God Stalk

De: P. C. Hodgell

Narrado por: Jennifer O'Donnell

Jame is a Kencyr. Kencyrs are not native to the planet where they now live. For 30 centuries they have been the weapon that their Three-Faced God has used against the power of the Perimal Darkling. And though they have fought well, the Darkling has come to planet after planet, and the Kencyrs have moved on.

Jame knows this as she stumbles out of the hilly, barren Haunted Lands into the city of Tai-tastigon. But she knows little else. She does not remember where she has been or what she has done for the last 10 years of her life. Her memory goes back only a week or two - to finding her home destroyed and all her family dead.

In Tai-tastigon Jame begins a new life that seems to be at odds with all that the Kencyrs stand for. Kencyrs are honest and just, but Jame becomes an apprentice to the most renowned thief in the powerful Thieves' Guild. Kencyrs are confirmed monotheists, yet Jame explores the rituals and activities of the thousands of gods, templed and untempled, in this religious center; she even kills a god and then resurrects him. And at the inn, the Res aB'tyrr, where she lives, she finds herself using the most sacred dances of her people, dances she does not even remember learning, for the entertainment and sometimes the destruction of the inn's patrons.

Within herself Jame finds power she does not want and doubts she defies her heredity to harbor. She moves through the rich and bloody stew of Tai-tastigon like a hot spice. Her probings, to find herself and to discover what her powers mean to her and her people, combined with influences already at work, very nearly destroy the city. And yet, they bring her face to face with a destiny she must accept.

This is the first of several books.

©1983 P.C. Hodgell (P)2019 Recorded Books

Great story & world building

I first read this years ago as a teenager and loved it then. Listening to it again as an adult I was to still enjoy it. I'm looking forward to Listening to the others in this series as well. The narration was also good.

Entertaining

Well-narrated introductory story of a vivid fantasy world. There were some creepy parts and some detailed scenes involving wounds and decaying flesh.

Truly a gem!

Rich tapestry and a fantastic story. Tremendous effort spent describing scenes and people. A very human story of discovery of one's past.

Story carries over marginal narration

Bad news: Narrator didn't prepare for the work - consistently substitutes the wrong words
Good news: Story is so good that it carries through even the marginal narration.
I would give this seven stars ******* overall if I had the option.

glad to find this

i enjoyed both the book and the performance. i reccomend it.

jane finds a city and a home . but her home has problems and jane is chosen to solve many of them

Excellent fantasy series! Mixed-quality narration.

I've enjoyed P.C. Hodgell's "Chronicles of the Kencyrath" since "God Stalk" first appeared, and it remains one of my favorite fantasy series. It has incredibly detailed settings and world-building, genuine characters who learn and grow, and a series of ripping adventure plots. This series is one of the hidden gems of epic fantasy.

I'm delighted that the series has finally made it to audiobook form and recommend the entire set. But the narration could be better. Jennifer O'Donnell does a good job keeping the many voices of the story distinct; however, she misspeaks words far more often than I'm used to in other professionally-read audiobooks. I wish either the narrator or the audio editor had caught and fixed these issues, as they diminish an otherwise solid production.

You should still get this; the story is worth it!

My favorite fantasy novel

I read this book several times growing up. Listening to it again brought back so many great feelings. Hodgell’s world of the Kencyrath is so fascinating, the characters compelling, and the intrigue and pacing of this book in particular quite enthralling. I love following Jame through her journeys!

I have loved this book series for so long

This wonderful series has been so difficult to find in print so imagine my surprise to find them all on audible. Narration is great. The story held up since my first time reading it in '86. Just thrilled to find these gems here.

Best setting for a fantasy novel and excellent story

Hesitated to revisit because I loved it so much when it came out but a rare instance of an old story holding up and seeming not only well written but somehow, decades later, still original. Complete package,

Finally!

Jennifer O'Donnell treats wonderfully, and I am thrilled beyond measure to finally have these audiobooks!