The Vagrant

By: Peter Newman

Narrated by: Jot Davies

The Vagrant is his name. He has no other.

Years have passed since humanity’s destruction emerged from the Breach.

Friendless and alone he walks across a desolate, war-torn landscape.

As each day passes the world tumbles further into depravity, bent and twisted by the new order, corrupted by the Usurper, the enemy, and his infernal horde.

His purpose is to reach the Shining City, last bastion of the human race, and deliver the only weapon that may make a difference in the ongoing war.

What little hope remains is dying. Abandoned by its leader, The Seven, and its heroes, The Seraph Knights, the last defences of a once great civilisation are crumbling into dust.

But the Shining City is far away and the world is a very dangerous place.

©2015 Peter Newman (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

'For fans of classic science-fiction literature, this is a must-read.' – SciFi Now

'Come visit this brilliantly imaginative land of winged swords and broken solar cells.' – SFX

‘The Vagrant is a joy to read: an original and engrossing world, a strong story and a protagonist who is intensely charismatic despite – or because of – his silence. Newman’s debut is written with confidence, flair and imagination, bringing his dark world to marvellously macabre life’
Adrian Tchaikovsky, Author of Shadows of the Apt series

‘A stunning and ambitious debut novel set in a unique and imaginative world where the only hope rests on the capacity of human beings to love’ Melinda M. Snodgrass

Hated the performance

The way the reader talks is frustrating, it's like a constant pausing for dramatic effect! I did enjoy the story quite a lot. Wish I would've read it instead of listened to it.

Fabulous all around

creative, fun, funny, horrible and beautiful. So nice to not be disappointed. Narrator is fantastic as well.

Intriguing story with great character building

I really liked this book for the time it took to build character's backgrounds but I think it lacked on a clear building of the world itself. I was a bit lost at times with the infernals, half breeds, the commander, and the Usurper relationships at times.

Not Bad....but....could have been much better.

This was a clint eastwood with a baby and a sword....but rarely went kool. Mostly stayed mundane. Even the really neat parts would peter out and leave us with candy corn instead of hershey chocolates. And yes it could be whiny and droning at times. I had to take Harm brakes (that voice and dialogue) often. I would have liked to understand the sword tech more as well.

A unique adventure

I was a beautifully painted reading but it felt like the story went a little bit of everywhere. Not bad just not one of the greats.

Excellent.

Well written.
Probably better as a book.
Some details slid by with me missing what they said.
Reminds my of pilgrims progress mixed with the Mandalorian.
And there’s a goat

Interesting at First

It was intriguing at first but the lack of dialog or narration lead to losing interest in the character. Unable to connect with character without knowing their intent, thoughts or emotions made it difficult to stay with the book. Maybe I’ll return to finish it.

Best narration and a change from the normal story.

I need to start by saying this is not the kinda book you can half listen to. You can't fade in and out knowing it will work out as it should. You are thrown into the world, New things are introduced and you have to roll with it till you figure it out. The sentences are dense with information and the wording can suggest what is happing with out slaming you in face.

The main character is incredibly human in motivation and decsions. Not hero or anti-hero but a person.

The narration is the best I have heard so far in an audio book. Jot Davies does an amazing job. Everything from a monster to a baby and he nailed it.

If you're a reader, can handle not being mollycoddled and can eaither focus on the book or don't mind going back 30s now and then, it's a great book for something different and a solid book in itself. Again amazing narration.

Great story, tiring narration

Great depiction of a dystopian landscape. Story was ripe with conflict and action. However, the monotone narration stole the excitement from the story.

Decent story, hard to follow.Read it, don't listen

While the narrator was excellent, the way this book was written makes it a very challenging listen to at times. Flashbacks and "jump cuts" happen fairly frequently and its hard to keep up. This book is better read than listened to. That being said, the story told here was a fairly interesting one that I ended up enjoying. Would recommend but only to read.