Knight's Ransom

The First Argentines, Book 1

By: Jeff Wheeler

Narrated by: Kate Rudd

Length: 11 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's Summary

“Jeff Wheeler has always been one of our more dependable storytellers. Knight’s Ransom adds to his reputation. A fine page-turner.” --Terry Brooks, New York Times bestselling author.

From Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jeff Wheeler comes an epic new series of warring kingdoms, deadly family rivalries, and fearless loyalty, set in the world of Kingfountain.

Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown. A brutal war of succession has plunged the court of Kingfountain into a power struggle between a charitable king who took the crown unlawfully and his ambitious rival, Devon Argentine. The balance of power between the two men hinges on the fate of a young boy ensnared in this courtly intrigue. A boy befittingly nicknamed Ransom.

When the Argentine family finally rules, Ransom must make his own way in the world. Opportunities open and shut before him as he journeys along the path to knighthood, blind to a shadowy conspiracy of jealousy and revenge. Securing his place will not be easy, nor will winning the affection of Lady Claire de Murrow, a fiery young heiress from an unpredictably mad kingdom.

Ransom interrupts an abduction plot targeting the Queen of Ceredigion and earns a position in service to her son, the firstborn of the new Argentine dynasty. But conflict and treachery threaten the family, and Ransom must also come to understand and hone his burgeoning powers - abilities that involve more than his mastery with a blade and that make him as much a target as his lord.

©2021 Jeff Wheeler. (P)2020 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic Reviews

“With this superlative epic fantasy…Wheeler does an expert job of reintroducing his fantasy world through the eyes of sympathetic characters that fans and new readers alike will root for. This is sure to be a hit.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) 

“[Wheeler] adds elements of Arthurian legend to the start of the First Argentines series…along with splendid palace intrigues and battles.” (Booklist, starred review)

“Full of surprise, heartbreak, intrigue and knightliness…a great start to what feels like a solid series!” (The Nerd Daily)

Not as good as the Kingfountain series

As this new series is set in the past of the Kingfountain series, I expected something more or less as good as. However, I'm disappointed. Unfortunately, the main character is not developed enough for me to really like him. I didn't completelyunderstand some characters's deeds, and was offered no good explanation that could clarify things to me. Ramson, the main character, goes through a series of misfortunes without much relief, and by the middle of the book I was tired of that. I only finished the story in the hopes things might change, but it was just the opposite. I'm not going to buy the next book in this series. As to the narration, I really like the work if this narrator, she does a superb job, but I wouldn't have chosen a woman to narrate a story written by a man and told from what is mostly the point of view of a male character.

Outstanding.

Love the intrigue that Jeff Wheeler weaves and that Kate Rudd conveys. Glad she was brought back to narrate this series. While I enjoyed the narrator for the Killing Fog series, Ms. Rudd continues to be one of my favorite narrators.

Welcome Back to Kingfountain!!

I've already praised this book on Kindle but I'll say it again: This, like all of Wheeler's books, is a must listen. I've listened to the original Kingfountain series 3 times and this book threw me for an absolute loop. Rudd is my favorite narrator hands down! Male or female, she brings characters to life in everything she does. Wheeler + Rudd = GOLD!!

LOVE IT!

I love the King's Fountain world! I was so excited to see the alert that this was available! Kate Rudd's masterful narration brings the characters to life, and I could not stop listening. Absolutely wonderful, now please excuse me while I cry waiting for the next book.

Sucked in again ... love Jeff's stories

Great job by Kate Rudd as narrator.

Can't wait until the next one!

THANK YOU

Awesome!

Great start for a new series in Kingfountain! I loved that series and I happy to be back. I listen to the audiobook version, Kate Rudd is one of my favorite narrators, she really brings all the different characters to life.

Great beginning to year long wait for finish

Jeff Wheeler is a master storyteller artist, and the Ransom tetralogy Will Be His best. Marshall (Ransom) is an outstanding hero in the Wheeler way. He odd loyal, phlegmatic, powerful, self-doubting & restrained. He is in love with an imprisoned duchess who loves him as well, though lack of communication denies either the solace of knowledge. Mystery, fantasy, epic range, and fun mark this series and I hate having to wait for pt2.

Too YA for me..

This book is not for me. If I were 12 I might like it but there's absolutely nothing exciting going on and I can't see that happening during the whole book. So, at 45% I'm done.

No romance and no swearing.

As for the narration: If there had been anything exciting going on I would have continued with it, because that awesome Kate Rudd was the narrating it. BUT not even she could hold my interest.

Concept is good

The idea of the story is great and I really wanted to like it but the writing is shallow and there is no character development which makes it hard to care about anybody. And the sad thing is the narrator is absolutely wrong for this book! I don’t know what the writer was thinking to choose her. The only character she does well is the female character Claire. I would not recommend.

Another great book from J. Wheeler

I'm hooked on Wheeler's phantasy world. Loved all of his books and this one is no exception.
Kate Rudd is giving it the voice and does a very good job too.

The Intrigues of Men

This was a long time coming, but worth the wait. The continuing story of Kingfountain and its intrigues, family feuds and betrayal all adds to the entangled lives of the Argentine family. Ransom has to manoeuvre his way through all of the treachery to survive and the price will be costly, but his honour will remain intact.

loved it

loved it. couldn't stop listening. bought the other 2 books and pre ordered the one after that

I love Ransom devotion and fairness.

The ways the author narrated the story make me believe it, and wish to be there to support and praised Ransom.
The audible version kept me enthralled on long journeys and walks.