Download Best Sellers Audiobooks in Fiction, Historical

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Title: Blood of Tyrants

Subtitle: Temeraire, Book 8

Author: Naomi Novik

Narrator: Simon Vance

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 48 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-19-13

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 901 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Naomi Novik's beloved Temeraire series, a brilliant combination of fantasy and history that reimagines the Napoleonic wars as fought with the aid of intelligent dragons, is a 21st-century classic. From the first volume, His Majesty's Dragon, listeners have been entranced by the globe-spanning adventures of the resolute Capt. William Laurence and his brave but impulsive dragon, Temeraire. Now, in Blood of Tyrants, the penultimate volume of the series, Novik is at the very height of her powers as she brings her story to its widest, most colorful canvas yet.

Shipwrecked and cast ashore in Japan with no memory of Temeraire or his own experiences as an English aviator, Laurence finds himself tangled in deadly political intrigues that threaten not only his own life but England's already precarious position in the Far East. Age-old enmities and suspicions have turned the entire region into a powder keg ready to erupt at the slightest spark - a spark that Laurence and Temeraire may unwittingly provide, leaving Britain faced with new enemies just when they most desperately need allies instead.

For to the west, another, wider conflagration looms. Napoleon has turned on his former ally, the emperor Alexander of Russia, and is even now leading the largest army the world has ever seen to add that country to his list of conquests. It is there, outside the gates of Moscow, that a reunited Laurence and Temeraire - along with some unexpected allies and old friends - will face their ultimate challenge...and learn whether or not there are stronger ties than memory.

Members Reviews:

Setting Up for the Grand Finale

Bottom line: If you have come this far in the Temeraire series, you will definitely want to grab Blood of Tyrants and you will enjoy much of it. This series is one that must be read in order and if you haven't started it, I recommend it as wonderful alternate history fantasy - start with His Majesty's Dragon.

This is not the best book in the series - actually, I'd say it is the weakest. But if you have gotten to book 8, you have probably come to love these characters as I have and spending time with them again is enormous fun in spite of a rather frantic inconclusive plot line for this edition. Laurence's amnesia that begins the book is silly, but does serve as a reminder not only of past events in the series (catching us up for the home stretch I guess) as Laurence slowly recovers, but also calls up one of the central elements that makes this series truly grand. The walk down memory lane recalls the moral/ethical development of both Temeraire who started his life as a blank slate and Laurence who started the series with a moral code externally dictated by his station, government, and culture. Watching Temeraire and Laurence both grow in the development of personal conscience and understanding of the the other's perspective has been a delight and has made this series special in the world of fantasy. (In addition to having the best dragons since Pern!)

Novik takes her human/dragon duo to Japan, China, and Russia in this installment of the Napoleonic wars as fought with dragons.

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Title: The Ghost Bride

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Yangsze Choo

Narrator: Yangsze Choo

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 8 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-06-13

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 543 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

A startlingly original voice makes her literary debut with this wondrous coming-of-age story infused with Chinese folklore, romantic intrigue, adventure, and fascinating, dreamlike twists.

"One evening, my father asked me whether I would like to become a ghost bride...."

Though ruled by British overlords, the Chinese of colonial Malaya still cling to ancient customs. And in the sleepy port town of Malacca, ghosts and superstitions abound.

Li Lan, the daughter of a genteel but bankrupt family, has few prospects. But fate intervenes when she receives an unusual proposal from the wealthy and powerful Lim family. They want her to become a ghost bride for the family's only son, who recently died under mysterious circumstances. Rarely practiced, traditional ghost marriages are used to placate restless spirits. Such a union would guarantee Li Lan a home for the rest of her days, but at a terrible price.

After an ominous visit to the opulent Lim mansion, Li Lan finds herself haunted not only by her ghostly would-be suitor, but also by her desire for the Lims' handsome new heir, Tian Bai. Night after night, she is drawn into the shadowy parallel world of the Chinese afterlife, with its ghost cities, paper funeral offerings, vengeful spirits, and monstrous bureaucracy - including the mysterious Er Lang, a charming but unpredictable guardian spirit. Li Lan must uncover the Lim family's darkest secrets - and the truth about her own family - before she is trapped in this ghostly world forever.

