Resolutions
aren’t usually my cup of tea, but after spending the majority of 2018 planning my wedding and a huge move (and *ahem* two separate D&D campaigns), I’m ready to reset and refocus. In the past, I’ve set numerical listening goals—e.g. listen to 35 books—but this year, in the interest of being more realistic about my time and mental energy (see: running two D&D campaigns while planning my wedding and a move), my goals are a little more fluid: listen to at least one more book apiece from authors I already love (Octavia Butler to start), make progress in a series I’ve been slacking on (His Dark Materials—I’m coming for ya!), and check out the new releases that excite me (which you may catch a glimpse of below).In fact, I’ve set some more realistic goals at work, too. At the time you’re reading this, I will be setting up my new apartment, so I’ve asked my fellow editor Melissa to help curate this edition of the Worlds Away newsletter. You may know her as our romance editor, but she’s also a massive fantasy fan, so we’re kindred spirits on this team. Take it away, Melissa, and catch you all again in February!
- Sam, Audible editor
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The Ruin of Kings
- By: Jenn Lyons
- Narrated by: Feodor Chin, Vikas Adam, Soneela Nankani
- Length: 27 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 1,458
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,319
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Story4 out of 5 stars 1,318
Kihrin is a bastard orphan who grew up on storybook tales of long-lost princes and grand quests. When he is claimed against his will as the long-lost son of a treasonous prince, Kihrin finds that being a long-lost prince isn't what the storybooks promised. He also discovers that the storybooks have lied about a lot of other things, too: dragons, demons, gods, prophecies, true love, and how the hero always wins. Then again, maybe he’s not the hero, for Kihrin is not destined to save the empire. He’s destined to destroy it.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Amazing
- By Kevin Potter on 02-07-19
The best sci-fi and fantasy of 2018…
Hey y'all, Melissa here. Can I call you y'all,
is that okay? Okay, cool. Let’s start this off with some news that’s guaranteed to perk your ears up. Three words, ready? New. Epic. Fantasy. All coming out in 2019, these epic fantasies written by women (mostly) are going to be owning it this year. And the narrators! Vikas Adam, Anjoa Andoh, and Feodor Chin are among those who have been announced so far.
To read more, click here.
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Kill Monster
- By: Sean Doolittle
- Narrated by: Vikas Adam
- Length: 9 hrs
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 85
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 82
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Story4 out of 5 stars 82
When treasure hunters excavate the long-lost wreck of the Steamship Arcadia from a Kansas corn field, a buried creature awakens - a mindless brute made of accursed earth, shaped like a man, but in no way mortal. A century and a half after its creation, the golem’s sole mission resumes: to assassinate a savage pro-slavery guerilla commander named “Bloody Bill” Wolcott. Wolcott, of course, is long dead, but his closest surviving descendant - a corporate IT burnout named Ben Middleton - is quite available.
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1 out of 5 stars
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Had to stop listening
- By Karen K on 02-06-19
LOTR’s Gollum will look cuddly…
…next to this creature, an actual golem. For those who aren’t familiar, golems are clay creatures from Jewish folklore. They are magically animated using the ancient arts of Kabbalah, a sect of Jewish mysticism. In some stories, they tend to be a little violent. In this one, quite so. One unsuspecting IT guy in the present-day is about to experience the full wrath of a golem that was built with the sole purpose of killing his ancestor. It’s crazy, it’s original, and it’s narrated by Vikas Adam (he’s having a busy year already!). If you like scary + witty + thrilling, then clear your schedule, because it’s coming for you in late January.
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The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm
- Tales from Alagaësia, Volume 1: Eragon
- By: Christopher Paolini
- Narrated by: Gerard Doyle
- Length: 4 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 5,557
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 4,957
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 4,952
It's been a year since Eragon departed Alagaësia in search of the perfect home to train a new generation of Dragon Riders. Now, he is struggling with an endless sea of tasks: constructing a vast dragonhold, wrangling with suppliers, guarding dragon eggs, and dealing with belligerent Urgals and haughty elves. Then a vision from the Eldunarí, unexpected visitors, and an exciting Urgal legend offer a much-needed distraction and a new perspective. This volume features three original stories set in Alagaësia, interspersed with scenes from Eragon's own unfolding adventure.
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3 out of 5 stars
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Too many loose ends.
- By Ezra kovacs on 12-31-18
Return to the land of Alagaësia
After seven years, Christopher Paolini, author of The Inheritance Cycle, is coming back to the land of our childhoods. Set after the final book in the series, we get to see what Eragon, Saphira, Murtagh, Angela, and the whole gang are up to in this new story collection. If you’re like me and you were just like WHAT, I HAVE QUESTIONS as soon as you saw this book, then tune in to my interview with Christopher where I ask him all those burning q’s. For example: What is this book and where does it fit into the world of Eragon? What’s next from him? And is there going to be a book five to The Inheritance Cycle?? Never fear, it’s all here. You ready?
About the Editor
Sam is obsessed with sci-fi & fantasy in all forms, with a particular soft spot for robots, time travel, and kick-ass heroines. When she’s not exploring distant galaxies and treacherous dungeons, she enjoys a healthy dose of memoirs, horror, and true crime. She is also an avid knitter who uses audiobooks to get her through mundane and challenging patterns—even if the more intense listens tend to mess with her tension.