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The Spellmonger #8
Court Wizard
While You’re Waiting For Winter To FINALLY Come . . .
. . . Enjoy Epic Heroic Fantasy . . . About Meetings!
BETA VERSION! FULLY EDITED VERSION AVAILABLE ON 8/1/16
When Pentandra got married and took a new job, she knew it would be tough. Ducal Court Wizard is supposed to be the cushiest of assignments for a mage, full of stipends, laboratories, and expense funds. But when you join the Orphan Duke’s expedition to reclaim, recapture, and restore his shattered realm to health, you have to expect things to be . . . less cushy. With the south in full rebellion, the goblins stirring on the northern frontier, and the summer capital being run by a corrupt baron and a gang of thugs, things could be better. But those aren’t the worst of her problems: Pentandra is learning how to live with her new husband, Arborn, while the town is driven to distraction by an incarnate Sex Goddess who is organizing all of the whores, a mopey Spellmonger, a nun addicted to gambling, a prude sent by the Queen, undead skulking through the shadows, and a mysterious blind girl shows up in her office claiming to be her new apprentice! It’s enough to drive any woman mad, but Pentandra is not just any woman . . . she’s the hope of the Alshari Wilderlands, the woman everyone knows as the Court Wizard!
. . . Enjoy Epic Heroic Fantasy . . . About Meetings!
BETA VERSION! FULLY EDITED VERSION AVAILABLE ON 8/1/16
When Pentandra got married and took a new job, she knew it would be tough. Ducal Court Wizard is supposed to be the cushiest of assignments for a mage, full of stipends, laboratories, and expense funds. But when you join the Orphan Duke’s expedition to reclaim, recapture, and restore his shattered realm to health, you have to expect things to be . . . less cushy. With the south in full rebellion, the goblins stirring on the northern frontier, and the summer capital being run by a corrupt baron and a gang of thugs, things could be better. But those aren’t the worst of her problems: Pentandra is learning how to live with her new husband, Arborn, while the town is driven to distraction by an incarnate Sex Goddess who is organizing all of the whores, a mopey Spellmonger, a nun addicted to gambling, a prude sent by the Queen, undead skulking through the shadows, and a mysterious blind girl shows up in her office claiming to be her new apprentice! It’s enough to drive any woman mad, but Pentandra is not just any woman . . . she’s the hope of the Alshari Wilderlands, the woman everyone knows as the Court Wizard!
973 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 19, 2019
455 people are currently reading
676 people want to read
About the author
Terry Mancour
43 books1,178 followersTerry Mancour is a New York Times Best-Selling Author who has written more than 30 books, under his own name and pseudonyms, including Star Trek: The Next Generation #20, Spartacus, the Spellmonger Series (more than 11 books and growing), among other works.
He was born in Flint, Michigan in 1968 (according to his mother) and wisely relocated to North Carolina in 1978 where he embraced Southern culture and its dedication to compelling narratives and intriguing characterizations. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he majored in Religious Studies.
Terry, his beautiful wife and three children live just outside of Durham, N.C. atop Red Mountain. He was nominated for the 2018 Audie Award for Best Fantasy for the audiobook for Spellmonger (narrated by John Lee), the first book in his Spellmonger Series.
He has plotted the Spellmonger Series for at least thirty books, in addition to his Spellmonger Cadet (young adult) series, stand-alone novels, short stories and novellas set within the Spellmonger Universe, all of which will be published by Podium as audiobooks. He is also the author of a series of sequels to Golden Age sci-fi master H. Beam Piper's novel, Space Viking, as well as original sci-fi novels.
He was born in Flint, Michigan in 1968 (according to his mother) and wisely relocated to North Carolina in 1978 where he embraced Southern culture and its dedication to compelling narratives and intriguing characterizations. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he majored in Religious Studies.
Terry, his beautiful wife and three children live just outside of Durham, N.C. atop Red Mountain. He was nominated for the 2018 Audie Award for Best Fantasy for the audiobook for Spellmonger (narrated by John Lee), the first book in his Spellmonger Series.
