The Rift Walker

By: Clay Griffith, Susan Griffith

Narrated by: James Marsters

Length: 13 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's Summary

The Rift Walker is the second installment in the Vampire Empire trilogy. Set in a postapocalyptic world, this tale of courage, sacrifice, and heroism takes place against the backdrop of an age of steam and rational humanism, where the social elite have rejected religion and spiritualism as nothing more than quaint superstition. Brutal Vampire Clans rule half the world, keeping human herds for food, and Princess Adele, heir to the throne of Equatoria, is faced with grim choices. War is imminent and her marriage to the odious Senator Clark of America will cement an alliance uniting the Equatorian Empire and the American Republic. This integration of war machines is to be the opening volley in the campaign to reclaim the Northern Hemispheres. Unfortunately, Adele’s betrothed has a bloodthirsty war strategy, one the Princess finds as repulsive as the actions of the vampires they fight.

Moments in advance of the Princess’s marriage to the Senator, the Greyfriar, legendary champion of the human resistance, rescues Adele before vampire assassins can murder her. While on the run from the agents of Prince Cesare, the acting Clan Lord of the Northern Vampires, Adele seeks to discover a way to protect her beloved Equatoria and prevent the genocide Clark intends to implement, all while trying to free herself from an unwanted marriage. Meanwhile, Cesare’s agents have struck deep at the heart of Equatoria and will stop at nothing to keep Adele from ascending to the throne.

Treachery abounds; friendship, loyalties, and allegiances are tested. Will Princess Adele be able - with the help of her beloved Greyfriar; her devoted guard and faithful officer, Anhalt; and her mentor, Mamarou - to turn the tide before human civilization is forever shattered?

©2011 Buzzy Multimedia Publishing Corp. (P)2013 Buzzy Multimedia Publishing

Buzzy and Marsters Hit Another Homerun!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Rift Walker to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print edition so I really can't compare the two.

Who was your favorite character and why?

King Misiri. He is so over the top but yet in some way very believable. He goes for the gusto. I also like the fact that he is honest in saying that if one of his daughters had done what Adele did he would be incredibly sad but would not be able to speak to her ever again.

What about James Marsters’s performance did you like?

He makes the book feel more like a movie. It is one thing to read about emotion but hearing it in his voice is so visceral, it really connects.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The connection between the two main characters is magnetic

Any additional comments?

Buzzymultimedia continues to produce quality audiobooks and their collaboration with James Marsters is simply stellar. Marsters is so talented an actor that it comes across in every book he has produced with Buzzy, and the people at Buzzy keep picking interesting material that captures one's imagination with exciting, tasteful books that are beyond compare.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Definitely a 'Set Up' book

The first Vampire Empire book took me a little while to get into, but after the first half, I ate it up. I was really excited to delve into this book, and it didn't quite live up to my excitement. It was obvious that this book was setting up for the final book in the trilogy.

I did like a few of the developments that happened in this segment and will absolutely keep reading to see what happens next.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

James Does It Again!!!

Any additional comments?

Just started listening and have to say that so far it was worth the wait. James does a great performance like he always does, he give a voice to each character and makes you feel like you are really there. First it was The Dresden Files, now it is Vampire Empire. I hope he will also read the 3rd book as well.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Great Series!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Rift Walker to be better than the print version?

This is a great series. Not the same old vampire story -- fresh, original, enticing mythology -- with a fabulous narrator, James Marsters! I can't wait for book 3!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Awesome, awesome, awesome!!!

Where does The Rift Walker rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Near the top.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Adele. I can't help it. She is very feminine and also very strong. Naive in some ways but she has been around politics all her life so she is savvy in some ways as well. Not to mention her stay in the Tower of London and her escape in the first book.

Have you listened to any of James Marsters’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, I've heard his other performances in the Dresden Files and also his Macbeth. All excellent but in many ways this is tougher than most because of the diversity of characters. He not only did both male and female voices, young and old, but also African, Persian, German, Indian, French,Japanese and several different types of British accents. This must have been the hardest for him to do but you would never know it while listening. Marsters is amazing.

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

I did. I have an Orson Scott Card as well as Game of Thrones waiting in my library but I've been waiting for the Rift Walker and downed it all in one go. Now when is the King Makers coming out?

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed The Greyfriar and was concerned that the second book might not be as good as the first but as it turns out it has all the things I enjoyed the first time around but taken up a few notches. Adele is no fragile Princess waiting to be rescued by a knight on a white charger. She is strong, resourceful, highly resilient and smart enough to know when she needs some help. That masked man at her side is no faultless hero but someone driven to strive to be a better person, to champion the downtrodden and to serve as best he can to aide Adele.

In this book they travel far from the earlier settings of London and Alexandria and it was fun hearing the voices James Marsters came up with when they go the Mountains of the Moon in Africa. My God, he has an incredible range. From a female Persian to an African potentate he nails it every time.

This is my first time downloading an audiobook. I have always purchased hard copies. It was fun getting it instantly but what will I do when I want the book autographed?

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great Story with an Awesome Reader

Where does The Rift Walker rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I really enjoyed book one and two. I cant wait for book three to come out on Audible. I enjoyed it so much I might break down and actually read book three.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Worth the Wait

Would you consider the audio edition of The Rift Walker to be better than the print version?

I actually waited for the audio version despite the very long wait for it and have not read the print version.

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

I always enjoy James Marsters narrations- with some minor caveats. There were a couple of mispronunciations in the book that really bothered me. He handles the multiple voices very well otherwise.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Well written and read.

Loved the story and the reader is one of the best I've listened to in a long time.

Excellent continuation

Maybe better than the first. The story continues where The Greyfriar left off. Much deception is taking place within the palace walls, as Adele's wedding with Clark grows near. It seems everyone in power has their own strategy to win the war between vampires and humans, with Adele and Garreth having the most to lose, as she harnesses hidden powers that turn out to be weapons for her cause. James Marsters does an exceptional job of bringing all these colorful characters to life, with his amazing job of male and female voices from various parts of the world.

Continual story of bwwm paranormal love struggle

More intense betrayal and war. Humans & vampires. Both have good & bad ones.. Both sides have greedy individuals that would sell out their own mother for power, glory & influence.. Both sides think they are the smarter species.. The love between Grey Fryer & the princess seems impossible... Wonderful purchase.. Keep tissues near you.. You'll need them..

excellent second in the series

If you could sum up The Rift Walker in three words, what would they be?

excellently crafted story

What other book might you compare The Rift Walker to, and why?

not sure i could compare this book as most on the market try to sell vampires and really good but misunderstood creatures. this trilogy doesn't and its a refreshing change :)

Have you listened to any of James Marsters’s other performances? How does this one compare?

i really love listening to James Marsters, having listened to all the Jim Butcher books so actively looked for others read by him. the only thing i have to say about this particular reading is "James... chasm has a silent h in it.. so it sounds like kasm.. not chasm with a ch sound at the front.. i was shouting at you but you didn't listen"!

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Vampires are bad.. but American generals are worse

Any additional comments?

great book don't let me put you off. i really did enjoy it !

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Bewitching and Enchanting.

This is the second part of the Vampire Empire series and it is as delightfully original as the first. Set in 2020, in a sort of steam punk version of a Victorian esque World ( its hard to describe the multi textured and multicultural World and do it any real justice) Its a tale of love, war, religion, politics, heroes and heroines, It shows the true good and pure evil and most levels in-between. You may not be a fan of vampire tales, but this outstanding work of creation is so much more than a vampire book for young adults, its rich and very rewarding to read and in audio it is beautifully narrated by James Marsters who is a delight to hear.( he is the narrator of Jim Butchers brilliant Dreasden flies ). I love these books and highly anticipate the next volume in this epic tale x

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great book Shane about the accent

This is a good story and picks up the story from book 1. The only annoying but is the fact that the Welsh character has a broad scottish accent, as a Welsh woman this drove me mad

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great storyline

I'm enjoying this series after book 1 i was beginning to think it's just your typical vampire/human love story..so wrong ..it's not !! Love James Marsters telling of the book too..very enjoyable..now into final part of this trilogy !!

Chosen for the narrator...

Bit of a Marsters fan after the Dresden books. Story and characters progressing well, would say as expected. clearly engaging as this was the second book I listened to and about to start the third.