The Envoys of War

The Envoys of Chaos, Book 1

De: Dave Lawson

Narrado por: Laurence Stirling Knott

Don’t kill the messengers.

As a bodyguard for the King’s Envoys, Gen is content with her life of traveling, drinking wine, and hitting things with her sword. It’s the perfect job. Until the King sends her and her friend Cordyn into war-torn enemy territory on a mission to deliver vital military intelligence to an allied nation.

The problem? The mission is a sham.

Gen is tasked with determining if Cordyn is a spy who is selling information to the enemy. Cordyn is the worst kind of libertine: brash, arrogant, and on the run from half the husbands in the kingdom, but Gen can’t imagine him betraying her or their nation.

With obtuse bandits, vengeful mages, and a resolute lutist, they embark on a daring rescue mission, complicated by Cordyn’s increasingly complex schemes. As ominous enemy plots surface, Gen and Cordyn must decide what matters most. Their nation, or their friends.

A rollicking fantasy adventure for fans of Dungeons and Dragons, Nicholas Eames, and Michael J. Sullivan.

©2024 Dave Lawson (P)2025 Dave Lawson

Familiar setting, unlikely band of adventurers

We've grown accustomed to the status quo of adventure tales: Kings, kingdoms, sword fights, and magic. Inevitably one ruler will go to war against another for something they both want. In a simple setting, this pits fighters and mages from each side against each other in battles of strength and spells. But, this story doesn't do anything simple. From the initial assemblage of our party, to the backgrounds they share, and the ones they don't, our primary and supplemental characters become more complex and more intertwined in their journey. With an intelligence and humor that keeps you alert and focused, Dave Lawson weaves small and large encounters that tie in nicely to form a larger world. But who can you trust, and who will stab you in the back? Lawrence Knott does a fine job with narration, but I often wished the character voices were a bit more distinct and nuanced. The plot is heavy, the characters are well defined, the atmosphere is described in enough detail you can taste it. [Disclosure: I received this title for free and listened at 2.1x.]

Fun characters

I loved the characters the FMC Jen is a great blood thirsty heroin. I wish the narrator had a bit more variation in his character voices but overall it was a great listen and seems to have a nice set up for the next story in the series if the author feels like writing another

Great audiobook

What an adventure! Gen and Cordyn are your MCs and so fun! Gen’s inner monologue hilarious! Cordyn and Evelia banter is funny with a very minor romance sub plot. The found family in this book is really great. Tobias and Cork are really great side characters and can’t wait to read more about them too I hope! I really appreciate the world and the descriptions really allowed me to see the world in my mind! I listened to this book first and then read several of the chapters on KU because I felt I missed part of the story and I’m so glad I did! The humor in this book!!! The best!! Such a great adventure!

The audiobook was done so well! The narrator was fantastic! His voice changes for the characters was perfect! Had to listen slower @1.2 though because this is a very fast paced book and I was missing a lot hahahha. Overall, great fantasy adventure with quests, twists, lovable characters. Thank you @ Dave Lawson for sending me this audiobook. This review is my honest opinion!

Fun Adventure

I enjoyed the fantasy setting. All of the main characters are fun and well-written. There were also a few surprising twists that I didn't expect.

Twists and Turns

This one really knocked my socks off! If you want something that keeps you on your toes, pick this one up!

Fun but not simple

Great banter but not at the expense of real character growth and complexity. This kept me wondering about true motivations and expectations which is always fun.

Get Ready For A Rollicking Good Time!

If you're looking for a fun fantasy adventure, look no further! It was funny, with great voice, and wonderful characters hay has me invested from the get go.

Gen and Tobais where were my favorites. Gen with her affinity for winter plum wine and naming dangerous animals was hilarious and I lovrd seeing the world from her point of view. Tobias was the brooding anti hero that added a nice depth to the story.

The narration was fantastic and I loved all of the characters voices.

I highly enjoyed this adventure and can't wait to see where the crew goes next.