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The Spellmonger #10.5
The Road To Vanador: A Travelogue
Min and His Dad, On The Road!
Setting out into exile is never much fun, but Minalan wants to publicly comply with Prince Tavard's order to leave Sevendor for three years, to spare his home any retribution. But instead of using magic to transport himself to his new lands, Minalan decides to leave cross-country, in a wagon with his father. Down the Bontal River, Min and his dad make a stop at Robinwing, get snowed in at Barrowbell, and enjoy a few days as guests of Baron Astyral. Along the way Minalan comes to terms with many things in his life, and with his father's advice and some introspection he prepares for the great challenge ahead in distant Vanador. No one knows what the future holds, but as the stakes for Callidore grow higher, and weigh more heavily on Minalan's shoulders, it might be possible for Min to find inspiration on the Road to Vanador!
Setting out into exile is never much fun, but Minalan wants to publicly comply with Prince Tavard's order to leave Sevendor for three years, to spare his home any retribution. But instead of using magic to transport himself to his new lands, Minalan decides to leave cross-country, in a wagon with his father. Down the Bontal River, Min and his dad make a stop at Robinwing, get snowed in at Barrowbell, and enjoy a few days as guests of Baron Astyral. Along the way Minalan comes to terms with many things in his life, and with his father's advice and some introspection he prepares for the great challenge ahead in distant Vanador. No one knows what the future holds, but as the stakes for Callidore grow higher, and weigh more heavily on Minalan's shoulders, it might be possible for Min to find inspiration on the Road to Vanador!
452 pages, ebook
First published February 2, 2019
133 people are currently reading
260 people want to read
About the author
Terry Mancour
42 books1,175 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 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 5, 2019
Lovely
I really loved the short story. Especially the new law brother. Hopefully u will include a small section from lawbrother perspective in the main book. That will be very interesting. Just reading from Mins perspective is starting to get a little old.
I really loved the short story. Especially the new law brother. Hopefully u will include a small section from lawbrother perspective in the main book. That will be very interesting. Just reading from Mins perspective is starting to get a little old.
May 9, 2020
Another great entry
I stumbled on n Spellmonger through Kindle Unlimmited and have since recommended the series to everyone I know. Terry Mancour paints such a wonderful picture with every sentence and his characters are so well written and each uniquely their own, that it becomes a pleasure everytime you have a chance to jump back into the world he has created. Loved this new entry and how it expounds upon Minilans relationship with his father and how his father comes to terms with the epicness of his sons responsibilities and role in the world. As a father it is amazing to see my own fears play out in Minilan's father and as a son, it's easy to understand the gravity that Minilan places on his father's approval. Great read.
I stumbled on n Spellmonger through Kindle Unlimmited and have since recommended the series to everyone I know. Terry Mancour paints such a wonderful picture with every sentence and his characters are so well written and each uniquely their own, that it becomes a pleasure everytime you have a chance to jump back into the world he has created. Loved this new entry and how it expounds upon Minilans relationship with his father and how his father comes to terms with the epicness of his sons responsibilities and role in the world. As a father it is amazing to see my own fears play out in Minilan's father and as a son, it's easy to understand the gravity that Minilan places on his father's approval. Great read.
February 13, 2019
A superb start to the next 10 spellmonger books. This rather lengthy 'short' story occurs about a couple of weeks after Necromancer concludes.
Minalan has decided that he wanted to take a road trip to his new domain, rather than travelling via magic. Taking his Father along for company, the emotional bittersweet start of the journey soon takes Minalan along the waterways & domains of the Riverlands. After a few stops to covertly observe how his Magelord colleagues are fairing and the odd intervention to support the peasants affected by the sudden changes due to his Magical industrial revolution, he introduces his Father to upper class Gilmora, before crossing the border into his new domain.
Humour, divine encounters, a fascinating new main character introduced, the road to Vanador nicely sets up events and plot points for the series to continue. It was a lovely easy read, up to Terry's usual high standards
Minalan has decided that he wanted to take a road trip to his new domain, rather than travelling via magic. Taking his Father along for company, the emotional bittersweet start of the journey soon takes Minalan along the waterways & domains of the Riverlands. After a few stops to covertly observe how his Magelord colleagues are fairing and the odd intervention to support the peasants affected by the sudden changes due to his Magical industrial revolution, he introduces his Father to upper class Gilmora, before crossing the border into his new domain.
Humour, divine encounters, a fascinating new main character introduced, the road to Vanador nicely sets up events and plot points for the series to continue. It was a lovely easy read, up to Terry's usual high standards
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2025
Although a novella, this was still a fair length and came in a couple of parts. It was good linking work between the exile at the end of book 10 and the impending time in the beginnings of the founding of Vanador.
All in all, a fun novel with substantially less grammatical and spelling errors. Not completely polished, but much better than usual in this regard.
It's perverse that the Kindle series does not include this as it's a pretty important novella and I imagine if you read the series without this, a good half of book 11 would be puzzling at a times.
Better than some of the books before it to be honest.
All in all, a fun novel with substantially less grammatical and spelling errors. Not completely polished, but much better than usual in this regard.
It's perverse that the Kindle series does not include this as it's a pretty important novella and I imagine if you read the series without this, a good half of book 11 would be puzzling at a times.
Better than some of the books before it to be honest.
February 26, 2019
Another gem.
