Way of the Argosi

The Spellslinger Series, Book 0.5

By: Sebastien de Castell

Narrated by: Kristin Atherton

Length: 11 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

The Alchemist meets The Three Musketeers - with card tricks - in the first of two prequels to the best-selling Spellslinger series. A brilliant origin story of adventure, wit, and philosophy to enrapture devotees as well as newcomers to the series.

Ferius Parfax has a simple plan: Kill every last inhabitant of the spell-gifted nation that destroyed her people, starting with the man who murdered her parents. Killing mages is a difficult and dangerous business, of course, but when she meets the inimitable and extraordinary Durrall Brown, she discovers that physical strength is not the only way to defeat evil of all kinds. So Ferius undertakes to study the ways of the Argosi: the loosely-knit tribe of tricksters known for getting the better of even the most powerful of spellcasters. But the Argosi have a price for their teachings, and by the time Ferius learns what it is, it may be too late.

©2021 Sebastien de Castell (P)2021 Bonnier Books UK

Not just YA

While (im)patiently waiting for this book to drop, I took the opportunity to listen to the entire Spellslinger series. What an absolute treat. I'm not well-versed in the YA genre but found there's a lot of heart here. And some excellent lessons in finding one's moral compass and place in the world when everything is stacked against you. There's also a good mix of adventure and humor.

With regard to this title specifically, it was interesting to discover a character backwards. First learning who she became in the main series and now learning how she got there. After growing quite fond of Joe Jameson's Ferius, it was easy to slip into the voice Kristin Atherton chose for her. Kristin's pacing never fails to draw you in and keep you there. And no one does chilling voices better. Eagerly awaiting the next in the series. This was a very entertaining listen.

Ferius Parfax is built different

Ferius Parfax is an astounding and well rounded character, and the various things that happen to her go from bad to good to bad to o hell no to I think she's alright. like other de castell novels, it builds and is a roller coaster of fun! one thing, the narrator "mardeck" (sp?) is southern, but she uses and drops it randomly. doesn't take away from the story, just noticable.

Captures both heart and imagination

I adored the Spellslinger series and now that we get to look deeper into Ferius and the Argosi I am absolutely thrilled. This book was a delight, the story was amazing and the narrator was fantastic

Incredible

Sebastian is amazing. I never love prequels but this man is capable of wielding a magic tale that draws you in even more so then the Spellslinger series. This is truly worth every minute.

An Emotional Roller-Coaster

The plot of this book may outwardly follow the narrative of the life of one girl as she comes to understand the way of the Argosi, but at it's core it follows the emotional journey of someone struggling to process all life's thrown at them.

Grief, anger, sadness, fear, loneliness, friendship, love, hope, frustration, desperation, and despair - you'll get to feel them and maybe learn to live with them along with the main character.

And if you've already read Sebastien de Castell's Spellslinger series this will be great backstory if you pay attention to the names.

Kristen Atherton did a top job with the narration as well.

Overall - you may not want to start this if you're depressed as it can be a downer in the beginning, but otherwise recommended.

absolutely fantastic storytelling

The world de Castell has made is amazing and the narrator did such a good job. Love these books

Good prequel! Glad to be back in the world.

Great story! Performance got a little dry in places, but overall solid. It was nice to get some answers and meet some of my other favorite characters

Incredible Prequel

SdC never fails to spin a story you can absolutely fall into. Perfect narration.

Gritty but boring.

The pacing of the story made me unable to get through more than an hour of it. Gratuitous violence that didn't feel necessary and I felt as though I was dropped in the middle of a story already being told. Performance was fine, if a little drawn out.

Not what I expected

I have enjoyed other books by this writer a lot, but I did not enjoy this one. There is no happy, fun, or adventure in this book, just struggle. I did not like the sound of the narrator and the main character's accent kept changing around. Spoiler Alert: For the first 20 chapters the story has nothing but killing, torture, captivity, suffering, more killing, before the character moves on and meets up with more people that are suffering, but they make life better by maiming people, stealing and killing. No thank you. I liked this writer so much I purchased two of the Argosi books but I can't continue with this unhappy story. If you can get past the dreary, this is a very good writer, but the story does not work for me. I did not finish the book.