The Letter for the King

By: Tonke Dragt

Narrated by: Matt Addis

Length: 15 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

The thrilling international bestseller from Holland, now a Netflix Original Series.

It is the dead of night. Sixteen-year-old Tiuri must spend hours locked in a chapel in silent contemplation if he is to be knighted the next day. But as he waits by the light of a flickering candle, he hears a knock at the door and a voice desperately asking for help.

A secret letter must be delivered to King Unauwen across the Great Mountains - a letter upon which the fate of the entire kingdom depends. Tiuri has a vital role to play, one that might cost him his knighthood.

Tiuri's journey will take him through dark, menacing forests, across treacherous rivers, to sinister castles and strange cities. He will encounter evil enemies who would kill to get the letter but also the best of friends in the most unexpected places.

He must trust no one. He must keep his true identity secret. Above all, he must never reveal what is in the letter...

The Letter for the King is the epic story of one boy's battle against evil, set in an enchanted world of chivalry, courage, and true friendship.

©2015 Tonke Dragt (trans Laura Watkinson) (P)2015 Chocolate Fox Audio & Pushkin Press

Matt Addis has a very pleasant voice.

I just couldn't stop listening - it's an easy pleasant story, and you will be right there in the book with them.

Review from an adult

I got this because I’d watched the first episode on Netflix with my kids, but this was much better (in my opinion) than the show. It reminded me of an old episodic adventure novel more than something like Hunger Games or even Harry Potter where danger is constantly looming. I appreciated that there were trustworthy characters along the sojourn.

As an adult, I liked this and I think kids would too. Would be a good car trip listen.

A wonderful adventure!!!

I first read this book when I was about 12-13 (in the German translation) and I loved it from the first page!
Now after so many years there is finally an English translation (very well done as far as I can tell) and an audiobook. The narrator is very fitting for the story! It feels like your grandfather (or maybe Sir Ristridin himself) is telling you the story while you sit in front of a great fire in a mighty fortress.

The story of Tiuri and Piak is full of friendship, adventure and chivalry.
Of course now, as a sad adult, I can see that there are some things that don't quite make sense, seem too easy or just don't fit together, but it doesn't take away from the magic of the story.
And anyway, hopefully the listeners are young and can thus enjoy the story just like i have done for many years! I will definitely buy the second book as well, I can't wait! Sorry that there are only two books in this series!
If u like Tamora Pierce books you will definitely also enjoy this book!

According to my seven year old child...

Would you listen to The Letter for the King again? Why?

Yes, definitely because I like knights and horses and the story is really gripping. When it's time to put the story down, you want to pick it up again straight away!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Letter for the King?

The most memorable moment (spoiler alert!!!) ...was when Tiuri gave the letter to King Unawen.

What does Matt Addis bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

If I had read it myself, many of the words would have been hard to read, so listening ws much more exciting.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Another spoiler alert - the moment I found most sad was when Piak left Tiuri.

Any additional comments?

This is a great book. Listen to it! and Read it too.