The Empire of Dreams

By: Rae Carson

Narrated by: Kyla Garcia

Length: 13 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling author Rae Carson makes a triumphant return to the world of her award-winning Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy in this extraordinary stand-alone novel. Fans of Leigh Bardugo, Kendare Blake, and Tomi Adeyemi won’t want to put this book down.

Red Sparkle Stone is a foundling orphan with an odd name, a veiled past, and a mark of magic in her hair. But finally - after years and years of running, of fighting - she is about to be adopted into the royal family by Empress Elisa herself. She’ll have a home, a family. Sixteen-year-old Red can hardly believe her luck. Then, in a stunning political masterstroke, the empress’ greatest rival blocks the adoption, and everything Red has worked for crumbles before her eyes.

But Red is not about to let herself or the empress become a target again. Determined to prove her worth and protect her chosen family, she joins the Royal Guard, the world’s most elite fighting force. It’s no coincidence that someone wanted her to fail as a princess, though. Someone whose shadowy agenda puts everything - and everyone - she loves at risk. As danger closes in, it will be up to Red to save the empire. If she can survive recruitment year - something no woman has ever done before.

New York Times best-selling author Rae Carson returns to the world of The Girl of Fire and Thorns in this action-packed fantasy-adventure starring an iconic heroine who fights for her family and her friends, and for a place where she will belong.

©2020 Rae Carson (P)2020 Greenwillow Books

Narration is AWFUL

I love everything I've ever read by Rae Carson, and I read hee books over and over again. But this narrator's voice is really annoying. Maybe she would be better suited for a different genre of writing but this isn't it. She sounds like she's announcing literally everything as a happy royal decree... even the horrifying scenes! I only gave her an extra star because unlike the last narrator for this series (who was absolutely lovely), I do love that she pronounces the Spanish words correctly. But that's literally the only thing I liked about her.

Really liked this story!!

I listened to this audiobook following the Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy (which I loved) and was not disappointed. I was wary that the narration of this book would be unbearable based on other reviews, but that’s not so! It was a little slow and monotone, so I increased the listening speed to 1.1x and had no problems listening after that!

Loved it!

I have been hoping for years that Red’s story would be told! And I loved it! There were times when the narration was challenging to listen to, but the story was amazing! Definitely worth a listen!

Sad yet riveting!

Red’s story is sad. The author really shined light upon her rough and treacherous past. I like how she went from then to now. It added an intriguing aspect to the read and always had you guessing which direction she would go next. The storyline was fantastic. Characters amazing. I didn’t see that one coming, Aldo!!! And the ending was perfect. I truly loved this series and purchased all 4 books using my audible credits. I highly recommend these books if you enjoy this genre. Great reads all together.

What a ride!

I was skeptical bc the narrator for this book was different from Elisa’s story- but that makes sense since it’s Red’s story! And the narrator does an absolutely amazing job. Total justice done to the characters. She’s extremely talented. The story itself is so gripping. I thinl this is the best story in the series. I laughed and cried. Obviously highly recommend!!

Enjoyed it thoroughly! But

I thoroughly enjoyed it. I liked the narrator also. I was desperately hoping for another book on the future, and this not only gave me that but also explained Red’s story. Such a strong little girl. I hope there are more books about her story line.

BUT… SPOILER ALERT****
I was confused by former Condessa Irena’s part in this. I thought she had died in a prior book? Even still, it was an awesome story line and I really didn’t expect where it went with it.

Boring

Love the series but this book was a letdown. The writing was very basic. I listen to primarily young adult so it’s not like I was expecting some English literature. Story wasn’t interesting. I was able to skip from chapter 14 to 28 and I hadn’t really missed anything.

Ugh.

I absolutely loved The Girl of Fire and Thorns series. And I want to love this so bad but I'm struggling to even like it. I don't like the narrator much. I'm usually not too picky, but this one is hard for me. I'm finding so many scenarios unbelievable and so annoyingly juvenile that I just can't with it. I know I am older reading this book than I was with the series, so maybe that is why I'm struggling with it. Or maybe it is a lot to do with the Narration. I don't want to believe Rae Carson's writing is really so much worse and annoying in this book.
I dont know if I can finish it to be honest. It makes me sad.

The narration is AWFUL

It’s monotonous. It’s this excited forceful tone but all at one level. Like someone reading stage directions at you the whole time. Impossible to listen to. PLEASE re-record! Because Rae Carson’s books are amazing.

(The Girl of Fire and Thorns books were gorgeously narrated by Jennifer Ikeda. This is such a disappointment.)

The narration is a let down.

Lack luster narration. It sounds like a really bad stage play from the 1800's. I can't listen. Bring back Jennifer Ikeda