Ted

I am completely enthralled by the series and its characters. Lynn Flewelling does a expert job of weaving together a world for her creative energies to take form in. This--the first book--is largely exposition woven into an array of adventures that build the relationship between our main characters and introduce the most influential ones to grace us throughout the rest of the series. However, I highly encourage the effort to gain the knowledge of this exposition to more fruitfully enjoy the rest of the books. Though this is not a kind of literature that begs the reader to develop grand theories of metaphor and symbolism, I would urge anyone looking for a good adventure with engaging characters to purchase this text and the ones that follow. Raymond Todd, while occasionally missing an inflection or overusing certain voices, does an excellent as far as most audiobooks go. Mainstream youth fantasy novels such as Harry Potter or the Inheritance Cycle receive more funding and are able--I imagine--to buy more studio time to master all the different characters voices.

However, I must say that I am disgusted by the heteronormative and homophobic interjections of fellow reviewers on this site. The mere idea that queer characters being present could be "unsafe for children" is appalling and deserves a good scolding. Furthermore, that this should make anyone avoid the series is outlandish. Though I suppose--to be fair--I find myself rather appalled by the blatant heterosexuality that dominates the majority of books on this site. However, until this moment, I have felt no need to scream from the rooftops that I don't wish to read/listen to such "lifestyles" being exhibited in literature. Therefore, I kindly ask all homophobic and heteronormative listeners to shove it and let listen to my queer audiobook in peace.

I will not be warned against what I look for in the first place. Heteros don't own the world, they just seem to think they do