The Lord of Opium

By: Nancy Farmer

Narrated by: Raul Esparza

Length: 11 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

As the teenage ruler of his own country, Matt must cope with clones and cartels in this riveting sequel to the modern classic House of the Scorpion, winner of the National Book Award, a Newbery Honor, and a Printz Honor.

Matt has always been nothing but a clone - grown from a strip of old El Patron’s skin. Now, at age 14, he finds himself suddenly thrust into the position of ruling over his own country. The Land of Opium is the largest territory of the Dope Confederacy, which ranges on the map like an intestine from the ruins of San Diego to the ruins of Matamoros. But while Opium thrives, the rest of the world has been devastated by ecological disaster - and hidden in Opium is the cure.

And that isn’t all that awaits within the depths of Opium. Matt is haunted by the ubiquitous army of eejits, zombielike workers harnessed to the old El Patron’s sinister system of drug growing - people stripped of the very qualities that once made them human.

Matt wants to use his newfound power to help, to stop the suffering, but he can’t even find a way to smuggle his childhood love, Maria, across the border and into Opium. Instead, his every move hits a roadblock, some from the enemies that surround him...and some from a voice within himself. For who is Matt really, but the clone of an evil, murderous dictator?

©2013 Nancy Farmer (P)2013 Simon & Schuster

Fantastic

I truly hope to see a 3rd book in this series, such a beloved series

Engaging

I would encourage everyone to read the first book House of Scorpions for the fall character development prior to this book.

The antidote - but was it so long in coming

I disliked The House of Scorpion, but if I had read The Lord of Opium first, I would at least have had some hope, hope that dark fantasy has a silver lining. This book reintroduces into the world some aspects of human dignity and care. Because 11 years separated the publications, I wonder of Farmer really intended the first to be a one-off.

Some aspects of this second book were less than stellar. For example, the eco-lectures could have been woven into the story better rather than feeling like an exposition (in the literary sense). Then, I seemed to miss the part where Matt (raised in squalor, isolation and disdain) gets his ability to exude confidence, insight and compassion. Is he an Ender Wiggin, who does not need preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, caring adults and a caring family environment to be better than the rest of us? By age 14? And where does that voice come from? And do geo-synchronous satellites fall straight down if you cut the rope?

The author interrogates the narrator (Esparza was great), and they talk about a potential movie. Please please please only do book 2, with book 1 relegated to flashbacks.

Great narration!

I really enjoyed the narrator. He made a somewhat slow story still entertaining. I liked hearing the conclusion but preferred the first book.

Love it

It's a great read, and a great second to the series... I hope for a third...

A completely satisfying sequel.

My husband read these books years ago, and purchased them on Audibles for our children. We have listened to both books at least three times through. The reader does not disappoint. He is very animated and his voices are so distinct and it all flows so well. There is even a bit at the end where the author and the reader have a short conversation. I don't want to give anything away, so I won't go into detail about the story. Be sure to listen to House of the Scorpion first! You don't want to miss anything. I hope they make a movie!

Raul Esparza is amazing!

This book was suggested to me by a friend. I downloaded the audible because my daughter had it on her list for reading. I decided to listen to it while I worked and this story has taken me away. Nancy Farmer does a great job with expanding from House of the Scorpion! Raul does a phenomenal job with all the different characters that I forget he’s only one person that it is borderline genius and scary. The idea that this could be possible shakes me to my core. Bravo!

amazing

i loved every second of it I just wish a third one would come out

great audio book!

Really enjoyed the story, the voices were excellent! Hope there will be a continuation to this story and would be an eye opener as a movie as well!

Amazing story and acting.

While this may have been shorter than the house of the scorpion, this was more complete. After finishing it I didn’t feel as if major questions or points were left unresolved. Am I left wanting more? Yes. Most definitely but that’s the sign of a good book. I don’t want the experience to end. I would love a third book but I am very pleased with this. The voice acting was amazing perfect choice.