The Sacrifice

The Fey, Book 1

De: Kristine Kathryn Rusch

Narrado por: David DeSantos

Legendary for their bloodlust, sorcery, and fierce, dark beauty, the Fey have swept across three continents and never face defeat. But now, in defiance of their Black King, the warrior-prince Rugar and his fearless daughter, Jewel, have marshaled an invasion farce to meet its ultimate challenge: Blue Isle, glistening beyond impregnable rocks and raging waters.

A people of simplicity and faith, untainted by intrigue, enchantment, or war, the Blue Islanders have never before been invaded. But their young prince, Nicholas, dreams of battle and will rally his countrymen against the onslaught of the Fey, even as the Islanders discover a deadly, undreamed-of power of their own. So begins a conflict that must ultimately destroy one race or the other - or both.

©1995 Kristine Kathryn Rusch (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Enhanced by great narration

I tried to read this book in paper a few years ago but didn't get very far. But when Audible offered the audio version, I thought I'd try again. I like it better now, thanks in large part to Mr. DeSantos' EXCELLENT narration.

Now I have to see if I can afford more volumes in the series. o_O

Whew! This was a very long audio book!!!

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

Military - Fey - Acceptance.

Would you be willing to try another book from Kristine Kathryn Rusch? Why or why not?

Yes. Although, I became distracted on several occasions, in the end I did like the book. I am curious as to what come next.

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

I'm not really sure, I almost wonder if I would have been better off reading the book before listening.

Any additional comments?

At first, I had a difficult time actually getting into the story. There is a lot of detail about military might and execution, if your into that. I discovered it was rather easy to become distracted, allowing my thoughts to wander while listening and yet had no need to rewind. Normally, when I'm distracted from "listening" to an audiobook, I "must" rewind, because I can't bear to miss out on anything in the story. Not so here. About 2/3 of the way in, the story finally had my full attention, although that could have been the effect of a 5 hour road trip. It wasn't bad, but neither was it great. Maybe this is a book I should have read rather than heard.

Fey, humans, red caps, war, politics, faith and religion, ruthlessness, military, military tactics, island life, magic, visions, shape shifting, doppelganger, the preciousness of life, strife with self and others over choices made, holy water, family, friends and enemies.

Also glad it was free and I AM a fantasy reader

I am BARELY hanging on to this story. I'm into the third part and the pace of this book is SCREAMINGLY slow and predictable. Obvious solutions to problems are ignored while the author goes ON AND ON about mundane things. If you want to write an epic book like this, it has to MOVE. Look at Diana Gabaldon who knows how to keep you engaged for hours, or Brandon Sanderson.

I disagree about the narrator as well. He does great character voices but his narrator voice makes me want to scream. If I was reading this book instead of listening to it, I'd be scanning like crazy to get to a little action every now and then.

Only die hard fantasy fans, desperate for a read and with unending patience should try to read this book. I have to finish it now because that's how I roll but others should take heed.

To gruesome for me

I really tried hard to like this book because the following books in the series had high ratings, but after 5 hours, I had to give up. It was just to gruesome for my taste.

bad people doing bad things to other bad people

'nuf said, plus it goes on and on and on......if someone, anyone, was good it would be worth it. Maybe.