What do you think?
Rate this book
The Spellmonger #10
Necromancer
Company’s Coming!
Just when Baron Minalan the Spellmonger figured out there was a slim chance to restore his mind-shattered wife Alya (if he’s willing to journey to the undercaverns of Olum Seheri, the lair of Korbal the Necromancer), things start to go awry: not only does Prince Tavard, his unloved liege lord, decide to conduct an official state visit to Sevendor on pilgrimage to the Everfire on the Briga’s feast day, but a mysterious seamage appears at his door with an intriguing offer from the Sea Folk who rule Callidore: they want to buy snowstone. An entire mountain of it.
Between feuding factions of Alka Alon and the contentious nobility of his own kingdom, Minalan is already in arcane intrigue up to his pointy hat, but when the foremost wizard of the age has problems, he also has resources. Before the pilgrimage concludes it sets mighty actions in their courses, and even the gods elect to intervene publicly in Minalan’s life.
Minalan realizes that he has little choice but to consider an impossible quest into the heart of his enemy’s realm, to the caverns of the dead, themselves, if he is to resolve the many conflicts in play. He must recover an ancient artefact of the Sea Folk known as the Handmaiden, and in order to do so he will have to organize the most audacious raid on the most horrific foe in humanity’s history on Callidore! Who else but Minalan the Spellmonger has the magic stones to challenge the undead might of the Necromancer!
Just when Baron Minalan the Spellmonger figured out there was a slim chance to restore his mind-shattered wife Alya (if he’s willing to journey to the undercaverns of Olum Seheri, the lair of Korbal the Necromancer), things start to go awry: not only does Prince Tavard, his unloved liege lord, decide to conduct an official state visit to Sevendor on pilgrimage to the Everfire on the Briga’s feast day, but a mysterious seamage appears at his door with an intriguing offer from the Sea Folk who rule Callidore: they want to buy snowstone. An entire mountain of it.
Between feuding factions of Alka Alon and the contentious nobility of his own kingdom, Minalan is already in arcane intrigue up to his pointy hat, but when the foremost wizard of the age has problems, he also has resources. Before the pilgrimage concludes it sets mighty actions in their courses, and even the gods elect to intervene publicly in Minalan’s life.
Minalan realizes that he has little choice but to consider an impossible quest into the heart of his enemy’s realm, to the caverns of the dead, themselves, if he is to resolve the many conflicts in play. He must recover an ancient artefact of the Sea Folk known as the Handmaiden, and in order to do so he will have to organize the most audacious raid on the most horrific foe in humanity’s history on Callidore! Who else but Minalan the Spellmonger has the magic stones to challenge the undead might of the Necromancer!
1387 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 4, 2017
501 people are currently reading
780 people want to read
About the author
Terry Mancour
42 books1,172 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
October 5, 2017
Wow
This has to be a new record for me eight hours to read 1100+ pages. This is one of the best books I have ever read. I haven't had an author do so well at drawing me into a story since Anne McCaffrey. The book left me ready to cry at the thought of waiting a year for the next one. Every characters story was well told and brought many needed answers.
This has to be a new record for me eight hours to read 1100+ pages. This is one of the best books I have ever read. I haven't had an author do so well at drawing me into a story since Anne McCaffrey. The book left me ready to cry at the thought of waiting a year for the next one. Every characters story was well told and brought many needed answers.
October 24, 2017
Worth the wait
You know how it is when you love a series so much you don't even trust the author to treat your favorite characters with th care they require. terry treated them right. He took the storyline places I never saw coming at the start of series and kept me on the edge of my seat.
If you haven't read the novellas and cadet books I highly recommend them as well.
You know how it is when you love a series so much you don't even trust the author to treat your favorite characters with th care they require. terry treated them right. He took the storyline places I never saw coming at the start of series and kept me on the edge of my seat.
If you haven't read the novellas and cadet books I highly recommend them as well.
October 31, 2017
Terry is absolutely perfect!
