Morrigan's Bidding

Binding Words, Book 1

By: Daniel Schinhofen

Narrated by: Andrea Parsneau

Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

Sean was just waiting for his best friend to show up at the bar so they could play some pool. It came as a shock when the tall blonde man accosted Sean and demanded that he change seats. His refusal would change his life.

When the fight ended, Sean found himself in the strangest meeting of his life. Odin, Archangel Michael, Lucifer, and Morrigan all vied for his soul, each offering different deals. Sean had to choose, so he chose to go with the goddess of Fate, Death, and Battle.

Placed on a new world, gifted with a new body crafted by the gods, and more gifts from other deities of the Tuatha De Danann, Sean now has the chance to live out a new life on a new world. Not everything will be sunshine and roses, however, in this world ruled by the Summer and Winter Queens. He learns quickly that words have power in this world, and that Agreements are binding.

Sean has his work cut out for finding his place in this new world.

©2018 Daniel James Schinhofen (P)2018 Daniel James Schinhofen

Irish myth and legend FTW!

I love the Irish mythology so this book was a fun read. There were times that the main character seemed not to have knowledge I thought he should have...he knows of the Tuatha Dé Danann but seemed to not know of dyrads or the Faerie court. It was a minor issue though as the story was very well done and flowed well. I look forward to reading more of this series.

Amazing. Absolutely Enthralled.

Loved it, Already purchased second book. listened to this book in less than 24 hours., will finish all 3 by weeks end.

Was not Sure

I read some reviews and was not sure that I would get interested in this series. Was I SO WRONG, at first I purchased it because of Andrea Parsneu to be totally honest. I was not expecting the story that I had heard in the audio version. I would totally recommend this series. It starts in a very interesting way then when you think ok here comes the old cliche, wrong it gives you something totally different.

great story

I really enjoyed the book and with the excellent work done by Andrea only made it that much better.

Great Audio Book!

So I won this audio book in a contest on a facebook group I am in and I am GLAD that I did. The story itself is awesome and keeps me engaged. It was just different enough that I wasn't predicting everything that was about it happen while not being so alien that my mind couldn't keep up. The narrator though gets big props though from me, loved all the voices she was able to do.

Rating the full series

TLDR: The MC is an oblivious fool that drags down the entire series, but the world around him, and the other characters were good enough I listened to the whole series. Solid narration, Parseneau does good work.

I’ll probably buy the next book when it comes out.

Full Review (minor spoilers)

First, calling this gamelit or a LitRPG is disingenuous, there’s a “status screen” that pops up 2 maybe 3 times per book (1 always at the end). If those 5 minutes were removed it would just be a fantasy book and better for it. The status screen seems crammed in and can be jarring to the story, but it’s infrequent so it’s easy to ignore.

The world that Schinhofen builds is excellent, and nearly all of the secondary characters are well developed and quite interesting. The story has all the right twists and turns to drag you in wanting to hear how it ends, with an occasional touch of humor to lighten the mood. The mechanics of the world are very interesting, bonding, shaping, magic, all make me want to learn more. The various creatures we meet along the way are intriguing as well. The society of the world is probably my favorite part, it’s interesting how it’s structured and the changes Sean makes through his journey.

Speaking of Sean.... hands down one of the worst main characters I’ve read. I almost quit reading the series several times after he spoke, but pushed through because of the secondary characters. He’s an unbelievably dense idiot, which is pointed out several times by himself and others in the story, but doesn’t change in the slightest through 4 books, it honestly gets a little worse in books 3/4. Several women are constantly throwing themselves at him and every single time he’s confused and awkward in a way that makes me cringe. This continues through all of the books, not just the first few times where he’s a new person in a new world. Every Single Time. Even at moments where he should know what’s going on, it’s happened before, and had it explained to him by other characters, he still acts like it’s brand new information that he’s scared of. He also fails to really take advantage of things in the world, in 4 books he only really learns 1 spell, which happens in book 1. It’s really hard to like or relate to him

The sex scenes are well written if a little sparse, pretty much only his first time with each girl gets its own scene. There’s several moments where it seems to be leading up to a good scene, but then stops jumping to the next morning which is disappointing. Sex in books is hard to balance, some have far too much, others too little; with how well written these scenes are, and all the lead ups that just tease I think this book falls on the too little side, but that’s just me.

