The Shard Axe: Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited, Book 1

It is not a story of adventurers on a quest in a strange, new environment. It is a more of a detective murder trial mystery, with action and political intrigue backdrop. In some places it had the feel of enjoying a Kill Bill or James Bond action scene. The detective part is most of the story with action scenes along the way. The mystery is not obvious, so several theories of whodunnit and why occurred to me at different points. The creatures and magic are givens described, without system or theoretical explanations, which is how D&D is supposed to be. The main character is in the Defenders, which is like an order of Marshals or the Pinkertons who operate in and for several kingdoms and their courts, and she has a reputation some like and some don’t. She and the other main characters are interesting and complex, not 2D and stupid, so that adults can actually enjoy the story. There is no graphic sex, blood and guts, and almost no romance aspect -thankfully on all 3 counts as those are different generas. Flashbacks to a previous event occur and help to add body to the story and characters but you don't need to have read whatever book that is from, if there actually is one. It did not seem like catch-up stuff but there to add depth to the present.

I liked the narration. A few of the nonhuman voices are a little strange but they are dwarves and other creatures so I would have expected this and it seemed right to me.

Most of the books in this new D&D Audible section seem to be recently released and I didn’t see any reviews yet so I thought I should add one.