Avenger

The Sanctuary Series, Volume Two

By: Robert J. Crane

Narrated by: Wayne Thompson

Length: 14 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's Summary

The world of Arkaria is a dangerous place, filled with dragons, titans, goblins and other dangers. Those who live in this world are faced with two choices: Live an ordinary life, or become an adventurer and seek the extraordinary.

When a series of attacks on convoys draws suspicion that Sanctuary is involved, Cyrus Davidon must put aside his personal struggles and try to find the raiders. As the attacks worsen, Cyrus and his comrades find themselves abandoned by their allies, surrounded by enemies, facing the end of Sanctuary and a war that will consume their world.

©2011 Reikonos Press (P)2013 Reikonos Press

Much better

This was a far superior book. I guess I will make time to read the rest.

Amazing Series

This series is one of my top 3. there is only one problem, audible only carries books 1 and 2 of 9.

I truly wish they had the rest, however, whether by book, e-reader, or audible this series is worth every second.

Well Done

I read this book a few years ago. I just started listening to audio books. This book was done well. I hope Mr. Crane finishes the Sanctuary Series; although, he is not completing the "In the box" series.

Betrayal

What did you like most about Avenger?

Everything. I am an unashamed fan of all of Crane's series and although this is his first series, it is the last I started reading, hence a review years after first publication. I am already knee-deep into 'Champion' and wondering what lies ahead for poor Cyrus.
If you enjoy reading series in this genre, I would definitely recommend the Sanctuary series and strongly advise that you read it in order of publication so as not to miss out on any of the adventures or back story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Avenger?

The trials in Purgatory were really imaginative and testing

What about Wayne Thompson’s performance did you like?

The narrator, I think, made this an even better experience, really capturing the characters with consistency. I was really sorry to see that the rest of the Sanctuary series is not available

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

Avenger shows an author who has grown in experience and confidence, his characters are more rounded and the dialogue more flowing. He has created convincing characters - the good guys goodish; the bad guys, well some über-evil at times - and injected a healthy dose of humour into this book. I had, at times, roared with laughter or grunted in indignation and, in a moment of pure frustration, even shouted at Vara. The characters are, mostly, likeable and the newer applicants and members, notably Aisling and Fortin, bring some moments of humour to an otherwise difficult time for those at Sanctuary whose very honour and lives are on the line.

Any additional comments?

I sometimes wonder how many people REALLY read and put stock in prologues - and epilogues, for that matter. I, for one, am finding myself intrigued by these opening and closing chapters of the Sanctuary series and have started to read them back to back, hoping to solve the mystery before it is given to me in the last book of the series.

By the second to last chapter of Defender - first in the Sanctuary series - I was certain I would detest Vara forever. Her arrogance and, at times, childishly demeaning comments are at such odds with the rest of the 'good guys' that I wonder why she is tolerated where she clearly feels more superior. Not that it would stop my reading of the series, but she's really irritated me, always finding the most negative things to say to Cy - one of my favourite flawed heroes of all time. And of course, he seems to be carrying a torch for the 'Ice Princess' who cannot reveal the mysterious title 'Shelas'akur'. Now, at the end of Avenger, I have to admit that I am slowly warming to Vara.

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Good story.

The way the story has been written keeps your interest, it doesn't have the fast paced danger of some books and stories, but it does have a strong development.