-
Paths of Alir
- A Pattern of Shadow and Light, Book 3
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 34 hrs and 44 mins
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy for $41.99
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Kingdom Blades
- A Pattern of Shadow and Light, Book 4
- By: Melissa McPhail
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 42 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After the events the first three books in Melissa McPhail's award-winning epic fantasy series, A Pattern of Shadow and Light, the realm of Alorin remains unbalanced. The Fifth Vestal, Bjorn van Gelderan, has cast his Players on the field. Now they must hold their positions against Malorin'athgul as well as their immortal allies. In Kandori...Prince Ean val Lorian is bound to Bjorn van Gelderan's game and to his sister Isabel, but Ean would rather be free of both of them. Yet he fears the game won't let him.
-
-
Awesome
- By garrett on 03-25-17
By: Melissa McPhail
-
Six Sacred Swords
- Weapons and Wielders, Book 1
- By: Andrew Rowe
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 10 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Keras Selyrian is already well on the way to cutting his name into the annals of legend. He’s fought false divinities, thieving sorcerers, and corrupt demigods - and left them defeated in his wake. But he’s a long way from home, and Kaldwyn offers a different brand of danger than he’s used to. He’s already got a sword of unfathomable power, but it’s damaged and leaking world-annihilating mana, so he’s in the market for a new one. Possibly six. The more the better, really.
-
-
Fun and entertaining!
- By Jim on 11-19-19
By: Andrew Rowe
-
The Red Sea
- The Cycle of Galand, Book 1
- By: Edward W. Robertson
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 16 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Dante Galand was just a boy, his father, Larsin, sailed away to make his fortune. And never returned. Since then, Dante has become a great sorcerer. A ruler. A destroyer of kings. And he's just learned that his father is living on a forbidden island at the edge of the known world. Where he's dying of a mysterious plague. In the company of his friend, the swordsman Blays, Dante travels to the island. There, his magic can do nothing for his father.
-
-
tiresome and long-winded...not for me
- By LINCOLN on 10-19-18
-
Forging Divinity
- The War of Broken Mirrors, Book 1
- By: Andrew Rowe
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Some say that in the city of Orlyn, godhood is on sale to the highest bidder. Thousands flock to the city each year, hoping for a chance at immortality. Lydia Hastings is a knowledge sorcerer, capable of extracting information from anything she touches. When she travels to Orlyn to validate the claims of the local faith, she discovers a conspiracy that could lead to a war between the world's three greatest powers. At the focal point is a prisoner who bears a striking resemblance to the long-missing leader of the pantheon she worships.
-
-
OK magic system, but everything else is flat
- By osuushi on 03-22-19
By: Andrew Rowe
-
A Testament of Steel
- Instrument of Omens, Book 1
- By: Davis Ashura
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 19 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Cinder Shade’s life begins on a fateful afternoon at the bottom of a well where he awakens, bruised, battered, and bereft of all memory. His only understanding is a driving imperative to protect those who can’t defend themselves and become a warrior worthy of the name. He discovers within himself a peculiar gift, one in which the codes of combat are made evident and the language of steel is made clear.
-
-
Repetitive plot, terrible dialogue
- By Anonymous User on 01-10-21
By: Davis Ashura
-
The White Tower
- The Aldoran Chronicles, Book 1
- By: Michael Wisehart
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 20 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For a thousand years magic has been banished throughout the Five Kingdoms, and those caught wielding it are rounded up and taken to the White Tower. They are never heard from again. Ty knows he's different. But when the bounty hunters arrive in the quiet city of Easthaven, his family reveals the shocking truth about his magical bloodline. And when an Ahvari witch hires a tribe of Northmen to capture him, Ty finds himself in the middle of a war he didn't know existed.
-
-
Spend the Credit
- By Christopher on 09-22-17
By: Michael Wisehart
-
Kingdom Blades
- A Pattern of Shadow and Light, Book 4
- By: Melissa McPhail
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 42 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After the events the first three books in Melissa McPhail's award-winning epic fantasy series, A Pattern of Shadow and Light, the realm of Alorin remains unbalanced. The Fifth Vestal, Bjorn van Gelderan, has cast his Players on the field. Now they must hold their positions against Malorin'athgul as well as their immortal allies. In Kandori...Prince Ean val Lorian is bound to Bjorn van Gelderan's game and to his sister Isabel, but Ean would rather be free of both of them. Yet he fears the game won't let him.
