The Pen and the Sword

Destiny's Crucible, Book 2

By: Olan Thorensen

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis

Length: 17 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

The Narthani, a militant realm who believe their manifest destiny is to rule the entire planet, Anyar, plan to absorb Caedellium into their empire and crush any resistance. Yozef Kolsko (a.k.a. Joe Colsco) works to find ways to increase the chances of resistance to the Narthani's planned conquest.

Complicating his life is attraction to a brilliant daughter of an island leader, and his uncertainty of his own mind, hers, or intricacies of Caedellium customs.

Despite his desire to devote himself to introducing new knowledge, Yozef is drawn more and more into developing weapons and giving tactical and strategic advice - things he knows he's unqualified to give. The enemy is coming. The odds seem overwhelming, and it will take all Yozef can do, the courage of his new people, and luck, to survive.

©2016 Olan Thorensen (P)2017 Podium Publishing

Alien Planet - and as American as Apple Pie

An addicting read, and great second book to this on-going story of Joseph Colsco's integration into an alien society. The author was much better in not over-whelming this story with an overabundance of detail as he did in the first book. The flow was much better, the characters developed well, and the story line drew me into this world enough, that I could not stop listening and finished it in two days!

Joseph is now fully involved in repelling the empirical moves made by their common enemy, and the clans are struggling to unite to face this enemy. This is the story of the birth of a nation, and reminds me much of our own American historical struggle for independence. Joseph struggles personally with how to bring his knowledge to this fight, yet a reluctance to be too involved.

The narrator Jonathan Davis is superb in the various voice roles, and the story nothing less than captivating.

Highly recommend!

Technology Is Re-Born In a Virgin Human Culture

Would you listen to The Pen and the Sword again? Why?

Besides the benefit of driving while you listen being better than reading alone, the narration quality gives perspectives and emotions you might not read into the story.

What did you like best about this story?

Even though Joseph "cheated" with his inventions because he introduced technologies he never had to invent, the depth of need for these improvements to the lives of these wonderful people felt so powerfully deserved because you could FEEL the benefits giving literal light to the otherwise dark lives.

Even better than the first one!

Any additional comments?

This is my pick for best of 2017 and the third book was just released maybe it will be as good or if possible even better than the second.

Great Sequel..

Book continues the evolution of its character, who is resigned to his new life and fate as the catalyst for change.

Great

definitely not a turn your brain off and listen type of book it has a lot of detail in it probably one of the most detailed books I've ever listened to or read with that being said it's a great story and a really paid to an amazing picture of a different world.

another book more addictive than crack!

'Please forgive me father, for I have sinned'... I have continued to stray from my usual zombie genre and again I am rewarded for doing so. I couldn't ask for any better value for money, 'The Pen and the Sword' is over 17 hours in length and more importantly it is another great listen!

Jonathan Davis does an excellent job in what must be a very difficult narration... so many very different characters. This one would be an ideal candidate for multiple narrators! The speed of the narration was acceptable, like nearly all of today's titles I sped it up a tad to 1.25x speed.

I loved the tension that is raised through the story... the title 'pen and the sword' fits the story perfectly. The last chapter and the prologue are awesome and left me wanting more. I have already ordered the third one!

I suspected without the alien or 'watchers' part of the story I would have grown tired of the story, but Olan Thorensen seems to have struck the perfect balance with Joe Colsco's life and trails and the role of the 'watchers'. I am really looking forward to see how that pans out in the future.

This fast fatman who is out of place in a world without zombies is giving this the full monty! Two fat thumbs held high in the air with a very big and long fonzie 'heeeeeeey' with a stupid I just eaten a donut grin. In others words 'I like it... I like it a lot!'

PS. Some people have tracked me on the good old inter webs and asked if I receive free copies of the titles I review, or if I get paid for reviews. I can say beyond any shadow of doubt, the answer is no I have not. Some authors have offered, but I have said no.

Why do you DUMB down the only person with a PHD?!

okay let me start by saying I thoroughly enjoy the story so I gave it five stars. now, let me explain that the main individual the lead character and the only person with something close to a formal education is constantly being dumbed down through key parts of the story.

most of the time he's smart and intelligent but as you've brought me deeper into this world I understand more clearly that even simple things that he thinks of he should have relied on at this point as fact having been there for as many years as he has.

having somebody think to themself oh I don't know what's going to happen because I've only read about it in history books and studied it and played strategic video games and strategic board games all of which are so far advanced from the civilization that I lived in that it makes me essentially a genius phenomenal general of warfare.

but I love the poor sap and the story is pretty good and the world is amazing and frankly I hope he grows up. at some point even the most timid of PhD individuals would put their foot down on basic knowledge backed by fact so can somebody slap the main character around a bit and please please not let this continue into the next 10 books.

amazing

loved how the author explained parallels between worlds, and how history does in essence repeats itself.

Superior world building

Great world building. Good character development Good story. Could be tightened up a bit. sometimes I wished the author would get to the point a bit faster.

Best new Series I've read in a very long time

What did you love best about The Pen and the Sword?

The concept of being in Joseph's position. The well thought use of his knowledge yet the human responses he has....

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When he made the choice to learn the language and engage in a new life....