cover image The Reluctant Mage

The Reluctant Mage

Karen Miller, Orbit, $25.99 (544p) ISBN 978-0-316-02921-6

Miller's thoroughly satisfying fourth and final Mage title (after The Prodigal Mage) brings the story to the lost land of Dorana, where the sorcerer Morg has finally found a body sturdy enough to hold his essence without going completely mad. That body belongs to Rafel of Lur, son of Morg's mortal enemy, the great weather mage Asher. Now Morg plans to rebuild the destroyed city of Elvado, regain his full powers, and rule Dorana and Lur with his trademark despotic zeal. With Rafel possessed and Asher comatose, the only person left to stand against Morg is Asher's teen daughter, Deenie, who must overcome her self-doubt and fears after a lifetime of believing that she has no magical powers. Miller's fans will applaud this strong conclusion to her multigenerational saga and will especially adore Deenie, a plucky, sweet young woman who braves all to save her beloved brother and her home. (Aug.)