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

Tongue in Cheek Read

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Definitively! The treatment of woman in this book is very flat. Woman are there for sex and that's pretty much it. There is one strong female character Penny, who can hold her own intellectually but her magic focus is sex magic, so there you go, smart woman whose a nympho and down for four hour sex marathons to save the kingdom. The only saving grace to this is that the entire book is tongue in cheek and no one really has an indepth character development.It's the primary drive for the humor of the book so if you enjoy that sort of thing and are comfortable with the author glossing over the deeper real life reprecussions of his scenarios, main character having sex on the kitchen table as the baby sleeps next to him, or an apprentice's revenge against being "buggered" by another apprentice which is summed up by the main character as "well I hope his teacher reviewed his teaching methods" then you'll enjoy the series. There are definitely things I liked in the book but I have trouble swallowing those aforementioned developments with minimal to no reprucissions for the main character.

LOVED this book!

I have a snarky sense of humor, and I absolutely love the way the main character in this novel has that same sense of......style shall we say. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it kept me entertained all throughout without there ever really being a dull moment. I've never before written a review for a book, but I enjoyed this one so much I decided that I definitely should. if you're on the fence about this one, come on over to this side. You'll take a ride through an epic fantasy world that will have you on the edge of your seat, laughing hysterically, and sometimes both at the same time. Absolutely 5 stars on all accounts!

Nice to have a lustful main character for once

If you could sum up Spellmonger in three words, what would they be?

a good adventure

What was one of the most memorable moments of Spellmonger?

how hard...things get.. ;)

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

that one captured goblin

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

more often than not

Any additional comments?

Our protagonist's lustful, great, someone REAL. No this isn't 50 shades, but there is enough that I can nod at it and acknowledge some adulting has been done right here.

pretty good

There was some lazy writing when it came to some of the details and a lot of repeat phrases, in earnest... other than that, it was very engaging and addictive. Just a pleasure to listen to.

Something about a baker's boy turn War Mage

If you could sum up Spellmonger in three words, what would they be?

Unique, Entertaining, Real-life mixed with magic

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I found myself laughing at the inner dialogue given by minalin throughout the book as he dealt with the hand he was given.

Any additional comments?

Overall a great book that makes for a great and impressive start to series that has a unique perspective on the fantasy worlds we are used to. The performance by the narrator is fantastic and truly breathes life into the words of the story. I love the single person perspective and how it enables a better glimpse into our lecherous reluctant hero while making the book feel like you are listening to real events be recounted in his later years by him.

That story and love the reader

Would have been 5 stars except for the transition noises: they were SO LOUD and high pitched and obnoxious that every time they sounded I jumped and covered my ears... I almost didn’t listen to the book because of them. However, the story and voice of the reader were worth that annoyance.

Good plot, performance and magic system but . . .

the book needed a better editor. There are parts in the book that are repetitive and there are others with long parts of exposition. There are more interesting and creative ways to give information to the reader. However, the plot is interesting and I like the world and magic system. John Lee does a good job as well. I will read the next book, but not sure if I will continue after that if the writing doesn't tighten up.

Best series I’ve ever listened too.

I have consumed hundreds of audiobooks. This is epic on a scale that dwarfs any other. I never write reviews but felt compelled for this. Terry Mancour is a master of world and character building. I’m going through this whole series for the second time and wish I could be a part of this world.

Not so good

Limited by first person narrative format, one dimensional characters, naive (adolescent) approach to sex and gender relations, relatively boring adversaries, and too much exposition of plot. A few good ideas spread too thinly.

Excellent

It was an great story with a great main character who’s both great and flawed