Members Reviews:

Delightful, Original, Well Done!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Ghost Bride to be better than the print version?

I would definitely recommend the audio edition over the print. I didn't have to struggle with pronunciations and could just relax and listen.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Er Lang - who turned out to be a surprise (at least to me). I really enjoyed his personality.

Which character as performed by Yangsze Choo was your favorite?

Yangsze Choo was an excellent narrator. I loved how she performed each character and made them different.

Who was the most memorable character of The Ghost Bride and why?

Li Lan, of course, being the main character!

Any additional comments?

The author does a tremendous job of drawing the reader/listener in to her world. I loved the way the author described each scene in detail, It made me want to learn more about why the author wrote it and if any of the portions of the book were based on actual customs or folk tales.

Pretty good but not great

This is a very original story. I've read plenty of supernatural tales, but have never read anything like this before.

Li Lan is a young, intelligent, and beautiful woman living in Malaya in 1893. Unfortunately, as her family fortunes have dwindled, her chances of making a good marriage have as well. The wealthy and powerful Lim family offers her father an "out": if Li Lan will become a "ghost bride" for their newly deceased son, they will forgive his debts, and Li Lan will live a life of luxury as a widow in their home. She will want for nothing, except love and children of her own. Li Lan refuses their offer, and the Lims become ever more frantic. Soon, Li Lan herself is haunted by the young man's very insistent ghost.

The story is told in a leisurely fashion (at several points a little too leisurely!), and the plot takes several sharp and unexpected turns.

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Title: The Serpent and the Pearl

Subtitle: Borgias, Book 1

Author: Kate Quinn

Narrator: Leila Birch, Maria Elena Infantino, Ronan Vibert

Format: Unabridged

Length: 16 hrs and 38 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-06-13

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 201 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Rome, 1492: The Holy City is drenched with blood and teeming with secrets. A pope lies dying and the throne of God is left vacant, a prize awarded only to the most virtuous - or the most ruthless. The Borgia family begins its legendary rise, chronicled by an innocent girl who finds herself drawn into their dangerous web....

Vivacious Giulia Farnese has floor-length golden hair and the world at her feet: beauty, wealth, and a handsome young husband. But she is stunned to discover that her glittering marriage is a sham, and she is to be given as a concubine to the ruthless, charismatic Cardinal Borgia: Spaniard, sensualist, candidate for Pope - and passionately in love with her.

Two trusted companions will follow her into the Pope's shadowy harem: Leonello, a cynical bodyguard bent on bloody revenge against a mysterious killer, and Carmelina, a fiery cook with a past full of secrets. But as corruption thickens in the Vatican and the enemies begin to circle, Giulia and her friends will need all their wits to survive in the world of the Borgias.

Members Reviews:

Narrator for Giulia sounds like she needs a nap

Any additional comments?

I think the story content is fascinating, and 2/3 of the narrators are wonderful. However, the narrator for Giulia seriously sounded like Ben Stein running on 2 hours of sleep. I'm gathering she's not a native English speaker, but the prosody was horrible. She'd pause mid sentence and it would be confusing as to the emotional content of the message. I tried listening for 2 days then couldn't do it anymore. Guess I'll read this on my Kindle!

This was a pleasant surprise!

What made the experience of listening to The Serpent and the Pearl the most enjoyable?

I often struggle with buying audiobooks from first time writers, because I've been burned way too often. Thus, I bought this book with really low expectations, and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it.

I think the best part of it was the choice to have multiple narrators. I found it exceptionally wonderful to listen to these three narrate this story, and what's more, it really complements the way author wrote each character both as they see themselves, and as others see them. That's a clumsy way to describe it, but when you hear it, it will make perfect sense.

What did you like best about this story?

I don't read historical fiction so that I can learn about history, but I really do enjoy being able to get a sense of a place and time other than my own here and now. This book does a wonderful job of taking you then and there, and shows you what life is like from more than one point of view.

