Broken Empire

Ringdweller Series, Book 3

De: Brady Hunsaker

Narrado por: Hayden Beardall

They wanted power in order to bring peace, but power has terrible consequences.

Migo has become something different. After all, the best way to defeat a monster, is to become one, but he still doesn't know if this will give him enough power to save Katsi.

Katsi has successfully called lightning, but that brings with it a terrible destiny. The emperor has a great plan for her, but his earth-shattering plot is beginning to unravel, and she is the key.

Join in the epic final adventure as the Ringdweller Series comes to a close.

©2023, 2024 Lightfire Publishing (P)2025 Lightfire Publishing

So different !

Book 3 definitely very different from the other 2. Introductions of new people, powers, world / life changing events. Very good narrators as well

Too much to do, too little pages

This is a review of the final book in the Ring Dweller trilogy. I believe that an audio book deserves to be evaluated on three separate criteria: performance, production, and the plot. In summary, the performance. In short, the performance was about average, production was less than average, and the plot was rushed and used contrived means to finish the novel, leaving a unsatisfied feeling.

Performance: All in all, I think our narrator was a solid C+. He avoided the trap of sliding into character voices before they actually had dialogue. Some of the voices were similar to one another, but he keeps the key characters distinct enough to identify. I was most disappointed with the main character's voice. Yes, the narrator was consistent across all three books, but I would have hoped a prince would sound more refined and less like a brawler. Yes, Migo has extensive background in the military, but that would not have precluded elocution lessons.

Production: At times the audio leveling (how loud it was) would fluctuate noticeably between passages of the narrative. It was never to the point you would rip out your earbuds because he volume became suddenly louder, though it was annoying to adjust the volume on my end. This could be because they cut a few takes together or the narrator was loosing steam and came back after a break. There were several passages, clearly different takes, where they weren't spliced together cleaning. I wish I could have book marked them, but there were at least two point in the narrative where 2 consecutive sentences were repeated. Whomever did the edit was rushed.

Plot: I acknowledge that the author had a lot story lines and plot to wrap up in this final book, but the means he went about it were frustrating. Not one, but two "deus ex machina" contrivances were utilized to advance the plot and aid the heroes winning. Also, there was a lack of self-awareness in our protagonist's actions against the emperor that drew me out of the story completely. Migo accuses the emperor, essentially of being a bully and taking his position by force. However, Migo does the same, taking his position by force. In his justification for his actions to the assembled nobles, he does not, in my opinion, adequately acknowledge this hypocrisy. There was a lack of attention to detail as we are rushed through the end of the book. Katsi attends a formal party. The author took care to note she was dressed in a fancy gown and her hair was one up in an ornate fashion. However, the plot rushes her into a battle field within a mark of the party. No note is given to her appearance, disheveled, or how ill-suited her dress is to fighting, etc... The only anecdote is that she wishes she had her "storm wading armor". At the end of the day, the whole world was saved by a "sleeper agent" of a storm caller. How "convenient" . So, my friends, I regret to say, this series had great promise but the ending was rushed, contrived, and more or less fizzled out.

Great series ending

This is book 3 in the Ringdweller series. We pick up where book 2 left off. We find out that Hatan has been “arrested” and put in jail. Someone in the city is planning a coup and wants him out of the way. Meanwhile, Migo has become something else in order to defeat the waheshi and take on the emperor. Katsi is training to call lightening at the palace, but when the Emperor’s plans come to light, she ends up in danger.
Migo and Katsi are young characters, but it’s so easy to forget they are only 17. They both take on more than most adults would and don’t give up no matter what. Migo is willing to do whatever it takes, even if it permanently changes him. He can’t stand by and watch the atrocities continue. And Katsi doesn’t take someone’s word, she thinks about what she’s doing. She questions motives and puts herself into the line of fire to save her people.
There is so much going on in this series! With all the secrets you never know who to trust and you question everyone’s motives. And even when they think they have solved the problem, that is not the end of the battle. Even though his methods may have been terrible, the emperor had reasons for all that he did. The bleeders have been waiting hundreds of years for revenge and have surprising allies I didn’t see coming. I was also surprised by a certain character who I thought was going to be a huge problem! Ok, well actually 2! So many surprises!
The battles in this book were epic as well. Between Magic and weapons alike were used to full potential and there were moments where I was holding my breath waiting to see what would happen. There were definitely moments I was worried! And I am so happy that Hatan got a story of his own in this book! I was definitely waiting to find out what happened with him after the last book and it turned out perfect! I enjoyed listening to this whole series!