He has plotted the Spellmonger Series for at least thirty books, in addition to his Spellmonger Cadet (young adult) series, stand-alone novels, short stories and novellas set within the Spellmonger Universe, all of which will be published by Podium as audiobooks. He is also the author of a series of sequels to Golden Age sci-fi master H. Beam Piper's novel, Space Viking, as well as original sci-fi novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
April 19, 2019
Prefacing this review, that I experienced this entire series through audiobook, so names and spellings are very likely to be wrong as haven't seen most of them in writing. Its going to be long as I have a lot of thoughts so TLDR version: If you've read the first 7 books you are going to read the 8th, but I warn you if you struggled with the more sexist aspects of the first 7 books you are going to have an even harder time with 8. Also if you hate the casari like I do, that is going to be another knock against it as well for you. But in the end if you can rationalize and move on from the infuriating developments he heaps on Pentandra and the parting words of one of the book's goddesse's essentially stating that women should be mothers first and foremost and productive members of society second, All the things you liked from the first 7 are still there under that very difficult to swallow layer of sexism.
I struggled with this one. I have been a huge fan of the series for the most part. The world building is amazing, the characters are complex and flawed, and the main story is extremely interesting. But there has been a slight misogynistic undertone throughout the whole series that is mostly covered up by a combination of prominent, competent, and powerful female characters, and the medieval setting. Min's misogyny, and that of Tindle in knights magi, I was able to pass off as notable character flaws that were understandable, and in Min's case probably almost progressive given the medieval patriarchal setting. Given that the series is very clearly one told through a single characters POV at any given time, the fact that the narrator (Min) never has the self awareness to see how problematic he is doesn't seem like an issue (I always assumed he would later come to terms with it). The handling of his issues in The Enchanter ranged from interesting to wildly problematic, but still gave me hope that Mancour would get to addressing his principals character's biggest flaw soon.
It is at this point we get to Court Wizard. In addition to getting super preachy about femininity and the power of women, to the point it feels like a Sunday morning special directed at children, it is counter-intuitively also by far the most sexist and problematic of the entire series. Pentandra is transformed from one of the very female characters who has given Mancour some leeway in the misogyny of the principal male character to a docile cliche who constantly needs to be saved by her husband. The book in no uncertain terms states that a woman's greatest achievement will always be her children and no matter what else she may accomplish, she can only do the most good by having children and raising them...
Speaking of her husband, the casari have long been the worst part of these books, sexism aside, and this one unfortunately has a double helping of them as well. it's bad enough that they are completely unapologetically and quite literally the boy scouts, but they are also the series' most blatant mary sues... Which in a book filled with mages of almost limitless power is a pretty mean feat.
It's frustrating and the idealization of a real life entity that in actuality is extraordinarily problematic is, like the attempt at feminism wrapped in the idealization of social norms and traditional family values, is pretty damn difficult to stomache.
So after all of that, how am I still giving the book 3 stars? I can't help it. The world building after 8 books, and watching war-torn and devestated lands get built back up from scratch and all of the political drama that acomponies that is just so addicting. I could listen to John Lee's voice all day long (and on several occasions admittedly have). The series usually has very strong writing, long winded and poorly written attempted and failed feminist PSA's aside (I am mostly unaware of the books notoriously bad editing due to the audio nature of my experience). I have invested 8 books worth of time to this series and enjoyed the vast majority of that time, and because it continues to have strong female characters (though that may be changing if enchanter and this book have anything to say about it) I can't help but continue to read the series after this, in hopes that someone sits Mancour down and gives him the real life character development he desperately needs to give Min. While they are at it, hopefully they can help him work through his unhealthy obsession with the boy scouts while they are at it.
Very longwinded story short, the misogyny sprinkled throughout these books, for the most part has led its characters to make their biggest mistakes, so even if it is never directly combated I still hope mancour can turn this particularly distasteful aspect of his series around, and if he can I will just chalk up the ugly side of Court Wizard down to a male author's inability to write an entire story from a woman's perspective.
I struggled with this one. I have been a huge fan of the series for the most part. The world building is amazing, the characters are complex and flawed, and the main story is extremely interesting. But there has been a slight misogynistic undertone throughout the whole series that is mostly covered up by a combination of prominent, competent, and powerful female characters, and the medieval setting. Min's misogyny, and that of Tindle in knights magi, I was able to pass off as notable character flaws that were understandable, and in Min's case probably almost progressive given the medieval patriarchal setting. Given that the series is very clearly one told through a single characters POV at any given time, the fact that the narrator (Min) never has the self awareness to see how problematic he is doesn't seem like an issue (I always assumed he would later come to terms with it). The handling of his issues in The Enchanter ranged from interesting to wildly problematic, but still gave me hope that Mancour would get to addressing his principals character's biggest flaw soon.
