Upon the one hundredth reincarnation of the Lotus empress, the dark god Kashmeru would send out his shadow army—Pishacha—to destroy the reborn empress, which in turn would bring about the collapse of the universe.The world changed at the time of the Eradication. The New Asian Administration outlawed mages, forbidding any use of their powers. To protect her imprisoned family, Mayhara Guatama made … family, Mayhara Guatama made a deal to surrender her mage status and pledge her life to the New Order.
Years have passed, the chaos from the upheaval long since settled. Or so Mayhara believed… until she receives a mysterious message pleading for her help.
Stunned by the claim that the empress has been reincarnated, Mayhara must choose between fealty to the Lotus empire, or honoring the decree that assures her family’s safety.
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Family. What lengths would one go to protect their family? Two people are testing the limits of what that means, but it looks a lot different on the surface in this frightening new world. Mayhara finds herself working for the “new order” for the promise of “earning” her family’s freedom from the prison camp they are currently trapped. Maybe her plan works if they can stay alive long enough. Then there’s Jae, who is determined to get his sister Naree back, whose capture could mean the collapse of everything good as the dark god Kashmeru has determined to use her for his evil purposes. Mayhara struggles as she believes she has turned her back on her family in a sense, given up on saving them by choosing to help Jae rescue Naree and in the process becoming an enemy of the “state.” However, Mayhara soon sees this is bigger than her family, that only by defeating the approaching evil can she save anyone, including her family. She has seen the dark god’s power, that his hold is more than a myth, a story. She saw it reflected in Naree’s eyes, a hold that was stronger than those of even family. She watched the heartbreak in Jae’s eyes at that realization, and his horror that he may never get his sister back. To allow such terror to be unleashed is unthinkable. So how far to protect your family? And how far is the path to get them back when such a bondage holds sway over them? You’ll do whatever it takes, no matter the distance to close the gap, no matter the sacrifice demanded. But is it enough? Jae and Mayhara hope so, because the alternative… well, they won’t give up on their family. Ever.
This book was not my normal style, but it was so much fun. The story begins with a legend about the reincarnation of the Lotus empress, so you have to know where this story is going. But then we come back down to earth where Mayhara (not the Lotus empress) is slaving away at her government job, working for the New Asian Administration in New Jaipur, trying to get her ex-boyfriend to leave her alone, and saving money to purchase her family’s freedom from a prison camp. Just a normal day. Well, the new normal since magic has been banned, that is. Until she gets a text message telling her “The Lotus is in danger.” And off we go. (No spoilers, this is all in the first 10 pages.)
From that point on, the story is non-stop action. Mayhara meets old friends and new friends, is on the run from friends and the government, and has to decide who she can trust – who she should trust. Has the Lotus empress returned, and if so, can she save her? Her old life and training (before magic was banned) had been dedicated to that task, but now she lives in a different world with different rules and her allegiances may have shifted. One thing is certain, there is nothing safe about any of the choices she must make. I recommend this book to fans of action and adventure who also like a whole lot of magic thrown in. I can’t wait to see where the story goes from here.
Crimson Mage is a sci-fi Asian fantasy appropriate for young adults with new adult heroes. Does that make sense? You’ll have to read it and see for yourself. The complete series, all 7 books, is already out in a box set!
The pacing is good, suspense is felt, characters are relatable, and the worldbuilding is clear. There’s also a budding romance with some cute chemistry.
The MC, Mayhara, is caught between a new assignment by her director working for the government and a different new assignment by her exiled guru. Should she continue with the first and save her family from the prison camp or the second and help save the world? On top of that difficult decision, she’s accused of murder. What else can go wrong? Apparently, lots.
This is the first book in a completed series. It has a good stopping point, but it’s definitely not a standalone. The ending sets things up for the rest of the series.
A fast and easy read. Everything is explained well and I believe this would make a great read for YA. The author created and easy to follow magic system with pretty cut and dry good guy/ bad guy definitions. Of course manipulation comes into play that can cause the good to be unknowingly bad as well. A good start to a series that reads smooth, lots of action, and suitable for any age. The path has been defined and you will need to read more of the series to follow the progress.
4.5 stars.
Intertwined magic and tech society that’s been defined by corporate giants. Where good and evil slide through the millenia.
I really loved this book. Purchased for a readathon, the story provided a lot of intrigue and decisions. It reads like mini series, where you can imagine how India was transformed in this new world. To fit a new Asian continent that limits power to only the corrupted. The subplot isn’t even a subplot. More like a dual story line with a deep fated mates element.
I bought the next book in the story, even though I’m notoriously frugal. I took off half a star for the abrupt ending since I’d expected a little more resolution. It’s a bit short as well. But the mark deduction has noting to do with storytelling or writing. I can’t wait to read all seven.