-
-
Awesome
- By garrett on 03-25-17
By: Melissa McPhail
-
Six Sacred Swords
- Weapons and Wielders, Book 1
- By: Andrew Rowe
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 10 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Keras Selyrian is already well on the way to cutting his name into the annals of legend. He’s fought false divinities, thieving sorcerers, and corrupt demigods - and left them defeated in his wake. But he’s a long way from home, and Kaldwyn offers a different brand of danger than he’s used to. He’s already got a sword of unfathomable power, but it’s damaged and leaking world-annihilating mana, so he’s in the market for a new one. Possibly six. The more the better, really.
-
-
Fun and entertaining!
- By Jim on 11-19-19
By: Andrew Rowe
-
The Red Sea
- The Cycle of Galand, Book 1
- By: Edward W. Robertson
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 16 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Dante Galand was just a boy, his father, Larsin, sailed away to make his fortune. And never returned. Since then, Dante has become a great sorcerer. A ruler. A destroyer of kings. And he's just learned that his father is living on a forbidden island at the edge of the known world. Where he's dying of a mysterious plague. In the company of his friend, the swordsman Blays, Dante travels to the island. There, his magic can do nothing for his father.
-
-
tiresome and long-winded...not for me
- By LINCOLN on 10-19-18
-
Forging Divinity
- The War of Broken Mirrors, Book 1
- By: Andrew Rowe
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Some say that in the city of Orlyn, godhood is on sale to the highest bidder. Thousands flock to the city each year, hoping for a chance at immortality. Lydia Hastings is a knowledge sorcerer, capable of extracting information from anything she touches. When she travels to Orlyn to validate the claims of the local faith, she discovers a conspiracy that could lead to a war between the world's three greatest powers. At the focal point is a prisoner who bears a striking resemblance to the long-missing leader of the pantheon she worships.
-
-
OK magic system, but everything else is flat
- By osuushi on 03-22-19
By: Andrew Rowe
-
A Testament of Steel
- Instrument of Omens, Book 1
- By: Davis Ashura
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 19 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Cinder Shade’s life begins on a fateful afternoon at the bottom of a well where he awakens, bruised, battered, and bereft of all memory. His only understanding is a driving imperative to protect those who can’t defend themselves and become a warrior worthy of the name. He discovers within himself a peculiar gift, one in which the codes of combat are made evident and the language of steel is made clear.
-
-
Repetitive plot, terrible dialogue
- By Anonymous User on 01-10-21
By: Davis Ashura
-
The White Tower
- The Aldoran Chronicles, Book 1
- By: Michael Wisehart
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 20 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For a thousand years magic has been banished throughout the Five Kingdoms, and those caught wielding it are rounded up and taken to the White Tower. They are never heard from again. Ty knows he's different. But when the bounty hunters arrive in the quiet city of Easthaven, his family reveals the shocking truth about his magical bloodline. And when an Ahvari witch hires a tribe of Northmen to capture him, Ty finds himself in the middle of a war he didn't know existed.
-
-
Spend the Credit
- By Christopher on 09-22-17
By: Michael Wisehart
-
Free the Darkness
- King's Dark Tidings, Book 1
- By: Kel Kade
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 16 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Raised and trained in seclusion at a secret fortress on the edge of the northern wilds of the Kingdom of Ashai, a young warrior called Rezkin is unexpectedly thrust into the outworld when a terrible battle destroys all that he knows. With no understanding of his life’s purpose and armed with masterful weapons mysteriously bestowed upon him by a dead king, Rezkin must travel across Ashai to find the one man who may hold the clues to his very existence.
-
-
An unusual but delightful premise
- By Courtney on 03-07-18
By: Kel Kade
-
Sufficiently Advanced Magic
- Arcane Ascension, Book 1
- By: Andrew Rowe
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 21 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Five years ago Corin Cadence's brother entered the Serpent Spire - a colossal tower with ever-shifting rooms, traps, and monsters. Those who survive the spire's trials return home with an attunement: a mark granting the bearer magical powers. According to legend, those few who reach the top of the tower will be granted a boon by the spire's goddess. He never returned. Now it's Corin's turn. He's headed to the top floor, on a mission to meet the goddess.
