The Codex of Her Scars (Sorcerers' Isle, Book 1)

By: Derek Prior

Narrated by: Steven Pacey

Length: 14 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

"Even the broken will fight"

From the number one best-selling author of Legends of the Nameless Dwarf (fantasy book of the year 2012)

Centuries ago, the Isle of Branikdür was mysteriously abandoned by the ruling Hélum Empire. Ever since, rival clans have battled for supremacy at the bidding of their sacred sorcerers.

During the once-a-year armistice for the Festival of Proving, the gifted warrior Snaith Harrow aims to leave his mark in the fight circles before marrying his childhood sweetheart. But following a freak accident, he discovers a terrible secret about the girl he loves.

Tey Moonshine is a daughter of suffering, and she has fallen prey to the things that stalk the netherworld. Under the influence of a demon that hides within her marrow, she gouges a magical codex into her flesh, believing it will make her the greatest sorcerer the isle has ever known.

Maimed from his accident and no longer able to fight, Snaith is apprenticed to the clan sorcerer, Theurig, and Tey is sent away from the village.

As Snaith is thrust headlong into a sorcerer's world of misdirection and control, Tey must master the darkness that possesses her if she is to stand together with him against the coming storm.

For the ripples of forbidden magic have roused the sleeping might of the Hélum Empire.

War is coming.

A war the clans can never win.

And the fate of Branikdür lies in the hands of a warrior turned wizard and a deranged girl who grows more deadly by the day.

Sorcerers' Isle is a shocking tale of dark fantasy from international best-selling author D. P. Prior.

©2017 D. P. Prior (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Dark for sure

Steven Pacey saves the day!!!! Not sure I would have completed this book if it wasn't for Steven Pacey's narration, he has a way of drawing you in!!

a great start!

i already live derek prior and steven pacey and the dark style of fantasy so this is all of that, but it's just the start of a new epic. we met the characters we get a few twists and we are setup for some bigger events. say one thing for codex, says it's not the first law, but it's pretty good so far.

The best book I’ve listened to since I finished Joe Aberceombie

In my opinion there is no one better at narration of these kinds of fantasy then Steven Pacey. Sorcerers’ Isle, with Pacey just put D.P. Prior up a step or five, loved it.

A Rough Start

The first third of the book is easily the worst part, I don't know if the writer just took a while hitting his stride or what exactly. One of the main characters in this section of the book seems to act with no rhyme or reason, and essentially has 3 different characters within. If I hadn't read this in audiobook format I wouldnt have understood well. The first third of the book feels like a big handhold through all the steps the writer has to take BEFORE he tells his story. However, once he gets there I was pleasantly surprised how invested I became in our characters. Things take a hard right in the last quarter of the book and went surprisingly dark. It has been set up for a bang of a sequel and I'm excited to get to it. Steven Pacey, as always, is the best narrator audible has. His ability to change voices and create his own unique accents astounds me.
As a side note- I am in a medical background and was really annoyed by the lack of substance in the whole tragic accident that pushes the story along. Limbs dont just get injured and completely lose feeling, but they still have blood pumping through them and don't need amputation? Overall, worth it.

AmazIng Story and Narration

This was a first for me by this author. This story left me wanting more. I was pleasantly surprised by how in-depth all his characters were and where their journey was taking them. Plenty of history, magic, warriors and their struggles. Will definitely need more from this author.
Steven Pacey brought the characters to life.

A Great Listen

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, and found it intriguing. A dark tale of coming age in a world full of superstition. The fates seem to conspire against the two main characters, childhood friends, and destined to be spouses. As war approaches, they may be the only hope for survival of their clans. A suspenseful and fast moving tale, with so many twists it is hard to keep up at times. The characters are strange and unique making it well worth listening too.

Dark and Gritty

The Codex of Her Scars starts out with a boy and girl from a small village who plan to one day wed and spend their life together. The village is controlled by a sorcerer who's strict laws are determined by his vision from their god. After a tragic event, the couple find out that nothing in their world is what it seemed, and the story takes a dark turn.

I had not previously heard of D.P. Prior, and I purchased this book because of the narrator Steven Pacey. He did not disappoint, providing a wonderful performance. The story itself was dark and gritty, and sometimes a bit cringeworthy. But overall I enjoyed very much. Looking forward to the next book.

Just a note: I purchased this book with the title Sorcerers' Isle. About halfway through the title and book cover changed to The Codex of Her Scars (Sorcerers' Isle, Book 1). If you are confused about the two books, the author states that it is the exact same book in text. Not sure of why there was a name change.

Fantastic story and narration

Carnifex was the first fantasy novel I read. I’ve been a fan of D.P. Priors writing every since. One chapter into Sorcerer’s Isle and immediately I knew I would be taking the longer route home and to work for the foreseeable future. Just to listen a little longer. D.P. Prior’s writing and Steven Pacey’s narration has been a flawless combination thus far. I’ll update my review when I finish the novel.

Dark but entertaining

A story steeped in untold mysteries, filled with charlatan sorcerers, ineffectual war lords and two very eventful young sorcerer apprentices. At times the story touches on S&M territory but does not glorify in it. Rather, its use is mostly a means to an end. There are plenty of twists, betrayals and surprises throughout.

I marked it down one star when, near the end, found out that this was only one of a series and fault Audible for not indicating that in the cataloged listing. Mostly since I had been expecting a completed story and, instead, was a bit upset to find that that it was not the case.

Pacey makes this story

I feel like Pacey's incredible performance makes this story better than it actually is. Tey especially is very unlikable.