Matabar

A Progression Fantasy Epic

By: Kirill Klevanski

Narrated by: 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

Amazing story telling

Kinda slow to start but worth sticking with it if you like high fantasy mixed with urban fantasy

Characters

I really enjoy the story but some times Ard is so frustrating. It makes me mad at his inability to not be stupid. He had all this teaching and training and people in his life but he still is so dumb sometimes. Maybe one of the main characters in a story I have disliked the most.

the plot

a little slow in some parts, great story though. Characters are great as well, definitley reccomend

Melodrama

A decent story with excellent world building severely marred by stupid melodrama passed off as action scenes. The melodrama is bad but the foolishness is worse. Maybe it’s just because the MC is young and dumb, but the way it’s written I don’t have faith. I want to listen to the next book, I might be able to enjoy it if the MC gets smarter with experience. Unfortunately Im worried it’s the author not the character that is problematic.

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.