-
-
Levels doesn't matter
- By P on 01-13-20
By: Andrew Rowe
-
Dungeon Crawler Carl
- A LitRPG/Gamelit Adventure
- By: Matt Dinniman
- Narrated by: Jeff Hays
- Length: 13 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A man. His ex-girlfriend's cat. A sadistic game show unlike anything in the universe: a dungeon crawl where survival depends on killing your prey in the most entertaining way possible. In a flash, every human-erected construction on Earth - from Buckingham Palace to the tiniest of sheds - collapses in a heap, sinking into the ground. The buildings and all the people inside have all been atomized and transformed into the dungeon: an 18-level labyrinth filled with traps, monsters, and loot.
-
-
A refreshing take on apocalyptical LITRPG
- By Jason Baisden on 03-01-21
By: Matt Dinniman
-
A Warrior's Path
- The Castes and the OutCastes Book 1
- By: Davis Ashura
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 17 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sweeping from the majestic city of Ashoka to the perilous Wildness beyond her borders, enter a world where Caste determines mystical Talents, the purity of Jivatma expresses worth, and dharma may be based on a lie.Rukh Shektan has always understood duty. As a member of Caste Kumma, the warrior Caste, nothing else is acceptable. He is expected to take part in the deadly Trials, to journey the Wildness and protect the caravans linking Humanity's far-flung cities. Though the mission is dangerous, Rukh's hope and optimism are undaunted. Karma, however, is a fickle fiend.
-
-
Confounded and Confused
- By Gael Dalton on 12-20-16
By: Davis Ashura
-
Defiance of the Fall
- A LitRPG Adventure
- By: TheFirstDefier, JF Brink
- Narrated by: Pavi Proczko
- Length: 23 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The whole planet was introduced to the multiverse by an unfeeling System...or God. A universe where an endless number of races and civilizations fought for power and dominion. Zac finds himself stuck in the wilderness surrounded by deadly beasts, demons, and worse. Alone, lost and without answers, he must find the means to survive and get stronger in this new cut-throat reality. With only a hatchet for his weapon, he'll have to seek out his family before the world collapses...or die trying.
-
-
Stick with it, you won’t be disappointed
- By Clay on 06-14-21
By: TheFirstDefier, and others
-
Mage's Blood
- The Moontide Quartet, Book 1
- By: David Hair
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 26 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Most of the time the Moontide Bridge lies deep below the sea, but every 12 years the tides sink and the bridge is revealed, its gates open for trade. The Magi are hell-bent on ruling this new world, and for the last two Moontides they have led armies across the bridge on "crusades of conquest". Now, the third Moontide is almost here, and this time the people of the East are ready for a fight... but it is three seemingly ordinary people that will decide the fate of the world.
-
-
Nick Podehl is great as usual, but only read this if you've read everything else in the genre...
- By Chance on 07-24-17
By: David Hair
-
The Two Week Curse: A LitRPG Fantasy Series
- The Ten Realms, Book 1
- By: Michael Chatfield
- Narrated by: Neil Hellegers
- Length: 17 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Erik West is an ex-combat medic. He and his best friend, marine recon sniper Jimmy "Rugrat" Rodriguez, have been thrown into another world. They've become one of the "cursed". Now they have to figure out this fantasy world, where cultivation, skills, and abilities must be grown...or death awaits.
-
-
Treading mediocrity.
- By Adam on 02-18-22
-
Spellmonger
- Spellmonger, Book 1
- By: Terry Mancour
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 18 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Minalan gave up a promising career as a professional warmage to live the quiet life of a village spellmonger in the remote mountain valley of Boval. It was a peaceful, beautiful little fief, far from the dangerous feudal petty squabbles of the Five Duchies, on the world of Callidore. There were cows. Lots of cows. And cheese. For six months things went well: He found a quaint little shop, he befriended the local lord, the village folk loved him, he found a sharp young apprentice to help out, and, best yet, he met a comely young widow with the prettiest eyes.
-
-
Why so serious?
