The Ancient

By: R. A. Salvatore

Narrated by: Erik Singer

Length: 11 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Searching for his long-lost father, Bransen Garibond is tricked into journeying across the Gulf of Corona to the wild lands of Vanguard, where he is pressed into service in a desperate war against the brutal Samhaist, Ancient Badden.

On an Alpinadoran lake, just below Ancient Badden's magical ice castle, several societies, caught in the web of their own conflicts, are oblivious to Ancient Badden's devastating plans to destroy them.

Branson becomes the link between the wars, and if he fails, all who live on the lake will perish, and all of northern Honce will fall under the shadow of the merciless and vengeful Samhaists.

The Ancient is part of the Saga of the First King, a four-book series that chronicles the early days of Corona, the same world explored in Salvatore's best-selling Demon Wars saga.

©2008 R. A. Salvatore (P)2008 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Salvatore excels in world-building and creating complex, introspective characters who triumph through wit and determination as well as skill in open combat." ( Library Journal)

The Ancient

Salvatore is one of my favorite authors, this book is good but not as good as some of his previous work like the stories of Drizzzt, still once you get past this book slow start it is very entertaining and would recommend it. I would listen to its sequel when it comes out. Overall, a good listen.

It's pretty good

I kind of liked the story. It's ok, but I'm starting to think I've been listening to too many of Fantasy books of late. They feel predictable and it may be time for me to take some time off from them. I must also say that I miss Tim Gerard Reynolds as the narrator. But that's me, I just love Tim Gerard Reynolds as a narrator. Book's ok fairly good, but I may be getting tired of the Fantasy books

The Ancient

If you like and enjoy good Fantasy here's one to get.
A vary fine work with a good pace. The adventure of the Highway man or the Stork keeps you wondering who or whats next. well worth the listen.

Blah

Going from tim Gerard to Erik zinger was unfortunate. The dude sucks at story telling, it was very disappointing. RA Salvatore is fantastic, but the story didn’t even start to make sense until the last like 75 minutes. 3/10 for Salvatore

Wow, the narration!

Erik Singer has fast become one of my favorite narrators, especially to this series I enjoyed so long ago, giving the characters I've known a voice. Yes, the are some mispronunciations, and an editing mistake, but the overall experience and atmosphere Erik adds to this already excellent part of one of my favorite sagas is worthwhile.

Good but clear an early Salvatore book

After listening to The Highwayman, the first book of this series the transition from Tim Gerard Reynolds to Erik Singer took a bit getting used to. It appears that The Highwayman was rewritten and adding Tim Gerard Reynolds as the narrator. This book, while good, didn't seem as polished as The Highwayman nor other sagas in the Corona series. So different that at times I had wondered whether R. A. Salvatore authored it. Erik Singer did a nice job in narrating and in giving individual characters distinctive voices and dialects; although, on a couple of the them the brogue was so heavy it was difficult to understand.

The story itself did move the series plot along nicely though and did a good job laying the framework of the beginning of the land of Corona stories. On the first encounter with Bransen he is married to Cadayle and they are joined by her mother Callen. When, where and how this occurred was never explained which was a bit of an oversight. Also, since both Cadayle and Callen played a significant role in book one, it was a bit of a disconnect having them essentially holed away and non-involved for most of the book.

The rest of the book took Bransen and a fellowship of sorts on a perilous quest to defeat the brutal Samhaist where they encounter goblins, trolls, giants and even quasi-friendly poweries. Exciting battles, close calls and friendships developed along with a number of lost comrades.

What can u say it R. A. Salvatore...

What's not to love, besides it Corona!!! The best planet in the D&D realms! Narrator with music intro not the best.

fun and entertaining

little short but good fantasy series, not as good as the 1st but still good

The Ancient (Unabridged)

R.A. Salvatore is a master of his craft, he is the Stephen King fanstay writing. This book shows how he weaves a story around several characters each with their own interesting tale to bring it all together to form a great story. As a reader of Forgotten Realms books for over a decade this audio book was a joy to listen to and I hated to hear this story end. If you are a lover of fantasy books this is a must have in your collection.

My only objection is that once you finish the book there are no more Salvatore books on Audible to listen to.

A truly villainous villain, but the narrator butchers character names!

I want anyone who reads this review to understand that I think the book is great! The story is classically heroic in the fashion that R.A. Salvatore has been well loved for.

Yet,Erik Singer... is no Tim Gerard Reynolds. I say that to say Mr. Reynolds is one of my favorite narrators so far in my few years of audiobook listening. Mr. Singer does solid voice work, but clearly never listened to the recording of The Highwayman. Every name that he butchered Tim had already pronounced flawlessly. I don’t dislike the performance overall, but I’m a man looking for consistency in my narration.

I can’t always get the same narrator, but I expect at least name pronunciation to be consistent from book to book with the same characters. Erik Singer didn’t give me that. Yet, he gave a solid performance otherwise.

Still, the book is great and I’m excited for The Dame.