Discover Popular Titles Full Audiobooks in Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

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Title: The Truth Is a Cave in the Black Mountains

Author: Neil Gaiman

Narrator: Neil Gaiman

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 22 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-08-14

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 316 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

You ask me if I can forgive myself? I can forgive myself....

And so begins The Truth Is a Cave in the Black Mountains, a haunting story of family, the otherworld, and a search for hidden treasure. This audiobook is brought to vivid life by the characters and landscape of Gaimans award-winning story. In this volume, the talents and vision of two great creative geniuses come together in a glorious explosion of color and shadow, memory and regret, vengeance and, ultimately, love.

...for many things. For where I left him. For what I did.

Members Reviews:

Dark Quest

This is a dark short story told in first person by an un-named man going on a quest to the Black Mountains. He hires a guide to take him there, disclosing little of himself or his reason for the journey. His tale unfolds slowly, bit by bit as the two travelors encounter challenges along the way, not fully trusting each other, but needing to rely on each other anyway. This slow buildup initially felt like nothing was really going on, but have patience. As pieces of each man's stories are revealed, the tension begins to mount right up to the opening of the mountain cave which is their destination. And then, as the title suggests, there is the truth.

It pains me to give anyting less than 5 stars to a Gaiman recording, but in this case it's not because of his narration, which is perfection as always. There is a musical score that plays throughout the story that often becomes more than just background. The listener's sample gives you some idea of the music. There are some parts that are more intrusive, but also many parts where the music benefits the atmosphere. But the fact that the score made itself so obvious lost one star.

Quite Different

I love almost all of NGs work, but this was not one of them. The back ground music and the acoustical treatment was distracting. The story was interesting and his reading was good, but missed the pace that his work usually has. I would have preferred that it had been more of a story that was told and become suspended in that world w/ out the interruption of the discordant musical track. I did like the quartet but not here.

Just for the experience

If you have ever listened to Gaiman being interviewed, to his podcasts, or been lucky enough to attend one of his performance readings you'll understand the Gaiman experience. The experience goes far beyond reading one of his books. His voice is almost a magical instrument that lifts the words off the pages. I'm not an expert or even a follower of Gaiman's, but I've read a few of his novels, even a couple of his graphic novels. It was after listening to him read just a few paragraphs of The Truth Is a Cave on the radio that I went looking for the rest of the fable -- specifically, him reading the novelette himself. I wasn't looking for the end of the story, as captivating as it was, but rather being under Gaiman's spell during the journey.

He is a performance artist. His voice is like a ripple in time that harkens back to nights tucked safely under a cozy blanket, listening to a bedtime story...a huge, dark story more Grimm than Disney.

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Title: The Winter King

Subtitle: The Warlord Chronicles, Book 1

Author: Bernard Cornwell

Narrator: Jonathan Keeble

Format: Unabridged

Length: 19 hrs and 56 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-26-14

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 66 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Uther, the High King of Britain, has died, leaving the infant Mordred as his only heir. His uncle, the loyal and gifted warlord Arthur, now rules as caretaker for a country which has fallen into chaos - threats emerge from within the British kingdoms while vicious Saxon armies stand ready to invade.

Uther, the High King of Britain, has died, leaving the infant Mordred as his only heir. His uncle, the loyal and gifted warlord Arthur, now rules as caretaker for a country which has fallen into chaos - threats emerge from within the British kingdoms while vicious Saxon armies stand ready to invade.

As he struggles to unite Britain and hold back the Saxon enemy, Arthur is embroiled in a doomed romance with beautiful Guinevere.

Members Reviews:

Simply Brilliant

Would you listen to The Winter King again? Why?

This is the kind of story you can enjoy over and over again. The Winter King boasts an engrossing, complex and compelling storyline rarely found in stories based on the Arthurian legends, which tend toward the tradition of chivalry, knights, round tables and simple good/evil battles against Mordred, Oberon and Morgan Le Fay. Bernard Cornwell has done a masterful job in The Warlord Chronicles of creating an Arthur that is believable, an Arthur desperately trying to hold post-Roman Britain together when the stabilising forces of the empire have gone and the chaotic forces of inter-kingdom warfare, religious conflict and Saxon invasions have come. This brilliant story is told by a brilliant narrator, Jonathan Keeble, whose voice and performance are absolutely perfect for this dark historical fantasy.