It is at this point we get to Court Wizard. In addition to getting super preachy about femininity and the power of women, to the point it feels like a Sunday morning special directed at children, it is counter-intuitively also by far the most sexist and problematic of the entire series. Pentandra is transformed from one of the very female characters who has given Mancour some leeway in the misogyny of the principal male character to a docile cliche who constantly needs to be saved by her husband. The book in no uncertain terms states that a woman's greatest achievement will always be her children and no matter what else she may accomplish, she can only do the most good by having children and raising them...
Speaking of her husband, the casari have long been the worst part of these books, sexism aside, and this one unfortunately has a double helping of them as well. it's bad enough that they are completely unapologetically and quite literally the boy scouts, but they are also the series' most blatant mary sues... Which in a book filled with mages of almost limitless power is a pretty mean feat.
It's frustrating and the idealization of a real life entity that in actuality is extraordinarily problematic is, like the attempt at feminism wrapped in the idealization of social norms and traditional family values, is pretty damn difficult to stomache.
So after all of that, how am I still giving the book 3 stars? I can't help it. The world building after 8 books, and watching war-torn and devestated lands get built back up from scratch and all of the political drama that acomponies that is just so addicting. I could listen to John Lee's voice all day long (and on several occasions admittedly have). The series usually has very strong writing, long winded and poorly written attempted and failed feminist PSA's aside (I am mostly unaware of the books notoriously bad editing due to the audio nature of my experience). I have invested 8 books worth of time to this series and enjoyed the vast majority of that time, and because it continues to have strong female characters (though that may be changing if enchanter and this book have anything to say about it) I can't help but continue to read the series after this, in hopes that someone sits Mancour down and gives him the real life character development he desperately needs to give Min. While they are at it, hopefully they can help him work through his unhealthy obsession with the boy scouts while they are at it.
Very longwinded story short, the misogyny sprinkled throughout these books, for the most part has led its characters to make their biggest mistakes, so even if it is never directly combated I still hope mancour can turn this particularly distasteful aspect of his series around, and if he can I will just chalk up the ugly side of Court Wizard down to a male author's inability to write an entire story from a woman's perspective.
October 14, 2019
Did this one Audio book style.
I will admit i was very disappointed in this one as i love this series.
In fact, i did not finish the book.
It starts out as the same book as book 7 but from Penny's point of view instead of Minolin's.
I felt very ripped off. I read this story already. And as Penny is not my favourite character I did not have the patience to repeat the tale i had just finished.
My apologies Mr. Mancour but I felt you should have done better. Has your vision for this tale dried up so much that you have to repeat yourself. I was disheartened.
I know there is more to the story then the repeat part but as i said, Penny not my fav and i had already been there and done that.
Here is hoping for betting in book 9.
I will admit i was very disappointed in this one as i love this series.
In fact, i did not finish the book.
It starts out as the same book as book 7 but from Penny's point of view instead of Minolin's.
I felt very ripped off. I read this story already. And as Penny is not my favourite character I did not have the patience to repeat the tale i had just finished.
My apologies Mr. Mancour but I felt you should have done better. Has your vision for this tale dried up so much that you have to repeat yourself. I was disheartened.
I know there is more to the story then the repeat part but as i said, Penny not my fav and i had already been there and done that.
Here is hoping for betting in book 9.
January 7, 2018
Starting from a default score of 3 stars that any average book would get:
+1 star for strong storytelling
-1 for horrible editing. Chapters 1 and 2 have a bunch of copy/pasted content - literally verbatim repeats. Lots of errors throughout the rest of the book. I suspect Mancour may use voice recognition software to dictate the manuscript, judging by the nature of some of the errors.
-1 for the women's perspectives and the over-the-top sex content. Ishi's Night goes too far into the debauched details for my taste (furries, bestiality, etc). In light of one of the previous books where Tyndal gives Rondal a bunch of dating advice, I'm detecting a distasteful subtext that doesn't speak well of Mancour as a person.
+1 star for strong storytelling
-1 for horrible editing. Chapters 1 and 2 have a bunch of copy/pasted content - literally verbatim repeats. Lots of errors throughout the rest of the book. I suspect Mancour may use voice recognition software to dictate the manuscript, judging by the nature of some of the errors.
