Blurb:

Strive not for power, but for control. Power without control is nothing, control without power is a beginning. - First Book of Thelen, first stanza. The civil war that has riven the Empire of the Thelenic Curriculum for five long years nears an end. Besieged in Manadar, their final fortress, the surviving twelve Royalist Magisters hatch a desperate plot- to break the walls of reality itself and turn the power of another universe against the Lily College. Unknown to the Twelve, that universe is home to Operative Amanda Devereux, and the most highly-advanced dimensional research facility on Earth. When the Royalists’ magic touches the cutting-edge science of The Office, the results are apocalyptic. Of the Twelve and their bastion, there is no trace. But in the crater that lies in the wake of Manadar, Amanda Devereux stirs, a cybernetic infiltration agent hurled into a world she could never have imagined- a world that has never seen anything like her. Science-fiction and fantasy collide head-on in the first novel of the Thelenic Curriculum: The Wake of Manadar.

Review:

I'd already read another book by TR Peers, The Zero of Destiny. It's comic fantasy and absolutely hilarious. If you want a good laugh and to see every trope in the genre demolished and rebuilt, this is the book for you. For that reason, I immediately looked for another by the same author. The book cover’s cartoon-like design made me think this was going to be another laugh-a-minute story. Imagine my surprise when I found out it wasn't. That the story was serious, high fantasy.

Having been misled, I decided to give the book a fair chance and, within the space of its opening chapter, I was hooked. Again. 

I loved this story.

First of all, its magic system was utterly unique. It make complete sense and offered enough versatility that it could be used in a wide variety of ways. I mention this first because it's important. The story opens with its main character, Amanda Devereux, transported from Detroit into a magical land. A woman who is part robot, part human because of a childhood illness and who has been turned into a killing machine. Now, with that use of technology in mind, comes the clever part. The magic used in this strange world is rather like technology. They talk about magic users having a 'pattern' that defines their magic. For 'pattern' you could use the word circuit. Too much magic going through the pattern, blows it, like a circuit. Lots of circuits, lots of patterns, all doing different things - like being used as a soldier, as a serf etc. 

See how clever the magic system is? This technological similarity continues throughout the story, there is even an AI character (Daniel) who supports Amanda as she adjusts. However, and this is another original idea, the Big Bad of the story, is caught up in the Detroit-side of technology as well. Where does one end and the other begin? It is such an intriguing concept and makes the story highly original.

Characters are also a big plus for me. Amanda could be your typical kick-ass female lead but she is much more. She has to adjust, compromise, and experience weakness when she's never done that before. She is an alien in a strange, new world. It takes time to learn to trust others, obviously, but they succeed. The other main protagonist, Thalia, is a magister who is powerful and can be ruthless when needed. She is a wonderful counterpoint to Amanada, not always seeing eye-to-eye in the early stages by realising they need each other. The men in the story are often amiable enough but lacking in the necessary qualities to address the dangers they face, yet some feel entitled enough to argue this point. Always, they are made to eat their haughty words. The baddies are delightfully cruel, ruthless and sly, the type you want to boo! Without exception, they draw you into the story and sustain your engagement. 

World building is also complex, detailed and utterly credible. This is the first book in a series and some references are setting up the sequels, there will be dragons and whales with magic powers! But in this story, the world is equal to our own in many ways - coming back to the technology theme again - but at other times, completely different. There are no planes, the sky belongs to the dragons! Likewise, the sea and the whales. Transport needs to be seen differently, such as horses (and their riders) that can travel at amazing speeds because of magic. Each time, you're left thinkin about the cleverness and originality of the solution.

Plot-wise, there is no point where the story sags. There are quiet moments, given over to character development and world building but the moments of excitement are many, well sustained and thrilling. 

If I was to fault the book, it's only in the cover, its design tone misleads. I don't think it's doing the story any favours and that's a shame because this is a stupendous tale. I'm definitely going to read the sequel. I'm invested in this world. Highly recommended, folks!