Any additional comments?

Worth a credit, worth a listen, and looking forward to book 2!

Good Story & Performance

Any additional comments?

I am currently listening to this audiobook and am really enjoying it. I've been a big fan of the Studio Canal & Showtime productions of the Borgias and am enjoying the alternate POVs from non-Borgia characters.

I was disappointed that there weren't any more Kate Quinn books available on Audible yet. I hope they plan to release more of her novels in Audible format.

VERY INTERESTING TAKE ON THE BORGIAS

I've read a lot of books on the Borgias, both fact and fiction, and watched all the recent cable movies about them.

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Title: The Summer Queen

Subtitle: Eleanor of Aquitaine Trilogy, Book 1

Author: Elizabeth Chadwick

Narrator: Katie Scarfe

Format: Unabridged

Length: 18 hrs and 18 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-20-13

Publisher: Hachette Audio UK

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 540 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Eleanor of Aquitaine's story deserves to be legendary. She is an icon who has fascinated readers for over 800 years. But the real Eleanor remains elusive - until now. Based on the most up-to-date research, award-winning novelist Elizabeth Chadwick brings Eleanor's magnificent story to life, as never before, unveiling the real Eleanor. Young, golden-haired and blue-eyed Eleanor has everything to look forward to as the heiress to wealthy Aquitaine. But when her beloved father dies suddenly in the summer of 1137, her childhood is over.

Forced to marry the young prince Louis of France, she barely adjusts before another death catapults them to being crowned King and Queen of France. Leaving everything behind, Eleanor must face the complex and vivacious French court. She is only 13.Barely out of childhood, and forced to deal with great scandals, fraught relationships and forbidden love at every turn, Eleanor finally sees what her future could hold if she could just seize the moment. Overflowing with scandal, politics, sex, triumphs and tragedies, The Summer Queen is the first novel in a stunning new trilogy.

Members Reviews:

The Romance Runs Strong in This One

I found this title in the coming soon to Audible area of the web site. It sounded terrific when I researched the series. Plus there was the added perk of many glowing reviews on Audible UK. Overall it seemed like a perfect fit for me. I have read numerous books about Eleanor of Aquitaine and her life and this sounded like a wonderful series to look forward to.

The trouble started with a minor irritation in that the author and narrator decided to use the historic pronunciation of Eleanor's name. I soon got use to the odd pronunciation but in a way it sounded overly prissy and unnecessary. To me the narration came across as very young and childish. I suggest a careful listen to the sample before buying the book.

The focus points the author chose to examine and stress in the story moved this book squarely into the Romance Genre for me -- without question. For example--when the old King of France died-- two lines are spent on this in the story explaining he had died, the travel to Paris AND that a rebellion was squelched on the way. Then paragraphs and even chapters are spent describing intimate details of the wedding night and other encounters of this kind.

Further, I just finished watching the cable program The White Queen and so much of the court life depicted here in this book could be lifted from that story. The nastiness, the disapproving hateful mother-in-law and the daily traumas and manipulations. More than all of this I found the book slow. Very slow. I could have used more fact, more history and a great deal less conjecture and imaginings. Can not recommend-- unless you love a good romance.

Slightly Embarrassing

I rarely review audiobooks, only when I love them or hate them. I didn't love this book, and I didn't hate this book. I just found it, well, embarrassing.

On the one hand, I couldn't stop listening. The subject matter and the writer's easy prose worked well together. So well, I even listened to the second book. That's the embarrassing part.

On the other, the author clearly cannot handle (or imagine) the intricate politics of the time. Eleanor (Alienor), thus becomes a kind of Victorian heroine--flat, romantic, slightly boring.

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Title: His Majesty's Hope

Subtitle: A Maggie Hope Mystery, Book 3

Author: Susan Elia MacNeal

Narrator: Susan Duerden

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 28 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-14-13

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 513 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

For fans of Jacqueline Winspear, Laurie R. King, and Anne Perry, whip-smart heroine Maggie Hope returns to embark on a clandestine mission behind enemy lines where no one can be trusted, and even the smallest indiscretion can be deadly.