I've spent a good part of my life going through all of Terry's books, having caught book one when it was first released and this one doesn't disappoint in the slightest! I can't wait to see where this series goes! More please!
I've spent a good part of my life going through all of Terry's books, having caught book one when it was first released and this one doesn't disappoint in the slightest! I can't wait to see where this series goes! More please!
October 15, 2017
WOW
By far the best book so far from terry although i wish they were all this long you can see how he has improved during the series. And to hear there are another 20 books plus cadet stories and shorts. Again thank you and good luck Terry.
By far the best book so far from terry although i wish they were all this long you can see how he has improved during the series. And to hear there are another 20 books plus cadet stories and shorts. Again thank you and good luck Terry.
October 16, 2017
Spellbinding page turner!
I've been reading spellmonger voraciously since the beginning. It just seems to age better and better with each new book! Cant wait for the next 10 books .
I've been reading spellmonger voraciously since the beginning. It just seems to age better and better with each new book! Cant wait for the next 10 books .
June 8, 2020
I haven't written a review of any other book in this series because the numbers should speak for themselves. However, I think that this has been the pinnacle of the Terry Mancouver's writing so far in the Spellmonger epic. It has all the hallmarks of a great series, not only because of likable wit, and brilliant (if sometimes predictable) character growth, but I can see the world taking shape and the storyline doesn't feel forced. The Easter eggs throughout are inspired, and not cheap like some other modern books. Honestly, throughout the entire book it seemed like we just kept going from a crescendo to another crescendo to a point where it felt like we were going to have the final confrontation....and I realized i was still halfway through the book. As the completion of the FIRST decology in the series it had the season finale feel that I think the author was going for and it left SOOOOOO many plot points in place that it makes me excited that the next book in the series has been published within a few days of me finishing this book.....and mortified of what I am going to have to do in the interim while I wait for another TWO-THIRDS of the story to be written and published. This book kept me absolutely plastered to its pages and it is abundantly clear that Terry enjoyed writing it immensely.
March 27, 2020
The 10th book in this series and it continues to be AMAZING. This world, the characters, the plot, all incredible!!! I really don’t know what else to say about this entire series. It’s just that good. I can’t wait for the next one to come out. Terry Mancour is an artist that not enough people know about. Truly truly an amazing author.
April 24, 2020
Wow.
This was just plain awesome.
If you can, get the audiobook version (40hrs!!!), as the narrator really brings a top notch story to life in your mind's eye.
Now to await for Thaumaturge to be released on audible.
This was just plain awesome.
If you can, get the audiobook version (40hrs!!!), as the narrator really brings a top notch story to life in your mind's eye.
Now to await for Thaumaturge to be released on audible.
October 6, 2017
Fantastic
Terry once again nails his release. If you've made it this far in to the Spellmonger series you won't be disappointed.
Terry once again nails his release. If you've made it this far in to the Spellmonger series you won't be disappointed.
October 17, 2017
Love this book; love the series just wish TM would write faster.
March 4, 2023
This is not only the best book of the series, this is one of the best fantasy books of all time. Mancour is a better writer and Worldbuilder than the most popular and famous fantasy authors writing today. This book has everything. Action, adventure, amazing battles, interesting characters, romance, political intrigue, crazy villains, MAGIC. I seriously can't express how awesome it truly is. I truly cannot get enough of these books and have been recommending them to as many people as will listen to me gush about how amazing they are. Keep at it Mr. Mancour, I will keep devouring whatever you write and hoping I owned nice hardcover versions of every one of these fantastic books.
October 14, 2017
Excellent as always
I have been a fan since 2009 when the first book Spellmonger came out. Since then I remain 'entralled'!!! I can't wait for the next book in the series...
I have been a fan since 2009 when the first book Spellmonger came out. Since then I remain 'entralled'!!! I can't wait for the next book in the series...
October 11, 2017
Loved it
Incredible. Terry has continued to improve his writing and push his boundaries. I think this book is one of his best to date. Can't wait for the next one.
