BookLife Review

In Caldon, the world of this accomplished and inventive fantasy epic, women rule, peasants suffer, and the “noblesse” enforce the class order with every power available to them, including magic. The story focuses on a pair of young people whose lives reflect—and entwine—with each other’s. Rill Larkin, the commoner apprentice to archmage Deuth Estati dreams of establishing himself as a mage, vowing “I can become someone important … I can become noblesse.” Secrets surround him, though, both involving his lineage and the intentions of his master. Meanwhile, 15 year-old Alyse Dejun faces the dire fate so many young women have, throughout history and literature: seeing her own gifts languish ignored as she’s impressed into a marriage she doesn’t want, for political benefit.

“You’ll learn to love me,” the young archmage Troy warns Alyse, “because your family’s survival depends on it.” Lutts invigorates these somewhat familiar premises with much heart, invention, and attention to lived-in character detail, demonstrating an awareness of reader expectations and a welcome willingness to upend them. The novel is hefty, even by fantasy standards, but the cast (especially the strong-willed Alyse) is appealing, the magic lively, and the conflicts—cutting across lines of class, gender, politics, and magical aptitude—compelling, especially as alliances get upended, and Rill and Alyse’s stories thread together.

The broader plot centers on the decline of magic in the land and the hunt for powerful mage’s “charms,” but what will grab readers of YA fantasy is the sharply delineated characters, who face tough choices and exhibit rich inner lives. The matriarchal society and the general worldbuilding prove engaging, revealed through action and dialogue without Lutts bogging down the storytelling for explanations. It all builds to a promise of more adventure, and while the late turns and revelations satisfy, readers not accustomed to brick-thick fantasy may wonder why more hasn’t been wrapped up after so many pages.

Takeaway: A memorable character-driven fantasy of shifting alliances, surprising magic, and two bold young mages.

Amazon Review

I love reading fantasy stories. This book is almost 500 pages long. Once I started reading Charm Wars, I forgot how many pages there were. I was reading it very fast and it was SO hard to put down. This is one of those books that you carry everywhere and read every chance you get.

I was hooked when I read the back cover where it said, "Welcome to Caldon, a land of mages and magic". The magic is super cool and easy to follow. There were many unique things that I liked. My favorite characters by far were Alyse Dejune, a member of the most powerful noblesse families in Caldon, and her cousin, Kate, a Back watcher, who protects her. Alyse is strong and determined about who she is and who she wants to be in the future. She does not want to take orders from the family matriarch about who she should marry and when. Kate is one of the most loyal friends I've ever read in a book, next to Samwise Gamgee from Lord of the Rings. Alyse and Kate work well together and always have each other's back.

Rill is the son of a commoner blacksmith who dreams of becoming a mage. He wants to leave the poor and oppressed life behind. Rill is bold, hard-headed, impatient, and impulsive. The only person that's been able to keep Rill kind of under control is his cousin, Jedd. Once big things start to happen for Rill, Jedd becomes more disenchanted with him and how much he has changed. Also, there is so much going on with the political structure of this world, and boy, there are many secrets that were hidden and now are being revealed. Each time one was revealed, there was another gasp from me.

The action is nonstop and the other characters are written so rich and unique. The alliances made among the rich and poor keep changing and you never know who to trust. There are many powerful people in this novel from all walks of life and it's exciting to see when new magical powers are exhibited.

I truly enjoyed this novel and could hardly believe this was Dan Lutt’s first novel. I was so fully immersed in the world of Caldon and I can't wait to go back. The novel did end on a cliffhanger and I need to know when Book 2 will be published. This fantasy novel gets 5-stars from me for being different, fast-paced, and keeping me on the edge of my seat.

Amazon Review

Magic. Religion. Ambition. Intrigue. Betrayal. Secrecy. Family. Rebellion. Classism. Gender issues. War. Action. Compassion . . . and more frame this delightful YA fantasy novel. Driven by a delicate balance between character and plot, Charm Wars is an interesting and often thought-provoking story of two characters and their relationships with friends and family in a tightly structured society at war and thus on the verge of change. Their very different goals seem to be thwarted at every turning, and their reactions to their plights, while sometimes predictable, are never boring.
I particularly appreciated the gender focus, finding the young woman protagonist, Alyse, to be (at least so far) a role model I would have wanted my daughter to read about. Other women characters are also strong and compelling models for young women. I reserve judgment on most of the male characters, however, till the series is complete.

I found the character list and the maps, particularly the latter, to be very helpful in understanding the world Lutts has created, as it is complex and rich.
The writing is very strong--good descriptions abound, and the conversations keep the book and the relationships between/among the characters moving along well.

