The Beginning of Everything

The Rising, Book 1

By: Kristen Ashley

Narrated by: Liz Thompson, Dina Pearlman, Stella Bloom, Joniece Abbott Pratt, Esther Wane, Gemma Dawson, Robin Miles, Clara Francesca, Lance Greenfield, Jakobi Diem, Ralph Lister, John Hartley, Rupert Channing, Sarah Coomes

Length: 15 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

Once upon a time, in a parallel universe, there existed the continent of Triton....

The land was filled with beauty, but it was also splintered by war.

Out of the chaos grew a conspiracy to reawaken the Beast, a fearsome creature who wrought only tragedy and devastation. The only way to stop him is to fulfill an ancient prophecy: Triton’s four strongest warriors must wed its four most powerful witches, binding all nations together and finally bringing peace to the land.

This is the beginning of the story of their unions: the quiet maiden Silence and the savage King Mars. The cold warrior Cassius and the fiery witch Elena. The steadfast soldier True and the banished beauty Farah. And the pirate King Aramus and his mysterious Queen Ha-Lah.

Their unions will not be easy, but each couple must succeed....

The fate of their world is at stake.

©2019 Kristen Ashley (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC.

5 FANTASTIC STARS

Wow! This is the Kristen Ashley that I know and love. I listened to this book with my husband and we both loved it. I did had to stop it at the MM parts because he wasn't going to listen to that. I will agree with the other reviews that it's a bit confusing in the beginning. I think because there's so many characters but once the book focus on the main characters it starts to make sense. This book is entertaining and held our attention. We could not stop listening. There's little to know sex in this book and that has more to do with the couples getting to know each other. I believe the second book will make up for that. There's a rape scene in the first chapter but it's over fairly quickly. Narrators are fantastic and bring life to this book. Get this book. I'm on to tne next one.

Wow!

Excellent! It took a couple chapters to get in to it but after that I was hooked. Cant wait until the next one. Note this is a cliffhanger.

Addicted!

I'm an addict already. The begining was alot of information all at once. However once you everyone came together , it was hard not to want to hear about them all at once. So worth it! Perfect narration!

Tremendous!

loved this book. it was a slow start with lots of players but well worth the time.

Enchanting

Kristen Ashley writes the most amazing stories I have ever read. having these men and women who were able to bring her words to life with the way they spoke was a beautiful experience! I would highly recommend this story to everyone...as I do with ALL of KA books and I cannot wait for the next books in the series! Thank you Narrators

Good but...

KA is a gifted storyteller. Sadly, the egregious graphic sex scenes detract from the story. Two big issues without giving too much away. A bada__ sexually experienced warrior woman SHOULD not become a whimpering sniveling slave after a shag from a new lover. I don’t like magic vajayjays or wieners (yep, I said it) that can make a woman see God.
And the word ‘thus.’ Way too
Much of it and more than one character used it so it wasn’t idiosyncratic - just a poorly overused transition.
I am
Looking forward to another installment as recent KA’s have been disappointing. I hope there is more nuanced story and less skin slapping.

Entertaining

I was entertained throughout the story. The performers are amazing. The book has some graphic sexual scenes and opens with a violent scene, but I do think the scenes for the most part are just a part of the story to make it more realistic. This is not YA fantasy in terms of content. Honestly, I am glad for it. I liked the politics and cultural aspects of the story which I hope they build upon. The story line though, at its core, is fairly basic. Four men and four women must marry and build alliances to stop an evil force. I am hoping it gets a little more complex than that and the characters develop even more in the coming books. I feel like it is leading there and I am excited to continue on in the series.

Loved it couldn’t turn off

Kept me on my toes thru the whole story. Loved it. It is truly one of her best. Can’t wait for book 2

Amazing!

I have to admit it was a little hard to figure out all the characters and their various voices but once I did...... Amazing! The story took off! The cast's performance brought it to life. I can't wait for the next part.

not a good book

had a hard time getting through this reading of a f**ked up story of the old worlds