Matabar

A Progression Fantasy Epic

De: Kirill Klevanski

Narrado por: Adam Stubbs

A forgotten people. A lost bloodline. A true Mage will rise.

Ardan Egobar is a young hunter from a remote mountain tribe. Destined for nothing more than the quiet rhythms of the wild.

But when fate drags him from his village into the heart of the New Monarchy Empire, everything changes. He steps into a melting pot of orcish mobsters, cigar-smoking dwarven bankers, and fashionforward elves—all on the brink of world war.

As Ardan grapples with his forgotten bloodline and discovers an intricate magic system, he begins a slow, compelling ascent, transforming from an innocent youth into a rising mage whose power may one day reshape history.

From Kirill Klevanski, the bestselling author of Dragon Heart, comes this epic new Progression Fantasy adventure about a young wizards rise to power, featuring a detailed magic system, expansive world-building, slow-build power progression, epic action, and unforgettable characters.

©2025 Aethon Books (P)2025 Aethon Audio

Great start

Really strong start. There is some strong world building. An expansive world has been created here. I hope it can continue to grow without becoming overcomplicated. Right now everything is cool and new. I like the MC. He is a cool character. His magic is novel and interesting. This world of guns and magic is unique and immersive. The narration was really well done.

Magical

A slow story filled with magic. I can't say exactly what I liked about it, but I couldn't tear myself away and listened and listened and listened!
What's more, there are two professionally performed songs with amazing vocals! Amazing!

I honestly felt like a kid again

When I was a little girl, I used to hide under my blanket at night with a flashlight, reading stories about mages and wizards long after everyone thought I was asleep. And for the first time in almost twenty years, that feeling came back to me.

If you want a fast, dopamine-heavy story that sprints from one high to another — this isn’t it.
But if you want to travel — to wander through unknown lands with characters who aren’t always perfect, but feel so alive — then please, don’t skip this book.

And oh my god, the women in this story! They’re written so incredibly well that for a moment I genuinely thought the author had to be a woman.

40 hours I have well read progression fantasy

There is a lot of world building in this book, a combination of magic systems and a main character that is interesting if not relatable.
When considering that this is a first book in a series and this much ground is covered, this is an excellent deal for a credit. I will definitely be following the series.
To give a perspective on what to expect, there is some dialogue, some exposition and plenty of action. However, the dialogue is not what makes up the vast majority of the book nor is it all action sequences. There is a pretty good mix between the three.
This is roughly a fantasy steampunk book with imperial politics and progression through different schools of magic. this book went through two different types of magic systems in two different “schools“ and began a third school, which would be considered college. You start out with a six year-old boy and end up with late teens as he learns about the world. I expect the next book will finish out the college progression and the beginning of the military career.

Great start!!!!

lots of unanswered questions ... looking forward for the next book. Like the fact there is aways a Grey area none is good or totally bad

One of my favorite stories

i found matabar on royal road, and it became my favorite web novel on the site, the world building is so rich, the characters feel like actual people, the mysteries feel well tought, the magic of the world is so interesting, the combination of low and high fantasy is so well made, simply great. we warned, the story gets real dark at times, I make this warning because this is generally what trows me of stories like this, but is so well written that i can power through it because I'm hooked by what's happening. i can't recommend this book enough and it's very well narrated to, so if you're looking for a good story, do try it, and if you to get into it, you can continue reading it in royal road, the quality doesn't drop off and it's well worth the time.
P.D: I forgot to add, some people have told me this story feels too verbose at times, but I assure you, it is like that by design, and it makes complete sense when you get into the story.
another P.D: this first book is very foundational, i promise the story start to really pick up later on, it's well worth it, trust me.

Never been so torn writing a review.

This might be long so first I want to say Adam Stubbs is quickly becoming one of my favorite narrators. He's the reason I decided to give this a try.

On to this story - First off, this is very well written and an absolute masterclass in world building. Solid characters and multiple interesting magic systems. It has the potential to be an epic long running series. That said, I think I hated it...

If I had written this review at the halfway mark, I would have said it was perfect, an incredible intro to a new world. But as the MC grows in the latter half I kept waiting for the progression, both in power and personality, which never comes... Seemed like he regresses in fact, becoming less competent and more cowardly compared to his days in the wild. He makes almost no decisions which impact the story and spends most of the 2nd half getting pushed around. He only survives due to multiple antagonist choosing not to kill him. Adding to the difficulties the author burdens him with multiple issues like a complete lack of social awareness, or a strange lack of fine motor control so he can't shoot a gun straight (despite coming from a legendary warrior race).

All of this does not come off as a failure in the writing, it seems absolutely intentional on the author's part. He seems insistent on his character being a passive/reactive participant in the world, rather than a driving force. I assume this is an attempt to break away from common tropes in the genre. Unfortunately, while common themes can be overdone, tropes are tropes for a reason... they're enjoyable. I read for fun and ultimately I did not have fun listing this story.

If you see the description and want a progression fantasy story with MC from a powerful lost race, carving his own path to power while figuring out what happened to the rest of his people and fighting those responsible, this is not the book for you.

If you want an urban fantasy story about a crime investigator with minor magical abilities, who struggles to find his place and get answers while being a pawn in the games of the powerful. then this is your book.

I may get the next one depending on where reviews suggest the story goes, but it won't be near the top of my list.

I love the story but the MC....sheesh

I feel like the MC is being actively hamstrings constantly. He went from the last Hunter to a submissive idiot. The paradox of him being a genius mage is overshadowed by the naive decisions he makes without learning from his mistakes in a annoying back and forth. Just seemed like I pushed all the way to 35 hrs for the ORC to tell him he's not a hunter (which by the mc actions at the time) was very accurate. The story made a long drawn out turn for the worst. Finally I dont understand why a MC having struggles has to be him just totally inept at life totally. He doesn't even abide by his ancestors if anything most of the book you feel like he thinks he deserves to be punished for his families crimes. Just ugh.... but I digress. Don't know about a next book. Really debating on finishing this ones last 5 hrs

Manipulated

I’m not sure if it’s intentional, but the author’s attempt at mystery makes the MC seem easily manipulated.