Incredible. Terry has continued to improve his writing and push his boundaries. I think this book is one of his best to date. Can't wait for the next one.
June 15, 2018
Terry Mancour has proven once again, that he is one of the most ingenious Sci-fi & fantasy authors of all time.
The sheer scale of the world of the spellmonger is breath-taking. In this tenth full-length novel in the series, he really has triumphed with his world-building style melded into fast-paced often breathtaking action scenes.
The central battle of this chapter came the closest I've read to Tolkiens grand scale of wars between titans of good vs evil than any other contemporary fantasy author has managed in a long time. Where most authors would have ended their books at the conclusion of the gargantuan 'raid' upon the evil Necromancers lair. We're only halfway through the book!
The world building is truly fascinating as well as very well researched, I particularly love the deep level of detail about the rights and privileges of medieval lords and their serfs, combining their realistic daily struggles, grievances, triumphs, and aspirations, with well researched historical vocabulary, at times I felt like I was doing an undergraduate degree in Europian medieval feudal society! At no point does it become tiresome or boring, with Terry Mancours witty gossipy style of dialogue and observations of his characters.
As the author notes in the afterward, this is the final chapter of the first third of his story arc. 10 full-size novels so far, with dozens of short stories & novellas set in the same world. At no point so far have I felt the frustration one sometimes gets when an author seems to pad out the middle books with extra characters, side-story arcs with only a tangential link to the main plot. Terry has created a world where I have really empathized with his main character, sharing in his triumphs, his vicarious pleasures when seeing his own apprentices and peers triumph, and his melancholic despair and heartbreaking reactions to adversary and post-traumatic scars of conflict and feudal politics
I cannot recommend this more.
Well done Terry
The sheer scale of the world of the spellmonger is breath-taking. In this tenth full-length novel in the series, he really has triumphed with his world-building style melded into fast-paced often breathtaking action scenes.
The central battle of this chapter came the closest I've read to Tolkiens grand scale of wars between titans of good vs evil than any other contemporary fantasy author has managed in a long time. Where most authors would have ended their books at the conclusion of the gargantuan 'raid' upon the evil Necromancers lair. We're only halfway through the book!
The world building is truly fascinating as well as very well researched, I particularly love the deep level of detail about the rights and privileges of medieval lords and their serfs, combining their realistic daily struggles, grievances, triumphs, and aspirations, with well researched historical vocabulary, at times I felt like I was doing an undergraduate degree in Europian medieval feudal society! At no point does it become tiresome or boring, with Terry Mancours witty gossipy style of dialogue and observations of his characters.
As the author notes in the afterward, this is the final chapter of the first third of his story arc. 10 full-size novels so far, with dozens of short stories & novellas set in the same world. At no point so far have I felt the frustration one sometimes gets when an author seems to pad out the middle books with extra characters, side-story arcs with only a tangential link to the main plot. Terry has created a world where I have really empathized with his main character, sharing in his triumphs, his vicarious pleasures when seeing his own apprentices and peers triumph, and his melancholic despair and heartbreaking reactions to adversary and post-traumatic scars of conflict and feudal politics
I cannot recommend this more.
Well done Terry
May 23, 2020
This has been one of my favorite series! I love the characters. I’m disappointed by the introduction of space ships and high tech stuff. It feels cheap to the series.
December 11, 2022
Overall a good fantasy, but I dont like Mancours constant attempts to play the red pill philosopher through his characters.
His personality really comes through between the lines, and i severely dislike what i sense from him.
The whole thing with Dara was as uninteresting as it was weird and fucked up, the Gareth character comes off as a classic nice-guy groomer, who thinks because he has deigned to be nice to this 13 yo girl a few years (what is he 3-6 years older than her), he is entitled to have her - and when she refuses - he goes full dramaqueen victim, and as a result everyone starts to dislike Dara because she is such a tease.. Minalin, the wise patriarch, of course let her have some harsh truth about how she have been very unsensitive to Gareth's feelings..
