The Sacred Band

Book Three of the Acacia Trilogy

By: David Anthony Durham

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Length: 28 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

With the first two books in the Acacia Trilogy, Acacia and The Other Lands, David Anthony Durham has created a vast and engrossing canvas of a world in turmoil, where the surviving children of a royal dynasty are on a quest to realize their fates - and perhaps right ancient wrongs once and for all.

As The Sacred Band begins, one of them, Queen Corinn, bestrides the world as a result of her mastery of spells found in the ancient Book of Elenet. Her younger brother, Dariel, has been sent on a perilous mission to the Other Lands, while her sister, Mena, travels to the far north to confront an invasion of the feared race of the Auldek. Their separate trajectories will converge in a series of world-shaping, earth-shattering battles, all rendered with vividly imagined detail and in heroic scale.

David Anthony Durham concludes his tale of kingdoms in collision in an exciting fashion. His fictional world is at once realistic and fantastic, informed with an eloquent and distinctively Shakespearean sensibility.

©2011 David Anthony Durham (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

“A truly epic fantasy... with a rich world and nuanced characters. Superbly written." (Fantasy magazine)

Outstanding

What made the experience of listening to The Sacred Band the most enjoyable?

The narrator - Dick Hill

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mina. Humbled Warrior

Which character – as performed by Dick Hill – was your favorite?

Sire Dagon

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

Too many to name

Any additional comments?

I would definitely like to experience more of this type of writing and performance

good listen

What did you love best about The Sacred Band?

What I love best about the book was that

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Sacred Band?

When Ellie and her children protected Oliver and Nina from the cold

Have you listened to any of Dick Hill’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have only listened to Dick hill in this one series but he is very good I look forward to hearing more from him

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

again when Ellie and her children protected Oliver and Nina from the cold

overly dramatic reading

fun story, lacked depth, found the narration way overboard, to the point where it was distracting. the book tells you a little too much without painting a picture. instead of telling stories within the story, it tells you about those stories. feels a little formulaic. still enjoyable.

Good Series

Would you listen to The Sacred Band again? Why?

Yes, To hear the things I may have missed that could have led me to the conclusion.

What other book might you compare The Sacred Band to and why?

I would choose the original Draganlance series for the story. It was just enjoyable to listen to.

Have you listened to any of Dick Hill’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Great Series

The series ended as great as it started. I was locked in from the start of Book 1 to the end of Book 3. While Book 3 of Game of Thrones may be the best fantasy book on a stand alone basis, this is the best fantasy trilogy I have yet to come across. Highly recomended for anyone who loves the darkness of fantasy series.

A++++++++++++

Would you consider the audio edition of The Sacred Band to be better than the print version?

Yes, I would dick hill is an amazing reader, has such a a powerful versatile voice.

What did you like best about this story?

The Great Characters, amazing writing by David Anthony Durham, Cliff hanger after Cliff hanger. Story is original. Political, intrigue, Sorcery, betrayal, and Romance! It is right up there withe A Song of Ice and Fire, Book of Malazan,a nd the kingKiller Chronnicles; better than the latter two and on equal part with George RR Martins book. In fact this book is a George RR Recommendation on his must reads! I'm glad He was write, I am now buy everything David Anthony Durham Writes.

What about Dick Hill’s performance did you like?

dick hill is an amazing reader, has such a a powerful versatile voice. He is the golden voice of Audio, along with Roy Dotrice, very powerful, and a voice for every character. A must Listen!!!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Dariel is amazingly funny, Alliber is the heart and soul of the book. this book is the new standard in audio-books, reading and a standard if writing.

Any additional comments?

Please read, I would love to start a wiki about this book along with other fans

Anti-climactic...but not a bad read

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

Not the epic ending of an epic series/universe sprawled out over three mega books to be wrapped up so neat and tidy so easily and almost felt ubrupt. Still a pretty good read but I did not feel wounded when finished, like I was losing a bunch of good friends and good times...did not get sucked in but felt more like an observer rather than a participant. That being said still worth it though as they psychological poetic prose is really picturesque. Even though he sometimes gets repetituive in his words, saying things over again to build tension and suspense...but sometimes comes of like an episode of family guy where they gag gets dragged out too long....just pick up the sword or whatever and get on with it. The writing and story are still good enough where you don't get too irritated with it and the overall book along with the series of 3 is worth the while because there are some new concepts and perspectives... Like George RRNA Martin says, "he's got some chops"

Would you be willing to try another book from David Anthony Durham? Why or why not?

Yes I look forward to his writing and growth as a writer each book improved, though it seemed like he got bored or burnt out at the end of this one and kinda just tidied it up in a neat little bow...with many ends undone.

What about Dick Hill’s performance did you like?

Made bad parts bearable and fantastic parts extraordinary.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Circle is now complete

Any additional comments?

I did not want to write spoilers of the many good points but it is a B-list book! Solid, maybe B plus

not the greatest

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I would have read it anyway since I liked the first books in the series but I was dissappointed in the ending of this one since it didn't seem to be finished all the way like maybe its not the end of the series? But its the 3rd in a trilogy so.... whatever. Mostly it was entertaining, if a liittle painful in parts when the queen does some sorta evil things but she comes around to a better place toward the end. I just didn't feel enough closure with this one.

Was The Sacred Band worth the listening time?

sure, I have a lot of time to listen and like I said, I read the first two books.

Epic trilogy

I love how this story spanned so many lands and cultures. The characters and villains were given clear motivations and stories.

Great writing. Wish it was on HBO/STARZ/Netflix. It would be right engaging seasons at least.