Seize the Fire

By: Laura Kinsale

Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton

Length: 16 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

Captain Sir Sheridan Drake is no knight in shining armor, even if he happens to be famous for his heroism. An exiled princess with revolutionary ideas is just a convenient opportunity to get himself out of debt. Princess Olympia isn't precisely fairy-tale royalty herself; she's plump and a little shy, and desperate to do something of importance in the world. But though their meeting begins with her hopeless hero worship, a harrowing journey to the bleak edge of the world will transform them both, plunging Olympia into the darkest depths of Sheridan's battered warrior's heart and awakening demons she could never imagine in her dreams of glory.

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An entertaining, adventurous, and meaningful story

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

Yes! This was a great book. I haven't been this hooked into a story for a really long time. There was so much angst, action, romance, great sex, amazingly developed characters, chemistry.. I could go on and on. Wonderful story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Seize the Fire?

There are a lot of really memorable moments in this novel.. I'd say the scene that stuck out most in my mind was an ambush at sea, because I feel like it pushed Olympia's character to a whole new level of understanding and growth. It was a heart wrenching and tragic way to grow, but after the ambush I feel like she was able to connect with Sheridan on a deeper level. I don't want to share more cause I don't want to reveal anything, but it was a very memorable scene.

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

Yes, I've listened to many of Kinsale's other novels that he's narrated. This is right up there to what I expect from such a talented narrator. He has the ability to suck you into the story so much you don't even realize you're listening to a narration.

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

The last scene of the novel was very moving.

Any additional comments?

Definitely credit worthy! I was nervous because I usually don't listen to stories longer than 12 hours, I get bored with the fluff really long novels tend to have. This has zero fluff. Everything relates to moving the story forward, so it keeps you really engaged and reads fast.

Exhausting

I have enjoyed reading and listening to many of this author’s books, but found this one too contrived and the characters not particularly sympathetic from beginning till just about the last scene. Too many locations, too many about faces and too many twists and turns to be anything but an exhausting listen let alone read. Why did I stay with it. I try to finish what I start and Bolton is a fantastic performer.

High expectations met

I am such a fan of the team of author Laura Kinsale and narrator Nicholas Boulton. This book is no exception to the riveting stories told by Kinsale. I knew it would be. So I used this audio book toward my New Year's Resolution to exercise daily. I limited myself to only listening to Seize The Fire to those times I was on the exercise bicycle. From zero hours in 2017 to the 16 hours of narration in 11 days! Several nights I lost track of time and went further than my schedule exercise. During the day I kept wondering just how Sheridan or Olympia was going to make the situation worse, get out of the mess, and once out, what mess would they get into next. I had to make myself walk away from the headphones several times. I was actually looking forward to exercise time! The ending of this story was so very fitting and so very appropriate for today's world as it was for their world. I heartily recommend that you keep listening after the book is done for I was humbled by the dedication at the end. Well done Kinsale and Boulton!

Wow! What an adventure...

I Loved this book! I've only just recently been introduced to Laura Kindale and this is the 3rd Laura Kinsale book I've listened to. (Probably my favorite so far. ) The narration by Nicholas Boulton is phenomenal. The characters are well-developed and the plot twists and turns regularly, taking you from one emotional roller coaster ride to the next, making your anticipation peak repeatedly. The only complaint I have (and have also, regrettably, had with the other two books I've listened to) are the endings. The storylines are soon we'll developed until you get to the end. The books draw to a close soo abruptly, leaving you with unanswered questions and wanting more. I highly recommend this book in any case and plan to re-read it with some regularity.

Amazing

Loved it! She depicted post traumatic stress disorder in perfect clarity. It shows how a person tries to deal with it by compartmentalizing their feelings, relationships and life in general. How important it is to have a trusted someone to talk to.

Story was entertaining... The end seemed sudden

This was an easy listen. It didn't follow the usual plot lines of many historical romances. So far one of my favorites from the authors for metaphor use and prose. However, it feels like the end was rushed. Still worth a credit.

My favorite Kinsale story yet!

I discovered Laura Kinsale by chance and have devoured all of her works since then. I only have one left after this, but this book has by far been my favorite. The characters are real and flawed, and their story had me hooked from the beginning. This is one of those books you’ll wish you could read again for the first time.

Wow.

So intense and complicated. What a journey. Drake might be the best anti-hero ever. And Nicholas Boulton is a god among narrators.

Couple spends too much time in denial...

He is not ready for love, haunted by his past. She is an idiot at times either blindly trusting or refusing to believe him.
There was one part of this book that was enjoyable, their time on the island. Stripped to helping each other survive, their became equals.
Before and after the island they were not equals. Often he or she was mired in self doubt or self loathing. It got tiresome. Flawed characters are ok...but these two...they could not get out of their own way.

Absolutely magnificent!

This is one of those books that will stay in my heart forever. Although it left me a bit "battered" I will listen to it again in the future, because I know I will smile through my tears in the end. Nicholas Boulton truly outdone himself this time. The range of voices this man can produce is phenomenal. I do believe that if I read this book it would not have had such an impact. Very, very highly recommended.