Riven

The Arinthian Line, Book 2

By: Sever Bronny

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

Length: 18 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Augum, Bridget, and Leera want only to study new spells and make their legendary mentor proud. But when she unexpectedly departs on a crucial quest, they run afoul of a devious old witch and are forced to make a hasty getaway - straight into the hands of a notorious maniac known as the Blade of Sorrows.

Prisoners of the Blade and his sadistic apprentice, the trio must face its greatest challenge yet: escape using nothing but an ancient spell with some nasty side effects. But more than their lives are at stake, for an entire kingdom's hopes rest with their mentor - and she's heading for a deadly trap.

©2015 Sever Bronny Ltd. (P)2018 Skyboat Media, Inc.

A strugle to finish

The heroes have so many problems but continue valiantly aided by friends who sacrifice themselves so that they may continue toward a better world.
I am considering whether I want to read the next book.

To this point in the series’s

I feel the MC augm is naive yet in a childlike way his interaction with blatantly evil characters baffles me as I hope in the future more of his witty problem solving comes to alleviate his “lose all the time” luck.
The side characters leera and Bridget are well balanced but the focus on who of the trio likes what person distracted me from why I would care. As the people they have shown as extras up to now have been just terrible, and honestly showcase their in-adeptness at discerning good people from bad. It makes sense this trio would constantly fumble things on their own though they hardly do.
As for the world, I felt it lacked depth, I almost completely don’t understand the layout of the world or it’s occupants, is it a island, a large continent, does the realm have many kingdoms beside the few here-and-there’s of tiberra and what other lands they’ve mention, what races are there really, do humans have separate ethnicities/culture. I feel as though it’s all flavor this story lacks

Despite the lengthy review I really enjoy the story and plan on reading all books including the Extension books.

As for the reader Stefan Rudnicki his accent for “aunty Erica” bled through for a few hours after the encounter. This affected the reading very little but I felt it was worth mentioning as it somewhat flops continuity

too much torture

long torture sessions that under any circumstances should have killed our heroes. This strains credibility and broke my immersion in the book. Pulled me right out. Otherwise an engaging entertaining listen. I'm unsure if i will continue to listen to the series. Pretty sure there's more graphic violence and torture ahead.

Wonderful character development

I enjoyed this book so much. It's imaginative and the battles between good and evil are incredible.

Enjoyable story

clean language, interesting story, pretty violent, interesting world, I plan on checking out the next book and can see myself possibly listening to this again.

Slow at first

Not as much action in this one as the first. Characters are learning but progress is slow but they fight through some tough times and grow emotionally and mentally. Some comments about the torture scenes but they aren’t long and it shows you who and what they are up against. Not a warm fuzzies book especially at the end

Great story

I really enjoyed this story and it was a really great continuation of the first book. I can't wait to see what happens next.

I love this series

bought the series after listening to arcane amazing series so far can't wait to listen to the rest

Not as good as first book

First book was really good but this book was boring. Such a pity as I couldnt put first book down.

Gripping, Perfectly Teen-fit, and Arcane

A gripping story about a kid who didn't get to study at a magic schopl but who's mage-mentor didn't die off, as he battles the forces his dark father sends after him and evades with the round artifact of legends.

So many tropes, so wonderfully mixed! I took issue with Augum being Levitius's son and have the story revolve around him (I hoped he'd remain parent-less to the end - this dull, (gutterborn,) ordinary boy, defeating a highborn, exceptionally-trained protege of legend from a long line of archmages, after many hardships and tribulations - which I'm sure are yet to come) but this story blooms into something I took a liking to, and the additional layer of guilt and darl bonds this protagonist has to endure - all heartrending and awesome!

And to think that this series of books has a sequel series! Can't wait to buy and listen to them all!