Download Popular Authors Audiobooks in Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

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Title: Dragon's Time

Subtitle: A Dragonriders of Pern Novel

Author: Anne McCaffrey, Todd McCaffrey

Narrator: Emily Durante

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 30 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-28-11

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 296 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

For the first time in more than three years, best-selling authors Anne McCaffrey and Todd McCaffrey, mother and son, have teamed up again to do what they do best: add a fresh chapter to the most beloved science fiction series of all time, the Dragonriders of Pern.

Even though Lorana cured the plague that was killing the dragons of Pern, sacrificing her queen dragon in the process, the effects of the disease were so devastating that there are no longer enough dragons available to fight the fall of deadly Thread. And as the situation grows more dire, a pregnant Lorana decides that she must take drastic steps in the quest for help.

Meanwhile, back at Telgar Weyr, Weyrwoman Fiona, herself pregnant, and the harper Kindan must somehow keep morale from fading altogether in the face of the steadily mounting losses of dragons and their riders. But time weighs heavily against them - until Lorana finds a way to use time itself in their favor.

Its a plan fraught with risk, however. For attempting time travel means tampering with the natural laws of the universe, which could drastically alter history - and destiny - forever. Or so it has always been thought. But Lorana discovers that if the laws of time cant be broken without consequences, it may still be possible to bend them. To ensure the future of Pern, shes willing to take the fateful chance - even if it demands another, even greater, sacrifice.

Members Reviews:

Very depressing...

This story was overly depressing, and used the Time Travel far too much. Honestly, this book was needlessly depressing, and I don't know that I'm looking forward to the next book. I gave it a three out of five, mostly from sentimentality, but really the story probably deserves a one. The performance, though, if there was a way to give a negative amount of stars I would do it. Emily Durante is the worst narrator I've ever heard, and I've had an account for three years now. If she narrates the next book, I might just skip it despite the fact that Anne McCaffrey was my favorite author when I was younger. I wish Todd would have been more like his mother in his writings... But I suppose that was too much to hope for.

Under produced and poorly performed

What did you like best about Dragon's Time? What did you like least?

It's going to be a chore to get through this book. I love this series but wish it were read by the past narrator.

What didnt you like about Emily Durantes performance?

I'm sorry but I just hate listening to this narrator. She has just one manner of speaking that does not change through the entire book. Her range is just not there and it becomes a chore to keep up with which character is speaking and what the drama is. Flat, unemotional and boring.

Too confusing!

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

No, I found myself trying to work out in which time a particular chapter was supposed to be.

being blind I usually like to visualize the story as it goes along, but with this one I did not know where or more importantly when it was.

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Title: Grave Witch

Subtitle: Alex Craft Series, Book 1

Author: Kalayna Price

Narrator: Emily Durante

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 3 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-18-11

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1055 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Not even death can save her now. As a grave witch, Alex Craft can speak to the dead---she's even on good terms with Death himself. As a consultant for the police, she's seen a lot of dark magic, but nothing has prepared her for her latest case. When she's raising a "shade" involved in a high-profile murder, it attacks her, and then someone makes an attempt on her life. Someone really doesn't want her to know what the dead have to say, and she'll have to work with mysterious homicide detective Falin Andrews to figure out why.

Critic Reviews:

"[A] captivating series debut." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

Excellent Story Narrator needs alot more practice

The story was way better when i read it than it was trying to listen to it. The narrator was like a text to speech reader. Most of the emphasis was poorly applied which made it sound like it was cobbled together from individually recorded words.

Aside from that the story was quite good i will definitely get the next book but i think i will read it myself rather than torture myself listening to a female Will Shatner read it to me. 4/5 for the actual book 1/5 for the audio attempt.

I'll try book 2

This book got off to a very slow start, rather awkward like it was the 2nd or 3rd book in a series and we were already supposed to know this world. After the first few chapters the story picked up and the characters started getting interesting. It even got interesting enough to make up for a very unfortunate choice of narrator. I have trouble empathizing with the heroine when I can't stand the narrator's voice.

