• The Maid's War

  • By: Jeff Wheeler
  • Narrated by: Kate Rudd
  • Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (997 ratings)

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The Maid's War  By  cover art

The Maid's War

By: Jeff Wheeler
Narrated by: Kate Rudd
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Publisher's summary

Sent on an impossible mission by Kingfountain's ruler into the heart of the enemy's capital as two mighty kingdoms prepare for war, Ankarette Tryneowy must divine the location of a magical sword, perhaps their key to victory. What she finds is the truth - one she could never have foreseen.

Searching for Firebos, the sword of ancient kings, is no simple task. It disappeared after one of the most powerful Fountain-blessed figures, the Maid of Donremy, used it in battle, and no one - except perhaps the Maid's dearest friend, the Duke of La Marche - knows its whereabouts. But when Ankarette finds the aging duke in his prison cell and hears the mystery he unveils, her mission becomes more perilous than she could have possibly imagined.

©2017 Jeff Wheeler (P)2017 Jeff Wheeler

What listeners say about The Maid's War

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Exceeded my expectations

I am quickly falling in love with the way that Jeff Wheeler writes. The plot and characters are carefully orchestrated and interwoven. Even the language, his word choice, amazes me. The Maid's war tells the story of how the Maid of Donremy plays a vital role in the events that unfold in the Kingfountain series. While it happens before Owen Kiskadden was born, it might just be better to read it after the rest of the Kingfountain books. There were times that I listened in awe as the pieces of this puzzle fell into place, and even got goose bumps as things unfolded.

I must also admit that Kate Rudd is becoming my favorite narrator. Her brilliant story-telling teams with Wheeler's writing to create a masterpiece. This series is definitely one of my favorites.

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9 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Got one star because zero stars not an option

First let me say that I have bought a couple of hundred Audible books over the past 10 or more years. I currently own 12 of Jeff Wheeler's books, 11 of which I read before this one. . I have never before felt it necessary to write a review of a book. There are plenty of opinions out there, most are about right and I do not feel that mine is normally required. This book is the exception to my history.

I am highly disappointed in Mr. Wheeler's lack of imagination by directly using the Joan of Arc story, not as inspiration but in almost exact detail. While I get the undertones in correlations in all his books between the Fountain and Christian philosophy and morality, which is acceptable in a morality tale like this, the open, unacknowledged and unapologetic lifting of Joan of Arc's story is very disappointing. If you want to do a story on Joan then do so, but to do so and as far as I can tell, give no acknowledgement or reference to the source for the story line is poor authorship. This is not inspiration, but a bad case of I forgot to do my homework and need to write a book this weekend. Maybe Jeff Wheeler thinks people who read his books failed to take history in 7th grade and would not notice.

Having said that, in general I find Jeff Wheeler's books have a good story line and are a pleasant diversion. They are well thought out and well executed. Why the deviation in this particular book, beyond a brief and hopefully singular episode of laziness, is beyond me.

Kate Rudd generally is pretty good as a reader, but in failed to hit her normal quality on this one. Maybe that was impacted by being uncomfortable with the material. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt on this one.

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Tying All Together

I am happy that I read this book in the order that the author suggested. Jeff Wheeler brought together the history of the previous books. While I was reading (listening via Audible) last night, I was so sadden by the death of the main character, but like all his books, I could not put any of them down as the story was pulling no me farther into the web of Jeff’s imagination. Thank You Amazon for introducing me to this fantastic Author.

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4 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

So so

Not bad- as a stand alone story not my favorite but as apart of the series and a prequel to the other phenomenal books, it was great! Kate Rudd was fantastic as usual, and the story keeps you thinking, but in my opinion not as good as the other books. Took me awhile to get into it, but by the end it had me on my toes! Would recommend reading this after the first three books and before the last three. Loved hearing the full story of the maid!!! The Owen trilogy is still my favorite but Jeff wheeler does a great job of keeping the story fresh and the characters new. On the must read list for sure!!!

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3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Loved the book!

Definitely recommend it after finishing the first three in the Kingfountain series because of spoilers.

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2 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Disappointing

First, let me say that Kate Rudd is, as always, a stunning narrator. She has helped make the King Fountain series come alive in both her portrayal of characters and delivery of the stories. I gladly shelled out the money for this audio book because I have loved all the others.
It makes it all the more upsetting that she didn't have a better story to read. The Ransom series was not the great work that the original story of Owen and Severn was but it was still palatable. The Poisoner series was a good read and I enjoyed the back story of Ankarette.
This could have been great. It had all the makings of a great prequel. Who wouldn't want to hear about the legend of the famous maid? Told through the eyes of a duke of Occitania? Yes, please! Unfortunately, like an archer who spends little time in the practice yard, this entire book missed the mark.
The King Fountain series always had slightly muted Christian overtones that were always apparent in the stories told and hinted at in the teachings of virtues but delivered with a subtle stroke of the brush. This book insists on drowning us like we have been committed to the river for crimes of failing to hear them properly. The maid is not even a likeable character. We don't really get to know her or who she is. Who she is being, apparently, a stand in for Joan of Arc/Jesus. It is absolutely hammered into every page.
Then, we have the fact that the entire story is so riddled with foreshadowing of the story we already know the term Easter eggs doesn't even begin to describe them as that would imply something less heavy handed then the entire basket of eggs unceremoniously dumped out onto the entire story. This is to say nothing of the obvious plot devices and too saccharin ending.
If you're out of ideas Jeff, we forgive you. King Fountain was wonderful and you have other universes to explore and expand on. Don't continue here on our account. We already loved you. Better is the enemy of good. Enough is enough and too much makes it nasty. With love (truly), Heather.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great Story Line

I really like having the background on so many of the characters. I don't know that I would have had the same connection with some of the characters if I had not listened to the prequels first. Great way to start this series!

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Prequel

Great prequel story! The Poisoner & the Gentle Duke share a tale of the forgotten Maiden who was Fountain blessed with extraordinary gifts to restore a king and battle against intruders. A great story to enjoy after book 2 of the series even though the time frame occurs before Owen's birth. The narrator did a fantastic job!

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another great story

a great way to see the back story that leads to the rest of the king fountain series. love Kate Rudd's narration as always!

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Another amazing story!

Jeff did an awesome job telling the tale of the Maid! I found myself unable to stop listening! Kate Rudd always does a great job of giving every character a distinct voice. Bravo!

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