Phoenix Fire

Eldritch Land, Book 1

De: Sean Westbrook

Narrado por: Atticus Orsborn

Following a terrible war that buried their empires in fire, survivors fled to a new home across the terrifying sea. Drawn to the great abandoned Obsidian City ringed in strange black walls with a dark tower reaching high into the heavens, they find haven.

Adrian Korien, born to this new world and to a people who distrust old nobility and gods, spends his days dreaming of adventures. While learning the family way from his father, Adrian also trains in the local guild.

Lead by Eyldr, the long-lived inhabitants of this new world, Adrian is taught why the north men fear the southern lands. Curses and poisoned land, men driven mad, and beasts growing grotesque beyond the forests and mountains fill their legends.

When monsters destroy his way of life, Adrian becomes drawn into the maddening games of a mysterious noble in the Obsidian Tower. Haunted by voices in his head, a power out of his control, and with visions of a life not his own, he must venture from his home and into a world awash with blood, banished gods, noble intrigue, and vicious creatures.

©2019 Sean Westbrook (P)2019 Sean Westbrook

Decent listen but nothing new.

I was given this audiobook free in exchange for a review. I was initially pretty interested but as the story progressed I found myself struggling to want to finish it. It definitely picked up at the end but the middle dragged.

Not sure I understand Eldritch

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

TLDR; Enjoyable, but I don't see much difference between this and most coming-of-age hero stories.

I enjoyed this book, decent worldbuilding and a nice variety of characters. It's not as "dark" as I was expecting, given the category, and subtitle. Don't get me wrong we have some solid violence, but I didn't leave this feeling like the odds were impossible, or that the world was too big/dangerous/evil/etc more of a standard YA fantasy story with extra violence.

Overall, I'll probably grab the next one in the series.

Great intro

Interesting premise and world building but lacks enough volume and ends after things really get going. Worth keeping an eye on and an enjoyable quick listen.

A Familiar Start

I generously received a copy from the author for review.

The start is strong. It's instantly familiar to anyone who has read fantasy; a boy who would rather be an adventurer than a merchant. Then the initial framing action happens and it is very exciting. Based on the start and the end of Phoenix Fire, I plan on picking up the second installment to see how the author improves.

Unfortunately, I would argue that PF drags during its long middle chapter. There is not a strong force or pull on the characters towards anything in particular. It feels like they are moving through the book waiting for the next thing to happen along with the reader. The environment around them is adapting to the first act of the book, but our characters are witnessing rather than reacting.

The main character feels partially to blame here. Without going into spoilers, he certainly has reason to rise to action, but instead errs on caution and rationality, which are dangerous qualities in a leading man. Until the last act of the book when it picks up again.

So, strong start, weak middle, strong end.

I liked what I learned of the world building, although much was left vague (presumably to be expanded upon next book). Some of the secondary characters felt like they needed more love. From my gut, the MC's parents, the village healer and the guild leader felt the most real to me. Simon (another pov character) needed another section or two to establish himself, in my opinion.

I quite enjoyed Atticus' performance of the story and hope to hear more from him.

Excellent Wotk

Loved It One of the best Sci-fi reads in a while Definitely recommend and ask for and sequel