Kings of Paradise

Ash and Sand, Book 1

By: Richard Nell

Narrated by: Ralph Lister

A deformed genius plots vengeance while struggling to survive. A wastrel prince comes of age, finding a power he never imagined. Two worlds are destined to collide. Only one can be king.

Ruka, called a demon at birth, is a genius. Born malformed and ugly into the snow-covered wasteland of the Ascom, he was spared from death by his mother's love. Now he is an outcast, consumed with hate for those who've wronged him. But to take his vengeance, he must first survive.

Across a vast sea in the white-sand island paradise of Sri Kon, Kale is fourth and youngest son of the Sorcerer King. And at 16, Kale is a disappointment. As the first prince ever forced to serve with low-born marines, Kale must prove himself and become a man, or else lose all chance of a worthy future, and any hope to win the love of his life.

Though they do not know it, both boys are on the cusp of discovery. Their worlds and lives are destined for greatness, or ruin. But in a changing world where ash meets paradise, only one man can be king....

©2017 Richard Nell (P)2018 Richard Nell

wow!

Best book of the year! Can't wait for the sequel! This series is going to be epic!

Good writing, bad performance

I genuinely don't understand how people can listen to this narrator without cringing. Im sure he's a nice guy and he works hard, but his volume is erratic, his enunciation weird, and his diction/pace is just wrong. Example: a huge pause between words where it's clear there is no period or comma (it was all.....over the place).

The writing itself is good, if you can get past the first tired tropes. it starts with the same dumb coming of age stories you've already read a hundred times. After that, though, the characters grow and the prose matures with them into some pretty interesting moments. I do wish it weren't so predictable (you know protagonist hero isn't actually going to die), but the inner dialogue and tone keep you invested.

Criminally underrated

Best series I’ve listened to since First Law. This author needs more recognition. Use a credit and you will not be disappointed.

Hmmm. I’m not sure

I listened to the book and there were some parts that I genuinely liked. Several of the characters were genuinely interesting, but it seemed as if the author skipped over some of their development. Maybe those gaps will be addressed in later books? I would have liked to experience those missing details more deeply in order to more fully appreciate the respective characters’ journeys.

Just a little weird

Started to pique my interest then lost me. The prince story line was pretty intriguing and had some good characters. The other two or three or four were all interconnected and not interesting enough to hold my attention. Kept missing parts and didn't really care to restart the chapter cause nothing really had happened. if the characters were enjoyable I would care to know what was going on. but meh. the reviews sold me but it was not for me. not the blade itself, not Malazan, not the prince of thorns. just a mix of some of each that doesn't hit the mark.