I enjoyed the book enough to go for book 2... This has all the makings of a fine series, and maybe I'll get used to the narrator,

Not impressed

I agree with everyone else who said the narrator was horrible. She had absolutely no passion in her voice, as others said like a female William Shatner. I am always on the lookout for a good paranormal/ urban fantasy series to start and of course there is a general overlap in theme with so many books out there. But this character definitely lacks originaIity to the point I think plagarism. I have been listening to Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan series. Besides the slow start to this book the first thing that struck me was how a like this character was to Rachel Morgan with a touch of Laurell K Hamilton's Anita Blake with the whole power over the dead standing over a grave thing. Rachel and Alex are both witches that turn out to be half breeds although it was a secret. They both start off broke and slightly whiny. They wind up with a sidekick. They even use the same abbreviation for a gov't agency: FIB. I give it 2 stars because if Kim Harrison hadn't been out for probably more than a dozen years, this story would have been enjoyable enough for 3 stars.

Unoriginal and the narrator doesn't help

I don't usually leave reviews but this book pushed me into action. I'm not sure which was worse the unemotional narrator or the unoriginal story. Not happy to have wasted my money! When I first started listening it sounded like I had my Kindle on text to speech the narrator was so bad.

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Title: Monster

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: A. Lee Martinez

Narrator: Eric Michael Summerer

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-12-11

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1225 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Meet Monster. Meet Judy. Two humans who don't like each other much, but together must fight dragons, fire-breathing felines, trolls, Inuit walrus dogs, and a crazy cat lady - for the future of the universe.

Monster runs a pest-control agency. He's overworked and has domestic troubles - like having the girlfriend from hell.

Judy works the night shift at the local Food Plus Mart. Not the most glamorous life, but Judy is happy. No one bothers her, and if she has to spell things out for the night-manager every now and again, so be it.

But when Judy finds a Yeti in the freezer aisle eating all the Rocky Road, her life collides with Monster's in a rather alarming fashion. Because Monster doesn't catch raccoons; he catches the things that go bump in the night. Things like ogres, trolls, and dragons. Oh, and his girlfriend from Hell? She actually is from Hell.

Critic Reviews:

"Martinez pokes at big-picture questions, like the nature of the universe and the meaning of life, with abundant, zany humor in this charming tale." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

A Fantastic Ride!

Such an amazing story! This clever and fun story did for Monsters what "Men in Black" did for aliens. This story had such a fun and eclectic cast of characters that I couldn't wait to jump in my car and hear more of this story. This is most definitely a fun book to read and laugh along to, so long as you don't mind a cynical jerk as your lead character. I got a kick out of it.

If a Pantheon Funded Free-Lance Men-In-Black

Genre: Fantasy, Comedy

Rated: PG13 some sexual situations

Static or Dynamic: Not overly either. It had descriptions, but wasn't tedious and it had plot twists but they weren't corkscrews.

1st or 3rd Person: 3rd person: follows 2-3 main characters through a slice of life in the fantasy realm

Abstract or Concrete: Sufficiently both. Some things were abstract like the mechanics of fantastical retrograde amnesia, others parts were more concrete like the specific behaviors of a plethora of mystical animals.

Linear or Non-Linear: Weakly Linear: the plot goes forward through time but it's not until a ways in that you feel like it's actually leading to a conclusion.

Narrator: It's been a while since I've heard the book and I can't say that I particularly remember the experience. That can be good and bad. It wasn't so horrible I couldn't stand it, but it wasn't particularly spectacular.

Plot Outline: So mythical animals are all around us but you never notice them because your brain induces amnesia to counter the weirdness of it all. Monster, our protagonist is one of the guys that clears up these little monster sightings. Things get more complicated when some overly strange things tend to happen to one of the people he meets and the story floats around that for a while until it pulls towards a conclusion. I get the impression that the strange happenings of the story were devices for making jokes and poking fun at the mystical world that we apparently live in. This is mostly a comedy and if you're looking for something groundbreaking or overly involving you will probably be disappointed.

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Title: The Hero of Ages

Subtitle: Mistborn, Book 3

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Narrator: Michael Kramer

Format: Unabridged

Length: 27 hrs and 29 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-21-11

Publisher: Orion Publishing Group Limited

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 604 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Tricked into releasing the evil spirit Ruin while attempting to close the Well of Ascension, new emperor Elend Venture and his wife, the assassin Vin, are now hard-pressed to save the world.This adventure brings the Mistborn epic fantasy trilogy to a dramatic and surprising climax as Sanderson's saga offers complex characters and a compelling plot, asking hard questions about loyalty, faith and responsibility.

Members Reviews:

Simply outstanding!

Brilliant finish to a gripping trilogy. Sanderson weaves a subtle and intricate plot, always keeping the listener guessing. Indepth character development really bring the people in the story to life and the descriptions of the impact metals have upon the world from the ordinary misting right through to the omniscient gods bring a whole new dimension to the world.

