Mackenzie Flohr

The Rite of Abnegation tells the story of Mortain and his sons Mierta and Lochlann. Set in a fantasy world reminiscent of a Celtic England, they live in the Kingdom of Aracelly. All who are born in this Kingdom are granted the potential ability to wield magic by the dragon Lord Kaeto. The Rite of Wands bestows magic, and the Rite of Abnegation can take it away, leaving the former magic user an outcast. Mortain, the king's physician, is overwhelmed by attacks from a gigantic, magically created beast, while Mierta, himself an accomplished magician, accompanies his twelve-year-old brother Lochlann as he is about to undergo his Rite of Wands. Can Mortain defeat the beast before the kingdom is weakened beyond rescue, and can Lochlann survive the terrifying visions of his Rite of Wands with his mind still intact?

This was the second book in the Rite of Wands series. I felt it was somewhat a standalone novel, though I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the first. It's set in a very interesting world and I would have liked to know more about it; presumably this is fleshed out in the first book. It was also quite a short book and some parts felt rushed. I was just starting to warm to the characters when it ended. The timeline jumped around a lot, especially in the first half, and was a little confusing. It's more difficult to flick back and forth to find out when you are when you're reading an ebook.

Overall the concept of a kingdom where every citizen is potentially granted (or occasionally denied) magical ability was very interesting, and I'd like to see more from this series.… (plus d'informations)

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from LibraryThing in return for an honest review.

It is Lochlann's turns to participate in the Rite of Wands ceremony to determine if he will be allowed to practice magic or not. He successfully completes his ceremony and gets his wand only to refuse to use magic ever again. His brother, Mierta McKinnon, wants to know why. He needs to figure out what Lochlann saw during his Rite of Wands. However before he can make any progress his father calls him and his brother to the capital. Vandolay is under attack from a mysterious creature and Mierta's father needs his help caring for the wounded. After Lochlann is attacked by the creature it is up to Mierta to save his brother and the rest of the kingdom before it is too late.

This book is the second in the Rite of Wands series however I am not sure where it falls in time wise based on the first book. It felt like it occurred before the first book but referenced events in the first book.The protagonist also felt different personality wise when compared to the first book. That being said, I enjoyed this book more then the first one. I found the characters to be more likeably. It was short, under 200 pages on an eBook reader, but enjoyable. It sucked me in and I finished it quickly. Overall I enjoyed it.… (plus d'informations)

I received a copy of this book through the Early Reviewers program on LibraryThing; I am grateful to the publisher for the opportunity to read this.

This book is the second in a series, though was advertised that you could read it as a standalone. I did want more of the world, or a little more structure--it felt like there were greater things going on that were maybe not relevant to the story that was being told, or would be relevant later but did not get much attention. I think it also could have been a little longer--as it is, it's under 200 pages (according to my search,) and some of the pacing is pretty fast. I think a younger teen might enjoy this, though, and some of the stuff around the magic is interesting.… (plus d'informations)