In Fury Born

By: David Weber

Narrated by: Vivienne Leheny

Length: 31 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's Summary

Imperial Intelligence couldn't find them, the Imperial Fleet couldn't catch them, and local defenses couldn't stop them. It seemed the planet-wrecking pirates were invincible. But they made a big mistake when they raided ex-commando leader Alicia DeVries' quiet home/work, tortured and murdered her family, and then left her for dead. 

Alicia decided to turn "pirate" herself, and stole a cutting-edge AI ship from the empire to start her vendetta. Her fellow veterans think she's gone crazy, the Imperial Fleet has shoot-on-sight orders. And, of course, the pirates want her dead, too. But Alicia DeVries has two allies nobody knows about, allies as implacable as she is: a self-aware computer and a creature from the mists of Old Earth's most ancient legends. And this trio of furies won't rest until vengeance is served. 

In Fury Born is a greatly expanded new version of David Weber's popular novel Path of the Fury, which has gone through six large printings in its original mass market edition. David Weber has added considerable new material, revealing the earlier life of Alicia DeVries before she embarked on her mission of vengeance, and illuminating the universe of the original story. The result is a novel with almost twice the wordage of the original, and a must-buy for all David Weber fans.

©2006 David Weber (P)2021 Recorded Books Inc.

Just as Good as I Remembered

For nearly a decade I've been waiting for an audio version of In Fury Born. Well, a sequel, too, but that's not happening. And now it's finally here!

First off, let's get one thing out of the way: Parts of the book are dated. Considering well over half was written thirty years ago, that's easy enough to forgive. It also doesn't get in the way of the story.

If you're a fan of Weber's style, you know what you're in for. It takes a lot of exposition to build up a satisfying action sequence. Actually, if you're used to something like Safehold or the later Honor Harrington books, this one might actually seem action heavy. Some people might take issue with the build up. I don't. The perspective shifts and chapters spent on exposition help build up background so Weber doesn't need to stop and explain those details in the middle of a battle or an emotional gut punch.

Whoever picked Vivienne Leheny for the narrator here knew what they were doing. She's stellar in the role of Alicia DeVries as well as the supporting cast. I'd never heard her before, and a quick check showed her usual fare is romances, with some notable exceptions. Fair enough. I hope to hear her more in main line scifi, because any author with a female lead should count themselves lucky to pick her up.

I can't say much more without spoiling the plot. If you're a fan of David Weber or MilScifi in general, In Fury Born is the perfect way to spend a credit.

Outstanding in every way

I have to admit I may be somewhat biased as this was one of my first Weber reads twenty plus years ago and got me into him. That said, it is a solid story in the military SF sphere that Weber shines best in. The concept is an intriguing one, that the Furies of Greek myth were real beings and one (Tisiphone) has still managed to survive to the time set in the story. There she merges with Alicia Devries in her quest for vengeance for the murder of her entire family. Devries herself is a formidable character, a former Terran Cadre drop commando (think of the elite special forces branches of today, add cybernetic enhancements and power armor) and the first portion of the book predates the main story as it follows her path leading up to the main story where she meets Tisiphone (and how she ended up a former drop commando).

The original story was packaged as Path of the Fury and In Fury Born was a later rerelease that featured the additional background of preceding events alluded to in the original primary story. The prequel events are a worthy addition as they flesh things out better and enrich the later story, making Alicia a much more relatable character. The primary story sees her quest for revenge finding a much deeper, further reaching conspiracy that threatens the very foundation of the Terran Empire.

Beyond the basics of an excellent Weber tale told well, what makes this shine as an audio book is Vivienne Leheny's narration. She manages to do different character accents and inflections well enough, but where she is outstanding is in the raw emotion she brings to the narration in the appropriate places. There are parts of the story that have always tugged somewhat at me emotionally and that is amplified in the audio form with her narration, to the point I needed to stop for a bit in a couple of places. She clearly put her heart into this production and it shows.

Too long?

After she meets up with the ship and fury it’s very good. Before that it was OK, drags on in parts. Very much worth a listen.

Unparalleled work building and character development

The entirety of the novel is a roller coaster of emotions. Vivienne Leheny is the absolute perfect narrator for this story, her ability to convey the characters emotions is key in the character development. I was so attached to Ali I was in tears multiple times throughout.
This is absolutely the best 30 hours I have spent on anything in a long time. Halfway through I couldn’t think about anything other than how to make time to listen. By chapter 40 I was already sad it was ever going to end.

Good or bad?