Sanderson brings the right level of detail without becoming boring or long winded or skimping on something that is essential to the story.

If you like a good "can't put it down" sort of book in this genre, this trilogy and especially, this final book is the one for you.

Great closure

The way the author tied in the trilogy was excellent. A little bittersweet, but overall satisfying ending to the epic fantasy tale. Great stepping stone laid at the end too in preparation for the continuation. Great read.

Fantastic story and narration

Best trilogy Ive experienced for an awfully long time. And the narration was the best Ive experienced in an audio book. Im not sure what Ill listen to next, but it will be narrated by Michael Kramer.

A fitting end.

At times I felt like I was the one burning atium while listening to this book. This, I think, was due to Brandon Sandersons excellent writing.

An excellent book and an excellent end to era one of the Mistborn series.

The best series I've ever read

Absolutely loved this. The characters have depth, it was unpredictable, there were no clechés. Loved it

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Title: Red Seas Under Red Skies

Author: Scott Lynch

Narrator: Michael Page

Format: Unabridged

Length: 25 hrs and 38 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-21-11

Publisher: Orion

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 743 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Escaping from the attentions of the Bondsmagi Locke Lamora, the estwhile Thorn of Camorr and Jean Tannen have fled their home city. Taking ship they arrive in the city state of Tal Varrar where they are soon planning their most spectacular heist yet; they will take the luxurious gaming house, The Sinspire, for all of its countless riches.

No-one has ever taken even a single coin from the Sinspire that wasn't won on the tables or in the other games of chance on offer there.

But, as ever, the path of true crime rarely runs smooth and Locke and Jean soon find themselves co-opted into an attempt to bring the pirate fleet of the notorious Zamira Drakasha to justice. Fine work for thieves who don't know one end of galley from another. And all the while the Bondsmagi are plotting their very necessary revenge against the one man who believes e has humiliated them and lived; Locke Lamora.

Members Reviews:

Fantastic Read/Listen

In a refreshing departure from many fantasy novels, Scott Lynch's characters are not superhumans possessed of some extraordinary power, but survive on the strength of their own wits. The stakes are high, but not ridiculously so. The world isn't about to be destroyed, or thrust into an endless dark age. Much as the first book in this series, The Lies of Locke Lamora, this is a heist/fantasy novel. The protagonists are not immune to failure, and the story seems driven more by it's characters, than by an ultimate goal, which makes it a pleasure to listen to. The characters are possessed of a strange morality, and are humanized by the situations in which they are conflicted by practical concerns, and their desire to adhere to their own code of ethics. Success is never guaranteed in this series so far, which leaves me sympathizing with the characters own frustration, and keeps the tension strong. Locke and Jean don't wander from one startling, incredible success to another, and so the journey is never boring.

The audio narrator is crisp and precise, speaking with a smooth cadence, and does an excellent job with voices and accents, further enriching this atmospheric book.

If your reading this Mr. Lynch, get back to writing (and thank you).

great stories of adventures

loved it well written characters and plot twists.

Brothers in arms and life. terrific story and imaginative plots.

fantastic sequel

every bit as good as the first book, with tons of new characters and the same superb narration.

Excellent listen

The audio was good and the entonación was perfect even for 1.5x. My main issue is with the story, not as strong as the previous one, Lies of Locke Lamora.

A great part 2 of the awesome story

What I like about this serie is that characters are not superhumans. They are ordinary, yet highly skilled, people that struggle each day to live their lives. Epic and interesting adventures that keep your attention to the book.

As with part one some stories are left unfinished and kept for next part.

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Title: Dreams Made Flesh

Author: Anne Bishop

Narrator: John Sharian

Format: Unabridged

Length: 16 hrs and 19 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-01-10

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 355 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

The national best-selling Black Jewels trilogy established award-winning Anne Bishop as an author whose "sublime skill...blends the darkly macabre with spine-tingling emotional intensity, mesmerizing magic, lush sensuality, and exciting action." (SF Site) Now the saga continues - with four new adventures of Jaenelle and her kindred.

In Dreams Made Flesh, discover the origin of the mystical Jewels, and experience the forbidden passion between Lucivar and a simple hearth witch. Witness the clash between Saetan and a Priestess that may forever change reality. And learn whether the sacrifice of Jaenelle's magic has destroyed any hope of happiness between her and Daemon.