“Crimson Mage” marks the start to the “Empire of the Lotus” series by Dorothy Dreyer, a series that blends epic and urban fantasy, with and Asian themed apocalyptic world into one of the most original stories of the moment.
Mayhara Guatama is a mage in a world in which all magic has been outlawed by the New Asian Administration after the Purge. To free her family from imprisonment, she forfeits her freedom and her life to the New Order, surrendering her magic to the government. Then the new incarnation of the Lotus Empress is kidnapped and Mayhara is call to duty, as she is now the only Crimson Mage left, but helping to rescue the Lotus Empress means breaking her agreement with the New Order and condemned her family. Mayhara finds herself a crossroads, having to decide between her duty to the throne, her pledge to the government and her moral obligation to her own family.
Dorothy Dreyer has crafted a beautiful, multidimensional world, populated by a great variety of characters, filled with description and detail and a mix of Indian, and East Asian mythology. This first book, as is fit for an introduction to a brand-new verse, is very intended in world construction and description, while the characters will further develop in the next installments of the intended seven-book series. A clear recommendation for fans of dystopian/fantasy stories with an Asian background.
This is amazing! Well written I was totally engrossed in this story of magic, mystery , drama and intrigue. With its fantastic storyline and twists and turns and great characters I found myself definitely hooked and looking forward to reading book 2!
This was such a great book. I loved the storyline and characters. Both are extremely well written. The story pulled me in from the beginning and kept me pulled in until the end. I love the cover as well. I recommend reading. (I received this book as an arc and am leaving a voluntary honest review)
Crimson Mage by Dorothy Dreyer is Book 1 in her new Empire of the Lotus Series. I was given the opportunity to read an advance copy of this story.
Wow! Where do I start? This is my first exposure to Dorothy Dreyer’s work, but I want more! So much more!
Mayhara Guatama is The Crimson Mage. Though not at the top of her class at the Academy, she learns the Mage above her was murdered, making her The Elite Crimson Mage. And the purpose of the mages? To protect and serve The Lotus Empress.
But the government ambushed the Mage Academy, Purging the Mage’s and imprisoning them and their families. Mayhara has worked for the government for nearly 2 years since The Purge, with a single goal in mind: rescue her family from the imprisonment camps.
Then she’s contacted by her old guru, and things start happening around her, setting in motion the very thing she trained for. But to follow her calling puts paid to any hope of rescuing her family. What is a young girl to do?
This story grabbed me and hooked me from the prologue. The world is so detailed, you can see it; the characters so well-written you feel them. If you purchase this Anthology simply for this story, you will more than get your money’s worth, specially when you factor in the 21 additional stories by more of the top authors in the dystopian/urban fantasy/paranormal genres. And I cannot wait for more in the Empire of the Lotus Series. Solid 5-star read.
I received a free ARC from the publisher in exchange for review consideration.
The main feeling I got from this book is that it’s just okay. It’s not amazing and it’s not terrible. It’s fine.
I didn’t care for the protagonists, but I didn’t dislike them either. I didn’t find them compelling or interesting. I just felt nothing towards them. They’re a little bland. The coolest character, the mentor, is gone from the story after fulfilling her expositional role.
The plot is basic: the Lotus Empress has been kidnapped/brainwashed; rescue her. Yes, the protagonists face challenges along the way, but that’s the gist of it. One of its problems is that as soon as the characters get a clue, they drop what they’re doing to follow it instead of keeping investigating and finding more clues. There is also the forced beginning of a romantic subplot, but it isn’t too distracting (just eye-rolling). Yet.
The world-building is the most interesting thing about Crimson Mage. The magic system is explored a little, and I’d love to see more of it. I want to know how the powers work and how different mages use theirs. I’m super curious about the mythology and history too. There is so much potential to this world. I hope it gets more attention in the sequels.
This story is one that is beautifully written with amazingly beautifully characters. It starts off a little slower but picks up quickly. It is full of mystery, drama, and intrigue. It brings together elements of magic and action. It has many twists and turns throughout the story. It keeps you glued to the story as you need to see what happens next. You cheer for Mayhara and Jai as thy journey forth to find the empresses. Yes, the story does end in a cliffhanger and boy I can’t wait to read the next one. The story is well written and the descriptions are beautifully developed that easily allow you to picture the scenes clearly in your mind. It is a must read that doesn’t disappoint.
The world is truly one of a kind, amazing, breath-taking, and unique. There is magic, reincarnation, battles, subterfuge, and more! You are definitely not going to want to put this one down. When I first read this book, I couldn’t get enough. I wanted more! I could go on and on, but I don’t want to give any spoilers or ruin the epicness that is The Crimson Mage. I can’t wait for the next one.