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Dual Magics #1
The Shaman's Curse
Vatar risked his life to try to save his friend--and failed.
Now he has an implacable enemy in the vengeful shaman, who blames Vatar for the death of his only son. In his isolation, Vatar finds some comfort in daydreams. He knows the strange girl he sometimes imagines is just that--a dream. She’d better be.
Because, if she’s real things could get even worse for Vatar. The accepted magic of Vatar’s plains tribe wouldn’t enable him to see or communicate with a girl he doesn’t even know--or know where to find. That would be more like the magic passed down in certain, closely-guarded bloodlines among the ruling class of the coastal cities. And that’s bad. Very bad.
Unlike their own, Vatar’s people think the city magic is evil. If the shaman ever found out, it could be the weapon he needs to destroy Vatar. And yet, finding a way to accept the other side of his heritage may be the only way Vatar can ultimately defeat his enemy.
The two kinds of magic have always been totally separate. Until now.
Now he has an implacable enemy in the vengeful shaman, who blames Vatar for the death of his only son. In his isolation, Vatar finds some comfort in daydreams. He knows the strange girl he sometimes imagines is just that--a dream. She’d better be.
Because, if she’s real things could get even worse for Vatar. The accepted magic of Vatar’s plains tribe wouldn’t enable him to see or communicate with a girl he doesn’t even know--or know where to find. That would be more like the magic passed down in certain, closely-guarded bloodlines among the ruling class of the coastal cities. And that’s bad. Very bad.
Unlike their own, Vatar’s people think the city magic is evil. If the shaman ever found out, it could be the weapon he needs to destroy Vatar. And yet, finding a way to accept the other side of his heritage may be the only way Vatar can ultimately defeat his enemy.
The two kinds of magic have always been totally separate. Until now.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2014
112 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Meredith Mansfield
22 books38 followersProfessionally, I've been a financial analyst and a visual basic programmer. I also have a paralegal certificate, although I've never worked in that field. It's anybody's guess what I'll be when I grow up.
Imagining stories and writing have always been an important part of my life. It's one I've finally gotten to spend a significant amount of time on while I care for my mother who has Alzheimer's disease.
Imagining stories and writing have always been an important part of my life. It's one I've finally gotten to spend a significant amount of time on while I care for my mother who has Alzheimer's disease.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 16, 2017
WHAT IT'S ABOUT
Vatar risked his life to try to save his friend--and failed.
Now he has an implacable enemy in the vengeful shaman, who blames Vatar for the death of his only son. In his isolation, Vatar finds some comfort in daydreams. He knows the strange girl he sometimes imagines is just that--a dream. She’d better be.
Because, if she’s real things could get even worse for Vatar. The accepted magic of Vatar’s plains tribe wouldn’t enable him to see or communicate with a girl he doesn’t even know--or know where to find. That would be more like the magic passed down in certain, closely-guarded bloodlines among the ruling class of the coastal cities. And that’s bad. Very bad.
Unlike their own, Vatar’s people think the city magic is evil. If the shaman ever found out, it could be the weapon he needs to destroy Vatar. And yet, finding a way to accept the other side of his heritage may be the only way Vatar can ultimately defeat his enemy.
The two kinds of magic have always been totally separate. Until now.
MY TAKE
ETA--the audiobook is now out, and I just finished listening to it. It was great to go back to the beginning of the series again. I'd forgotten how resistant Vatar was to magic at first. The narrator did a great job adding accents to people from the various societies.
Mansfield's writing is solid, and she tells an imaginative and sometimes gripping story. Interesting cultures. I thought it was fascinating that the nomadic Dardani were actually more culturally sophisticated in some ways than the city people.
I found Vatar to be very likable, and I felt so bad for him. The terrible guilt at not being able to save his friend was bad enough, but to have his friend's father blame Vatar and seek to punish him was terrible.
Vatar's journey includes finding out that the father he's always known was not the one who had fathered him, if that makes sense. Vatar is appalled to find out that the "sperm donor" was a powerful wizard--or that Vatar has half siblings all over the place. The last thing Vatar wants is to have anything to do magic.
It was fun to watch Vatar really grow into a man--often in the school of hard knocks. To be so young and a "divorced" father only added to his challenges.
