The Wretched of Muirwood

Legends of Muirwood, Book 1

By: Jeff Wheeler

Narrated by: Kate Rudd

Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

In the ancient and mystical land of Muirwood, Lia has known only a life of servitude. Labeled a “wretched”, an outcast unwanted and unworthy of respect, Lia is forbidden to realize her dream to read or write. All but doomed, her days are spent toiling away as a kitchen slave under the charge of the Aldermaston, the Abbey’s watchful overseer. But when an injured squire named Colvin is abandoned at the kitchen’s doorstep, an opportunity arises. The nefarious Sheriff Almaguer soon starts a manhunt for Colvin, and Lia conspires to hide Colvin and change her fate. In the midst of a land torn by a treacherous war between a ruthless king and a rebel army, Lia finds herself on an ominous journey that will push her to wonder if her own hidden magic is enough to set things right. At once captivating, mysterious, and magic-infused, The Wretched of Muirwood takes the classic fantasy adventure and paints it with a story instantly epic, and yet, all its own.

©2011 by Jeff Wheeler. (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Such a great book!

We live in a truly wonderful time. There are so many amazing fantasy writers, and so many books and audio books available to us. How lucky are we?! Jeff Wheeler is a great writer, and has produced some really good series. The Muirwood series is off to a great start with this book! The characters are so well written and instantly endearing. Just the right amount of backstory, told at the most appropriate time. The way the author delivers the plot is very refreshing. There are a lot of moving pieces in this story, and the ones that the author chooses to spend time detailing are the exact ones that I would want details of! Some of the dialogue between the characters is a little forced, thus the 4 star review, rather that straight 5's, but overall, this was a great audio experience! I have already started book 2!

The wretched of muirwood

Is a good book to listen to at bedtime. Is reminding me of the hobit

Enjoyable Book

I quite enjoyed this book. Got better the more I read. I am looking forward to reading the next one.

Enthralled

loved it! I was so drawn in, couldn't put it down. such a great reader

Jeff Wheeler does it again

I first encountered Wheeler’s imagination in the Kingfountain series, which I loved. I was a bit torn on which series to move onto next, as he has some background novels on the history behind the Kingfountain series but also recommended the Legends of Muirwood for important context on the final books of Kingfountain. So I went with Muirwood, wanting a little change of pace. I have to say that I have loved this series even more. I’d try to elaborate why, but the book speaks for itself…just read it. Wheeler explains a lot about each of his series on his site, so definitely check out what he has to say if you aren’t sure where to start. This first story of the Legends of Muirwood is vivid, moving, and beautifully imagined. I love the way he weaves history, legend and religion from our world into new contexts in his stories…one of the more creative and skilled writers out there today. I look forward to the next two.

It is a fine listen but a limited story.

The story was well told. However it is rather predictable. Wish some of the characters were more developed.

Enjoyable

I enjoyed this story. There is a lot of character development throughout the story. The characters progress and learn. It kept me reading.

Wonderful adventure

First of all I absolutely love this narrator! The voices were flawlessly interchanged and the characters felt incredibly real to me.
The story also was incredible. I could see muirwood. The thought and imagination that went in to creating this story is amazing. I was drawn in from the moment it started.

Loved!

the narrator is fantastic in this audiobook! So much emotion and can convincingly play multiple characters! Of course, the narrator had a fantastic script to read also!

Truly amazing performance; love the story

Both the story and the performance of the story was astounding. I purchased the two other books in this trilogy and intend to keep reading his books, especially those with the same voice actress.