Menacing Misfits

Darkthorn Academy, Book 1

By: Robyn Wideman

Narrated by: Vikas Adam

Length: 17 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's Summary

When Jack Vance's grandfather is murdered, his dying words are to get Jack to promise to attend Darkthorn Academy.

Jack doesn't like it, but he'll do what is necessary to honor the man who raised him. But surviving Darkthorn Academy won't be easy. Jack will have to make alliances, learn to harness magic, and face dangerous enemies - both alive and dead. If he's lucky, he might just make it to second year.

Darkthorn Academy is a coming-of-age fantasy adventure with gamelit aspects, including a slightly overpowered MC, a dragon companion, and a team of adventurers. It’s inspired by games like Skyrim, Diablo 2 and Fallout.

©2019 Robyn Wideman (P)2020 Podium Audio

not thought out at all

so pretty much theres ancient land that all destroyed and people scavenge the area this has been happening for a long time but somehow they find valuable stuff I buildings within an hour walk into the area. it makes no sense. the magic isnt well explained and the conversations are clunky and awkward.

Enjoyable but...

I was enjoying this book 5/5 and then almost halfway through jack and his friends fail 1 class out of like 7 and for some dumb reason that is grounds for expulsion?? What on earth kind of school runs like that?? The logic and world building is subpar in this book but it can still be enjoyable.

amazing story

loved the story and narration. One of the beat I listened to. Can't wait for the second book to be narrated

Hard to listen to.

Very noticeable and frequent pauses through the audio. It's like the narrator needed moments between voices, and however they spliced the audio back together they left chunks of time between them. Lana said. Jack said. Lana answered. Colin said. Stan asked. Jack groaned. Colin said. Talia said. Stan said. Talia said. Colin, Lana, Stan said at the same time. Painful to listen to dialog.

Epic Story From the Start

At the end of the first book I was angry that I had not downloaded the next one earlier. This book is well written and read. The hero’s journey theme is followed it it is not predictable. I can’t wait to start book 2!!!!

enjoyed the book

I enjoyed this one book very much and since book 2 is not on Audible yet, I cant enjoy that either. I want to know what's next and reading is not much of an option when you have this to do an cannot take the time to sit and read

great

It was really good! Twists and turns intrigue action and some RPG aspects. I recommend!

Good Plot, Lots of Problems

So overall, the first two books of this series are pretty entertaining. But there are some significant issues. The flaws are technical ones, but they can be distracting. First, this author never uses contractions. At all. And it is distracting. Second, this series suffers greatly from a lack of continuity editing. There are at least a half dozen continuity major continuity errors, and dozens of minor ones. Some of these are apparently intentional retcons by the author, although none really seem necessary. Third, some of the characters and plot points just don't make a lot of sense. Characters either have far too much knowledge and power, or are in positions that should give them significant authority... But are apparently helpless. That said, I'll certainly be listening to the third book when it comes out.

Vikas Adam needs to get his act together

I haven't finished the book yet, but I've already spotted on an error on the 2nd chapter(repeated phase not cut out) Also, the narrator's pacing is off, quite often, there are gaps in the middle of conversations that feel more like the end of a sentence or chapter.