Of Books and Mages: A Spoken Mage Novella

by Melanie Cellier

Aria has long dreamed of a future that includes written words. But as a commonborn in Ardann, there’s only one way to achieve that dream—be selected as one of the fortunate few to be sealed. She’s willing to fight for that future, but a chance encounter—and rescue—of a mageborn throws all her plans into jeopardy.

Zak is attractive, charming, and kind, and he gives Aria a glimpse of a future beyond being sealed. But he’s a mage, and while times might be changing in Ardann, they haven’t changed that much. As a commonborn, Aria can have no future with a mage. And with a killer on the loose and targeting commonborns, her distraction might put her at risk of losing more than just her heart.

Of Books and Mages is a novella of approximately 40,000 words.

Dive back into the world of the Spoken Mage—where words have power over life and death. If you enjoyed the Spoken Mage series, discover how the lives of the commonborn are forever changed afterward.

Reading
Voice of Power
Voice of Command
Voice of Dominion
Voice of Life
Power of Pen and A Spoken Mage Companion Novel
Of Books and A Spoken Mage Novella

157 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2026

About the author

Melanie Cellier grew up on a staple diet of books, books and more books. And although she got older, she never stopped loving children’s and young adult novels.
 She always wanted to write one herself, but it took three careers and three different continents before she actually managed it. 


She now feels incredibly fortunate to spend her time writing from her home in Adelaide, Australia where she keeps an eye out for koalas in her backyard. Her staple diet hasn’t changed much, although she’s added choc mint Rooibos tea and Chicken Crimpies to the list.


She writes young adult fantasy including her Spoken Mage series, and her Four Kingdoms and Beyond the Four Kingdoms series which are made up of linked stand-alone stories that retell classic fairy tales.

Reviews

[Mildly Mad Hatter(Semi Hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet. It was cool seeing some of the old characters again. My only complaints are I wish it was longer and the kissing was a bit much. The romance seemed to go very fast but it was short and time did pass, just felt like it was very quick. But it was very cute!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this a whole lot. I bought it because I remembered how much I loved Cellier’s Spoken Mage series. And also because it wasn’t super expensive…I also remembered I’d been disappointed in the Hidden Mage series by contrast. But this novella took me back to what I loved in the Spoken Mage series - the world, with it’s absolutely crazy-you-must-work-to-suspend-disbelief magic structure, that serves to allow Cellier to explore class/caste difference and the fantasy elements that allow a common born girl to become queen, or in this case, to dream of a mage. My only bit of complaint was how quickly everything wrapped up at the end. And perhaps not getting any of Aria or Zak at university. I was interested in what they would study and whether Zak would do okay and whether Aria found friends in her year, or spends times with the students two years ahead or her, and so on and so on. Other than that, very enjoyable.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Want More!!

Too short, but only because I loved every minute of it. I had almost forgotten how much I loved the world of the Spoken Mage, but Melanie Cellier did a great job of reminding me and cementing my need to read the original books again. It was a short story that pulls the heart strings and makes you smile.

Note: if you read on Kindle Unlimited and choose to re-read books, always buy them the second time because the authors only get paid on your first read through…

[Heather Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so thrilled to revisit Ardann!

I honestly don’t even know where to start. The Spoken Mage series is something that my daughter and I both share a great love for, and I was thrilled to see that Melanie Cellier was revisiting it. I absolutely loved the story, and the characters of this book. It is such a sweet love story, with some mystery elements added in. I cannot wait for more from this world.

[Bethany Aich · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was simply fantastic to get a new book in The Spoken Mage series…even if it was a novella that I read in one sitting. ; )

I absolutely love this world and did another reread maybe a year ago so it was with great delight that I immediately dove into this one.

I look forward to more to come!

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I love this author

I love the Spoken Mage series and was so excited to see a small addition to that series. I am happy to say that it exceeded all my expectations. Highly recommend.

[Lorin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved reading this wonderful book! I loved the characters and the plot! I had a hard time putting this really wonderful book down! I loved all of the books in this really wonderful series! I am really looking forward to reading more stories in the Spoken Mage world!

[Sara Downs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I enjoyed getting to see a new perspective on the Spoken Mage world with some new characters. This book is a bridge between the Spoken and Hidden Mage series' and what a delightful journey.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

I loved it, and I lived how it tied in so well with the other books in the same world. It gives hope, not just for Zack and Aria, but other characters as well.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a Fun Read

It was so fun to revisit the world of the Spoken Mage once more. This novella was a delight to read.

[Kaylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun read!

I absolutely loved this glimpse back into the spoken mage world! It’s one of my favorite series and I would love to read more books set in this world.

[Katie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! I wish it was a full length book!