-
Blood Song
- Raven's Shadow, Book 1
- Narrated by: Steven Brand
- Series: Raven's Shadow, Book 1
- Length: 23 hrs and 5 mins
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Action & Adventure
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Audible Premium Plus
$14.95 a month
Buy for $24.50
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Tower Lord
- Raven's Shadow, Book 2
- By: Anthony Ryan
- Narrated by: Steven Brand
- Length: 24 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Vaelin Al Sorna, warrior of the Sixth Order, called Darkblade, called Hope Killer. The greatest warrior of his day, and witness to the greatest defeat of his nation: King Janus' vision of a Greater Unified Realm drowned in the blood of brave men fighting for a cause Vaelin alone knows was forged from a lie. Sick at heart, he comes home, determined to kill no more. Named Tower Lord of the Northern Reaches by King Janus's grateful heir, he can perhaps find peace in a colder, more remote land far from the intrigues of a troubled Realm.
-
-
The Great Swampy Middle!
- By Jack on 07-11-14
By: Anthony Ryan
-
Queen of Fire
- A Raven's Shadow Novel
- By: Anthony Ryan
- Narrated by: Steven Brand
- Length: 26 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After fighting back from the brink of death, Queen Lyrna is determined to repel the invading Volarian army and regain the independence of the Unified Realm. Except to accomplish her goals, she must do more than rally her loyal supporters. She must align herself with forces she once found repugnant - those who possess the strange and varied gifts of the Dark - and take the war to her enemy's doorstep. Victory rests on the shoulders of Vaelin Al Sorna, now named battle lord of the realm. However, his path is riddled with difficulties.
-
-
The Completion of the Collapse of Potential
- By Joe Chad on 07-14-15
By: Anthony Ryan
-
The Wolf's Call
- A Raven's Blade Novel
- By: Anthony Ryan
- Narrated by: Steven Brand
- Length: 16 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Vaelin Al Sorna is a living legend, his name known across the Realm. It was his leadership that overthrew empires, his blade that won hard-fought battles - and his sacrifice that defeated an evil more terrifying than anything the world had ever seen. He won titles aplenty, only to cast aside his earned glory for a quiet life in the Realm's northern reaches. Yet whispers have come from across the sea - rumours of an army called the Steel Horde, led by a man who believes himself a god.
-
-
A Return To Form: Vaelin Is Back
- By Chris on 07-30-19
By: Anthony Ryan
-
The Black Song
- A Raven's Blade Novel, Book 2
- By: Anthony Ryan
- Narrated by: Steven Brand
- Length: 17 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Vaelin Al Sorna was known across the realm as the greatest of warriors, but he thought battles were behind him. He was wrong. Prophecy and rumor led him across the sea to find a woman he once loved, and drew him into a war waged by the Darkblade, a man who believes himself a god - and one who has gathered a fanatical army that threatens all of the known world.
-
-
A bit disappointed
- By Ray G. on 08-21-20
By: Anthony Ryan
-
The Lord Collector
- A Raven's Shadow Novella, Book 1.5
- By: Anthony Ryan
- Narrated by: Steven Brand
- Length: 1 hr and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Author's note: The following story takes place in the same world as my novel Blood Song, the first volume in the Raven's Shadow trilogy. I wrote it because I wanted to more fully explore characters who appear in Blood Song and the sequels Tower Lord and Queen of Fire. Readers familiar with my work are sure to recognize a certain pale-eyed, raspy-voiced Sword Master of the Sixth Order, and those curious as to the origins of the Tower Lord of the Southern Shore will find answers here.
-
-
Everything but the price
- By Kindle Customer on 07-10-15
By: Anthony Ryan
-
Many Are the Dead
- A Raven's Shadow Novella
- By: Anthony Ryan
- Narrated by: Steven Brand
- Length: 3 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For decades, the brothers of the Sixth Order have fought a savage war against the Lonak clans amid the frozen peaks of their dominion. When word reaches the North of a fresh outbreak of the dreaded Red Hand, Brother Sollis, the finest swordsman in the Order, leads a small band to a long-abandoned castle in search of a potential cure but discovers a far greater threat lurking in the mountains. Enemies become allies as Sollis leads an increasingly desperate fight against an inhuman enemy steeped in the power of the Dark.
