The Mercenary Code

The Shattering of Kingdoms, Book 1

By: Emmet Moss

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 19 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's Summary

Winner of the 2020 Society of Voice Arts Award for Audiobook Narration - Fantasy.

Break the Code. Shatter the World.

Centuries ago, the murder of a beloved king tore apart the Kingdom of Caledun. The land was plunged into chaos and thousands perished in the aftermath. A new order was established in an attempt to return Caledun to its former glory. It failed, but in its place rose the beginnings of the Code. 

During this same period, the mystical caretakers of the Great Wood retreated from the world of Kal Maran, their disappearance an ominous harbinger of the suffering that was to follow. The Great Wood now grows out of control. Cities, towns, and villages have fallen before the relentless march of the forest. Without the former guardians to keep her tame, the wood has become a place of peril, and dark creatures of legend now hunt beneath its leaves. 

The summer season is now a time of armed conflict. The fall of the old monarchy has brought about a ceaseless cycle of combat. Grievances are settled by the strict tenets of a binding Mercenary Code and the men who would die to preserve its honour. 

However, change is in the air. Political rivalries have escalated, and dire rumblings of a revolution abound. Thrust to the forefront of the shattered land's politics, a mercenary fights for more than just riches. In the north, a borderland soldier wrestles with his own demons and looks to find his true purpose. And in the shadow of the Great Wood, a young man's chance encounter with a strange visitor gives hope to a land divided.

©2019 Emmet Moss (P)2020 Podium Audio

Quite Impressed

I have over 150 titles in this genre - essentially, I've read everything out there. I've never left a review before, but in this case feel obligated due to the fact that the book clearly does not have that much exposure, at least on audible, yet I'd rank it somewhere in the top 15%. That's pretty dang good by my estimates.

If your search for a new epic fantasy feels like an exercise in futility, as mine so often does and has for quite some time, I believe you'll be thoroughly pleased with this one.

Excited to start book two, keep them coming.

Loved this book

I found the each character’s story line engaging. The author does a great job of making you want to continue listening. The character building and the little bits of history that you learn about the world keep you interested the whole time. I don’t remember any part of the book where I lost interest and had to rewind to listen again. When it was playing it had my full attention. I have listened to a lot of books on audible and this is one of my favorites. I can’t wait for the next book in the series. Oh and as always Simon Vance did a great job but honestly I didn’t need to say that haha.

Vance brought characters alive!

Having bought this book on a whim last year and thoroughly enjoying it, I was extremely excited to see Simon Vance was doing an audio version! I just finished listening to it over the long weekend and loved it! I thought Vance brought a nuance and his flair to certain characters (loved Corian Praxxus). Production values were great, and it was paced well, and it's always fun to hear someone do a character's voice and compare it to what I thought in my own head when reading it. Hoping Vance returns to narrate Book 2 in this series as well!

Not much to dislike.

Really, REALLY, enjoyed this book. Been awhile since I enjoyed a book this much. It’s got everything, including a coming of age component. Let’s go over what I didn’t like, without giving much away. In the coming of age part, the subject comes off as a bit of an ungrateful brat .. as they sometimes do. Bit annoying. Next, the “Northern wall” that serves as a “shield” is a bit unoriginal. The evil creatures … the “Gaff(so?) … I have no clue what they look like. They’ve never really been described. We know they have fangs and they stink. Otherwise, up to your imagination. Lastly, the narrator uses the same voice for many characters, but … IMO, Simon Vance is one of the very best.

You have to give the book a chance. It doesn’t jump out at you immediately and is kinda hard to follow at first. It throws a bunch of characters at you quickly and it’s tough to keep them straight. 4 or 5 chapters in and I was addicted and staying up all hours of the night to listen. I’m into book 2 now and I’m enjoying it just as much, if not more than book 1.

Great character development. Decent world development. Fantastic story with just the right amount of magic (not too much or overpowering to the extent that it ruins the story).

Great book. Highly recommend.

Bland story and characters

The characters and story are unremarkable. No magic system, no compelling characters. The story suggest a vast world of multiple human nations and magical creature kinds. Yet, the story revolves around 6 or so main characters. Simon Vance is the only worthwhile element. I guess its my fault for assuming that the best voice actors are reserved for the best works/authors.

I gave this 5 stars, great listen.

Great story, I'm so glad book 2 is available. I hope it's the same narrator.

tedious

I really dis not care for this book ar all. I will nor be getting any further books in this series.

Engrossing and unique content

I could not put the book down. It was enjoyable. There is a nice twist in the long lost heir trope. Figuring out the plot was one of the charms of the book. The protagonists were relatable.
There were minor editorial errors. For example, at least one time, the transition to conflict may have been too abrupt. This was only a minor inconvenience, though.
All in all, a great read.

It's just D and D. Little character development

I didn't finish this book. I had three hours left and just didn't care how the story ended because it felt like someone telling the story of a video game. Not bad on the reading though.

Story line pretty good, Simon made it better.

The story had 3 separate lines and became confused on which was where - will need to listen again. However, Simon Vance is such a great narrator that I'm looking forward to revisiting the story again.

Really enjoyed this book

Found the beginning of this book a little confusing, couldn’t follow the story But I’m so glad I stuck with it !
As the story unfolded I became more hooked really enjoyed this and can’t wait to start book 2

A fun and solidly written fantasy story

Purchased this book on a whim and have had no regrets. Great story and character design. The world building and lore is interesting and well thought out. Narration is well done and suited to the story and characters.