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Those That Rise from Legend #1
The Cripple and the Staff
A temperamental mule, a wily master, secondhand shoes and apparently cursed. What else does the Cripple of Kilten have to put up with? Follow him, his disowned friend and a knife-wielding seeress-in-training into a world where magic oozes from the cobblestones, where cities can have tunnels instead of streets, and clusters of dragon-scaled towers are the abode of seers. A fog of fear rises when the immortals who lived in secret among humans, stir as their arch enemies return. Sorcerers vie for a deadly but powerful staff in a circle of combat to be crowned champion of the beleaguered land. It is immortals against mortals - and immortals against immortals.( Formerly titled Cripple and the Staff)
- GenresFantasy
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
6 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
M.M. Mancey
4 books29 followersGrowing up on the likes of J.R.R. Tolkein, C.S. Lewis and Philip Pullman, M.M.Mancey quickly developed a liking for the fantasy genre - minus unicorns, demons and long, generic battles.
With an English father and a South American mother, the author grew up in South America and has spent much time in the UK and mainland Europe. The author is currently taking a break from genre writing.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Want to read
July 24, 2012Met her husband on the train in Germany, can't wait to read it!
October 21, 2012
I started this book last night and didn't want to put it down. I love the main character Shale.
The story starts with Shale as a young boy and goes on while he grows. He is an outcast and a cripple. The locals despise him for reasons he doesn't understand. One day, after being caught stealing food, he steps in a trap that cripples him. From this point he remains mostly in the forest. As the years go by he explores deeper and deeper until he comes across a wizard's tower. The old man there takes him under his wing and teaches him magic.
Far away from where Shale lives, forces are gathering to bring a change to the land. A dreaded enemy has returned and the once saviors are intent on returning to their rightful place in the land. This means they would be enslaving all the humans. It's up to a unknown, cripple young man to fight against the returning enemy and stop the immortals from controlling the land.
I have to say this book was amazing. I felt so much compassion for Shale. He reminded me of Drizzt, Harry Potter and Frodo all rolled into one. The writing was well done but I found I skimmed over some to the descriptions. I wanted to see what would happen next. I definitely will be picking up Part II. I can't wait to find out what happens with Shale, Olivina and all the rest.
Well done, M M Mancey!
The story starts with Shale as a young boy and goes on while he grows. He is an outcast and a cripple. The locals despise him for reasons he doesn't understand. One day, after being caught stealing food, he steps in a trap that cripples him. From this point he remains mostly in the forest. As the years go by he explores deeper and deeper until he comes across a wizard's tower. The old man there takes him under his wing and teaches him magic.
Far away from where Shale lives, forces are gathering to bring a change to the land. A dreaded enemy has returned and the once saviors are intent on returning to their rightful place in the land. This means they would be enslaving all the humans. It's up to a unknown, cripple young man to fight against the returning enemy and stop the immortals from controlling the land.
I have to say this book was amazing. I felt so much compassion for Shale. He reminded me of Drizzt, Harry Potter and Frodo all rolled into one. The writing was well done but I found I skimmed over some to the descriptions. I wanted to see what would happen next. I definitely will be picking up Part II. I can't wait to find out what happens with Shale, Olivina and all the rest.
Well done, M M Mancey!
January 28, 2012
Loved it. I found it an easy and entertaining read. It starts off at an easy pace and sometimes very amusing. It was nice to read something interesting, original and funny by an author that obviously likes epic fantasy - without the splatter or demons. I highly recommend it if you are looking for something a bit different!
April 4, 2019
Meh - couldn’t finish it, so slow!
July 20, 2018
A little slow to start but then picks up
Yes this book is a little slow at the beginning. I found the parts of Shale to be a little boring. But after he finds out his background and his power the book definitely picks up speed. Olivia and Feldspar are interesting characters. Noran is like a comic relief and I still don’t know what to think about Mishra. At first I was pretty sure about the ending but the book throws a curve that take it in a completely different direction. Can’t wait to read the next book.
Yes this book is a little slow at the beginning. I found the parts of Shale to be a little boring. But after he finds out his background and his power the book definitely picks up speed. Olivia and Feldspar are interesting characters. Noran is like a comic relief and I still don’t know what to think about Mishra. At first I was pretty sure about the ending but the book throws a curve that take it in a completely different direction. Can’t wait to read the next book.
January 11, 2020
Can't exactly claim ignorance about ableism when it's right there in the title but the hope was that there'd be a story to show that being differently abled isn't a bad thing. It wasn't quite that.