And why does all Rondals "conquests" need to be so young? Is it because Rondal clearly is Mancour's favorite, his little wish fulfilment character? In a previous book he made out, and did everything except actually sex, with a 13 yo girl who had been taught to whore out by her mother.
And in this he finds 14yo Gatina, "the kitten of night" (my eyes hurt from rolling), who instantly becomes obsessed with him.
What purpose does this borderline pedo aspect bring to the story? I found it very offputting.
I'm not a feminist, i mostly roll my eyes when people go to great lengths to interpret everything in a fantasy story in light 21 century pc morals and try to fit it into some patriarchy conspiracy, but this is one of the few series where i think such rants would have a point. Mancour clearly has an agenda, and i don't like his points.
The narrator, John Lee, really elevates this series to a point Mancour doesnt deserve.
His personality really comes through between the lines, and i severely dislike what i sense from him.
The whole thing with Dara was as uninteresting as it was weird and fucked up, the Gareth character comes off as a classic nice-guy groomer, who thinks because he has deigned to be nice to this 13 yo girl a few years (what is he 3-6 years older than her), he is entitled to have her - and when she refuses - he goes full dramaqueen victim, and as a result everyone starts to dislike Dara because she is such a tease.. Minalin, the wise patriarch, of course let her have some harsh truth about how she have been very unsensitive to Gareth's feelings..
And why does all Rondals "conquests" need to be so young? Is it because Rondal clearly is Mancour's favorite, his little wish fulfilment character? In a previous book he made out, and did everything except actually sex, with a 13 yo girl who had been taught to whore out by her mother.
And in this he finds 14yo Gatina, "the kitten of night" (my eyes hurt from rolling), who instantly becomes obsessed with him.
What purpose does this borderline pedo aspect bring to the story? I found it very offputting.
I'm not a feminist, i mostly roll my eyes when people go to great lengths to interpret everything in a fantasy story in light 21 century pc morals and try to fit it into some patriarchy conspiracy, but this is one of the few series where i think such rants would have a point. Mancour clearly has an agenda, and i don't like his points.
The narrator, John Lee, really elevates this series to a point Mancour doesnt deserve.
October 15, 2017
Phenomenal, Delightful, Outstanding: Buy It!
Book 10 in the Spellmonger series caught me by surprise. Chanelling my best Matthew McConaughey I did an “All right All right all right” and scooped it from the stacks. I never question a new Spellmonger book: I just buy them. Much simpler that way.
Necromancer does not disappoint. Period. The signature rolling narrative is there, and enjoyable as ever. It binds fantastic [heh] action, drama, magic, science, tragedy, hope, victory, surprises, and yes, comedy into a wonderful (and huge!) story hard to put down.
The characters are excellent and feel very real. The way they interact, grow, change, and even age is completely believable.
The editing is also excellent. Poor editing mars any good story, and happily (as usual) this isn’t the case here. It’s not 100% perfect, but the stray issue for a book this freaking huge isn’t a problem for me.
Finally, knowing from the afterword what he plans on doing with this outstanding series brings a smile and a cheer. As is like when reading every Mancour book, I can’t wait to see what happens next.
My highest recommendation. It’s rare when talent this Good takes stage, so take advantage of it. Read this series. Buy every book. Explore every other Terry Mancour book, and maybe buy them as well.
Book 10 in the Spellmonger series caught me by surprise. Chanelling my best Matthew McConaughey I did an “All right All right all right” and scooped it from the stacks. I never question a new Spellmonger book: I just buy them. Much simpler that way.
Necromancer does not disappoint. Period. The signature rolling narrative is there, and enjoyable as ever. It binds fantastic [heh] action, drama, magic, science, tragedy, hope, victory, surprises, and yes, comedy into a wonderful (and huge!) story hard to put down.
The characters are excellent and feel very real. The way they interact, grow, change, and even age is completely believable.
The editing is also excellent. Poor editing mars any good story, and happily (as usual) this isn’t the case here. It’s not 100% perfect, but the stray issue for a book this freaking huge isn’t a problem for me.