I’m not her biggest fan but Andrea Parseneau does good work. Consistent distinct voices for each character that seem to match who they are. She sometimes overdoes some of the accents, especially the hissing in book 1.

Overall the 2 star rating comes primarily from the awful MC and somewhat from the forced/misleading gamelit elements.

interesting and entertaining

Daniel crafts a great story set in a world of wonder with great characters to show us around...
a steady pace makes the story progress and kept me engaged.

Andrea is amazing as always and I almost forget it's a one person narration at times

great listen.

I enjoyed listening to this book. I started it several times and stopped when the next book in a series I was reading came out. I am glad I did listen to it and have the next in the series.

Morrigan's Bidding

Introduction: Greetings, travelers from the far reaches of the cosmos and fellow beings from the icy world of HowlStrom. I am Kiba Snowpaw, a Furry alpha male Ice Wolf with the power of ice magic, and today, I shall share my thoughts on an intriguing audiobook I recently listened to during one of HowlStrom's long winter nights.

Basic Plot Summary: Sean, an ordinary Earthling, was expecting nothing more than a game of pool with his friend. Yet destiny, often unpredictable, thrusts him into a confrontation with deities spanning various mythologies. After an unexpected altercation, Sean finds himself caught in a celestial tug-of-war. Choosing Morrigan, the goddess of Fate, Death, and Battle, he is reborn on a new world, gifted with abilities by the gods. In this new reality ruled by the Summer and Winter Queens, Sean discovers that words wield more power than he could have ever imagined. He must navigate through challenges, understanding the binding nature of agreements, and find his place in this unfamiliar realm.

Analysis/Evaluation: Daniel Schinhofen crafts a tale that combines mythology, action, and the intricacies of human (and godly) relationships. The plot premise is not entirely new, but Schinhofen's execution gives it a fresh twist, especially with the emphasis on the power of words and agreements.

Characters: Sean, the protagonist, is multi-faceted, with a depth that evolves as the story progresses. While some might find his transition from an average Earthling to a chosen one a bit rapid, his moral compass and inherent decency remain consistent. The deities, especially Morrigan, are portrayed with layers that make them more than just omnipotent figures. They have desires, agendas, and emotions that drive their actions, lending depth to the narrative.

Structure: The pacing of the story is balanced, with moments of action interspersed with character development and world-building. The emphasis on the power of words and the binding nature of agreements is a recurring theme, which adds a unique layer to the narrative.

Impact: As an Ice Wolf, I appreciate tales of power, loyalty, and the challenges of navigating unfamiliar territories. Sean's journey resonated with me on many levels, reminding me that even in the harshest of winters, one can find warmth and purpose.

Hook and Thesis: The enthralling tug-of-war among deities for Sean's allegiance sets the stage for a riveting journey. As the tale unfolds, listeners are invited to reflect on the power of choices, the weight of words, and the intricate dance of destiny.

Praise and Critique: Andrea Parsneau's narration is commendable, bringing the characters to life with distinct voices and emotions. However, while the story is engaging, certain plot elements could benefit from more depth, especially the world's history and the background of the Tuatha De Danann.

Comparison: While Morrigan's Bidding shares thematic elements with other isekai or "transported to another world" tales, its emphasis on the power and consequence of words sets it apart, making it a unique addition to the genre.

Conclusion: In the vast expanse of HowlStrom's icy terrains, tales of adventure, power, and choices provide solace. Morrigan's Bidding is one such tale that promises a blend of mythology, action, and a journey of self-discovery. Whether you're an Ice Wolf like me or a wanderer seeking a captivating story, this audiobook is worth a listen.

May the frosty winds of HowlStrom guide you to your next adventure.

Epic Gamelit Adventure!

Good story and narration!

MC's buddy invites him to hang out at a bar, and while Sean is waiting for his buddy to show up, a stranger picks a fight with him. Stuff happens, and gods compete for his sole (turns out he got killed by Thor). Choosing his deity, Sean gets transported to a world with game mechanics with abilities and a body crafted by a pantheon - free from commitments, but with the hope that he can right a distant wrong. Gamer shenanigans ensue...

I loved this book! I can't wait for more!

Note:
This story is Haram Gamelit - this genera often contains explicit scenes