The Naming

The First Book of Pellinor

By: Alison Croggon

Narrated by: Eloise Oxer

Length: 19 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Maerad is a slave in a desperate and unforgiving settlement, taken there as a child when her family is destroyed in war. She doesn’t yet know she has inherited a powerful gift, one that marks her as a member of the noble School of Pellinor and enables her to see the world as no other can. It is only when she is discovered by Cadvan, one of the great Bards of Lirigon, that her true identity and extraordinary destiny unfold. Now, she and her mysterious teacher must embark on a treacherous, uncertain journey through a time and place where the forces of darkness wield an otherworldly terror.

©2010 Alison Croggon (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Detailed story that holds your attention.

Would you listen to The Naming again? Why?

Not sure if I would reread this book. Maybe. Will know better once I read all the books in the series.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Naming?

Likely the rescue near the start of the heroine of the book.

Which scene was your favorite?

Not sure if it was a scene as much as the richness and depth of the story.

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

Again not really one moment.

Any additional comments?

If you like rich character and world development this is one of those books that draws you in. I enjoyed the book quite a bit and will read further.

Good story lackluster performance

I read the book years ago and like it a lot. The story has lost no charm with the telling but at times the performance dialogue is way overdone. All the passages with singing are flatly terrible, hire a story teller who can carry a tune if there is singing involved.

Wonderful epic fantasy worth rereadind

The whole thing was perfect. The characters, plot, exposition, story telling, reader, balance, etc.
I was immersed into the story. I’ve listened to this series over and over again and it’s high quality does not fade.
As an aspiring author, I plan to study this.

It feels good and bad, just like life

This world is certainly am interesting one. I love the fantasy of this kind of world and I appreciate that the hardships are very difficult. Such is our life too. Maerad is a force to be reckoned with

The Naming, A Random Find

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

No unless you like a slow and British accent. It was hard to understand some of the words that the narrator was saying.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked that this story was original and was very fantasy like.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

I liked the enthusiasm of the voice and the slight twang of some of the words. I did not like that there was some words that were changed (for an abridged version of an audiobook).

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

When the main character relived her mother's life and finding her brother after she thought that he died as an infant.

Any additional comments?

This book and audiobook was a random find.

Beautiful classic adventure fantasy!

This is the first book in The Books of Pellinor series, which is a four book series. I absolutely loved this book. It is such a great epic fantasy adventure with a very classic feel to it. I loved the world with the Bards and the classic light vs dark themes here. I definitely plan on continuing with this series!

Maerad is a slave living in an unforgiving settlement who has been taught to sing and play and is very talented at these musical arts. Then one day she discovers Cadvan in the stable and he offers to help her escape slavery. However, as a result Maerad learns her true identity and ends up embroiled in the politics and dangers associated with the great Bards of Lirigon.

I listened to this on audiobook and it was well done. I didn’t like Maerad’s speaking voice, it sounded pinched...but we don’t actually hear Maerad talk a ton since most of the narration is in her head. Aside from that I enjoyed listening to this on audiobook.

This book had such a wonderful classic adventure fantasy feel to it. I enjoyed the complex characters, they are all well done (even the side characters). I also really enjoyed the adventure and all the battles and danger our characters have to fight through. The world-building is amazing and I loved the history of the Bards and the light vs dark theme to the story.

Overall this was an amazing adventure fantasy and I look forward to continuing the series. I would recommend to those who enjoy epic adventure fantasy and detailed world-building.

Better than I expected

The opening historical backstory and the audio length braced me for a long bore in a stream of detailed and foreign-name laced prose. But in fact, the tropes all felt familiar: orphans, lost & foundlings; heroic elements as in mentor, companions, evil lord, journey, and just about anything else Joseph Campbell mentioned; names and creatures from the dark a la Ged of Earthsea. The prose is unencumbered with pretentiousness. Narrator Oxer is very clear. So at a listed 19 hours, this book is easily listened to in less than 9. I feel compelled to know more of Maerad's story. She is a little unsteady on her feet, emotionally, as she lurches from slave to superhero, but she handles the transformational deluge as well as any heroic character should. And her doubts about the way to go are overcome by the knowledge that light is not as evil as dark.

My favorite book!

I've always loved this book ever since I 1st read it. I'm lucky to of found it again on audio. It is my favorite book of all time.

the narrator truly brought life to the story!

I read this many years ago. but I had a very strong remembrance of the main characters. I also had a very strong imagination in pulling pictures for my mind when reading the story. However, the narrator really put a new light into how I view the places and people and events happened in the story. I think if she weren't as involved as she was, I would not have such a strong urge to listen all over again in mediately. A very well done job.

Enjoyable

I enjoyed the first book enough to venture getting all the other ones in advance. It was definitely interesting and I'm looking forward to seeing the story unfold. The narrator does a pretty good job. From my perspective at least, her narration doesn't take you out of the story. Definitely worth a try, if you like fantasy and have some extra credits to spend.