Lovely little story set in the world of The Powder Mage. The main character is one of Tamas's captains - Verundish - whose husband threatens to sell their daughter into slavery if she doesn't give him divorce, something she cannot do due to personal and religious reasons. She thinks the only way to save her daughter is to kill herself or lead the hopeless attack on the Gurlish fortress. Both exciting and emotional, the story is a great introduction to the series. Beside the sketch of the world, it also shows us how Tamas became Field Marshal and some of his discontent that lead to the eventual coup. Hope's end in book three of the Powder Mage prologue novellas.This is yet another fun story for a character that is not the main character, and yet you get to see more of Tamas from the view-point of his soldiers as well as his small role in this story. The tale is great, the action is packed to the top, and this is a character that I would not mind learning more about in the future, as she is a strong lead.Brian McClellan does a good job writing these prologues (as I call them, not he) and he creates the world and characters quickly and simply yet effective to tell the story whole.My personal third favorite of the five novellas to the Powder Mage
Cannot get enough of Mr. McCellan's Powder Mage series!! Great short, must read for fans!
—nichole
The magic system is a bit of wtf-ery, but this was alright. I'd read more.
—ens04
This is the best epic fantasy series tie in short story I've ever read.
—Taylor
Much better read than promise of blood.
—kmatt318
Not bad for a short story
—CATHY