-
-
A Cure and Many Deaths
- By David K. van Hoose on 11-08-19
By: Anthony Ryan
-
Tower Lord
- Raven's Shadow, Book 2
- By: Anthony Ryan
- Narrated by: Steven Brand
- Length: 24 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Vaelin Al Sorna, warrior of the Sixth Order, called Darkblade, called Hope Killer. The greatest warrior of his day, and witness to the greatest defeat of his nation: King Janus' vision of a Greater Unified Realm drowned in the blood of brave men fighting for a cause Vaelin alone knows was forged from a lie. Sick at heart, he comes home, determined to kill no more. Named Tower Lord of the Northern Reaches by King Janus's grateful heir, he can perhaps find peace in a colder, more remote land far from the intrigues of a troubled Realm.
-
-
The Great Swampy Middle!
- By Jack on 07-11-14
By: Anthony Ryan
-
Queen of Fire
- A Raven's Shadow Novel
- By: Anthony Ryan
- Narrated by: Steven Brand
- Length: 26 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After fighting back from the brink of death, Queen Lyrna is determined to repel the invading Volarian army and regain the independence of the Unified Realm. Except to accomplish her goals, she must do more than rally her loyal supporters. She must align herself with forces she once found repugnant - those who possess the strange and varied gifts of the Dark - and take the war to her enemy's doorstep. Victory rests on the shoulders of Vaelin Al Sorna, now named battle lord of the realm. However, his path is riddled with difficulties.
-
-
The Completion of the Collapse of Potential
- By Joe Chad on 07-14-15
By: Anthony Ryan
-
The Wolf's Call
- A Raven's Blade Novel
- By: Anthony Ryan
- Narrated by: Steven Brand
- Length: 16 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Vaelin Al Sorna is a living legend, his name known across the Realm. It was his leadership that overthrew empires, his blade that won hard-fought battles - and his sacrifice that defeated an evil more terrifying than anything the world had ever seen. He won titles aplenty, only to cast aside his earned glory for a quiet life in the Realm's northern reaches. Yet whispers have come from across the sea - rumours of an army called the Steel Horde, led by a man who believes himself a god.
-
-
A Return To Form: Vaelin Is Back
- By Chris on 07-30-19
By: Anthony Ryan
-
The Black Song
- A Raven's Blade Novel, Book 2
- By: Anthony Ryan
- Narrated by: Steven Brand
- Length: 17 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Vaelin Al Sorna was known across the realm as the greatest of warriors, but he thought battles were behind him. He was wrong. Prophecy and rumor led him across the sea to find a woman he once loved, and drew him into a war waged by the Darkblade, a man who believes himself a god - and one who has gathered a fanatical army that threatens all of the known world.
-
-
A bit disappointed
- By Ray G. on 08-21-20
By: Anthony Ryan
-
The Lord Collector
- A Raven's Shadow Novella, Book 1.5
- By: Anthony Ryan
- Narrated by: Steven Brand
- Length: 1 hr and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Author's note: The following story takes place in the same world as my novel Blood Song, the first volume in the Raven's Shadow trilogy. I wrote it because I wanted to more fully explore characters who appear in Blood Song and the sequels Tower Lord and Queen of Fire. Readers familiar with my work are sure to recognize a certain pale-eyed, raspy-voiced Sword Master of the Sixth Order, and those curious as to the origins of the Tower Lord of the Southern Shore will find answers here.
