The Phoenix Unchained

Book One of The Enduring Flame

By: Mercedes Lackey, James Mallory

Narrated by: William Dufris

Length: 13 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times and USA Today best-selling authors Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory first teamed up to write the Obsidian Trilogy, which was set in a wondrous world filled with magical beings, competing magic systems, and a titanic struggle between good and evil. That world proved so popular with the creators and readers alike that Lackey and Mallory have returned to it again, with The Phoenix Unchained, Book One of The Enduring Flame, the opening volume of a new epic fantasy trilogy.

After 1,000 years of peace, much magick has faded from the world. The Elves live far from humankind. There are no High Mages, and Wild Mages are seen only rarely. Bisochim, a powerful Wild Mage, is determined to reintroduce Darkness to the world, believing that it is out of balance.

Tiercel, a young Armethalian nobleman, is convinced that High Magick is not just philosophy. He attempts a spell and draws the unwelcome attention of Bisochim. Tiercel survives Bisochim's attack and begins trying to turn himself into a High Mage.

Next in line to be Harbormaster of Armethalieh, Harrier instead finds himself regularly saving Tiercel's life and meeting magickal people and creatures. To Harrier's dismay, it seems that he must become a hero.

In The Phoenix Unchained, Harrier and Tiercel begin a marvelous journey to uncover their destinies. Along the way, they meet a charming female centaur, several snooty Elves, and the most powerful dragon their world has ever known.

©2007 Mercedes Lackey; 2007 James Mallory (P)2007 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Sets a lavishly detailed stage peopled with intriguing and well-developed characters whose futures hold both promise and peril." ( Library Journal)

Slow to start but highly entertaining!

I have read this author before, many of her past books, but never had I read this particular trilogy. In fact, I had asked for it for Christmas one year, got it, and still had not read it. Physical reading has become difficult for me as it puts me to sleep these days. Which is why now I listen to books instead of read them.

Anyway, this was a very well written book. It seemed to start off a little slow for me. Likely due to the length of time in between my listening of this and my reading of past books. I got hung up on such words as bells and sennites and moonturns, not really figuring out how these things marked time until further into the book. But as I said, it's been a very long while since I last read this author.

At first, the book felt a bit juvenile, though that was nice in that it brought back memories of when I was younger and of the previous books. As the story progresses though, you start to recollect things from previous books and begin to put two and two together.

Towards the end it got more and more exciting and entertaining. It was funny and delightful and I am anxious for when I have the money or the credit to get the second book in the trilogy. I suspect the second and third books will be even better.

I say, give it a go. It is in my honest opinion, definitely a very good book.

Bad narration

The narrator has no idea how to pronounce anything including the word “carry” he pronounced as “curry” drove me crazy I’m hoping he fixed his shit in the next novel.

Love the book but...

okay, I love this book, and the guy reading it, is ok, but the way he says Arma tha lee uh drives me NUTS! also it sounds like a George Bush impersonation when he does the voices.

Solid, but slow

A solid Fantasy take that is well worth reading, but it often feels like the story is dragging slightly in terms of pacing.

This isn't up to snuff with the previous series.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would not. The narration was good and the premise of the story holds a lot of promise, but this series doesn't deliver on that promise; instead it drags on and on and I feel like the first 2 1/4 books could have been condensed down to one book. I only finished this series to have it over with. That being said, it isn't ALL bad, but it keeps stringing you along with its potential.

What was most disappointing about Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory ’s story?

It didn't have enough meaningful action and instead focused on the drama the two characters FEEL, and because of this practically nothing happens. And when something does happen it tends to feel anticlimactic. When I read a series about magic and demons and youth recruited prematurely, I want it to be more epic.

What does William Dufris bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He truly brought the characters a sense of life that I think may have been lacking otherwise.

Do you think The Phoenix Unchained needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Ummm, it is a trilogy...so clearly somebody thought so.

Any additional comments?

Save yourself the credits and go with another series.

Bravery comes in many forms.

What did you love best about The Phoenix Unchained?

This series starts out magnificently. You can't help but love Tiercel and Harrier, between Tiercel's determination and Harrier's temper and loyalty to his friendship, they make an amusing team. The book made it obvious they were two teenagers afraid and struggling to survive in the world against evil, but the Narrator was so invested in the characters that I was crying with them, afraid for them, he brought the scenes to life so well with just the power of his voice.

Great beginning!

Can't wait to find out what happens to everyone. I wish the beginning books were on here.

Great story, terrible Narrator!

I absolutely love this book, as I did the previous trilogy. The characters are fun and relatable, the book is well paced, and the action is exciting and engaging. The Narrator, William Dufris, is absolutely awful though. Aside from pronouncing almost every name in this book wrong, his voice is unbearable!

great story hint more voice acting

while the story is in lack of better words loosening oneself n track of time, and the narration is very fitting i find there are bits where there could be a little more umf in emotion in the voice acting in parts.

Opinion

the narrator had a fine voice but after the first series it was difficult to hear the words pronounced differently not that I could do better myself but it just hurt to hear after getting used to the original series pronunciations