enemies and other magically gifted characters who inhabit this world. The plot did not go in an orthodox direction given the two previous books, yes the overarching start middle and end gets you from 'A' through to 'Z', but I found the journey pleasantly more detailed than I had expected and in parts unpredictable which only added to my enjoyment. The interaction and yes, sexual tension between some of the main characters was beautifully dealt with. As I have said before, writing a critique is a very personal thing, however I would not hesitate to rate this book 5 star as a damn good read and very hard indeed to put down. It's a highly entertaining story. Well done Michael G Manning!

I find it more difficult these days to find a fantasy series with that true, can't wait to read the next book effect. This series has that, I enjoy the characters and find myself attached to them. Don't start with this book read the Mageborn in order, you will not regret it

Having found the 1st book in this series by Michael G Manning purely by accident, I have to say that he is proving to be one of the best in the recent outcrop of new talent in the Fantasy genre.The story of Mordecai from humble blacksmith to wizard of power at 1st seems to bear traits of the great fantasy classic Belgariad series by David Eddings in being a tale of a 'The boy came good' but there all similarities end.Michael weaves a tale that is both original and thought provoking in its own right and I cannot enthuse enough over how good a read this book is as the 3rd installment. If you havent read books 1 & 2 (The Blacksmiths Son & The Line of Illeniel) in the Mageborn series then why are you reading this... Stop It Now!! Go get them!!!Seriously though, in this book Manning takes Mordecai further along in his adventures in a page turning roller-coaster of a ride that leaves the reader swinging through a whole gamut of emotional highs and lows, breathtaking action and highly creative narrative.The magic system is superbly thought out and explained in a way that keeps the story flowing without hiccup and at the same time is original and innovative. Simple things like a knowledge of medieval armor and weaponry are accurately portrayed where getting it wrong can jar the mind of the reader and detract the mind of the reader from the flow of the book. The new characters introduced in the book are well conceived and meld nicely into the overall storyline increasing the readers awareness of the world created within the imagination of the author.As for the plot twists and turns, well I hate spoilers in reviews so you will have to read the book for yourself to enjoy them as I have, all I will say is I loved the nod towards Arthurian legend and Manning gives a whole new look to the sword in the stone.I cannot recommend this book highly enough and if you like this guys work then go look him up on Facebook as well. It gives a great insight into the authors mind when they are also willing to share a part of their life with their fans.Kudos Michael :)

1. Could you please stop with the Harry Potter analogies!I keep reading books that are about fantasy and then we get the idiots who have not read any other fantasy fiction other than watched Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings.2. The other thing that irritates me is when people review something 5 stars, even though it has a huge number of errors.Now I am going to break my rule and make myself into a hypocrite by saying that the story is so good, but for the 3 items raised it deserves 5 stars.ReviewIt is rare to find a book on kindle that uses good English, rarer still to find one that follows logic and explains the plot without over describing useless information.1. This book is well balanced and combines logic and plot, my only criticism is around the introduction of the secret compound and the raid.I am limiting the information in the review so as not to spoil the plot.2. There are about 10 very minor publishing mistakes, ranging around the use of "a" and "the" easy to read past.3. I think this book should have a prologue reminding old and new readers of the story so far.For myself it was a while between reading book 2 and now book 3 and I think a new reader might struggle to understand the characters.ConclusionWell done to the author, good ending, worthwhile read and plenty of room for continuation, look forward to reading books 4,5, 6 etc.

Wow, is the first word that comes to mind. This is just powerful and awesome. Unexpected turns of events and surprises. You will enjoy this one a lot! Have fun.

Anyone who enjoyed book one or two, needs to read book three. Anyone who hasn't read book one or two, book three is worth reading one and two for. The character's were phenomenal. The way the plot moves puts characters that aren't normally together in close quarters and different situations. The dialogue vastly improved from the second novel, but some of it was a little repetitive and unrealistic but it really was very good. The character of the king is intriguing, and I find myself in awe of the fact that a line such as the people are what make the king strong has such an effect on me. This idealism is in stark contrast to the darkness that's been growing since late book 1, and most of book 2. I love that dichotomy because it's so real. The new character introduced in this entry is funny. It was a great idea to present him as an enemy. I hope him and possibly his progeny are in the next installment. The ending is as epic and gratifying as defeating Andross in Star Fox 64 (if you don't know Andross is a giant, god-like, head with hands in outer space). Again, one of the main things I keep reading for, is that in this novel there are five main characters around the same age who are fantastic individuals. I love hearing about each of them and their interactions. Not to mention that the magic system just keeps getting better and better.

