Accidental War Mage

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

The audiobook for Book 1 is available onAudible,the eBook is available on Kindle Unlimited andAmazon, and the paperback can be orderednearly anywhere books are sold, probably even atyour favorite local bookshop. Book 2 isavailable for pre-order(and will stub in late July). Book 3 startshereif you want to dive right in.

In a militaristic empire where war mages are prized and steam knights celebrated, Mikolai reluctantly signed up to be a steam suit mechanic to avoid conscription into the regular infantry. In this world, magical talent is rare, precious, and a pathway into the nobility. But Mikolai is a peasant from a small farming village with simple ambitions: Stay alive and do the right thing.

When an unfortunate accident leads to Mikolai's assignment to a special task force commanded by the notorious war mage Ognyan Spitignov, surviving with a clean conscience becomes very difficult. Ognyan's mission: To stamp out resistance to imperial rule in newly-conquered territory. However, Mikolai will try everything in his power to make the best of a bad situation - and he has more power than he realizes.

Mikolai's journey will take him through the horrors of war and the grinding clash between empires. Can he find his feet fast enough to stand up against a cruel world? Can he save himself and his friends from the enemy - and from the Imperial Army itself? And will he be able to live with himself afterwards?

Information

Status: Ongoing
Year: 2023
Author: Tom Writing Quietly

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.6/ 5.0
Followers: 2,324
Views: 168,405

Chapters(27 total)

What readers say about Accidental War Mage

“I’ve been working through Accidental War Mage for the past week of relocating between countries. And I had despaired each time I had to put the book down, I wanted to keep going. I definitely appreciate the quiet words and power that Mikolai presents. They’…”
ImMichaelCannonRoyal Road5.0 / 5
“Awedome historical comedy fiction, that leaves you hungry for more. There are a lot of things left in the air, so the ending is a bit abrubt. I hope it gets boom 3. I had a very good time with the comment section constantly guessing whatever happened and w…”
KaromsirRoyal Road5.0 / 5

Reviews

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Community Reviews(10)

ImMichaelCannonRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I’ve been working through Accidental War Mage for the past week of relocating between countries. And I had despaired each time I had to put the book down, I wanted to keep going. I definitely appreciate the quiet words and power that Mikolai presents. They’ve gathered a loyal group in traveling home. I’m looking forward to their next adventures.
KaromsirRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Awedome historical comedy fiction, that leaves you hungry for more. There are a lot of things left in the air, so the ending is a bit abrubt. I hope it gets boom 3. I had a very good time with the comment section constantly guessing whatever happened and why. Lots of historical easter eggs and unintentional badassery
Auntie May's Little CousinRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
[Disclaimer:] I took part in a shotout swap witht he author, but the review is all on me.
Accidental War Mage is a story that I found myself enjoying. A man trying to leave a simple life, makes a silly mistake and ends up in the worst situation possible for that goal. The style isn't particularly original, but it's well-written in a way that doesn't distract from the story itself. And the story is smooth. As in that before I realized I had consumed the first ten, maybe fifteen chapters. I also liked the steampunk-magic mix-up. The world setting is interesting too.
Maybe, separately, those elements wouldn't be all that awesome, but being able to put them together so smoothly is what makes of Accidental War Mage an eccellent story for anyone with a love for military stories.
CidolphusRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This story is really, really unique compared to others on this site. It's not often you see slavic/balkan influence in fiction, especially in a fantasy world, but the author does this in a really great way that reminds me of some old classics like Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich (There's even an Ivan Ivanovich later in the story).
The style is gritty, in first person, and has these moments of long monologues that remind me a lot of older literature, which I like a lot. I love detail, I love worldbuilding, and this story does a lot of it while the main character, Mikolai, talks about his past and his memories of serving in the area.
I'm not quite sure why the story is labeled as a comedy (and Accidental War Mage personally doesn't really fit the vibe of story). There are some pretty fun and comedic moments, but the reason they're funny is because of their juxtaposition with the messed up stuff that's happening around them.
I can definitely see why some people, especially in this site where people crave fast action and plot progression, might not like it when Mikolai 'rambles' on about some seemingly random stuff, but that's because its his character. The narration is unreliable since everything is in his perspective, and it feels, well, human when he goes into these little weird moments of his.
The grammar itself looks spotless. I didn't notice anything and there's actually a pretty wide variety of punctuation such as colons, em-dashes, etc which is cool.
Now, the story itself is very dark. It's a very gritty and deep plunge into war, but rather than take place in a fantasy world, the author introduces fantasy elements into our already existing world. There are mentions of Wallachia and Ruthenia which were regions in europe before they were renamed, and there are some more familiar nations that still exist today such as Romania. I don't particularly dislike this choice, but I don't love it as well.
The magic in this story is a lot different from the conventional e
CloudKoalaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This is an amazing story that scratches every itch of those looking for a dark, funny and supremely interesting fantasy story.
I prolonged reading this for quite a while due to the description not jumping at me what a mistake that was, this is undeniable a masterpiece!
(Story picks up after the first few chapters)
Grimdark,russian,mechs,magic,war,popcorn?
AcrinoeRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
The beginnings of yet another really good find in the murky depths of Royal Road. Tom Writing Quietly is sure to gather attention with this grim-dark war saga.
Tom’s style is well crafted to immerse the reader into his world. Overtones of Slavic characterisation, naming, culture, and mythos resound and give the story a feel for the tone he sets.
The story setting is impressive with a real sense of a greater world and pieces in motion outside of the story. World building is strong with the Slavic folklore and a slowly revealed system of mechanized magic. Many readers are commenting on the steampunk vibe, and there is some true affinity to those observations but I sense much more yet to be revealed.
Grammar is flawless as far as I can tell, although i’m not the best at edits. The words roll and I enjoy it without any grammar, spelling, or awkwardness in the prose. Simply put, the writing is good to the point it fades and leavies the reader to focus on the story.
Tom’s Character building is most impressive. Each and every character is a flawed gem that fits well in the narrative. Our main character, despite trying desperately to stay out of harms way, continually finds himself drawing attention and worse yet action.
This one is worth following and worth the wait.
ConfusedscistudentRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
I found this book completely by accident but it's very well written - I loved the unreliable narrator and his fatalist gone, and though at times the MC's obliviousness stretched disbelief, it was very funny. Also loved the steampunk worldbuilding and the alt-earth history in a fantasy setting. Can't wait to read the side-story material - I would definitely read all of it!
DOOMBUNNYakaKIPARoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Starting with grammar as that’s the easiest one. 99% perfect with a single missing apostrophe, added/missing space or whatever every couple of chapters. Quality of a published work but not perfect.
Characters are easy too in the sense that they feel deep yet often unexplored. In a good way that’s tied to how the story functions, that is. Anyway, each character we get a glimpse into is most often unique and I really hope we get to see more of them, as I cannot accept where the story was cut off. Never been so interested in the endings of such a large and diverse group of characters in a book despite most of it being experienced from Mikolai’s angle.
Style is where the story truly shines. From the way the chapters are named to the general readability despite long sentences to the classical feel. The unreliable narration and the misunderstandings and the general mix of chaos and order is an absolute treat that makes the world feel dynamic and believable, adding so much depth across the board, especially for the characters and the growth of the plot’s evolving and changing scope. My one issue could possibly be the vocabulary being too advanced and the author expecting a bit too much from the readers, but I see that as no fault of his as much as I see it my own.
Story I won’t talk about much as it’s something to be experienced, but what a ride it has been. I’ll give it full 5 starts across the board when I get my conclusion to all the characters in the book, whether it be…
The little girl with the shovel’s agenda, Quentin’s hopefully successful relationship, the conclusion regarding the sultan and his sister, Ragnar and the blonde mermaid’s fates, Mikolai and Katya’s marriage, and whatever will become of the Golden Empire and the Raven’s Battalion after the last chapter.
So, yeah, can’t say if it’s the best story I’ve ever read but my investment in it borders on unhealthy. I can’t wait for further expansion upon this enthralling world and will be most disappointed if I n
Henry MorganRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
This story is great, enough dark themes leavened with levity to keep the grimdark away, I like the Slavic flavour, the similarity to our world but with a magical twist, the lore of the world is revealed organicly through the scenes and charactor interactions, not dumped on you in the ham-handed manner of alot of authors.
I am very much enjoying this story, there have been enough original comedic occurrences to make this fic stand out for me in a sea of samey fictions.
Give this fic a good try, I hope it will stand out for you as much as it did for me.
M.H. KadifichiRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
Overall, this book delivers a captivating and suspenseful reading experience, immersing readers in a war-torn world filled with danger and moral dilemmas. The pacing is well-maintained, keeping the narrative engaging and the sense of urgency alive throughout. Exploring themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of choices, the story resonates on both emotional and intellectual levels.
Stylistically, the writing is concise and evocative, effectively capturing the atmosphere and emotions of each scene. The author's attention to detail enhances the reader's immersion, vividly bringing the setting and characters to life. Dialogue is realistic and engaging, contributing to character development and plot progression. The skillful pacing creates tension, ensuring readers remain invested and eager to uncover the next twist or revelation.
The story itself is compelling, following protagonist Mikolai as he navigates the complexities of war and grapples with his own moral compass. Each chapter presents new challenges and dilemmas, propelling the narrative forward. The exploration of a rebel base, the discovery of valuable supplies, and the tensions within Mikolai's squad add layers of depth and complexity to the plot. Incorporating magical and technological elements, such as war mages and advanced machinery, adds an intriguing dimension to the conflict, leaving readers craving more insight into the world's secrets.
The grammar and language usage are consistently strong, ensuring clear communication of dialogue and character thoughts. The narrative flows smoothly, facilitating easy comprehension and engagement. Characters are well-developed and relatable, each possessing distinct personalities and motivations. Mikolai's internal conflicts, along with the interactions between squad members and other individuals, contribute to the rich character dynamics.
In summary, this book combines compelling storytelling, skillful writing, and well-rounded characters to create an imme