-1 for the women's perspectives and the over-the-top sex content. Ishi's Night goes too far into the debauched details for my taste (furries, bestiality, etc). In light of one of the previous books where Tyndal gives Rondal a bunch of dating advice, I'm detecting a distasteful subtext that doesn't speak well of Mancour as a person.
August 8, 2016
I am modifying my comments now that the final release is out. My hat is off for Terry Mancour taking on a tough view to write. Taking on the evolving roll of a women in a society has not given women their due. It is odd how you could see correlations in the views even in present society. As always this is a fun read, mind you I can't wait to see where this will go and without giving a spoiler, I will admit, I would do the same as Penny did at the end.
On a side note, thank you for Terry for putting out this book. Hope your health improves.
On a side note, thank you for Terry for putting out this book. Hope your health improves.
November 30, 2019
The conversations in this book are maddening. Characters seem to forget previous discussions (from this damn book, sometimes even within the same chapter), and ignore utterly obvious conclusions, so the author can spoon feed details, perhaps to help people who read each chapter of a book several months apart, or who have serious memory disorders...
Add to this a cringe-worthy approach to gender roles, frequent typos, and the general annoyance I feel at having books covering the same time period from different perspectives, and I consider this a very weak addition to the series.
Add to this a cringe-worthy approach to gender roles, frequent typos, and the general annoyance I feel at having books covering the same time period from different perspectives, and I consider this a very weak addition to the series.
August 6, 2016
Ambivalent
Not a bad story just too many repetitious "conversations" from previous book to this one. Wonder if author got a bit lazy writing this episode and "borrowed" from the previous book. Interesting POV storyline. I was disappointed there wasnt more regarding the outcome from the last book, "Enchanter". Worth reading if a fan of the Spellmonger series but not, in my opinion, not one of the better books.
Not a bad story just too many repetitious "conversations" from previous book to this one. Wonder if author got a bit lazy writing this episode and "borrowed" from the previous book. Interesting POV storyline. I was disappointed there wasnt more regarding the outcome from the last book, "Enchanter". Worth reading if a fan of the Spellmonger series but not, in my opinion, not one of the better books.
June 13, 2017
I've been binging my way through this series. Mr. Mancour has done a wonderful job of creating a fascinating and exciting world. I have thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Book Eight, however, has been a chore so far. According to my Kindle app, I'm only 17% into it; and that has more to do with scanning a page rather than reading it.
A read has to expect a rehash of past books at the beginning of the next in a series. While I would never recommend starting at book Eight, other readers may have waited a year or more for the next Book to arrive on the shelf and need a refresher course on characters and plot. However, in this case the Editor should have cut much of the first eight chapters and almost all of Chapter 2.
In fact, I have to wonder if the Editor bothered to read the first or second drafts at all.
I've lost count of the "mis-wording" (misspelling is a thing of the past - but my son's auto-corrected texts are more error free). The same thought or point is brought up again and again a few paragraphs or pages later, often with the exact same phrases. One time I thought that my Kindle version (digital) may have inadvertently copied the same sentence twice. On further review a couple words were different. As if the Author forgot he wrote a sentence and re-wrote slightly different. An Editor (or their assistant) should have caught that, and more.
As to the actual story, it is good so far; but not one of his best. I would rate most of the rest of the series as "Five-Stars". In other books of the series, you could feel that some impotent plot lines were being glossed over and knew that they would be highlighted in separate works. This was better performed in "Kinghts Magi" or in some of the short stories and the Cadet Books.
Thank you, Mr. Mancour.
I will get though this book - and I look forward to the next installment.
Update:
I just finish this book. After getting frustrated with the beginning of this book, I was again delighted with the Mr. Mancour's world of the Spellmonger. Other than an abundance of editing and typographical errors, the story was wonderful.
Thank you, again.
Book Eight, however, has been a chore so far. According to my Kindle app, I'm only 17% into it; and that has more to do with scanning a page rather than reading it.
A read has to expect a rehash of past books at the beginning of the next in a series. While I would never recommend starting at book Eight, other readers may have waited a year or more for the next Book to arrive on the shelf and need a refresher course on characters and plot. However, in this case the Editor should have cut much of the first eight chapters and almost all of Chapter 2.
In fact, I have to wonder if the Editor bothered to read the first or second drafts at all.