World War II has finally come home to Britain, but it takes more than nightly air raids to rattle intrepid spy and expert code breaker Maggie Hope. After serving as a secret agent to protect Princess Elizabeth at Windsor Castle, Maggie is now an elite member of the Special Operations Executivea black ops organization designed to aid the British effort abroadand her first assignment sends her straight into Nazi-controlled Berlin, the very heart of the German war machine. Relying on her quick wit and keen instincts, Maggie infiltrates the highest level of Berlin society, gathering information to pass on to London headquarters. But the secrets she unveils will expose a darker, more dangerous side of the warand of her own past.

Members Reviews:

A YA Mystery that Isn't... Quite

Would you try another book from Susan Elia MacNeal and/or Susan Duerden?

Probably not.

Has His Majesty's Hope turned you off from other books in this genre?

No. This series just doesn't measure up.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

The narrator has a pleasant voice, and does accents well. If she wanted to imitate a German accent, though, she should have researched it a bit better. Her "German" comes across a bit too much like what you'd hear in a cartoon. A little too much V for W and little else that sounds German. Her narration tends to have a sing song quality that could be improved on.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from His Majesty's Hope?

The decision to include a PG sex scene was awkward and didn't fit. This series seems to be aimed at YA, and the sex neither added to the characterization nor moved the plot along.

Any additional comments?

The author has obviously done a lot of research on swing dance and jazz. She includes too much, though. Describing a swing dance would be fine, and in keeping with the book... Including a long list of dance moves was out of place.

The book doesn't seem to be able to decide what audience is wanted. The writing style and characterization is more Young Adult than adult, but the author includes a homosexual character and his affairs as well as an awkward sex scene. Sex can be included in YA if it is handled properly, but this scene comes across as awkward and self conscious.

The characterization and action remind me of the Nancy Drew books I read as a child. I have read three by this author, because I hoped the awkwardness of the first one might have been a fluke. The author writes smooth, easy to read prose, but the characters are rather flat and the plot is very predictable.

Liked the series but....

Really loved the story premise but hoped they would bring back the first narrator...but they stayed with the second and, while she has a pretty voice, her "acting" is very limited. The narrator has such a huge impact on how the story is viewed, and it becomes difficult to separate the two.....

Narrator.She doesnt end sentences & is breathy

Would you consider the audio edition of His Majesty's Hope to be better than the print version?

Yes.

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Title: Shadow on the Crown

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Patricia Bracewell

Narrator: Katie Firth

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 40 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-07-13

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 299 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

A rich tale of power and forbidden love revolving around a young medieval queen...

In 1002, 15-year-old Emma of Normandy crosses the Narrow Sea to wed the much older King Athelred of England, whom she meets for the first time at the church door. Thrust into an unfamiliar and treacherous court, with a husband who mistrusts her, stepsons who resent her and a bewitching rival who covets her crown, Emma must defend herself against her enemies and secure her status as queen by bearing a son.

Determined to outmaneuver her adversaries, Emma forges alliances with influential men at court and wins the affection of the English people. But her growing love for a man who is not her husband and the imminent threat of a Viking invasion jeopardize both her crown and her life.

Based on real events recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Shadow on the Crown introduces listeners to a fascinating, overlooked period of history and an unforgettable heroine whose quest to find her place in the world will resonate with modern listeners.

Members Reviews:

The Year 1000--To Be Continued

Interesting fictionalized presentation of the politics of post-Alfred (and pre-Norman) England. This is a time period of which I have read little historical fiction, but I would like to hear more. Details of daily life (especially for nobles) seem to be portrayed well. There is enough suspense, some gore, no gratuitous sex. It gives a pretty good sense of what it must have been like to live under the shadow of fear of Viking raids. Aethelred "Unred" Is shown as waffling and increasingly mentally unstable; but the story also gives a good feeling for what it must be like to hold power in a world where power-grabbers abound, and the way to power is violence. The way to power for women, make no mistake, is in relation to a man, and there is little enough even then. Overall, although not outstanding, I found it entertaining and somewhat informative. My main complaint is that it ends abruptly, and the next story is not yet available..

