The Outstretched Shadow

The Obsidian Trilogy, Book 1

By: Mercedes Lackey, James Mallory

Narrated by: Susan Ericksen

Length: 30 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Kellen Tavadon, son of the Arch-Mage Lycaelon, thought he knew the way the world worked. His father, leading the wise and benevolent Council of Mages, protected and guided the citizens of the Golden City of the Bells. Young Mages in training---all men, for women were unfit to practice magic---memorized the intricate details of High Magic and aspired to seats on the council.

Then Kellen found the forbidden Books of Wild Magic---or did they find him? Their Magic felt like a living thing, guided by the hearts and minds of those who practiced it and benefited from it. Questioning everything he has known, Kellen discovers too many of the City's dark secrets. Banished, with the Outlaw Hunt on his heels, Kellen invokes Wild Magic---and finds himself running for his life with a unicorn at his side.

Rescued by a unicorn, healed by a female Wild Mage who knows more about Kellen than anyone outside the City should, meeting Elven royalty and Elven warriors, and plunged into a world full of magical beings, Kellen both revels in and fears his new freedom. The one thing all the Mages of the City agreed on was that practicing Wild Magic corrupted a Mage---turned him into a Demon. Would that be Kellen's fate?

Deep in Obsidian Mountain, the Demons are waiting. Since their defeat in the last great War, they've been biding their time, sowing the seeds of distrust and discontent between their human and Elven enemies. Very soon now, when the Demons rise to make war, there will be no alliance between High and Wild Magic to stand against them. And then all the world will belong to the Endarkened.

©2003 Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory (P)2010 Tantor

Old favorite, well read?

I read this book many years ago and thought I would enjoy hearing it now.
The story is still an interesting take on both magic and coming of age stories.
The reader did have only a few problems with pronunciation of certain words. But the Bella Lugosi-esque voice which was used for the Endarkened was very unpleasant.

good not great

it was a little slow for me, but looking forward to the second and third book

Starts slow, gets much better

This book has a slower start, but builds up the necessary background the reader (or listener) needs to understand things that happen later. It is quite enjoyable, with action, emotional ups and downs, and fun characters.

Excellent Book

This was an excellent book, full of detail and action. Great story and well read by the narrator. A total joy to listen to. The story has a good ending that does not leave you hanging. Only leaves you wanting to listen to the next book.

Come on audible, where is it.

great for young folk, I found a bit tropish

it had them all, rag tag bunch, true friendship in the end, tons of Jesus symbology. I suspect if I we 10 years younger I would have been very impressed

Extremely Entertaining

Firstly, the narrator was incredible. A new look at classic fantasy elements, used in a way to bring even the most seasoned reader a unique a pleasing look into the story.

A fantastic story

mages, unicorns, elves, and dragons!!!!! This is an amazing read and a great listen!

The Obsidian Trilogy is the start to a fantastic world and a beloved part of any fantasy library.

Amazing Fantasy Story!

I loved all aspects of this book. The world building was amazing, the characters were complex, and the magic system was really interesting! This book is a hidden gem and a must read!

tedious

it's a decent story and the one thing I like the most is that the hero is good and the bad guy is bad. I like for my hero to be better than me and the bad guy worse. Unfortunately, it got extremely tedious at times. The author would say the same thing but with different words. Like explaining something to a child that doesn't understand. I found myself skipping a lot of the inner dialog of our protagonist... Despite that I'll still get the next one because it isn't like most of the stories coming out nowadays.

Enjoyable

I greatly enjoyed this book. I was a little iffy about the narrator, as I'd gotten used to the one in the Enduring Flame series, but despite some of the different pronunciations, I liked her as well for the narrator. The story line was intriguing, and I'm more than ready for the next book. I want to hear more about Idalia and Jermayan, and more about Kellen and his newly found powers.