Mordecai hat in der Schlacht gegen einen unbezwingbar scheinenden Gegner einen Sieg errungen, allerdings um einen sehr hohen Preis. Trotz oder gerade auch wegen seiner überragenden magischen Fähigkeiten gehen ihm die Feinde nicht aus - von seinem ehemaligen Kampfgefährten Cyhan, der über seine blinde Eidestreue nicht hinwegsehen kann, über die dunklen und strahlenden Götter bis hin zum König von Lothion, der ihn eigentlich als Helden und Retter feiern sollte, statt dessen aber ganz andere Pläne schmiedet. Mordecai muß erkennen, daß seine geradezu elementaren Kräfte als Erzmagier und Abkömmling der Linie von Illeniel nicht ausreichen, die zu beschützen, die seinem Herzen am nächsten stehen - seine Freunde, seine Frau Penelope und ihr gemeinsames ungeborenes Kind. Gleichzeitig scheint es sich weniger denn je auszuzahlen, eigene moralische Grundsätze einzuhalten, wenn der Gegner vor keiner Abscheulichkeit zurückschreckt...Nach der epischen Schlacht gegen die Gododdin schien es nicht mehr viel zu geben, was Michael Manning der Geschichte um Mordecai noch hätte hinzufügen können, ein paar persönliche Entwicklungen zu einem umfassenden Happy-End hin vielleicht ausgenommen. Die Stärke des dritten Teils der Serie liegt statt dessen auf einer Ebene, die weg von den kämpferischen Seiten des jungen Magiers führt und sich mit seiner persönlichen Entwicklung auseinandersetzt. Das ist klug gemacht.Obwohl Mordecai den ihn als Magier fesselnden Pakt mit Penny gebrochen hat, ist er von dem angedrohten Wahnsinn verschont geblieben und macht statt dessen einige überraschende Entdeckungen über seine Fähigkeiten als Erzmagier und die Magierin Moira Centyr. Damit verwoben sind einige originelle Szenen über neue Einsatzmöglichkeiten seiner Magie, mit denen er seinen genialen Ideenreichtum unter Beweis stellt, wenn er neue Anwendungen ersinnt und manchmal fast schon steampunk-ähnliche Entwicklungen erschafft. Gleichzeitig wird Mordecais Integrität auf bisher nicht gekannte Weise auf die Probe gestellt, als er nach einem schweren persönlichen Verlust droht, die Kontrolle über seine Fähigkeiten zu verlieren. Mit dem äußerst vielschichtigen und in sich logischen Magiesystem, das in der ersten Folge noch so täuschend einfach wirkte, hat der Autor ein Meisterstück abgeliefert, das sich vor den Größen des Genres nicht zu verstecken braucht.Mit Mordecais Entdeckungen verbunden ist die bittere Erkenntnis, daß zwar schon ein Kind die Fähigkeit hat, zu zerstören, während nicht einmal ein Magier, der über erderschütternde Kräfte gebietet, seine Liebsten schützen kann. Zusammen mit der unbequemen Frage, wieviele Todesfälle die Durchsetzung von Mordecais Plänen rechtfertigt, runden diese den Aspekt der Geschichte ab, der der Story nichts von ihrer Spannung nimmt, aber weitere Einblicke in die Reifung des ehemaligen anonymen Waisen und Sohn eines einfachen Schmieds gibt.Die Stärke seines Charakters liegt auch darin, daß er selbst auf dem scheinbaren Höhepunkt seiner Macht seine Freunde nie vergißt, sie notfalls auf verschlungenen Wegen dazu bringt, unangenehme Wahrheiten zu erkennen, und sie auch in ihren dunkelsten Stunden nicht alleine läßt - zwischendurch kann man sich ja trotzdem mal eine gepflegte Rauferei leisten. Trotz seiner elementaren Fähigkeiten steckt in Mordecai immer noch der einfache Junge vom Land, und das schadet ihm zu keinem einzigen Moment. Seine Freunde sorgen dafür, daß er die Bodenhaftung nicht verliert, und wie bisher zählen dazu einige starke Frauenfiguren, vor denen sich auch die ausgebufftesten Feinde in Acht nehmen müssen. Seine Selbstironie und einige dumme Fehler runden dies Bild von ihm ab ("I had always been one to make mistakes first and then learn from them...")Trotz des geringeren Tempos und der tiefgründigeren Themen ist auch diese Folge genauso flüssig und spannend erzählt wie bisher und stellt einen neuen Höhepunkt der Serie dar. Erfreulicherweise endet die Serie um Mordecai nicht mit diesem (vorläufigen) Höhepunkt, sondern soll mit MAGEBORN: THE GOD STONE WAR fortgesetzt werden. Drauf kann man sich jetzt schon freuen.

This author seems to have sorted his editing issues and now serves up a wonderful addition to the series. These books are lighthearted, fun and hard to put down. The relationships between the characters are believable, Mort is hilarious. I cant think of another series in which i smile so much while i read, even while i cry a little. Thankyou!

The author has a definite sense of humourAs he himself aludes to, he must be surrounded by strong women (? only male in the house ? )The story line is uncomplicated but well presented with some serious undertonesFaith and conscience are not subtle undercurrents