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Advent Mage Cycle #4.5
Advent Mage Compendium
As my editor and I worked on Advent and Balancer, she had issues with some of the scenes I had written. They didn’t add to the plot in any way, they didn’t really build character, they were written just for my sole entertainment. So she convinced me to take them out of the book.
While I did see her point and agreed with her, I didn’t want these stories to sit on some hard drive collecting dust. Sure, they weren’t a vital part of the story but they were entertaining and in one particular case, it gave a great deal of backstory. One story was written purely for fans. (Fans that unfairly bribed Night with peanut butter when I wasn’t looking!)
All of this gave birth to—the Compendium. Here are the stories that I give you for pure entertainment.
While I did see her point and agreed with her, I didn’t want these stories to sit on some hard drive collecting dust. Sure, they weren’t a vital part of the story but they were entertaining and in one particular case, it gave a great deal of backstory. One story was written purely for fans. (Fans that unfairly bribed Night with peanut butter when I wasn’t looking!)
All of this gave birth to—the Compendium. Here are the stories that I give you for pure entertainment.
66 pages, ebook
First published August 5, 2012
83 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
About the author
Honor Raconteur
61 books832 followersEver since I was a toddler, I have been making up stories. I’d entertain anyone willing to listen to my wild fantasies about unicorns and gargoyles and amazing people. At 13, I started writing the stories down. At 23, I finished the first book that was, in my opinion, good enough to publish.
I spent three years trying to publish my book, Jaunten, the old fashioned way. The problem was my story was outside of the norm for young adult fantasy – it didn’t have vampires or the supernatural in it, it was clean enough to earn a PG rating, and there wasn’t any dark overlord to defeat. No literary agent would pick it up because it didn’t fit the “fantasy formula” that all of the popular books did.
I put the idea of having my book published off to the side for a while as I finished a Bachelors in English at Middle Tennessee State University. But as I worked on my third degree, the idea of being published came back to me. This time, while working as a paralegal, I had a better grasp of the laws involved of doing self-publishing. For six months, I did a great deal of research in how to do self-publishing the debt-free way.
It was hard. I was working full time, going to school full time, and living on my own. I never really had a break. I was always working on something. At times I felt like my brain would just go into meltdown from having to learn so many different things to make my idea work.
After six months, I thought I knew enough to publish myself. I put Jaunten out as an ebook, created a website and forum so that fans could communicate with me, and spread the word as best I could. Within three months, I was selling internationally. Within six months, I was making enough to quit my day job and sit at home, writing full time.
After six months of writing, publishing, and building up a reputation, I started to be approached by other people wanting to emulate what I did. I soon realized that there was a niche out there waiting for me to fill it—a place where original fiction could be published and released into the world. As of February 2012, I started my own publishing house, called Raconteur House. Since that point I have signed on four additional authors (not including yours truly) and am attracting more in a steady stream.
I have continued to write and publish the rest of the series through my House. When I’m not writing or editing, I like to go out into the community and give presentations of how to be an author. It’s actually really fun to talk to all of these people who want to be authors. Most people think that you can’t make any money being an author—actually, you can. And you can do quite well. It’s just a matter of working really hard, having a little talent, and knowing how to market your books. All I’m doing with these presentations is giving people the know-how to make their dreams come true.
While it’s true that you don’t need a college education to be an author, I encourage everyone to be as educated as possible. I have a lot of experience and education that most people don’t, and that’s what gives me an edge in writing. I’ve lived in places as obscure as Tehachapi, California and other places as large as Salt Lake City, Utah. I hold three different college degrees. I practice two different martial arts. I think I’ve tried every life experience that came my direction. All of that is incorporated into my books, and that’s what gives reality to my worlds and characters.
Even if I abruptly stop selling books tomorrow—which I don’t see happening—I would still continue to write. Creating characters and worlds is that much fun. Once you start, you become quickly addicted.
I spent three years trying to publish my book, Jaunten, the old fashioned way. The problem was my story was outside of the norm for young adult fantasy – it didn’t have vampires or the supernatural in it, it was clean enough to earn a PG rating, and there wasn’t any dark overlord to defeat. No literary agent would pick it up because it didn’t fit the “fantasy formula” that all of the popular books did.
I put the idea of having my book published off to the side for a while as I finished a Bachelors in English at Middle Tennessee State University. But as I worked on my third degree, the idea of being published came back to me. This time, while working as a paralegal, I had a better grasp of the laws involved of doing self-publishing. For six months, I did a great deal of research in how to do self-publishing the debt-free way.
