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)

One of my favorite series, first time on audio

I love this series and have read it a few times. Marguerite Gavin's narration made it fresh and made me love it all over again. This series is a slow burn but so enjoyable.

Iffy cover

I skipped over this book for a while since the cover picture didn’t seem like something I would like. But the book turned out to be quite good.

I hate cover art that does not match the character.

This is one of the most egregious examples. She was dark and her hair was chopped short in the manner of …..

Loved it!

I listened to all 4 books and let me tell you I am sad she is not writing more about Strell and Alyssa. I loved loved loved this story and will listen over and over again, something I never usually do with a book. Completely recommend the book and the narrator as a positive experience.

Love Dawn Cook books!

I have enjoyed all of these books and other ones written by Dawn Cook. The stories are interesting and the narration is great.

Good Book!

Enjoyed this book quite well the only thing I didn't like is how similar it is too the Rachel Morgan series. All in all a good read and the narrator is fantastic.

Cute read but not terribly deep

The story is nice but also feels a bit juvenile. The characters have some really good story lines but then at some points it feels a bit flat. But I did get the second book!

Enjoyable commute book

Overall I really enjoyed this book. The story is pretty good and I love Marguerite's narration. I found myself wishing my commute was longer so I could continue to listen. I purchased the book with a credit and I would do it again.

That being said, I did occasionally get tired of the juvenile behavior and reactions in the book. I have a two year old daughter and I want her to read books with positive female characters. I get tired reading about heroines who make bad decisions and behave inanely on occasion.

I am going to purchase the next book in the series to see what happens but I hope we see some of the characters maturing.

Eh...

I love The Hollows... this, not so much. I barely made it through this first book and won’t be continuing.

Fantastic but requires a bit of intelligence

I love characters who aren’t stupid and reckless. I love characters with depth and complexity. I love it there’s an “understory” that the hero and heroine don’t know.
This book offers all of these elements and a sweet story too.
Because it is in a world so wholly different from our own it took me a few chapters to feel familiar but that’s also part of the authors restraint — she treats us like intelligent people who want to discover this new world she created.