Community - Review - Bowker - The Mage's Council

It turns out that being the Chosen One isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. The young heroine of this third book in The Adventures of Kyria series is a typical kid from a small, mystical fishing village called Arkham. She is average in every way except for one: “In a time of great darkness, when evil sweeps the land, a prophecy foretells the coming of a savior, a child that will defeat the forces of evil and save the world. She is Kyria, the Chosen One.”

Kyria faced a few tough months prior to The Mage’s Council, where she learned of the prophecy that shapes her destiny and battled the forces of evil. Her magical abilities to see the future, conjure objects out of thin air, and read people's thoughts continue to grow with each passing day. Now young Kyria stands before the Mage’s Council—a powerful group that rules all magical life—as they consider her future.

Possessing unparalleled power and potential, Kyria is accepted into the Academy so that she can prepare to fulfill her destiny. Far behind her peers in studies, however, she must quickly adapt to a new life where simply being the Chosen One is enough to earn her enemies and make her question those who would call themselves friends. With the help of some unexpected new companions, Kyria learns to accept what must be done and prepare for it.

The Mage’s Council is slower paced than previous books in the series and gels much better as a complete story. Crazy school life, mystical diversity, and a whole new layer of magical existence add to the intrigue and present issues relevant to young adult readers. Author Clifford Bowyer has created an intricate fantasy world and an equally involved plot for Kyria. The Mage’s Council shares several distinct similarities with the widely acclaimed Harry Potter novels—particularly in the vivid description of academic life.

Still, exciting challenges and charming characters set this book apart from similar young adult novels. Bowyer does an incredible job with description, making for a fun adventure and an easy read. His imagination and sense of adventure is obvious throughout the entire novel.

Clifford Bower is also the author of the Fall of Imperium Trilogy.