Of Sea and Shadow

The Elder Empire: Sea, Book 1

By: Will Wight

Narrated by: Travis Baldree

Length: 11 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's Summary

The Guild of Navigators has ruled the Aion Sea for centuries, using their fleet of mystical ships to collect trade for the Aurelian Empire.

Now, the Emperor is dead.

For Calder Marten, Captain of The Testament, the Emperor’s death is not an end, but an opportunity. He and his crew seek the legendary Heart of Nakothi, an artifact that could raise a second Emperor...and earn Calder a fortune.

But they’re not the only ones who want the Heart.

The Consultant’s Guild, an ancient order of spies and assassins, will stop at nothing to keep the world in chaos. They seek to destroy the Heart, and prevent the world from uniting under a single Emperor ever again.

On the seas, a man works to restore the dying Empire.

In the shadows, a woman seeks to destroy it.

Will you explore the seas here with Calder? Or will you walk the shadows with Shera, in the parallel novel Of Shadow and Sea?

©2014 Hidden Gnome Publishing (P)2019 Audible, Inc.

Harnessed Gibbering Mind Horrors

I recommend this for fantasy fans who want a break from the tired, typical faux Middle Ages European aesthetic, as well as fans of fiction where frankly no one is strictly speaking “the good guy” or “the bad guy.”

The setting of this book is split between the protagonist’s teenage years where he learns combat and magic and him as a sea-faring adult after he takes on a job to obtain a dangerous object. The magic itself is all based around harnessing the power of Cthulhu-like horrors. But overall the magic is mostly downplayed in favor of a more realistic approach, just a world slightly off.

The book gets muddled and hard to follow at times, and many of the characters are just a tad too alike to keep separate in your head, but overall it is a compelling book. Some parts are slower than others, but the last 30% really trots along with nonstop action. Furthermore, the split narrative isn’t too egregious with bad chapter cliffhangers like some books.

So, I’d give this book a go if you want an adventure novel with a fresher setting than what you’re used to.

Did it again - Fantastic

Will builds another incredible world that is fun and brilliantly complicated, yet the writing, storytelling and narration is so good it seems simple and wraps you like a comfy blanket - great tempo, fun characters and a clever story.
Something I really like about Will's stories - he doesn't put his spin on elements of already told stories - everything is new and original. He is in Sanderson's league of world creating, story telling and originality - which is high praise.
Travis Baldree is great! I explored other books he narrated, which are good... but there some kind of magic between Will and him - cause the pair makes everything... better.
Worth it. If you are still reading this, you need to dive in. Just... trust me (a stranger you have never met:)
I think this is an offshoot/pre-something of the authors Cradle series... which if you haven't listened to, stop what you are doing and please listen to it - mind-blowing awesomeness. Or maybe I hope he is going to tie the two together - if he did, that would be top-shelf WOW.
If you are really still reading this - stop! You are wasting valuable listening time.

Meh just couldn't get into it

Not a bad story by any means. I'm a big fan of Will Wight and Travis Baldree is always fantastic, but this book never pulled me in. I found myself motivated to get through it simply to get it over with so I could read something else. Read The Cradle series first if you are looking for a new fantasy series!

Wow, fantastic story!

Wow! What an interesting way to tell a story. Leave it to Will Wight to come up with this unique tale... I just finished careening from the end of Of Shadow and Sea, and rushed head-long into this story. So first there was Shera's perspective as an assassin of the Consultant's Guild, and this time we get Calder Marten's point of view. He's Captain of the ship Testament, and an infamous member of the Nautical Guild.
I think I see why Will Wight would choose to make 2 books out of all this, instead of just one. It seems like it's too big of a story to actually fit in one book. With each of the two storylines recieving the same deference to the present day, and to their own personal backstories, it just wouldn't fit properly. Seriously, the two storylines only cross each other a few times, so there's hardly any scene duplication, but Holy Gods, when they do cross, expect Fireworks!
Also, I felt that Of Sea and Shadow had more world building, and gave me a better idea of what the different Guilds were all about, so I didn't feel as if I'd been set adrift in an ocean of unknowns...I felt firmly on the deck of the Testament! The story gives us more about the Elder Gods, and just how steampunk this world really is. Don't get me wrong, there aren't any slow spots in this action packed story, you simply get well placed and well timed world building amidst all the action!
Grab this book! And if you haven't already grabbed of Shadow and Sea, get that too... and let Travis Baldree and in turn Emily Woo Zeller tell you two Amazing stories!

Great fun!

I really enjoyed this one. Will Wight and Travis Baldree never disappoint and this is no exception. I had hesitated at first as I'm not a huge fan of anything that even sort of seems pirate related so it took me a few weeks to work up to starting this. Luckily for me there was very little pirate adventure and much more old gods and cthulhu mythos. I enjoyed Calder and his crew, especially their pet Bellows. I'm looking forward to learning more about their motivations and to listening to the other side of this story because as much as I'd like to be on team Clader, I'm guessing I'm more likely to be on team Shera but who knows? Maybe I'll update this after I have given that one a try.

I’ll be following this side the the series!

Although everything about the world that Will Wight has built here is exciting, I much preferred listening to Travis Baldree’s expert narration and the overall tone of this novel more than its sister book “Of Shadow and Sea”, which I read first. I will definitely keep following the story from this side, and may come back to the other side later on. It was an awesome book!

Interesting world and Magic (Again)

I really enjoy Will wight, and have all the books narrated by Travis Baldree.

Sea and Shadow has the opportunity to position itself as an interesting prequel or parallel story line to the Cradle series.

I find the level of detail in the story a little "trying" to get through, and have had to take a few breaks during the book where internal monologue drags on for a little too long.

The companion book of Shadow and Sea is an interesting take on a book seen from the other lead characters view, but the internal monologue borders on Waaaaaaay too much.

A good read, possibly a good series, but I dont think I will continue with the alternate story line series.

very interesting storyline

the author has created a compelling storyline that makes you want to listen to the entire series

Great narration as all ways but trash story

Mc was made stupid choice all story long dnt waste your money. very disappointed author

Interesting

I honestly really liked it, the only reason it's a 4 out of 5 star rating the for story is because I found myself getting a little lost with the different characters.
I love the idea and the magical aspect is definitely a cool idea. I would recommend this for anyone looking for a good story, and I personally will be purchasing the next books in the series.