Spellmonger

Spellmonger, Book 1

By: Terry Mancour

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 18 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Nominee, Audie Awards - Fantasy, 2018

Minalan gave up a promising career as a professional warmage to live the quiet life of a village spellmonger in the remote mountain valley of Boval. It was a peaceful, beautiful little fief, far from the dangerous feudal petty squabbles of the Five Duchies, on the world of Callidore. There were cows. Lots of cows. And cheese.

For six months things went well: He found a quaint little shop, he befriended the local lord, the village folk loved him, he found a sharp young apprentice to help out, and, best yet, he met a comely young widow with the prettiest eyes.

Then one night Minalan is forced to pick up his mageblade again to defend his adopted home from the vanguard of an army of goblins - gurvani, they call themselves - bent on a genocidal crusade against all mankind. And that was the good news. The bad news was that their shamans were armed with more magical power than has been seen since the days of the ancient Imperial Magocracy - and their leader, a mysterious, vengeful force of hate and dark magic, is headed directly to Boval Vale, along with a massive invading army of gurvani. The good people of Boval and their spellmonger have only one choice: To hole up in the over-sized Boval Castle and hope they can endure a siege against hundreds of thousands of goblins.

When the people look to him for hope, Minalan does his best, but the odds are depressing: There are multitudes of goblins, and they want Boval Vale as a staging ground for a vengeful invasion of the whole Five Duchies. Add to his troubles a jealous rival mage, a motley band of mercenaries, a delusional liege lord who insists victory is at hand despite the hordes at his door, a dour castellan, a moody, pregnant girlfriend, and a catty ex-girlfriend who specializes in sex magic - all trapped in a stinking, besieged castle with no hope of rescue, and you'll understand why Minalan is willing to take his chances with the goblins.

All that stands between the gurvani horde and the people of the Five Duchies is one tired, overwhelmed baker's son who wanted nothing more than to be a simple village spellmonger.

©2011 Terry Mancour (P)2017 Podium Publishing

Shockingly good, best book in years

Any additional comments?

Pros:
-Great engaging story
-Skillful narration
-Protagonist has a sense of humor that was very unexpected for the genre but makes him so much more relatable.
-Manages to be unique in a crowded, tired genre. Mancour wrote a masterful book.

Cons:
-Some listeners might not like the long descriptions of scenes/settings/events/etc (I do, however)

Verdict:
This is the best book I've listened to/read in YEARS! Minalan is funny, interesting, complex, horny, has a sense of humor that I've found to be unprecedented in the genre, and is just a very real character in a detailed and exciting world. You will not regret this purchase.

Great new series.

This was probably one of the most original and enjoyable new series I've ever started. The characters were deep and well written and the twists and hidden knowledge that are revealed throughout the story keep you engaged the entire way through. I am eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series. If you like swords, sorcery, originality, and some well timed sarcasm, this book is for you.

Great Story - Spells, Goblins and Sex Magic!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Within the first chapter Terry Mancour has you firmly planted in the magical world he has created this is book is a great listen.

What did you like best about this story?

This book has a great mix of complex plots and back stories, as well as a good does of humour.

Which character – as performed by John Lee – was your favorite?

Minalan is a very likeable guy and the performance by John Lee of him and others is very good.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

At 18+hrs this is a book you can really get lost in and it kept me entertained across a week of commuting.

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to book #2

Good start to a Great story

Spellmonger is the first book of a long running series by Terry Mancour. I read this book when it first came out but I did not hesitate to purchase the audio book when it was released years later. Listening to the story for the first time really gave me a sense of the main protagonist the spellmonger. The audio book brought a new dimension to the story that I greatly recommend for first time readers/listeners or who started the series when I did.

221 books this year !! Best written book .....

This author is in a class of his own !
James Patterson, Jim butcher B.V Larson

Must listen author !
-Terry mancour

Good content and flow

The story was good and entertaining, it goes much farther then most books to paint the picture of the world in which it was set. I gave 4 stars on the performance because I feel like the voices could be characterized better or represent the tone of the speaker. If someone said a line in a high pitched voice as it says in the text the speaker could have tried to perform that vocal piece.

worth reading

I purchased this audio book on the advise of a reddit user in /r books. It was worth it.

Great Surprise!

I had put this series off thinking that it seemed like another slow going fantasy novel like wheel of time. I was thoroughly surprised at how captivating this book was from early on and was unable to put the book down. The periodic memories led to great character development and provides relevant information at the correct part of the story. This was truly enjoyable for me because you didn't feel as if you had forgot or missed some obscure reference from early on. Great book and writing style!

Loved this book

Got into the story was fantastic loved every minute of it.grtting ready for the second 1.

Synthesis of High Fantasy and Science Fiction

What an amazing synthesis of high fantasy and science fiction! The way the characters and plot lines develop over the course of the series is so satisfying. So many adventures. By the time you get to the latest book, you will have followed a simple mage as he uncovers an alien mystery from the depths of space. Simply amazing world building, nay, universe building! Stunning in scope and depth. And there’s goblins. Lots of goblins. And, of course, the question of who dares to disturb the repose of Lady Falana. To arms!