Critic Reviews:

"Intrigue, mystery, and passion permeate [this] fast-paced and winning set of adventures." (Midwest Book Review)

Members Reviews:

Dream Come True

I have been patiently awaiting the audio release of Dreams Made Flesh. Even though I've read the book, I looked forward to listening to the stories that tie the trilogy together. I'm very glad that Mr.Sherian reverted back to the voice we were used to hearing when he portrayed Jaenelle. In Tangled Webs he made her sound like Morgan - she had a Celtic lilt to her voice. Listening also helps me focus on parts that I somehow missed while reading. I love the worlds of Kaaleer, Ebon Askavi and the other realms and can't wait until Twilight's Dawn is released.

Character review.

I loved the book. The author is excellent. I did not enjoy having Satan be one of the good guys. I think this world is already confusing enough to present him in a good light. Some of us readers often use characters to make our life. Authors should consider the impact their works have in people's psyche.

Collection of Stories

Five stars for finally devoting a story to the relationship of Daemon and Jeanelle. I can die happy now!

Totally Amazing. The Black Jewels series

The first word of this story until the last word of this book you will be expound enlighten in questions have been answered and still will fall in love with this story. the narration by John Sharian his voice and every one of the series is amazing versatile never monologue and enlightening this book is definitely a must hear story.

My absolute favorite book in the series

What made the experience of listening to Dreams Made Flesh the most enjoyable?

I've read every single one of these books before. The hardest part is being a full time student and mother to two VERY active youngsters. So, being about to sit down and crochet or sew in the evening, and listening to a favorite story (during those precious few hours you get just after the kids go to sleep) has made it so much better than reading the actual books.

What other book might you compare Dreams Made Flesh to and why?

Dreams Made Flesh >= Twilight's Dawn

(Another book of short stories involving the same characters and their lives after the events of the orginal trilogy.)

Which scene was your favorite?

I don't have a favorite 'scene.' My favorite story is the one where Lucivar and Marian met.

(My absolute favorite love story of all time!)

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

The first time I read it... YES!!!!!

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend the entire series.

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Title: Spider's Bite

Subtitle: Elemental Assassin, Book 1

Author: Jennifer Estep

Narrator: Lauren Fortgang

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 59 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-28-10

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 3990 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

They call me the Spider. I'm the most feared assassin in the South -- when I'm not busy at the Pork Pit cooking up the best barbecue in Ashland. As a Stone elemental, I can hear everything from the whispers of the gravel beneath my feet to the vibrations of the soaring Appalachian Mountains above me. My Ice magic also comes in handy for making the occasional knife. But I don't use my powers on the job unless I absolutely have to. Call it professional pride.

Now that a ruthless Air elemental has double-crossed me and killed my handler, I'm out for revenge. And I'll exterminate anyone who gets in my way -- good or bad. I may look hot, but I'm still one of the bad guys. Which is why I'm in trouble, since irresistibly rugged Detective Donovan Caine has agreed to help me. The last thing this coldhearted killer needs when I'm battling a magic more powerful than my own is a sexy distraction... especially when Donovan wants me dead just as much as the enemy.

Editorial Reviews:

The first installment in Jennifer Estep's new Elemental Assassin series, Spider's Bite introduces us to Ashland, a southern city in the Appalachians where you're as likely to run across a good barbeque joint as you are a vampire hooker on the corner. It's a gritty film noir-ish world with lots of back alleys, hit squads, and corrupt cops behind most every badge. The main character is Gin Blanco, or Gin to her friends, but in some circles she's known only as Spider the assassin. However, in the secretive world of Ashland, she and her cohorts seem to be just as trustworthy and honorable as the next guy but are they? Everyone in this town has an angle, a history and it seems most have blood on their hands.

Actress Lauren Fortgang does a fascinating balancing act voicing Gin. There's ample southern lilt and sly naughty charm to bring the material to life, and there is considerable music and imagery to be mined here in the writing. Yet her voice has enough bite and gravel to ground our no-nonsense morally ambiguous anti-heroine. The challenge for any good book in the urban fantasy genre is the paradox of making wildly fantastical worlds believable. Estep manages to take Ashland this world of troubled souls, dwarfs, giants, and vampires, as well as human elementals who can tap into the very forces of nature and make it all seem part of the everyday grind. With Spider's Bite you feel as if you could really walk these streets, but you'd also immediately feel the dirt on your skin and the hairs rising on the back of your neck as you hear noises in the shadows. Fortgang completes the task, making Gin a very believable character, somehow part embittered hard-ass, part loyal friend, and vulnerable lost soul on occasion.

