First Truth

Truth Series, Book 1

By: Dawn Cook

Narrated by: Marguerite Gavin

Length: 13 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Alissa doesn’t believe in magic. Her father’s stories about the Hold, a legendary fortress where human Keepers learn magic from the enigmatic Masters, are just that—stories. But her mother insists Alissa has inherited her father’s magical ability, so she must go to the Hold to be trained.

On her way, she crosses paths with Strell, a wandering musician from the plains. Though Alissa is not sure she can trust a plainsman, Strell has something Alissa needs—one of her father’s old maps. Traveling together, they can reach the Hold before the snow sets in. But they don’t know that the Hold is nearly empty. The Keeper Bailic has sent the Masters on a fool’s errand and systematically killed the other Keepers in his search for the First Truth, a book of magic that will give him ultimate power. And he believes that Alissa and Strell hold the secret of the book’s hiding place.

This is the first book in the Truth Series by Dawn Cook, who also writes under the pen name Kim Harrison.

Listen to more in the Truth Series.

©2002 Dawn Cook (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A beautifully told, simple story that looks unblinkingly at how prejudice unnecessarily reinforces misconceptions, misunderstandings, and hatred." ( Booklist)

Save your time and money

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I could not get into the book at all, could not make myself care what happened.

Would you ever listen to anything by Dawn Cook again?

Probably not.

Which character – as performed by Marguerite Gavin – was your favorite?

Liked none of the characters.

Was First Truth worth the listening time?

No, it's the only audio book I've not been able to make myself finish.

Any additional comments?

Very disappointing

Book was good, entertaining, but predictable.

Well written, but obviously a learning author. Gavin's reading was awesome like usual. I'm sure as the story continues, Cook's story telling will also become more complex and entertaining.

Great fun

Great Fun to listen to I’m looking forward to the next one! It’s an interesting story different from what I’m listen med to in the past. I enjoyed how it was written and the narrator did an amazing job on the voices!!

love it

Really enjoyed this books story. The narrator did an excellent job. If you like this type of book give this one a try

like listening to a lecture

I struggled to stay awake. Found my attention drifting and had to replay passages, thinking I must have missed a passage worth hearing. Nope, every time she came close to an epic story, she dropped the momentum. The reader tried to make it a serious story but just sounded like someone reading a cookbook with a dramatic voice. I wish the author would rewrite this, good bones just boring dialog.

amazing series

the first half of this book was only worth 3 stars. but the second half is so strong, and the rest of the series is so incredible, i have to give this story the 5 stars it deserves. this book ends on a clifhanger, which prompted me to continue the series. i'm very happy i did cause this series is excelent. the best description i can come up with is if ilona andrews and robert jordan had had a chance to colaberate on a story, this series would likely have been the result. if you like either of those authors, then you will love this series. just be patient with the early part of this book, and i predict you will be getting the rest of the 'truth' books very, very soon.

Love at 1st book

I am going to write this once. It is for the whole series. Not just this one book. Loved every second of it. The characters will all remain with me, I feel like we all have become friends. They felt so real and I was sad when the credits started, knowing it was the end of a beautiful story.

Who picked this cover?

Almost didn’t listen to this just because of the cover. I know I know we aren’t supposed to do that but you have to say this one seems very odd and dated. Like a swashbuckling historical romance… yet that doesn’t match the books description. And actually after listening to this very interesting well developed story I still don’t know who this person is on the cover! Yes I have an idea who it’s supposed to be but obviously the cover creator only got some cliffs notes and this was what they made…. But knowing that sneaky Kim Harrison I wonder how many other people didn’t pass the first quest, of the “first truth” cover being false and missed out on a very good story that I will be continuing.

My favorite Audible Book Series

I have listen to this series at least five times (I have not kept track) and I am listening again. I simply love how Marguerite Gavin reads this story. She give a unique voice to each characters and her male voices are believable. The story itself is great and I highly recommend it.

A nicely executed foray into fantasy literature.

This is an original and entertaining start. There were a few points that I can't figure out. They Felt a little rushed...but it wasn't enough to keep me from thoroughly enjoying tis ride. I find myself looking forwards to the next one already!