The Drake of Ehknac

By: Kody Boye

Narrated by: Rhett Samuel Price

Length: 1 hr and 54 mins

Publisher's Summary

The Hornblaris Mountains - home to the great Dwarven people - are a miraculous sight to behold, but beneath their towering peaks lie monstrous dangers. Carmen Delarosa, a travelling merchant's daughter, has lived within the mountains and even travelled their passages her entire life without issue. But when a drake appears along a routine trading route and slaughters an entire caravan, including her family, Carmen vows to take justice into her own hands. Alone, in the Deep Roads, and with only her wits to guide her, Carmen will attempt the impossible: to hunt, and kill, the Drake of Ehknac.

©2014 Kody Boye (P)2017 Story by Kody Boye. Narrated by Rhett Samuel Price.

Carmen Delarosa is one determined Dwarf.

This is a fairly short but good story about a Dwarf maiden named Carmen Delarosa. The story starts with her and her family on their way back to their home from a trading trip when they are attacked by a Drake. Everyone but Carmen is killed. A year later, after stewing about what happened, and having the village elders push her to the breaking point, she determines to do something about the Drake that killed her family. She gets prepared, arming herself with her family mace, gathering supplies, and chasing any rumor of its wherabouts. After she talks to a dwarf that thinks he saw the drake, she goes seeking the Drake, and when she finds it, she discovers just what it takes to get revenge for her family, and the price she will need to pay.

Carmen is a really compelling character. The horror of what happened to her family and the treatment she received in her village could have broken her. Instead, she uses it as fuel to her revenge against the Drake. For a shorter story, the setting is well described, and you have an easy time picturing it in your head. The character intereactions are well plotted, and the action scenes are well described and plotted. The narration was decent, with each character having their own voice. All in all a good start to a series of stories.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Too short

Just when I thought I might be getting a feel for the characters it was over. And I wasn't even sure why.
The narrator did an excellent job with the different voices,, always does. Maybe book 2 will have more content,
This book was given to me free of charge, and I freely gave my unbiased review.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A story of seeking revenge

This is a short story, but it packs a lot of story in just 54 pages.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great High Fantasy

This is a classic revenge story. Dwarf Carmen DeLarosa's entire family is killed by a drake that attacked their caravan. A year later, after she comes of age, Carmen sets out to hunt down the beast.

So, I've personally never been a huge fan of these small, bite-sized stories, especially in fantasy, but this one is really well done and entertaining. The writing is tight, and most importantly, the writing is *good.* I do wish this story was a little more fleshed out, but again that comes to my size bias. The action is quick and flows well. Her motivations are clear and make sense.

This is just the first of a series, and it appears the next book is 3x the length of this one, which is good. It doesn't appear this second book is out on audio.

Price is a good, deliberate narrator whose voice just drips with gravitas. I'm not certain he's the best choice for this story, given it's exclusively from the point of view of a female dwarf, but he does a great job anyway. He's one of those guys who could narrate the instructions on a pack of ramen and make it sound epic.

My verdict: if you like your fantasy tight and quick, this is a great read or listen.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Quick fantasy adventure

Would you listen to The Drake of Ehknac again? Why?

I would listen to this again because I enjoyed the story and will want to continue on with the series. Since this is only book 1, I will probably have to listen again once I get my hands on book 2.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Carmen was really the only character in this story. Even so, she is strong, but young and still trying to come to grips with the murder of her entire family. I am interested in seeing her growth.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was probably the first scene (which was really sad). The description of what happened with her family really sets the tone for the rest of the story.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful