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

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult

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!

[Nic · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun novella

It was so much fun to be back in this world with some new characters. The action and romance were so well balanced as always. It makes me want to reread the whole series. You don’t have to read the Spoken Mage series to know what’s going on but I think it would definitely help if you did.

Recommended reading age (14 yrs+)
No spice (just kisses)
No explicit language use
PG Violence/gore
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️so fun and sweet

[Ginger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute short sweet I loveeee Melanie Cellier she writes such fun books. HIGHLY recommend the Spoken mage series that this is a spinoff from

[Suzie]

4.5 Rounded up to 5

I was both excited and scared when I heard Cellier was writing another book in the Spoken Mage world. It’s one of my favorites of her’s, but her writing lately hasn’t been as good as the original books that made me fall in love with her worlds. I am happy to say that, other than an info-dumpy first few pages, this book lived up to the previous ones and will happily be added to the list that I revisit.

Zak and Aria were both fun characters that captured my interest and had me rooting for them, even when I was questioning their sanity. I loved Zak’s drive for justice, and the way Aria looked at the world as something to explore and learn about.

Returning to the streets of Corrin and exploring a different area of the city, a little bit, was so much fun, and I’m super excited for what Zak’s theories might mean for the future stories in this world! This book made my day. :)

*As stated above, the half star deduction is because of the info-dumpy first several pages, which almost put me off reading the book.

[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.

[Katherine Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly Fun

It was such a joy getting to return to one of my favorite fantasy worlds. We get to see what the change was like for commonborns as their world starts changing. Aria and Zak are very lovable characters. She is intelligent and fierce while he is empathetic and inventive. They make a great duo as they try to improve the world around them. So thankful for another book in this world! It takes place after the Spoken Mage series and before the sequel Crown series. It is fully standalone but the world will make more sense after reading the Spoken mage series. It has minimal fantasy violence and clean no spice romance. Of Books and Mages is a true delight from beginning to end!

[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.

[Kessa Turnbull · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and inspiring, but why so far removed?

I really thought Zak would be closely related to SOMEONE we already love. Maybe I should have reread hidden mage first. But that's next on the docket! I'm surprised I don't remember it at ALL. Even though I KNOW I read it. At least I had the big picture for this series. I'm just so happy this universe is still growing. It needs growth evermore!

[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!

[H J Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best things about Cellier is she writes heroines as strong and capable, who make a difference in their world. They're not usually strong like the men are, or have unbelievable powers, but manage to make a difference anyway. Aria is no exception, who makes positive changes and defeats villians without even being a mage. And it's brilliant.

[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.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contains kisses and mentions of a serial killer. It’s been a while since I read the spoken mage series so I don’t remember any of the characters. It took a bit to remember about the commoners-can’t-look-at-words thing too. The book was short and sweet though.

[Bess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought for sure I would be lost reading this short story from a series I read years ago. But nope! I was immediately welcomed back into the world!
Elena was here too!
Very sweet and wonderful story. Short but still great!

[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!

[Brittany Dodson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect

Magic, true love, kindness and societal changes to improve lives. What could be better? Nothing. As always Melanie Cellier's book are a delight to read.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

great, but too short!

I need more. I love the characters, and how truthful and considerate they are. All that, while fully maintaining interest. A breath of fresh air.

[Shruti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had so much fun returning to the spoken mage world! Love the simple and sincere characters :)

[Bookworman · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was nice to return to Ardann for a quick visit. I liked the main characters and the love story was sweeet. It was also fun to get a glimpse of Lucas and Elena with their children and the hint of Lucas' sister's transition as heir to the throne.

[Kenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars!

I was so excited when I learned we were getting another novella in this world, and it did not disappoint! The perspective of a common-born character going through all of the upheaval and complications with the new discovery of the sealing composition was so interesting!

I will ALWAYS be up for the friends-to-lovers trope, and even though I don’t usually enjoy the forbidden love trope, I think it was pulled off pretty well here. Also, the little cameos we get of the main couple from the previous series were awesome!

My only note is that the kisses were a bit more than I've come to expect from this author.

Brief overview of the Romance content...
- Semi detailed kiss
- Detailed-ish kiss (more emotional than descriptive, but it lasts three short paragraphs)
- 2 Non-detailed kisses
- Noticing
- A few hugs
- Aria has to retrieve a composition from the inside pocket of his vest and notices his muscles.

Brief overview of other content...
- These characters get themselves into trouble and get injured.
- There is a side plot of finding a serial killer.
- Aria gets a very brief glimpse a body (non-descriptive)
- The serial killer doesn't view the common borns as people and thus thinks it's not murder when he kills them.

Because of certain content, I would personally feel comfortable recommending this book for ages 15/16 and up. Overall, this is a lovely edition to the Spoken Mage series, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!