All that matters to me is did I enjoy listening to it or did I not. I enjoyed listening to this book. I liked the characters. I liked the story and I liked the narrator. The science was messed up in many places but this is science fiction. I enjoyed the development of the characters and the story. The mech suits and the weapons were well made and stayed honest from the beginning as to their function. The addition of one of Furies (creatures from Greek mythology who exacted divine retribution from those guilty of wrong-doing. Crimes which were especially likely to incur their wrath were those involving one's family and anything related to oaths) was a cool surprise no matter how unlikely. I didn't not like the last 30 minutes of the story. I thought it forced the characters out of character and could have easily been done better.

Years later and after listening to again I wanted to reinforce my opinion about the last couple of chapter. The main character becomes a whining little girl and the story becomes a silly soap opera.

The last entry. The last hour is the worst couple of chapters in the book, not include the epilog. The hero, after saving the galaxy, goes through the ugliest period of selflothing I have ever read. It is so bad.
The epilog did what it had to do though it droned on and on and on.

Amazing!!

One of my favorite books from Weber. I prefer this version to Path of the Fury, there is more character development and a better understanding of the main character and the supporting cast.

Couldn't get past the initial few chapters

I did not at all enjoy the laborious plotting out of the political situation and governance descriptions. I am sure it is all very necessary in order for one to understand the plot and character development, however, I just did not have the patience for it. I felt Vivienne Leheny, while a wonderful narrator, was unable to portray the characters in a fluid fashion. Upshot was, for me, even though I backtracked several times to allow my own impatience to give this audiobook a chance, I had to abandon the read. Disappointing.

David has never disappointed, and Vivienne Lehaney

Offers the characterizations 'spot-on.' Endless potential for another Honor Harrington like series, if Mr. Weber is up for it. Seriously though, you won't regret this investment.

Very expanded Path of the Fury

This long version of Path of the Fury might not have been necessary but it is well written and very well narrated. With this additional material the loss of Alicia’s family and the betrayal of her cadre brothers and sisters is even more poignant.

The best book Weber has ever written.

This is my favorite book by Weber. It will keep you enthralled to the end. And I hope he continues this series.

Minted

I read this book years ago and it's honestly still one of my all time favourites in the science fiction genre! I seriously wish David Webber would have done a sequel to it

Perhaps I'm too harsh

First off excellent value for 1 credit.

Secondly the narration is very good and well read.

But

The space marine genre has been done a lot and while there are some new and interesting ideas, dramatic moments and characters this series feel a little... flat... i don't know any other description. The main character is strong, intelligent, loyal, modest etc, most of the the other characters seem to be included just to say this, continually.

Very good

Been waiting for this book for a very long time after enjoying reading it many years ago, now I listen instead of reading, and it is as I remembered a very good book, David Weber as usual gives a very good story, and Vivienne Leheny gave a very good performance, I shall listen to this book many times as I do with all of David Weber books, I think the audience for this book is all of the David weber fans, and its a good introduction to younger readers/listeners to step into the Weber bookverse.

Thank you to David
I am still waiting for the next books in several series with great anticipation and hope to be enthralled within his future books

64 old and an avid listener to the sci fi genre and I think David Weber is one of the best sci military writers
LJM

Above average. Real Sci Fi. Long, very pleasant

At 31 hours, this represents excellent value. One of Weber's better books.
Not quite a five star, but I rarely give those. But way above average.
It set in the far future in an Earth empire with Irish Emporers
Definitely a military sci Fi.
I enjoyed it. Well worth a credit.

Excellent story

Really enjoyed story and narration, David Weber space opera is always first rate! if you like hero's overcoming all odds and the hood guys coming through then this is for you.

Two stories

The audiobook is the story of how our heroine came to be what she was for about 15 hours before you get onto being found at the farm.
Interesting story though personally I prefer the elements with the Fury in. Presented well, both stories take the read along while not overwhelming them in technology or minor details.
I'll happily listen to this book again

Love the extended version!

I have found it hard to listen to books I've read on the past, mainly it's my extremely high and to be fair, unreasonable expectations but this really was a good listen.
It helps that it gave me a back story of a character I find fascinating and fills out some gaps in the book I've got. As usual there's quite a lot of technical mumble jumble and science but it doesn't take away from the story. Good flow on the narrator's end too.

Excellent

I have not read any of the earlier versions. this one is enough for me. I read it In one sitting and pronounce it brilliant. I would love to see further adventures of Fury.

Enjoyable space opera

The reader was very good in this book, with good characterisation for each of the different characters, so that they are easily distinguished from each other.

The novel itself was entertaining, this is one of Webber's earlier works so not filled with overly detailed exposition as his later works became.

Great, no more need be said

I waited years for this on audio after having read it twice already. Well worth the wait although I must say the last section is by far the best, as in the original book.