A Princess of Landover

A Princess of Landover is the sixth volume in one of my favorite fantasy serieses after Lord of the Rings and The Belgariad. For years my only exposure to these novels came via the Library of COngress and their Talking Book program. Unfortunately the narrator of those versions wasn't the greatest as far as I was concerned. He gave characters different voices but not much in the way of expression.
Then about eight years ago I discovered the commercially available audiobook versions, produced by Brilliance Audio and narrated by Dick Hill. These versions were far better, not merely because Dick Hill's voices were more varied (although I will agree that he makes Abernathy sound rather like the Geico Gecko), he also brings emotion to the presentation. When characters cried I thought he actually was crying about something on several occasions. Others may not agree but I generally have liked everything I've heard from Mr. Hill.
But unfortunately I'm not fond of abridged books, even if I'm rereading a book I've already read before. So I was a little disappointed when I purchased the then five novels in the Magic Kingdom of Landover series and found them to be abridged. Fortunately most of what was cut from the programs was unimportant.
Now, however, they're all available from the same company and done by the same narrator, but in unabridged form. The sixth novel takes up five years after the end of Witch's Brew. Mistaya, the daughter of Ben Holiday and Willow, king and queen of Landover, has just been expelled from a women's college preparatory school on Earth and returns to Landover. As punishment, Ben charges her to reconstruct Libris, the long-abandoned royal library. Though initially reluctant, Mistaya quickly befriends a mysterious young man named Tom and discovers a sinister plot in the works that could spell the end of Landover.

The narrator reads the book in a voice that does not resemble true expressiveness but which is instead similar to the voice some people mistakingly & condenscendingly affect while reading to small children. He also pauses at strange places within sentences (places where there is no comma, colon or semicolon). I wouldn't say it ruined the book but it was irritating.

Another great story from Terry Brooks. I'm downloading all the other Landover books because of Dick Hill -- a real pleasure to listen to.

While we all look forward to the next book of a series that we love, it can be a huge disappointment at times, and A Princess of Landover falls into that category. Mr. Brooks leaves us not in suspense with this tale, but rather shaking our heads as if he thought that anyone of us who has gone through the teenage years with our child would find anything here new or novel (no pun intended!).

Glad to see another book in the series come out on Audio

Typical Terry Brooks, for the series, but not as powerful as the first few books

All in all it was a good listen, and I was glad to see another book in the series. The momentum is slowing down, however, and I'm not sure if another book in the series, with out some serious effort, is a good idea..

This was a great book, and an even better series. I wasnt sure I wanted to get into this one, but after not having anything else, I figured I would give it a try. I loved the Shannara series, but always thought this would be slightly more childish. I was very surprised. Though, being an avid audiobook listener, I had a hard time imagining Dick Hill being anyone other than Lee Childs Jack Reacher. Dick Hill is an excellent narrator, and love all of his work that I have come across.

see above... Must listen to the whole series. I could not stop listening.

great for the grandkids (and us) to listen to while travelling.

I really love Terry Brooks as an author, but the Landover series to me is just OK. They don't really have the same impact as the Shannara series. This was actually one the the better Landover books in my opinion.

This was a great story. I enjoyed it. It was clean enough to allow my kids to listen along. :)