The Hand of the Sun King

Pact and Pattern, Book 1

By: J.T. Greathouse

Narrated by: Jeremy Ang Jones

Length: 14 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Wen Alder was born into two worlds.

On his father’s side, a legacy of proud loyalty and service to the god-like Sienese Emperor spanning generations. And it is expected that Alder, too, will follow this tradition by passing the imperial exams, learning the accepted ways of magic and, if he serves with honor, enhancing his family's prominence by rising to take a most powerful position in Sien - the Hand of the Emperor.

But from his mother he has inherited defiance from the Empire, a history of wild gods and magic unlike anything the Imperial sorcerers could yet control. It began when his spirited, rebellious grandmother took Alder into the woods and introduced him to her ways - ways he has never been able to forget.

Now, on the verge of taking the steps that will forge the path of his life, Alder discovers that the conflict between the Empire and the resistance is only the beginning of a war that will engulf both heaven and Earth, gods and man - and he may be the key to final victory for whichever side can claim him as their own....

©2021 J.T. Greathouse (P)2021 Podium Audio

Critic reviews

“An original fantasy filled with magic and culture, the story of a character torn between two names, two loyalties, and two definitions of good and evil.” (Kevin J. Anderson, New York Times bestselling author of Spine of the Dragon)

Good book. Would read a sequel.

I liked the intelligence, learning and growth of the main character.

I didn’t like how he acted like a fool all the time. And how a few of the plot points sounded like baloney.

I’d recommend this book to people around a middle- or high-school level.

Beautiful prose in fantasy?!

While it does happen (Rothfuss, Tolkien, Le Guin), fantasy generally veers from prose for the sake of pace. This is especially so in a slow, vast world-building story like this one. Out of a fear that the audience will lose interest, authors tend towards more brisk and terse narration to hasten the laying of the groundwork.

Greathouse does not. Nor does narrator Jeremy Ang Jones try to amend this by omitting pacing or long pauses when they would be appropriate. In this case, it all works together beautifully.

Regarding the actual story, Greathouse averts fantasy cliche’s masterfully, while still keeping the reader invested. His first person view from the eyes of an imperfect main character forces the reader to argue with each choice made; the payoff is well worth the time taken. This is a great read!

amazing story

I thoroughly enjoyed this unique story. I've read enough books that I can often guess how they end, but this one kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat.

Great story and well performed!

Interesting characters brought to life in this great story with lots of twists and turns. The narrator did a good job conjuring the images with his wonderful voice.

Best debut since “ The Name of the wind “

Wow - brilliant writing and character development - it grabs you makes you happy, breaks your heart and keeps you wanting more.

third time threw

getting ready for number two such a great story I am anxious to see what happens 😅

A wonderful experience!

I have to preface this by saying I’m not much of an audiobook listener, as I often have trouble focusing on the content. Even though the premise was compelling and I adore Jeremy Ang Jones’ other work, I was worried I would have the same problem here.

I am delighted to report I did not. The narrative performance is spectacular, and the variety of voices is deeply entertaining and enriching. JT Greathouse choosing a basis in imperial China rather than the typical European backdrop to construct his epic fantasy is something I both admire and enjoyed, coming from an Asian Studies academic background myself. It’s a hero’s journey, through and through, but Wen Alder’s mistakes are humanizing, and his tragic flaws are what make him a protagonist worth following down a twisted path. The other reviewers here are correct about when the action picks up— I started crying in the middle of chapter 13 and could not stop listening after that, but the fourth and final section of the book is so good I had to tell four different people how much I love it.

I must point out, specifically on the point of narration, that Jeremy Ang Jones does an INCREDIBLE job voicing old women. While it is a treat to hear his full range on the whole, I really was impressed by this in particular.

I cannot wait to see what the next book has in store for me!

loved listening to every second.

This will be my first review I will have done for a book so if it doesn't flow well I'm sorry.
The story was pulling my attention the whole time with it's fast pace and how the author was able to share our hero's pov. Imo this is worth a read. Performance of the narrator was awesome. His voice is very pleasant to listen to as our foolish cur, and his accompanying voices for the rest of the people we'll meet. it's very easy to follow conversations as you can easily tell who is speaking. I'll gladly follow this story of someone finding his place in the world full of magic, gods, secrets and danger.

Sanderson-esque world with Robinson-esque dialogue

I started this once, but I wasn't in the right mindset. the talent of Jeremy Ang Jones cannot be denied, but his gentle tones lulled me a bit too much.

when I picked it up again, I couldn't put it down. a road trip flew by as I sat straight in my driver's seat (safely, and far more healthy for my back) I told the final chapter. I chuckled, whooped, and muttered "called it..." in the way you call a jumpscare after the fact and try to shake it off like you expected it...

Greathouse doesn't rely on lengthy explanations of systems and cultures. Instead, the references sprinkle in recognizable clues and references from our own history to let readers imagination fill in the gaps. I found myself revising characters and spaces in my mind as I connected them to my own experiences, and I know I'll be pleasantly intrigued and surprised when I hear the interpretations of others.

The story is well-paced, but doesn't rely on a formulaic rhythm to do so. There is philosophic dialogue, literary ramblings, problems to be solved, all served with portions of suspense, intrigue, and revelations. I don't remember a moment where I sighed and wished the narrator would just get on with it... It is a testement to Greathouse's skill that I never felt he was posturing or flexing. The narrator's flowery descriptions would get undercut by a "regal" or "mythic" characters pithy realism.

Jeremy Ang Jones delivers a diverse cast, a dynamic range, and a pace with appropriate gravitas and energy. After one characters introduction, I nodded and muttered, "Well done" and at the conclusion, thanked him for keeping me company on the last leg of my drive.

I have pre-ordered the next installment. I am anxious to see if we will hear more from the voice of Alder, or if we will experience the Garden of Empire through the lens of another...

Enjoying

Ordered some gorgeous hardbacks but listening and am happy I ordered the books! So far, worth the investment.