-
-
Everything but the price
- By Kindle Customer on 07-10-15
By: Anthony Ryan
-
Many Are the Dead
- A Raven's Shadow Novella
- By: Anthony Ryan
- Narrated by: Steven Brand
- Length: 3 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For decades, the brothers of the Sixth Order have fought a savage war against the Lonak clans amid the frozen peaks of their dominion. When word reaches the North of a fresh outbreak of the dreaded Red Hand, Brother Sollis, the finest swordsman in the Order, leads a small band to a long-abandoned castle in search of a potential cure but discovers a far greater threat lurking in the mountains. Enemies become allies as Sollis leads an increasingly desperate fight against an inhuman enemy steeped in the power of the Dark.
-
-
A Cure and Many Deaths
- By David K. van Hoose on 11-08-19
By: Anthony Ryan
-
The Waking Fire
- The Draconis Memoria
- By: Anthony Ryan
- Narrated by: Steven Brand
- Length: 22 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Throughout the vast lands controlled by the Ironship Trading Syndicate, nothing is more prized than the blood of drakes. Harvested from captive or hunted Reds, Greens, Blues, and Blacks, it can be distilled into elixirs that bestow fearsome powers on the rare men and women known as the Blood-blessed. But not many know the truth: that the lines of drakes are weakening. If they fail, war with the neighboring Corvantine Empire will follow swiftly.
-
-
Decent Start to a New Series
- By Joshua on 09-21-16
By: Anthony Ryan
-
The Knights of Erador
- The Echoes Saga, Book 7
- By: Philip C. Quaintrell
- Narrated by: Steven Brand
- Length: 21 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Here is today's lesson; heroes die. It’s been 15 years since the Orcs were defeated. Fifteen years since a new king rose from the battlefield. Fifteen years since Illian knew the horror of war. Fifteen years of peace are about to end. Something is coming. Shadows gather. Whispers of rebellion have reached the king. Darkness stirs beyond Illian’s borders. Beyond the mountains, Dhenaheim has lost a quiet war. Refugees pour into Illian, bringing suspicion and unrest. For Doran Heavybelly, Dhenaheim's war means facing a personal tragedy that demands his attention...and his axe.
-
-
Best book series
- By Anonymous User on 09-22-20
-
Rhythm of War
- Book Four of The Stormlight Archive
- By: Brandon Sanderson
- Narrated by: Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
- Length: 57 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After forming a coalition of human resistance against the enemy invasion, Dalinar Kholin and his Knights Radiant have spent a year fighting a protracted, brutal war. Neither side has gained an advantage. Now, as new technological discoveries begin to change the face of the war, the enemy prepares a bold and dangerous operation. The arms race that follows will challenge the very core of the Radiant ideals and potentially reveal the secrets of the ancient tower that was once the heart of their strength.
-
-
Meh - boring
- By Louis on 11-22-20
-
The Lady of Crows
- Raven's Shadow, Book 0.5
- By: Anthony Ryan
- Narrated by: Steven Brand
- Length: 2 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A quest for bloody vengeance forces Derla, a skilled veteran of the Varinshold underworld, into the service of arch schemer King Janus. Charged with protecting the renowned drunkard and cardsharp Sentes Mustor, Derla finds herself drawn into a high stakes game with the notorious criminal overlord known as One Eye.
-
-
LOVED it ....this story ended too soon 😕
- By Lysane Maynard on 01-16-17
By: Anthony Ryan
-
Rise of the Ranger
- The Echoes Saga, Book 1
- By: Philip C. Quaintrell
- Narrated by: Steven Brand
- Length: 15 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Mankind has lorded over the land of Illian for a thousand years, building on the ruins left by the elves, as if it were their birthright. A thousand years is a long time for an immortal race to see the truth of things, a truth that has remained unsaid for a millennium - elves are superior. They are faster, stronger, and connected to the magical realm in a way that man could never grasp. Illian should belong to them.
-
-
Narration lowered my sperm count
- By ronnito on 03-21-20
-
Destroyer of Worlds
- Saga of the Forgotten Warrior, Book 3
- By: Larry Correia
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 16 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Great Extermination has begun. In the Capitol, Grand Inquisitor Omand Vokkan hatches a plot to kill every member of the untouchable caste in all of Lok, down to the last man, woman, and child. As a member of the Order of Inquisition, Vokkan has no official say in the creation of Law, but he has powerful allies willing to do his bidding. Through them, he has convinced the Judges that the genocide will be swift, complete, and without complication. Nothing is farther from the truth.