Well-done Saxon historical fiction

What stood out most was character development, most notable Ethelred; while not being a necessarily wise king, he is at least shown as one of action, which does not necessarily hold with the historical characterization. The spectre of Edward haunting him and prompting him to act was a really interesting dynamic, and also to a degree explains why Edward (who will ultimately become Saint Edward the Confessor) was named as heir above the older Aethelings--typically Emma is blamed for that.

The change in character perspective was really nice to see, and the point-of-view of more minor characters was really interesting also. The only complaint I have is about the story or plot is the romance between Emma and Ethelstan. It's a bit contrived and predicable; I read a fair amount of historical fiction (much of it involving royalty), and it's a plot point in two out of three.

The narrator was great. A strong and steady voice, and inflection was such that no superfluous accents were necessary. I would listen to more narrated by Katie Firth.

Captivating and intriguing.

Would you consider the audio edition of Shadow on the Crown to be better than the print version?

For me? Definitely.

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Title: Line of Fire

Subtitle: The Corps Series, Book 5

Author: W. E. B. Griffin

Narrator: Dick Hill

Format: Unabridged

Length: 17 hrs and 56 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-16-13

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 845 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

While the bloody battle for control of the Solomons rages on, two Marines are trapped at a Coastwatcher station on tiny Buka Island. They are there to report on Japanese air activity, and their position is becoming increasingly perilous, even while their supplies are diminishing rapidly; if they are not rescued soon, they may never make it off the island. On the orders of newly-commissioned Marine Brigadier General Fleming Pickering, a team is assembled: Captain Charles Galloway, still recuperating from his crash into the sea; Second Lieutenant Malcolm Pickering, Flemings son and the owner of a dangerous daredevil streak; Lieutenant Ken Killer McCoy, China Marine and hardened veteran; Sergeant Thomas McCoy, his brother, a man of such temper and talent that he keeps getting busted back to PFC and then promoted back again; and Sergeant George Hart, the youngest detective ever on the St. Louis vice squad, tricked into military service and now determined to make his mark. These men, and their colleagues, are about to attempt the impossible: to take the beleaguered Marines off Buka, under the very noses of the Japanese. They will have only one chance - so theyd better get it right

Members Reviews:

In the Sweet spot of this Series.....

It was nice to return to familiar territory after slogging through that Bourne book earlier this week. By all definitions, Griffins books are my guilty pleasure. Ive completed the entire Corps series more than a half-dozen times over the last 20 years and honestly, its like visiting old friends and favorite relatives, complete with all the quirks (he notoriously changes characters middle initials for no reason, even historical figures), inside jokes and catch phrases. Yes, yes I know you can write everything you know about that subject in a matchbook with a grease pencil. Now fully recharged, I can take on something more unfamiliar.....

Great story - extremely well written and narrated.

Excellent story - classic Griffin, lots of action and wonderfully developed characters. Most notable, Dick Hill is back to do the narration.

An endless recap

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

Someone who hasn't read any of the books preceding it. This book is almost just an endless rehash of things covered in the previous books - some even repeated several times within this book. If you removed the redundancies and rehashing this book would probably only be about 3-4 hours long.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Line of Fire?

All the repetition: repetition of story lines, having different characters tell the same thing over several times, repeating endlessly the specific military nomenclature for an item - such as the cavalry swords converted to machetes - 30 or 40 times.

Old information in a new book

30% is new to readers of this series. 70% is information that has been told to the readers in previous books in this series.

A great read.

The best book about the Corps I have ever read. So much of history here.

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Title: The Aviator's Wife

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Melanie Benjamin

Narrator: Lorna Raver

Format: Unabridged

Length: 16 hrs and 24 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-15-13

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1349 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

In the spirit of Loving Frank and The Paris Wife, acclaimed novelist Melanie Benjamin pulls back the curtain on the marriage of one of Americas most extraordinary couples: Charles Lindbergh and Anne Morrow Lindbergh.

