Marshal Arcane

Spellmonger, Book 15

By: Terry Mancour

Narrated by: John Lee

The Witch Queen strikes!

Minalan the Spellmonger has a problem: Mycin Amana, the undead consort of Korbal the Necromancer, is not only occupying one of the largest castles in the kingdom; she’s also occupying the recently-dead body of his former lover, rapist, and mother of his children, Isily of Greenflower.

As the crises in the heart of the kingdom grows, Minalan is tasked to force the so-called Witch Queen of Darkfaller from her new stronghold using any means necessary. Unfortunately, the castle belongs to his rival in the royal court and future monarch Prince Tavard, whose ideas about how to do this are archaic and doomed to failure.

Mycin Amana is a master sorceress who is more than 4,000 years old; Prince Tavard is an entirely mundane and completely self-absorbed knight in his 20s. If Darkfaller is to be retaken, Minalan knows he will have to use the cacophony of ancient memories inside his head to do it.

Alas, those memories are driving him mad as they daily impede his progress as much as they advance it. His bouts of depression, obsession, anxiety, and rage are only getting worse as he plans a daring raid to rescue the hundreds of magi that Mycin Amana plans to turn into an army of undead Nemovorti.

Even as he is producing incredible wonders from his workshop at breakneck speed, whispers flow across the kingdom about his sanity to the point where Minalan is now referred to as the Mad Mage of Sevendor. His best friends begin to conspire to murder him. His allies question his judgement. And his foes close in as they sense his weakness.

But Minalan’s challenge is clear: become the greatest wizard in history, or not only see his war against Darkfaller fail, but leave his entire world to certain doom. Threading the needle between catastrophe and salvation has never been more difficult or cost so much.

Yet as King Rard promotes him to Marshal Arcane—the official responsible for facing the magical threats to the kingdom—Minalan is forced to balance his temporal powers with his thaumaturgical ones and navigate the violent shoals of insanity.

But can he do that without losing the confidence of his friends and the trust of his allies? The hope of his people? The goodwill of the enormously powerful Sea Folk? A new title and position is helpful, but it will take courage and daring to see Minalan the Spellmonger become the Marshal Arcane!

©2022 Terry Mancour (P)2022 Podium Audio

Read Mad Mage First

First off, if you haven't read The Mad Mage: book 14.5 first, you really won't understand this installment. That is the only novella in the series that is strictly necessary, the rest just shed extra light, but get explained in passing in the main books.

Even the other books that aren't from Min's POV can be skipped, but not 14.5. Marshall Arcane really sees the author experimenting with multiple points of view so as to not be repetitive, but too much will be missed if you don't read the novella.

The series is far from ending, but this book did a nice job reeling in some of the side stories and characters while still leaving them open for further fleshing out. And almost all the interactions with other characters where satisfying "Wake. Up. BOY!"

It was shorter than many of the spellmonger focused novels, but it was also a much quicker pace. I really enjoyed the slice of life and world building aspects from the earlier novels, but as the series progresses, it doesn't make as much sense to focus on that.

As with all of these books, I love that they don't often take themselves too seriously. It's compelling with minimal emotional investment and a lot of humor as well as excitement. You can't wait for the next one, but know you don't have to wait 15 years for the next one *coughs Martin* *coughs Rothfuss* because each one isn't meant to be a master piece.

Overall, I have mixed feelings on all the shifting POVs. Several of them were necessary as a plot device, but sometimes it left you feeling like you had whiplash. But it's still another great Spellmonger book.

Quality remains consistent, no major plot holes, and plenty of room for more.

Another hit

Seriously we are like 15 books in and I’m still hooked. This book was very entertaining, ps read the mad mage of sevendor before reading this one it ties in the main plot heavily

incredible.

What a wonder from both Mancour and Lee. and I'm pissed off about the wait for the next entry. it was so good, can't sing the praises enough. my favorites in this genre are Feist, Sanderson, or Jordan with their audio book narrators, and this group is right there in the mix of the best.

Awesome

I love the series. The dialogue and characters are amazing. I cannot wait for the next book!!

Not my favorite

I have listened to this whole series. This one just isn’t as good…lacks something that if I had time to analyze, I would put into words on this review. I will still wait for the next one!!

Another Amazing Spellmonger Adventure

The Spellmonger is sharing his mind with several entities after his trials in the north, but some times a few extra voices in his head is exactly what is needed.

Amazing

I can't wait for the next book, this 1 is full of action and is just to my liking 👌

captivating...

when I got the first book I listened for a couple minutes thought it was boring but I went back to it later and I'm glad I did. this has been the best series of book I've ever read\listened to. I'm sad that I waited all year and now it's over. hope he continues to write . I started the other shorter collection with the apprentice but the narrator for then ruined it.

Another great installment in The Spellmonger saga!

As some people have mentioned, the book starts off with a tour of who's who in the story, checking in with all your favorite characters to see how their own stories are progressing. personally I don't mind this kind of thing, the sub plots contribute to my understanding of the state of the world, and the narrator brings all of the characters to life. I have to say that John Lee's voice and narration really make the series for me. The story simply would not be the same without it. I honestly think his voice is what gives the constant narrative meandering such color and makes it enjoyable even.

Been waiting for this new book and worth it!!

Always great. I live the spell monger in all his chaos and madness. Terry never fails to bring the characters to life with such 😉 Reveria. ( hope I spelled that correctly)