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The Bonds of Magic
Long Ago the world of Malati became a refuge for all magical life on Earth.
In ages past, kings, queens, and emperors faded away in favor of new styles of governance. No matter the era, at every turn, the noble wizard lines remain power hungry. They maintain control with countless dark plots and hidden grand schemes designed to hold themselves over the merchants and peasants of all races.
This is the world Tobin Ammagan is born into. Only after a brutal early life does he find a reprieve at the Steelblade Academy of Magic. When he comes of age inside its walls, he must deal with the demons of his past and the scars of his youth. The world outside Steelblade is also fast becoming one of massive oppression, and a revolutionary war is at hand. A war which threatens to destroy all Tobin loves. This includes Colin, to whom he is bound by magics few understand and who is slowly becoming more than a mere friend. This young wizard farmer and his love mean everything to Tobin and he will protect Colin at any cost. No easy task when Colin is determined to help in the fight against the corrupt in power.
In this age, enemies and allies alike must all decide quickly where they stand and who and what they will fight both for and against. No matter the race, class, or magical status of a being, there can be no middle ground this time. With such overwhelming odds, Tobin’s only hope to do what he believes is right and to protect Colin is to wield the most powerful of ancient magics. If he succeeds, he may avert a world war. Should he fail, he could lose all he holds dear forever. Only one thing is for certain. No matter if he wins or loses in his desperate gamble, the world will never be the same once Tobin Ammagan is done.
In ages past, kings, queens, and emperors faded away in favor of new styles of governance. No matter the era, at every turn, the noble wizard lines remain power hungry. They maintain control with countless dark plots and hidden grand schemes designed to hold themselves over the merchants and peasants of all races.
This is the world Tobin Ammagan is born into. Only after a brutal early life does he find a reprieve at the Steelblade Academy of Magic. When he comes of age inside its walls, he must deal with the demons of his past and the scars of his youth. The world outside Steelblade is also fast becoming one of massive oppression, and a revolutionary war is at hand. A war which threatens to destroy all Tobin loves. This includes Colin, to whom he is bound by magics few understand and who is slowly becoming more than a mere friend. This young wizard farmer and his love mean everything to Tobin and he will protect Colin at any cost. No easy task when Colin is determined to help in the fight against the corrupt in power.
In this age, enemies and allies alike must all decide quickly where they stand and who and what they will fight both for and against. No matter the race, class, or magical status of a being, there can be no middle ground this time. With such overwhelming odds, Tobin’s only hope to do what he believes is right and to protect Colin is to wield the most powerful of ancient magics. If he succeeds, he may avert a world war. Should he fail, he could lose all he holds dear forever. Only one thing is for certain. No matter if he wins or loses in his desperate gamble, the world will never be the same once Tobin Ammagan is done.
597 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2021
About the author
James Matthews
4 books6 followersJames Matthews writes queer fantasy, science fiction, and coming-of-age stories about survival, found family, hope, and people who refuse to break. His books travel from magical academies and distant galactic empires to small-city Wisconsin in the 1990s, but at their heart are damaged people finding the ones who finally see them.
Midwestern-born and faith-inspired, James centers strong, non-stereotypical gay protagonists who take the lead rather than fade into the margins. He is the author of Waif’s Refuge, The Bonds of Magic, The Runner, and The Paperboy.
Midwestern-born and faith-inspired, James centers strong, non-stereotypical gay protagonists who take the lead rather than fade into the margins. He is the author of Waif’s Refuge, The Bonds of Magic, The Runner, and The Paperboy.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 5, 2025
A story full of heart.
This was such a great story full of heart. It just felt “right”. The author did a great job creating a variety of interesting side characters that you come to care about. And that’s coming from someone who usually doesn’t like it when there are lots of side characters.
Told mostly from the point of view of our two main characters, there is the occasional snippet from the perspective of another character, but always short.
For me this felt like a hybrid comfort read / exciting adventure with a lot of heart and just the right amount of suspense and hurt/comfort for the book to not be stressful while still being quite exciting and engaging. I keep coming back to that word “heart” because the book just felt so right, and I love how the author infused strong morals and values into our characters.
Fantastic young adult story with solid adventure, magical action, and romance.
This was such a great story full of heart. It just felt “right”. The author did a great job creating a variety of interesting side characters that you come to care about. And that’s coming from someone who usually doesn’t like it when there are lots of side characters.
Told mostly from the point of view of our two main characters, there is the occasional snippet from the perspective of another character, but always short.
For me this felt like a hybrid comfort read / exciting adventure with a lot of heart and just the right amount of suspense and hurt/comfort for the book to not be stressful while still being quite exciting and engaging. I keep coming back to that word “heart” because the book just felt so right, and I love how the author infused strong morals and values into our characters.
Fantastic young adult story with solid adventure, magical action, and romance.
March 25, 2021
While fantasy is not my primary genre, I am an avid reader and occasionally find a book in that category that intrigues me. The Bonds of Magic was just that type of book and I am glad I took a chance on a new author and read it. With The Bonds of Magic I fell into the flow of the story from the beginning. I was drawn into the wizard Tobin’s world and as his character was revealed little by little, I wanted to know more about him.
When Tobin finds himself in the middle of the chaos that is developing on the world of Malati he handles it with his usual calm and contained manner. The tension between the magical beings and the ancient class structure has escalated and reached the breaking point. The students at the Steelblade Academy of Magic where Tobin lives find themselves deeply embroiled in the situation. Tobin’s relationship with his fellow students shifts and changes as they learn more about each other, the problems on their world, and the evil threatening their future. The students encounter vampire schemes, duels, dark spells, and betrayal of the worst kind. Though they have cause, their faith and trust in each other never wavers.
For Tobin, the one constant he can always rely on during the turmoil is his relationship with his best friend Colin. No matter what happens, they always have each other’s backs. They have been fast friends since they were eight and the bond that has formed between them has more to it than they knew. The two young men from very different backgrounds have some serious decisions to make about their future amid ever-growing danger.
Throughout the story, there are harsh times but there are lighter times as well. I could picture the characters in my head as I read and picked my favorites. To me, this is a true sign of a good story. That only happens to me if it keeps me engaged, which I was throughout the book. I truly enjoyed this book and was happy to give it five stars.
When Tobin finds himself in the middle of the chaos that is developing on the world of Malati he handles it with his usual calm and contained manner. The tension between the magical beings and the ancient class structure has escalated and reached the breaking point. The students at the Steelblade Academy of Magic where Tobin lives find themselves deeply embroiled in the situation. Tobin’s relationship with his fellow students shifts and changes as they learn more about each other, the problems on their world, and the evil threatening their future. The students encounter vampire schemes, duels, dark spells, and betrayal of the worst kind. Though they have cause, their faith and trust in each other never wavers.
For Tobin, the one constant he can always rely on during the turmoil is his relationship with his best friend Colin. No matter what happens, they always have each other’s backs. They have been fast friends since they were eight and the bond that has formed between them has more to it than they knew. The two young men from very different backgrounds have some serious decisions to make about their future amid ever-growing danger.
Throughout the story, there are harsh times but there are lighter times as well. I could picture the characters in my head as I read and picked my favorites. To me, this is a true sign of a good story. That only happens to me if it keeps me engaged, which I was throughout the book. I truly enjoyed this book and was happy to give it five stars.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews