Pirate of the Prophecy

Empress of the Endless Sea, Book 1

By: Jack Campbell

Narrated by: Caitlin Davies

Length: 12 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's Summary

On the world of Dematr, the Emperor and his legions rule over the lands on the eastern side of the Sea of Bakre, and the Great Guilds rule over the Emperor and his subjects. The Mechanics Guild, whose members claim they came from the stars, controls technology far beyond that of the swords and sailing ships of the common people, while the Mage Guild wields strange powers that terrify all who face them. 

Jules, an orphan from the Imperial city of Landfall, has fought her way up to become an officer in training with the Emperor’s fleet. But her plans and her life are shattered when a Mage prophesizes that a daughter of her line will one day overthrow the Great Guilds and free the world. In that moment, the prophecy takes over her life. The Mages plot to kill her, the Mechanics try to find ways to use her, and the Emperor seeks to coerce her into having his children. 

Unwilling to surrender her life to serving the prophecy, Jules makes her escape by joining the crew of a pirate ship. As she fights for her comrades’ freedom as well as her own, she learns that the world is finally changing. But if that change triggers all-out war between the Great Guilds and the Empire, it may well devastate the world rather than free it.

©2020 John G. Hemry (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC.

I had to stop listening

I must admit, I lasted twenty minutes into this book, I know, it is written by one of my best authors Jack Campbell and, the story was probably as outstanding as his other books. Im sorry, I couldn't put up with the atrocious quality of reading, One tone, inflection upwards at the end of each sentence. The reader was just terrible, I couldn't put up with her voice any further. Please Audible Please get this book reproduced and presented by someone else please.

Exciting and satisfying

I’m so pleased with this book. It’s a prequel to the Pillars of Reality series and while containing many references and explanations for those books it stands wonderfully on its own as an adventure with thrills and friends and battles. Jack Campbell is the only writer I have encountered who can make battles whether on land in the sea or in space not only comprehensible but interesting to this old woman. The narrator was well chosen to bring the story to vivid life and I am now going to start all over to listen for a second time.

A Demeter prequel

Took only 3 evenings to finish this one. On one hand, generic hunted lady story, on the other hand, well done. Even if the narratrices voiceplay isn't what I search in an audiobook.

Fencing, fighting, monsters, chases, escapes...

If you read and enjoyed the Pillars of Reality series and/or the Legacy of Dragons trilogy, you will like this and it is a worthwhile read. For all Mari always said she couldn't possibly live up to the legend of Jules, we don't really know much about her from previous series except she was a pirate and founded Julesport. This is her origin story.

This takes place in the world of Dematr during a period of expansion. The Emperor is trying to expand his territory and so are the great guilds, while the commons try to expand just a bit further than all of them to be free. After a mage foresees a daughter of her line will unite mechanics, mages, and commons to overthrow the Great Guilds, Jules has to flee in the night and start her life from scratch. Jules is determined not to let that prophey be all that she is. She uses her wits and reckless bravery to play the mechanics against the mages and forms her own legend independent of the prophecy. This is a fun read with a strong female lead.

jumps right in

right from the very first we're given the prophecy that the guilds will fall. poor Jules didn't ask for it or want it. then again, who wants to be told they're descendants will change the world? sounds great in theory, but horrible when you realize some would rather see you dead than bred. Jack Campbell continues to hit me in my heart, and I won't lie, I said some loud expletives at the end of this book.

Feels like something ordered not inspired.

I love Jack's books. I was introduced to him with the Dragons of Doorcastle and have listened to 90% other works but this just doesn't feel like him.Only other book I had problems with was Legacy of Dragons at the start but that's because the main characters were literally winy teens that were able to grow into proper characters and I appreciate that growth but there was something interesting to spark it and mostly because the rest of the cast were able to pull the load early on. This on the other hand feels like a case of audible giving Jack money and a deadline for 3 books and he gave them what he was able to put out.

The biggest thing is how the prophecy is the first thing that happens. Because of this we get nothing of how the legendary Jules is without the weight of the prophecy on her. I am 6 chapters in and all I can tell you about her is she was a orphan and joined the military because the only jobs open to orphans is the military or sex work. After that she has a generic package of hero skills with no real explanation she is a fresh out of the academy trainee able to sail on par with experienced capstans and to fight with a unfamiliar weapon with minimal explanation. We can't even call her brave as she uses the shield of confidence that most cocky teens use in that she was told she was special. Because she was told her decedents would free the world and she has yet to have any she uses that knowledge as a bullet proof coat. Then when she isn't full of herself or being told how great she is she falls into depression because she feels that she will be defined by what her future child will do. Perhaps it gets better in but I have never had to struggle so had to convince myself to listen to one of Jack's books. Might just be the narrator but all the characters seem to blend together to me.

Most of the story just feels like a hallow repeat of whats been written before. I feel that the cause of this is that Jules lacks a foil or partner to work with. Everything we get is from her perspective and theirs very interactions with the crew of importance. It's almost like if one of the other books were rewritten without one of the protagonists. I might come back and give it a try when im running low on new books but for now im refunding it.

Still Great

I miss the old narrator, he did everything so amazingly, but this new one is decent enough.

The story is very fast-paced compared to both other series in this world, but so far it’s been great, just like the other books!

Definitely recommend.

Just Wow

I was very impressed with this title. The author shared the world with me and breathed life into the characters. I was surprised by the turn of events. The story was well crafted. while this is not my type of book I am eager to see what happens next. I am currently rushing through this review so I may get the next book.

The reader successfully made each character unique. The readers voice was clear and easy to understand. The reader captured the voice of youth and maturity well.

I am off to get the next book.

this book did not disappoint!!

although I miss the voices of MacLeod Andrews , I soon realized that those voices belonged to Master Mechanic Mari' and Mage Alane( never had to spell their names out before so I hope I got it right) the heros of the prophecy.

starts off ok, quickly sinks like load of lead

the start of this book isnt to bad, character seems interesting, if a bit much of a tryhard strong female protagonist. but it quickly begins to spiral down the drain as she goes from tryhard to whiny twat. the mages, mechanics, and imperials all come off as mustache twirling saturday morning cartoon villians, and it just loes all momentum as it tries to haul a slow meandering story along by its collar.

what an adventure

Fantastic book, very good start and had me gripped all the way through, looking forward to more.

Easy to listen to.

An interesting science fiction/ fantasy.
Reading is good, but not great.
Story fast paced without the pointless irrelevant details so many authors love.
Definitely listen to the free ones, I haven't decided if I will actually pay for any more.
Not quite sure why it isn't a five star for me, but its just lacking that something special.