What did you like best about this story?

Perhaps the story's strongest aspect is Bernard Cornwell's careful maintenance of historical realism. It is easy to imagine a Britain in the grip of the early Dark Ages, unsure of itself and vulnerable in the aftermath of the departure of the Roman legions and the arrival of hordes of Saxons. It is all the more moving when you realise that history holds the eventual end of the story; we know that the Saxons succeeded in conquering much of Britain, and it doesn't matter how hard Arthur fights. The Saxons will win in the end.

Which character as performed by Jonathan Keeble was your favourite?

Jonathan Keeble's performances of all the characters in this audiobook are brilliant - he is the perfect narrator for this story. But perhaps his greatest success is in his portrayal of Arthur himself. The voice that Keeble uses for Arthur is only slightly different than the voice which he uses to portray the main character, Derfel, but it is enough. A slight tone in Arthur's voice immediately identifies him and carries across his humanity, compassion, ambition and altruism all at the same time.

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

The only downside to this audiobook is its sheer length. At almost 20 hours, it is impossible to listen to the whole thing in one sitting - unless you are possessed of resolute determination, an iron will, and a lack of need for sleep. I would have liked to listen to all 20 hours without a break, as I found that when I had to turn it off to sleep and resumed it in the morning the story became a little disjointed.

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Title: Days Gone Bad

Subtitle: Vesik, Book 1

Author: Eric Asher

Narrator: William Dufris

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-12-14

Publisher: Eric R. Asher

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 398 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

My name is Damian Valdis Vesik. I am a necromancer, an ability feared and hated as much as the powers my master and I set ourselves against. We've vanquished many evils, but now something is releasing an old darkness, forcing us to hunt an enemy beyond anything I've faced before. I was already busy enough with vampires, fairies, witches, Watchers, weddings, and...damn, I need a vacation.

Members Reviews:

Great Urban Fantasy

I received a free copy of this audio book from the author when I met him at Coastal Magic Con. My husband and I listened to it on the way home and were enthralled. This story grabbed us from the start. Mr. Asher has built a vivid picture of a world where vampires, fairies, witches, ghosts, Watchers, and others exist side by side with common folk. His is a world filled with magic and mayhem, humor and love. William Dufris did a fantastic job of bringing the story to life. This story is not for the weak of heart. It is often violent and is graphic in its depiction of the violence. But the story is well worth it and would be diminished without the horror of the violence. I will most certainly be checking out the further adventures of Damian Valdis Vesik.

Couldn't finish it

The author attempted to make the main character funny and witty but his continuous stream of sarcastic and snide comments quickly become annoying and we never get a clear explanation as to how magic works in his universe.

Another source of confusion stems from the fact that Vesik is supposed to be a necromancer and yet he comes off more as a mage and more akin to Harry Dresden's abilities than someone who deals with the dead.

Furthermore we never get a good sense of the large cast of characters that get introduced far too quickly to the point where it starts to become a little confusing. Indeed, the faeries and the various vampires that Vesik meets aren't given enough of a backstory to begin to care about them and lack any real substance to them.

I will say this though, the narrator's voicing of Vesik's century-old teacher is phenomenal as he gives her a rough southern drawl that is a surprising joy to listen to.

Phenomenal Start to an AMAZING series!

"Days Gone Bad," had me sucked in at chapter one. There is a wealth of characters with depth and mystery and wit that make you want to delve into each one of them to see how they tick! Mr. Eric Asher, took a genre that has been written and rewritten so many times and made it new and intriguing. For me the testament of an outstanding book is if when I put it down I'm ready to pick it back up again, well this audio version brought me to whole new level of fandom. The narrator has a way of bringing these outstanding characters to life and I certainly cannot wait for the second book in the series to be ready for consumption.

A promising start but not great

I wanted to like this book but somehow I did not feel interested in its characters. I think the book has a potential: a necromancer as the main character, vampires, faes, humour, etc. but then it gets a bit repetitive and boring. I think the main problem is that the writer tries too hard, and eventually fails. There are too many jokes and not enough dynamics.