That aside this is a engaging and fairly quick read with an extremely abrupt ending that I was able to return to the elibrary within a day. Will read the sequel, which I expect will feel like the second half to the story.
Rounded down to 3 stars.
That aside this is a engaging and fairly quick read with an extremely abrupt ending that I was able to return to the elibrary within a day. Will read the sequel, which I expect will feel like the second half to the story.
Rounded down to 3 stars.
November 9, 2025
Boring.
Its like reading the diary of a boring 14 yr old boy
Its like reading the diary of a boring 14 yr old boy
July 18, 2013
The Cripple and the Staff employs the archetype of an orphan destined for greatness who must comprehend his true potential and ultimately save the world. But this time, the orphan is a cripple – the result of the cruel bite of a hunter’s trap. Still, the story is entertaining and has moments of brilliance.
I enjoyed the relationship between Mendall, the old hermit sorcerer, and Shale, our orphan who has yet to fully grasp his fate – it reminded me of the relationship between Merlin and Arthur. Furthermore, any time an author creates poems or ballads, I see it as an additional treat, like sprinkles on my sundae. So, when Mendall instructs Shale to memorize old ballads, I was looking forward to reading more of them throughout Shale’s time in the tower. Alas, I’m saddened to say this did not happen – but maybe that would be too much of a spoiler of things to come. Nonetheless, I am intrigued to find out what Mendall’s scheming will lead to (and what knowledge he possesses that has made him a target for the immortals).
The ancient immortals fall on two opposing sides – the Elsiks and the Dreln. One ruled like tyrants, dominating all humans and other inferior species. The other possessed wild magic and the ability to drain their enemies of power. What appealed to me most was that neither side was perfect – it’s like you have to choose between the lesser of two evils. I admit I found myself rooting for a side that I didn’t expect! One setback, however, is that I would have liked to learn more about the Elsiks and Dreln throughout the story – like tiny teasers placed strategically throughout prompting the reader to keep turning the pages, rather than have bulk of the information dropped in my lap towards the end of the book. (The same is true for a few more places of info-dumping the occurred throughout the story – like when the author explained the difference between a White versus a Golden Elsik.)
One part of the story that I was definitely looking forward to was The Match for the Staff of Amrod! The writing when Shale had to perform the illusion round was superb! But the following rounds seemed rushed – I would have liked a little more detail.
For the most part, the details and world building flow decently without the reader getting too bogged down (although there were some parts I had to drudge through to get back to the action, and there were other parts that seemed to skim or jump over what could have been more fully developed and would have added more intensity to the story – like Shale’s training with the mage-warriors).
Overall, it’s an enjoyable read and left enough carrots dangling for the sequel, The Raven and the Plague. I expect we’ll read more about Shale learning to master the awesome power he wields (and I wonder how many more times he’ll accidentally channel too much power – and what harm will come of it.) I think most fans of books like Harry Potter and Eragon will enjoy The Cripple and the Staff.
Overall rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Appropriate for ages 14 & up.
***I received a free copy of The Cripple and the Staff from Goodreads-Making Connections in exchange for an honest review.***
I enjoyed the relationship between Mendall, the old hermit sorcerer, and Shale, our orphan who has yet to fully grasp his fate – it reminded me of the relationship between Merlin and Arthur. Furthermore, any time an author creates poems or ballads, I see it as an additional treat, like sprinkles on my sundae. So, when Mendall instructs Shale to memorize old ballads, I was looking forward to reading more of them throughout Shale’s time in the tower. Alas, I’m saddened to say this did not happen – but maybe that would be too much of a spoiler of things to come. Nonetheless, I am intrigued to find out what Mendall’s scheming will lead to (and what knowledge he possesses that has made him a target for the immortals).
The ancient immortals fall on two opposing sides – the Elsiks and the Dreln. One ruled like tyrants, dominating all humans and other inferior species. The other possessed wild magic and the ability to drain their enemies of power. What appealed to me most was that neither side was perfect – it’s like you have to choose between the lesser of two evils. I admit I found myself rooting for a side that I didn’t expect! One setback, however, is that I would have liked to learn more about the Elsiks and Dreln throughout the story – like tiny teasers placed strategically throughout prompting the reader to keep turning the pages, rather than have bulk of the information dropped in my lap towards the end of the book. (The same is true for a few more places of info-dumping the occurred throughout the story – like when the author explained the difference between a White versus a Golden Elsik.)
