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The City Stained Red
- Narrated by: David DeSantos
- Length: 22 hrs and 54 mins
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Publisher's summary
Step up to the gates.
After years in the wilds, Lenk and his companions have come to the city that serves as the world's beating heart. The great charnel house where men die surer than any wilderness. They've come to claim payment for creatures slain, blood spilled at the behest of a powerful holy man. And Lenk has come to lay down his sword for good. But this is no place to escape demons.
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What listeners say about The City Stained Red
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- Nate Card
- 12-20-17
Chaos and Characters
The City Stained Red is a fantasy novel, but only in an aesthetic sense. Sure, there's magic, monsters, demons, and swordfights, but the author has chosen to subvert standard fantasy storytelling tropes like heavy exposition, heroic protagonists, or even a clear division between good and evil. These subversions all feed perfectly into the central theme of the novel: chaos. The world of The City Stained Red is dirty, disorderly, and cruel; and the protagonists (I hesitate to call them “the good guys”) are not here to fix it.
The story opens in medias res (kind of), so instead of learning about the protagonists via exposition, their characters are revealed through their actions and interaction with each other and the world. Each has a unique way of coping with the immense chaos of the setting, so any reader will be able to identify well with at least one of them: whether the reader would just want to leave the chaos behind, try to find personal connection in the chaos, try to help others in the chaos, be at home in the chaos, look down on the chaos through a lens of simple axiomatic truths, or try to control the chaos by (literally) burning it all down.
The structure of the story eschews standard fantasy arcs like redemption or ordained quests, instead choosing to follow this scenario to fruition: what if six uniquely powerful people with various levels of decision-making skills entered a city like Jerusalem at the peak of Roman occupation? “Powder keg” is an understatement. The protagonists are broken people in a broken world, so of course their stories can come across as dirty and disjointed. One character is revealed to be a terrible (almost vile) human being, but instead of being given a chance for redemption, his arc completes when he realizes and accepts that he is a monster.
I do not want to leave the impression that this book is overall dower or dreary; it is actually a very fun read. The author often portrays the most chaotic moments as whacky hijinks; the dialogue and descriptions are freckled with wit and hilarious analogies. David DeSantos’ performance is fantastic: despite the large number of main characters, he is able to make each voice instantly recognizable and characteristically appropriate. Bravo! I sincerely hope that Audible commissions his performance for the other novels in this series.
If you enjoy fantasy novels, read this book. If you enjoy wit and humor, read this book. If you are in the mood for something unusual, read this book.
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16 people found this helpful
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- T. Winter
- 04-15-18
Too many not-so-clever jokes
This one didn't do it for me. I agree with the other reviewer called Chelsea who said it was juvenile. Every line was another attempt at wittiness, totally at the expense of a plot. Was there a plot? There certainly wasn't a protagonist. Just a group of tropes jaunting around telling jokes. Or worse--the author telling jokes and using the characters as props. There is zero depth or interest to these characters beyond cookie cutter stereotypes.
There are also vast numbers of original races, none of which I really had any interest in and which I felt cluttered up the world. This may just be me, because I honestly prefer my fantasy human-based, with at most a dwarf or an elf thrown in here and there. While a non-human race or two *may* add depth in some situations, to me, a half dozen or more is total overkill. This world is the fantasy equivalent of Deep Space Nine.
Given the title and synopsis I thought this book would be dark, but it definitely isn't. There are grim themes such as killing, sure, but they are wrapped up in so many jokes that the mood is the opposite of grim. The main mood seems to aspire to be humor, but if the author's style of one-liner comedy falls flat with you (as it did with me), then there really isn't much left. It's just random, unsatisfying events.
Okay, in total fairness, I did get a few laughs out of the giant guy from the sample. That's not nearly enough though. Learn from my mistake and save yourself the credit.
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- Brett Keesler
- 11-26-16
Witty, trope turning book. Need more from Sykes!
An awesome first book in a series, I wish there were more audiobooks from Sykes!
Narrator does a great job of presenting Sykes unique witty writing in a way that flows very well.
This series takes some fantasy tropes and turns them up on their head - a great thing for a genre that can become saturated with predictability.
Moments of laughter, confusion (the good kind), action, and sadness all happen organically, leaving you wanting more. definitely worth a listen.
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8 people found this helpful
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- Chelsea
- 11-28-17
Just read, don't listen.
