The Prodigal Mage

Fisherman's Children, Book 1

By: Karen Miller

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Many years have passed since the last great Mage War. It has been a time of great change. But not all changes are for the best, and Asher's world is in peril once more.

The weather magic that holds Lur safe is failing, and the earth feels broken to those with the power to see. Among Lur's sorcerers, only Asher has the skill to mend the antique weather map that governs the seasons, keeping the land from being crushed by natural forces. Yet, when Asher risks his life to meddle with these dangerous magics, the crisis is merely delayed, not averted.

Asher's son Rafel has inherited the father's talents, but has been forbidden to use them. Many died in the last Mage War and these abilities aren't to be loosed lightly into the world. But when Asher's last desperate attempt to repair the damage leaves him on his deathbed, Rafel's powers may not be denied. For his countrymen are facing famine, devastation, and a rift in the very fabric of their land.

©2009 Karen Miller (P)2009 Hachette

Great read

This is a great expansion on the kingmaker, kingbreaker universe. This story takes a much different path than the first two books. However, if you like the first two books you will not be disappointed. Magic use is more prevalent in this book, but there is still a heavy "political" focus. This story focuses on Asher trying to keep Lur together in wake of the olken gaining new rights as well as some other problems. While I much preferred the narration of the first two books the narrator eventually grew on me. However, with that said I think the performance would have been much improved if the narrator of the first two books.

This is not the first book.

Any additional comments?

I saw many negative reviews and I think most are because people haven't read (listened) the previous books. This is an expansion/sequel to The Innocent Mage and The Awakend Mage (aka Innocence Lost).

If you wish to enjoy this book to it's full potential I suggest you start with those books first.

I love this book

Karen Miller's books are my favorite stories. I absolutely love them. I absolutely recommend them

great except for pronunciation.

great story just a few issues with how a few words are pronounced compared to the last series of audio books. It was easy to get over with it only really being one or two words.

Great for 3rd in the series

This book made a great 3rd for the series. the other reviewers who have not read the first two books the innocent mage and the awakened mage need to go grab those books before they start these ones to understand the story. before you read this or listen to this go out and get the first two it explains the backstory behind the mage war and gives you a basic history of war and who gar is, and who rafel is actually named after. And the innocent mage is actually a little slow too the second book, the awakened mage reads faster.

Narrator was too "enthusiastic"

Would you consider the audio edition of The Prodigal Mage to be better than the print version?

Not with this narrator, no -- the narrator of the first 2 books was much better.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Narrator was too "over the top" and "enthusiastic" with EVERY SINGLE SENTENCE.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. I needed breaks from the narrator's voice - no joke.

Slow and steady but enjoyable

Currently I am about 2/3 done and still enjoying the book. Yes, it a little slow, but it covering a boy and girl growing up. I will get the next book when available.

Fine introduction in to a new story

Fine introduction in to a new story, after all there had to be some development done.

Good continuation of a fun series!

What did you love best about The Prodigal Mage?

I like this series overall, but definitely wish they would stick with the same narrator...or at least make them compare pronunciations. I would recommend this to anyone interested in stories involving magic and everyday people.

Shoot me now!

I saw this book on one of the "highlight" tables at Barnes and Nobel and was hopeful that it was beginning of a new series I could really get into. I came back home and picked up the book on audible. Boy do I wish I had waited for some of the reviews to come in. They are all right on. The characters in this book couldn't find their way out of paper bag without spending 30 minutes having a slow emotionally tortured conversation about . . . nothing. The author is very clear that the characters find the topics emotional but unfortunately, doesn't bother to bring the reader along. The result is that you are dragged through a very laborious story to which you can't relate to anything the characters are feeling. I found myself laughing out loud and the absurdity of the conversations. I can't comment on the ending; I done being a sprat who can't understand why the adults have to talk so much. In terms of the narration, Scott Brick has such an ironic tone already . . . he really needs more substance to work with. He heightened the emotion of the characters, creating even more distance between the me and the story.

I wish the author luck with her next endeavor, for me this one was a big miss.