Seeds of Glory and Ruin

A Mage's Influence, Book 1

By: Melanie Cellier

Narrated by: Kira Fixx

Two sisters. Two seeds of power. One Mage's Guild, and an unprecedented new power—but which sister does it belong to?

Cadence and her sister possess the seeds of glory and ruin—or so their father always insisted. Cadence never understood what he meant until Airlie’s seed of power is activated, turning her into the most powerful mage in generations. Despite knowing it must mean her own dormant seed is much more malevolent, Cadence is swept away to the distant Mage’s Guild in her sister’s wake. She’s used to living in Airlie’s shadow, but she can’t see a place for herself in this new world.

Nor can she believe in the apparent interest of the charming Zeke. No one has ever chosen her over her beautiful sister.

But leaving her new home isn’t an option. Plagued by questions from her isolated childhood, Cadence needs answers, and the Guild might hold them. But as the revelations grow, Cadence must find a way to conceal the truth from her new companions before the sisters’ secrets turn everyone against them.

And as word of Airlie’s power spreads, new danger emerges. Across the kingdom’s border, a threat is growing among the ruins of their former neighbor—enemies who will do anything to get their hands on the sisters and the seeds they contain. No longer able to shelter behind Airlie, Cadence must make a choice. Will she embrace her power—whatever it might be—or pursue a different path?

©2021 Melanie Cellier (P)2022 Luminant Publications

Fine start to a magic series

Enjoyable and intriguing with a likeable main character, as well as many of the supporting cast. It was an excellent plot device to have Airlie "leave the scene" so that Cadence can stand on her, as she professed was her great desire. I enjoyed it and will read on. The narration is fine though suffers a bit with how the author wrote some sections. The main character is "understated" at times and a bit shrieky in a crisis, but overall, it was enjoyable narration.

Interesting Storyline

I’ve enjoyed the book #1 of ‘A Mage’s Influence’ series. You have to pay attention to the characters and plots to follow the story. I had to go back in the audiobook when I found myself drifting and needed clarification. I’m looking forward to the next book!

Great story and performance!

Melanie Cellier kills it again in a new world and characters. I love getting lost in her intriguing, creative and always fresh stories. Great company on a rainy day. And the Kira Fixx does a great job of beginning the story to life. Very enjoyable!

be prepared to read the series

this book is part of a series, and doesn’t resolve in just the first book. enjoyable though

Intriguing Mystery and Magic

Cadence was a refreshing heroine in her sister’s shadow. I was constantly curious with her about her heritage and the unfamiliar world around her. Cellier’s storytelling was marvelous again.

New Favorite!!

This is a beautiful and rich story with fantasy, magic, devotion, and young love. The only thing I could ask for is for the book longer and never ending. I guess part of that is fulfilled by 3 additional books.

love it

It was very slow at the beginning. but hold on because it does not fail to deliver. what a wonderful story. Clean reading

Good, but doesn’t measure up to the other mage series.

I didn’t quite enjoy this book as much as the last series. It was good, but I do like the narrator in the other mage series. Maybe it was also because I had to split up listening over a two week period instead of constant on a road trip :)
I love Melanie Celliers work! Such a good writer!