I genuinely enjoy following Sam Sykes on twitter but I do NOT recommend this audiobook. As much as I'm impressed by DeSantos' range, his deep voice was hard for me to listen to for long periods and his delivery of jokes didnt do it for me (and there are a lot of jokes). The cartoony voices he gave some characters honestly ruined the story for me.... I may even buy the hard copy just to see if the voice Id put on these characters changes my opinions of them.
As for the story itself, it had a very lighthearted, humorous tone overall which unfortunately doesn't click with me in a fantasy setting, as funny as I think Sam is. It often came across juvenile. I would recommend this to anyone who would like to read a silly fantasy story with a lot of characters and interesting species... just read it instead of listening to it here.
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- Shidobu
- 12-02-18
I'm not wild about it.
First thing's first: Sam Sykes is a great writer. The prose, the dialogue, and the characters in this book are all great; there's nothing to complain about there. The issue I have with this book is purely with regards to the story. There was never a moment, a definitive scene that grabbed me and held me wanting more. This story feels like someone took a unique D&D world with mostly unique races and a party of well developed characters and just plopped the reader into the middle of a campaign without much to capture the reader's attention. The context is thin and Sam assumes that there's enough of it to keep you going until finally something interesting happens. When the end finally came I needed to think "what actually happened in that book?"
Now for the good stuff. The characters are compelling, interesting, complex, and fun. The world is diverse and well built. The writing is caddy and cynical, in a good way. There's so much depth that this is what kept me going aside from the fact that I have a penchant for finishing what I start no matter what. The ending scratches the surface of the story that's actually being told. This book is not good as a stand alone story in my opinion, but will hopefully serve as a springboard for a truly epic tale.
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- Kat5
- 07-31-18
not my cup of tea
So the fantasy book has a lot of humor but I just could not follow the plot.
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- Chabrock the Lazy
- 04-09-18
skip it
picked this up after a panel where sykes talks about the characters being the most important thing to a story, not magic systems, the setting, etc.
unfortunately, didn't see any of that. aside from a bunch of great one-liners, all six of the main characters were entirely unlikable, one-dimensional tropes; for instance, the main hero spends most of his time moping about how much he hates killing, though any instance of it is glossed over. there's almost enough change in the group as a whole to equal a single character's growth in another story.
the story was uninspired, with plot hooks ignored in favor of angst and monologue.
will not be seeing what happens in the next book.
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- DobieChuck
- 01-20-16
Decent read
It's a decent enough read, but can't help thinking there's something missing... Maybe one needs to be familiar w/ the previous series even though it's marketed as a stand alone series w/ no previous reading needed... Some interesting characters and excellent observational humor w/ tongue firmly planted in cheek... The pace is easy, if a bit slow in the beginning... The second half of the book moves much better w/ some tantalizing twists... The narration is very good and does bring the characters out, especially some of the lesser ones... Beyond the main characters I particularly liked Kudj and woulda liked more of him...
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- MissRed
- 06-10-15
I liked it!
Any additional comments?
I liked it! Didn't love it, but liked it! I do know some scenes I tended to zone out, but it happened a lot less than in other books I've listened to. Worth a shot, even if the book 'jacket' isn't very informative :)
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- Deborah
- 02-14-15
Wasted time
A complete hot mess. Characters not clearly defined and developed. I stayed to the very end hoping to care about one of them. I was disappointed. I wasted my time and my credit on this boring story.
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Related to this topic
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Great Middle Entry
- By Casey on 04-15-18
By: Sam Sykes
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God's Last Breath
- By: Sam Sykes
- Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini
- Length: 25 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
The great demon Khoth-Kapira has broken free of his prison and taken his first step upon the mortal world. And he owes it all to Lenk. Believing that the demon will heal a broken world that the gods have abandoned, Lenk serves as reluctant champion to Khoth-Kapira's cause. But as the desperate and fearful flock to Khoth-Kapira's banner, begging for salvation, Lenk begins to doubt his patron's great designs.
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Fantastic Finish
- By Casey on 07-18-18
By: Sam Sykes
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Tower of the Forgotten
- The Tainted Cabal Prequel Novella
- By: Mitchell Hogan
- Narrated by: Oliver Wyman
- Length: 2 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Niklaus, master swordsman, has not aged a day since being chosen by his mercurial goddess. A slave to her will, he moves from one cryptic mission to the next in the hope of ascending to become her equal. But even a man who has lived for centuries can sometimes find himself out of his depth. When Niklaus is sent to kill a sorcerer of the Tainted Cabal, overconfidence leads to a fatal mistake, and neither experience nor skill with a blade can prevail against the forces unleashed against him.
