The Lord of Opium

By: Nancy Farmer

Narrated by: Raul Esparza

Length: 11 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's Summary

As the teenage ruler of his own country, Matt must cope with clones and cartels in this riveting sequel to the modern classic House of the Scorpion, winner of the National Book Award, a Newbery Honor, and a Printz Honor.

Matt has always been nothing but a clone - grown from a strip of old El Patron’s skin. Now, at age 14, he finds himself suddenly thrust into the position of ruling over his own country. The Land of Opium is the largest territory of the Dope Confederacy, which ranges on the map like an intestine from the ruins of San Diego to the ruins of Matamoros. But while Opium thrives, the rest of the world has been devastated by ecological disaster - and hidden in Opium is the cure.

And that isn’t all that awaits within the depths of Opium. Matt is haunted by the ubiquitous army of eejits, zombielike workers harnessed to the old El Patron’s sinister system of drug growing - people stripped of the very qualities that once made them human.

Matt wants to use his newfound power to help, to stop the suffering, but he can’t even find a way to smuggle his childhood love, Maria, across the border and into Opium. Instead, his every move hits a roadblock, some from the enemies that surround him...and some from a voice within himself. For who is Matt really, but the clone of an evil, murderous dictator?

©2013 Nancy Farmer (P)2013 Simon & Schuster

Wow wow wow

Would you listen to The Lord of Opium again? Why?

It's a excellent story. Read the first book in high school but I didn't know that there was a sequel to it, so I had to listen to it and it didnt disappoint at all. Keeps you going till its over

What other book might you compare The Lord of Opium to and why?

House of the scorpion. Because its the same kind of story filled with twists and turns

Which character – as performed by Raul Espanza – was your favorite?

All of them he gives the characters their own voice and uses emotions that keep your attention as if you were really there

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

Several but I'm not going to spoil it for you.

Any additional comments?

Great read for anybody that likes a good action packed story

Engaging

I would encourage everyone to read the first book House of Scorpions for the fall character development prior to this book.

Love it

It's a great read, and a great second to the series... I hope for a third...

I love stories by Nancy Farmer!

What a great production. It reminded me a little of some James Bond stories near the end, but I still love the whole premise of a nation overtly called
Opium, run by a smart but wicked drug lord. I love the character of Mateo Alacrán.

Not your typical plot!!

Loved this book and House Of The Scorpion!! Both are great reads!! There are so many discussions that's could begin with this book.

Thinking outside the box

First you must read The House of the Scorpion. The intertwining of both book was awesome. Could not put it down. The narrator was great with the different characters. A must read, very enjoyable.. Give me more.

🦂

Raul's narration is fantastic. The story itself was quite a satisfying wrap up of the previous book. My one complaint was the last few chapters seemed shorter and I expected the conflict with the other drug lords to be more... explosive? However, the rest of the book makes up for it and it will remain one of my favorite books.

Raul Esparza is amazing!

This book was suggested to me by a friend. I downloaded the audible because my daughter had it on her list for reading. I decided to listen to it while I worked and this story has taken me away. Nancy Farmer does a great job with expanding from House of the Scorpion! Raul does a phenomenal job with all the different characters that I forget he’s only one person that it is borderline genius and scary. The idea that this could be possible shakes me to my core. Bravo!

So Close!

I have listened to both books the 1st and 2nd. You get do engulfed. It takes you on a roller coaster of past present and future. Loved the narration.

Overall excellent

Esparza does an amazing job narrating. If you loved House of the Scorpion, this book will not disappoint. I read it immediately after the House of the Scorpion and it's an excellent sequel. Exciting, dramatic, with compelling elements of sci-fi and ecology. Readers are left with a feeling that the book was well-concluded, though the world is so fascinating and well-developed that we may all want more content about the inhabitants of their near-destroyed planet.

Great sequel

Where does The Lord of Opium rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Not a book I would have chose but got lost in the drug world with Matt. A lot of this is down to the narrator. Really enjoyable and believeable in a weird way!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Lord of Opium?

The funeral...

Which character – as performed by Raul Esparza – was your favourite?

The Mushroom Master, loved the accent

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Could have done but there's work, sleep etc