Betrovia: The First of Three of the Series Land of Betrovia

By: Dave King

Narrated by: Ian Miller

Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

What can a man expect from his Creator after losing his wife to a long, debilitating illness, then agonizing over raising two daughters on his own?

Being challenged to pursue a new career path, not once, not twice but three times early in his adult life can also create anxiety about the future. Patrik Veillein, as a newly-married young man (with a dutiful but recalcitrant wife in tow), turns away from the comforts of small town life to help his uncle manage a road-side inn many miles away. And before he gets a handle on that new job, before he can learn all there is to run a roadside inn, the uncle suddenly dies. If he had stayed where he was born, in the village where he was well-liked and well-adjusted, he could have become a successful hunter, fur trapper, and quite possibly a successful artist.

Moving to the Lonely Fox Inn meant leaving everything that was comfortable, predictable and even rational. Managing the Lonely Fox Inn meant meeting boisterous traveling salesmen, surly soldiers, mean-spirited mercenaries, and even an adventurer harboring a deep, dark secret. But, it also meant facing disappointment, disillusionment and even disaster.

©2011 Dave King (P)2013 Dave King

A great character driven fantasy story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, the book was very enjoyable, and well-written.

What did you like best about this story?

I like the fact that the story centers on an inn-keeper and his family rather than on heroes and warriors. It makes it easier to relate to the characters, while also giving it a fresh and original perspective on the fantasy genre.

Which character – as performed by Ian Miller – was your favorite?

Patrik

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Troubled times are coming to the land of Betrovia.

Any additional comments?

Dave King is a fantasy author who clearly has an eye for the grand as well as for the little things. Whether it is the politics of the kingdom or the politics of the kitchen, the author pays close attention to every detail. This is definitely my kind of fantasy story; it remains focused on the characters and their day to day doings without losing sight of the grander picture, and without locking you inside their heads like many modern fantasy novels seem to do.
In Betrovia, Dave King approaches the fantasy genre from a unique perspective, telling the tale mostly from the perspective of an old inn keeper - the sort of man who is usually only in the background of epic stories.
I liked just about everything about the book. There was very little in the way of magic, which I much prefer over magic-saturated stories like The Wheel of Time series. The author did a great job of making his characters lovable and interesting, each with their own quirks and strengths.
The dialogue was especially interesting. There was a lot of humorous banter and the characters had some unique expressions that helped give you the sense that you were truly in a different land and a different time.
One of the most enjoyable fantasy stories I've read in a LONG time.
The audio performance was excellent! Ian Miller really made the story come alive, and added a lot of... character to the characters. It really felt as though Betrovia had a culture of its own just in the way the voice acting was executed. One of the best audiobook performances I have listened to.