-
-
The epic saga continues
- By Victor @ theAudiobookBlog dot com on 12-15-20
By: Larry Correia
-
The Empire of Ashes
- The Draconis Memoria, Book 3
- By: Anthony Ryan
- Narrated by: Steve West
- Length: 23 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For hundreds of years, the Ironship Trading Syndicate was fueled by drake blood - and protected by the Blood-blessed, those few who could drink it and wield fearsome powers. But now the very thing that sustained the corporate world threatens to destroy it. A drake of unimaginable power has risen, and it commands an army of both beasts and men.
-
-
Doesn’t make any sense
- By Justin on 09-22-18
By: Anthony Ryan
-
The Fall of Neverdark
- The Echoes Saga, Book 4
- By: Philip C. Quaintrell
- Narrated by: Steven Brand
- Length: 21 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Millennia in the dark has left these lost and forgotten monsters hungry for war. The people of Illian can do nothing but rely on their peacekeepers, the Dragorn. Are the dragon riders ready for what has been buried under their feet? Gideon Thorn, Master of the Dragorn, can feel the Third Age coming to an ominous end. With Inara Galfrey and her dragon by his side, they must investigate the return of this ancient evil.
-
-
Great adventure and I can't wait for the next!
- By jane mulder on 06-23-19
-
The Fires of Vengeance
- By: Evan Winter
- Narrated by: Prentice Onayemi
- Length: 15 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Tau and his queen, desperate to delay the impending attack on the capital by the indigenous people of Xidda, craft a dangerous plan. If Tau succeeds, the queen will have the time she needs to assemble her forces and launch an all-out assault on her own capital city, where her sister is being propped up as the "true" queen of the Omehi. If the city can be taken, if Tsiora can reclaim her throne, and if she can reunite her people, then the Omehi have a chance to survive the onslaught.
-
-
Another slam dunk!!
- By Kel Ward on 12-14-20
By: Evan Winter
-
Legends of Ahn
- King's Dark Tidings, Book 3
- By: Kel Kade
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 16 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Rezkin is an elite warrior who aims to restore order in Ashai after Caydean's attack on the King's Tournament transformed former allies and trading partners into enemies. With no army and only a ragtag group of refugees, Rezkin must wrest control of the kingdom from the mad and powerful usurper, who seems bent on destruction, and this may not be the biggest challenge. If he fails, the kingdom will be ripped apart, and Rezkin will have violated Rule 1 - to protect and honor his friends.
-
-
Are you kidding me?
- By Kimberly C. on 12-13-17
By: Kel Kade
-
Empire of Dirt
- The Echoes Saga, Book 2
- By: Philip C. Quaintrell
- Narrated by: Steven Brand
- Length: 14 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
War is set to ravage Illian. The elves sail from the east. The savage Darkakin rise from the south. Valanis, the dark elf, is finally free of his prison and eager to see his work finished. Only then will he be free of the gods who still haunt him. A new hope rises in The Red Mountains. There, the last remaining dragons have been discovered. Gideon and Galanör, human and elf, will have to work together if they are to convince Adriel, the last of the Dragorn order, to intervene in the coming war.
-
-
One of my new favorite books (not for teens)
- By Reading 4 Fun on 01-05-19
-
Free the Darkness
- King's Dark Tidings, Book 1
- By: Kel Kade
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 16 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Raised and trained in seclusion at a secret fortress on the edge of the northern wilds of the Kingdom of Ashai, a young warrior called Rezkin is unexpectedly thrust into the outworld when a terrible battle destroys all that he knows. With no understanding of his life’s purpose and armed with masterful weapons mysteriously bestowed upon him by a dead king, Rezkin must travel across Ashai to find the one man who may hold the clues to his very existence.
-
-
An unusual but delightful premise
- By Courtney on 03-07-18
By: Kel Kade
Publisher's Summary
From "a new master storyteller" comes the beginning of an epic fantasy saga of blood, honor, and destiny....
The Sixth Order wields the sword of justice and smites the enemies of the Faith and the Realm. Vaelin Al Sorna was only a child of 10 when his father left him at the iron gate of the Sixth Order. The Brothers of the Sixth Order are devoted to battle, and Vaelin will be trained and hardened to the austere, celibate, and dangerous life of a Warrior of the Faith. He has no family now save the Order.
Vaelin’s father was Battle Lord to King Janus, ruler of the unified realm. Vaelin’s rage at being deprived of his birthright and dropped at the doorstep of the Sixth Order like a foundling knows no bounds. He cherishes the memory of his mother, and what he will come to learn of her at the Order will confound him. His father, too, has motives that Vaelin will come to understand. But one truth overpowers all the rest: Vaelin Al Sorna is destined for a future he has yet to comprehend. A future that will alter not only the realm, but the world.
More from the same
What listeners say about Blood Song
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- DropTheDie
- 07-12-16
Narrator: be warned.
Steven brand does a great job reading with a pronounced and clipped voice, but do not expect to be pleased by emotionally invested dialogue. Unlike many other narrators, he reads every line in the exact same voice leading to many complications and misunderstandings of the text. during intense and emotional moments, he continues to read along at the same exact clipped page and tone: no difference between describing a door or a close friend being killed in front of his eyes.
129 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Clay Cannon
- 06-03-16
Amazing book.
Wonderful book. Most people rave over Brand's performance, however I found his lack of individualized characters frustrating. Most of his male characters sound exactly the same, making the conversations between two confusing at some points. I had to press the playback button several times simply due to this. Otherwise, amazing book and I highly recommend. I'm about to begin book 2 now.
25 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anthony
- 06-29-16
Great story, but the narration did not live up to it.
The narrator had a good voice and read well, but he made almost no distinction between characters. Everyone pretty much sounded the same. It was hard to keep track of who was saying what...the concentration on deciphering the speaker, took away from the story at times
58 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- ahintz17
- 09-15-14
I REALLY LIKED THIS STORY...!
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
My friends don't really get into fantasy/sci-fi but if they did I would certainly recommend this to them.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Well Vaelin of course. He makes the tough choices throughout the story, a very admiral and likable character/hero(?).
Did the narration match the pace of the story?
Not really... I read the reviews and people seemed to like the narrator but I did not. He made no effort to distinguish between characters and I found it very hard follow the conversation when I could not figure out who was talking. It surprises me that people liked him after listening to all the others.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Yes... there were a couple places to laugh and many places of sadness especially at the end. Heartbreaking but I won't say what because I'm not a spoiler... just read it!
Any additional comments?
I can't decide whether to listen to this once more before moving on to the next book because I feel I missed a lot because of the narration. I may end up buying the books and reading them if I find the next piece as hard to follow. This really is a good story and I hate that I feel this way about the narrator. Usually I can acquire and ear for them even if I don't like them but I could never seem to do that with this guy.
35 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Joshua
- 08-21-13
Best Fantasy Debut I've Read!
This is yet another independent e-book that through sheer momentum got noticed and picked up by a publisher. I had seen huge ravings about this book and had to check it out. So does this one live up to the hype?
Absolutely!
This is possibly the strongest fantasy debut I've ever read. It's better than Elantris, it's better than Name of the Wind, and it's a lot better than Promise of Blood. He gets right what those books didn't, and I can't really find a single complaint about it. I have no idea where this author came out of, but this guy has the total package when it comes to writing.
The first of the book starts with modern-day Vaelin, condemned prisoner and living legend. Setting out on a voyage where he must fight to the death in gladiatorial combat, he begins relating the story of his life to a skeptical scribe. The book continues on this pattern of long-flashbacks, interspersed with short interludes back in the modern day. It really reminded me of The Name of the Wind, only this book was a lot better. There was never really a dull or boring moment in the book; in fact, this is one of those rare books that I actually didn't want to end. Usually I'm hurrying it up near the end, already thinking about what I want to start next. But this one had me hooked all the way through.
