The Killing Fog

The Grave Kingdom, Book 1

By: Jeff Wheeler

Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller

Length: 13 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

The Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Kingfountain series conjures an epic, adventurous world of ancient myth and magic as a young woman’s battle with infinite evil begins.

Survivor of a combat school, the orphaned Bingmei belongs to a band of mercenaries employed by a local ruler. Now the nobleman, and collector of rare artifacts, has entrusted Bingmei and the skilled team with a treacherous assignment: brave the wilderness’s dangers to retrieve the treasures of a lost palace buried in a glacier valley. But upsetting its tombs has a price.

Echion, emperor of the Grave Kingdom, ruler of darkness, Dragon of Night, has long been entombed. Now Bingmei has unwittingly awakened him and is answerable to a legendary prophecy. Destroying the dark lord before he reclaims the kingdoms of the living is her inherited mission. Killing Bingmei before she fulfills it is Echion’s.

Thrust unprepared into the role of savior, urged on by a renegade prince, and possessing a magic that is her destiny, Bingmei knows what she must do. But what must she risk to honor her ancestors? Bingmei’s fateful choice is one that neither her friends nor her enemies can foretell, as Echion’s dark war for control unfolds.

©2020 by Jeff Wheeler. (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Wheeler (Broken Veil) opens the Grave Kingdom series with this winding tale of valor and sacrifice, set in a realm where using magic summons a heavy fog that kills every living thing it touches. [T]he threat of the fog looming in the background adds atmosphere and tension.... This excellent introduction to the prolific Wheeler’s work will appeal to fans of Asian-influenced fantasy.” (Publishers Weekly)

“The unique cast of characters in a well-constructed world will appeal to readers of Terry Brooks and Orson Scott Card.” (Booklist)

I miss Kate Rudd

Jeff wheeler as always have a wonderful story and stunning writing . Unfortunately, I could not get past the performance of the narration. The characters where ok but the narration felt breathy, with no life between the dialogue of the characters. It was very distracting from the story. I guess I’m just used to Kate Rudd’s colorful narration.

Confusing, needs different narrator

The narrator ruined this book for me. The breathy whisper makes it hard to hear and understand, I found myself constantly flipping back to try to figure out what I missed. I have bought several books lately that are narrated in this whisper, even with the volume all the way up it is difficult to understand, if there is the slightest background noise you miss more then you get, this eliminates listening to the audiobook in a car, one of the main places I listen. The names of characters are so many and varied, and all strange, that it was difficult to keep track of characters. Half way through the book I still didn’t understand what the plot was supposed to be. The blurb that describes the book starts with the main character being a survivor of combat school, I thought she was a survivor of her family’s massacre, maybe both, but it is still not clear. Maybe it would be different with a new narrator, but I won’t be getting any more of this series.

Story Doesn't End

Interesting premise, but moved too slowly. The story had too much narration of feelings, and not enough action. The reader was wonderful, however and changed voices for almost every character. Not as enjoyable as Wheeler's Fountain series. Because the story really didn't finish, I was left feeling a bit cheated. As usual, I loved that there were no sex scenes or obscene words.

Looking forward to more books in the series

Entertaining -- what more does one need from a book? I'm not so keen on the narrator, Emily Woo Zeller, though. Her "male" voices made me cringe. And her methodic, slightly slow pace with the story took getting used to. I finally sped up the listen to 1.25 and 1.5 which helped.

Great story...

I've greatly enjoyed Jeff wheeler's books in the past. Unfortunately, the narration on this one was whisper-like and made the story a chore to get through at times.

Great Narration Choice!!!

I love Jeff Wheeler! but seriously every fantasy lover should!! But I just loved the new narrator Emily Woo Zellar! she was an excellent choice for the telling of this story. her variety of voices for each character and the emotion she puts into those characters is amazing.

Good storyline but weak execution

If theres one thing that's sad to see its when an author has a solid idea, but doesn't execute it in the way the story deserves.. From weak dialogue and so many phrases of attribution that they become monotonous, to unrealistic characters - the men especially feel like cardboard cut out stereotypes of any number of unpleasant sexist or weak types. Narration doesn't work for me, male or female, few narrators can carry off opposite genders unless it's just by inflection, rathervthan trying to sound male or female respectively. This is no exceptjon. I hung in there for almost 3 hours, but no, I ve abandoned this one

Great story. Looking forward to the sequel.

Narrator was good except for the volume went so soft then so loud there was no way to keep from having to adjust the sound which is very annoying.

excellent narration and story!

This book is a slightly different flavor then Mr. wheeler's other books, but keep an open mind and it will not disappoint. I've listened to almost everything he's put out, and once again I'm blown away by his writing, I absolutely loved the eastern culture influence that is prominent in this book.

The characters are well thought out and developed, and the way they interact with one another feels authentic and genuine.

Loved the book and narration is top notch.

This is my favorite author in this genre

This is my favorite author in this genre, but I would suggest you not listen to this series if they keep the narrator. She is so hard to listen too....after 13 hours (almost 14) I am still confused as to why they chose her. I rely on my voice for a living and the choice they made to use this narrator confuses me. She is overly dramatic continually and seems to be whispering. Also, I do not like the complicated names the author chose. While after 13+ hours I am familiar with them, trying to follow them at hour 2 was super difficult. This series seems to have nothing to do with the others, so if you are starting Jeff Wheeler's books --- go back to the Kingfountain series and begin your listening right!

Too similar names

I’ve tried several times to listen to this but the character names are too similar so I get lost. Not for me I’m afraid

I want more

I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would which is surprising because I love Jeff Wheeler’s writing. My only criticism is that there aren’t enough books in this series/world to satiate me.

Depressed

I was depressed to a degree I nearly cancelled my subscription.
How is the heroine so ignorant and pathetic yet meant to save the world. Meant to be worldly wise. "I'm a warrior" is her mantra yet acts like a toddler who's never left home.
PERFECT BED TIME LISTEN AS YOU'LL BE ASLEEP IN MINUTES.

gripping

It took me a few attempts to start this book, I didn't think I was going to enjoy it but wow, once I had got past the first chapter I was hooked. The descriptive writing is fantastic you get right in the middle of a fight and can imagine the scenery and people easily. can't wait to start the next book.

woe is me.

was so angry. this story was so frustrating the answer to save so much death/struggle would have been sorted in one trip to the death wall.

jeff wheeler at his best

when i started listening, i did not think i would enjoy this book. it is so different from his other series, but soon became engrossed in the story. the narration is 1st class. i can't wait to listen to the next.