Can't wait for the next book.
Vatar risked his life to try to save his friend--and failed.
Now he has an implacable enemy in the vengeful shaman, who blames Vatar for the death of his only son. In his isolation, Vatar finds some comfort in daydreams. He knows the strange girl he sometimes imagines is just that--a dream. She’d better be.
Because, if she’s real things could get even worse for Vatar. The accepted magic of Vatar’s plains tribe wouldn’t enable him to see or communicate with a girl he doesn’t even know--or know where to find. That would be more like the magic passed down in certain, closely-guarded bloodlines among the ruling class of the coastal cities. And that’s bad. Very bad.
Unlike their own, Vatar’s people think the city magic is evil. If the shaman ever found out, it could be the weapon he needs to destroy Vatar. And yet, finding a way to accept the other side of his heritage may be the only way Vatar can ultimately defeat his enemy.
The two kinds of magic have always been totally separate. Until now.
MY TAKE
ETA--the audiobook is now out, and I just finished listening to it. It was great to go back to the beginning of the series again. I'd forgotten how resistant Vatar was to magic at first. The narrator did a great job adding accents to people from the various societies.
Mansfield's writing is solid, and she tells an imaginative and sometimes gripping story. Interesting cultures. I thought it was fascinating that the nomadic Dardani were actually more culturally sophisticated in some ways than the city people.
I found Vatar to be very likable, and I felt so bad for him. The terrible guilt at not being able to save his friend was bad enough, but to have his friend's father blame Vatar and seek to punish him was terrible.
Vatar's journey includes finding out that the father he's always known was not the one who had fathered him, if that makes sense. Vatar is appalled to find out that the "sperm donor" was a powerful wizard--or that Vatar has half siblings all over the place. The last thing Vatar wants is to have anything to do magic.
It was fun to watch Vatar really grow into a man--often in the school of hard knocks. To be so young and a "divorced" father only added to his challenges.
Can't wait for the next book.
March 3, 2017
Kind of your basic fantasy, but not badly done. My biggest complaint is that the story just ends abruptly in the middle, and the excerpt from the next book cuts off even worse, mid paragraph.
March 17, 2018
My original The Shaman's Curse audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
Vatar is an adolescent on the verge of taking his manhood test. He and his friends are on a hunting trip when they decided to cool off in a nearby river. Vatar has a premonition of trouble but tries his best to ignore it. None of his friends know about Vatar’s premonitions as they would be seen as a form of magic and magic is not allowed in the society in which Vatar lives.
Vatar and his friends wade into the river. They splash around a bit, all the while, Vatar’s unease grows. He starts to climb the riverbank, trying to get his friends to come with him. He was almost on the bank when they hear a rumbling sound, the sound of a lot of water heading straight toward them.
Vatar makes it to the riverbank and helps his friends climb to safety. All except for one of his friends. Torkaz, the Shaman’s son, was further away than the others. Torkaz gets to the bottom of the bank just as the flash flood hits the riverbed. Vatar reaches out for his friend and manages to grab him. However, the current from the passing water is too strong and the Shaman’s son has swept away. He is later found further down the river, drowned. This tragedy sets off a chain of events that completely affects the course of Vatar’s life. Some good, some bring challenges.
Ian McEuen was the narrator for this book and he did an excellent job. He did a great job with using different voices to help distinguish between each characters. I had no problems telling each character from another. The production quality was very high. No noticeable changes in volume or any audible cracks or pops.
Overall “The Shaman’s Curse - Dual Magics Book 1” is an enjoyable book. I did feel that they were spots where the plot slowed down a bit but there was action as well. Seeing as this is book 1, I expect that part of this book is background information to set up the other books in the series. So I think that’s why parts seem to lag a little.
If you are looking to start something new in the fantasy genre, I highly recommend this book. There are a total of four books in the series however only the first book is available on audio right now. I’m looking forward to the other books becoming available and seeing where life takes Vatar.
Audiobook was provided for review by the narrator.
