Dryad-Born

Whispers from Mirrowen, Book 2

By: Jeff Wheeler

Narrated by: Sue Pitkin

Length: 15 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

In the scourged kingdoms of Mirrowen, little hope survives.

Rumors stir of a hidden child who can stop the devastating plagues — and the race to find her has begun. The ruthless ruler of Kenatos, the Arch-Rike, and the people pledged to stopping him will do anything to make sure they’re the ones to reach her first.

Because even though young Phae may be unaware that she is the long-lost daughter of Tyrus — the Arch-Rike’s rival — there is no mistaking her gift. She not only wields the dangerous fireblood, but she can also steal the memories of anyone who looks into her eyes. Both Fireblood and Dryad-born, she alone can survive the Scourgelands long enough to learn the secrets hidden within the oaks — secrets that may reveal the origins of the plagues…and how to fight them.

Now Phae must learn to accept her newfound destiny or forever fear the steadfast evil of the Arch-Rike.

©2014 Jeff Wheeler (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

what happened to Michael Page?

Fireblood (book 1) was awesome. Good story, but the narrator Michael Page did a fantastic job. He really gave the characters personality through his narrating. Started this book, but couldn't finish, narration is AWFUL. I can't tell one character from the other, why the change? Am I alone in this? Had to return this one, guess I'll just go get it in paperback. I saw book 3 is with the same narrator as this one =( so sad.

Great story, terrible narrator

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I would go back to Michael Page as the narrator. Sue Pitkin does okay when she isn't reading dialogue, but she can't read dialogue well to save her life. I can only listen to this book for short periods of time before I have to turn it off.

I got this audiobook despite the poor reviews of the narrator because I had the ebook already and it was only $2, but I would never waste a credit or pay full price for it. The book is excellent, but Pitkin was not the right choice at all. I feel like she'd do much better with something like Jane Austen rather than epic fantasy.

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoy everything about this story except the performer. It's a solid follow-up to the first book.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Her speech is exaggerated, her attempts at different accents are awful, and it is clear that she didn't listen to any of the previous book. Conversations between characters are painful and unnatural. As an example, the voice she uses for the archivist's passages is stilted and overdone while Michael Page's interpretation was scholarly and thoughtful. I grit my teeth every time one of those sequences comes up when I used to enjoy them. I gave her two stars because I can at least listen to her for short periods of time, but I have to take a break after long dialogues.

Was Dryad-Born worth the listening time?

Reading time, heck yeah. Listening time... Just barely, maybe? It was better than not listening to a book at all, I guess.

Any additional comments?

Please, please, please, please bring Michael Page back.

Narrator is like nails on a chalkboard

I couldn't get past the few chapters of this book because of the terrible narration. The first book was wonderful with Michael Page. I am disappointed I won't be able to listen to the rest the series, because I cannot suffer another agonizing minute of the book with this narrator.

Great story, dismal narration

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

Yes. Jeff Weaver creates compelling and complex worlds and characters, and this book is no exception. Unless they re-do it with a different narrator though, do yourself a favor and just read it.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Every time she made the word 'skeletal' rhyme with 'beetle' I was so dumbfounded that I had to back up to see what I missed while shaking my head. Several of the voices she characterized were shrill, annoying and over-done. I have heard many audio books in my day, and this was among the worst narration I have ever encountered.

Any additional comments?

You might want to consider re-doing this series with a worthwhile narrator.

Like the story, not the narrator

The series changed narrators between first and second books. The new narrator makes all the male characters sound like weaselly nauseated old men, it is horrendous. The story is good though.

the narrator

the narrator sounded like she had a mouthful of saliva the whole time and needed to wipe her mouth you get used to it but it was really annoying other than that a good book

Disappointing narrator

Not the original narrator. Usually this doesn't bother me. But this narrator does not do a good job of distinguishing between characters and I would be lost. Hard to finish

Ahhh..that we should get to go to Mirrowen

Love this writer and the tales he weaves. very engaging and the narrator is perfect.!

jeff wheeler good as always, but horrible narrator

this was an excellent addition to Jeff's others. While not as good as kingfountain, it was still amazing and I love how it tied into other series. however, I struggled greatly with the narrator. This narrator is the only one I have not liked out of all of them. I especially miss Kate Rudd :) she was so good! too bad she could not do this one as well.

Decent story horrendous narrator

I forced myself to finish because I love Jeff Wheeler’s books and worlds. Yet this narrator almost made me stop altogether.
The narrator of the first book in the series was fine and I was hoping he’d do the third.
I’m greatly disappointed.