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Title: Nekropolis

Subtitle: Matt Richter, Book 1

Author: Tim Waggoner

Narrator: John Banks

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-21-14

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 85 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Matt Richter may be dead, but he'll still crack ths case. His mean streets are the city of the dead, the shadowy realm known as Nekropolis. This place has always been ruled by the vampire overlords. Now they're plotting to destroy the city. Over my dead body. Tim Waggoner is a novelist and college professor.

Members Reviews:

A decent read

Any additional comments?

This book was enjoyable to listen to, the narrator did a good job. The story isn't bad, but plays out a lot like the typical who-done-it mystery. What I enjoyed most about this listen was the imagination that was put into the various creatures that inhabit this alter world. There are a couple of well scripted moments that gave me some great visuals in my head and made me feel like I was there, witnessing something otherworldly.

But overall, this doesn't rate more than 3 stars in my book. It just doesn't stand out in the way that some of the other series I listen to do.

Nekropo

I've read this before but forget how it ended. Spot on narration and the pacing of the book kept me listening. Now I can listen to book two in the series. Did I mention the funny parts, because there is levity in the dire parts. Overall good read.

Dead on arrival

The one thing I detest in audio books is when the narrator mispronounces words...COMMON words...

Different

What made the experience of listening to Nekropolis the most enjoyable?

Very different from what I have read before, so a nice change from the usual formula.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Fresh and clever PI who never gives up even with his draw backs which are many.

What does John Banks bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you had only read the book?

Good reading ability

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Title: No Dominion: The Walker Papers: A Garrison Report

Author: C. E. Murphy

Narrator: Gabra Zackman

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 48 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-10-14

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 212 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Recently widowed after nearly fifty years of marriage, Gary Muldoon had given up on adventure. Then shaman Joanne Walker climbed into the back seat of his cab, and since then, Gary has trifled with gods, met mystics, slain zombies and ridden with the Wild Hunt.

But now he must leave Joannes side to face a battle only he can win. Because as their long battle against a dark magic-user races toward its climax, it becomes clear that it was not illness that took Annies life, but their enemys long and deadly touch.

Though lovers be lost, love shall not, and death shall have No Dominion.

Members Reviews:

Gary fan!!!!

Though I love Gabra Zackman for Joanne's voice, I don't believe it was the best for Gary's. An older male voice, warm and humerus would been a better choice, I feel.

This is not a standalone story and should only be read for best enjoyment after books 1 - 7 of the Walker papers has been read. This story is Gary's side trip in Raven Calls.

I had trepidation in reading it, because Gary is one of the most beloved side characters ever and reading of his loss and heartbreak was almost more than I could bear. But when I finally dove into it, it really was a celebration of his life and his high points and his love. Of how he not really saved Annie, but helped her to save herself. The ending is a little iffy as to what really happened so I have to be patient to hear more especially after Gary's call to Joanne at the end of Mountain Echoes.

I can't say I even learned a lot from this story, other than enjoying Gary's POV as we have learned a lot of him and most of this over the course of the Walker Paper books, but at the same time it was all in one place and very enjoyable. We also learned more of 'Horns' and the Hunt.

If one is a fan of the Walker Paper series and have a soft spot for the cabbie, Gary, then this will definitely be a fun read. I so enjoy hearing the older protagonists empowered, strong and dynamic.

Good but Incomplete

Loved the story. Big fan of the series. I wanted to warn you that the audiobook only has 1 story "No Dominion" while the book is a collection of short stories. So If you do not also buy the book in print of eBook you will miss around a half a dozen short stories.

Get it!

I debated rather or not to get this but it was totally worth the credit! I just love Gary and this story made me love and understand him more as a character! I'm so glad that I had the opportunity hear it!

**Spoilers**

I enjoyed hear Gary's POV of the events that happened in the previous book but the best part of the story was hearing about his life and his relationship with Annie! Such a genuine love!

the best yet!!

while I love, love, love the series...hearing this story from Carts perspective was an awesome experience!! this story ties Joanns past and Carts together while telling Carts and Annies love story mixed with action and mystery.

Great main Gary Story but not the short Stories

This audiobook only includes the no dominion story included in the No Dominion Garrioson Walker Paper book which is a shame as the kindle book includes all the other shorts that have been written in her blog or in anthologies e.g. Magic Hath an Element, Rabbit Tricks etc and it would of been great to listen to these too.

