The City of Thieves

Warden of Fál, Book 3

By: Kyle Alexander Romines

Narrated by: Matt Addis

Years ago, when violent purges plunged Dún Aulin into chaos, Warden Esben Berengar was sent to restore order by any means necessary. He did so with such brutal efficiency he became known throughout Fál as the High Queen’s Monster.

All is not forgiven.

When the hunt for a mysterious enemy leads Berengar back to Dún Aulin, an old friend’s request thrusts him headfirst into danger. In the Ceremony of the Cursed Blade, the sword used by the Lord of Shadows in his conquest of Fál will change possession, and it’s up to Berengar to keep the blade from falling into the wrong hands.

To do that, he’ll have to survive vengeful goblins, bloodthirsty monster hunters, Leinster’s powerful Thieves Guild, and worse.

Much worse.

©2019 Kyle Alexander Romines (P)2020 Kyle Alexander Romines

Esben Berengar is back :)

My return to Fal after quite a while has been a very entertaining one; I just love the series and Esben Berengar has become one of my favourite characters: ambiguous, secretive, with so many layers to his personality that you discover yet another one with every next book...
This time Berengar has to come back to the city which has no love for him; on the contrary, it seems that everyone there wants to see him dead. They call him the Queen's Monster - but sometimes it takes a monster to kill other monsters... And sometimes the Monster turns out to be the most humane among humans...

Berengar is one of the most complex characters I've met in the fantasy genre. He's ambiguos, brutal and cruel on the surface and surprisingly deep, compassionate and loyal when you look behind his mask of the Queen's Monster. He's surrounded and accompanied by a whole bunch of characters who are as surprising, as devious, as secretive as he is himself.

The plot is equally complex; on the surface it's a tale of Berengar trying to save a kidnapped king and recover a stolen powerful rune while making sure a magical artifact doesn't fall into the wrong hands, but underneath this fantasy adventure it's also a tale of what ails the modern world: corruption and abuse of power, racial prejudice, broken aliances and general distrust towards (and even hate of) everything that is different from what we consider "normal" or "civilized"...

As for the interpretation of the book, the series couldn't have a better narrator. Mr Addis does a fantastic job, bringing not only the characters but the whole story to life. I especially like the voice he gives Berengar - his deep, growling baritone matches the strong warrior exceptioanlly well. It's a wonderful interpretation of the tale.


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

I want more!!!

I loved the continuation of the true/real enemy and the open ending for another book

Amazing character dynamics

Esben Berenger is the main character we’ve all been waiting for. He is a champion that you can’t help but root for. He is tough, brutish, extremely powerful/capable, and yet surprisingly kind and fatherly. His relationship with Morwen, the light-hearted optimist, is a delight to read. The plot, tone, and dialogue are all awesome. Romines hit it out of the park with City of Theives. Can’t wait to read the next one!

Bazinga

Another great book! Kyle Alexander Romines is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I've finished the first three in the Warden of Fál series. Matt Addis is the perfect choice to narrate these. He does a great job and has different voices for various characters. I am looking forward to more of Warden Berengar's adventures. I see there is a fourth book in the series on Kindle and hope it comes to audible soon. Before the Warden of Fál series I'd only read The Hobbit. I am now a fan of this genre and am increasing my collection. I am planning on relistening to this entire series again.

Disclaimer: I've been listening at 2x speed for so long anything else sounds like slow motion. My enjoyment of the narrator is based on my listening speed. I only leave 5 stars for books I've listened to multiple times.

I requested this book from the author, narrator, or publisher in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Warden Berengar The Queens Amazing Monster!

I was so excited to be offered another opportunity to journey with Berengar and Morwen some more! They make the perfect pair! I was gifted this book for my most humble thoughts, which are that I just really enjoy this series! As the battles raged and the plot thickened I worried for both main characters all the way through this read! They accomplished so much greatness and suffered so much pain for it but its all of those things that make them such great characters. Skillfully written this story will make you laugh and if you're like me cry a little, then be overjoyed. Matt Addis brought these characters to life in the best of ways and made me stay up well past bedtime to listen to just a little more lol! If you are reading my review then let me highly recommend you also read the series. I am certain you will enjoy them as much as I do.