The Wizards of Once

By: Cressida Cowell

Narrated by: David Tennant

Length: 5 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

In the first book of a new series by the best-selling author of How to Train Your Dragon, the warring worlds of Wizards and Warriors collide in a thrilling and enchanting adventure.

Once there were Wizards, who were Magic, and Warriors, who were not. But Xar, son of the King of Wizards, can’t cast a single spell. And Wish, daughter of the Warrior Queen, has a banned magical object of her own. When they collide in the wildwood, on the trail of a deadly witch, it’s the start of a grand adventure that just might change the fabric of their worlds.

With Cressida Cowell’s trademark wit, and the same stunning combination of action, adventure, heart, humor, and incredible artwork that made How to Train Your Dragon a beloved best-selling franchise, The Wizards of Once will transport and enchant listeners.

©2017 Cressida Cowell (P)2017 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"A narrative rich in dragon muck...genuinely fierce [and] intelligent." ( Kirkus)

"Cowell crafts two believable and lovable main characters...[a] strong new series starter." ( School Library Journal)

fantastic!

fantastic!
This story was the bast of the best!
It was A fantastic opportunity!
I loved it! 😍

very similar to the How to Train Your Dragon books

well written, quirky and easy for an adult to listen to while driving with a child. David Tennet is, as always, animated, engaged and consistent with his voices and characters. very entertaining

Better for kids than adults

Not a bad story, but seems aimed at 8-12 year old kids. As an adult, I was bored at times and overall found it so so. Some good inventive ideas and creatures, but only one who I could pull for.

great performance

this was not my typical reading but I wanted to give it a try because of the person reading it. Their performance was out of this world. The story itself left a little to be desired but there were times where I found myself feeling like a little kid in a lost forest amongst fairies.

Amazing Book

Love this book. Everyone should read it right this instant. It’s amazing - A Fan Guy

A fun little story with an entertaining narrator

This was a lovely little story about two kids, Xar and Wish, a wizard and a warrior, respectively. Wizards and warriors are sworn enemies, which of course initially pits Xar and Wish against each other as their prejudices and conditioning made them hate each other on principle. But they're more alike than they realize. They're both a child of the royalty of their clans, and neither of them is very skilled: Xar has no magic, and Wish is too scrawny and gentle to make a good warrior.

Their paths are crossed by happenstance one day, but that's just enough for them to become unwillingly entangled in an adventure together. As they both travel along this journey, they learn more about themselves as well as the world around them, and slowly come to realize that perhaps their parents had been wrong about the proclamation that wizards and warriors are sworn enemies and that members of the opposite clan are always evil.

The characters are cute and charming, though Xar got on my nerves. He's extremely arrogant and full of himself, even though he has hardly done anything to warrant his ego. He's always trying to spin things to his own advantage, and he will lie his way through any situation so that he comes out on top. Wish was my favorite character. She's so sweet and kind, but with a fiery personality that is a good match for Xar's obnoxious one.

Overall, this was a charming, quick little story that I had fun listening to. I'm a huge fan of David Tennant's work, and his voice acting is no different. He does a very broad range of voices that gives each character an extremely unique voice, making it very easy to tell who is speaking. He was a delight to listen to.

Loved story and narrator

I really enjoyed David Tennant. His accent was just right for the story. Ms Cowell has another hit!

Overall fun

Great to hear David Tennant read and his various character voices - I hope he continues to read the series.
Story was fun - although a little dark in places (parents having their younger children listen should know that some scary things can come up ). But the young characters are interesting and dimensional.
As an adult it kept my attention and I am looking forward to more in the series.

Great characters

I loved this audiobook. David Tennant was terrific. I can’t wait to read more in this series. The writing has such imagination.

Just fantastic

Another brilliant story by Cowell in an engaging new setting. Full of personality and humour as usual, delivered superbly by David Tennant