What is your opinion?
🌻✨ A STORY THAT DESERVES TO BE RECOGNIZED —❤️
"⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ There’s something about The Last Mage of Oxford that immediately pulled me in—the combination of medieval history, magic, mystery, and that slow-building sense that there is MUCH more happening beneath the surface than Veyra realizes. Veyra is probably my favorite part of the story. I really liked that her power isn't portrayed as some simple “chosen one” gift. It feels frightening, unpredictable, and deeply connected to her emotions. The opening especially does a great job establishing that her greatest fear isn't necessarily the magic itself, but what happens after she loses control of it. That made her journey to Oxford feel like more than an adventure—it feels like a desperate attempt to understand herself. And then there’s Dorian. 👀 The way he enters the story knowing things about Veyra that she doesn't know about herself instantly creates tension. I LOVE characters who clearly have an entire folder of secrets while everyone else is still trying to figure out page one. 😂 His position within the Collegium and his connection to the prophecy make his relationship with Veyra especially interesting because there’s always that question of whether he’s protecting her, watching her, or quietly preparing for something else. I also really enjoyed the atmosphere. Oxford in 1310 combined with a hidden magical Collegium is such a fun setting. The historical setting doesn't just feel like wallpaper—the secrecy, old institutions, archives, robes, manuscripts, and the sense of knowledge being controlled all fit naturally into the magical world. The chapter progression is another thing I appreciated. The story doesn't throw every mystery at the reader immediately. We get the journey, the Collegium, training, forbidden books, alliances, revelations, and eventually the eclipse. Seeing chapter titles like “The Full Truth,” “The Quiet Work,” “The Plan,” and then the sequence of “Eclipse: Dawn,” “Eclipse: The Ring,” “Eclipse: The Choice,” makes the buildup feel intentional. You can tell the eclipse isn't just a random magical event—it's the point everything has been moving toward. And honestly, the central idea of Veyra spending her life trying to make herself smaller, only to eventually decide that she is done doing that? THAT is what stayed with me. It gives the fantasy a very human core. There are mysteries I still want answers to, especially around Dorian, the prophecy, the Master's intentions, and exactly how much the Collegium has manipulated the people involved. The story definitely knows how to make you suspicious of basically everyone. 😂 Overall, this feels like a story about power, fear, identity, choice, and learning that being powerful doesn't automatically mean becoming dangerous. The atmosphere, the historical fantasy setting, the slow-burn tension, and Veyra's character arc make this a really interesting read. Definitely one for readers who enjoy dark academia + historical fantasy + magic + secrets + slow-burn romance. And now I have one question: Dorian... WHAT EXACTLY HAVE YOU NOT TOLD HER YET? 👀"
I did not need to be fixed.
"This story is stunning in it's complexity. It shows the value of friendship and of decisions made to change a tradition that is wrong. Honoring those who have suffered for it, and moving to an alternative which brings a change for the better is the massive goal of Veyra's life after she destroys half her village. This book shows how people can change and grow as they join together to form a team which brings about the end of an evil tradition which has needed to stop for over a hundred years. You will read this book more than once, as there is much to absorb with each repetition. You will start re-reading chapters almost immediately. It will be worth it. To the author: I'm sorry I didn't react or comment while I pretty much binge read this book. The interruption was unwelcome and would have broken my immersion in Veyra's world. Your craftsmanship is that good. Be proud. "
