Knight Awakened

Circle of Seven, Book 1

By: Coreene Callahan

Narrated by: Suzan Crowley

Length: 17 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

Warlord Vladimir Barbu has seized control of Transylvania, but his claim to the throne remains anything but certain. The king of Hungary opposes his rule, his people despise him, and the high priestess needed to crown him has vanished without a trace. Refusing to see his ambitions thwarted, he hires an assassin to hunt her down.… Killing is the only life Xavian Ramir knows. But now the elite assassin wants out, vowing to start anew after one last job.…

High priestess Afina Lazar is running for her life, desperate to protect the magical amulet entrusted to her care. When Barbu’s hired killer finds her, she knows her only chance of stopping the warlord’s rise to power is to convince this enigmatic - and handsome - hunter that she is more valuable alive than dead. Together, they will undertake a dramatic adventure through a magical world where love and redemption come at a terrible price.

©2012 Coreene Callahan (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Ok, but with many flaws

Heroine may have magic but dumb as a rock. Audio product also poorly done
Vpices at times faint whispers that couldn't be heard

Great story; loved the narration

This was a good start to the series and I’ll read/listen to the next book for sure. I loved this narrator. The voice acting was excellent and the level of emotion during some of the heavy scenes was tear jerking. For example, the horse scene; although it is heartbreaking on is own, the narrator just gutted me with her interpretation of Shay’s feelings between the spoken words. I will look for other books by this author and other work from this narrator.

Really great read!

Any additional comments?

A really great adventure that seems to be lacking in most romance books. Just enough romance to not over due the action and great plot! This is a must read for fantasy readers
as well as romance readers. Will not disappoint at all.

Amazing

I wasn't too sure at first and only got it out of curiosity, but boy am I glad I did. This is so different from her dragon series, although she does sneek in the odd similarity it doesn't detract from the overall style. It's really classical, detailed and historical. I was hooked and the narrator was awesome - what a good choice. I hope she gets to do further offerings. I do like the use of (good) accents and was disappointed by their lack, but she captivated and held you without the need. For me that is a sign of a job well done. I loved Coreen Callahan's other series, but this shows her versatility and the ability to use completely different writing styles. I will definitely get more.

Great Book

What did you love best about Knight Awakened?

I loved this entire book. Coreene Callahan is a very talented author. The book kept my attention for the entire story. I cannot wait for the next one.

What did you like best about this story?

The story was original and very creative.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would have loved to.

slow to start and very hot

third person narration was done well. the slow pace of intimate scenes was often too long and drawn-out.

slowwwww narration

Any additional comments?

the story was interesting and written well enough to keep my attention. the narrator had good accents and a pleasing tone but unless you can bump up the speed of the narrator you will have trouble listening, she drags out every sentence and every word . like she's pulling a piece of gum as long as she can pull it out of her mouth.

it was okay, will read again eventually

The narrator was fine. the story was a 3* (which for me means it was okay...I'll read it again at some point. This is actually my second time reading it), I really liked parts, and I really don't like others. Perhaps I wasn't in the right frame of mind to read this type of book. First, what I didn't like (spoiler alert): I almost stopped reading when, right after he took her virginity he got mad and basically left her (also, she doesn't get her magic until she loses her virginity...ugh). There were parts in the book that or from a different character's point of view other than Afina and Xavian. Although I understand the reasoning for that (gave background knowledge that you needed), I don't really like reading from other people's point of view except for the main characters. I also don't really like it when one of the characters tries to protect the other characters feelings by acting as if they are not interested or staying away, but all they do is actually hurt to the other character. I can't take as much angst as I used to when I was younger. I don't like books I have a lot of angst. I like suspense and slow burn books, but that's not what this is. The other thing I struggled with a little bit was that there were a lot of names and characters to remember. I know I'm running on very little sleep, but av reference guide would have helped) I did like: I liked that they were partners and equals from a certain perspective. I liked that they accepted and loved each other for who they were. I also liked that there were no needless deaths (only bad guys died). I'll read this book again at some point when I'm in the mood for a fantasy, it's just not my favorite.

GREAT BOOK, BUT BORING NARRATOR!!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Knight Awakened to be better than the print version?

I guess the audio would be worth it, but the Narrator was painfully boring and monotone and made me feel that this genre of book isn't her cup of English tea.

Would you be willing to try another one of Suzan Crowley’s performances?

Absolutely not! maybe if it is old English romance.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I really can't think of it because I couldn't finish the book, she bored the enthusiasm out of me.

Any additional comments?

PLEASE, PLEASE change the Narrator for future Books in the Series. Narrators can make or break the popularity of books when they offer an uninspiring and lack - luster performance and the book may very well be a best seller in the making.

Great story, great narration.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. I loved this book. I have listened to many, many audiobooks..Feehan, Nalani Singh, Molly Harper, Kresley Cole, Lisa Kleypas, Mary Balogh, Jacquelyn Frank, Thea Harrison, Sherrilyn Kenyon, JR Ward, Gena Showalter, on and on. This ranks among one of my favorites. In quite a few books I end up skipping through a lot of descriptive parts just wanting to get to the exciting parts; but I actually enjoyed the author's metaphors describing the world, events and the characters' feelings. It also helps that this book has action and great romance.

Any additional comments?

The narration was great. I cannot listen to an audiobook if the narration is lacking no matter how good character development or plot is. I thought this narrator made the men sound yummy, and also had a nice sounding voice for the heroine.