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A King's Ransom
- Narrated by: Emily Gray
- Length: 27 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Release date: 03-06-14
- Language: English
- Publisher: Recorded Books
- Whispersync for Voice-ready
Regular price: $45.49
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Publisher's Summary
This long-anticipated sequel to the national best sellerLionheart is a vivid and heart-wrenching story of the last event-filled years in the life of Richard, Coeur de Lion. Taken captive by the Holy Roman Emperor while en route home - in violation of the papal decree protecting all crusaders - he was to spend fifteen months imprisoned, much of it in the notorious fortress at Trefils, from which few men ever left alive, while Eleanor of Aquitaine moved heaven and earth to raise the exorbitant ransom.
For the five years remaining to him, betrayals, intrigues, wars, and illness were ever present. So were his infidelities, perhaps a pattern set by his father’s faithlessness to Eleanor. But the courage, compassion, and intelligence of this warrior king became the stuff of legend, and A King’s Ransom brings the man and his world fully and powerfully alive.
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- happy
- Boston, MA United States
- 05-07-14
unfortunate narration
Would you consider the audio edition of A King's Ransom to be better than the print version?
NO. Penman's writing is so crisp, so clear, so colorful. This is the first audio of hers I've listened to and I was disappointed. King Richard sounded like Thurston Howell III on painkillers and Richard's queen Berengaria's voice was so simpering and insipid I wanted to scream every time she had dialogue.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Joanna of course.
Would you be willing to try another one of Emily Gray’s performances?
No thank you.
Who was the most memorable character of A King's Ransom and why?
Eleanor of course. What an amazing woman she was!!!
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lynn
- 05-26-15
Ditto with previous reviewer
Listening to Emily Gray was painful , the Female voices sounded like little girls or such a deep voice it could have been a mans voice . Even with changes in characters her voice was so monotoned. Seemed she was just reading words and then sentences without much emphasis . Great story .
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- ewock
- 01-31-16
Educational
This author does lots of research then presents the facts in novel form. This means there is distortion do to adding personality. So you will learn a lot of history in an enjoyable way, but there is some bias on who is the hero and who the bad guy.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Linda Morse
- 12-10-16
Absolutely AMAZING!!!!
What made the experience of listening to A King's Ransom the most enjoyable?
The relationship King Richard and his mother had, so touching!
Who was your favorite character and why?
King Richard, because he was such a warrior and Protector of England.
Which character – as performed by Emily Gray – was your favorite?
Queen Eleanor
Who was the most memorable character of A King's Ransom and why?
Joanna, she was so kind to everyone.
Any additional comments?
I was disappointed that Bengaria was not spoke off in the end.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 09-24-16
a fantastic book, the best of King Richard
The world that surrounded him and his family
at the time of his reign. Great
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Matthew
- 04-02-16
Great Book!
Emily Gray gives a wonderful performance. Bringing characters to life and making the high drama of court real. I recommend this book and its prequel: Lionheart. 5 stars for both books.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jennifer Kemmerling
- 05-16-18
Skips
I returned this book because the recording repeats and skips so it is very frustrating to listen to. You should really pay more attention to this.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Waynek
- 07-07-15
Most boring Edward the Lion Heart ever.
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
Not in audio form. It may have been better in print, but the performance kind of ruined it for me.
What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?
I loved the Eleanor and Joanne plots. Eleanor of Aquitane has always one of my favorite historical women.
What didn’t you like about Emily Gray’s performance?
Her performance of Edward the Lion Heart was wooden an comical. Apparently he was the slowest speaker in history.
If this book were a movie would you go see it?
Yes, I think a movie version would be great with Meryl Streep as Eleanor, of course.
Any additional comments?
I usually love Sharon Kay Penman, but this was probably her worst book to date. I hope the rest are better.
2 of 8 people found this review helpful