One part of the story that I was definitely looking forward to was The Match for the Staff of Amrod! The writing when Shale had to perform the illusion round was superb! But the following rounds seemed rushed – I would have liked a little more detail.
For the most part, the details and world building flow decently without the reader getting too bogged down (although there were some parts I had to drudge through to get back to the action, and there were other parts that seemed to skim or jump over what could have been more fully developed and would have added more intensity to the story – like Shale’s training with the mage-warriors).
Overall, it’s an enjoyable read and left enough carrots dangling for the sequel, The Raven and the Plague. I expect we’ll read more about Shale learning to master the awesome power he wields (and I wonder how many more times he’ll accidentally channel too much power – and what harm will come of it.) I think most fans of books like Harry Potter and Eragon will enjoy The Cripple and the Staff.
Overall rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Appropriate for ages 14 & up.
***I received a free copy of The Cripple and the Staff from Goodreads-Making Connections in exchange for an honest review.***
May 26, 2013
I like this book - quite a lot actually. It takes its own special approach and stays away from many of the tired clichés of the fantasy genre. No demons, elves, or vampires. Sorcerers and magic are essential to the story and yet the author also creates a very believable medieval society. I particularly like the description of the villagers in the first part of the book. They aren't good people but they are definitely believable.
More importantly, the characters are well developed. They are neither generic nor wooden. You actually care what happens to them, a quality which I appreciate. The plot is intriguing and keeps you reading. You constantly want to find out what happens next.
I don't like spoilers so I avoid putting summaries of books in my reviews, but I should point out that this is a complex and lengthy story. That makes it my kind of book but I'm aware that some people only want short and simple tales - and this isn't. Clearly, it is the opening part of a trilogy-length work. It has a bit of a cliff-hanger ending. I already have volume II and will read it now, and I hope the author finishes volume III soon.
More importantly, the characters are well developed. They are neither generic nor wooden. You actually care what happens to them, a quality which I appreciate. The plot is intriguing and keeps you reading. You constantly want to find out what happens next.
I don't like spoilers so I avoid putting summaries of books in my reviews, but I should point out that this is a complex and lengthy story. That makes it my kind of book but I'm aware that some people only want short and simple tales - and this isn't. Clearly, it is the opening part of a trilogy-length work. It has a bit of a cliff-hanger ending. I already have volume II and will read it now, and I hope the author finishes volume III soon.
February 7, 2017
3.5 stars really. It started out good but it just didn't "fill out" well. A little disappointing considering the potential overall.
May 22, 2013
This book follows a boy named Shale, and how he finds out the beginnings of who and what he is. It is a very good story about 2 magical races who were thought to be just stories from Times past. This isn't true however, and the mortals (humans) have no idea just how bad things are about to get.You learn quite a bit about the Elsiks, So I'm looking forward to the next book and finding out more of the Dreln
August 18, 2015
Intriguing
While I'm in love with the story line, I can't help but feel a little disappointed in the simple grammatical errors. I found myself trying to deuce my own meaning from a few of them. If they were to be cleaned up, I'd give it 5 stars, because I'm really enjoying myself. I've also been sharing it with my kids who are 9 & 10. I'm looking forward to the next one.
While I'm in love with the story line, I can't help but feel a little disappointed in the simple grammatical errors. I found myself trying to deuce my own meaning from a few of them. If they were to be cleaned up, I'd give it 5 stars, because I'm really enjoying myself. I've also been sharing it with my kids who are 9 & 10. I'm looking forward to the next one.
March 1, 2015
Started out interesting and ended up edge of the seat exciting.
I enjoy these type of fiction and this book did not disappoint. A lot of interesting characters and scenes to keep the story going. Looking forward to the next book.
I enjoy these type of fiction and this book did not disappoint. A lot of interesting characters and scenes to keep the story going. Looking forward to the next book.
June 9, 2012
another amazon kindle only book - good cheap read - easily digested
December 4, 2013
A good listen. I didn't care for the abrupt ending, though I'm sure it was a good point to resume the story in the next book. I will be watching for the next installment.
January 21, 2016
Good story
A little slow in some places but all an enjoyable read.
Looking forward to reading the next book in series.
A little slow in some places but all an enjoyable read.
Looking forward to reading the next book in series.
December 12, 2011
Mediocre editing. Juvenile writing. Clumsy character and plot development.
August 16, 2013
Excellent writing style, enjoyed the book very much.
December 22, 2016
Exceptional read!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews