Seaborn

The Seaborn Cycle, Book 1

By: Michael Livingston

Narrated by: Elizabeth Evans

Length: 10 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

The seven houses of the matriarchal Seaborn have plied the seas of the Fair Isles for centuries, trading among the islands and fending off the attacks by the fearsome Bone Pirate.

But suddenly, out of the night sky, a common enemy appears - the Windborn, who come without warning to raid, burn, and kill.

Hoping to turn the tide, Shae - the Bone Pirate’s first mate - enacts a daring plan to fight her way aboard a Windborn vessel. The raid yields a prize - the airship’s captain who is, to Shae’s shock, a man.

Together with a reluctant heroine named Bela, they learn the truth of their shared history: the Windborn and Seaborn come from the same people, split apart by blood magick when a race of immortal mechanical men betrayed their human makers.

Now, these unlikely allies must make a desperate journey to confront the secrets of the past - and stop the dark magick at its source.

Michael Livingston is also the author of Black Crow, White Snow; The Shards of Heaven; and At the End of Babel.

©2020 Michael D. Livingston (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC

Good overall

I had a little trouble keeping the various characters in their proper places, since the story jumps back and forth between places and people, but enjoyed it for the most part.
The narrator is very good, BUT doesn't know that "quay" is pronounced like "key".
Since this word is used multiple times in the first chapter, I was almost irritated enough to give up on the book.
However, I kept listening and only had to put up with the mispronunciation a couple more times near the story's end.

Loved it

Elizabeth Evans is hands down one of my favorite narrators. Amazing job every time. Story grabs you from jump and is fast paced. Enjoyed every bit

Seaborn

At first I though I wouldn’t like the story but I really got into. It’s a great story. I will enjoy the next one!

Absolutely Great Storytelling

Michael Livingston's 1st book in the Seaborn Trilogy has everything a good story has. Adventure, Heroics and Bravery. Well written, great world building and characters you have heart for. It's a twist on perceived divisions where in this world women are the strength in their society, the ones in control. They are sea bearing folk who live and die on the sea. Sarah Evans does an excellent job narrating this story which is a mixture of Sarah J. Maas and Morgan Rice but on the sea. Highly recommend.

A decent swashbuckling story

Excellent narrator, alright book. The world has many problematic implications that it doesn't seem to be aware of, but past that it's fine. It's less of an investment than One Piece for those seeking an island hopping sailing adventure, if nothing else

Enjoyable audio book

A well crafted tale by Michael Livingston of an interesting world. I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook.

Might as well skip to the last 2 hours

The first 8 hours of this book are an absolute slog to get through. It takes almost the entire book for the overarching story of the series to be even shown. This compounded with the shaky character work makes it almost not worth listening to. Also it is very apparent how the author feels about certain subjects and definitely let's his political views show more than they should.
If you are looking for an immersive magic system that influences the entire world this probably is not the series for you. Unfortunately, the world that the author is trying to build has no opportunity to shine around all the less than stellar aspects of the book.
The performance was well done and the narrator did the best they could with the underwhelming material. A couple of mispronounciations are a bit jarring, but it does not cause the book to be unlistenable.
I would say take a look if it's free otherwise you should probably skip.

Engaging

Easy to listen to, story pace well maintained. Believable characters and plot without being trite.

Entertaining & fast paced

I really enjoyed the storyline. The narrator did a great job with all of the different characters. Engaging! I’m looking forward to the next part of the adventure.

I'll try it again maybe

struggled to engage.

maybe the preoccupation with heating men that did not add to.. a pit in the end.

ok. what! oh it's over. whew.. glad that was free.

I'll listen again. could just be mad timing.. or over my head maybe.. *cough*