Stormwarden: Book 1 of the Cycle of Fire

I???m so pleased with Audible Frontiers for bringing us some older fantasy literature on audio! Stormwarden is a coming-of-age story that focuses on three youth (Jaric, Emien, and Taen) who get caught up in a battle between kingdoms, sorcerers, demons, and aliens. There are some now-classic fantasy characters here ??? scrawny orphan boy who gets a sword, white-bearded sorcerer who controls the weather, a beautiful enchantress with white hair and violet eyes, and a beautiful dreamweaver with black hair, but they're treated with respect by both author and audiobook reader (David Thorpe) who pack them full of vigor, drive, and both admirable and reprehensible character traits and emotions.

There???s plenty of the unexpected, too. For example, much of the story takes place at sea. Also, an alien endows humans with supernatural powers by injecting them with crystallized demons. For a coming-of-age story, the plot is refreshingly unpredictable and Stormwarden ends with an exciting action-packed climax ??? a trademark Janny Wurts feature. The reader also gets a sense of Wurts??? expertise in sailing, horsemanship, and other outdoor pursuits ??? all of these elements feel real and this is something that sets this fantasy novel apart from most of its peers. The narrative style is more expository than is my preference, and sometimes it???s wordy, but it???s full of passion and David Thorpe???s perfect performance lends enthusiasm and verve.

A big Janny Wurts fan from reading her later magnum opus, the Wars of Light and Shadow (which I have requested from Audible, hint hint!) I snatched this one up as soon as I saw it. And I was not disappointed. Janny Wurts is one of the best and most under-appreciated fantasy writers around today. This book proves the elements were there even in her early writing.

Diverse characters are brought together to save the Stormwarden who is under enchantment by the evil sorceress, Tathagres, in league with demons. In beautiful Wurts style, the action swoops into a very exciting climax. I can't wait for the next two books to be released! Hurry, Audible!

David Thorpe does a bang up job as narrator, with an ability to create a variety of voices appropriate to the characters and with expression that helps the tension build.

Audible: More Janny Wurts please! In particular The Curse of the Mistwraith, The Ships of Merior, The Warhost of Vastmark, The Fugitive Prince, Grand Conspiracy, Peril's Gate, Traitor's Knot, and Stormed Fortress. I'll buy them all! I promise!

Loved this book the story was wonderful and the narration by, David Thorpe is Fantastic! His voices and accents are first rate he has become one of my favorite narrators just from this one book. He has great range and cannot wait to hear him read the rest of this series and anything else I can find narrated by him. Please audible hurry up and release the second book in this series!

Perhaps it was the narrator, who was difficult to listen to, but it was also the extremely melodramatic characters created by author Janny Wurts. There was either too much drama and overwrought emotion, or so little as to be flat and boring. Explanations as to why characters behaved the way they did, did little to make them more likable or sympathetic. I was relieved when the book ended though the ending would leave one to believe that there is a continuation. Think I???ll be passing on any more books in this series.

The concept of a computer guarding mankind was the best part.. It used myth, legend and advanced technology as magic. I did not like all the dealings with feelings and emotions. Give me more action.

Not as whinny.

He did good voices. A lot of it was monotone.

No

This applies for the entire series. The books are complicated and I believe not suitable for audio book format. I have enjoyed Janny Wurtz in the past and enjoy her stories but only in the written word in future.

The author's verbiage is a tad melodramatic. The storyline is most unusual and quite interesting in and of itself...but....hmmm....but... ... The narration is extremely over the top and completely over acted (I "think" the narrator is...Australian?). The character voices range from deep slavic to sober japanese peeps and most of them are VERY excited a LOT of the time (except for the "bad" witch, she's quite calm in her wickedness). Sheesh. I remember this story as being awesome (the written hardcopy version). That was a LONG time ago. It IS (kinda) interesting but also.... (kinda) nerve wracking in this version. Too funny.

The whole concept of the story is great and the choice of reader makes the Nordic sounding story line as if you were there or at least listening to a host of different characters.

The unfortunate aspect is the writers need to use technical terms inappropriatly; such as a young pessent fishermans son knowing all the nautical terms and even how to navigate away from landand the Author using a plethora of these terms (as an example) in incidental description distracting from the main story line. This somewhat takes away from following a most interesting story line which combines Sorcery witha touch of Sci Fi and other gifts with interesting characters, Sorceresses, Sorcerers and Demons.

Was i happy to listen to it, yes; will i get the 2nd Book; that i don't know yet.

David Thorpe's forced overacted narration turns what could be a likable story into a painful diatribe. David's voicing is far too harsh and distracting, it sounds as if most of the characters are pirates. If I continue this trilogy, I will read it myself. Save your credits and get the Night-Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks or The Way of Kings:The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson instead.

The book sounds interesting but I could not get past the whiny voice the narrator used when the character was upset. The accents were horrible. The dialog was too slow. One of the worse audiobooks I have attempted to listened to. I wish I could get my credit back.