The Severed Realm

The Riven Gates, Book 2

By: Michael G. Manning

Narrated by: Alex Wyndham

Length: 11 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's Summary

Only a fool threatens those a Thornbear protects.

Mordecai’s shattered family is in chaos, but the world won’t wait for them to recover. Trapped by a fiendish plot he didn’t foresee, Mordecai finds himself powerless to redeem himself or defend his family. 

Alone and surrounded by enemies, Lady Rose has only her wits to protect those she loves. Though every hand turns against her, Rose Thornbear refuses to give up, and she will sacrifice whatever is necessary to save Penny’s family, whether the price is her rank, dignity, or even her life.

©2018 Michael G. Manning (P)2018 Podium Publishing

Another Fantastic Book By Manning!

Michael G Manning has become easily one of my top 3 favorite authors of all time! His style, prose, and story all make an amazing canvas for the mind and imagination, and his ability to tug on one's emotions is second to none! I have thoroughly enjoyed every book in all of the different series! His characters are like old friends, and his world is like coming home!

Genuis

I was disappointed by the length of the audiobook. I can listen to Manning for hours. I’m captivated by his work and look forward to coming home to finish listening. It’s like I gobble his stories like I would chocolate if I didn’t eat for a week. Yet he’s toned down the recent books which I’m dismayed by because he did nothing wrong with Tyrion Series. So people were appalled and offended. I say grow up ya big babies. I made mention of my feelings, defending Manning and truth is I want to him to fire his PR rep for allowing him to apologize or explain his novels. His art is his art. Like anything and everything else in life, some will love it while others don’t. I say be a rebel and push boundaries. Shock value like Mark Lawrence offers us in his male lead stories (Red and Grey Sister books are quite dry in comparison. I think he’s more in his element when writing male led novels than female). Yet Manning showed what a gentlemen he is by adding an excerpt explaining his creation. Gentlemen.. he is a true gentlemen.

The second book of the Riven Gates is not particularly exciting. There are topics within the book that could of brought this series back to the level of the brilliant Illeniel Series (I prefer titling it the Tyrion Series to avoid botching the spelling but Manning fans know the books) where the leads and storyline are shocking, brilliant and bold thereby blowing away competing authors. The recent Riven Gates and other books starring Mordecai feels yo@. Z# zmznbz. No. Momookmonknnnconservative and to the extent I’m sadly disappointed. It’s a good story. I don’t understand why Mordecai faces another trial versus a battle with Tyrion. Since when did Galen become an enemy. Didn’t Galen help save Mordecai by entering his body and repairing the damage? Now they’re enemies and I don’t know when this occurred? Was it when Mordecai whispered in Galen’s wife’s ear and she started screaming? Manning never shared what was said to her. I’m sorry I don’t recall when Galen and Mordecai became enemies. Yet they are and Galen wants Mordecai dead. Then Tyrion is back but we don’t learn his intentions. Tyrion is a not a force to test and yet there is an assassination on his life? How could such outcome end good for Mordecai or his children? There are many cliff hangers and I’m curious to know how Manning plans to write book three. Also the Queen is considering charging the young adults if they don’t show their face? They’re protecting Roland’s estate and the community. Did Roland fail to mention this to his sister? Clearly he did because Mordecai reunited him with the Queen and now the Illiniel kids face possible treason charges. There is a clear disconnect and the story is brief and short considering all the loose ends. Manning has a lot of wiggle room with book three. Alex Wyndham does an excellent performance as always. It’s a pleasure to listen to his narration.

One of my favorite writers of all time.

The people are real. the adults show maturity from a life lived and mistakes made. The children show naivety and wonder. The intrigue is natural, not forced. The relationships are organic. When I see Michael Manning I buy. He keeps being better.

Excellent!

As always, Manning delivers the best in epic fantasy. His world building is easily comparable to GRRM and his characters are down to earth, realistic people, warts and all! It's rare in this genre to find dialogue that reflects the rhythm of true speech- foul language not withstanding- and I appreciated that, especially in characters like Chad Grayson!

This is a true must read! if you haven't started this series yet- get to it! You will kick yourselves if you pass it up.

Great book!

The storyline and characters are well written. This is my second read of Michael Manning's books. I read book one and two and moving on to book three. Likewise, Alex Wyndham of "The Riven Gates Series, is fantastically talented reader. The emotions he displays in his characters are so realistic that, I, as the listener felt every emotion. At one point in the story a tragedy happened; Alex displayed the grief so brilliantly that I was caught up with all the emotions you would expect if you were actually present. Great story and great storyteller!!

I can't wait for book 3!

Another incredible story. Heartwrenching and at the same time humorous and exciting. One more to go!

A great addition to a wonderful saga

This was a great story. We got back the drama and action I love. It’s not in the top five for me (if the series), but it’s one of the better ones.

another masterpiece

loved it! I laughed and cried so many times, but the story was worth it, can't wait for the next one!

absolutly love this series so far

great story with happy moments, sad moments, suspense, fear for the characters, and unsuspected events and twist

now what!?

I really really want the next one already! I'm hooked on this series like I have been the last series.

So engrossing 🤩

The story is phenomenal, the characters are amazing and Alex Wyndham brings the story to life like no other. I’m writing this review as I’m waiting for the next book to download 😁 I can’t wait

Brilliant book

Brilliant author and great story. I really enjoyed the narrator he really brought the characters to life. I laughed very hard at some of the dialogue. Can't wait the next book.

Great continuation of the series!

Loved it. Narrated perfectly as always. So descriptive and great to follow the various characters throughout.