Mercerian Tales: The Call of Magic

Heir to the Crown #4.5

by Paul J. Bennett

For so long she tried to resist...  but the woods call, beckoning her with their secrets. 

Never one to shy away from adversity, Albreda grew up the day her mother died. 

Now, her courage is put to the test when she finds herself lost in the mysterious and dangerous Whitewood, fighting for her life. 

Discovering there is so much that she does not understand, she embarks on an adventure that will change her life forever. 

Mercerian Tales: The Call of Magic, is the origin story of the Witch of the Whitewood, Mistress Albreda. It can be read at any time but is best when read between books four and five of the Heir to the Crown Series. 

Pre-Order your copy today and learn how a wild mage unleashes the magic within! 

New to the series? Meet Gerald Matheson, the steadfast warrior in Heir to the Crown: Book One, Servant of the Crown, available in eBook & Paperback.

Heir to the Crown Series: 
Servant of the Crown
Sword of the Crown
Mercerian Tales: Stories of the Past
Heart of the Crown
Shadow of the Crown &
Mercerian Tales: The Call of Magic (Summer 2019)
Fate of the Crown
Burden of the Crown (Autumn 2019)
Mercerian Tales: The making of a Man (Autumn 2019)
Defender of the Crown (Winter 2019)
Book 8:    Fury of the Crown: (Spring 2020) 
Book 8.5  Mercerian Tales: Honour Thy Ancestors (Summer 2020) 

The Frozen Flame Series: 
Into the Fire: Athgar's Prequel (Summer 2019)
The Awakening: Natalia's Prequel (Summer 2019)
Ashes (Summer 2019)
Embers (Winter 2019)
 

Genres: Fantasy

162 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 9, 2019

About the author

Paul J Bennett (b. 1961) emigrated from England to Canada in 1967. His father served in the British Royal Navy, and his mother worked for the BBC in London. As a young man, Paul followed in his father’s footsteps, joining the Canadian Armed Forces in 1983. He is married to Carol Bennett and has three daughters who are all creative in their own right.

Paul’s interest in writing started in his teen years when he discovered the roleplaying game, Dungeons & Dragons (D & D). What attracted him to this new hobby was the creativity it required; the need to create realms, worlds and adventures that pulled the gamers into his stories.

In his 30’s, Paul started to dabble in designing his own roleplaying system, using the Peninsular War in Portugal as his backdrop. His regular gaming group were willing victims, er, participants in helping to playtest this new system. A few years later, he added additional settings to his game, including Science Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic, World War II, and the all-important Fantasy Realm where his stories take place.

The beginnings of his first book ‘Servant to the Crown’ originated over five years ago when he began a new fantasy campaign. For the world that the Kingdom of Merceria is in, he ran his adventures like a TV show, with seasons that each had twelve episodes, and an overarching plot. When the campaign ended, he knew all the characters, what they had to accomplish, what needed to happen to move the plot along, and it was this that inspired to sit down to write his first novel.

Paul now has four series based in his fantasy world of Eiddenwerthe and is looking forward to sharing many more books with his readers over the coming years.

Reviews

[Kate]

Mercerian Tales: The Call of Magic by Paul J. Bennett is a wonderful, mythical, fantasy story that will transport you to a different time and place filled with wonder and magic. Albreda is the young daughter of a Captain in the military. She loves horses and they love her. After her father loses his life in a battle, Albreda, orphaned, decides to find out what happened. She finds herself in the middle of a forest, surrounded by wolves. Can the wolves actually be her friends? Will the old couple in the cottage in the woods be friendly and protective?

This is a magical tale of coming of age and finding out secrets of magical powers that will change Albreda's life. I received this book as an advance reader copy and I always review every book that I read. I recommend this book. The plot and characters are well developed and the story will leave you wanting more!

[James Poore]

Not A Witch

A good story but a little chopped at the end. From a fire to a magic circle, in just a few pages. There is some interactions between Baron Fitzwilliam and Alberta in later books that I have read and I hope that it continues. Alberta's interaction with animals is a great story line,I wish that I had that kind of control of animals. Mr. Bennett please keep writing as I thoroughly enjoy your books.

