Elizabeth's Legacy

Royal Institute of Magic, Book 1

By: Victor Kloss

Narrated by: Peter Kenny

Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's Summary

Like most normal people, Ben hadn't the faintest idea there was an Institute of Magic.

Two years after his parents' sudden disappearance, Ben Greenwood stumbles upon a cryptic letter that could shed some light on their whereabouts. But before he can track them down, he'll need to find the mysterious organization that sent the letter: The Royal Institute of Magic.

To succeed, Ben will have to navigate a land filled with fantastic creatures and spellshooters, where magic can be bought and sold, to unravel an ancient family secret that could hold the key to defeating an evil the institute has been fighting for the last 500 years.

©2014 Victor Kloss (P)2017 Podium Publishing

Friendship in a magical world

Would you listen to Elizabeth's Legacy again? Why?

Yes, this is an introduction to a world with lots of interesting characters so before listening to the next book I'll probably re-listen to review the characters' names and twists in the plot to make sure I haven't forgotten anything important!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hard to choose between Ben and Charlie - both are heroic and charming in their own way

What does Peter Kenny bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Peter Kenny does a great job of interpreting the characteristics of the elves and other magical beings using his voice and different accents. He also manages to make Ben and Charlie sound young but not childish.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes - I just couldn't go on an 8 hour walk ...

Any additional comments?

Can't wait for book 2 - listened to the preview at the end of this audiobook.

What a fantastic tribute to Kloss

This book is an amazing piece of work. I haven't enjoyed a YA book this much since the Potter series. The performer does an amazing job with voices that clearly have a tone for each character.
Although I have read all the books in the series I will eagerly purchase each audiobook when it's released.
Victor Kloss would be proud of the direction his series has taken. His wife and daughter should be proud that his legacy is immortalized in audio format.
I am so impressed with the book I am playing a chapter a day to my students in my history class as a mental warmup for them.

I am not sure what I don't like about this book.

This book contains all the elements that should pull me into the story, but somehow it doesn't.
I think part of it is the lack of depth in descriptions.
It is almost like it is an illustrated book that doesn't work without the pictures.

Magic for middle schoolers, but not much fun

*shrug* It was okay. Not the "if you loved Harry Potter, you will love this!" level of book that the claim suggested, but it was readable. There were three people in a magical world; one was a girl that had all of the magical knowledge in the group, one was a boy that leapt into dangerous situation and made bad decisions, and the third was awkward and felt like he didn't quite belong and had a crush on the girl...oh, wait, maybe it is a little like Harry Potter... That's where it ends, though.

It lacked pizzazz. And charm. And, to be honest, magic.

Fun, fast-paced story

Would you listen to Elizabeth's Legacy again? Why?

Yes, it's very fun and entertaining. I like listening to stories a few times because I always pick up new details.

What other book might you compare Elizabeth's Legacy to and why?

Probably Percy Jackson & the Olympians series for its world building, pacing and the intended audience.

Have you listened to any of Peter Kenny’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I haven't, but I think he did the Martian and I would love to listen to that too.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would have loved to!

Didn't know if I would but I did.

I won this audiobook. Wasn't sure I would like it but I really did. Suitable for children and adults it is a book I will listen to again.

The perfect balance of excitement and thought

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the rest of the series. The narrator was a crucial part of listening to this book for me, a great voice and performance as a storyteller.

I was saddened to hear that the author just recently passed, but glad that he was able to publish so many books before he did so - both for my own selfish benefit, and for the benefit of the wife and child who survived him.

Bait and switch

The sample was intriguing. That is the book I wanted to read. But this is not that book.

The first chapter is a dream. For most of the book, it is ignored, and only in the final chapter do we find out how it relates to the main character. That story is never told.

Instead it is a teenage buddy adventure movie with special powers and trolls and elves and girls. Nothing much suprising happens. And the spell guns ... meh.

enjoyable ya fantasy

I enjoyed this book. It was slow at times but had some good world development.

Can't wait until all are on audible!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Elizabeth's Legacy to be better than the print version?

I enjoyed the audible books, I can't wait until the whole series is available!!!

Not for adults

Struggling to get past chapter 4. Bit too juvenile for me.
Audible won't let me return it, so it seems I've wasted another credit. It's becoming difficult to find anything decent lately that I haven't already got.

really great story

one of the best voice
narrator.
story equals harry potter in some way.
good lessen

definitely read this!

I truly enjoyed every second, I love the authors 'voice'. It was funny and compelling and I am considering buying extra credits for the first time so I can get the next book. Narrator was also great, added to the story and it's telling .

A Warm and Wonderful Story

Would you consider the audio edition of Elizabeth's Legacy to be better than the print version?

Don't you know the Audio version is always better than the print version? I am blind, so partial always to audio, but I think Peter Kenny's voice is much better than anything my brain could come up with.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Both Ben and Charlie have their good points and both are well written characters. I love them both for different reasons.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

I have to say I really love how the author set the scene for this book, beginning with one of Ben's descendents. The mystery and magesty of the Royal Institute is quite gripping and I love the idea of a brave commoner daring to tread the halls of the mighty and noble.

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

I laughed a lot. It really gave me the same kind of warm feeling as the Harry Potter series still gives me every time I do a reread. Certainly if that series is one of your favourites then you will really love this book.

Any additional comments?

Peter Kenny does a fantastic job narrating this book, as he does with so many others. It was a real joy to listen to and fantastic for anyone looking for a more light-hearted read.