Rides a Dread Legion

Book One of the Demonwar Saga

By: Raymond E. Feist

Narrated by: John Meagher

Length: 11 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

The last remnants of an ancient advanced race, the Clan of the Seven Stars, are returning at long last to their lost homeworld, Midkemia—not as friends, but as would-be conquerors. Led by the conjurer Laromendis, they are fleeing the relentless demon hordes that are sweeping through their galaxy and destroying the elves' vast empire planet by planet. Only by escaping to Midkemia and brutally overtaking the war-weary world can the last remnants of a mighty civilization hope to survive...if the Dread Legion does not pursue them through the rift.

The magician Pug, Midkemia's brave and constant defender, is all too familiar with the Demon King Maarg and his minions and their foul capacity for savagery and horror, and he recognizes the even graver threat that is following on the heels of the elven invasion. The onslaught to come will dwarf every dire catastrophe his imperiled world has previously withstood, and there is no magical champion in all of Midkemia powerful enough to prevent it.

Only one path remains for Pug and Midkemia's clandestine protectors, the Conclave of Shadows: forging an alliance of formidable magical talents, from the demon-dealing warlock Amirantha, brother of Pug's hated foe, and the demon-taming cleric Sandreena, to the elven Queen Miranda, to the warrior Tomas. However, uniting enemies and bitter, vengeful former lovers will be no easy task, and even together they may ultimately be unable to turn the death tide. But a failure to do so will most certainly ensure Midkemia's doom.

©2009 Raymond E. Feist (P)2010 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

“With his storytelling mastery and ear for colorful language and nuance, the author of numerous books set in the dual worlds of Midkemia and Kelewan here launches a series that takes his fantasy universe into a whole new phase.” ( Library Journal)

Sad. Just horrible.

The book is fine but it's hard to even judge with the quality of the narration. He reads the story like it's a textbook(which if you check his other readings makes a lot of sense). It's so hard to tell characters apart, and even who is speaking at times. It's really sad because I've listened to the entire series up until this point on Audible, and while some of the prior narrators had some issues, they were vastly superior to these readings. Just a toneless, totally bland reader. Do yourself a favor and skip The Demonwar and Chaoswar Sagas here on Audible and just read them yourself. Your imagination will thank you.

I would pay more $ for a different orator

Great narrative that is nearly destroyed by the narrator John Meagher. This crime against the book brings up a minor annoyance that the chapters collectively lack any titles.

For the love of Midkemia, PLEASE reproduce this book, and the rest of the the other novels in this story, with a different narrator, preferably Mr. Joyce.

Good story, terrible narration (listen 0.85 speed)

Basically the title, narrator read as if though he had a word per minute quota and I had to reduce the play speed in order to maintain any level of immersion. Probably my second favorite series of fantasy books and really hate that it was almost ruined by this poor choice.

Ugh the narrator

It just keeps getting worse with these books. The original narrator for the Riftwar Saga was amazing. I loved his various voices and he even did well with the women. Then the narrator that started with The Prince of the Blood was so gruff and horrible to listen to. He can't pronounce the simplest names or even simple words. I almost gave up but pushed through. This one though...he is the worst. There is no difference between characters. There is no drama where you would expect it. I could do a better job with reading these books and have when I read them to my son when he was young. I looked at the next book and was so excited to see a new narrator but then we are back to John Meagher for the rest of the books. I am not sure I can sit through more of his reading. I already have books by James Rollins that he almost ruined for me. He reads way too fast, can't pronounce things any better than the narrator before him and is so flat. Did they run out of money to pay a good narrator?

Oh and the Publishers Summary needs correcting. Queen Miranda of the Elves? She is not the queen nor is she even an elf.

Good story ruined by narrator

I’ve read all of his books and listened to almost all of Feist’s other works and the previous narrators are phenomenal. I don’t know why this one is so drastically different. He sounds like he’s reading an encyclopedia and even he’s just trying to get through it as fast as possible. This honestly makes me hesitant to buy any other audiobook. I’m definitely reading through the reviews in the future. Honestly should be taken in consideration having a new narrator for this series and burning this version from the internet forever. Whoever signed off on this has a serious lapse in judgment.

tough transition to new narrator

Story seems ok. it's a tough transition to the new narrator. I'm struggling to stay engaged in the story.

long time fan

I love the series. great story. the narrator is very different from all the others and was a bit of a transition to get used to. the narrator reads extremely fast and the pauses are not always clear. jumping scenes in a chapter was difficult to follow at first.

Narrator leave a lot to be desired

I rarely write reviews. I should start by saying the entire series by Feist is incredible and I have read most and listened to all up until this point. I am trying to give this narrator a chance. It's as if he is merely reading what is on a page before him and not telling the actual story. I feel the same performance could be accomplished by any well-spoken reader. Narration is an art and Meagher falls far short of the expectations the series has set up to this point.

End of book addition: Many of the previous reviews are spot on concerning Meagher's speed and cadence, lack of appropriate pauses between scenes, and mispronunciation compared to previous books.

Narrator voice is boring, read the book to fast

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Narrator read the book like a speed reader, no voices to the characters. If you have a device that allows you to change narration speed set it to 1/2 speed, then it's not as bad.

Great story

Amazing story but the narration killed it for me. It was a struggle to make it through the entire book. Hopefully the next in the series will be done by someone else.