Brillar from the Sisterhood of Laurenfell, Elden from the Brotherhood and a war mage. Up against Harrolen another war mage and previous friend, then against K'ish Potion Makers and lastly, befriending the Elfin. Great names, good story, it seems like my kind of book. For the most part it is, hence four stars.
However, there is a but...
The pacing is sooooo slow.
I nearly gave up several times. Great descriptions, full length dialogues, and a story that moves at snail pace. But, but, but… somehow I stayed with it. My fast and furious self gradually relaxed into the story and I began to enjoy it for what it is, which is a good story, full of interesting characters.

This is a book feels like an extended character sketch with minimal attention paid to plot. Yet, the characters are haphazard because while there is a great deal of attention devoted to the relationship between Elden and Brillar, we don’t really pause to see the interiority of these characters. We’re informed repeatedly of Big Emotions and Big Consequences that await these characters but they neither pause to reflect upon them, nor do they seem very affected by these events, nor is there any sense of urgency. Plot points arise and are dismissively laid to rest while pages are devoted to the lead pair traveling and eating and meeting throwaway characters who have nothing to contribute to the plot - of which there is none. Elden is a super mage - who uses his powers to beat up on those weaker than him while refusing to fight those his equal, leaving Brillar to save him at the cost of her own profession. DNF.

2.5 stars

Interesting idea but just overall boring.
Like first is the main character running away from her sisterhood to live alone in the wild to then come across the mage enslaved and dying because of the pendant on him. The people who control him attack her she kills one and can take off the pendant after tedious work. Because it was so taking on her healing and she was close to death before he was saved just a big portion is camping in the woods as he heals and then a few stops at inns.

He orders her to be his apprentice but she declines until she agrees to a trial year under his mentorship.

She is eventually hurt and they need to return home so she can heal and then her training eventually starts.

This book's biggest plot is that the main characters need to have lengthy healing periods due to injuries and magic is eventually taught.

This book does not have the excitement of a good adventure story. There is no high stakes feel. IT WAS BORING. I do not necessarily have anything against boring or slow books but in those books, the author needs to make up with grand aspects in other things. The writing style, vocabulary, characterization, etc. and this book just does not achieve that. Everything in this book is very simplistic. The writing and wording are easy. I read it in a couple of hours. Characters though do have sparks of interest that are not going to be memorable. And biggest of all for me as a reader is just the lackluster plot outline.

This book was an interesting read. The heroine was strong and fierce and the world the author has built is magical and unique. I was reminded of old fantasy storytellers like Eddings and Tolkien. The magic lore was also very well written and I enjoyed the adventure the author took you on. There were times where the story seemed to meander when I would have preferred it to sprint but then I’m a very impatient reader sometimes, but some might agree and find it slow in parts.

Otherwise a very enjoyable story with a solid base in fantasy and a good selection of supporting characters.

I loved this story! The cover initially drew me to this book but the excellent writing and characterisation kept me reading. The world building is brilliant and almost Tolkien-like, which I really enjoyed.

The only criticism I can think of is the pacing was not always on point, but this did not greatly impact my enjoyment of the book as a whole.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC.