Good wizard/mage coming of age series?

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lebdeb87

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I don't know if its just me, but i feel like finding good fantasy books is getting harder and harder. Most of the new books coming out just aren't catching my interest. Anyways, i figured i would post on here to see if you guys have any good suggestions. I'm looking for a book/series about a mage coming into his power... Recommendations about bad-a$$ mages/wizards/swordsmen/assassins also welcome :)
 
A Wizard of Earthsea is a classic wizard coming of age and into his powers story. It's beautifully written and explores in depth the theme of power and its abuses ... but I wouldn't call the main character "bad ass."

In fact, I'm having a hard time thinking of any books where a character answers that description immediately upon "coming of age." That's usually reserved for older and more hardened characters.

Still, somebody here might come up with suggestions that come closer to what you are looking for.
 
I had meant that as an alternative to the coming of age books. Sorry for the not being more clear! I have already read A Wizard of Earthsea :/... Thanks though!!!
 
Difficult to recomend something without knowing the things you have read already.

I enjoyed "A spell for chemelion" although it may lack the full on bad ass elements you require it was quite funny.
 
If you like demigods you could try the Percy Jackson series. The last volume has him becoming a one-man army.
 
Seems to me like your looking for Harry Potter ;)

Anyway, I know he isn't really a wizard but The Belgariad by David Eddings I'm sure you've allready read it though.
The Painted Man by Peter V Brett Again isn't the run of the mill wizard, but he goes from being a wee laddie to a kick-ass killer.
 
My memory is playing tricks with me again but didn't Robin Hobb write about a 'coming of age wizard/mage? :eek:

I faintly recall that he had a sister who gradually became a 'black witch'. :confused:
 
Not quite coming of Age but The Dresden File is quite good fun.

Other than that I have to back the Peter V Brett Nomination as well as the Percy Jackson series and whilst the last release by Rick Riordan was set in the Percy Jackson world he wasn't in it (Heroes of Olympus: The Lost Heroes)
 
Rosemary, Hobb has the Farseer Trilogy which is about a badass ******* child who becomes an assassin. OP I would definitely recommended this series to you. Theres also the classic Sword of Truth series which starts off along those lines. The first two or 3 books especially. Lynn Flewelling's Nightrunner series is another about a young man who becomes a badass assassin, but after a few books it starts getting gay (literally) and includes some graphic scenes.
 
And Hobb's Mage books are the Soldier Son ones, so Rosie might be mixing the two. :)

As for me, I'd recommend Jonathan Stroud's Bartimaeus books. About a young wizard coming of age. And demons.
 
Mouse's recommendation of the Bartimaeus Trilogy is a good one, and reminded me of some others I read when I was younger.

Artemis Fowl series is along these lines. More of a young criminal genius learning how to properly apply himself.

The Pendragon series by D.J. MacHale is more sci-fi than fantasy but it's about a young man who is pulled into a world of multiple universes which resemble our world but in various points in time or with some other major difference. He becomes a sort of guardian of these universes against evil forces that seek to destroy them.

The first few book of the Wheel of Time series is kind of a coming of age story for multiple characters who are pulled from their normal lives and forced into a far more complex world.

That's all for now, I'm sure I'll think of more later, I read a lot of these when I was in middle school and high school.
 
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Trudi Canavan's Black magician trilogy might be worth a look for you. It's about a young magician who gets trained up and becomes quite powerful.

Book blurb:

Each year the magicians of Imardin gather together to purge the city streets of vagrants, urchins and miscreants. Masters of the disciplines of magic, they know that no one can oppose them. But their protective shield is not as impenetrable as they believe. Sonea, angry, frustrated and outraged by the treatment of her family and friends, hurls a stone at the shield, putting all her rage behind it. To the amazement of all who bear witness, the stone passes unhindered through the barrier and renders a magician unconscious. The guild's worst fear has been realised ...There is an untrained magician loose on the streets. She must be found before her uncontrolled powers unleash forces that will destroy both her, and the city that is her home.
 
Raymond Feist's first 3 books of the Riftwar Cycle are about a coming of age magician. Also a more contemporary take on that theme from Lev Grossman called The Magicians.
 
Thanks for all the recommendations!!! Unfortunately, i've already read all of them except for the Black Magician Trilogy :p haha... I really appreciate all the help and suggestions though! :D

Also, since none of you mentioned these books, im going to make some recommendations of my own :)

1) Night Angel Trilogy
2) Chronicles of The Necromancer
3) The Wayfarer Redemption Series
4) Dragon Master trilogy
5) The Sword Dancer Saga
6) All the Dark Elf books (by R.A Salvatore)
7) The Seven Brothers trilogy
8) The Lon Tobyn Chronicles
9) The Renshai Trilogy
10) The DragonCrown War Cycle
11) Tyrants and Kings series
12) Eyes of God, Devil's Armor, and Sword of The Angels(John Marco)
13) Daughter of The Empire, Servant of The Emprire, Mistress of The Empire (Raymond E Feist & Janny Wurts)

I'm sure im forgetting some other good ones too but thats all i can remember off the top of my head lol
 
murphy said:
How about L. E. Modesitt's Magic of Recluce? And then there's the Wheel of Time series.
Click to expand...

Thanks Murphy, Magic of Recluce looks promising! :)... and what self respecting fantasy reader hasn't read WOT lol (can't wait for the last book!)
 
I personally recommend, A V Wedhorn, A King's Quest. Its a coming of age in a way, it is about a young man who is a trained battlemage being told that he is a king and must save the kingdoms before all in it become slaves. After that I second Harry Dresden. Robert Jordan, Raymond Fiest, JK rowling. Christopher Stasheff, her majesties wizard. Assassin by Robin Hobb, thats a few for you
 
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