Yet another perk of joining the BFS: get to know some of the best new speculative fiction reads, and chat about them with the community.
Next up at the BFS Book Club, it’s time to join The Outcast Mage’s team.
BFS Secretary David Green, who runs the book club, says of this month’s book: “We love supporting debut authors at the BFS Book Club – as well as our members – so when an author happens to be both of these things, bringing an excellent book with them into the bargain, then I can’t say no. The Outcast Mage is a thrilling high-fantasy from Annabel Campbell, filled with magic, mystery and action. With excellent world-building and multi-dimensional characters, The Outcast Mage brings a fresh voice to epic fantasy and I’m delighted to feature it as our next Book Club read.”
Read the BFS review here, and read Annabel’s journey from pen to print here.
About this month’s read
Genre: Epic fantasy
Length: 448 pages
Publisher: Orbit
Released: 28 January 2025
In the glass city of Amoria, magic is everything. And Naila, student at the city’s academy, is running out of time to prove she can control hers. If she fails, she’ll be forced into exile . . . or consumed by her own power.
When a tragic incident threatens her place at the Academy, Naila is saved by Haelius Akana, the most powerful living mage. Haelius risks his reputation to help her to harness her abilities, but he has many enemies who desire him – and Naila – to fail. Trapped in the deadly schemes of Amoria’s elite, Naila must discover the truth of her powers, or watch Amoria descend into civil war.
For there is danger brewing on the wind, and greater forces at work across the wider world. Forces who could use her powers for good . . . or destroy everything she’s ever known.
About the BFS Book Club
This is more than just an online book club: not only can members read along and join discussions on the BFS Discord server and in our Facebook group, but we’ll also have exclusive perks for BFS members, such as live Q&As with the authors.
Get your copy of The Outcast Mage – whether you request it at your library, purchase your own copy from the bookstore of your choice, or listen to the audio version – and then join the BFS Facebook group or members-only Discord server to chat about the book as you read (no spoilers, please!). It’s totally fine for readers to not enjoy the selected books, but we do ask that you express your thoughts in a kind way – you never know who’s a member and following the discussion!
There’s already a spoiler-free discussion happening in the dedicated channel on the BFS members-only Discord server and in our Facebook group. The full spoiler-ific discussion will happen over the weekend of 15-16 March.
This book club will grow with members’ needs, so David will ask for feedback and tweak the formula after these first discussions. Head over to our Facebook group or members-only Discord server and start getting involved. Not yet in the Discord server? Contact us to request your invite link.
See you at book club!