I've lost count of the "mis-wording" (misspelling is a thing of the past - but my son's auto-corrected texts are more error free). The same thought or point is brought up again and again a few paragraphs or pages later, often with the exact same phrases. One time I thought that my Kindle version (digital) may have inadvertently copied the same sentence twice. On further review a couple words were different. As if the Author forgot he wrote a sentence and re-wrote slightly different. An Editor (or their assistant) should have caught that, and more.
As to the actual story, it is good so far; but not one of his best. I would rate most of the rest of the series as "Five-Stars". In other books of the series, you could feel that some impotent plot lines were being glossed over and knew that they would be highlighted in separate works. This was better performed in "Kinghts Magi" or in some of the short stories and the Cadet Books.
Thank you, Mr. Mancour.
I will get though this book - and I look forward to the next installment.
Update:
I just finish this book. After getting frustrated with the beginning of this book, I was again delighted with the Mr. Mancour's world of the Spellmonger. Other than an abundance of editing and typographical errors, the story was wonderful.
Thank you, again.
October 28, 2016
When Pentandra got married and took a new job, she knew it would be tough. Ducal Court Wizard is supposed to be the cushiest of assignments for a mage, full of stipends, laboratories, and expense funds. But when you join the Orphan Duke’s expedition to reclaim, recapture, and restore his shattered realm to health, you have to expect things to be . . . less cushy. With the south in full rebellion, the goblins stirring on the northern frontier, and the summer capital being run by a corrupt baron and a gang of thugs, things could be better. But those aren’t the worst of her problems: Pentandra is learning how to live with her new husband, Arborn, while the town is driven to distraction by an incarnate Sex Goddess who is organizing all of the whores, a mopey Spellmonger, a nun addicted to gambling, a prude sent by the Queen, undead skulking through the shadows, and a mysterious blind girl shows up in her office claiming to be her new apprentice! It’s enough to drive any woman mad, but Pentandra is not just any woman . . . she’s the hope of the Alshari Wilderlands, the woman everyone knows as the Court Wizard!
All in all this is a great series. This book was alot better than the last and it shows the over lapping wityh the other books. A little slow in places but it picks up and keeps you reading. Great Reading Everyone!!!!!!!
All in all this is a great series. This book was alot better than the last and it shows the over lapping wityh the other books. A little slow in places but it picks up and keeps you reading. Great Reading Everyone!!!!!!!
August 31, 2016
this book is a fail. Lots of repetition, what new and entertaining scenes may have been were instead filled with writing that can best compared to a book report. There is a sex goddess who doesn't have sex. The book is filled with sex but it might as well have been an ice cream goddess instead and everyone eating ice cream instead of having sex. It might have been more erotic that way. seriously if thats how its was going to go down it would have been better to increase the last book a few chapters written from pennys point of view. This info dump of a book could have been avoided if so.
December 27, 2016
Badly need work
There are several instances of repetition. Entire paragraphs or scenes that are out of order or contradict the previous scene directly.
It's really interesting, and the end moves the plot nicely. But the construction is very haphazard. Chapter two is terrible.
There are several instances of repetition. Entire paragraphs or scenes that are out of order or contradict the previous scene directly.
It's really interesting, and the end moves the plot nicely. But the construction is very haphazard. Chapter two is terrible.
February 3, 2024
Easily the worst book in the series. Basically a Penny focused side story that takes place at the same time as the previous book. Painfully dry and little to no Min.
April 25, 2024
Wonderful to have Penny have her own book and it was excellent. My only issue was that it was longer than necessary, starting very slowly and somewhat repetitive if you've just come from the previous book. Saying that it really picks up because she has a lot to contend with as Court Wizard and it is so funny often and also very real - good handle on women somewhat timeless (- women getting bitchy with each other and women being friends with each other, women teaching and helping each other- the roles and capabilities of women and relationships mothers/daughters, wives/husbands etc ) all interesting and really fun to read with the perfect mix of fantasy action and court behaviour and sex magic(- after all this IS Penny). Excellent narration on Audible version as usual and the story connects wonderfully to Mancours next installment which I'm onto next.
May 28, 2024
I love this series, but this particular entry is a total flop, and I would strongly encourage readers of the series to skip it in their reading of the series. It doesn't significantly advance the main story line so can be skipped without issue in the wider series.
