Servant Mage by Kate Elliott

Servant Mage
by Kate Elliott

ISBN-13: 9780593197882
Hardcover: 176 pages
Publisher: Tor/Forge
Released: January 18th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Fellion is a Lamplighter, able to provide illumination through magic. A group of rebel Monarchists free her from indentured servitude and take her on a journey to rescue trapped compatriots from an underground complex of mines. Along the way they get caught up in a conspiracy to kill the latest royal child and wipe out the Monarchist movement for good. But Fellion has more than just her Lamplighting skills up her sleeve…


My Review:
Servant Mage is an epic fantasy novella. Though a stand-alone, it reads like a prequel to a series. The author certainly spent a lot of time on complex world-building if it was only a setting for this story. Among the Monarchists, your birth defines your worth, though mages are allowed full training so they can work for the monarch's benefit. The group that defeated them says virtue defines your status. Mages are largely made into indentured servants with minimal training because they lack virtue. Indentured servant Fellion is offered a decent life among the Monarchist rebels in return for her service, but she's looked down on by both sides for things she had no control over (lowly birth or fire mage ability). She's upset with how the lower class is treated by both sides, but should she accept her chance to improve her status or choose the path her parents died following?

More time was spent on developing the culture and magic system than the individual characters. Still, the main characters were interesting, and I cared about what happened to them. Fellion cared about what happened to those who were helpless or had little power to protect themselves. She valued life to the point that she was willing to risk her own to help save others. There was suspense due to danger since they were on the run and fighting against a greater force. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable fantasy novella.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.