- By Amazon Customer on 05-22-20
By: Terry Mancour
-
A Mark of Kings
- The Shattered Reigns, Book 1
- By: Bryce O'Connor, Luke Chmilenko
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 18 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Despite his youth, Declan Idrys knows of the evils of the world. He knows of the bastards and brigands who plague the King's lands, of the monsters skulking in the wooded depths of the realm. Together with his companion, Ryn - a beast of rather peculiar talent - he has spent the last decade of his life beneath the bloody banners of a half-dozen mercenary guilds, hunting precisely such festering wickedness within the borders of Viridian.
-
-
A difficult slog
- By Tony G. on 10-07-19
By: Bryce O'Connor, and others
-
The Emperor's Blades
- Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne, Book 1
- By: Brian Staveley
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 19 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The emperor of Annur is dead, slain by enemies unknown. His daughter and two sons, scattered across the world, do what they must to stay alive and unmask the assassins. But each of them also has a life-path on which their father set them, destinies entangled with both ancient enemies and inscrutable gods.
-
-
This series isn't worth the time investment or the paper it was written on.
- By Chance on 03-21-18
By: Brian Staveley
-
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Book 1
- By: J.K. Rowling
- Narrated by: Jim Dale
- Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Harry Potter has never even heard of Hogwarts when the letters start dropping on the doormat at number four, Privet Drive. Addressed in green ink on yellowish parchment with a purple seal, they are swiftly confiscated by his grisly aunt and uncle. Then, on Harry's eleventh birthday, a great beetle-eyed giant of a man called Rubeus Hagrid bursts in with some astonishing news: Harry Potter is a wizard, and he has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. An incredible adventure is about to begin!
-
-
Narrator is GREAT!
- By Amazon Customer on 10-01-20
By: J.K. Rowling
-
The Name of the Wind
- Kingkiller Chronicle, Book 1
- By: Patrick Rothfuss
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 27 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This is a tale of sorrow, a tale of survival, a tale of one man's search for meaning in his universe, and how that search, and the indomitable will that drove it, gave birth to a legend.
-
-
This is why I joined Audible!
- By customer on 02-14-20
By: Patrick Rothfuss
Publisher's Summary
Powerful beings from the fringes of Chaos have come to the realm of Alorin. Fate bends to their will, and their will is set upon Alorin's destruction. Alone in understanding the threat they pose, Alorin's Fifth Vestal, Björn val Gelderan, has launched a desperate plan to stop them: a "great game" played upon the tapestry of mortal life. Now, in Paths of Alir, Björn's Players have taken the field.
Along the lush Caladrian coast of Agasan, the truthreader Tanis d'Giverny returns to the place of his birth and finds mysterious and wonderful workings waiting for him. But the zanthyr Phaedor warns Tanis that ominous events lie ahead, and the lad soon wonders if even his mother's magical lessons will be enough to keep him alive.
In the dungeons of Tal'Shira, held prisoner by the Adept Inquisitor Taliah hal'Jaitar, Prince Trell val Lorian is facing a life of enslavement. Only two paths lie open before him: one means an eternity of torture fighting Taliah's attempts to break him; the other requires surrendering to her will. But can he really sacrifice everything he is to walk Taliah's path of twisted magic known as mor'alir?
In the snow-bound Castle of Tyr'kharta, Prince Ean val Lorian must choose to save his brother Sebastian or his loyal men. But to choose his men means leaving Sebastian to an eternity of enslavement; while rescuing Sebastian means abandoning his friends, and his honor along with them. Either decision will test Ean's newfound skills, as well as his conviction, for as the prince soon learns, once a man becomes a Player in the First Lord's game, not even death can give reprieve.
More from the same
What listeners say about Paths of Alir
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Shelby Clark
- 08-30-17
Upsetting Story Plot
I loved the series until this book. The sheer amount of rape in the story made me sick to read. I couldn't finish it.
16 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Shaun Krogulski
- 02-09-17
had higher hopes for this book
I really enjoyed book 1, book 2 was a bit of a let down so this one really had to knock it out of the park. unfortunately it didn't. Many of the concepts and rules established in the previous books were either reverse or just ignored. Many plot points took to long to get to where you knew they were heading. Overall I wasn't happy with most of the book.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- Jason T.
- 02-18-20
WTF?
I'm giving this book 1 star because I can't give it -5 stars.