Vatar is an adolescent on the verge of taking his manhood test. He and his friends are on a hunting trip when they decided to cool off in a nearby river. Vatar has a premonition of trouble but tries his best to ignore it. None of his friends know about Vatar’s premonitions as they would be seen as a form of magic and magic is not allowed in the society in which Vatar lives.
Vatar and his friends wade into the river. They splash around a bit, all the while, Vatar’s unease grows. He starts to climb the riverbank, trying to get his friends to come with him. He was almost on the bank when they hear a rumbling sound, the sound of a lot of water heading straight toward them.
Vatar makes it to the riverbank and helps his friends climb to safety. All except for one of his friends. Torkaz, the Shaman’s son, was further away than the others. Torkaz gets to the bottom of the bank just as the flash flood hits the riverbed. Vatar reaches out for his friend and manages to grab him. However, the current from the passing water is too strong and the Shaman’s son has swept away. He is later found further down the river, drowned. This tragedy sets off a chain of events that completely affects the course of Vatar’s life. Some good, some bring challenges.
Ian McEuen was the narrator for this book and he did an excellent job. He did a great job with using different voices to help distinguish between each characters. I had no problems telling each character from another. The production quality was very high. No noticeable changes in volume or any audible cracks or pops.
Overall “The Shaman’s Curse - Dual Magics Book 1” is an enjoyable book. I did feel that they were spots where the plot slowed down a bit but there was action as well. Seeing as this is book 1, I expect that part of this book is background information to set up the other books in the series. So I think that’s why parts seem to lag a little.
If you are looking to start something new in the fantasy genre, I highly recommend this book. There are a total of four books in the series however only the first book is available on audio right now. I’m looking forward to the other books becoming available and seeing where life takes Vatar.
Audiobook was provided for review by the narrator.
August 1, 2020
What an interesting and different book for me to read this was. I’m not usually into this type of book but I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. The different clans and peoples with their different ways of life, the differing levels and methods of magic and the rejection of such magic by the Dardani people. Lots of imagination used in the writing of this book and real escapism. Loved the bad guys too. Very real as to reasons behind the hatred of Vatar and clever use of the sheep mentality which as we know is alive and kicking today. I will definitely read more from this author.
August 7, 2020
A very well written story. The author pulls the reader in and you can really sympathize with the protagonist. The travails he must experience are magnified by slipping between three different cultures. Through it all he stays true to himself.
He grew up in a culture which fears magic, yet he becomes part of two other cultures which have magic as a core part of their existence. Very interesting to see his slow acceptance and pragmatism about his new found abilities.
He grew up in a culture which fears magic, yet he becomes part of two other cultures which have magic as a core part of their existence. Very interesting to see his slow acceptance and pragmatism about his new found abilities.
November 18, 2020
Vatar starts out as a decent character. His view of life is simple, but as he goes from a boy on the brink of manhood to an adult, his perception grows as does his character. The world is fascinating, full of subtlety and depth. Even the villains have facets that make them interesting. All the characters have layers, making them both flawed and amazingly human. I enjoyed this from the first paragraph to the last.
June 13, 2020
Highly Entertaining
Great richly developed characters...excitement in abundance.
Romance, evil plots, spiritual growth and Lots of magical powers. Absolutely delightful and concentrated in adventure.
Great richly developed characters...excitement in abundance.
Romance, evil plots, spiritual growth and Lots of magical powers. Absolutely delightful and concentrated in adventure.
July 31, 2020
Loved it! Lots of magic! I loved it!
September 20, 2020
4 star
Enjoyed this. Lots of challenges, but MC has plenty of agency. The magic is well-limited so far. MC is interesting and likeable and uis world is complex.
Enjoyed this. Lots of challenges, but MC has plenty of agency. The magic is well-limited so far. MC is interesting and likeable and uis world is complex.
May 28, 2021
Excellent story line. Delightful,and original. Hard to believe this author is new and in need of civilian reviews. I was hooked from the first page to the last. Thank you
July 10, 2021
Loved it! Just bought the next three books.
August 2, 2021
So good
So different and so good. At times you couldn't see how it would all work out. An intriguing storyline with great characters both good and bad! I like - a lot.
So different and so good. At times you couldn't see how it would all work out. An intriguing storyline with great characters both good and bad! I like - a lot.
