Dragon Mage

Rivenworld, Book 1

By: ML Spencer

Narrated by: Ben Farrow

Length: 27 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Aram Raythe has the power to challenge the gods. He just doesn't know it yet.

Aram thinks he’s nothing but a misfit from a small fishing village in a dark corner of the world. As far as Aram knows, he has nothing, with hardly a possession to his name other than a desire to make friends and be accepted by those around him, which is something he’s never known. But Aram is more.

Much, much more.

Unknown to him, Aram bears within him a gift so old and rare that many people would kill him for it, and there are others who would twist him to use for their own sinister purposes. These magics are so potent that Aram earns a place at an academy for warrior mages training to earn for themselves the greatest place of honor among the armies of men: dragon riders.

Aram will have to fight for respect by becoming not just a dragon rider, but a Champion, the caliber of mage that hasn’t existed in the world for hundreds of years. And the land needs a Champion. Because when a dark god out of ancient myth arises to threaten the world of magic, it is Aram the world will turn to in its hour of need.

©2021 ML Spencer (P)2021 Podium Audio

Incredible classic epic fantasy

This one shoots straight onto my favorites list. Superb story and narration.

The characters and relationships here really stand out, especially the friendship between our main characters Aram and Markus.

So good. Easy 5 stars.

Mind blowing experience

This is an extraordinary roller-coaster ride of fantasy. I struggled to turn it off and even ended up late for work because it kept me up through the night. so excited for the next adventure. totally worth every dollar, minute, second everything!!! the only thing better than the story was the performance. A++!!

Great book loved it!!!

I hope that this is not the end of the story. It was quite a great adventure, anxiously awaiting the next in the series.

Aram

I should have loved this book but Aram being dumb and naive the whole book just doesn't sit right. The fact he was building social skills before the cellar than reverts back is not even the worst part. Then the friends that risked their lives to free him from the cellar with Marcus. Go to war and have no problem trying to kill them how does that make sense. Then the whole war how can you be at war but one side is at a huge disadvantage getting killed and slaughtered. Did the other side not know. This had potential but it fell far from the mark

Must Read!

It’s hard to find books this good that I haven’t already read/listened to, this is a great one!

3.75 stars

It read like a classic fantasy about a neurodivergent boy. Barring a few moments in the beginning, plot and happenings were predictable but fun. Do not feel strongly about reading the next installment.

A wonderful and fresh take on classic fantasy

TLDR: I loved this story! The narration was great! And DRAGONS! Lots of dragons!

I read Dragon Mage earlier this year and loved it. I was thrilled to get early access to the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. This story is a fresh take on classic fantasy. It starts in a small fishing village with two young men, Aram and Markus, who set out into a world filled with loss, cruelty, and pain but also friendship, love, and DRAGONS. With a magic system based on tying knots of aether and a conflict that has been going on for centuries, this story moves at a cracking pace as swords are forged, battles are fought, and lessons are learned. But at the center of this fast-paced story is the friendship between Aram and Markus.

Ben Farrow’s narration really made Aram and Markus come alive for me. Our main character, Aram, is soft spoken, uncertain at times, and often confused in social situations and that really came through in the narration. Ben Farrow’s narration allows the listener to hear how Aram is feeling just from his voice. Sometimes, Aram’s voice is only slightly above a whisper and you can really feel how scared or overwhelmed he is at that moment. I love Aram! I have never encountered a fantasy protagonist quite like him and I could not get enough. His discomfort in social situations really resonated with me on a personal level and I think ML Spencer knocked it out of the park with his characterization. Ben Farrow’s narration simply cemented my love for Aram and my concern for him as he struggles with friends, enemies, magic, and his own self-esteem. Markus is loyal, steadfast, and the best friend you could have. He has a very frank and direct personality and through the pages and the narration, you can really sense his concern for Aram and his willingness to speak his mind when he feels Aram is overextending.

Another example of the amazing narration is the Exilari sorcerer, a major antagonist in the story, who is brought to life with a sniveling yet menacing voice that made me shiver every time I heard it. Seriously! That dude is creepy!

I recommend this book for the excellent story and Ben Farrow’s narration. ML Spencer has crafted an interesting and unique plot with great pacing and amazing world building that I think new and experienced fantasy fans will enjoy. Additionally, her characters, particularly Aram, are unforgettable and enhanced by Ben Farrow’s narration. Each character in this story has a distinct voice that is uniquely theirs and Ben Farrow is able to capture that through his excellent narration. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series and I hope Ben Farrow can do the narration for the audiobook!

Did I mention that this book has dragons!!

A Heartfelt Journey

An amazing Journey of a boy to a man. From a boy with dreams of being a fisherman to the savior of multiple worlds. An amazing story of love and loss from victory to defeat. A story worthy of multiple reads.

Awesome story!

This book was very good and hooked me from the start. Unique and creative magics, and dragons! Can't wait to see what's next.

Enjoyed by everyone in my household :)

After really enjoying Dragon Mage, I recommended it for my family (three adults) on a road trip to Wyoming. It was a hit for everyone. The writing and performance are engaging. Although a dragon rider book with many of the usual dragon rider "things", the author's imagination provides both a unique world and plot. At its heart, the book is a romantic novel (romantic in the classical use of the word, not romance) with enough plot twists to keep the story interesting.

The writing is first class and the narration very well done. I'm really looking forward to the next novel in the Rivenworld sequence.

When reading dragon rider books, I always compare them to Ann McCaffrey's novels. I rate this novel as equal to an Ann McCaffery average work and I consider that high praise.

Answering some critics of the book:
High function autistic and ADHD kids share many common characteristics, so much so that it's often very difficult to distinguish between the two for diagnostic purposes. As a typical ADHD child, I was two to three years behind my classmates both emotionally and socially and exhibited many autistic characteristics. As a 12 year old my maturity level was that of a 10 year old and as a 16 year old I was closer to a 13 or young 14 year old. Between this and other issues such as having an internal world that was generally much more interesting than the classroom, I can attest to Aram's feelings and problems making friends and feeling insecure.

In addition, one of our strong alpha classmates befriended me at 14, mentored me and coached me in life issues much as Marcus does for Aram in the book.

I'm in my 70s and have lived (and am living) a fulfilling and fruitful life. As an adult, I strive to help young people achieve success and to help everyone appreciate their personal differences and the difference of others. Only though a community of diverse individuals working together for the common good can we hope to solve world class issues.