[Alyssa Biggerstaff]

I really liked The Call of Magic! It’s a great origin story for Albreda, the Witch of the Whitewood. Her journey felt powerful and emotional. I loved how the forest almost felt like a character of its own it was mysterious, creepy, and full of secrets. It was fun watching her discover who she really is and what kind of magic she holds. If you’ve read the Heir to the Crown series, this fits in perfectly, but even if you haven’t, it still works on its own.

[MGB]

What a wonderful story!! The author brings us to a self-reliant young woman. She faces tragedy on top of great difficulties. Her positive attitude brings her forward, her bonds with the natural world sustain her and give her purpose.

Her surroundings are so well painted that you will be drawn into her character and understand her motivations and goals. Definitely enjoy this fantasy.

[Tony Duxbury]

Mr Bennett does it again with the tale of Albreda, who carries magic within her. She doesn't know this until tragedy strikes and she finds herself alone in the woods. A lovely tale of danger and wonder. Recommended reading for fantasy fans.

[Matheus Macedo]

A short and sweet story, also a nice breather after what I think will be the conclusion of the first major arc in the series. This book really made me think highly of albreda as a character and also expanded on other ways that magic operate in this setting!

[Anthony Fratto]

an excellent read. This book gives some of the back story for Albreda, an important character. in the series. Well written and interesting :-) This book ties up some of the loose ends and helps the reader to make sense of things that have happened in the series.

[Nikolina]

thanks for a great read

This is a fascinating story that fills in the details of the life of Albedia the Earth Mage. I found it entertaining and appreciated the details

[TC Dale]

Good start...you will want to read this series.

This author weaves a great tale. Get in on ground floor. You will not regret it. Lot of stories to tell!

[Kelly]

Excellent as always. I love learning the background of characters.

[John Mcgregor]

just loved all of it

[Lisa]

The author sent an ARC version of this book for my honest review. Thank you Paul J. Bennett for introducing me to this world. This is the first book I have read by this author.

Mercerian Tales: The Call of Magic is a charming story of Albreda's early years. We meet Albreda when she is 13 years old, as she and her father are on their way to Wickfield with the Army. She is just starting to realize her gifts and what that means.

This novella is simply written but the world building is there and easy to believe. The character Albreda is pretty developed but most of the other characters are a bit 2 dimensional. The dialog is a bit choppy to me in places. This is a good start but I felt it could have been more developed. Even in the short format I feel there are ways to flesh out the story more and create a better flow in the story.

Even though I haven't read any of the other books I thought this story stands on its own. Mercerian Tales: The Call of Magic is not a heavy fantasy, which is a nice change from what I have been reading. I plan to read more of this series should be a nice escape from the real world!

[L M Ralph]

Absolutely Captivating.
This is the background story to Albreda, on of the main characters from "Heir to the Crown" series. Written in the author's highly readable style, it leaves the reader caught up in the story until the last page as we learn about Albreda's history.Not intended as a standalone but it it can be read as such if necessary, although I will loose a lot of the suspense.
Good descriptions, well fleshed out characters, and a story that will keep you glued to your book until the very last page. Highly recommended.

Merged review:

Absolutely Enthralling
Written in the author's very readable style, this novella tells the story of Albreda before she becomes the force to be reckoned with that we see in Heir to the Crown. Young, orphaned and vulnerable, she sets out into the world. The authors excellent descriptions and well thought out plots prevent this from being just another boring coming of age story. It grips, it captivates, in enthrals. Recommended. I would love to see a sequel.

[Mr. Bear]

Albreda, the Witch of the Whitewood, has a story. It is a story of great loss and of being found. Events in her life forced her to mature long before her body would catch up. With the timely help of others, she would be given that chance to grow into her power.

As with all great stories, there is always a beginning. Here is where the story of Albreda begins. But it certainly isn't where her story ends. And if you've read the books previous to this story, then you know some of what is in store. The difference is that you now know how and why.

If you haven't started with Servant of the Crown and read up to this book, then you are missing out on a lot of good stuff. I hope you enjoy this series as much as I have.

[Emily]

This is such a wonderful story! I enjoyed it so much! It’s the origin story of Albreda, who I adore. She’s such a fantastic character! My heart hurts for her with some of the stuff she goes through, but she always comes out stronger in the end. I love her connection to her animal friends and I love the wolves that become her pack. I really like the world of the Heir to the Crown series, and this story just adds to it. This is a fascinating tale which I highly recommend! I’ve said it before but I really love this entire series!

I received an ARC from the author and I’m voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Kathleen Becker]

Albreda at age 13 accompanies her father Captain of knightssince her mother died. She has a way with animals & can calm a skittish horse or silence a barking dog. After her father's death she has to flee to Whitewoods to avoid enemy soldiers. A pack of wolves surround her to keep her warm & protect her. After living with a recluse couple who die, she again wanders with the wolves. After finding a meadow with six carved stones with runes, she journeys to the Great Library to learn what the runes mean. Very interesting character development, scenes & you can feel the struggles she endures to find her vocation in life.

[Debra]

I am a huge fan of all The Books in the Mercerian series, but this one is so different. Its a backstory on a character, Albreda, that was fascinating from the start. It gives you that "aha" moment when you realize why and how she came to be who she is now. I never put it down. A million words would not be enough to finish this wonderful story. Im eagerly waiting for Mr Bennett to give us more (and Im sure he will) on Albreda and her adventures.

[James McGinnis, Jr]

Paul J Bennett continues to amaze and delight his readers, or at least this reader. This book recounts the origin story of the Witch of the White Woods, a delightful ally in the Crown series. While questions are answered and mysteries revealed, enough of the unknown remains to engage those of us who want all the answers down to the smallest detail. A fantastic read that will either flesh out a well-loved story or as an introduction to the fantastic world of the Mercerian Tales.

[Xochitl]

As a fan of a series, it is important to know more about some of the MC and as the story continues you craved more information to enjoy the adventures. This book is a need-to-have for fans of the series. I think knowing more about Albreda helps us to understand her actions in the saga. But if you only want read a book full of action, magical coming of age, and a strong heroine living amazing adventures, this is it. Great reading!
I received this book as an ARC snd this is my honest opinion.

[Norman Hirschman]

A very good read. Albreda having lost her mother and father finds out she has the power to interact with animals and also plants and trees. Her power allows her to interact with a pack of wolves and help her out of some awkward situations. The last being held as a witch about to be burned. It appears that she may be an Earth Mage but she will have to learn how to survive alone. Well worth reading

[Garth Mailman]

Abreda is a thirteen-year-old motherless camp follower who maintains her father, the troop captain’s tent, meals, horse, and armour. She is a horse whisperer. Her father fails to return from a raid into enemy territory and his camp is in return raided.

This is a coming of age story for a person with magical abilities in a world that finds them suspect. It ends as it began with the lass and her faithful wolf with the future in doubt.

[Marlys]

Another great book, about Merceria. This story focuses on Albreda. Like the other books in this series, Mr. Bennett is a great storyteller that has the great ability to envelop the reader in the story. I did not want the story to end, I was so involved with the story.

I received an ARC of the book and this is my voluntarily review.

[Ramona Harris]

This is the story of Albreda and her magic it's well written. Merceria did not have a lot of mages. Albreda took up with wolves and learn the earth magic she learned from Mathilde and Raynor and became the daughter they had lost. This explains how Albreda grew up to be the woman you need in further books. It's a very good book and I highly recommend it...

[Helen Schultz]

This short story enriches the history of magic in Merceria and the story of the Witch of the White Wood in particular. I don't like reading spoilers in reviews, so I won't leave one either. I will echo the author's recommendations to read this story after Shadow of the Crown. You won't regret it.

[Phyllis]

This story of a child's growth from terrified orphan
into a young woman confident in her magical abilities
is thoroughly entertaining.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did and will again.

Phyllis S.

[Deborah Stovall]

I was given an ARC copy to read and to give my opinion. The following review is definately my opinion.
I liked this story very much. The main character grew from a young girl to a young, mature woman. The story had my attention from the first line to the very last period.
Deborah

[Michelle L. Reeve]

Albreda had to grow up fast losing her mother and then her father. She was taken in by a kindly old couple until their deaths when she set out on her own to figure things out. What she found was who she is and where she belongs. Great tale! Can’t wait to read more!

[Dianna-Lynn (Dee-Dee) Lundgren]

A great novella about Albreda's origin story...you can clearly see how she becomes a feisty, resourceful woman.

[Rachel]

I already loved Albreda from the Heir to the Crown series, so I was excited to get to learn more about her past. This book helps open up the world of Merceria even more, and is an excellent read!

[Maurice Jones]

Like all things MERCERIAN (and authored by BENNETT) wonderful story,and even more wonderful characters,and crafty world-building!!Read it (them all)