Finally, knowing from the afterword what he plans on doing with this outstanding series brings a smile and a cheer. As is like when reading every Mancour book, I can’t wait to see what happens next.
My highest recommendation. It’s rare when talent this Good takes stage, so take advantage of it. Read this series. Buy every book. Explore every other Terry Mancour book, and maybe buy them as well.
October 20, 2023
The whole series is a power fantasy and while it can fill the boredom for a while eventually I found another book and dropped this one midway through. The world building was fun but the main character is boring since most challenges he over come seem to come down to “I’m having a real hard time right now, luckily there’s this thing I have” and it’s either never been mentioned before or the author hides it’s true potential from the reader in the attempt to build tension.
July 4, 2018
Wow, what a ride!
I just finished book TEN of this series and already can't wait for the next TEN books. I'll say this though: it takes a LONG time to read these books -- they're incredibly long. At my reading speed it takes 15-30 hours EACH to read them. Talk about a meal! This series is so potent and engaging that I've lost massive amounts of sleep, and, when I did sleep, I've frequently dreamed of the characters and the world and the scenarios and experienced them as vividly as if I'd been there. One of the remarkable aspects of this series is how solid it is. I kept expecting to see the writing fall apart or lose its way, but it never did. The pacing throughout is remarkable. I love the world, the characters, their adventures and struggles. Sure, a good copy editor could clean up the few glaring typos I ran across, but what's truly astonishing to me is how fantastic these books are in spite of some of those rough edges. They're truly masterworks. I am awesome that this author has written TEN very good books in a single series which never get lost or sidetracked. Although, now that I think of it, Minalin was told to "drink the mead," but to my recollection that never played a role in events which transpired afterwards. But maybe that call back will be in the next series. Long story short, I highly recommend this series. It's incredible. I even loved how the author made everything come alive with just the right level of detail and reminders (of previous events and who people are that we haven't heard about in awhile). I loved the real-seeming descriptions of feudal politics, running estates, business in a feudal age, and how the scope starts somewhat narrow (reflecting the main character's worldview) and then broadens. Such a great series.
I'm sad to be done with all the available books, excited for the future installments coming next year, and looking forward to catching up on sleep and work.
Keep 'em coming, Terry! I'll keep reading them! I'll happily stick with this fantastic series for the next 16 years!
I just finished book TEN of this series and already can't wait for the next TEN books. I'll say this though: it takes a LONG time to read these books -- they're incredibly long. At my reading speed it takes 15-30 hours EACH to read them. Talk about a meal! This series is so potent and engaging that I've lost massive amounts of sleep, and, when I did sleep, I've frequently dreamed of the characters and the world and the scenarios and experienced them as vividly as if I'd been there. One of the remarkable aspects of this series is how solid it is. I kept expecting to see the writing fall apart or lose its way, but it never did. The pacing throughout is remarkable. I love the world, the characters, their adventures and struggles. Sure, a good copy editor could clean up the few glaring typos I ran across, but what's truly astonishing to me is how fantastic these books are in spite of some of those rough edges. They're truly masterworks. I am awesome that this author has written TEN very good books in a single series which never get lost or sidetracked. Although, now that I think of it, Minalin was told to "drink the mead," but to my recollection that never played a role in events which transpired afterwards. But maybe that call back will be in the next series. Long story short, I highly recommend this series. It's incredible. I even loved how the author made everything come alive with just the right level of detail and reminders (of previous events and who people are that we haven't heard about in awhile). I loved the real-seeming descriptions of feudal politics, running estates, business in a feudal age, and how the scope starts somewhat narrow (reflecting the main character's worldview) and then broadens. Such a great series.
I'm sad to be done with all the available books, excited for the future installments coming next year, and looking forward to catching up on sleep and work.
Keep 'em coming, Terry! I'll keep reading them! I'll happily stick with this fantastic series for the next 16 years!
April 21, 2020
While I have always enjoyed the books in this series, I keep wondering when Terry is going to give up his overt obsession with Rondal. Each book he goes out of his way to make Rondal into some sort of legendary figure, much of the time at Tyndal's expense, and it does nothing to make me enjoy the character more. In fact it has quite the opposite effect as the more I hear about Rondal, the less I care about him. Tyndal trains for years with the sword, learning from every great warrior he comes into contact with, yet the author does more to extol the virtues of Rondal in battle even when it comes to the martial arts. Every time there is mention of the two it's Rondal who is elevated and praised, while Tyndal is made into some sort of lackey side kick there for comic relief. It's old, tired and frankly pathetic to see an author so attached to a character, that he does everything in his power to try to make people care about him. If you have to MAKE people care about a character 10 books in, there is something wrong with the character. Rondal was barely an interesting character to begin with, in my opinion of course, shoving him down my throat is not going to endear him to me.
November 2, 2024
Medieval High Fantasy and Sci-Fi, A whole new genre!
First and foremost, just all of the wow! There seems to be zero risk of this serious failing. Although spelling and grammar would benefit from a re-edit the series is in a class of its own.
The characters are like close friends and family at this stage. They’re easily recognisable and relatable, all of the characters everyone knows and loves, as well as those you love to hate.
The main goal for Minalan in this book was to find a way to restore his wife to her former self. That she survived at all was a miracle in itself. Personally speaking I know it would have put me off reading the rest of the series if he wasn’t given the chance to try. Good news he gets that chance to go and attack Korbal’s citadel a dank grim parody of the former City of Rainbows. The Gods would have stood by his side but it’s one of the few places that they can’t manifest.
A truly outstanding read, this isn’t something that can be read as a standalone so scoot back to book one you have a truly epic ride ahead. This is a 5+ star read any day of the week.
First and foremost, just all of the wow! There seems to be zero risk of this serious failing. Although spelling and grammar would benefit from a re-edit the series is in a class of its own.
The characters are like close friends and family at this stage. They’re easily recognisable and relatable, all of the characters everyone knows and loves, as well as those you love to hate.
The main goal for Minalan in this book was to find a way to restore his wife to her former self. That she survived at all was a miracle in itself. Personally speaking I know it would have put me off reading the rest of the series if he wasn’t given the chance to try. Good news he gets that chance to go and attack Korbal’s citadel a dank grim parody of the former City of Rainbows. The Gods would have stood by his side but it’s one of the few places that they can’t manifest.
A truly outstanding read, this isn’t something that can be read as a standalone so scoot back to book one you have a truly epic ride ahead. This is a 5+ star read any day of the week.
April 23, 2018
Terry Mancour has reached the tenth volume about a Feudal society dealing with goblins who want to destroy all humans, after being cheated of their lands, with the help of a very powerful, magically undead sorceror. Minalan, a retired war mage turned village Spellmonger(ebook) is forced to utilize all his talents to help the villagers and himself survive. Over the next tales Minalan has become a Baron. The undead elf Korbal the Necromancer (ebook) has escaped from his prison and has made the elvin city of Olum Seheri his headquarters as he works with the goblins, Alya , his wife had her mind shattered and her only hope is in a magical object in the undercaverns of Olum Seheri. The raid is successful, including rescuing a captured princess, but Korbal sends dragons against the human capitol and also Minalin’s home county. At the end, technology, from the colony ship that brought humans to this world of elves and magic, is discovered. I can’t wait for the next tale. Review printed by Philadelphia Free Press
July 25, 2022
A long book that had a lot going on. Mostly good though. First third of the book was more empire building with Mirilan continuing to make new allies (water elves) and developing Sevendor. Middle third was the big battle against Corbel the Necromancer as Mirilan leads a mage army in order to rescue something that could help heal his wife.
It's in the final third that things get crazy and go in new directions.
It's in the final third that things get crazy and go in new directions.
