His Dark Empire

Tears of Blood, Book 1

De: M.R. Forbes

Narrado por: Jeff Hays

A wizard without family....

A warrior without memory....

A world without hope....

One thousand years ago, the world was broken and reborn beneath the boot of a nameless, ageless tyrant. He erased all history of the time before, enslaving the people and hunting those with the power to unseat him.

The power of magic.

Eryn is such a girl. Born with the Curse, she fights to control and conceal it to protect those she loves. But when the truth is revealed, and his soldiers come, she is forced away from her home and into the company of Silas, a deadly fugitive tormented by a fractured past.

Silas knows only that he is a murderer who once hunted the Cursed, and that he and his brothers butchered armies and innocents alike to keep the deep, dark secrets of the time before from ever coming to light - secrets that could save the world...or destroy it completely.

©2013 Michael R. Forbes (P)2015 Michael R. Forbes

Fantastic Performance with an OK story

What did you like best about His Dark Empire? What did you like least?

A great narrator propped a very so,so story. Interesting moments of action happen often.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Many parts felt rushed odd passages and descriptions of characters (constant references to the fact that Erin is a woman.)

What does Jeff Hays bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Characters were very distinct and one never feels like Jeff reuses another character's voice. He is one of the few male narrators that knocks female voices out of the park. He made this book better.

Could you see His Dark Empire being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

I certainly could. It would be a good show for Netflix.

The best book I've experienced since Harry Potter

Would you listen to His Dark Empire again? Why?

Absolutely yes. The story is gripping and not cookie-cutter. There are unexpected twists and it's not just some overpowered hero beating the baddies and taking names. It's a couple unassuming people doing the best they can in the situation they are in.

What other book might you compare His Dark Empire to and why?

Harry Potter series and Star Wars.
This has the makings of an epic. I'd read a dozen more books with these characters.

What about Jeff Hays’s performance did you like?

In the interest of disclosure, Jeff Hays did provide me a copy for review. That being said, if you look at my other reviews of free copies that I've received, you'll see that I don't just give rave reviews for free content.
Jeff has a practiced pace, great audio production, and a great voice. I was on board from the first chapter.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It did drop my jaw a couple times and made me angry others at the antagonist.

Any additional comments?

This is one of the best books I've had in a long time. I definitely recommend it!

Good start to a series

Free listen for an unbiased review...

I liked the book, first few chapters I thought the book would be corny, but it got its footing and finished rather strong while still leaving a lot that can unravel later on. Though I would like further explanation on some parts (i.e. attack in the valley), I will hold judgement as this is just the first book in a series where I hope these things have further relevance. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys this genre.

Great Story AND Great Narration

I really enjoyed this story. I love the author's style of writing. Most fantasy stories are full of descriptions of everything, which is great, but here, the story is told with a minimum of detail to the surroundings, just enough to let you know what you need to. Sometimes this leads to a feeling of the story being incomplete or dry, but it is perfect for this tale and allows you to know the characters better without having to learn exactly which shade of green every leaf on each shrubbery happens to be. The tale is engrossing, exciting and moves along quickly with no stagnant areas. The ending could have been a little more complete, but I understand that it is written as a series. I don't care much for that, but it is the trend lately, and it's hard to find a book that isn't, so it will do. I loved the narrator!! He did a wonderful job, but I could do without any sound effects. If I wanted sound effects I would watch television. I'd much rather listen to this wonderful performer reading to me. It makes a book so much more personal than when you are hearing unnecessary noises. I am looking forward to the next part!

Narrated extremely well, page turning story.

This was the first time I've experienced an audiobook, and I enjoyed it a lot! The characters' voices, I thought, were played greatly by Jeff Hays - the story was really brought to life. Furthermore, the tale itself always had me eagerly awaiting what happened next!

2 people learn about themselves, against the world

What made the experience of listening to His Dark Empire the most enjoyable?

First, Jeff is such an amazing talent in voices. I could listen to this story to hear his work even if I didn't like the story, which I did enjoy it. At the beginning, I loved the lead in with reading of the title page in the lilt of the character. There was music that set the stage for the story, making me all the more excited to get going with the story. Jeff is talented with his voice variation and putting it all together seamless as to create a piece of work that's fun to listen to. He adds the echo of calls, voices around the character, or laughter of many. I do love these small extras added to the story. The best part, we get the story in the Irish lilt of the setting and characters accents. It's clear to understand the words and gives a feel to the world they are in.

Have you listened to any of Jeff Hays’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to Jeff Hays and this book is the top of the notch for his works.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

At the end, with the information we learn, I was shocked. My heart stopped as we get the information.

The descriptions Forbes uses as he tells the story are like I'm listening to the sounds and seeing the world through the eyes of the characters. The writing didn't feel boring to me as we come to trouble after trouble with Silas and Eryn. There is something new at each turn, growing the world as we go.

Any additional comments?

Forbes has created an enticing story that we learn about the characters along side them through their battles, internal and external. Silas is a drunk who can't remember his past, and is good with that. Until he sobers up by accident. His body reacts to a threat in a way he never thought he knew how to. Their are accusations made of him. And he starts to remember as his body fights through withdrawal. As he travels and remembers more, we learn the pieces with him. Eryn is cursed and has no idea what that means for her. Eryn learns about the cursed as she travels with a growing determination to end the deaths of the Cursed and their loved ones, for her lost loved ones. These two pair up in a team that feels like a father/daughter relationship, and accept each other for their faults.

We learn about the Cursed as Silas and Eryn do in the book. It's catching when you learn how it all fits together. In the end we get the full explanation of the Cursed and what it is. It's a sort of magic that the people can do. But there is so much more to it and what "He" is hiding.

story ok

I personally couldn't get into this story. great narrator. this is just my opinion. it might appeal to others, just not my reading.

I almost passed this jewel up...

While I enjoy the fantasy genre in general and M. R. Forbes writing in particular, I had made a decision earlier to skip this novel. I'm not sure why, actually, since that decision was several months ago but it had to do with something in the preview narration. However, after reading a positive recommendation on another, non-Forbes, novel review, I decided to give it a shot. I'm glad I did.

Not only was the story rather unique and well structured, the narrator added just the right tone for unraveling the tale. I was especially pleased at how well he was able to mimic the gruff sounding male characters but his ability to effortlessly transition to the higher tenor of both teen children and female characters was equally enjoyable as it was surprising.

I'll not repeat the description of the novel since that is already well-described in its listing but the travails that the two protagonists experience are well worth the listen for anyone who enjoys both a good coming of age story mixed in with a journey of redemption for one truly wretched man.

Curses swords and sorcery

Interesting storyline. The narrator did a fair job with all the characters. Thick Scottish or Irish brogue. The plot line is interesting. I will need to read/listen to more of te series to really understand what's going on in the realm in the long run...I received this audiobook from the author narrator or publisher for free via audiobookblast in exchange for an unbiased review.

Unique world that pulls you in and won't let go

Believable characters, engaging performance by the narrator. Can't wait to listen to the next book!

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."