Taovan: Awaken

Seasons of Light, Volume 1

By: S. J. Saunders

Narrated by: Lee Strayer

Length: 13 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

In the heart of a forgotten continent, a spark ignites in the strangest of places…

Nadon-Kesh grows up like any other child abandoned to the Saget riverbank, but his life takes a dangerous turn when the Supremacy, the tyrannical force enslaving the realm, drives him from his home. Thrust into the dangerous world beyond the riverbank alongside his closest friends, Nadon learns of his place in an age-old conflict that may change the face of the land forever.

Ensnared in the battle to reclaim a kingdom, Nadon struggles to harness a rising power within in the hope of saving his family from destruction. But, as his dark legacy threatens to destroy the land itself, Nadon discovers that it may not always be possible to escape one’s fate.

©2013 S. J. Saunders (P)2014 S. J. Saunders

Taovan is here! Step aside Game of Thrones (GOT)

Would you consider the audio edition of Taovan: Awaken to be better than the print version?

I did not read the printed version.

Who was your favorite character and why?

There are SO many powerful and magnetic characters. If forced to choose one character, it is Sernah. She is a bad-ass rebel fighter. Obviously, watching Nadon discover himself is a nail biting journey all by itself.

Which character – as performed by Lee Strayer – was your favorite?

Again, there are so many complex characters that I can't choose one. My two favorite characters by the narrator, aside from Nadon, are Shadow and Drandar. The narrator nailed Sernah's serious, yet, sultry character as well. He also brought to life Lenara from a hesitant girl doubting her fighting abilities to a powerful woman sculpted by Sernah's guidance.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Game of Thrones (GOT) step aside - Taovan Has Arrived!

Any additional comments?

This is a fabulous book with fantastic narration. Taovan has unexpected eye opening twists. The end leaves you opened mouthed with a burning desire to grab the next book.

Great series!

Would you listen to Taovan: Awaken again? Why?

Yes, I read the books and now and listening to them again.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Drandar, he is good throughout and adds the comedic humor.

Which character – as performed by Lee Strayer – was your favorite?

I would have to stick with Drandar.

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

No, it is too long, but it is great!

Any additional comments?

Read/ listen to it!

story seems interesting

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes because I will never select a book read by this narrator in the future.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

This may have been better experience with a different narrator. It took me a full 5 minutes before I could get past how the narrator was putting no inflection on what he was reading. Either he started doing so or I started looking past that. There also was an echo like quality to the recording. I found it hard to follow when the view point changed. To be fair to the author the story seems to be good as far as I went (1 hour) and will think about purchasing the book.

Could you see Taovan: Awaken being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Not sure since I did not finish it.