7 libertarian themes in Cursed Mage that’ll make you think
Cursed Mage might read more like genre fiction than the rest of my backlist. But the libertarian themes are still front and center.
Libertarian themes and all my work go hand in hand. If you don’t like it, then leave. And in Cursed Mage, they’re rampant. No, maybe not to the same extent as you’d see in Elementals of Nordica, if you want an example. But from a taste of Vimsinewian foreign policy to the fact the feds love stealing the best and brightest from the private sector, they’re more than alive.
And today, I got seven of them for you on the block. So, if you’re a libertarian and you’re sick and tired of this woke, DEI-driven nonsense that plagues the literary world, you’re in luck.
Or, if you’re just sick and tired of the same story elements and genre tropes, you’re also in luck.
Let’s get started.
👉 Or you can get Cursed Mage right now if you’re already sold
1 – The nation of Vimsinew’s foreign intervention
It’s not long before I throw in the fact that Vimsinew, the world of Catenary’s version of the United States, is the global superpower. Early in the book, Kaija glosses over a news report talking about intervention in a foreign nation called Demka. Think of Demka as Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Iran combined — but mainly Iran.
In Cursed Mage’s prequel, Deceived Mage, Ella Kinnunen video calls her friend, Kaarina Taivalkoski, who’s stationed overseas. And finally, Kaija’s roommate in Cursed Mage, Satu, takes up international relations. Not only because she’s interested in the field, but she wants to find a few things out regarding Vimsinew’s foreign policy.
2 – The two-party duopoly
I talk about this one in a lot of detail in a separate article, but two major political parties, the Auguries and Mercenaries, run Vimsinew. And if you think they’re pretty akin to modern-day Republicans and Democrats, give yourself some brownie points.
While I don’t dive too far into their ideologies, Mages in each party have been known to incite violence against one another. So much, that while Vimsinew sends troops abroad to fight regime change wars, there’s a borderline civil war going on at home.
3 – The notorious surveillance state
Institutions are among some of the most inhumane places in Vimsinew. I’ve written a post on them in full detail, and they make Azkaban from Harry Potter look like a picnic.
Some people in these prisons are there merely because they exist. Others are Mages caught committing what the federal government, or a party branching from that federal government, deemed treasonous acts. As for who runs these things, it varies. Some belong to the Auguries, while the Mercenaries have taken others.
👉 See this soft dystopian surveillance state in action now
4 – Frowning upon religion
In Vimsinew, claiming to possess special abilities can also get you a one-way ticket to an institution. But the Vimsinewian government can’t block freedom of religion, per its Constitution.
That said, it can and does frown on and hold those who practice different religions to closer surveillance. Kaija is one of those people, even if she doesn’t know it, thanks to her love for Elder Futhark runes and using them for rune magic.
What the surveillance state is really after, though, is Mages gone undetected. Round up these Mages, get them to a more humane institution – they do exist, after all – and put them through hell and back until their Mage ability is a lethal weapon.
5 – The political class’s blatant lies
To avoid spoilers, I won’t dive too far down the rabbit hole. But those in or with ties to the political class aren’t afraid to put on an innocent facade before taking everything you got.
They’re wolves in sheep’s clothing, and con artists that’ll pose as your best friend if you let them. As for Kaija, she’ll be in for not one but two rude awakenings. That much I will give you.
6 – Universities as indoctrination centers
When your roommate’s forced to write a summer article called, When did I realize I was a judgmental person, you know where this one’s going. While we don’t see it in the book, or at least not yet, Fenn University is full of Leftist professors who’d be on the DEI/ESG brigade.
I mean, Fenn is an Ivy League-equivalent school. Something tells me they’d demand hordes of federal funding despite monster endowments.
And if a strong contingent of Vimsinewians call them out? Oh, these smug pricks would turn their noses up and shout, “You’re all a bunch of backward, ignorant bumpkins who can’t be trusted when left alone.”
7 – Recruiting the best and brightest
One of the absolute worst arguments a statist will use against you is this: If the State messes everything up, then explain why the best and brightest in so many industries work for them.
Because when you can just add more dollars to the national debt with hardly any accountability to cover your costs, you can recruit just about anyone you want. You can give them a bigger salary, better benefits, and a job that doesn’t require them to stress out 24/7, 365. All without the profit-and-losses mech attached.
For people who live in more expensive areas and have a few debts to pay, not to mention a family on top of that and Lord knows what else, it’s hard to turn down. Hey, I get it, but it still don’t make it right. And in Cursed Mage, you’ll see this theme pop up. In its sequel, Astray Mage, it’s rampant. As for Rising Mage? It’s astronomical.
Libertarian themes are more transparent than casual readers think
While Cursed Mage is still more theme-based than it is genre-based, I scaled back. But if you’re like me and you’d rather read for theme without giving two shits about what the genre is, don’t worry. Those libertarian themes are alive and well.
And if you want proof, just check out Cursed Mage for yourself. You’ll love it if you like dark paranormal fantasy, I won’t lie. But you’ll fall head over skates if you’re a libertarian.
And best yet, if you buy directly, you’ll save, as opposed to if you bought from Amazon.