For much of her life, Anne Morrow, the shy daughter of the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, has stood in the shadows of those around her, including her millionaire father and vibrant older sister, who often steals the spotlight. Then Anne, a college senior with hidden literary aspirations, travels to Mexico City to spend Christmas with her family. There she meets Colonel Charles Lindbergh, fresh off his celebrated 1927 solo flight across the Atlantic. Enthralled by Charless assurance and fame, Anne is certain the celebrated aviator has scarcely noticed her. But she is wrong.

Charles sees in Anne a kindred spirit, a fellow adventurer, and her world will be changed forever. The two marry in a headline-making wedding. Hounded by adoring crowds and hunted by an insatiable press, Charles shields himself and his new bride from prying eyes, leaving Anne to feel her life falling back into the shadows. In the years that follow, despite her own major achievements - she becomes the first licensed female glider pilot in the United States - Anne is viewed merely as the aviators wife. The fairy-tale life she once longed for will bring heartbreak and hardships, ultimately pushing her to reconcile her need for love and her desire for independence, and to embrace, at last, lifes infinite possibilities for change and happiness.

Drawing on the rich history of the twentieth century - from the late twenties to the mid-sixties - and featuring cameos from such notable characters as Joseph Kennedy and Amelia Earhart, The Aviators Wife is a vividly imagined novel of a complicated marriage - revealing both its dizzying highs and its devastating lows. With stunning power and grace, Melanie Benjamin provides new insight into what made this remarkable relationship endure.

Editorial Reviews:

Editors Select, January 2013 - I remember hearing all about Charles Lindbergh and his famous solo transatlantic flight when I was growing up. But I never knew much about his wife, Anne Morrow Lindbergh. The Aviators Wife has been a compulsive read so far, and I cant wait to hear Lorna Ravers take on Annes life, from plain Jane ambassadors daughter to paparazzied wife, copilot, and mother of six.

Members Reviews:

The Megalomaniac's Wife

Found this fascinating. While the story is told from Anne's point of view, it's also an adroit study of Charles Lindbergh ("Lucky Lindy), his effect on our nation and the world, while he struggled with his own private demons, ever increasing fame and decreasing privacy. Socially awkward, happiest when flying or with tinkering with machines, he's a man with a dark side, his own rules of right and wrong, no matter the cost. The protagonist, Anne, (the daughter of an ambassador, kind and highly intelligent, a graduate of Smith College), meets Lindbergh soon after his famous solo transatlantic flight and is powerfully drawn to him, a true hero in her mind and heart.

He was the most famous man in the world for many years and the author well illustrates the pros and cons he and Anne dealt with because of that. Like the very most famous people today, they couldn't leave their home without the paparazzi all over them.

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Title: The Beggar King

Subtitle: A Hangman's Daughter Tale

Author: Oliver Pötzsch, Lee Chadeayne (translated by)

Narrator: Grover Gardner

Format: Unabridged

Length: 15 hrs and 45 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-08-13

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 855 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

1662: Jakob Kuisl, the hangman of a village in the Alps, receives a letter from his sister calling him to the imperial city of Regensburg, where a gruesome sight awaits him: her throat has been slit. When the city constable discovers Kuisl alongside the corpse, he locks him in a dungeon, where Kuisl will experience firsthand the torture hes administered himself for years.

As nightmares assail him, Kuisl can only hope to prevail on the Regensburg executioner to show mercy to a fellow hangman. Kuisls steely daughter, Magdalena, and her young doctor paramour, Simon, rush to Regensburg to try to save Jakob, enlisting an underground network of beggars, a beer-brewing monk, and an Italian playboy for help. Navigating the labyrinthine city, they learn there is much more behind the false accusation than a personal vendetta: a plan that will endanger the entire German Empire.

Chock-full of fascinating historical detail, The Beggar King brings to vibrant life another tremendous tale of an unlikely hangman and his tough-as-nails daughter, confirming Pötzschs mettle as a storyteller at the height of his powers.

Members Reviews:

Great Books

I love these hangman stories! Great story. Great performance! This is the 3rd Hangman's Daughter book I have read and I love them all!

