Anotech Chronicles: Books 1-3

By: Julie C. Gilbert

Narrated by: Liz Brand

Length: 35 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

Crowns come with a steep price.

On the surface, Reshner is experiencing a time of peace and prosperity, but trouble is brewing.

Reshner’s Royal Ranger: Prince Terosh goes on an epic journey to prove himself as a man. Reia Antellio does everything in her power to protect the prince.

Reshner’s Royal Threat: The political threats facing the royals spill over into violence.

Reshner’s Royal Guard: The Royal House falters, but hope remains.

The Royal House faces threats from without and within. Even the anotechs - fabled god-machines - will be hard-pressed to save the royals this time.

The Anotech Chronicles series is epic science fiction. We’re talking maps, glossaries, a whole new world, and a lot of characters. If that scares you, check out some of my tamer series. If this is your thing, give it a go.

©2019 Julie C. Gilbert (P)2021 Julie C. Gilbert

Anotech Chronicles: Books 1-3

A unique set of stories with so many characters and details. I have to admit, there were times I felt a little lost, but it was so worth it to stick with it. I’m sure I missed things along the way, and I’m looking forward to listening again to capture it all.

I have been a fan of Julie C. Gilbert’s writing for years. She knows how to really build a detailed and complex setting with great characters.

Liz Brand did a great job with the narration. Her pacing and different voices for the characters made for an entertaining listen.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

Sci-fi with an epic fantasty feel

Intriguing and unique premise and world building combined with a rich cast of characters and loads of exciting action make this a noteworthy read. The first book focuses on Prince Terosh's Kireshana—or “renewing fire journey”. He is accompanied by Reia, a royal ranger. This reads much like a classic fantasy quest, except for the nanobots, or anotechs, which are sufficiently advanced as to be indistinguishable from magic and their weapons. Danger, forbidden love, and burgeoning political intrigue that goes far beyond what the young prince and his ranger suspect.

Book 2 and 3 bring in far more technology and have more of a galactic spanning feel. All that groundwork that was laid in book 1 comes to fruition here, often in unexpected ways. In some ways it reminds me of Star Wars in how the individual planets vary so much with their technological levels but were still integral playing pieces in the political machinations of the star system. As a note, anotechs are nothing like metacholrians and this is in no way a derivative work, just the technological contrasts and struck me as being similar.

This is epic storytelling spanning generations, and there is a lot of information to absorb, especially in the beginning, but as you continue on it starts to fill in and make sense and the complexity keeps growing. Once it started to come together I was hooked and deeply drawn into this world.

Liz Brand's narration suits the book well. She uses a variety of voices and accents so that it is always easy to tell who is talking. Just don't try to identify the accents, think of them as alien and that is that. I like the emotion and excitement she brings to the book too. This is an honest and voluntary review of an ARC

Anotech

Anotech Chronicles are futuristic/other worldly stories. I can see a lot of work went into the world building and character development. At times I got lost, but keep going, and got sucked back in. I recommend reading/listening to these stories when you can be fully focused, these are not for multitasking, you will miss important details. There is a sense of political intrigue suspense, and romance. I love the concept of anotech, and can just imagine how it could impact lives, and how others would want it for themselves. Anotech are like nanobots which can perform some amazing things, functioning to heal, as weapons, and like magic. Anotech secrets are carefully guarded, as not everyone has them. The narration was well done. It was easy to identify the speakers due to different tones and accents. I received a free copy of this audiobook and am voluntarily leaving my review.

An interesting read

I found this to be a box set of intriguing stories. It gave a sort of star wars feel. I did get a little lost at times but was soon put back on track. I also loved the fact that not only was it science fiction but it had romantic aspects to it & als at time very fast paced. Awesome characters & I loved the god machines called anotechs. If you love action and surprising twists, I recommend this on. Also loved the narrator, she did a fantastic job with all the voices.

Wonderful Sci-Fi

Wow! This was just the greatest science fiction collection I've ever listened to. It is adventurous, romantic, and fast moving. I loved the concept of the Anotechs--tiny machines--only certain people were given. It's difficult to summarize this wonderful collection without giving away too much of the story. So I just will say that if you enjoy good science fiction you must get this series! I wish there were more books in this series.

Liz Brand is an awesome narrator. She has a phenomenal library of voices that fit the characters so well.

I requested this audiobook from the author and am voluntarily leaving this review.

Fantastic Space Opera

Julie C Gilbert has written a convoluted space opera adventure that has it all: a world with a complex society and rules, fantastic characters, legendary god-machines called anotechs, and a forbidden love. Each story in the series is interesting. All the books are full of action and surprising twists. I recommend this series to anyone who has an interest in this genre. Liz Brand's narration is fine, although she does stop a second too long at the end of each sentence. Once the reader becomes accustomed to this though, the series is very entertaining. I was given a free copy of the audiobook and I have voluntarily left this review.