It was hard. I was working full time, going to school full time, and living on my own. I never really had a break. I was always working on something. At times I felt like my brain would just go into meltdown from having to learn so many different things to make my idea work.
After six months, I thought I knew enough to publish myself. I put Jaunten out as an ebook, created a website and forum so that fans could communicate with me, and spread the word as best I could. Within three months, I was selling internationally. Within six months, I was making enough to quit my day job and sit at home, writing full time.
After six months of writing, publishing, and building up a reputation, I started to be approached by other people wanting to emulate what I did. I soon realized that there was a niche out there waiting for me to fill it—a place where original fiction could be published and released into the world. As of February 2012, I started my own publishing house, called Raconteur House. Since that point I have signed on four additional authors (not including yours truly) and am attracting more in a steady stream.
I have continued to write and publish the rest of the series through my House. When I’m not writing or editing, I like to go out into the community and give presentations of how to be an author. It’s actually really fun to talk to all of these people who want to be authors. Most people think that you can’t make any money being an author—actually, you can. And you can do quite well. It’s just a matter of working really hard, having a little talent, and knowing how to market your books. All I’m doing with these presentations is giving people the know-how to make their dreams come true.
While it’s true that you don’t need a college education to be an author, I encourage everyone to be as educated as possible. I have a lot of experience and education that most people don’t, and that’s what gives me an edge in writing. I’ve lived in places as obscure as Tehachapi, California and other places as large as Salt Lake City, Utah. I hold three different college degrees. I practice two different martial arts. I think I’ve tried every life experience that came my direction. All of that is incorporated into my books, and that’s what gives reality to my worlds and characters.
Even if I abruptly stop selling books tomorrow—which I don’t see happening—I would still continue to write. Creating characters and worlds is that much fun. Once you start, you become quickly addicted.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 29, 2021
Entertaining Short Read
Glad this was published, just for the fun of reading side stories that didn’t really have a major impact on the main story. Took me maybe an hour to read. Reading for a 1-2 hour period, is always a good, well used, passage of time.
Once again though, I’m confused. Raconteur mentions that the next book, “The Balancer,” I think she called it, was the last in this series.
I can no longer keep track of when to expect it to end, or for that matter, the order in which to proceed. They’ve changed numbers in the books, in the reviews, and in the descriptions numerous times.
Glad this was published, just for the fun of reading side stories that didn’t really have a major impact on the main story. Took me maybe an hour to read. Reading for a 1-2 hour period, is always a good, well used, passage of time.
Once again though, I’m confused. Raconteur mentions that the next book, “The Balancer,” I think she called it, was the last in this series.
I can no longer keep track of when to expect it to end, or for that matter, the order in which to proceed. They’ve changed numbers in the books, in the reviews, and in the descriptions numerous times.
August 16, 2023
Great Short Stories.
This is basically four short stories (cut scenes) from the Advent Mage’s world. It’s best to read those books first as they give you the background of what has come before. I don’t think it is absolutely necessary but as I had read them can not actually swear that this is so. I totally enjoyed these additional tales and revisiting with these old friend. An excellent quick read and very enjoyable.
This is basically four short stories (cut scenes) from the Advent Mage’s world. It’s best to read those books first as they give you the background of what has come before. I don’t think it is absolutely necessary but as I had read them can not actually swear that this is so. I totally enjoyed these additional tales and revisiting with these old friend. An excellent quick read and very enjoyable.
June 24, 2020
So good to see what happened
I can see why these were left out but I am so glad you put them here. While reading the series I occasionally wanted more information because I was curious, but did not really need it and I am very happy that you agreed. Thank you.
I can see why these were left out but I am so glad you put them here. While reading the series I occasionally wanted more information because I was curious, but did not really need it and I am very happy that you agreed. Thank you.
June 26, 2022
Advent Mage Compendium (Advent Mage Cycle, #4.5)
by Honor Raconteur
56 pages
A delightful read, wish there was more to it:)
pg. Forward
pg. 4 Warhorse *****
pg. 12 The Index*****
pg. 26 Toy Soldiers *****
pg. 56 Afterward
by Honor Raconteur
56 pages
A delightful read, wish there was more to it:)
pg. Forward
pg. 4 Warhorse *****
pg. 12 The Index*****
pg. 26 Toy Soldiers *****
pg. 56 Afterward
January 8, 2024
A fine and humorous addition to the series.
The stories are enchanting. The characters are wonderful. The plots are simple. The world building is superb. I hope the author does more short stories in the future.
The stories are enchanting. The characters are wonderful. The plots are simple. The world building is superb. I hope the author does more short stories in the future.
March 3, 2022
A fun read. Highly recommended.