Great Read!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Beggar King to be better than the print version?

No. Both combined in immersion resd enhances both/

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Beggar King?

The Hangman, finding himself facing a hangman.

Which scene was your favorite?

Battle in the forest.

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

No. I needed time to absorb all the twists and turns of the plot.

Any additional comments?

cant wait for the next book in series.

Woth the Credit & more.

I bought the first book on a fluke and loved every minute. Since then, I've listened to the whole series, and passionately awaiting the next issue.

Probably my favorite installment so far!

What did you love best about The Beggar King?

The Beggar King was a fantastic book included into The Hangman's Daughter series. I feel like these stories are just getting richer and more complex as they go along, all the while still sticking with the same kind of language, theme, and well-loved characters. I enjoyed the change of location and all of the back story this one gave to the previous ones as well, and it seemed to wrap up an on-going story you were only barely aware of in the other books-and it makes you feel like you were dying to find out all along! I highly recommend it.

Also, after the epilogue, the author walks you through a tour of the locations as they stand now and compares them to the places and locations in the book. It's a great little tour, and really makes you want to visit!

Again, the audio book on this one is amazing.

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Title: 1356

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Bernard Cornwell

Narrator: Jack Hawkins

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 56 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-08-13

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 945 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Bernard Cornwell, the "master of martial fiction" (Booklist), brings Thomas of Hookton from the popular Grail Quest series into a new adventure in 1356, a thrilling stand-alone novel. On September 19, 1356, a heavily outnumbered English army faced off against the French in the historic Battle of Poitiers.

In 1356, Cornwell resurrects this dramatic and bloody struggle - one that would turn out to be the most decisive and improbable victory of the Hundred Years' War, a clash where the underdog English not only the captured the strategic site of Poitiers, but the French King John II as well.

In the vein of Cornwell's best-selling Agincourt, 1356 is an action-packed story of danger and conquest, rich with military strategy and remarkable characters - both villainous and heroic - transporting readers to the front lines of war while painting a vivid picture of courage, treachery, and combat.

Members Reviews:

A Classic Story Comes To Life

Any additional comments?

Overall, I loved this book. The narration was clear and distinct, and the story was well told. About my only dismay was when I realized that this actually the fourth book of the Grail Quest series, and then I was seriously annoyed to find that books 1-3 are only available as abridged versions.

I honestly don't know why publishers waste their time or effort with abridged versions, I personally won't waste time or money on abridged versions.

Maybe someday someone at Audible will realize that there is a HUGE market for unabridged books.

Excitingly descriptive medieval battles

Thomas of Hookton continues his battle against Christian relics. As you listen to the battle scenes you may have to duck to avoid the splatter of blood flying. A quite excellent tale of dastardly Royals, Clerics and varlets and god awful justice handed out. I am still trying to decide if I like this better than the Sharpe sagas. Well worth the credit and maybe even another.

A First Class Yarn!!!!

I've always been a fan of Cornwell's medieval novels and this is the first one that I have had the pleasure of enjoying as an audiobook. The story is great and Jack Hawkin's narration is first class. Can't wait for the next installment.

1356: French Deja Vu All Over Again

Any additional comments?

1356 is a mix of the Grail Series that featured Thomas of Hookton and Agincourt. Both books ended with a battle where the outnumbered English army defeats a seemingly unbeatable French army outside a small town in France.

In the process, Thomas seeks the sword of Peter, rescures a captured woman; defeats a foe out to destroy him personally; and gets around to playing a key role in winning the battle.

Instead of seeking the Holy Grail, in this book, Thomas seeks the Sword of Peter. There was a belief back in the Middle Ages that a Holy Relic contained great power and the person who owned the relic would be able to use that relic's power for their own personal benefit. Therefore, the owner of the Sword of Peter (the one used to cut off the ear of the slave when Jesus was captured by the Romans) would be unbeatable in battle.

Each of Bernard Cornwell's series have a unique flavor. Their hero is a current or past military figure with his own strengths and weaknesses. That hero must learn to think of others beyond himself. That hero has a foe who personally dislikes him and decides to kill him.