The Wheel of Osheim

By: Mark Lawrence

Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds

Length: 18 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

From the international best-selling author of the Broken Empire Trilogy, the thrilling conclusion to the Red Queen's War.

Mark Lawrence's "epic fantasy" (The Washington Post) continues as a reluctant prince returns from the bowels of Hell to engage in his greatest battle yet - among the living and the dead.

All the horrors of Hell stand between Snorri Ver Snagason and the rescue of his family, if indeed the dead can be rescued. For Jalan Kendeth, getting back out alive and with Loki's key is all that matters. Loki's creation can open any lock, any door, and it may also be the key to Jalan's fortune back in the living world. Jalan plans to return to the three w's that have been the core of his idle and debauched life: wine, women, and wagering. Fate, however, has other plans - larger plans.

The Wheel of Osheim is turning ever faster, and it will crack the world unless it's stopped. When the end of all things looms and there's nowhere to run, even the worst coward must find new answers. Jalan and Snorri face many dangers, from the corpse hordes of the Dead King to the many mirrors of the Lady Blue, but in the end, fast or slow, the Wheel of Osheim always pulls you back. In the end it's win or die.

©2016 Bobalinga Ltd. (P)2016 Recorded Books

Starts out bizarrely but soon comes on full force

When we first venture into chapter 1 we find find our fearful hero Jalan wandering somewhat fracturessly <-(is a word?) between the Sahara desert and the nothingness of Hell, enduring one torment after another just trying to stay alive. Honestly, I was so confused with this unfolding start that I was fearful that Mark had misplaced his muse on book 3.

I'm pleased that I continued since after Jalan found his way out of Hell, the novel took off like a loosed trebuchet going from one exciting scene to the next near-death encounter and finally culminating with one of a rare nail-biting endings that I've experienced.

What is really fascinating is how Mark blended Norse mythology with Snorri playing an uber-Beowolf along Greek Mythology with Jalan playing a farcical Odysseus with bits of Christianity and even added some godless Nietzsche "Will to Power" magic. If that weren't enough, as if an ode to the Bard himself, he even included some welcomed quotes to pull off this fantastic story.

Like the others...good for a long drive

Not the height of literature, but the writing style and story are interesting and the narrator is good to listen to

Oh WOW!

What a tale you have woven. Stories inside a story, drawn into the life of your characters. Thank you for such a wonderful and cowardly character that you grow to love.

Pleasantly Surprising

I had run of out books with my favorite Authors and decided to Google books similar and that led me to Mark Lawrence, an author I had never heard of before. I was so happy that I decided to give him a try. While I haven’t listened to his other books (which I’m about to remedy) I can say that the entire series of The Red Queen’s War blew me away. The way the story unfolds and the depth you find it taking was fantastic and immediately became one of my favorite collections. I can’t recommend this series enough, simply a must read.

I loved these books!

I can't remember laughing out loud at any other fantasy story, and I did it several times during this book and it's two prequels. They are witty and smart. Jarland is the best kind of protagonist (accidental) and Snori is a great sidekick. I read A LOT of fantasy and I don't think I've ever been entertained like this. The story isn't necessarily the type that leaves you on the edge of your seat, but I found myself really attached to the characters and wanting to find out what they would get into next. If you are looking for a great fantasy story that doesn't take itself so seriously then this is the book/series for you.

An excellent series!

Great series! A great story of apocalyptic renewal blended with surviving tech. Love the Prince’s blend of a less-than-brave playboy tied to his berserker dark side. The story of him and the Red Queen’s origins is very well told. Great narration too!

Amazing

This is my first written review ever. I have to say that I absolutely loved this book. It was an amazing conclusion to the story and the performance was great as always from Tim, but more than that I have never laughed so much at an audiobook in my life. I have listened to all of books by Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson, Salvator, etc... And this series is now my favorite. The characters are just so well written and engaging. Loved it and will probably listen to it again here very soon.

A fond farwell from the prince of fools.

While it does wander a bit, "The Wheel of Osheim" is a fairly good conclusion to the series, "The Red Queen's War". Being the third book there is a lot of content from the previous books that a listener must remember for most of it to make any sense, but for those who have been paying attention up until this point this book is worth the time.

Prince Jalan is still incredibly cowardly, whiney, narcissistic, selfish and sarcastic, but an audience will love him for the laughter he brings to the story as the main character. The narrator, Tim Gerard Reynolds, made audio magic with the entire series to this final entry and it is hard to imagine another person doing a better job.

The story starts off with a bang and we find Prince Jalan doing what he does best; running away. But soon he is once again tied to another epic quest that forces him to make a stand and face his fears...despite his best efforts not to. He is a liar and a cheat, but if anyone can save the world through a bizarre combination of blind luck and panic it's Prince Jalan.

This book recommended for people who already read the first two books of "The Red Queen's War" series and the entire series is recommended to fantasy adventure fans who would love to be entertained by humorously hypocritical main characters.

Excellent book, excellent narration

Really enjoyed both broken empire and red queen trilogies. Tim Gerard Reynolds' narration was perfect. Looking forward to the next series.

fun and enjoyable with a reader who is perfect

fun and enjoyable with a reader who is perfect for the story. get it I advise.