May 18, 2022
Absolutely lovely!
April 8, 2023
almost a 5
It was almost a five, but the first story never got resolved. It probably was resolved in the book, but I don’t remember it.
It was almost a five, but the first story never got resolved. It probably was resolved in the book, but I don’t remember it.
May 7, 2024
Marvelous
This was a great addition!! loved it. I want this series to continue forever. They had some fun. Great little addition.
This was a great addition!! loved it. I want this series to continue forever. They had some fun. Great little addition.
March 14, 2025
Fun stories, but just a taste.
February 14, 2024
Content:
Language: None.
Violence: Mild; the first story depicts an ambush and there are broken bones and injuries, but not graphic at all.
Sexual: So mild it may as well be non-existent. The stories here happen before Garth and Chatta get formally engaged, so there is only hugging.
If you haven't read the main series, this book will make little to no sense, and spoil things, so there's your warning.
It's really about a 3.5, but I didn't find a whole lot added to the series in here, like I was hoping/expecting.
The first story is told from Night's perspective about the ambush from the Star Order when Garth is in Hain. It's fine I suppose, but not anything new to add, as in the main series this fight was described in hindsight to Garth.
The second story is set the day before Garth goes to get the psycho Queen of Chahir and take her into exile. It's pretty entertaining, as it's Kartal at his wit's end dealing with the treasure trove of things that Garth and Co. found in the cave in Chahir. It's a quirky funny little side story that I enjoyed smirking at while reading.
The last story, and the longest (I mean more than 5-10 pages) is about the group searching for an Elemental mage that is mentioned in the last book that we don't hear about. This is his rescue story, if you can call it that. I get why it wasn't included. It's a huge side quest that didn't have anything to do with the main plot of the series. The best part of it was the ending with the toy soldiers. That was endearingly cute. Men are really just big boys after all...hehehe.
All in all, my biggest complaint about this little compendium is the fact that it's only 56 pages and the price was 2.99. The regular 300 page books are 5.99. That's not a good price for 1/6 of a book. It really should be .99 in my opinion, but I'm not the author and I don't understand pricing, so what do I know? I just read the things.
Language: None.
Violence: Mild; the first story depicts an ambush and there are broken bones and injuries, but not graphic at all.
Sexual: So mild it may as well be non-existent. The stories here happen before Garth and Chatta get formally engaged, so there is only hugging.
If you haven't read the main series, this book will make little to no sense, and spoil things, so there's your warning.
It's really about a 3.5, but I didn't find a whole lot added to the series in here, like I was hoping/expecting.
The first story is told from Night's perspective about the ambush from the Star Order when Garth is in Hain. It's fine I suppose, but not anything new to add, as in the main series this fight was described in hindsight to Garth.
The second story is set the day before Garth goes to get the psycho Queen of Chahir and take her into exile. It's pretty entertaining, as it's Kartal at his wit's end dealing with the treasure trove of things that Garth and Co. found in the cave in Chahir. It's a quirky funny little side story that I enjoyed smirking at while reading.
The last story, and the longest (I mean more than 5-10 pages) is about the group searching for an Elemental mage that is mentioned in the last book that we don't hear about. This is his rescue story, if you can call it that. I get why it wasn't included. It's a huge side quest that didn't have anything to do with the main plot of the series. The best part of it was the ending with the toy soldiers. That was endearingly cute. Men are really just big boys after all...hehehe.
All in all, my biggest complaint about this little compendium is the fact that it's only 56 pages and the price was 2.99. The regular 300 page books are 5.99. That's not a good price for 1/6 of a book. It really should be .99 in my opinion, but I'm not the author and I don't understand pricing, so what do I know? I just read the things.
December 16, 2014
Little stories, fun if you've red the series.
Exactly what it says.
A fun very short collection of stories about the characters in the Advent Mage series.
You need to be /or have read read the series, in order to know the characters and for have this booklet (it's very short) make sense. If you have, it's an extra bit of interesting background and stories culled from the books. If you know the characters, it's a fun read.
Exactly what it says.
A fun very short collection of stories about the characters in the Advent Mage series.
You need to be /or have read read the series, in order to know the characters and for have this booklet (it's very short) make sense. If you have, it's an extra bit of interesting background and stories culled from the books. If you know the characters, it's a fun read.
June 9, 2022
This book out loud funny. I like how this books fits in with the latest book. I kinda wish the publisher would have at least allow the story with the soldiers to be in the latest book. As usual I can not wait till the next book by her.
Please be warned this book can not be read till you have read the latest book Advent.
Please be warned this book can not be read till you have read the latest book Advent.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews