The story has an interesting plot. I like the idea of the Arcanist and how the process is different throughtout the locations. The story being from the main character's perspective also made for an interesting view, especially when it came to rivals and misconceptions.
However, the story did overall feel rushed. I would have liked to have seen more of the development of the students and their bonds, as well as more time with Zefree and Ruma to build on the tension and conflict. Currently, there is not much to make me believe there was any doubt when Luthair recognized Ruma's voice, nor was there enough time with the main character and Luthair to really make me believe he had gained his trust. If this book takes it a little slower and lets the readers immerse in this world and the lives of the apprentices, it would make for a much more intriguing read.

Very similar to the Summoner series by Taran Matharu. Which is not a bad thing, i enjoyed both books. I do hope the next one is a bit longer. Maybe explore more of the abilities the MC can do.

YA fantasy with a fresh premise - at least, fresh to me: people bond to any of a wide variety of mystical creatures and become arcanists, their powers differing based on the creature they are bonded to. Also, there's a magical plague which drives the creatures mad and corrupts the humans who are bonded to them, and pirates are deliberately spreading it as a terror tactic (and because it can make their creatures' magic more powerful).

It's a premise that's well thought through and well sustained. There's a contained cast - six young people, newly bonded, coming to an arcanists' guild as apprentices, all of whom were easy to tell apart, and most of whom played clear and necessary roles; and no more than four more senior guildspeople, of whom two featured heavily.

There's also a positive adoptive father-figure, who isn't on stage much but is very much present in recollection for the main character. That character is motivated to prove to everyone that he isn't a criminal like his parents, but a noble and good person like his adoptive father, and it's a strong motivation, well handled. He wants to do right, but because of everyone's expectations about him and the way the situation is set up, often ends up breaking the rules in order to do what he thinks ought to be done.

The kids' conflicts are believable and not just cliches, and their characters at least begin to flesh out during the story, in ways that make sense. While there are hints of early attraction that will no doubt cause trouble between them in the future, nothing becomes overt in this book as far as romance between the cast is concerned.

There is the usual hard-to-swallow YA trope of inexperienced apprentices being able to do anything whatsoever against a more powerful and mature foe (and I did spot the roles of "unexpected" villain and unlikely ally coming several miles off), but I think the author pulls it off in the end.

The worldbuilding is fairly light, and mostly centred on the magical creatures (who have their own personalities, particularly the ferretlike rizzel, who's consistently amusing). There are two or three familiar names from the real world, mixed with a lot of made-up names, which was a touch odd; I thought "at least the author doesn't make the common mistake of using biblical names in a setting where Christianity doesn't exist," but then late in the piece there was a cathedral, so perhaps Christianity, or something like it, does exist.

I had a pre-release copy from Netgalley, and the very common issue of missing past perfect tense when referring to earlier events in past tense narration was frequent; it may be reduced (but, given how frequent it is, probably won't be eliminated) by thorough copy editing before publication.

Overall, with those few caveats, this is a sound and entertaining piece of storytelling, and I would happily read more in the series.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Shami Stovall's Knightmare Arcanist, the first book in her Frith Chronicles series, turned out to be pretty fun and action-packed read. However, it did have some weak points that detracted from the overall reading experience for me. This book follows Volke Savan, an apprentice gravedigger on a tiny and remote island who's dream is to become an arcanist and finally leave his island. To become an arcanist and wield magic, one must first bond with an eldrin (a term for any time of mythical creature). So when Volke meets a knightmare named Luthair, he doesn't hesitate at the chance to fulfill his dreams.

The strongest aspects of this book for me by far were the premise and magic system. In this world, arcanists use magic based on the type of eldrin that they bond with. For example, phoenixes have fire magic, knightmares have shadow magic, etc. This might be because of the Pokemon lover in me, but what I really loved about this system was how much it focused on the bond between the arcanist and eldrin as well as the vast amount of different creatures out there. Overall, it makes for huge potential in future worldbuilding.

What really put me off throughout the whole book, however, was the dialogue. The overall writing itself was quite good, but when it came to character dialogue, it seemed a little simplistic and lacking nuance. The imbalance was quite jarring to me. Another, albeit smaller, issue I had was that the pacing at the very end seemed very rushed. Although everything wraps up, I ended the book feeling like an unwanted guest being forced out of someone's house.

Overall, it was a fun reading experience, and I'm curious to explore more of the world and see more eldrin in the future installments!

I really wanted to like this book. I have a love for Phoenixs so any book about them catches my eye, but yet they seem to disappoint me. I could be a harsh critique because I love phoenix's but this book just didn’t give me that feeling. I think this could be a very popular book among the ya fans, I just didn’t find it any more spectacular than other ya fantasy novels right now.

Shami Stovall delivers a world full of magic, adventure, friendship, secrets and lots of action. Everything is taking place into a well-crafted setting that you can easily visualize, due to the intricate details the writer is offering. The characters have distinctive personalities and while their utter goal is to attain the magic of their world, their motives differ from one another.

