Mr. McCane
Outfreakingstanding!
I attempted to read this in April (2025) and ended up pausing on it. It was just impossible for me to get into it. I somehow prepared myself for a heroic grimdark sorcery ass kind of book. Yes, I was ready for some fire-breathing dragons and sword fighting. That’s what I get for not reading summaries. Anyway, after a few chapters of this book, it was clear that this was at the very least dark academia. I love dark academia, but I had just finished reading The Poppy War, so…
About two weeks ago (7 months later), because of the release of “The Strength of a Few”, I lowered by expectations, picked it back up and started over. OMG, it blew me away.
Quick spoiler free summary
Three years after a horrible incident, a 17-year-old boy, Vis Telimus finds himself in an orphanage. Some terrible people have taken over the government, and Vis seeks revenge.
Vis must attend a prestigious school and rise through the ranks in order to accomplish his mission. But there is a magic system involved that may stand in his way. So instead of quizzes and exams, we get survival, betrayal, alliances, and manipulation.
This book took me on a ride, and I really enjoyed it. What surprised me is how the author kept my attention the entire time. I usually could not care less about the Roman Empire, but the plot and the fact that you can’t trust anyone in the book kept my eyes glued to the pages. Vis is the man! I’m jumping straight into book 2.
Outfreakingstanding!
I attempted to read this in April (2025) and ended up pausing on it. It was just impossible for me to get into it. I somehow prepared myself for a heroic grimdark sorcery ass kind of book. Yes, I was ready for some fire-breathing dragons and sword fighting. That’s what I get for not reading summaries. Anyway, after a few chapters of this book, it was clear that this was at the very least dark academia. I love dark academia, but I had just finished reading The Poppy War, so…
About two weeks ago (7 months later), because of the release of “The Strength of a Few”, I lowered by expectations, picked it back up and started over. OMG, it blew me away.
Quick spoiler free summary
Three years after a horrible incident, a 17-year-old boy, Vis Telimus finds himself in an orphanage. Some terrible people have taken over the government, and Vis seeks revenge.
Vis must attend a prestigious school and rise through the ranks in order to accomplish his mission. But there is a magic system involved that may stand in his way. So instead of quizzes and exams, we get survival, betrayal, alliances, and manipulation.
This book took me on a ride, and I really enjoyed it. What surprised me is how the author kept my attention the entire time. I usually could not care less about the Roman Empire, but the plot and the fact that you can’t trust anyone in the book kept my eyes glued to the pages. Vis is the man! I’m jumping straight into book 2.