August 8, 2019
Greatest book series I've ever read
Spellmonger series is the best series I've ever read. I don't have to words to express how much I enjoy reading Terry Mancours work! As he said at the end of this book I would very much like to live in callidore as a high magi as we don't have enough magic in our own world which I miss very much from past lived I've lived. I hope that this series is brought to bare on the silver screen. The massive content that Terry's world brings would be visually stunning and perhaps finally bring the presence of magic that movies are lacking. Thank you taking the 8 years to write this amazing story I truly look forward to the next twenty books! Good luck writing them and I hope your vision for the Spellmonger can be translated into text as fruitfully as it has this far!
Spellmonger series is the best series I've ever read. I don't have to words to express how much I enjoy reading Terry Mancours work! As he said at the end of this book I would very much like to live in callidore as a high magi as we don't have enough magic in our own world which I miss very much from past lived I've lived. I hope that this series is brought to bare on the silver screen. The massive content that Terry's world brings would be visually stunning and perhaps finally bring the presence of magic that movies are lacking. Thank you taking the 8 years to write this amazing story I truly look forward to the next twenty books! Good luck writing them and I hope your vision for the Spellmonger can be translated into text as fruitfully as it has this far!
June 30, 2024
With each book the Spellmonger gets better and better, but also introduces or/and references certain facts from past entries that are just not fun to read. This book may be set in a society similar to medieval England, but it takes place on a different planet full with themes of fantasy and sci-fi. While this society did degrade from a space-faring colony to a feudal mess, its laws and culture should still forbid romantic relationships between minors and adults!
Which means that there is no goddamn reason to insert a yandere-archetype 14 year old shadow witch that is obsessed with a goddamn 20+ journeymage. It's distasteful, disturbing and morally wrong.
The rest of the book was fine. But please, kill off the 14 year old or at least stop mentioning the relationship between Rondal and Gatina!
Which means that there is no goddamn reason to insert a yandere-archetype 14 year old shadow witch that is obsessed with a goddamn 20+ journeymage. It's distasteful, disturbing and morally wrong.
The rest of the book was fine. But please, kill off the 14 year old or at least stop mentioning the relationship between Rondal and Gatina!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2024
An absolute thrill! As usual, Terry delivers, but this book is different - a culmination of those before it in the series but particularly the last two books that focus on Pentandra, Tyndal and Rondal. They lay the necessary foundations for this to be an all out spectacular ride! And we really needed sneaky strategies and big battles back after a time without them - this book hands the big battle so we're on the edge of our seats. Wonderful!!! But of course there are consequences every time Minalan takes action and we are set up for what is to come in the books that follow - which I intend to get straight onto. Only two negatives - one I have expressed before which is Terry can be repetitive either with word choice in the same sentence or an explanation of something just explained - and two, I don't know if I like the tech/forsaken /sci-fi direction . . . But ! , what a good book
September 4, 2021
General Overview
My interest in the Spellmonger series has truly been revitalised! Minilan returns and steps onto a grander stage then ever before.
Style
In my reviews of this series so far, I have spoken at length of my issues with Mr Mancour's writing. I struggle with it in so much that a great deal is repeated to the reader, which just seems unnecessary. I the reader know about plot point X, because character A, heard it from B. I do not need to hear a full explanation of X to character C from A. There are better means of conveying this shared knowledge then this. I cannot see this changing sadly, since it is part of his style. It is frustrating however.
On a positive side, half way through this read, it is great to see Mr Mancour use new techniques for scene portrayal. Swapping between multiple points of view is deeply refreshing, and really adds a scale to the whole section of the book in which it is featured. It is great to see this from the author.
Story
Minilan must raid into the lands of Korbal the Necromancer to save the mind of his wife, and save the princess of the fledgling kingdom he is sworn to. Once again the Spellmonger gather allies to his cause, and the raid itself is a most dramatic and satisfying affair.
The stakes are once again raised in this book, but they sit well. Where as it could just be a wild increase of god like power, beyond god like power our protagonist has already achieved, the results of this increase actually fit in with the expand nature of the series.
The end is satisfying, and is aided that it is not just blind power alone that can see Minilan to victory. It gives me hope for this series. I'm not sure I will continue to love all of its parts, the uncovering the mentioned 'Forsaken' is.... interesting but may not just sit well with me.