The book takes a cue from its main character. It is patient, carefully spinning a web of atmospheric settings and carefully observed characters then like a spider it jumps into action from the dark. Ashland is a tricky place and you can never judge anyone by appearances, especially Gin, and it seems there's a long line of those who have died underestimating her. One should be wary, though, of any sexy southern charmer who can not only summon razor-sharp ice daggers from thin air, but also control the very bricks in walls, rocks, and stones, and the very ground beneath her.

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Title: On Stranger Tides

Author: Tim Powers

Narrator: Bronson Pinchot

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 07-22-10

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 430 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

The basis for the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean film.

On Stranger Tides follows the exploits of John Chandagnac, who travels to the new world after the death of his puppeteer father to confront his uncle, who has apparently made off with the family fortune. During the voyage, he befriends Beth Hurwood and her father, Benjamin Hurwood, an Oxford professor. Before they arrive at their destination, their ship is waylaid by Blackbeard and his band of pirates. With the help of the professor and his assistant, the captain is killed, and Chandagnac is pressed into piracy and sorcery as Blackbeard searches for the Fountain of Youth. Chandagnac, newly dubbed Jack Shandy, must stop the evil plot and save Beth Hurwood.

Critic Reviews:

World Fantasy Award-winner Powers demonstrates a precise control of complex narrativesThis dark fantasy tale will appeal not just to pirate fans but also to anyone who appreciates Powers talent for blending the most unlikely elements into a brilliantly cohesive whole. (Publishers Weekly)

Powers writes action and adventure that Indiana Jones could only dream of....Keeps you reading for the joy of it. (Washington Post)

Members Reviews:

I have waited for this audiobook for years!

I have waited for this audiobook for years! This book is without a doubt the most entertaining fiction that I have ever read! Tim Powers has been cheated in my opinion because his books have not been available to the audio public and they are not advertised as they could considering Disney bought the rights to this one for the next "Pirates of the caribean" movie. But His agent said Tim Powers now has 4-5 of his books in the works to be put to audio as we speak. So spread the word and enjoy like I have in this wonderful entertainment like few can write!!!

Need More of These

Powers always combines an excellent level originality with a strongly disciplined writing style, and this book is well read. I enjoyed it a lot.

Blackstone has other Powers titles. Whty Audio hasn't procured them escapes me.

This Swashbuckler Will Steal Your Heart

Tim Powers is one of the best writers in the genre. Which genre you ask? That is not easy to answer. I am primarily a fan of Science Fiction and consider him to be an SF writer. And if you consider SF to be whatever SF readers read, then that is what it is. The Lord of the Rings was first discovered by SF readers and made popular by the SF community. Now, Tim Powers is usually considered a Fantasy writer. And in this book you will find swords and sorcery, but the work of Powers has more of the feel of horror than anything else. All I can tell you with certainty is that his books all have fantastically convoluted plots that weave in and out of different genre stereotypes effortlessly. This novel is one of his best and in it you will find bizarre situations only possible in fiction yet that are populated by characters who react in a manner that feels real.

What you will not find in this 1987 book, other than the Fountain of Youth, is much commonality with the Pirates of the Caribbean movie of the same name.

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Title: Queen of the Darkness

Subtitle: Black Jewels, Book 3

Author: Anne Bishop

Narrator: John Sharian

Format: Unabridged

Length: 17 hrs and 44 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-01-10

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 702 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Jaenelle Angelline now reigns as Queen-protector of the Shadow Realm. No longer will the corrupt Blood slaughter her people and defile her lands. But where one chapter ends, a final, unseen battle remains to be written, and Jaenelle must unleash the terrible power that is Witch to destroy her enemies once and for all.

Even so, she cannot stand alone. Somewhere, long lost in madness, is Daemon, her promised Consort. Only his unyielding love can complete her Court and secure her reign. Yet, even together, their strength may not be enough to hold back the most malevolent of forces.

Members Reviews:

Enthralling

I recommend this book and the Black Jewels series to anyone who likes well written fantasy. You won't be disappointed. I waited until the whole series (to date) was released in audio and started with book 1 (recommended) and listened to all of the books in order. I was absolutly enthralled. Anne Bishop just became my favorite author.

John Sharian is outstanding as a narrator of this series. He does a wonderful job with all of the different voices/characters but deserves special notice for his depiction of the High Lord and Daemon. Thanks for this great audio production!!