I've never seen an author purposely damage a major POV character like McPhail does in this book. The author seems to ignore many of the "rules" of good writing. First and foremost she broke the "reader\writer agreement" rule by completely changing the nature of one of her main characters without any character building or indication that a woman that had been portrayed for over 2000 pages as someone that remained true to her dead husband for over 300 years would then cheat on him body and soul after he finally returned to life and they were reunited.
The setup for this betrayal maybe the most obvious contrivance in literary history. It's almost as the though the author herself decided to live out a fantasy of hers in the story.
Even this betrayal could be forgiven but then the aftermath is just absolutely ridiculas to the point of offense to most males. Her husband Ean, who is the main protafanist , becomes the most pathetic, emasculated man I have ever read. Seriously, you would have to read some BD/SM material to beat it. Upon their reunion in book 5, her husband actually ends up apologizing to her for her infidelity. He then goes on to rationalize her betrayal in the most bizarre series of specious causal events that she even tells him he is wrong about.
She continues to lie to him about the incident, for example she does not inform him that she offered to stay with the other man forever to be his little sex toy, and is deceitful on a number of other topics. In short, the author turns what was a great character into a lying, betraying little whore and her husband, who is supposed to save the world, into a sniveling, pussy-whipped cuckold.
Apart from her odd decision to destroy her two main characters, the author uses these two ill defined concepts as plot devices to batter her characters down their arcs.
She uses this concept of "balance" to prevent characters from doing something that would normally be the obvious thing to do. For instance, you have an evil character going around killing people while an enormously powerful character just sits there. Why not intervene? Why "balance" of course. Balance between what two forces and exactly how preventing it would affect it is not defined. Not to mention the whole premise of the story is that the world is out of "balance" already so...
She also uses this idea of people "walking their path" to force characters to do something they normally would not do. For instance this is how she explains Ean's wife Isabele's betrayal of him. She was "walking her path". Actually it was more like she got her path plowed but whatever.
In summary, the author took what was an acceptable if flawed "hero's journey" tale and turned it into a " Fifty Shades of Fantasy Bullshit" story.
How disappointing.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- D. Kuhn
- 10-31-16
Starting to drag... starting to get repetitive...
Would you listen to Paths of Alir again? Why?
Doubtful... while there were some quite good parts to the book, where it should have been a 'penultimate' it was instead a 'middle book'. Why can't authors just stick to Trilogies... they all seem to be able to keep things tight that long but middle books tend to fall apart when they decide to go for more.
Would you recommend Paths of Alir to your friends? Why or why not?
If you're reading the series then yes... but I'd wait for book four (which hopefully will be the last).
What about Nick Podehl’s performance did you like?
Nick is great... nuff said.
Any additional comments?
Great in spots but suffering from middle book malaise. And whats the deal with men getting raped and borderline pedophilia against boys... I suspect the author was afraid to include that sort of violence against women - but it's OK if its a man or boy?
9 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 01-22-18
Gratuitous rape, violence, and betray.
There might be some spoilers here.
So if you think the sex/rape scenes in the previous book were disconcerting, you haven’t seen anything yet. The author basically whores out Isabel, Trell is turned into some weird sex slave, and Ean is turned into a cuck. Chapter 60. Completely ruined the book and the series for me. Nick Podehl’s narration was marvelous, but the writing of the book....I need a series of showers to get the filth off of me.
18 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- My name here
- 07-25-20
I couldn't finish unfortunately
I really thought this author had a great idea for a story and an engaging and interesting world, but I just couldn't finish. I struggled through the first two books for this reason. It seems like this author is trying to hard to be like a writer she is not, rather than the writer she is- mostly by adding in the weirdest extraneous details. I also cannot stand her blatant copy of Captain Jack Sparrow for the pirate in her serious- which is just lazy writing. Enough with the rape scenes as well- this is one of those weird and extraneous details.... And holy cow, I cannot stand ever again hearing the phrases: "gave a withering look", he/she "grunted", and he/she "bit their lower lip" (or "put their teeth on their lower lip" or some other iteration of this).
I really wanted to like this series, but it was just too rebarbative. Yeah, I looked up 'annoying' in the thesaurus and found this obscure, rarely seen word 'rebarbative' much the same as the author clearly does throughout this series randomly and it is jarring and obvious as well.... ugh
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 11-11-16
Just getting better
This series (with the exception of the crazy love scenes in book 2) has been amazing. The magic system and world building is tremendous!