The problem with finding a few exceptional authors that let you get happily lost in the world's they create is the wait times between books in a series. These little "side" books are wonderful unexpected treasures.
If you're reading this book, you've likely discovered the "Spellmonger" series already. It's one of my all time favorites and I've been reading a very long time.
The problem with finding a few exceptional authors that let you get happily lost in the world's they create is the wait times between books in a series. These little "side" books are wonderful unexpected treasures.
If you're reading this book, you've likely discovered the "Spellmonger" series already. It's one of my all time favorites and I've been reading a very long time.
February 21, 2019
Extraordinary
Man four is a writer who makes the re as Dee feel the fun he had writing the story. I have read all the books of this fun and fanciful series. They were even better the second and third time as I got to read the whole story line. Not deep or subtle but Rich in creation and life experience. Thank you Terry
Man four is a writer who makes the re as Dee feel the fun he had writing the story. I have read all the books of this fun and fanciful series. They were even better the second and third time as I got to read the whole story line. Not deep or subtle but Rich in creation and life experience. Thank you Terry
March 15, 2019
Awesome!
A lighter, thoughtful look during an interesting interlude in the main story. Once again a Spellmonger story containing heart, humor, and a fascinating story. The characters are deep and rich, and everything they think and do is something you want to follow.
Just do what I do: buy every book as soon as it appears. Strongly recommended.
A lighter, thoughtful look during an interesting interlude in the main story. Once again a Spellmonger story containing heart, humor, and a fascinating story. The characters are deep and rich, and everything they think and do is something you want to follow.
Just do what I do: buy every book as soon as it appears. Strongly recommended.
March 2, 2019
An amusing return
It’s been a while since last the Spellmonger rode out. The interaction between he and his father is well thought. The additional traveler promises to be an interesting addition to his retinue.
Eagerly awaiting book 11.
It’s been a while since last the Spellmonger rode out. The interaction between he and his father is well thought. The additional traveler promises to be an interesting addition to his retinue.
Eagerly awaiting book 11.
April 15, 2019
I really enjoyed this interlude, the interaction between Min and his father explains a lot about the kind of man he is. We also get a clue about what is coming in Thaumaturge.
But ummm Terry, please tell me you are going to write in what the ladies think of their new sheets lol
But ummm Terry, please tell me you are going to write in what the ladies think of their new sheets lol
May 16, 2019
Great prelude to the next chapter of the series!
I thought this offered a great way to reintroduce the events of the last few books in anticipation of book 11. Worth a read if you’re a fan of the series and looking for a refresher before book 11.
I thought this offered a great way to reintroduce the events of the last few books in anticipation of book 11. Worth a read if you’re a fan of the series and looking for a refresher before book 11.
January 1, 2024
The short stories are brilliant, wish there was more about Caswallon the Fox 😂😂. These stories help build the bigger picture to a excellent story, can not wait to read the next book in this epic tale.
March 9, 2019
Excellent but short
As always a very well written story of the spellmonger. Sadly it is a side quest story yet will still likely play a role in the main. Now when is book 11!?
As always a very well written story of the spellmonger. Sadly it is a side quest story yet will still likely play a role in the main. Now when is book 11!?
March 17, 2019
Great set of pillows
What happens in Barrowbell stays in Barrowbell. Also Verone. Possibly Vanador. The point is order the Brandy while your pillow shopping
What happens in Barrowbell stays in Barrowbell. Also Verone. Possibly Vanador. The point is order the Brandy while your pillow shopping
May 17, 2019
Good Short
I am glad I waited for book 11 before I read this story of Min and his dad road trip. It’s a very good refresher for this series and a touching story.
I am glad I waited for book 11 before I read this story of Min and his dad road trip. It’s a very good refresher for this series and a touching story.
May 28, 2019
Good Read.
Short story that bridges book 10 and 11. This is a road trip story of a man and his father.
Short story that bridges book 10 and 11. This is a road trip story of a man and his father.
June 30, 2025
Not horrible, but not much story
December 3, 2025
This was so cute, I actually really enjoyed some new povs from Gareth and Carmella, and there’s a great little adventure Minalan and his Dad go on to add to the lore.
October 12, 2024
I just loved this bit of background to the already known and story of Minlans trip To Vanador
I loved the getting an additional story to Caswallon too he just makes me laugh . I appreciate these little gifts of a story that mustard to a story that I just love. The Spellmonger series is just my favorite series!
I loved the getting an additional story to Caswallon too he just makes me laugh . I appreciate these little gifts of a story that mustard to a story that I just love. The Spellmonger series is just my favorite series!
December 8, 2024
Split into two parts, only the second being narrated by Lord Minalan himself, follows a tale how cities are build and then managed.
Also, the cover image of this book is kind of uninspiring (at least at this time, they nay change it later.) A black and white sketch of sort. Why it says it's a short story, when the book is over 400 pages long?
Also, the cover image of this book is kind of uninspiring (at least at this time, they nay change it later.) A black and white sketch of sort. Why it says it's a short story, when the book is over 400 pages long?
July 29, 2020
Very awesome story
A wonderful and delightful tale of the spell monger and his father on an adventures on the way to the budding town of Vanador,
A wonderful and delightful tale of the spell monger and his father on an adventures on the way to the budding town of Vanador,
August 30, 2023
Excellent addition to this book...Enjoyed it again
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews