Oathbreaker

Legend of the Gods, Volume 1

By: Aaron Hodges

Narrated by: David Stifel

Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

A century since the departure of the Gods, the Three Nations are now united beneath the Tsar. Magic has been outlawed, its power too dangerous to remain unchecked. All Magickers must surrender themselves to the crown or face imprisonment and death.

Alana's mundane life has just been torn apart by the emergence of her brother's magic. Now they must leave behind everything they've ever known and flee - before the Tsar's Stalkers pick up their trail. Tasked with hunting down renegade Magickers, the merciless hunters will stop at nothing to bring them before the Tsar's judgment.

As the noose closes around Alana and her brother, disgraced hero Devon finds himself at odds with the law when he picks a fight with the wrong man. The former warrior has set aside his weapons, but now, caught between the renegades and the Stalkers, he is forced to pick a side - the empire, or the innocent.

©2018 Aaron Hodges (P)2018 Aaron Hodges

Great book!

I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

This was a fantastic book. I haven't read/listened to the Sword of Light series that this book is spun off from, but I didn't feel like that was a problem. I was sucked right into the story and enjoyed the listen. I think that is due to this series starting a century after the first series ends. If anything, this book made me want to go back and listen to them. The narration was great and did a good job of holding my interest. In fact, I'm now interested in checking out his other works.

Attention-grabbing and enjoyable

My second read/listen from author Aaron Hodges began slowly but was attention-grabbing and enjoyable. The first book in the Legend of the Gods series. I look forward to the next book in the series. Aaron Hodges has moved up on my TBR list and since I own 8 books by him that won't be a problem.

Oathbreaker

I really liked this book!Magic is not allowed.While running from the authorities two young siblings one a magicker,first insult then blackmail a large man and his moneykeeper to get on a boat away from the city.The man decides the kids are ok and our adventure is ready to take another turn.David Stifel was a fine narrator for this book.I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.

Fantastic

I have to say the narrator did a great job bringing alive the characters. They seemed alive and that I was right next to them as the story unfolds. I loved all the action and suspense from one adventure to the next I don't think you would like to miss a great adventure.

Very Enjoyable Story

This was a good fantasy story with a cool magic system. I founf myself wanting both of thw main characters to get everything they wanted and m9ght have cheered a little at a few points.

Slow Start turns into Loads of Action

This book had a really slow start, with a bit more telling on the background of the world instead of showing. After a few hours in, this book really picked up. The narrator for the audio book reminded me of the narrator for Game of Thrones, though he was a bit too slow. When I changed the speed from Normal to Fast, it was much better, but even then a touch too slow.

I liked the characters, and the trials they faced along the way. It's your standard quest fantasy with a touch of underlying romance and separation of characters. The end was satisfying, though with a touch of a cliffhanger, still it felt complete enough to not bother me. I look forward to checking out the rest of the series.

A great start to a new series

This is an entertaining story that hits a few of my buttons. First of all, I loved Devon, who fits one of my favorite fantasy character types – the strong, older grizzled veteran who is world-weary and lets his actions speak more than his words (think Logen Ninefingers from The First Law or Clay Cooper from The Band). Also, I love when these types of characters have a deeper sense of morals that inspire them to help those in need, or to fight against a greater enemy, and that is Devon.

In this book, Devon (at times grudgingly) agrees to help two siblings who are trying to escape the tsar. (Sidebar note: I listened to the audiobook, and it was annoying the way the narrator consistently pronounced tsar as “tt-zar” almost as a 2-syllable word. I have always heard the word with the silent “t” as “zar”.)

Overall this was well done and ended with some surprise twists and a big cliffhanger. 3.9/5 stars.

Really a good story

Good character development and plot. Narration was well done. My only negative comment is that the foreshadowing for the ending was a little over done. Other than that I loved the whole thing. The writing isn't anything out of this world but the characters stay pretty close knit and it's an enjoyable tale to follow.

Another great Book!!

Aaron Hodges does it again! I am a big fan and he does not disappoint! Oath Breaker is a very captivating novel. It picks up about a hundred years after the Sword of Light Trilogy but stands very well on its own. Well written, well developed, and great depth for both the characters and the world building. A few of the twists really caught me off guard and kept me wanting more. David Stifel once again delivers a great performance that keeps the listener engaged. He is the perfect narrator for Aarons work.

Although this book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review, I am anxiously awaiting the next books in the series.

An exciting new spin-off to The Sword of Light

This new series begins a century after the events of The Sword of Light Trilogy. So far, you can easily listen to the story without reading/listening to the first trilogy, but I highly recommend it for it's own sake.

This book actually starts at the end of the war the Tsar has waged to rule the three Nations. Devon, descendent of Alan from the first trilogy, has fought ruthlessly for the Tsar, but the guilt he carries forces him to walk away from a promotion; one that a comrade and Magicker, Quinn, desperately desired.

Present day brings us to the rule of the Tsar, where Magick is outlawed, and Magickers must turn themselves in for training or death. Anyone harboring a Magicker will be put to death. Which brings us to two more of our MCs, Alana and Braden, siblings on the run because Braden's Magick appeared on his birthday. They are running for their lives from Quinn, now the lead of the Tsar's Trackers; a formidable group of soldiers and Magickers who hunt down any wild Magickers.

Meanwhile, Devon visits his friend and former comrade, Killian, at his inn, where he runs into a bit of trouble. On his way home, he is approached by a young girl who asks for his help, but he sends her on her way. After a whirlwind of events, however, Devon, Killian, and the siblings end up traveling together and facing deception and danger.

This is the beginning of an epic fantasy series, I'm sure. It is filled with magic and mystery, a dangerous chase to reach safety before being caught, and surprises in interesting places. Along the way, our MCs meet Tilly, an ancient priest, who is more than what she seems. For those of us who are familiar with the previous story, her revelation will mean a lot more. And then there's the Tsar himself. Who is he really? Why is it so imperative that Alana not reach the Northlands? What does the big reveal at the finale of the story mean for the future of our heroes? I guess I will have to get the next in the series and find out.

The narrator did a great job with the narration. The character differentiation could have been a bit more clear, but otherwise, I thought he did a good job.

* I received a free copy of this audiobook and I am leaving my honest review. *