This author writes like someone who's done it for years and years. I simply can't believe how well-written it is for a new author. The characters come alive. They feel so much more real and sophisticated than those books mentioned above. The plot carries you along, and you can feel the complexities and undercurrents even as they are revealed a bit at a time, with many more mysteries yet unsolved. The elegance of the writing is at times astounding; there are moments that blew me away or made me laugh in delight simply because of HOW they were written. The prose and dialogue are top-notch. This is a genius of storytelling.
And the action? Absolutely second-to-none. It's intense, it's bloody, and it feels like you're actually THERE. Usually authors slack off in this category, but so much of this book revolves around a life of violence and combat. The fights never feel cheap or stereotyped. The main character is awesome and he lays down the law with his blade. There's no random goof-ups that authors use to try and be different or "realistic". This guy is bred to fight, and everything he does is purposeful and effectual. And the magic system, revealing itself slowly one bit at a time through the lore of the world, adds that extra element that brings it all together.
I didn't think it would happen, but this book really blew me away. I can't wait to see what comes next.
136 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Keith T Roussel
- 07-24-16
Enjoyable
I enjoyed this book. I will most likely get the second book. I have two complaints. First the world wasn't as vividly described as what I am accustomed to. I could picture the evens but had difficulty picturing the surroundings with clarity compared with other books. Maybe it's because I started this one right after finishing Dawn of Wonder. Second complaint is with the narrator. He uses the same exact voice for all characters and I often lose track of who is speaking and on top of that there is little emotion portrayed through the voice. I often find my mind wandering from the story as I mentally complain about the bland way the narrator portrays the discussions. However don't let my complaints prevent you from listening to this book. I have no regrets and believe it is worth the time and credit.
8 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Ron
- 08-21-13
Great Epic Fantacy
This was a great start in an epic journey Anthony Ryan is sure to take us all on. I found myself making comparisons to Michael J. Sullivan, Brandon Sanderson and Patrick Rothfuss (his first book The Name of the Wind: Kingkiller Chronicles, Day 1). If you have ever read any of their works and enjoyed them then this should be on par and I am sure you will enjoy this as well.
Since this is the first book it contains your classic world building experience, who everyone is and their relationships with each other. Ryan has painted a wonderful picture of this new world and his characters have some depth to them.
As far as narration goes Steven Brand brought these characters to life with his performance and range of character voices. I can only hope they bring him back for the sequels.
121 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- JPaladin
- 07-23-13
Wonderful Epic! Mature and well-written.
This is the kind of work I'm looking for. Written for adults, with rich characters, epic sweep of events, complex layers of intertangled personal, political, and mythical story-lines.
A rare book in the category of, and perhaps even better than, Game of Thrones, Name of the Wind, Warded Man, or The Way of Kings.
Can't wait for the next book.
The narrater was great--not one for forcing a variety of voices, but providing a solid, pleasant, and effective read. Like hearing a fireside story read by a master story teller.
Great Book and Performance!
98 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Michelle
- 08-27-14
Great Story, Performance bad
Any additional comments?
The narration is dull, you can not distinguish between characters and even scene transitions. I found myself lost in several areas, rewinding to hear portions over again to figure out what was going on. I am hesitant to purchase Book 2 but want to find out what happens to the characters. Might purchase a hard copy instead.
26 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Robin
- 03-01-14
Complex but could be more compelling
This is a very detailed start to an epic series. The coming of age part is the strongest. I felt that after while the hero became practically superhuman, which made me less interested in him. There certainly were some great scenes and action sequences that kept me listening, but the whole didn't always come together. The narration was also good but not outstanding. It wasn't that easy to tell the various characters apart.
Maybe it's that I'm not as much of fan of military/macho fantasy, preferring some whimsy or humor, and more central female characters. I see there are some sequels coming but I don't feel compelled to listen to them.
58 people found this helpful