A Dead God's Tear (The Netherwalker Trilogy) by Leighmon Eisenhardt

Publication Date: December 18, 2013

When Marcius Realure, an apprentice wizard, gets a familiar, he unwittingly sets into motion events that will leave the life he knows in shambles. Master dead, father insane, and reputation in shambles, he must begin a journey to the one place his Master had always warned him about: The Academy.
With only his best friend and an Academy wizard who may or may not be trustworthy, Marcius becomes embroiled in events beyond his control. Living through bandit attacks, inn explosions, and a vengeful assassin on his trail, Marcius is separated from his group and stumbles upon an elven kingdom at war.
Now a prisoner, he quickly falls into their web of intrigue, and is given an offer he can’t refuse: explore an ancient ruin hidden deep within the Myst and bring back what lies within. In return, he will find out the answer to the identity of those who destroyed what he loved. Torn between the need for justice and his want to simply be left alone, what he finds within the ruins will change everything.