Reign & Ruin

I'm feeling inspired! That alone should tell you I really, really enjoyed this one.

Welcome to the review of Where Ottoman Fantasy Meets Romance and Actually Works!

Ever wished for a fantasy novel that doesn't feel like it was written by someone who thinks the whole world revolves around England (or the Western World)?  Well, grab your coffee (or better yet, your Lebanese arak), because J.D. Evans has delivered exactly that in this delightful first instalment of the “Mages of the Wheel” series.

Let's start with the world-building, which is basically what would happen if the (pre-gunpowder) Ottoman Empire and magic had a beautiful baby. Evans sprinkles authentic Middle Eastern elements like a master chef seasoning a perfect kebab (yum!) — just enough to make it flavourful without overwhelming the dish. And hallelujah (or hallūyā), it's not another Western-centric fantasy!

The characters? Oh boy. Meet Naime, our Tamar Sultana, who's basically what you'd get if you combined a brilliant strategist with a woman trying to figure out life while running a nation (no pressure, right?). Then there's Makram, our brooding prince-mage with a reputation darker than Turkish coffee but a heart softer than labneh. And thank the heavens above, these are actual adults with adult problems, not teenagers saving the world while dealing with prom drama. (IMO, Young Adult Fantasy is mostly meh!).

Oh, supporting characters like Samira and Tareck were a great addition. (Can we have a short story with them, please?!)

The romance is chef's kiss — sophisticated, sensual, and refreshingly mature. Naime's journey from “I know the theory” to “oh, so THAT'S what all the fuss is about... give me more” is handled with extreme elegance and a bit of humor. It's like watching a historical romance tv show, but with magic and significantly fewer corsets. And hurrah for the beautiful outfits, from the beautiful silk embroideries to the dark and misterious clothes of the 6th House.

The only real letdown is our villain, Grand Vizier Behram Kadir, who's currently about as deep as a decorative Ottoman jar. Here's hoping he gets more layers in future books (though these will apparently focus on different characters — so, I'm looking at you, dear author, with both hope and suspicion).

Special mention goes to the heartbreaking portrayal of the Sultan's mental decline. Yes, I did need those tissues, thank you very much.

Would a glossary have been nice? Sure. Did I enjoy frantically Googling middle-eastern terms at midnight? Also yes.

Bottom line: If you're tired of the same old fantasy immature tropes and want something that feels as fresh as mint tea on a hot day in Istanbul, this book is your next must-read.

My rate: 4.75/5 magic carpets (that don't actually appear in the book, but you get the idea). Definitely a reread in the future (I'm already targeting revising it, via audiobook).

Regarding spice: 3.5/5. However, regarding sexiness (as in alluring sensations): 4.5/5.