The laws are enforced by magic. If you break the law, you’re cursed. But the rich and powerful twisted the laws to allow for… exceptions.Marshal has been cursed since birth for his unknown father’s crimes. When he discovers he’s also heir to immense magical power, he must flee for his life. His half-brother wants the power for himself and has hired an assassin to pursue Marshal and his mother. No … and his mother. No one has ever escaped from a curse, but it’s the only way for Marshal to be truly safe.
Seri wants to become the most powerful mage in history. But the magic that holds the world together is failing and no one knows why. While the ground itself shakes, someone begins murdering mages. In danger from all directions, Seri must learn how to use her unique abilities before everything falls apart.
Neither of them know they are being watched from another realm…
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A good book with lots of action and adventure. I enjoyed watching the characters and the story develop.
Absolutely spectacular! After reading the blurb, I expected an interesting read but nothing prepared me for such a spectacular epic saga! Like a Mozart symphony, it started off slowly, building the characters and the world around them, giving a wonderful descriptive insight into all. It just builds and builds and the crescendo is earth shattering! The story of Marshall, his mother and Victor took my on an unparalleled journey, immersing me entirely and thoroughly. And then there’s Seri, who sets off to become the most powerful mage and thirsts for knowledge. Each and every character is so brilliantly depicted, complex yet with a strong conviction and thoroughly convincing. The various worlds are so well portrayed, I felt like I was actually in them! The magic is awesome, the scheming astounding, an entirely worthy read!
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review
I LOVED this book—and I don’t say that very often! Until All Curses Are Lifted, by Tim Frankovich, is about magic—and society—gone horribly wrong. The magic system is incredible, unusual, and mangled. That is to say that the magic has been twisted in an effort to make life “fair,” but (as with nearly all good things) people have contrived a way to abuse the system. How does one get around a system that curses the innocent and punishes good deeds? Worse, this broken magic is breaking the world…
I really enjoyed the character development; no cardboard figures here! The world-building was good, but not great, though the characters and fast-paced plot were so strong that it was not problematic. We’re introduced to various countries, societies, religions, and history without being deluged by information. The author weaves some serious and unexpectedly deep issues into the adventures.
There are a few places where the prose is weak, but they are few—and the worst part about the book was reading the last page. I want more. Right now!
Anyone who likes good old-fashioned fantasy reads and complicated characters is sure to love this.
Welcome to Whimsical Wednesday my Fellow Book Dragons, where all things Odd, Weird, Fantastical or Otherwise come to roost. Happy Thanksgiving Eve to my Fellow Book Dragons from the US of A. Our Gem this evening is perfectly round, crystal clear, perfect in it’s aspect. It’s light comes from within. It resembles the Crystal Balls of that other race, the Mage, and for good reason. This is from whence it comes. Isn’t it beautiful? The Mage it came from is Tim Frankovich. If you look into it’s center it will show you a fantastical world where grand and terrible things happen. “Until All Curses Are Lifted” is the tale of some of them.
This is the story of Marshal. Marshal is an unfortunate child. Cursed because his father harmed another. In Marshal’s world, One is cursed because One’s parent harmed another being. Marshal cannot communicate. He knows no sign language except yes and no and only if he can remember how to make them. He cannot speak. He cannot write. Everyone hates him because he is cursed, except for his mother, who tells him he is loved and his destiny is great. His brother not only hates him, he covets. And what is it he could so covet from poor Marshal? He covets his curse. And so he hires an assassin.. but not just any assassin.. he hires a Leper Assassin. See? I told you this world was fantastical. This world is set in ‘The Six Lands of the Antises’. There is much to explore now that this game is afoot…
But this is also the story of Seri. She wants to become the first female Mage. She wants to become the most powerful mage that has ever lived. But will she live to make that happen?
And lastly this is also the story of a vast array of characters. Take your time at first, because you will definitely want to get to know them. They will get under your skin. Clear your calendar for a few hours. Put on the teapot or fill up the coffeepot. Grab the holiday cookies. Lock the door. You need time to get to know these new friends and enemies.
I loved this book. It world is filled with characters who are highly imaginative and yet, undeniably realistic in that they can be sympathized with and related to. Odd, isn’t it. This is a land I would love to visit (wouldn’t want to live there, mind you). Frankovich has given the world a new series to sink our fangs and claws into and I, for one, plan to. This first book is very reasonably price and would make a lovely Christmas gift for fans of Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Grimm’s Fairy Tales and so on. I did appreciate that while there is quite a bit of good, old fashioned violence (there is a lot of hate, and assassination attempts, etc after all), there was very little sex and no language that would cause One to grit ones molars. I do believe Frankovich’s ‘The Six Lands of Antises’ will be the next addition to the list on that question “If you could go to any imaginary land where would you go?”
Grab a copy and see what I mean. If I were you, I would grab a copy for myself and slide it in the old stocking..why risk it? And then grab a copy of your reading buddy, because you will definitely want someone to discuss this one with!
Until tomorrow I remain, your humble Book Dragon, Drakon T. Longwitten
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.