Scarlet Tides

Moontide Quartet, Book 2

By: David Hair

Narrated by: Nick Podehl

Length: 24 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's Summary

The Moontide has come and the Leviathan Bridge stands open: now thrones will shake and hearts will be torn apart in a world at war.

A scarlet tide of Rondian legions is flooding into the East, led by the Inquisition’s windships flying the Sacred Heart, the bright banner of the Church's darkest sons. They are slaughtering and pillaging their way across Antiopia in the name of Emperor Constant. But the emperor's greatest treasure, the Scytale of Corineus, has slipped through his fingers and his ruthless Inquisitors must scour two continents for the artefact, the source of all magical power.

Against them are the unlikeliest of heroes. Alaron, a failed mage, the gypsy, Cymbellea, and Ramita, once just a lowly market-girl, have pledged to end the cycle of war and restore peace to Urte. East and West have clashed before, but this time, as secret factions and cabals emerge from the shadows, the world is about to discover that love, loyalty and truth can be forged into weapons as strong as swords and magic.

©2013 David Hair. Published by arrangement with Quercus Editions Ltd (UK). (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Such a good time

I just followed the narrator after hearing "the kingkiller chronicles" but this story is not typical. The intrigue and the magical system were phenomenal but the depth of character psychological analysis was definitely unexpected but added a new dimension to this epic tale. I am a fan. I love the characters with flaws and all. You won't regret listening to this series

A Perfect Sequel

Upon finishing the first book in this series, I was somewhat disappointed. However, I continued to think about the story and the world itself, then I gave this book a go.

For any readers equally agitated by the end of the first book, I strongly encourage you to give the second a try. Aside from the performance being brilliant, the story develops nicely.

The writing is also quite good and Hair pulls you into his world, even when you don't like what is happening to the characters. Well done, sir.

Loved it!!

I gave book one a alright rating, but now I see that 3/4 of it was back story with the last as primer. The second book was a page turner/hour listener, front to back! WOW, this next book has some big shoe's to fill.

Good story but where the hell did all sex come from

I liked the characters and story after the first book but was more than a little surprised by how much of this book revolved around sex. I'm no prude but is a big shift.

Book 1 of the series was slow.Book 2 was wonderful

The 1st installment of this series left me apathetic to the characters and felt lack luster. By the end of book one, the only reason I kept on was because the author did a great job at world building and is a talented writer. However like i said i didn't care for the heros. I had no one to root for. Book two has given me what I longed for. People to care about, and cheer on! My love of books comes from caring for the people i read about. This book "scarlet tides" is outstanding and i am glad i decided to continue on with the series

I love Nick Podehl's voice

Nick Podehl does a great job bringing the characters to life in this story. He nails the accents which helps differentiate the characters (which he also changes his voice for as well!). Overall the book by David Hair draws you in bit by bit until the threads come to a head in a massive cliff hanger.

Epic, touching, and Dangerously engrossing

the moon tide quartet is a must read/ listen for all fantasy fans. it combines the Magnificent World building of tigana with the character depth of the first law series. it has the Intrigue of Game of Thrones, and a deep magic system like mistborn. don't bother reading this review just get the damn book

Great book

This is a great follow up to the first book. It keep me interested all the way through. The graphics sex was interesting for a audiobook. I recommend ear buds for a few part!!

Hard names to follow

I like the story, but I had to reply parts several times because the names of places and people were hard for me to follow. The performance was really good...it is what saved it for me.

A Good Story Continues

As in the 1st book of the series, the 2nd one finds our protagonists caught up in action, intrigue and nail biting moments. The three major story-lines expand to five which leaves no opportunity to nap or face the consequence of being lost. And, I embarrassingly realized that the books takes place on two different continents. This is a big deal. The major plot element of the series is that one continent invades the other every 12 years when the sea separating the two lands recedes and can be crossed by a bridge. While the invaders enjoy the pillaging and general debauchery, the people on the other continent hate it. There is also sex. This did not seem important to the plot, but, ashamedly I listened. Afterwards, I felt like a peeper.

Some reviewers compared this series to George RR Martin’s “Song of Ice and Fire” books, but I believe the author was more influenced by Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings”. There is a quest, magical beings and importantly a “precious” that everyone wants; some with good intentions while others desire it to fulfill their evil, maniacal plans.

Fantastic

I love this narrator he brings it to life and a well written book with huge depth to it.

So many real life issues used to create the characters. Fantastic second book

Better and Better

I am mightily impressed with this series so far, and I have two more books to look forward to. As always Nick Podehl's performance is brilliant. All the characters, heroes and villains are wonderfully written, and the world they inhabit is so vivid. As with the real world, there are characters I like, those I don't. The heroes are heroic and the villains are as villainous as they need to be. If I have a complaint about this, and the first book, (and even though I haven't read them yet, the two books to follow this one, most likely), its the character of Alaron Mercer. I admit he is as well written as the other characters, and that is proven by the very fact that he elicits such a strong reaction, but every time a chapter is given over to what he's doing, I cringe, and only listen with half an ear, until we get to one of the other character's exploits. I suppose the character is necessary to the story, but in my opinion he spoils what would otherwise be a perfect experience. Fortunately the Mercer character doesn't appear too often, and when he does, it gives me a chance to go make coffee, or play with the dog, until he goes away. That said, I'm looking forward to the next two books in this amazing series, (hopefully minus Alaron Mercer).

Fantastic story and an excellent read.

I loved the story line, the twists and the changing of alegences. The characters are so different ams come alive.

Great!!!

Would you listen to Scarlet Tides again? Why?

yes... this is a great story that just keeps you griped and entertained at all times.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Any additional comments?

It would be great if they put the 3rd book on this site. as its been nearly a year since the 3rd book is out and still waing for another.