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The Tethered Mage

Swords and Fire (Book 1)

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What to expect

'I couldn't put it down' Genevieve Cogman, author of The Invisible Library

In the Raverran Empire, magic is scarce and those born with power are strictly controlled - taken as children and conscripted into the Falcon Army.

Zaira has lived her life on the streets to avoid this fate, hiding her mage-mark and thieving to survive. But hers is a rare and dangerous magic, one that could threaten the entire empire.

Lady Amalia Cornaro was never meant to be a Falconer. Heiress and scholar, she was born into a treacherous world of political machinations. But fate has bound the heir and the mage. And as war looms on the horizon, a single spark could turn their city into a pyre.

SET IN A RICH WORLD OF POLITICAL INTRIGUE AND DANGEROUS MAGIC, THE TETHERED MAGE IS A SPELLBINDING DEBUT FROM A MAJOR NEW TALENT.

'An enchanting voice and an original world you won't want to leave' RJ Barker, author of The Bone Ships

'I raced through this exquisite debut in three days and adored it' Fantasy Book Review

'A breathtaking book. Equal parts fantasy and political intrigue, The Tethered Mage pulls readers relentlessly through labyrinthine turns of conspiracy, adventure and romance' BookPage

Books by Melissa Caruso:

Swords and Fire
The Tethered Mage
The Defiant Heir
The Unbound Empire

Rooks and Ruin
The Obsidian Tower
The Quicksilver Court
The Ivory Tomb

Critics Review

The Tethered Mage is freaking AWESOME . . . it's one of the best first novels in a brand new high fantasy series that I've read in ages . . Absolutely recommended and on my shortlist for favorite books so far in 2017
BOOK SMUGGLERS
What a tremendous start to the trilogy . . . I thoroughly enjoyed every moment that I spent reading The Tethered Mage, there's action, plenty of plot twists, perfect pacing and superb world-building which combines with scintillating storytelling and a fascinating cast of characters to create a fully engrossing read . . . If you like fantasy, you'll love this book
TATTOOED BOOK GEEK
Charming, intelligent, fast-moving, beautifully atmospheric, with a heroine and other characters whom I really liked as people. (I overstayed my lunch break in order to finish it.) I would love to read more set in this world
Genevieve Cogman, author of THE INVISIBLE LIBRARY
A brilliant novel that delivers on all its initial promise. The characters are well realised and the plot is captivating . . . I was entertained from beginning to end
THE ELOQUENT PAGE
The Tethered Mage spins two captivating tales: a battle of wills between a feisty heroine and her bonded warlock, and a battle of wits between an empire and its rivals. Stuffed with intrigue, romance, and betrayal, this is a scrumptious read
Vic James, Author of GILDED CAGE
A beautifully written political fantasy drama full of courtly intrigue, powerful enemies and phenomenal magic potential. I raced through this exquisite debut in three days and adored it
FANTASY BOOK REVIEW
Caruso deploys a dizzying mix of politics, complex interpersonal relationships and twisty plotting with an intensity that sets it apart in a crowded genre . . . Add in refreshingly developed protagonists and an unusual magic system and the result is an immensely engaging start to a welcome new series
B&N SCI-FI AND FANTASY BLOG
The Tethered Mage is a fantastically readable, incredibly addictive and intelligently plotted fantasy novel, the start of a series that I cannot WAIT to read more of - I loved it
LIZ LOVES BOOKS
A breathtaking book. Equal parts fantasy and political intrigue, The Tethered Mage pulls readers relentlessly through labyrinthine turns of conspiracy, adventure and romance
BOOKPAGE
This is a compelling first novel, with female characters at its heart. The tension mounts, and there's plenty of action and incident and fire and danger . . . In short, I loved it. I WANT MORE
LIZ BOURKE
Intricate and enticing as silk brocade. Caruso's heroine is a strong, intelligent young woman in a beguiling, beautifully evoked Renaissance world of high politics, courtly intrigue, love and loyalty - and fire warlocks
Anna Smith Spark, author of THE COURT OF BROKEN KNIVES
The Tethered Mage is a riveting read, with delicious intrigue, captivating characters, and a brilliant magic system. I loved it from start to finish!
Sarah Beth Durst, author of THE QUEEN OF BLOOD
Engaging and entertaining with intrigue, a good pace, and strong characters. Zaira and Amalia are bright, bold heroes in a smartly constructed world
James Islington, author of THE SHADOW OF WHAT WAS LOST
With a rich world, political intrigue, and action that keeps you turning pages, The Tethered Mage is classic fantasy with a fresh voice
Jeff Wheeler, author of THE QUEEN'S POISONER
An enchanting voice and an original world you won't want to leave
RJ Barker, author of AGE OF ASSASSINS
The Tethered Mage is gorgeous, intricate fantasy. Caruso creates a world in which magic is interwoven with politics, the fate of city-states and noble houses balancing on the daring and initiative of two compelling and vastly different heroines, supported with a rich and vivid cast of characters. One of the best new books I've read in years. I can't wait for the sequel!
Vivian Shaw, author of STRANGE PRACTICE
The Tethered Mage is the best kind of fantasy: intricate world-building, the most intriguing of court intrigues, and a twisty plot. But while readers might pick it up for those elements, they'll stay for the engaging characters and the unlikely friendships at the story's heart
Rosalyn Eves, author of BLOOD ROSE REBELLION
A great balance of characters, intrigue and magic and just left me wanting to read more
SPECULATIVE HERALD
The Tethered Mage is a fantastic first novel . . . it is easily my favourite 2017 debut set in a secondary world
FANTASY BOOK CAFE
Author Melissa Caruso
Narrator Saskia Maarleveld
Series Swords and Fire
Duration 14 hours and 16 minutes
Release Date
ISBN 9781405538770
Format Audiobook
Publisher Little, Brown Book Group
Genre Epic fantasy / heroic fantasy, Fantasy, Historical fantasy
Availability AU, GB, IE

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