Dark Apprentice
Fall of Magic Book One
by Val Neil
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Pub Date Apr 04 2021 | Archive Date Jun 01 2021
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Description
A psychopathic wizard. An immortal mage. An epic battle of wills.
Nikolai doesn’t want much out of life: sex, immortality, and the power to disembowel anyone who crosses him. But with dark magic forbidden, his only option is Medea–a mage so deadly even the Enforcers give her a wide berth. Despite dire warnings that her apprentices don’t survive, Nikolai won’t stop until she agrees to train him. After all, he’s a killer himself.
Barbaric and brutal, the training is a far cry from what Nikolai expects. When a mysterious illness strikes Nikolai down, he suspects he’s found the secret to Medea’s longevity. He resolves to find out what happened to her previous apprentices. If he can locate the source of her power, he can turn it against her.
Medea swore off training dark wizards–none of them take the craft seriously and the ungrateful bastards always try to kill her. This one definitely seems the backstabbing type, but magic is dying out and she hasn’t felt such magical strength in centuries. If she can control the boy, show him that magic is more than curses and necromancy, he might obtain the power he desires. If not, well . . .
What’s one more dead apprentice?
A Note From the Publisher
Val was diagnosed with autism at the age of forty-one and couldn't be happier to have her weirdness professionally validated. She lives in California with her ADHDer spouse, three children (two neurodiverse and one undecided), a normal number of dogs, and an abnormal number of birds.
Paperback is out now on Amazon. Ebook is out July 1st in all stores ($4.99 USD).
Content:
- swearing, violence, some gore
- some sex (not graphic)
- no romance
- manipulative/sociopathic protagonist that could be triggering to some
Advance Praise
From ARC reviewers via BookSirens:
"This is a highly entertaining book with two main characters in a relationship that makes you can't stop reading! Medea and Nikolai are unforgettable characters! I will not give any plot spoilers as you have to read this book!" - Mary E., Goodreads
"Dark Apprentice by Val Neil is a refreshing read. Complex characters always with alterior motives, in Nikolai 's case anyway! I loved reading from Medea's view point. I would definitely like to continue with the series." - Natalie N., Goodreads
"Do you know this feeling? When you're warmly tucked in bed, a book in your hand and you keep glancing at the clock thinking 'a few more pages, just to the end of the chapter and then I'll go to sleep' and well, you do it basically at every chapter until you go 'yeah I might as well finish it'. That's what happened to me when I picked up Dark Apprentice." - Chandaly, Goodreads
From beta readers:
“The ending was amazing! I love how human Medea is. Nik is manipulative and willful and arrogant, and I was surprised by how much that endeared him to me.” - Peyton K.
“I found myself reading at work when I technically shouldn't have been. I didn't even realize how quickly I was reading until I reached the end.” - Mari L.
“Nikolai is just maddening, in the best way! I know how he is going to think, and it's unbelievable, but he does and you just want to reach into the book and strangle him! Medea is solid, and she begs for our empathy, and she gets it cause she is dealing with a diabolical moron (albeit a very smart one).” - Aime S.
“It’s like an R-rated Harry Potter!” - Matt W.
“Medea is a complicated character and fascinating. Honest, educated and with morals yet apparently clueless to relationships and emotions, especially those of others. This was a great read and anyone who loves magic being thrown about, not afraid of a little bit of foul language would love it.” - Tim S.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781955075015 |
| PRICE | $15.99 (USD) |
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