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Isaac
- 10-31-17
Definitely took a turn in the series
Rape. Abuse. Situational morality where the end is justified by the horrific means of whoring out. I guess the author thinks self-worth and sex are cheap. Would not recommend starting the series after getting to this book. Definitely not my taste.
9 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- prettypenny
- 05-26-17
Could have been great
the story itself is fantastic. Epic world building, awesome magic concept. I am often annoyed with the authors over use of archaic words ex, if I hear the word troth again I may puke. she goes off on philosophical tangents much much too often. and for Petes sake stop arching eyebrows and biting lips (where are those editors?) I also am not fond of the overly explicit scenes of sexual torture. that's where she lost me as a major fan. while I would still rate Mcphail in my top 10 of great epic fantasy writers, I think this kind of graphic content goes overboard. There is an art called subtle innuendo. Not everyone wants their ears/minds raped over and over.
9 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- James
- 06-02-17
Dropped off in the ending
The story has some forgivable holes in it, but it really drops off toward the end. It becomes very predictable and makes light of talents unimaginable in earlier books. I'll give the next book a shot, but I feel like the strength has left this series.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- bdg
- 09-26-18
Melodramatic, whiny and poorly executed
I made the silly mistake of buying this whole series of books based on reviews and the length of each book represented pretty good value for money.
It’s only that investment and a rather dogged stubbornness that has gotten me this far but now, 2.5 books in, I have to admit defeat. It’s rare that I’ll stop reading a book series having gotten this far in but the adolescent writing style and cartoonish narration have finally beaten me into submission.
It takes a truly amazing writing talent to take every strong, heroic character who is introduced in the book and turn them into a snivelling, whiny caricatures of themselves. And Nick Podehl’s nasal, clumsy narration only exacerbates the situation.
It’s a shame as the fundamental plot is rather fun and a few good characters do provide some light relief from this maelstrom of pathetic shadows of heroism but I give up, I can’t listen to another word and I’m off to find something to listen to that doesn’t make we want to strangle the author!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Chris
- 02-03-17
An exceptional book
Paths of Alir has become one of my favourite audiobooks. The series "A pattern of shadow and light" lures you in with Cephrael's hand, and once you are familiar with the characters it becomes addictive to find out how each character's path interacts with others.
The imagination that Melissa conveys is magnificent. The descriptions are full and vivid but easy to envisage. For me this was the best of the series so far, primarily because the adepts explore their powers a little more.
I can't write a review that gives this book and Melissa's world enough credit.
Nick Podehl's performance was yet again flawless. Can't wait for the next one to be released in February!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Elizabeth
- 10-31-16
Fab book
Loved this book and find that the series is really gathering pace. Can't wait to find out what happens next.
If you love the Wheel of Time books you'll probably love this series too.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Lulu
- 10-25-16
Serves as a Long but Necessary Interlude
Firstly this series is fantastic and mesmerising- you'll want to see it through not only because you'll have invested so many hours reading it, but also and mainly because the story just keeps building up with intrigue, mystery and complexity, leaving you desperate to see the culmination of the plans and plots and, especially what seems will be the most epic battle in the history of sci-fi!! It's like Game of Thrones but thankfully and hopefully, unlike GOT, we will be rewarded with an end!
This, Book 3, unfortunately contains very graphic details of rape and torture (something for which I'd liked to have been forewarned). It'd would have been nice if the voluntary acts of lovemaking were given equal and more erotic description but alas, the author obviously has a greater appreciation of the perverse.
Also, this Book, though containing a lot of action, is really that part of the series where we really get to know the key players in the game, their history and see their key moments of character development. It therefore becomes very obvious from the start as you oscillate between boredom and ordinary interest, that this is not the final book, and that given the pace and building complexity of the story, neither will the next book bring forth the end that we so anxiously seek.
Another disappointing aspect of this particular book is that at many points the story becomes predictable.
