The Unbound Empire

"The Tethered Mage is a riveting read, with delicious intrigue, captivating characters, and a brilliant magic system. I loved it from start to finish!"--Sarah Beth Durst, author of The Queen of Blood, on The Tethered Mage
"Charming, intelligent, fast-moving, beautifully atmospheric, with a heroine and other characters whom I really liked as people. (I overstayed my lunch break in order to finish it.) I would love to read more set in this world."--Genevieve Cogman, author of The Invisible Library, on The Tethered Mage
"Intricate and enticing as silk brocade. Caruso's heroine is a strong, intelligent young woman in a beguiling, beautifully evoked Renaissance world of high politics, courtly intrigue, love and loyalty - and fire warlocks."--Anna Smith Spark, author of The Court of Broken Knives, on The Tethered Mage
"Engaging and entertaining with intrigue, a good pace, and strong characters. Zaira and Amalia are bright, bold heroes in a smartly constructed world."--James Islington, author of The Shadow of What Was Lost, on The Tethered Mage
"One of the best first novels in a brand new high fantasy series that I've read in ages.... If you're hungry for a new fantasy series with awesome, nuanced characters, powerful worldbuilding, and solid writing - look no further. The Tethered Mage is the book you need right now. Absolutely recommended."--Book Smugglers on The Tethered Mage
"Breathtaking... Worth every moment and every page, and should make anyone paying attention excited about what Caruso will write next."--BookPage on The Tethered Mage
"An enchanting voice and an original world you won't want to leave."-- RJ Barker, author of Age of Assassins, on The Tethered Mage
"A rich world, political intrigue, and action that keeps you turning pages--The Tethered Mage is classic fantasy with a fresh voice."-- Jeff Wheeler, author of The Queen's Poisoner, on The Tethered Mage
"It's a pleasure to journey with shy and slightly awkward Amalia as she puts her scholarship in magic and puzzle-solving skills to good use.... Charming."--Kirkus on The Tethered Mage
"Caruso skillfully maintains her plot."--Publishers Weekly on The Tethered Mage
"The plotting is good, the characters interesting.... Something really special."--RT Book Reviews on The Tethered Mage
"A gorgeous, fresh fantasy debut filled with political intrigue and ethical quandary.... Highly recommend."--Girls in Capes on The Tethered Mage
"Takes the series to the next level in every way.... I absolutely loved The Defiant Heir. It's extraordinarily fun with wonderful characters and intriguing mysteries.... I can hardly contain my excitement for the third installment."--Fantasy Book Cafe on The Defiant Heir
"An entirely new level of awesome.... Absolutely addictive."--Powder & Page on The Defiant Heir
"An inspiration for geeks everywhere.... Satisfyingly action-packed and bittersweet."--Kirkus on The Defiant Heir
"I love this book and series. It is a refreshing and lively fantasy that has characters that I just can't get enough of.... Highly recommend!"--The Speculative Herald on The Defiant Heir
"A joy to read.... Melissa Caruso is well on her way to making a very big splash in the fantasy genre, and I can't wait for the third book to get here."--Bibliosanctum on The Defiant Heir
"Everything I hoped for and much more.... Beautifully crafted.... Pick up this fantastic series now."--Girls in Capes on The Defiant Heir
"A fast moving and frequently fun story that gives readers a lot to chew on."--RT Book Reviews on The Defiant Heir (4 stars)
"Caruso admirably refuses to pull her punches.... Thrilling."--Kirkus (starred review)
"Caruso astutely plays off the political and the personal.... A fitting capstone to the trilogy."--Publishers Weekly
"Caruso's worldbuilding is brilliant and complex."--Library Journal
"The Tethered Mage is the best kind of fantasy: intricate world-building, the most intriguing of court intrigues, and a twisty plot. But while readers might pick it up for those elements, they'll stay for the engaging characters and the unlikely friendships at the story's heart."--Rosalyn Eves, author of Blood Rose Rebellion, on The Tethered Mage