Final Thoughts
A good reboot to the series, I will press on with Mr Mancour's fantasy epic, but with some minor hesitation.
My interest in the Spellmonger series has truly been revitalised! Minilan returns and steps onto a grander stage then ever before.
Style
In my reviews of this series so far, I have spoken at length of my issues with Mr Mancour's writing. I struggle with it in so much that a great deal is repeated to the reader, which just seems unnecessary. I the reader know about plot point X, because character A, heard it from B. I do not need to hear a full explanation of X to character C from A. There are better means of conveying this shared knowledge then this. I cannot see this changing sadly, since it is part of his style. It is frustrating however.
On a positive side, half way through this read, it is great to see Mr Mancour use new techniques for scene portrayal. Swapping between multiple points of view is deeply refreshing, and really adds a scale to the whole section of the book in which it is featured. It is great to see this from the author.
Story
Minilan must raid into the lands of Korbal the Necromancer to save the mind of his wife, and save the princess of the fledgling kingdom he is sworn to. Once again the Spellmonger gather allies to his cause, and the raid itself is a most dramatic and satisfying affair.
The stakes are once again raised in this book, but they sit well. Where as it could just be a wild increase of god like power, beyond god like power our protagonist has already achieved, the results of this increase actually fit in with the expand nature of the series.
The end is satisfying, and is aided that it is not just blind power alone that can see Minilan to victory. It gives me hope for this series. I'm not sure I will continue to love all of its parts, the uncovering the mentioned 'Forsaken' is.... interesting but may not just sit well with me.
Final Thoughts
A good reboot to the series, I will press on with Mr Mancour's fantasy epic, but with some minor hesitation.
October 31, 2017
This is a real fun read. There's great world building and good characters with a growing number of subplots. I really appreciate the attention the author pays to economics and politics in grounding his story. I'm always looking forward to the next instalment.
If I am allowed a small criticism, there is a rather cavalier approach to resources, with massive quantities of timber, iron, crops, even human or other beings consumed in the course of the story. I thought the humans were supposed to be restoring the biome not trashing it!
I still love the story. Recommended.
If I am allowed a small criticism, there is a rather cavalier approach to resources, with massive quantities of timber, iron, crops, even human or other beings consumed in the course of the story. I thought the humans were supposed to be restoring the biome not trashing it!
I still love the story. Recommended.
November 28, 2017
The wait is over.
Wow! If you love twists and turns, excitement around every. corner, and realistic fantasy characters, (I know, oxymoron much?), you will absolutely love this series! Terrry Mancour is one of my very favorite authors. It takes a while for him to write, but the wait is well worth it. This is book 10 and now, I finally see where he's heading. There will be 30 books, in all, and the next 10, will be a huge surprise! If you haven't started this series, now is a great time to start!
Wow! If you love twists and turns, excitement around every. corner, and realistic fantasy characters, (I know, oxymoron much?), you will absolutely love this series! Terrry Mancour is one of my very favorite authors. It takes a while for him to write, but the wait is well worth it. This is book 10 and now, I finally see where he's heading. There will be 30 books, in all, and the next 10, will be a huge surprise! If you haven't started this series, now is a great time to start!
April 2, 2019
Absolutely brilliant :) it is a big read but so perfectly executed. In fact, it was SO good that I am not giving any spoilers. None whatsoever.
Necromancer completes the first set of ten books in the Spellmonger Ascended series...The next ten will be the Spellmonger Exiled series.
The next instalment is due any time now and I can't wait!!!!!!
Terry Mancour is a master at world building - as well as developing characters who are lovable and entirely relatable. I would say he is one of the best right now.
Necromancer completes the first set of ten books in the Spellmonger Ascended series...The next ten will be the Spellmonger Exiled series.
The next instalment is due any time now and I can't wait!!!!!!
Terry Mancour is a master at world building - as well as developing characters who are lovable and entirely relatable. I would say he is one of the best right now.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews