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(as of Oct 01, 2024 19:38:42 UTC – Details)
“Beware the dusky maidens of Farise!”
After facing war, death, unruly gods, and unmitigated evil, Minalan the Spellmonger is forced to return to Farise, the site of his earliest battles, with the simple assignment to conquer the subtropical city-state and expel the pirates that plague the kingdom’s shipping. Tired of warfare, Minalan embarks on a clandestine campaign to do so, assuming an alias and setting up shop in Farise as a mere Practical Adept as cover for his operation. Recruiting a cadre of talented agents to assist, he reluctantly begins the task of infiltrating and observing Farisian society and its corrupt, ramshackle regime of pirates and rebels with the goal of subverting it.
But it’s not easy. The Farisians are a strange and stubborn people whose customs and history are at odds with Minalan’s feudal sensibilities. The popular sailor’s warning to “beware the dusky maidens of Farise” becomes all too apt as he secretly plots to seize the remote remnant of the Magocracy. The ancient underground organization known as the Contramara seems to be behind every plot and scheme, and unseen masters control the city like puppeteers in the Farisian marketplace. Assassination, kidnapping, extortion, betrayal, and bribery are the rules of the day as different power blocs play the game of whispers with costumed gangs in the streets and daggers in the salons. It doesn’t take a wizard to realize that revolution is in the air and things are at a breaking point.
Minalan must struggle with the ghosts of his past as he tries to navigate an uncertain future in the hot, storm-tossed land he once occupied. Legacies from his days in the occupation army fifteen years before return to haunt him and complicate his mission while he keeps up the pretense of being a simple self-promoting Practical Adept, selling his spellwork like any other artisan. But when one of the infamous “dusky maidens of Farise” stumbles across this mission with an old, one-eyed wizard, things start to get complicated.
In a journey that takes him from ancient ruins to hidden temples to the sewers of Farise to the spire of the Doge’s Citadel, Minalan undertakes an adventure unlike any he’s faced before. New allies and shifting politics propel him to question his past, his motives, and his very identity as he realizes the sinister truth in another old saying: “Nothing is as it seems in Farise.” For there is a new, unknown power working behind the scenes, one even older and more determined than the Contramara, to control the chaotic city and determine its fate. And all that stands in its way is one resolute Practical Adept!
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Customers say
Readers find the book intrigued, full of action, and diversity. They say the narrative and world-building are strong, and the twist is awesome. Readers also mention the series adds layers of new challenges and unique opportunities. They describe the book as entertaining and well-written.
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Robin Barnett –
As an avid reader, this doesnât disappoint. I literally read this in one sitting and then again to savour the story and text. Like a drowning man fighting to the surface, the pages flew past like the wings of a hummingbird and the story broke free leading further into the realms of the greatest storyteller alongside David Gemmel
Amazon Customer –
Iâm a huge fan of this book series and I am always happy when a new instalment comes out Minalen is just such a fun mc and itâs always wonderful seeing how the author has the character grow as well as the world building and Iâm enjoying the new adventure away from gurvani and that story line.
Kindle Customer –
Great storytelling, characters and world-building continue to be the strengths of this series. Extremely entertaining, I read it in 12 hours straight, despite being 1000+ pages.
Incantus –
good book
Kindle Customer –
Excellent! One of the best books in the series!!
This is one of the best books in this series. The twist was awesome and ending a great surprise. Well done sir. I cannot wait for the next book!
Rotten Roger –
A great addition to the series
Love the new characters and how the side characters grew.
Kory –
This series keeps getting better
If you’ve made it this far in the series, you know how great the writing is. This is a returned form following Minlan almost exclusively. Politics, espionage, and of course a heavy dose of magic. I absolutely reccomend.
Mal Ware –
Remarkably welcome change of pace
Engaging level of detail (as always). Finally getting another story about the MC that isnât saving the world or fighting nebulous hordes of monsters was extremely welcome. Narrative and world building are pretty strong here and this one has massive implications over the future of the series. I do like at least some of the reveals.There are also some quality issues that seem new.Whole thing is replete with errors (both typos and words used incorrectly). Some of them skew the entire meaning of the sentences they show up in. Even many of those overly floral adjectives the author should be known for by now sometimes donât match what theyâre attempting to describe.I think this entry needed a final pass it didnât receive.
K. Boler –
Very engaging
Another good story by a great storyteller. Not a need, but I would have liked a map to be included.
Lois –
terry Mancourâ continuation of best world building fantasy continues!
I love this series! Terry Mancour continues to up his game in this book! Each book brings in new and exciting information that leads to a broader scope of understanding of the status of the population. As Terry seduces you into a world that has lost technology and replaces it with magic. Our hero discovers that the ancestors who settled the planet has left behind technology that will help them survive if they can find the tools they need to bring their civilization back to its formal glory. Each book adds layers of new challenges and unique opportunities. I love this series. I highly recommend reading the series. Book 17 is amazing!
Kindle Customer –
Excellent
Well written as usual. I am always pleased with your stories. They are full of action and diversity. I look forward to each book by buying it early. Laughter
Drey Hawkins –
The book we needed!
I absolutely love Minalan and his story. Almost as though he had enthralled me with some obscure pieces of spell work to ensure it. Although, we know he would never do such a thing. That would be distasteful and go against his principles. But I am vested in this tale. This book was wildly entertaining. Boundless intrigue. Masterful comedy. The occasional tug, yank even, on the heartstrings. An inspiring piece of work. Read it.