But I've been too harsh in my analysis, compelled by the much better quality of story in the previous books 1 and 2. I have no doubt that Book 3 is integral to the understanding of the story as a whole; this book forms that necessary interlude one needs to gain understanding and preparation for rest of the story as it builds towards its conclusion.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Jonathan
- 10-21-16
This series is a masterpiece
It's been a while since I enjoyed a series of books like these. I cannot recommend them enough absolutely fantastic on all counts. I challenge any fantasy fan to disagree Mellissa Mcphail is one hell of a writer. Thank you so much for your work Melissa.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Rickie
- 11-06-20
just awsome
Awesome story. Going to have to get next book as soon as possible. I managed to get my wife into this series too. Highly recommended
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Poppey
- 05-21-20
The Last Fortress
My only surprise was that everyone made it to the end of the book without being killed, although most of them didn’t make it unscathed. Sexual content was quite hardcore.
Phaedor takes Tanis back to his place of his birth, where he learns more about his talents from the patterns his mother has left for him in the hope he can follow the strands. We also get a hint of who his parents are. He is then taken to the Sormitage, where he is to gain his ring(s), though some things are not to be. However, there he meets Nadia, Heir of the Agasan Throne, and his life is to become even more complicated.
Ean has a choice to make: Save his men or save his Brother Sebastian at Tyr’kharta.
Isobel decides to follow her own path and leaves Ean. However, her decision will have long terms effects and will cost her dearly.
Trell has been spirited away to the dungeons in the Fortress of Darroyhan by the Mor’alir Adept Taliah hal’Jaitar, whose sole purpose is to break him and bend him to her will. But Trell has a strong sense of honour which will endure.
The Malorin’athgul continue to upset the cosmic balance and Bjorn val Gelderan has an uphill struggle. But, the balance is about to shift. Peles finally choses his path and it is one his brothers will not like.
Ean is still on his mission of moaning and groaning and is proving there is no limit to his immaturity.
Thank goodness I purchased the series and did not have to wait for the next book.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- S. Putwain
- 07-06-19
Magnificent to the end
What a journey, I can't stop listening it has me bound to it. One of the best I've listened too, bought extra credits so I can carry straight on with book 4
Brillant storyline what a marvellous mind this author has... Thank you for an amazing journey please don't stop lol.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 06-03-19
yo yo
This series is a roller coaster of emotions .I love it and became deeply addicted to the authors imagination and in depth philosophy. A beautiful and magical experience .
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 05-18-19
Brilliant but triggering
This really is a great book, and the author has done a brilliant job creating every aspect of it. But I think it's worth noting that if you have experiences of abuse it can be hard to listen to at times. It doesn't take away from the joy of the story, but it's something to prepare for.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Samantha
- 01-02-21
Gets very dark
Book 3 follows the complicated storyline of many great characters. The story remains complex with many unpredictable turns, and some of the questions nagging at you from the series get answered.
I found this book to be noticeably dark with lots of detailed rape scenes, witchcraft, enslavement, torture and dominion. I found these took away from the great storyline underpinning the overall narrative.
I'm too invested in the story to not finish the series, but if you don't like dark scenes, I warn you this gets gross.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Christopher
- 08-31-20
enjoyable, if uneven.
the performance was fantastic, Nick Podehl is quickly becoming a favourite.
the book was enjoyable but I struggled through some very questionable sexual encounters I'm the book which I feel were meant to be impactful but ended up being just plain weird and uncomfortable. slight spoilers ahead: the rape masked as the greater good was just fucked and handled poorly. I expected better from Melissa and hope I'm the following books she improves.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- SONNY WOOTTON
- 01-23-18
Great listen
Found this audio book a great continuation from the previous as it brought out more information about the characters and the overall plot. The final chapters tie everything up and set the stage for another enthralling sequel. Nick Podehl does a great job reading. Recommend to anyone who enjoys big scope fantasy novels.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Jenifer
- 06-17-17
Still ploughing on....
Far too many side stories, and too many characters to remember. Unfortunately, with audio, one cannot go back easily to check who's who again. Also, there are probably maps for reference in the hard copy. This fantasy has heaps of Lands and places.
I like the story tho. About to begin book 4 which is 45 hours. 🤣
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Caitlin
- 12-07-16
Hang in there
It took a while to get a hold of the story line as there was so much going on and so many interchanging characters but worth sticking it out as once the plot hit a groove it was pretty good. I really enjoy the narration of Nick Podehl his voice for teenage girl characters is spot on.