Tower Lord

Raven's Shadow, Book 2

By: Anthony Ryan

Narrated by: Steven Brand

Length: 24 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Vaelin Al Sorna, warrior of the Sixth Order, called Darkblade, called Hope Killer. The greatest warrior of his day, and witness to the greatest defeat of his nation: King Janus' vision of a Greater Unified Realm drowned in the blood of brave men fighting for a cause Vaelin alone knows was forged from a lie. Sick at heart, he comes home, determined to kill no more. Named Tower Lord of the Northern Reaches by King Janus's grateful heir, he can perhaps find peace in a colder, more remote land far from the intrigues of a troubled Realm.

But those gifted with the blood-song are never destined to live a quiet life. Many died in King Janus' wars, but many survived, and Vaelin is a target, not just for those seeking revenge but for those who know what he can do. The Faith has been sundered, and many have no doubt who their leader should be. The new King is weak, but his sister is strong. The blood-song is powerful, rich in warning and guidance in times of trouble, but is only a fraction of the power available to others who understand more of its mysteries. Something moves against the Realm, something that commands mighty forces, and Vaelin will find to his great regret that when faced with annihilation, even the most reluctant hand must eventually draw a sword.

©2014 Anthony Ryan (P)2014 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“[Tower Lord] begins to realize the imagination and coherency of Tolkien, while remaining true to the heart and soul of the author. The Raven’s Shadow series is one of the best new series out there, challenging all the existing big-names to sit up and take notice, or be left behind.” (Fantasy Book Review)

“[Ryan has] proven himself as an author who can write a very diverse and convincing cast of characters...A wonderful follow-up.” (The Bibliosanctum)

The seed will grow.

If you could sum up Tower Lord in three words, what would they be?

Characters grow up.

What did you like best about this story?

Story expands. Threads tie together. Questions are answered. Great set up for the final book, but still a wonderful story on its own.

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

Besides the fact that I'm not reading it, I like the voices he brings to the characters and the way he brings the story to life without being schmaltzy. He carries the voice of the novel's style very well.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Many times it made me upset and sad. Without giving away spoilers, you fall in love with both old and new characters, and I was sad with the way they were used as well as the ways they prevailed.

Any additional comments?

Some have said that this book suffers from "second book in the trilogy" syndrome. I disagree. Let's be honest, it IS the second book in the trilogy. It needs to create some tension to be resolved in the final book. However, I did not feel that it dragged on. I thought it was well written and interesting, even though it built tension. The world expands. Stories become more complex. I think that people who think it was "draggy" are not used to the genre and don't have enough attention span to follow a complicated but well written plot with deep characters.

Great story but,

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I really like the story and the characters, but it is complicated. Lots of people to keep track of and Mr Brand has a great voice but it would be better if there were other narrators or he made more of an effort to distinguish between people. I am already waiting for Book 3. When it comes out I will need to listen to Book 2 again just to remember where we are.

Wonderful

Could not stop listening to this wonderful book. I love with the series, can't wait to start the next book

Great story, monotonous confusing narration

Im really enjoying the story, but iay switch to reading the books. This narrator is awful. His voice is nice, but he doesn't change his voice at all for dialog. It can be awful at times trying to parse out who is saying what to whom during character conversations. It's really too bad because I find myself spacing out because his voice becomes a slow droning when there is no change at all to signify characters. He also reads on the slow side. Oh well, the story is good enough to keep me listening, it just added several hours of relistwnibg to comprehend complex dialog

just keeps getting better

this is the fourth time that is have listened to this series and each time I find something new in the story.

love the story

good solid story

it was strong character driven but sometimes too many moving parts. much better if you knock it out quick so you dont forget the many storylines. female heroes are cool but bodily overpowering hordes or professional soldiers got to be far fetched

I. Loved. It.

I found this second installment to be so engrossing and moving. I was brought to tears on more than one occasion by the characters, the situations, the strife of battle and war. I’ll be starting the third book immediately.

Great world, confusing

Warning: The Book ends with a Cliffhanger!

This book has SO many people, doing SO many things, in SO many places, with SO many other people! I had to listen to the first 2 hours over again, then just kept soldiering on. Maybe it was the narration—scarcely a pause between what I hope were sections in the book, to direct me that I was in a different scene with different people. And I’ve gotten spoiled—the narrator kept reading (very well) in the same voice for every person. No voices, accents, etc. It all just ran together too much to follow well. If I have another 24 hours to listen to it again soon, I’m sure it will be much clearer!

Anyway, what I did get out of the story was very good—intense story, lots of heroes and villains, interesting world and customs. (But I HATE cliffhangers!)

Excellent series

They’re a little hard to follow sometimes and have to reread a page but that’s just another thing that makes these books great.

Awesome. Cant wait for next!

Great follow into to Blood Song! Cliff ending alert!
You will definitely become a fan if this author and narrator! :)