Awaken

The Mortal Mage, Book 1

By: B. T. Narro

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 11 hrs

Publisher's Summary

Desil has spent his life training, but a promise to his mother has kept him from using his abilities for anything worthwhile. Now all he does is help his mother manage her tavern as his father rests in a grave. Desil knows there's at least one other mage somewhere in this territory who can do what he can; they share a connection through their magic, although they've never met. He stays up nights wondering what they might be able to accomplish together.

When an opportunity to not only meet this mage but change the course of his future finally presents itself, Desil jumps at the chance. A great leader has disappeared, leaving clues that only Desil and this other mage can see. War is coming, and following the clues could mark Desil as a traitor, but he trained his whole life for something. If this isn't it, then what is? He might unearth a new power capable of ending war, or he might die trying. Either is better than doing nothing.

©2017 B. T. Narro (P)2017 Podium Publishing

Great Listen - Just What the Doctor Ordered!

I started listening to this during a 2 hours route canal and thankfully it was engaging and interesting enough to hold my attention - for the most part - through the root canal. By the end, I was hooked and listened to the rest eagerly.

The performance was good, but not exceptional, and the story and world was unique and interesting.

I'm looking forward to book 2.

Bummer...

I purchased this book based on the reviews of others but was disappointed. The concept seemed interesting, but just did not seem to go anywhere.

I struggled to finish it and kept hoping that it would get better, but in my opinion, the story never really worked the way it was written. I am not sure if I will try another in the series.

Enjoyed it for the most part.

The last book I read from this author was a disappointment, but this book was surprisingly good. Characters make a story for me and the last book I read was one dimensional. This was a bit more, allowing the readers to see from the perspective of the other characters and not just the main. Also, in his books people don't seem to react as they would naturally do and at times I feel disconnected even if the story has an explanation as to why the character reacts the way they do. overall it was ok.

My First Return

Would you try another book from B. T. Narro and/or Simon Vance?

No. The picture of a main character should not be of a all situational controlling, self important, little prat, who has been made easily hate-able.

Has Awaken turned you off from other books in this genre?

Of course not. I am just afraid after purchasing 60 books that I am finally coming to the bottom of the barrel having listened to all most all of audibles Medieval feel / Fantasy type of books.

What aspect of Simon Vance’s performance would you have changed?

He was a pretty great reader. I had no issues with his voice.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment at nearly every turn.
Especially

(spoiler alert)

When the main dude meets his father who is not dead. Then saves his father and is like give me hugs dad then that's it. No emotion at all.Also another disappointment was the first time the two main characters have a connection more than friendship. They are both bruised bleeding and in pain but its all good because they are not tired and are both up after everyone else has fallen asleep and are about to have romance.Just no thought put into it

Any additional comments?

I would of kept the main character, but alter him completely. I tend to notice a inner struggle in many main characters across many books. This should be intriguing as it helps to draw the reader in to the characters personality. However, this characters inner conflict is how much of a prat he shouldn't be (controlling over any anything), but keeps being anyways through out the whole book.
There were times when the know it all character, who you start out sorta thinking is cool for the first 20 minutes then hating for the rest of the book, fails to notice something or acts snide when he is magically the only one who knows how to do something.

For example.
The ladder.

Yes the ladder. Oh how I imagine every reader begged for the situation where our 3 heroes are stumped on how to lower ones self onto a ladder leading into a hole. Where the main character was going to go first. Then is told he shouldn't because it isn't his deal, then is asked for help on how to get on the ladder. Then he asks to go first. Then the other character is like no ill go. Then asks again how they should move while on a ladder. Then finally musters the courage to climb on it leaving the last character (the fearless women warrior) outside because she is to afraid to get on the ladder, but then ends up coming down anyway because why not.

YES I KNOW. I purposefully made that confusing because guess what? That is how it is in the story!

Next as we see the BRAVE but CAUTIOUS heroes learn they must take a boat. Instead of following with the caution side of things. They take a SUPER DRUNKEN UNSAFE PIRATE WHO ESCAPED FROM THE WORST PRISON ON THE PLANET BUT LOVES KISSES FROM PRETTY WOMEN, over the obvious safer and cautious route of going to the elves for a boat.
Thank you book for blowing my mind. Right as I get to thinking I know the 2 girls they both go full on caution-less, fearless, and stupid teenagers on me.

The story is scrambled more than my morning eggs.

Dull

It was hard to get invested in any of the characters. The main character's motivation is a mystery, even to himself. He goes on a quest to be a stand-in for the readers' eyes. The rest of the characters are pretty two dimensional.

On the plus side, it's anti-war.

long overly drawn out

well it was worth a listen but not much more than that. The story is just the same old same old story. not much to it.

great story

it was a great story I only wish it wasn't set to read straight forward not really any deviation to others

Super introduction to a great adventure

1st of course the narrator continues to be amazing and that's how I found this author.

Second, I enjoy the writing style which is solid and well edited, I can tell a lot of work went into this piece. I enjoyed the characters and some of their conflicts. The magic system is intriguing without being over the top. I look forward to finishing the series!

MEH...Top Performance by Simon Vance...BUUUUUT...

Simon Vance is one of my favorite performers and I am a huge fan of Fantasy Fiction. BUT this story to me was a little dry.

Good character, bad plot

Our MC is refreshing in that even though he's only 18, this isn't a Coming of Age story. He's already confident, assertive, and strong, so he doesn't having any growing to do on his journey. But as a character, he come across as pretty two-dimensional. While I respect him, I don't have any fondness for him.

My main complaint is the dumb plot. It basically consists of a girl rushing around to find her missing parents just so she can say good-bye and our MC wants to help her. They rush off into danger for no better reason than that.

A minor complaint is the subplot with the MC's father. I knew where it would end up, because it's such a cliched story line.

Magical stuff!

Compelling story with a unique magical system. Contains unexpected twists! Simon Vance is my favourite narrator and makes the words cone alive.

very good bit slow to start

I found the beginning hard to get into to but as the story got in it was very good

Great Book as always but different pronunciations

Excellent book, where the world has moved on a number of years with new characters. I found it more difficult to get into this one as the narrator pronounced words differently. Cairo became keyro. Took some getting used to but the story was great.

narrative excellent

The story is intricately woven and narrated perfectly.
I will look for more books narrated by Simon Vance. His performance really makes a book come alive.

Good performance but the story not great

Good performance but the story not great, I was dragging the book in the end

Undecided

There seemed to be something missing when I started listening to this book - some backstory?

It is about a boy, Dresil, who lives at home and helps his mum, who runs a magic tavern. Dresil wants more than the boring life he currently leads and his wish is about to come true. He has formed a connection with another mage through magic and he is eager to learn who she/he is. However, opportunity is about to knock on his door and he will clutch at it with both hands.

I am undecided about this book. It was slow to start, but did pick up a little. It was enjoyable. I will try book 2 and see what it brings.