Our story follows Volke, a fifteen-year-old boy, who, despite his poor upbringing, is dedicated to becoming an arcanist. Arcanists can wield magic but in order to achieve that, they must form a bond with a mystical creature. What power the magician can control depends on his mystical creature’s abilities. After overcoming many obstacles, Volke manages to bond with a Knightmare named Luthair, under one condition: he must help him take revenge on his first arcanist’s killer. Volke must learn his craft, seak out the person who murdered Luthair’s partner while, in the meantime, trying to stay intact from a terrible plague that drives arcanists and mystical creatures crazy.

The story has a fairytale-vibe with sprinkles of darkness to make your skin crawl just at the right moments. The description of the world setting and the portrayal of the mystical creatures’ appearance and powers were cohesive and clear in a non-tiring way. I could picture, smell and feel everything the writer intended me to.

The characters by not being perfect are more relatable. Even the mean ones (not the evil ones) have redeemable qualities and the will to change when proven wrong. I loved that Volke has petty or bad thoughts, at times, but never acts upon them. He’s good and just and everything he does is filtered by the principles recited on the Pillar: an ancient staircase made of stone with one hundred and twelve steps. On each one are written words of wisdom for every sorcerer to follow; a very imaginative addition to the story.

I equally adored his interactions with Illia, the orphan girl he grew up with. Their relationship is based on loyalty and trust and their friendship is above all else, no matter what’s taking place. Romance is not a priority for this book’s plot so the reader gets to focus more on what’s happening.

The pacing was great for me and the writing made this book a quick read. My only complaint is that I wanted something more towards the ending. I expected/craved for things to not be so obvious; some twist, perhaps, that could change the course of the story.

Still, I enjoyed this first installment of the Frith Chronicles and I’m excited for the next one. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who is up for a magical adventure laced with dark-ish elements.

This ARC was provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with the ARC. I was absolutely thrilled I got this ARC! I love all things science fiction and fantasy so I was ready and willing to give this a go. Didn't disappoint I loved it! Will read more from this author in the future!

4/5

The Knightmare Arcanist is the first book in the Frith Chronicles, following pair of young teens who consider themselves as siblings, Volke and Illia. Now you know me. The plot and setting are secondary to the importance of character development. Characters are what drives the story forward, and I am very much ecstatic that the characters in this book were utterly superb.

Wanting to be an Arcanist (a person bonded with a magical creature; and in this case, a phoenix), Volke set out to compete with Atty and Zaxis, both renowned residents of the Isle of Ruma, in the Trials of Worth. And he almost made it if not for the fact that he was “outsmarted” by the schoolmaster. Volke, walking away in defeat, was given another chance by Illia who confided in him that there were rare, magical creatures running amok in the forest of their island. Heading there, Illia was able to bond with a rizzle, while Volke bonded with a Knightmare, but here’s the catch—this was the Knightmare’s second Arcanist. His first Arcanist died in battle, and he was hellbent on avenging his death, a task that his Arcanist, Volke, took up as well. Together, they sailed with Atty and Zaxis to join guilds that would help them hone their magic.

Volke

Ah, Volke. The dreamer. His character development was at best… stable. His character is ambitious, hard working, and eager to prove that his parentage will not affect his behaviour nor attitude. Being a son of criminals weren’t exactly everyone’s favourite background story, but Volke did everything he had in his power to prove to the people of the Isle of Ruma that he was more than just the gravedigger boy of the island. That he had a purpose. What I liked most about his character is that even though he was dealt with less than satisfactory cards, he still tried to make a solution out of it. He was still eager to reach his goals no matter the consequences.

Illia

Illia, although she was Volke’s best friend, wasn’t memorable enough. I was more intrigued with the personalities of Zaxis and Atty, than Illia. If her character intended to support Volke, then she would be a great supporting character. But if she was intended to be a whole character of her own, it kind of fell flat on that goal.

Zaxis and Atty

Zaxis had one of the best character development so far. He started out as enemies with Volke (as Volke upstaged him in one of the trials) but gradually, and I mean very slowly, built up alliance, then rapport, then somewhat of a friendship with him all throughout the story. And his budding friendship with Volke was somehow the best part of the story, as it was hilarious to see Zaxis try to be a good, friendly person but then revert to being defensive and closed off. There’s a fine line between liking a character and not liking a character—the author was able to make me feel both for Zaxis. Atty on the other hand was the opposite of Zaxis—she’s regal, graceful, and poised. Always polite to anyone and everyone, although she wields her magic in a masterful way. Yet another character that was more likeable and more memorable than Illia.

The adventure plot and the magical system that held in place were definitely slowly built up as the books goes along—in other words, the info dump was minimal in this book. It was more of discovering what their magic can do than knowing what they can do outright. There was next to zero romance in this book, if you reader were concerned.

Overall, the book was a great first book. First books of series typically fall into two categories: a great pilot start with intriguing concepts and an interesting plot, or an undo dump and filler till the second book where the real action starts. Thankfully, this book was the former.

I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.