Kingdom Blades

By: Melissa McPhail

Narrated by: Nick Podehl

Length: 42 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's Summary

"You cannot sculpt a piece into a Player. A Player must mold himself out of fortitude and conviction." (Bjorn van Gelderan)

After the events the first three books in Melissa McPhail's award-winning epic fantasy series, A Pattern of Shadow and Light, the realm of Alorin remains unbalanced. The Fifth Vestal, Bjorn van Gelderan, has cast his Players on the field. Now they must hold their positions against Malorin'athgul as well as their immortal allies.

In Kandori...Prince Ean val Lorian is bound to Bjorn van Gelderan's game and to his sister Isabel, but Ean would rather be free of both of them. Yet he fears the game won't let him - nor will the man he used to be. Chained by guilt on one side and duty on the other, Ean chases memories through three kingdoms in an attempt to become a Player on his own terms.

In Hallovia...Tanis of Adonnai has discovered his true identity and his nature as an Adept of four strands. He's bound himself to the Malorin'athgul Pelas and in turn bound Pelas to his uncle Bjorn van Gelderan's game. But will Pelas' ability to bend Fate to his will be enough to oppose the intentions of his brothers, Darshan and Shail? And will Pelas be able to keep Tanis safe from the immortal Warlock Sinarr, who vowed to go to any lengths to make Tanis his concubine?

At the First Lord's sa'reyth...Prince Trell val Lorian has been rescued from the island of Darroyhan and the mor'alir Adept Taliah hal'Jaitar and is recovering at the First Lord's sanctuary. But while Trell is enjoying an overdue reunion with his betrothed, Alyneri, he suspects he cannot long remain off the field. If the game doesn't summon him back, his conscience will, for he owes his life to too many others. Primary among these is the Water Goddess Naiadithine. Trell can't help but wonder what the goddess will require of him in return for Her many graces...and if it will be a price he's willing to pay.

As Bjorn's game intensifies and wars escalate, those serving the Fifth Vestal must mold themselves into more than mere Players. They must become his Kingdom Blades.

©2016 Melissa McPhail (P)2017 Podium Publishing

Awesome

Every book has captivated me from right from the start. Easily in my top three for epic series. Nick Podehl does an amazing job again. I've listened to many books he has done and he keeps getting better as a narrator.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

WOW! Finally a series that lives up to WOT!

Any additional comments?

This series has me hooked and brought me back from giving up on fantasy and wholly moving to LitRPG. I am in love with the writing style & at first the narrator's choice of voices seemed close to the Moontide Quartet (another favourite) but the character development has blown my mind and soon the voices made perfect sense.

If you have read Melissa's blog on her writing style, she allows each character and chapter to evolve and has no plan for them. With all of the turns and the intricate development I am in awe of her creative technique.

Wow.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

One of the top 5 best fantasy series ever

Great story, great narrator, the books get better and better as the story goes on. Definitely way up there with Brandon Sanderson, Patrick Rothfuss, and Robert Jordan.

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

Just a real quick question.

Out of all the books I've listened to or read I haven't heard someone use one word so many times and I was wondering if anyone has kept count throughout the series of how many times the author has used the word heady?

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Players

A good read but sometimes there's too many "players" in the "game" which can get confusing and also making the over all storyline get lost. And even though there's good detail, at times there is again too much. The writing is awesome and the story flows but at times it's too many "patterns" over all.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Too long. Should have been a trilogy.

What made the experience of listening to Kingdom Blades the most enjoyable?

great narrator. good storyline

Any additional comments?

drop some of the bizarre sexual innuendo and shorten the story to three books and it would be great. Some descriptions were painfully loonngg...

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Luke warm at best

I have given this series a serious go, but was unable to make an emotional investment in the characters. Their perils were not my perils and their triumphs were not my triumphs. I am not sure of why this is the case. I am a sucker for fantasy adventures, but perhaps there were too many characters introduced or maybe the fantasy was too outrageous. I think that maybe there wasn't enough reality to get a steady foothold or the players weren't relatable. The series seems well invested by the author and written well overall, but I couldn't get immersed and go all in.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Book 4 is even better!!!

This story is full of philisophical questions as it builds this amazing world, where concepts and ideals become real. I have loved this series since Book 1 and I can't wait for the next one!!!

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

well written

I've really fallen in love with this series. Epic fantasy at it's best. narrator is fantastic as well.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

anticipating next installment

wonderful series,vivid worlds of limitless imaginings. brilliant characters and plots and subplots.narrated wonderfully enthralling. a truly great series

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

This series just get better and better

Would you listen to Kingdom Blades again? Why?

Yes, because the story is detailed and the narration is awesome. I have actually re-listened to Book 1,2,3 while waiting for book 4. I will most likely re-listen to all 4 books before book 5 comes out.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Kingdom Blades?

The way enemies become friends and the paths to forgiveness for characters. Also the vastness of the warlocks existence....

What does Nick Podehl bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Nick brings colour and so much personality to the characters. Truly fantastic.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Magnificent epic.

Any additional comments?

When the next book coming out? i can't wait.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

a brilliant story

This is such a world building story and full of wondrous detail, I greatly recommend this read!

another great book

Brilliantly done. Another great book...literally cannot wait for the next book. I absolutely love the characters and the plot- I cried and laughed ...It was a bit hard to get into this series at first but once your in your in. I'm off to listen from the start !

Awesome

This is a fantastic world that Melissa has created,masterfully character driven with some really unique characters, the story is layered with history secrets & legend, at times you will laugh out loud be sad and angry , it is a must read for fantasy lovers I would say aimed at mature young adults & adults, this is definitely not just another fantasy novel it is truly up at the top with the best fantasy world creators , Fiest Sanderson , but to name a few , listen read just do it you will not be disappointed, as for Nick Podehl a fantastic Job bringing these great characters to life , beautifully read .

Gripping and Glorious!

This is book four of the series and even so I am still gripped to it. It's an epic tale with multiple characters in worlds so beautifully imagined that you can totally suspend your disbelief and picture the places in your mind. It is pure fantasy at is best and is deserving of its own merit, I can not compare it to GOT or other epic works as it glides gloriously all on it's own. I look forward to book 5.

loved it

Will deffo sign up for the next one and have enjoyed all 4
been waiting for them to kick up a gear and boy did it

Incredible

What a fantastic piece of writing. Spellbinding, enthralling and addictive. More please Melissa, I need to know what happens next.

Excellente book

Really enjoyed this 4th book. The story and the reader are very good. I definitely recommend it and I can't wait for the final book.

Great, epic, series

This is one of the best Series of books I’ve read in a long time. The narrator really brings the book alive and the author tells great story. The books are very long but they’re really worth getting into.

Loved it!

The same excellent vocals, clear and distinctive. The same quality of writing and story telling! Excellent value for money, and desperately awaiting the next book!