Reckoning

The Silver Blackthorn Trilogy, Book 1

By: Kerry Wilkinson

Narrated by: Kat Rose-Martin

Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's Summary

In the village of Martindale, hundreds of miles north of the new English capital of Windsor, 16-year-old Silver Blackthorn takes the Reckoning. This coming-of-age test not only decides her place in society, Elite, Member, Inter or Trog, but also determines that Silver is to become an Offering for King Victor.

But these are uncertain times and no one really knows what happens to the teenagers who disappear into Windsor Castle. Is being an Offering the privilege everyone assumes, or do the walls of the castle have something to hide? Trapped in a maze of ancient corridors, Silver finds herself in a warped world of suspicion where it is difficult to know who to trust and who to fear. The one thing Silver does know is that she must find a way out . . .

©2014 Kerry Wilkinson (P)2014 Kerry Wilkinson

great book

good story great writing and this adds an unique book to distopia collection. for sure will get the second book

Fantastic Listen

The Story
I went into this audiobook already knowing what to expect about the story itself. What I love about audiobooks though is having a new take on things, listening to someone else tell the story, and discovering things you missed or forgot about. The Reckoning is a test that all 16 year olds on the 1st July have to take, which determines which section they belong to, Trogs, Intermediates, Elites, or Members. From this group of teenagers, a few are selected to be an Offering, someone who is sent to Windsor castle to stay. What happens to these offerings no-one knows except that they never to see family of friends again. Reckoning follows Silver as she travels to Windsor castle as an Offering herself.

The Narrator
I love the narrator, Kat Rose-Martin. Her accent to me fits perfectly with the story and the area that Silver comes from. She really brings the characters to life, and just like the book, I could not put this down. My usual sleep routine is listening to a book for about an hour, Reckoning was one I had on for just "half an hour more". Thankfully I was off work over Christmas so my very late nights listening to Reckoning meant I didn't get too tied for work.
Reckoning audiobook is the perfect blend of story and narration mixed into one, and I really hope that Kat Rose-Martin gets to narrate the next book.

Final Verdict
Loved every second of this book and I know it will be one I listen to time and time again.

Great book

Took abit of getting used to
After Kerry's other detective books, but is really good,you want to keep listening/reading as you need to know what happens next.
Now looking forward to the next one

Good listen

I enjoyed listening to this book and found that I had to keep listening. Story was quite fast paced. The regional accent of Kat Rose-Martin fitted the lead character well. Now looking forward to the second book.

Dystopian Hogwarts.

Where does Reckoning rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Kat is a natural for the role of Silver Blackthorn with her Emmerdale erm I mean Martindale accent and youthful tones. The fact that the novel is written entirely in first person from Silver's point of view is carried throughout very convincingly.

What other book might you compare Reckoning to, and why?

I was reminded of The opening of John Christopher's novels about the The Tripods as intelligent young people are selected and the remaining population are kept at a primitive level in a dystopian future. Then the train journey to Windsor was very J K Rowling's Hogwarts Express, but Hogwarts turns out to be more like Colditz.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The conclusion because.. well it's the most exciting bit.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

People die, cruelly and unnecessarily so you feel for them and the ones left behind, there aren't a great many laughs in this book.

Any additional comments?

Very much the first in a series it ends abruptly leaving the characters still in some peril and the reader thinking now I'll have to read the next one! so be prepared This is only the beginning!

Escape to the future

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this audiobook to a friend because I was totally drawn into the story. Although it is not my usual choice of genre, I was surprised with how it held my attention and I lost myself in the story.

What other book might you compare Reckoning to, and why?

It reminded me of Margaret Atwell's The Handmaids Tale, which I studied at collage many years ago. The subjugation of women in a dystopian situation.

Which character – as performed by Kat Rose-Martin – was your favourite?

I loved the character Silver Blackthorn but did not find the king convincing, he came across as too comic book like.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was left wanting to know how the story would unfold as the group moved on.

Great to listen to!

Loved this book. It was the second time, the first time I read it, this time I listened to it. The experience of listening was even better due to excellent narration. I was thoroughly engaged & excited by it.