It's from the PoV of a minor character (Penny), and covers the same time period that other books already covered, to the point of repeating conversations verbatim that other books have covered. And if you like Penny as a character, I suggest avoiding this book all the more, because the way it depicts her will undermine your liking of her. It mostly focuses incredibly boringly on her doing bureaucracy, and also on her being a complete failure at magic while bizarrely repeatedly calling her the second most powerful mage in the land. And it belabours an absurd amount of anti-female tropes of every kind.
It's from the PoV of a minor character (Penny), and covers the same time period that other books already covered, to the point of repeating conversations verbatim that other books have covered. And if you like Penny as a character, I suggest avoiding this book all the more, because the way it depicts her will undermine your liking of her. It mostly focuses incredibly boringly on her doing bureaucracy, and also on her being a complete failure at magic while bizarrely repeatedly calling her the second most powerful mage in the land. And it belabours an absurd amount of anti-female tropes of every kind.
June 3, 2019
While we all want to see what's happening with Minelan, these side-mainline novels do a great job of filling in the gaps and enriching the world building while furthering the story along.
I'm so glad I waited (was made to wait) for the audio version of this book though. Mr. Lee does a tremendous job of bringing all the characters to life, which is a tall order, in of itself, with the plethora of characters that inhabit these books.
I'm also glad that the next book Shadowmage comes out in audio this month.
I'm so glad I waited (was made to wait) for the audio version of this book though. Mr. Lee does a tremendous job of bringing all the characters to life, which is a tall order, in of itself, with the plethora of characters that inhabit these books.
I'm also glad that the next book Shadowmage comes out in audio this month.
December 24, 2017
Love the overall epic
And this book was okay. I can't just give it four stars due to one glaring problem, throughout this book there are places where the wrong word is used and it throws you completely out of the flow of the story.
Seriously, all authors need competent beta and Alfa reader groups that have the ability to enter the story and correct mistakes.
I'm sure mistakes will still crop up, but I think they'd be much less blatant than they are in this book and so many others.
And this book was okay. I can't just give it four stars due to one glaring problem, throughout this book there are places where the wrong word is used and it throws you completely out of the flow of the story.
Seriously, all authors need competent beta and Alfa reader groups that have the ability to enter the story and correct mistakes.
I'm sure mistakes will still crop up, but I think they'd be much less blatant than they are in this book and so many others.
September 27, 2019
2.5 to 3 stars, Was not a big fan of this one, This is more of a 7.5 book than a 8. I usually don't like stories about side characters and this one was not really an acceptation to the rule. point five (.5) books don't usually advance the main plot/story forward and is fully of filler. I don't like books that are full of filler and .5 books are usually just that. I will still continue with this series and this book was not all bad but the nature of it did not give it much of a chance with me.
February 25, 2021
I love the depth of detail and development in this series. The author has created an amazing world and wants to tell a complete tale. The timeline corresponds with the previous book but Penny becomes the star. The final quarter of the book is extraordinarily compelling. The overall story moves and some major events transpire. I get the impression the next book is going back to the apprentices because of some allusions to events untold and Mancour likes to be thorough. But I am excited for what ever happens because it is a fun ride.
September 19, 2018
Good Read.
This is Pentandra’s story that happens (mentioned) in the last book (#7) that Minalan was the main character. Pentandra is now the Ducal Court Wizard and married with a new husband. This starts with the Duke’s entry into the city and continues on over a year with what is needed to clean up the city. I like the different point of view with small meet ups (connections) from the previous book. I enjoyed the story.
This is Pentandra’s story that happens (mentioned) in the last book (#7) that Minalan was the main character. Pentandra is now the Ducal Court Wizard and married with a new husband. This starts with the Duke’s entry into the city and continues on over a year with what is needed to clean up the city. I like the different point of view with small meet ups (connections) from the previous book. I enjoyed the story.
January 26, 2020
This series, at this point, is comfort food. A warm, familiar, comfortable blanket. I know the characters now, and care about them.
This book is a tad slower than the others, but it provided a fun glimpse into “what happened while that other big thing happened (in this case, book 7).” I always enjoy that shift in perspective. And as always, book 8 is setting us up for some big fun in the next!
Looking forward to book 9!
This book is a tad slower than the others, but it provided a fun glimpse into “what happened while that other big thing happened (in this case, book 7).” I always enjoy that shift in perspective. And as always, book 8 is setting us up for some big fun in the next!
Looking forward to book 9!
March 24, 2022
Great read
Great read. I enjoyed this book. The characters have become old friends.
