Child of a Mad God

By: R. A. Salvatore

Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds

Length: 18 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's Summary

From R. A. Salvatore, the legendary creator of Drizzt Do'Urden, comes the start of a brand new epic journey.

When Aoleyn loses her parents, she is left to fend for herself among a tribe of vicious barbarians. Bound by rigid traditions, she dreams of escaping to the world beyond her mountain home.

The only hope for achieving the kind of freedom she searches for is to learn how to wield the mysterious power used by the tribe's coven known as the Song of Usgar. Thankfully, Aoleyn may be the strongest witch to have ever lived, but magic comes at price. Not only has her abilities caught the eye of the brutish warlord that leads the tribe, but the demon of the mountain hunts all who wield the Coven's power, and Aoleyn's talent has made her a beacon in the night.

©2018 R. A. Salvatore (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Why did it have to end!!

Love the Drizzt series, so was anxious to read of this new promising character. I was not disappointed.
Talmadge, is a frontier trader who has ditched the cities to travel the villages of Loch Beag, a huge lake surrounded by mountains. The tribes on the lake are peaceful, but not the dreaded Usgar who live up on the mountainside, with raiding warriors that invade the lakeside villages, killing, raping, and taking whatever they want. These warriors have an advantage from crystal spears that the witches of the tribe, called the Coven, have infused with magic. We first meet Aoleyn as an orphaned child, being raised by her Aunt who is one of these witches. Aoleyn grows quickly in this first installment, as does her natural power to wield the magic of the crystals. Along the way, she is also learning that the brutal ways of her tribe are just that, brutal.
There are many other characters that are developed in this story, along with the lifestyle of the Usgar and the gentle tribes of the lake, with Talmadge and Aoleyn in the center. The ending certainly leaves you hanging, my only complaint of starting a new series before it's complete. Luckily, I haven't read the Corona books so can go to those for a prequel to this new magical land.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

A witch of a different sort

This is the start of an epic fantasy set in a world of many lands with people of typical customs and several of some very strange bewildering customs. R. A. Salvatore creates several characters through the story, each with their own story arcs along the way, seemingly, unrelated to each other but we knowingly realize that these loose story strands are destined to entangle at points.

The primary protagonist is a young orphaned girl who is part of a ruthless warring tribe that consists of witches and warriors who only seek power and use any means to achieve it. The girl is of a different mind and this, combined with her stubbornness, continually puts her in danger from her own antics and from those around her. The story proceeds with many harrowing, brutal and poignant incidents throughout until it finishes with her framed as in the picture of the book, awaiting a continuation of the tale. One, I will sadly have to wait for.

The review would be incomplete without giving much deserved credit to Tim Gerard Reynolds' performance.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

A lot of nothing happening over a long time

What did you like best about Child of a Mad God? What did you like least?

the narrator

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I an a great fan of R.A. Salvatore. the highway man was one of the first books I have read. The issue I have is his focus on character development over years, but hardly going into depth on each character. its also a spoiler for his other series with adrians self reflections. I would have left the timeline to not skip as far as it did. it went from a child then a teen then an adult with nothing really happening.

Which character – as performed by Tim Gerard Reynolds – was your favorite?

adrian. during his brief appearance.

Was Child of a Mad God worth the listening time?

I really dont think it was. I felt like i was waiting years for something to happen to the characters then when something happen something else happened to change the characters then the wait I had to wait years again for another event.

Any additional comments?

i wouldnt take up this book if you havent read the demon wars saga.

15 of 20 people found this review helpful

Amazing story!

I fell in love with the story and characters before I even realized I had! There is so much depth to both that I just became lost in it. Before I even realized it I was done and craving so much more! I can't wait to find out what happens next!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Fan of a Mad Writer!

This may be Salvatore's best work yet! The struggles of his characters is incredible to witness.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I tried...i really REALLY tried!

Couldnt get into this book for all the meandering the author is doing. Long on dialog short on action. If it wasn't for Mr Reynolds I would have not made it to the mid point.

5 of 7 people found this review helpful

Was this ghost written for Salvatore?

The story started OK with some setup but then it just dragged on and on. I found myself looking for the secondary chracter's parts rather then the main character because she was so incredibly boring. I started off the story caring but by the end I didn't.

I have a feeling Salvatore was counting on his name selling the book rather then actually producing a story that lives up to his reputation.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

A new adventure in a new land.

I very much enjoyed that Salvatore was taking us to yet another part of Corona. As with building a new land it’s a bit slow to start, but this is common across pretty much every series I have read. Once it gets going though it is fantastic. More gritty than people might expect if all they have read of Salvatore is Drizzt.
This book would be OK as jumping on point in the series. However I would recommend for best enjoyment to read the first and second saga of the DemonWars.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Amazing start to a new series!

I was brutally enthralled and captivated every moment. I would highly recommend it and hope the following books in the series are come to audible soon.

Another tremendous story by R.A Salvatore! k.

loved this book! I cant wait to start on the sequel! recomend it to all fantasy fans:)

I have been waiting for this

Would you consider the audio edition of Child of a Mad God to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the printed version

Who was your favorite character and why?

All of them. This book is great.

Any additional comments?

This book is well written, the story is great and the voice acting is very good. I have been waiting for such a long time for a fantasy book that I really liked!!!! and this is it!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

The narrator was too hard to follow for me

My mother tong is French and I think I don't have the level to enjoy properly the narrator, it was too hard for me so I bought the e-book for my Kindle, and it's easier for me. Even so, I thought that the narrator was good !

0 of 2 people found this review helpful