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Title: A Darkness at Sethanon

Author: Raymond E. Feist

Narrator: Peter Joyce

Format: Unabridged

Length: 20 hrs and 59 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-05-13

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 97 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

The adventure concludes with the triumphant finale in the Riftwar Saga. Raymond E. Feist is an internationally best-selling author.

The battle may be over, but war is coming The Kingdom forces may have won the first conflict but the enemy has a strong grip on Midkemia and invasion now seems inevitable.

Arutha travels north to confront the Dark Elves, but without help, Pug knows that Arutha's forces face slaughter. With Tomas he must scour the world - and beyond - to find the one person with enough power to give them a chance. If they fail, Midkemia will be the first of many worlds to fall to a madman with the power to dominate death itself

A Darkness at Sethanon concludes Raymond E. Feist's bestselling Riftwar Saga.

Critic Reviews:

"Epic scope vivid imagination a significant contribution to the growth of the field of fantasy." (Washington Post) "Well-written intelligent intriguing." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

Excellent

An excellent finish to the trilogy and a great addition to the world that has been created for this series.

If you like wizards dragons you will love this .

If you could sum up A Darkness at Sethanon in three words, what would they be?

Really enjoyed it

What other book might you compare A Darkness at Sethanon to, and why?

Lord of the rings

Which scene did you most enjoy?

all of it

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

This would make one hell of a film

Any additional comments?

Peter Joyce as always great .

on to more by Feist .

A Good End

I have enjoyed this opening trilogy of books and found this final one to be better than the second (Silverthorn). I found myself willing for the next listening opportunity to come. I think the final journey to Sethanon and the end battle was a little rushed but it still satisfied. Now I will continue with the Empire Trilogy - off to Kelewan I go!

performance could be better

Some of the names were badly mispronounced but the story is still a good one

Love the story but...

I have read this story many times over the years and love the whole series, Im always a little bit sad when I finish it. The only thing I didnt like is the pronunciations of some of the words and I dont just mean interpretation of some of the names. I will be honest it does annoy me a little bit but to be honest overall I think it was a good performance and well worth a listen.

I have already bought more of Fiests books narrated by Peter Joyce and will continue to listen to them.

I only dropped a start because of some of the words. Still highly recommended tho!!!!

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Title: Highland Hunger

Author: Hannah Howell, Michele Sinclair, Jackie Ivie

Narrator: Jayne Entwistle

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-08-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 38 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Hidden in the shadowy caves and caverns of the Scottish Highlands, secret vampire clans wage dark battles both deadly and passionate...

"Dark Embrace" by Hannah Howell

While searching for his clan's demon Lost Ones, Raibeart MacNachton encounters an ethereal beauty running for her life. The decision to play hero is easy; fighting the urge to ravish the enchanting Una Dunn is more difficult - especially when Raibeart learns they share a powerful connection.

"The Guardian" by Michele Sinclair

The immortal Dorian vows never to fall in love with a mere human - until he meets the beguiling, arousing, Moirae Deincourt. She stirs a longing in Dorian that he dares not quench. But when Moirae's life is put in danger, her true nature is revealed - and the lust that rages between them can no longer be controlled...

"A Knight Beyond Black" by Jackie Ivie

Vampire Iain Duncan MacAvee has stepped forward to claim the woman he betrothed years ago - only to learn that the tempting Lady Tira knows nothing of the engagement. Though Tira feigns disinterest, the Duke's animal-like charisma has unleashed her most carnal desires - a hunger only Iain can satisfy...

Members Reviews:

Enticing Snippets!!

I was amazed at how enjoyable the stories were even though they were short!! And is enjoyed that the stories spanned different time periods

Loved them all.

Would you listen to Highland Hunger again? Why?

Yes. I enjoyed each story.

What does Jayne Entwistle bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

I enjoy hearing the accents and the inflections in her voice when she voices different characters.

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

Yes.

Any additional comments?

Thoroughly enjoyed all three stories.