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What's Next?
- By James on 06-04-17
By: Mitchell Hogan
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Shadow of the Exile
- By: Mitchell Hogan
- Narrated by: Neil Hellegers
- Length: 12 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Outcast and exiled, the demon Tarrik Nal-Valim has long been forgotten by the world of humans. At least, so he thinks. But when he is summoned as a last resort by a desperate sorcerer, it seems as though his past has caught up with him. The sorcerer is Serenity “Ren” Branwen, the daughter of Tarrik’s former master - and friend. Though she seems cold, driven, and ruthless, Tarrik can tell Ren has her back against a wall, and he is compelled by ferocious powers to obey her.
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Entertaining
- By @tone0189 on 10-22-18
By: Mitchell Hogan
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Gardens of the Moon
- The Malazan Book of the Fallen, Book 1
- By: Steven Erikson
- Narrated by: Ralph Lister
- Length: 26 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
The Malazan Empire simmers with discontent, bled dry by interminable warfare, bitter infighting and bloody confrontations with the formidable Anomander Rake and his Tiste Andii, ancient and implacable sorcerers. Even the imperial legions, long inured to the bloodshed, yearn for some respite. Yet Empress Laseen's rule remains absolute, enforced by her dread Claw assassins.
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An engrossing yet demanding high epic
- By Adnan on 11-20-12
By: Steven Erikson
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The Empire of the Dead
- By: Phil Tucker
- Narrated by: Paul Guyet
- Length: 8 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Acharsis has always loved long shots. But even with a perfect scheme and a handpicked squad of godsblooded grifters and fighters, breaking into the undead lord's Akkodaisis' ziggurat is suicidally impossible. Good thing Archarsis is a fallen demigod with more than one trick up his sleeve....
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Incredibly imaginative
- By RyRy on 09-08-17
By: Phil Tucker
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The Mortal Tally
- By: Sam Sykes
- Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini
- Length: 24 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Cier'Djaal, once the crowning glory of the civilized world, has gone from a city to a battlefield and a battlefield to a graveyard. Foreign armies clash relentlessly on streets laden with the bodies of innocents caught in the crossfire. Cultists and thieves wage shadow wars, tribal armies foment outside the city's walls, and haughty aristocrats watch the world burn from on high. As his companions struggle to keep the city from destroying itself, Lenk travels to the Forbidden East in search of the demon who caused it all. But even as he pursues Khoth-Kapira, dark whispers plague his thoughts.
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Great Middle Entry
- By Casey on 04-15-18
By: Sam Sykes
-
God's Last Breath
- By: Sam Sykes
- Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini
- Length: 25 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The great demon Khoth-Kapira has broken free of his prison and taken his first step upon the mortal world. And he owes it all to Lenk. Believing that the demon will heal a broken world that the gods have abandoned, Lenk serves as reluctant champion to Khoth-Kapira's cause. But as the desperate and fearful flock to Khoth-Kapira's banner, begging for salvation, Lenk begins to doubt his patron's great designs.
-
-
Fantastic Finish
- By Casey on 07-18-18
By: Sam Sykes
-
Tower of the Forgotten
- The Tainted Cabal Prequel Novella
- By: Mitchell Hogan
- Narrated by: Oliver Wyman
- Length: 2 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Niklaus, master swordsman, has not aged a day since being chosen by his mercurial goddess. A slave to her will, he moves from one cryptic mission to the next in the hope of ascending to become her equal. But even a man who has lived for centuries can sometimes find himself out of his depth. When Niklaus is sent to kill a sorcerer of the Tainted Cabal, overconfidence leads to a fatal mistake, and neither experience nor skill with a blade can prevail against the forces unleashed against him.
-
-
What's Next?
- By James on 06-04-17
By: Mitchell Hogan
-
Shadow of the Exile
- By: Mitchell Hogan
- Narrated by: Neil Hellegers
- Length: 12 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Outcast and exiled, the demon Tarrik Nal-Valim has long been forgotten by the world of humans. At least, so he thinks. But when he is summoned as a last resort by a desperate sorcerer, it seems as though his past has caught up with him. The sorcerer is Serenity “Ren” Branwen, the daughter of Tarrik’s former master - and friend. Though she seems cold, driven, and ruthless, Tarrik can tell Ren has her back against a wall, and he is compelled by ferocious powers to obey her.
-
-
Entertaining
- By @tone0189 on 10-22-18
By: Mitchell Hogan
-
Gardens of the Moon
- The Malazan Book of the Fallen, Book 1
- By: Steven Erikson
- Narrated by: Ralph Lister
- Length: 26 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Malazan Empire simmers with discontent, bled dry by interminable warfare, bitter infighting and bloody confrontations with the formidable Anomander Rake and his Tiste Andii, ancient and implacable sorcerers. Even the imperial legions, long inured to the bloodshed, yearn for some respite. Yet Empress Laseen's rule remains absolute, enforced by her dread Claw assassins.
-
-
An engrossing yet demanding high epic
- By Adnan on 11-20-12
By: Steven Erikson
-
The Empire of the Dead
- By: Phil Tucker
- Narrated by: Paul Guyet
- Length: 8 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Acharsis has always loved long shots. But even with a perfect scheme and a handpicked squad of godsblooded grifters and fighters, breaking into the undead lord's Akkodaisis' ziggurat is suicidally impossible. Good thing Archarsis is a fallen demigod with more than one trick up his sleeve....
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-
Incredibly imaginative
- By RyRy on 09-08-17
By: Phil Tucker
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The Hammer and the Blade
- A Tale of Egil and Nix
- By: Paul S. Kemp
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 10 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
So here’s the plan: Kill the demon, steal the treasure, and retire to a life of luxury! It sounds easy when put like that. However, most unfortunately for warrior-priest Egil and sneak thief Nix, when the demon they kill turns out to have worshippers in high places, retirement is not an option. A wonderfully fast-paced fantasy adventure redolent of the classic tales of swords and sorcery, from New York Times best-selling author Paul S. Kemp.
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4 stars standard sword and sorcery fantasy
- By Adnan on 07-21-12
By: Paul S. Kemp
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Web of Eyes
- By: Rhett C. Bruno, Jaime Castle
- Narrated by: Luke Daniels
- Length: 11 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
When a piece of the crown prince's soul is stolen by a traitorous warlock, disgraced knight Torsten Unger makes it his sworn duty to get it back and save the last hope for the kingdom. But he can't do it alone. Self-proclaimed "World's Greatest Thief" Whitney Fierstown sits in the castle dungeon, destined for the gallows until Torsten offers this choice: rot and die in a dank cell or join him on a dangerous expedition to put his skills to good use and earn his freedom.
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A Fantasy Version of 48 Hours
- By John Kang on 12-24-18
By: Rhett C. Bruno, and others
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The Halls of Stormweather
- Forgotten Realms: Sembia, Book 1
- By: Philip Athans
- Narrated by: Jeremy Arthur
- Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
The Halls of Stormweather, a novel in seven parts, is the first book in a series that explores the mean streets of a city where everything has its price and even the wealthiest families will do anything to survive! Ed Greenwood - the creator of the Forgotten Realms begins the tale with the capable but embattled patriarch of the Uskevren family. Clayton Emery - the heir to the family fortune is brought to life by the author of Star of Cursrah and the Netheril Trilogy.
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A good collection of connected stories
- By HarmonicaJay on 11-06-23
By: Philip Athans
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What Remains of Heroes
- A Requiem for Heroes Volume 1
- By: David Benem
- Narrated by: Andrew Tell
- Length: 13 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Lannick deVeers used to be somebody. A hero, even. Then, he ran afoul of the kingdom's most powerful general and the cost he paid was nearly too much to bear. In the years that followed, his grief turned him into a shadow of his former self, and he spent his days drowning his regrets in tankards of ale. But now an unexpected encounter casts Lannick upon an unlikely path to revenge. If he can just find the strength to overcome the many mistakes of his past, he can seize the chance to become a hero once more.
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Fantasy with many lives in the balance...
- By MelHay on 12-23-15
By: David Benem
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Heroes Die
- The First of the Acts of Caine
- By: Matthew Stover
- Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki
- Length: 22 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Renowned throughout the land of Ankhana as the Blade of Tyshalle, Caine has killed his share of monarchs and commoners, villains and heroes. He is relentless, unstoppable, simply the best there is at what he does. At home on Earth, Caine is Hari Michaelson, a superstar whose adventures in Ankhana command an audience of billions.
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Don't Let the Cover Turn You Off
- By Paul on 08-13-12
By: Matthew Stover