Daughter of Redwinter

The Redwinter Chronicles, Book 1

By: Ed McDonald

Narrated by: Samara MacLaren

Length: 16 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Those who see the dead soon join them.

From the author of the critically acclaimed Blackwing trilogy comes Ed McDonald's Daughter of Redwinter, the first of a brilliant fantasy series about how one choice can change a universe.

Raine can see—and speak—to the dead, a gift that comes with a death sentence. All her life she has hidden, lied, and run to save her skin, and she’s made some spectacularly bad choices along the way.

But it is a rare act of kindness—rescuing an injured woman in the snow—that becomes the most dangerous decision Raine has ever made. Dangerous because the woman is fleeing from Redwinter, the fortress-monastery of the Draoihn, warrior magicians who answer to no king, and who will stop at nothing to reclaim what she’s stolen. A battle, a betrayal, and a horrific revelation force Raine to enter the citadel and live among the Draoihn. She soon finds that her secret ability could be the key to saving an entire nation.

Though she might have to die to make it happen . . .

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Books.

©2022 Ed McDonald (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

Loved it with some caveats

Awesome, clockwork plot with some pretty slick reveals, offset by character moments that aren't quite there. A few forced plot points and a slightly sagging middle, but a lot of fun overall. More ghosts in the sequel, please.

Loved it!

The good:
I'm a very hard critic. I almost never give 5 stars. This was amazing. The world was packed with a sense of wonder. The characters were flawed and human. The arc of the book worked well with the development of an epic tale. The narrator was perfect. He voice added to my enjoyment of the story, so much so, that I preferred to listen rather than read the ebook on kindle, which I did using whisper sync. I found myself rewinding whisper sync so I could hear Sarah MacLaren's rendition.

That said I found a few things annoying. Particularly, the setup for book 2 required an act of monumental stupidity on the part of the main character that was a little too much for me to believe.

However, the stupid act didn't really affect this part of the tale, so it is easily forgiven.

Compelling and Original

Wow! This story was entrancing and the narration was wholly superb. I cannot wait for the second volume and I sincerely hope the narrator here continues to enliven the story. Highly recommend.

Strongly recommend!

Wonderfully energetic narration kept me engrossed. Listed as the way through in just 3 days!

The most underrated voice in modern fantasy

I keep wondering why everyone isn't screaming about how amazing Ed's books are. How he spins his stories and builds his world's are on par with the best (Rothfuss, Anthony Ryan...) and not being recommended on my audible feed. His stories are what I have been hunting for in modern fantasy that has everything. From someone who has been reading fantasy for decades. Keep em coming.

Excellent

Very much lived up to my expectations. Great characters, interesting magic system and good world building. Also absolutely loved the reader.

Loved it!

I initially chose this audible book because of the narrator (one of two of my absolute favorites)! Ands wow did Ms. MacLaren deliver. That said, I ended up listening to a really well developed storyline with what has to be for me one of my favorite (strong) female characters!

I am getting Part 2

I love the narrator and I loved the main character. I loved the character so much, that I found myself dreading when she became hurt or injurred. There were great characters, characters I loved to hate and plenty of intrigue to keep me listening.

The weakness was more in the epilogue. The ending felt rushed and didn't read quite as well as the rest of it. There were minor plot threads that were obviously saved for the next in the series. This is definitely one fantasy story that is well worth your time.

Do Book 2!!!

Dear Samara MacLaren & Ed McDonald,

Please please please Samara, narrate book two of this chronicle!!! And Ed I freaking love the books!

I will await for Traitor of Redwinter’s Audible release!

Love,
Listeners Everywhere

great great great

I love this book and the narrator is amazing. if you looking for a fantasy book with excitement and a complicated slow burn romance, you would not be wasting your next credit.... can't wait for the 2nd book.