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Title: Building from Ashes

Subtitle: Elemental World, Book 1

Author: Elizabeth Hunter

Narrator: Dina Pearlman

Format: Unabridged

Length: 14 hrs and 8 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-10-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 265 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

The first book in the highly anticipated Elemental World series, by Elizabeth Hunter, author of the best-selling Elemental Mysteries.

In a world teetering on the edge of change, two beings struggle to find their purpose. Will their paths lead them closer together or tear their worlds apart? For a thousand years, powerful earth vampire Carwyn ap Bryn has served others. God. His family. His friends. But tragedy and loss disrupt his peaceful existence, causing him to question everything he has committed his eternity to.

Brigid Connor has known about vampires since they rescued her from a painful childhood. But not even their vast elemental power can save her from the demons that torment her. As loyalties are tested and new paths are forged, a lurking danger slowly grows in the Elemental World. Carwyn and Brigid learn that even secrets revealed can come back to haunt you when you least expect it.

Members Reviews:

Horrific Narration! Atrocious accents.

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I SO wish that Zachary Webber could have narrated these books. His sexy voice would have made it a wonderful experience. Dina Pearlman was down right painful to listen to. Such a bummer. I was spoiled by listening to the Irin Chronicles first.

How could the performance have been better?

Zachary Webber, please read these to me?!

Any additional comments?

I will stick to reading thesee books. Dina Pearlman was HORRIFIC.

G-rated, Christian paranormal suspense

I started out really liking this book. Others have commented on storyline etc, so I'll offer you this:

If you like "christian" romance and paranormal, get this book.

If you want something Really Long, with a little suspense get this book.

Hunter does have a new take on the vampire culture/world building that I very much enjoyed.

The characters are wonderful and the unusual longitudinal story over 7 or 8 years allows a lot of time for character development. The length gives a lot of detail to the suspense. I really liked both the leads tremendously. I was, however, irritated that when they FINALLY get together, its pretty lukewarm and very 1970s harlequin (everything kind of hinted at). I think we wait 12 hours before they finally merge. Both the lead female and the author are very prudish throughout the book. Its fine when its the lead character, but instead of passion, we just get treacle. Lots of treacle. "I love you". No, I love you. I love you. I really love you. Oh how I love you. Enough already. Though her first one in this series with Giovanni and Beatrice was nice and a very low embered burn that suggest a different approach to romance in the 21st century romantic fiction, this book--Building from Ashes--has much more of decided Christian romance, with a lot of devout practicing Catholics.

The resolution was predictable. I give a 3 for the mystery villans, 4 for the worldbuilding, 2 for the romance (tho I loved the Stigmata movie related theme of the priest!) and 3.5 for the narration.

If your usual fangy fare is Lara Adrian, C. Feehan, Larissa Ione, N. Singh, or K. Cole, but you are in the grove for something more tepid in the physical heat dept, you may enjoy this. Hunter is a good storyteller and you will love her characters. If you like Dee Henderson and her genre and are feeling like something on the paranormal side, you may enjoy this.

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Title: Dragonhaven

Author: Robin McKinley

Narrator: Noah Galvin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 10 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-18-13

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 118 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Dragons are extinct in the wild, but the Makepeace Institute of Integrated Dragon Studies in Smokehill National Park is home to about two hundred of the world's remaining creatures. Until Jake discovers a dying dragon that has given birth - and one of the babies is still alive.

Members Reviews:

A tremendous fantasy!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Dragonhaven to be better than the print version?

I loved both...I think the audio edition has a slight edge because Robin McKinley's channeling of a teenage boy when writing this has been fleshed out by a narrator that seemingly is channeling the very same (slightly crazed) teenager!

What did you like best about this story?

I love the little differences from our world and Robin's Dragonhaven world that are just sort of slipped in with no fanfare and cause you to suddenly, go, "um, wait...what just changed from MY world's 'normal' there??!).

What about Noah Galvins performance did you like?

I felt as though my best friend's 20-something slightly ADHD son was telling me the story (he, by the way, is very interesting to listen to, as is this story), When I started listening to this, I immediately flashed back and thought, this is just the way I heard it in my head when I was reading the paper version!

I would guess that some people would prefer a more mainstream narration, but I thoroughly enjoyed story and narration as a seamless mixture, without trying to "read" the story to me as if I were a 2-year-old, which is how some narrators approach the task.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both.