My only warning for readers: don't read the teaser for the next book, which isn't due out for over a year, or you may spend those months in agony wondering what will happen . . .

Goodreads Review

I love reading fantasy stories. This book is almost 500 pages long. Once I started reading Charm Wars, I forgot how many pages there were. I was reading it very fast and it was SO hard to put down. This is one of those books that you carry everywhere and read every chance you get.

I was hooked when I read the back cover where it said, "Welcome to Caldon, a land of mages and magic". The magic is super cool and easy to follow. There were many unique things that I liked. My favorite characters by far were Alyse Dejune, a member of the most powerful noblesse families in Caldon, and her cousin, Kate, a Back watcher, who protects her. Alyse is strong and determined about who she is and who she wants to be in the future. She does not want to take orders from the family matriarch about who she should marry and when. Kate is one of the most loyal friends I've ever read in a book, next to Samwise Gamgee from Lord of the Rings. Alyse and Kate work well together and always have each other's back.

Rill is the son of a commoner blacksmith who dreams of becoming a mage. He wants to leave the poor and oppressed life behind. Rill is bold, hard-headed, impatient, and impulsive. The only person that's been able to keep Rill kind of under control is his cousin, Jedd. Once big things start to happen for Rill, Jedd becomes more disenchanted with him and how much he has changed. Also, there is so much going on with the political structure of this world, and boy, there are many secrets that were hidden and now are being revealed. Each time one was revealed, there was another gasp from me.
The action is nonstop and the other characters are written so rich and unique. The alliances made among the rich and poor keep changing and you never know who to trust. There are many powerful people in this novel from all walks of life and it's exciting to see when new magical powers are exhibited.

I truly enjoyed this novel and could hardly believe this was Dan Lutt’s first novel. I was so fully immersed in the world of Caldon and I can't wait to go back. The novel did end on a cliffhanger and I need to know when Book 2 will be published. This fantasy novel gets 5-stars from me for being different, fast-paced, and keeping me on the edge of my seat.

Amazon Review

You don't have to be a YA, Science Fiction, or Fantasy Fan to enjoy Charm Wars. Just because we might age doesn't mean we have to give up our genres. Here you've got scheming families, rebellious youths, and plenty of adventure to share. Our problem is that we, as readers, consume the stories faster than our favored authors can write them. Now we're awaiting volume #2 and hoping it comes quickly. Thanks Dan.

Amazon Review

Well written with strong characters and a plot with more twists and turns than a mountain road. An interesting variation having the story take place in a matriarchal society. I hope that Dan Lutts is a fast writer because you are left hanging at the end of the trailer for the second book in the series wondering how the predicament will be resolved. I don’t usually read fantasies, but the book was recommended by a good friend and I throughly enjoyed it. I would recommend it to adults as well as young adults.

Amazon Review

Charm Wars by Dan Lutts, which I received as a gift, is a young adult fantasy novel, but it can be a great read for older fantasy fans as well. The characters are well defined, ranging from ambitious, rash and cunning to caring, thoughtful and wise. The clash of these personalities, including the the competing histories of their families, makes for a compelling plot line that keeps the reader fully engaged. The plot is replete with fast-moving action and suspense, with the power of magic charms a vital element. The medieval flavor of the setting is effectively and consistently detailed. Mr. Lutts has created a fascinating world of fantasy that will leave the reader wanting more.

 Amazon Review

CHARM WARS was a nice little gem that I bought myself for Christmas, and I was glad I did. This book would appeal to a wide audience. There is a little something for everyone.

This story is about a magical land where countries have been locked in war for centuries. In the kingdom of our persons of interest women hold the power as head of the families. Grandmother or Great-grandmother is the most powerful one in the family and her word is law. Disobedience is punishment by banishment. Yet it is the males who receive the greatest honor, especially as captains of war. I guess women are literally the power behind the throne and let the vain males feel important with titles. Gee, where have I seen this before? It sounds familiar. Anyway, battles are fought on land and sea with swords as well as magical fireballs. At the core of their magic are powerful charms that enable one to harness the energy needed. Spells and potions are employed too, as are arrows and daggers.

In this book there are two main characters. One is the daughter of a powerful family who is ordered to marry the jerk son of another family to form an alliance. She is trying to figure a way out of this. This young lady is studying magic to become a 'healer.' Her bodyguard, known as a 'backwatcher,' is about her age. Backwatchers usually don't use magic but rather depend on the blade to protect the person in their care. The other main character is a young male from a poor family who has aspirations to become so proficient in magic that he can gain titles and form his own dynasty. His best friend is his backwatcher.

There are fights and double-crosses, and revelations that can upset the balance of power. Families resort to cloak and dagger to steal charms from each other.

At over 460 pages it was long but worth every penny.