Review of the First book in the Powder Mage Trilogy

Review of Powder Mage: Promise of Blood

By: Brian McClellan

            In this first book, the people have broken free of their oppressors the Privileged upper class. Their leader Tamas struggles with the aftermath as he tries to figure out how to protect the people from being taken over by another king.  His son Taniel doesn’t like how he goes about things and thinks his father is cold hearted.  Taniel must protect the city from the Kez and finds himself in a battle with them on a mountain.  Tamas has assassins trying to kill spies amongst his own people, and a Godly chef.

            First of all, the city setting is cool and different from the fantasy I usually read.  There is a sense of isolation and a weird feeling of coziness despite the conflict Tamas and Taniel find themselves in. The conflict is also put on a smaller scale than a big epic like a lot of fantasy becomes.  The city is in chaos and fragile as Tamas tries to keep it together as if he is a parent, not just to Taniel, but to the whole population in the city. Tamas is compelling as he keeps himself emotionally distance because he has to protect the city and solve how to rebuild it.  He does care, but he has to make difficult decisions forcing him to looking at things pragmatically.  Taniel doesn’t understand that and is a very moral person.  His father is forced to put him in position where he has to kill his best friend Bo, who is a Privileged and is compelled to kill Tamas for committing blasphemy against their God by being a Powder Mage.  Seeing a main character that is older than 20s.  I’m in my thirties I want to see more fantasy with much older characters.  The magic system feels different too.  Yes, there are still sorcerers, a little shape-shifting, but author created a new magic that involves inhaling gun powder.  This allows for the novel to explore the idea magic potentially being like a drug.  I have only a couple television shows dealing with the idea of magic being an addiction.  Until this book I have hadn’t come across a book that deals with magic in that way.  It makes sense because having magic can make you almost invincible and come off as a lot cooler than you feel you are.  The Gods are mysteries and interesting too and we get a taste of them with one of them hiding amongst the mortals. He is fun, kind, and great food.  He also is someone who comes off as unassuming, but can be dangerous if he loses his temper.  There are funny moments, some cool fight and battle scenes, exploration of religion, and a mystery as an investigator has to figure is trying assassinate Tamas.