Any additional comments?

This is one of my favorite book to re-read when on a trip. I always seem to catch some little something I missed on the other reads that makes the story even better.

A master author at the top of her powers.

Robin McKinley's protagonists are usually young women. In this book the main character is a teenage boy. That boy is telling his story in the first person, and it is a story which he finds hard to tell. So in the beginning the story seems rough, clumsily written. This is not a sign that Robin McKinley is a poor writer. It's an indicator that she is a masterful writer, and she is telling the story not in her own voice, but in the voice of that inexperienced young man.

And it is a wonderful story.

In much science fiction and fantasy, the aliens or talking creatures simply seem like humans in funny looking costumes. But the dragons in this story truly seem alien in their being. Their thoughts and attitudes are not human. Their point of view is not human. And they don't find it any easier to understand humans than humans can understand them.

If you have read her most popular books (The Hero and the Crown, The Blue Sword, Beauty, etc.), please don't go into this one expecting more of the same or you may be disappointed. This book is fairly different from most of her books. It needs to be taken on its own. But if you can leave all your preconceptions at the door, I think you will find this a story well worth reading.

A word about the narrator. I think his voice fits the main character admirably. He did a good job.

Angsty Teenager, Meet Baby Dragon

Noah Galvin's reading is excellent.

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Title: Antiagon Fire

Subtitle: Imager Portfolio, Book 7

Author: L. E. Modesitt Jr.

Narrator: William Dufris

Format: Unabridged

Length: 17 hrs and 32 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-28-13

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 299 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

The hard-won battles fought in Imager's Battalion have earned Quaeryt a promotion to commander, as well as an assignment to convince the Pharsi High Council in the nation of Khel to submit to Lord Bhayar's rule, which is key to Bhayar's ambition to unite all of Solidar.

Joined by his pregnant wife, Vaelora, who is also Bhayar's sister, Quaeryt leads an army and a handful of imagers deeper into the hostile lands once held by the tyrannical Rex Kharst, facing stiff-necked High Holders, attacks by land and sea - including airborne fire launched by hostile imagers from the land of Antiago - and a mysterious order of powerful women who seem to recognize the great destiny that awaits Quareyt and Vaelora, as well as the cost of achieving it.

Members Reviews:

Quaeryt is promoted and more battles ensue.

Quaeryt is promoted to Commander and he is once again leading his Imager/Troopers into battle. You know the drill: High Holders, iron darts, defensive shields, Antiagon fire, and concealment shields. Sound familiar? If you are thinking about reading book 7 then you know it is. In the end this was a little bit disappointing because the book started out well.

At the outset Quaeryt and Vaelora were sent as envoys to the nation to Khel to convince the Pharsi High Council to accept Bhayar's rule. I found Khel and the Pharsi people to be interesting and the High Council presented a different and unique challenge. The Pharsi added another dimension to the tale and the whole "Lost One" story line was getting fleshed out a bit more. Unfortunately, it didn't last.

The Pharsi story line was eventually put on hold in an unsatisfying way and the latter half of the book was back to the same pattern of battles with only one difference - the enemy now has some imagers of their own. This did make things slightly more interesting but when those Imagers started imaging iron darts and using the same shields I found myself a bit bored. In prior books we experienced Quaeryt "discovering" and creating these battle techniques for his Imagers and I would have expected foreign Imagers with many more years of battle experience to have slightly different abilities in their portfolio. Alas, not so.

So in the end this book is more of the same, for better or worse. The series continues to string me along and once again I find myself hoping for something better in the next book. Since it looks like the Pharsi story line will be picked back up in the book 8, perhaps my patience will pay off.

More of the same

This book wasnt for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

People that enjoy faceless characters, and no plot.

What could L. E. Modesitt, Jr. have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

More character development, an interesting storyline.. just the basics.

What three words best describe William Dufriss voice?

Rich and colorful,

You didnt love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The series has take a huge fall the last two novels, and I don't see it

Any additional comments?

I think Mr. Modesitt wrote much of this book simply to fill pages with words. Simply put, the characters were extremely bland, the story unimaginative and predictable, and our protagonist, while a benevolent conquerer, is still a tyrant, and arrogant, self-righteous as well.