The Brothers Three

Book One of The Blackwood Saga

By: Layton Green

Narrated by: Peter Berkrot

Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's Summary

"An extraordinary new series" (Book Reader's Heaven)

Number One New Adult and College Best Seller

Number Two Fantasy Best Seller

Top Ten Fantasy (Overall)

Voice Arts Award Nominee (Fantasy)

All Will Blackwood ever wanted was a little adventure. A fantasy addict and apprentice builder in New Orleans, struggling to make ends meet, he has long wished for an escape from the real world.

Late one night, he and his brothers receive a surprise inheritance: a staff with a mysterious stone on top, a pair of rogue's bracers, and a sword that Will can barely lift. A man who stops bullets with a glance shows up to take the sword, and the three brothers barely escape with their lives. Searching for an explanation, it is not until a magical key whisks them across time and space, into a terrifying version of New Orleans ruled by wizards, that Will accepts the truth about his family's past.

It seems Will Blackwood has found his adventure. But this isn't one of his fantasy novels, or a gaming campaign with friends. In his father's world, magic and monsters are real. Choices are life and death. And they have no idea how to get home....

"One of the best fantasy quest books that I have listened to in a long time." (Blood Rose Books)
 

"A fantasy geek's dream come true...I love Green's writing and his ability to sweep me completely into a story." (Girl Who Reads Book Blog) 

"I do believe Layton Green has moved into my top five author category - not an easy feat to attain!" (A Novel Source)

©2017 GryphonWorks LLC (P)2019 GryphonWorks LLC

Critic Reviews

"An extraordinary new series." (Book Reader's Heaven)

"Action packed and exciting . . . reading this book has left me wanting to go on a fantasy bender." (O.D. Book Reviews)

"One of the best fantasy quest books that I have read in a long time" (Blood Rose Books)

Cool Adventure!!!

First of all, this book took me out of my normal genre, so I didn't know if I would like it or not. I admit that it did move a little too slow in the beginning and I was almost ready to stop listening. It was the only reason I only gave 4 stars for the story. But then the adventure and the action started as well as a bit of mystery about the brothers' father. I was also surprised at some of the things that happened so that was good as it wasn't a cookie-cutter formulaic type story.

The characters were great. The narrator did a great job of giving each one a voice. Hmph. That older brother and then Will and his spirit for adventure. I enjoyed all of the brothers' personalities.

This was a good start to a series and I am looking forward to Book Two.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review

Epic Adventure!

It took me some time to get into the audiobook as the opening was a bit slow. I wasn't particularly bonding with the characters at first, but then the story came to life. The rhythm and pace of the plot picked up. I found myself enjoying the action, scenery, and movement. The dialog was not really memorable, but the kinetic energy of the plot sustained me. I cannot wait until the next book in the series is released!

A good book for a new fantasy series

I recently discovered Layton Green, and devoured his Dominic Grey series in a few weeks. I wanted to listen to something else from him, so took a chance on the Blackwood Saga. Green's Dominic Grey series was well written and thought out, and while I found this book not as compelling as the first book in the other series, it was enough of a good read that I kept returning and listening. The pace was consistent, avoiding the pitfall of over explaining, and it felt like I was discovering this new world along with the Brothers Blackwood, sharing in their fear and awe as they absorbed their new surroundings. Green provides enough parallel to Earth mythology to be familiar, and anyone who has played AD&D will find a lot of similarities, down to construction of an effective adventuring party.

The Blackwood Brothers are a bit of a cliche with an overachieving oldest sibling, the free spirited middle child, and the youngest trying to find his own place in his family. I enjoyed the character development in the Dominic Grey series, and I felt this book could have used a little bit more of that, but I didn't think it was enough to leave it lacking. For lovers of fantasy, this will prove a satisfying read.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

This book was very enjoyable. The story was much better than I initially expected it to be & ended up really enjoying it & finding myself unable to wait to start book 2. I loved the idea of an alternate Earth where religion is outlawed & magic rules over the people, it was pretty refreshing.

So creative and amazingly preformed

I received this book audio book for free in exchange for an honest review...

I love this book! I'm 90% done right now and I'm actually sad because it's almost over. But anyways... I like this book because it's smart. You don't get a lot of this kind of smarts In Fantacy( I love fantacy books, they are my go to when I'm looking for a new book...every time, so I know the definitely not always true, but it is true for many. You might get a lot of cute whitty , but this world he created is way more than that. But still... I have like 10% to go. Maybe I'll change my mind?But this is an awesome book. So entertaining and held my attention the entire time. I've never heard of Layton Green before but I will be keeping an eye out for him now. X0x0😘

Good story

The start of this story was pretty slow - so much in fact that I almost put it down. That being said this is a great book, and once you get into the thick of things taking a break is hard.

Narration was well done.

Fantasy novel with Vampires, Minotaurs and Wizards

The author created an original fantasy world in a pseudo parallel universe where magic, wizards, zombies, vampires, minotaurs, and other common fantasy creatures/elements exist. The author did an excellent job setting the scenery and describing this world. It could be a campaign setting for a D&D game, there’s even a dungeon with puzzles included. Most of the main characters start out fairly one dimensional and kind of hard to connect with, but they do evolve throughout the book. The narrator does a great job with this book. I liked the accents and voices he gave the characters. I’ll be listening to book two when it’s available.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review.

Excellent story! Can't wait for the next installme

Firstly, narrator Peter Berkot did a great job narrating this book. Second, the story was very entertaining. Fans of Skyrim may like this story. I can't wait for the next installment.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Great start to a series

This introductory novel has a lot of potential. It is mainly epic fantasy with hints of urban fantasy. The world creation was very good, the characters were well written and the plot engaging. The narration was very well done.

The Brothers three

This seemed like it was a good book,but I got so bored.Narration was good.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'

Action, Magic, Worlds Travelling - Perfect

I had not heard of Layton Green nor his books but when I was given the chance of receiving Book One of The Blackwood Saga for free, I checked out what the story was about and it was my type of book.

Its has magic, magicians, fantastic creatures, two worlds ( so far anyway), ordinary guys. Combat, death and a mystery.

I cannot really say more as I feel anything will give away to much.

I simply love the book and the characters, I have laughed and cried along with them - the author has crafted the story so well that you find you do make that emotional bond with all of them good or bad.

The narrator is a perfect choice, his voice is just right to bring you along and involve you.

I have already pre-ordered book two The Spirit Mage and cannot wait until it is released - was disappointed when I went to buy it and found it has not been released yet, if it had I would be listening to it as I type this rather than a book by a different author.

An excellent adventure

I requested a copy of this book to review as it looked interesting and it did not disappoint. You follow three brothers as they enter a parallel world and get to explore this new world with them as they are forced on an adventure. It was well written and the narrator is excellent. My only issue was that despite the brothers being quite different from one another I found it difficult to differentiate between them as they spend the majority of the book together.

Not another one

Although I thoroughly enjoyed the tale- I did bemoan the fact that the heroes and heroines nearly all died even if heroically- focal characters gone! When we were hoping for more !

Loved it!

Struggled to find a book I enjoyed for months, if you love Harry Potter, Inheritance Cycle, Lorien Legacies, LOTR etc… you’re bound to love this!