The Death King

Death, Book 1

De: Penelope Barsetti

Narrado por: Michael Ferraiuolo, Ramona Master

I was fifteen when the Death King came for us.

With a mighty black dragon and the ability to command the dead, he raised an army of our fallen soldiers to fight for him—and conquered us in the night. My father, King Laurier of Scorpion Valley, couldn’t stop him. I tried to flee but came face to face with the man in black armor, the man who looked more like a god than a human. Instead of killing me, he chose to show me mercy… but it didn’t feel like mercy.

Not when the next ten years of my life are spent as a slave in the Arid Sands, digging for Black Diamonds from sunrise to sunset. I'm also the personal slave of General Titan—a man who has grown obsessed with me. The work under the hot sun is unbearable—but I prefer it to his company any day. I’ve never tried to escape because there’s nowhere to run in the desert, but all of that changes when I hear the news—that the Death King is coming.

I sneak out in the middle of the night to steal his dragon, but that backfires in my face—because you can’t steal a dragon. Khazmuda is no mindless beast. He can speak directly into my mind and hear my thoughts in return. The Death King is about to kill me, but Khazmuda changes his mind—because I have the gift.

The ability to speak with dragons.

The Death King spares my life once again and takes me back to his castle. He has no idea who I am, has no idea what he did to my family ten years ago. He asks me to fight for his cause—but he won’t tell me exactly what that cause is. And then he tells me he wants more from me… desires me more than any other because, like him, I have the gift.

I can’t deny he’s the most handsome man I’ve ever seen, with eyes black like midnight, a jawline as sharp as his dragon’s talons, the height of a mountain, and shoulders as broad as a stream. But no amount of attraction will ever change the fact that he destroyed my life. The answer is no—and it’ll always be no.

But the Death King doesn’t accept that answer.

This book contains dark themes with subject matter that may be difficult for some listeners.

©2024 Penelope Barsetti (P)2024 Dreamscape Media

Great Story! audible, not so much

the story is incredible. but audible is hard to follow, and very monotone. The book describes Talons voice as super deep, but it's not. it would also be helpful if the characters are having a conversation, each person would speak, instead of the actors changing their voices.

Yep

I honestly picked this because it sounded good and had dragons in it. the narrators both did a fantastic job. I absolutely fell in love with the characters. I was rooting for them, and crying for them. ( literally) I can't pick a favorite from the series. I couldn't be more happy with spending my credits on this author.
checking out her other audible books as a follow on...

Narration

I could not get past the way the male narrator sounded. Hard to describe, almost clinical? I can’t finish listening.

Guy gives me the ick

I think it’s a compelling and interesting story and I love the main character girl she’s strong and fearless but the GUY EWEEWIIICHHKKK GOD HES insufferable so arrogant and demanding such a turn off and soo pushy!! Like a toddler that won’t listen to the word NO. It’s so frustrating after reading about all her abuse then she’s just thrown into another situation where she can’t live freely and is subjected to another forceful man who just wants to fuck her. I don’t usually give reviews but I don’t think I can even finish this book.

The story has potential

This could have been good if the romance and spice was done right.
But the spice was not spicy, it was more a man’s fantasy to justify SA.
It’s was gross.
The mfc explained perfectly what SA victims felt with her internal monologue. Maybe some Stockholm Syndrome? The mmc’s mindset on the mfc was confusing. I didn’t care for him. Personality was dry.
Eventually the plot seemed like it was forgotten and it’s all about him trying to convince her to sleep with him. There’s no passion, just confused obsession. lust because she’s pretty. Their enemy’s to lovers banter was flat. The mfc is a fighter and I liked her. The female voice actor was a little over dramatic in some areas in my opinion, but overall was good. Fiery like the character. The male voice actor was dry like the character so I guess he did a good job too.
It eventually moves on with the story.
Definitely some parts throughout the book that needed editing.

Hidden gem

Worth a read!! This is a really good read or listen. Penelope is a great story teller. I started and couldn't stop. Narration was great.
There are some graphic spicy scenes (read trigger warnings) The spice between talon and calista was just enough without overwhelming the whole story. Could make a few movies from this one.

Good!

My only complaint is the casting for the male narrator. The story is good, the characters are developed, I enjoy the writing style…I’m surprised. I usually don’t give over 4 stars to anyone.

Good story

I liked the story, but the male voice does not match the the male character. The book talks about his deep voice and the voice is not deep at all.

Unnecessary SA

Alot of unnecessary triggers....it didn't move the story along or make it better. ALSO the male narrator is clinical and doesn't match. At some point, I was sure the author lost the plot and it became about how the MMC could coerce/force the MFC into s@x. I've read/listened alot of romance fantasy books and this one was frustrating because I like darker themes when done right and have zero triggers but these were just pointless. However, I really liked the story premise with the dragons, just the SA was so extremely pointless, it added zero value. I kept asking myself - but why tho. I was CONVINCED a creepy old guy who doesn't understand consent or romance wrote this...

Would have been 5 stars, but…

The story is great. Totally new idea, not the same old genre plot regurgitated. I like the characters and the world building, etc. I’ve even gone on to read the next couple books. But there was one big problem I had with this book that almost caused me to set it aside: when first getting to know the MMC, I really questioned the author and character’s understanding of CONSENT. And especially after what the MFC had been through in the slave camp, it is very unrealistic that she would react the way she does and would accept the MMC at all. The author doesn’t understand trauma. But considering the books that have inspired the author’s pen name, and her choice of male narrator, it shouldn’t be surprising. This issue alone costs this book an overall 2 star loss in rating from me. This day and age, the author should know better.

But the plot and MFC were compelling enough for me to keep listening and eventually the issue ceased (even if unbelievable), and I got lost in the story. I just want the author to learn from this and not repeat it in her future writing.