February 3, 2022
Magic
Very entertaining read. Full of
adventure and magic.
Look forward to reading book 2 and other adventures by Meredith Mansfield
Very entertaining read. Full of
adventure and magic.
Look forward to reading book 2 and other adventures by Meredith Mansfield
January 23, 2025
Awesome read.
There really wasn't anything I disliked. When a "read" holds my attention as well this one did, I feel I need to recommend it to everybody.
There really wasn't anything I disliked. When a "read" holds my attention as well this one did, I feel I need to recommend it to everybody.
January 31, 2019
Warning highly addictive story.
It strikes me that there doesn't seem to be a explanation for the stars that are given. So I thought I'd start giving my take on it.
1 horrible no redeeming qualities. So far I've never given a 1.
2 blah but there are redeeming qualities.
3 ok worth reading.
4 great but there's something off.
5 loved it.
So now about this story. I couldn't stop listening, I can't wait for more of this series. I want to say more about this story but I absolutely hate spoilers, so I won't do it to you by going into details. I would like to add that even though it's a young adult book I'm 55 and I loved it.
The narrator brings the story to life.
Reasons I enjoyed this audio book:
Romantic, Original, Wonderful characters, Great world building, Unpredictable, Entertaining, Action-packed, other world.
Bookshelves/tags:
adventure, angst, favorite, horses, magic, multiple-couples, paranormal, romance, series, shifters, sweet, young-adult.
This Audiobook was given to me for free at my request from the publisher, author or narrator and I provided this unbiased voluntary review.
It strikes me that there doesn't seem to be a explanation for the stars that are given. So I thought I'd start giving my take on it.
1 horrible no redeeming qualities. So far I've never given a 1.
2 blah but there are redeeming qualities.
3 ok worth reading.
4 great but there's something off.
5 loved it.
So now about this story. I couldn't stop listening, I can't wait for more of this series. I want to say more about this story but I absolutely hate spoilers, so I won't do it to you by going into details. I would like to add that even though it's a young adult book I'm 55 and I loved it.
The narrator brings the story to life.
Reasons I enjoyed this audio book:
Romantic, Original, Wonderful characters, Great world building, Unpredictable, Entertaining, Action-packed, other world.
Bookshelves/tags:
adventure, angst, favorite, horses, magic, multiple-couples, paranormal, romance, series, shifters, sweet, young-adult.
This Audiobook was given to me for free at my request from the publisher, author or narrator and I provided this unbiased voluntary review.
July 21, 2014
This was a very pleasant surprise, as it wasn't typical high fantasy, though it has a good magical bent, though less of the swordplay one might expect from fantasy. While the villain was a bit one dimensional, I thought the other main character's were well drawn and more fleshed out. I am definitely looking forward to the next in the series.
If you want something a bit different in a magic system, as well as some interesting characters, you may want to give this a try. As with any book, it won't please everyone, but I did enjoy it, and finished it in a day (thanks to starting on a Sunday).
If you want something a bit different in a magic system, as well as some interesting characters, you may want to give this a try. As with any book, it won't please everyone, but I did enjoy it, and finished it in a day (thanks to starting on a Sunday).
August 6, 2014
This was interesting read. The author's writing was a bit rough. I can however see potential in her writing. The story had enough originality in it to keep me reading. I liked how the characters were written especially the father and son dynamic. Look forward to reading more from the author.
September 21, 2014
Awesome. looking forward to next book.
September 6, 2016
Awesomeness
This is a good book. I really enjoyed it. I will definitely read the next book. I can't wait to see what happens. I have even preordered the 4th book.
This is a good book. I really enjoyed it. I will definitely read the next book. I can't wait to see what happens. I have even preordered the 4th book.
October 13, 2016
Wow what a read
It's a wonderful world to get lost in. I must get the next book. The fear of magic the acceptance and learning. It is a journey I enjoyed.
It's a wonderful world to get lost in. I must get the next book. The fear of magic the acceptance and learning. It is a journey I enjoyed.
November 25, 2016
It is a great book to read
February 18, 2022
i felt this was very good. might be just me but this one felt like a great beginning... I am looking forward to the next in the series. Thanks Author. keep these coming.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews