The Ethereal Squadron

The Sorcerers of Verdun, Book 1

De: Shami Stovall

Narrado por: Ellie Gossage

Soldiers, sorcerers, and monsters...this is World War One like you’ve never imagined it.

It’s 1916, and the world is on fire.

The Great War has already consumed much of the globe, but a second, secret war between sorcerers threatens to crack it in two. The ruling families of Germany and Austria-Hungary, those with the chill of magic in their blood, will stop at nothing in their quest for power, and they’ve drawn the entire world into a bloody war because of it.

But Florence Cavell - code name Geist - means to stop them. She had to defy her family, cut her hair, and disguise herself as a man to join the legendary Ethereal Squadron: a joint US-UK division of the allied powers’ mightiest sorcerers. Armed with her powerful specter sorcery, which allows her to "ghost" through bullets and barbed wire alike, Geist fights a tireless battle to end the war once and for all.

©2018 TCK Publishing (P)2019 Shami Stovall

A fantastic sci-fi/fantasy alt. history of WWI

Loved everything about this audiobook, my only complaint being the mis-pronunciation of the names of the guns, such as Luger (she says lugger, it should be loo-ger), Mauser (she says moss-err, it's mow-zer), and others which I can't think of atm. A bit annoying given the setting of the book, but easy to get past as the story and setting easily kept my interest. I wish there more like this book, I love alternate history set during the world wars! I look forward to more from this author. I would definitely recommend.

Confusing start, but..

The story was confusing at first, but eventually it really took off and I enjoyed it.
The character banter is funny, and you really feel for them when they're opening up.
I enjoyed the fact that the magic can grow, and I loved the magic system as a whole.
Narration was a little hard to listen to, it sounded like her microphone was under water at times but nothing a little will power can't get you through.
Definitely recommend.

Mispronuciation, much?

The premise of the story and the story itself, I found great!

Overall, the narrator was pleasant. What irked me to no end was the fact she couldn't pronounce simple words to save her life. You don't pronounce the "c" in scimitar. Luger as in the pistol is not pronounced "lugger", as if you're carrying a heavy load.

Don't get me started on German names!

Hopefully, there will be some reflection and improvement on and in her craft and she will shine in future.

Great Story and Concept

Set aside the narrators not producing some words correctly. Let the story sink in, close your eyes, and let Shami Stovall paint a world of adventure and magic. You won't be disappointed.

Audio quality was terrible

This sounds like it was recorded on a cheap headset in someone's bathroom. Never had to put a book down because of sound quality before but I couldn't make it past the first ten minutes or so. Couldn't say if the story was good or bad.