Shaky start, but fantastic finale

This is a trilogy that turned into a full-on series, and it took me 2 novels to warm up to Anne Bishops THE BLACK JEWELS world, so after finally getting my ah-ha moment, I will be stopping here. Yes, the next installments have the potential to be even better, but they could also be a return to books 1 & 2, and I dont care for those odds. Anyway, I really did enjoy QUEEN OF THE DARKNESS; Daemon at long last stepped into his role as consort, Jaenelle showed the Blood whos boss, and other characters such as Lucivar & Saetan got their happy ending.

Angelline is now the undisputed Queen of Queens, although not everyone has accepted that fact yet, namely her wayward family because she hasnt fully demonstrated what shes capable of. That being said, I found it odd that she sat on the bench for the first quarter of this story. I went into this title thinking that it was her time to rule, and that that aspect was going to be this volumes focal point. The author does get there eventually, and it is one of the best parts, but still I was expecting something a little flashier.

I was so very happy when Jaenelle & Daemons relationship made it to the romantic stage that I think that I may have whooped out loud. However, given both of their pasts (i.e Angellines history of rape and Sadis years as a pleasure slave), Id envisioned lengthy dialogue between them prior to the two jumping in the sack together. There was a fair share of tiptoeing and doubt, yet once they admitted their feelings for each other they didnt leave the bedroom for days. It was just too all-or-nothing. I personally appreciate the in-between stuff.

As with the writing, it also took me several novels to come to terms with John Sharians narration, and not because he doesnt have the voice for it, but rather due to the age and gender of the heroine. The cast is primarily male, so from a purely logistics perspective it made sense.

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Title: Naamah's Curse

Author: Jacqueline Carey

Narrator: Anne Flosnik

Format: Unabridged

Length: 21 hrs and 12 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-14-10

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 438 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Far from the land of her birth, Moirin sets out across Tatar territory to find Bao, the proud and virile Ch'in fighter who holds the missing half of her diadh-anam, the divine soul-spark of her mother's people. After a long ordeal, she not only succeeds but surrenders to a passion the likes of which she's never known. But the lovers' happiness is short-lived, for Bao is entangled in a complication that soon leads to their betrayal.

Critic Reviews:

"Carey's storytelling ability is top-notch...and [listeners] will applaud her willingness to resolve major plot threads in the middle book of a trilogy." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

LOVED IT! Can't wait till June 2011

I must say Carey has outdone herself again. I loved this book. My only negative comment without giving away the novel... the heroine was imprisoned with fanatical religious nuts and that part I didn't like at all. Thank goodness it didn't take too long to move on.

The way Carey writes about the characters and the peoples of different cultures is mesmerizing. I love it. I can't give any higher praise to the narrator. My previous comment on Naamah's Kiss was that she stumbled on the accent a bit. She was much better here. I can't wait till Naamah's Blessing. I can only see where the 4, 5, 6th novels are heading...

Lady of Rats, Spider Queen, the Falconer!

Note: This is the second book in the third trilogy set in the Kushiels Legacy series. However, this last trilogy is set a few generations later and stands on its own. This book, as the second in this trilogy, works mostly well as a stand alone but is definitely enhanced by having read Naamahs Kiss.

We return to Moirins adventures as she sets off to find Bao, her stubborn warrior love. She leaves the relatively comfortable Chiin lands for the wilder and much colder territories ruled by the Tartar tribes. Once reunited, things dont go as expected and some double crossing has them separated again. Moirin has to match wits with a Vralian religious zealot and later on face the Spider Queen!

It was good to be back in Moirins world. Her archery skills serve her well once again, as well as her small magics. For me, the beginning and then the last third of the book were more interesting than the middle part. She starts off on this solo quest to find Bao and that tests her determination and dedication to Bao. When they meet up, Bao is living with his fathers people. Sparks fly. but then a complication becomes apparent to Moirin. The two simply cant go off and have their own lives. The Tartars love their competitions which center mostly around horses and archery. Yep! Moirin has another opportunity to be the one that saves Bao.

The middle part sees them separated and Moirin is held captive by this man and his family as they attempt to convert her to their religion. There are a lot of good points in this section wrapped up in this story and these characters but I found that it lagged a bit. After all, I agree with Moirin 100% in this section so the arguments only reinforced my dislike for people who try to push their religious believes onto others.

The last third of the book sees us back in adventure land as Moirin befriends the Lady of Rats and has to face off against the Spider Queen and her husband, the Falconer. They have a band of assassins.