I read some of the reviews on this book before I started reading, and I almost didn't buy it. I'm glad I did...I didn't find any of the problems that other readers had found...it could use editing, but the storyline is great.
Great read. I enjoyed this book. The characters have become old friends.
I read some of the reviews on this book before I started reading, and I almost didn't buy it. I'm glad I did...I didn't find any of the problems that other readers had found...it could use editing, but the storyline is great.
June 24, 2025
Slowest to get moving and the most frustrating from extended typographical and editorial errors. Several massive paragraphs totally repeated. Happens several times throughout the book.
Was interesting to have a diversion from Minalan and his concerns, though timing could've been better, considering where it was left with him and Alya.
Not a terrible book in the series and it got better when it finally got going, but much slower paced than previous novels in the series.
Was interesting to have a diversion from Minalan and his concerns, though timing could've been better, considering where it was left with him and Alya.
Not a terrible book in the series and it got better when it finally got going, but much slower paced than previous novels in the series.
July 20, 2017
Probably just skip the first chapter
It seems the author rewrote the first chapter, and called it chapter two.
I am still loving the story, regardless.
I just can't understand why he wouldn't invest in a proofreader and an editor, though.
I'm downloading the next one immediately, anyway, because it's just that engrossing.
It seems the author rewrote the first chapter, and called it chapter two.
I am still loving the story, regardless.
I just can't understand why he wouldn't invest in a proofreader and an editor, though.
I'm downloading the next one immediately, anyway, because it's just that engrossing.
May 5, 2018
Not as good
I feel like large parts of this book missed the editing process. On two different occasions back to back chapters told the same events with slight variations, not to mention some of the grammatical and spelling errors. While I can appreciate the reason for the tale, the fact the majority of the events already took place in the last book is annoying also
I feel like large parts of this book missed the editing process. On two different occasions back to back chapters told the same events with slight variations, not to mention some of the grammatical and spelling errors. While I can appreciate the reason for the tale, the fact the majority of the events already took place in the last book is annoying also
April 3, 2019
Not what I expected.
This book was not what I thought it would be about. But it delivered a wonderful tale about the appointment and decisions the Court Wizard was faced with.. The story had many twists and turns. There was danger and excitement. Wind and loses dominated this tale. This book was true to the theme in this series. I enjoyed it .
This book was not what I thought it would be about. But it delivered a wonderful tale about the appointment and decisions the Court Wizard was faced with.. The story had many twists and turns. There was danger and excitement. Wind and loses dominated this tale. This book was true to the theme in this series. I enjoyed it .
March 13, 2019
Started slow but picked up speed
The book started very slow and there was lots of repetition in the text, it felt like it needed a good review to cut out the duplicates. At about half way the story picked up speed and flowed much better.
The book started very slow and there was lots of repetition in the text, it felt like it needed a good review to cut out the duplicates. At about half way the story picked up speed and flowed much better.
June 4, 2019
Unfortunately it was more a porn novel than a good read.
I'm not a prude but page after page? Was it really necessary ? I must have flicked past dozens of pages to get back to the story. It makes me wonder if I can be bothered with volume nine.
I'm not a prude but page after page? Was it really necessary ? I must have flicked past dozens of pages to get back to the story. It makes me wonder if I can be bothered with volume nine.
June 10, 2019
I’ve only read this recently, seems like editing issues have all been fixed. I didn’t notice any! I also love how the gods have come into play in a serious way! It makes the series so epic! Thanks for another fantastic read!!
September 5, 2019
While in the end I enjoyed books 6, 7, and 8. It was a bit frustrating that they had an overlapping time between all three books, reading about the same thing for the 3rd time was just something I got tired of. As soon as the book moves beyond 6 and 7 I really started to enjoy it.
July 23, 2020
Great read from the perspective of Pentandra
Loved going back to the world of the Spellmonger now through the eyes of Pentandra. I really enjoyed the fresh perspective as hikes in earlier plots were filled and futures are foretold.
Loved going back to the world of the Spellmonger now through the eyes of Pentandra. I really enjoyed the fresh perspective as hikes in earlier plots were filled and futures are foretold.
January 10, 2021
Good series
When I first started this series. It seemed plagued by inconsistencies and some poor editing. As the author progressed the story has become fun and deep and entertaining. You should read this series
When I first started this series. It seemed plagued by inconsistencies and some poor editing. As the author progressed the story has become fun and deep and entertaining. You should read this series
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