Download the Top 100 Audiobooks in Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Epic

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Title: The Glass Prison

Author: Monte Cook

Narrator: Chris Snelgrove

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 24 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-08-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Epic

Publisher's Summary:

Vheod Runechild - half human, half fiend - flees from the Abyss to find his human nature on Toril, only to discover that the dangers from the nether region respect no worldly boundaries.

Members Reviews:

A pretty solid story.

The author did a great job of describing the various locations and planes of existence in the Forgotten Realms universe. Character development was a bit sparse in some areas, especially between Vheod and Melann. I would also have liked to see more from Orrag and the Ravenwitch. Those two seemed to have some depth, and would greatly benefit from separate books.

I felt the ending was slightly rushed. The build-up to the finale was very well done, and I was highly anticipating a fairly epic battle. Sadly, it seemed to fall short. However, it was still a very good story overall. I recommend it.

"There is no mercy in the Abyss, creature!"

The Glass Prison deals with a familiar part of the Realms: the lands between the Thunder Peaks and Tilverton (the wildlands on the eastern border of Cormyr).

The book sheds light on Vheod, a Cambion out of Broken Reach, a city found on the Outer Plane of the Abyss, as he copes with his evil nature and tries to overcome its inherent evil. He teams up with Melann, a human priestess of Chauntea and her warrior brother Whitlock in search of a Balor, named Chare'en, who threatens the region and possesses the key to lifting the curse that has been plaguing their family for generations.

On the positive side, the book is very well written, and the plot as a whole is excellent.

Moreover, the main hero, Vheod (Thief/Fighter/Wizard Pp144), is an interesting character.

In addition, my favorite part of the book was the Abyssal story involving the shipwright and Demogorgon, which I thought was great!

On the negative side, there are too many similarities between Vheod and Drizzt Do'Urden.

Moreover, it would have been very helpful to have had "flashbacks" from Vheod's life and past experiences in his homeworld. There are some elements of Planescape, though more were needed to get a better feel for the Abyss.

Overall, Monte Cook does a good job of conveying the sheer power of Evil, such as in the case of the Ravenwitch: "The thorns dug into his bared flesh so that the ravens' blood flowed down the vines and into his wounds." Pp197

As for Chare'en, "Chare'en was the embodiment of anathema. He was living despair, destruction, and desecration." Pp278

Hopefully, a sequel will be written shedding light as to what comes next.

Plain and Predictable

Ever since the well-deserved success of R. A. Salvatore's dark elf stories, I've noticed a trend by other writers to create their own characters who also strive to overcome their innate, evil nature. Some of these authors have succeeded quite well (Elaine Cunningham's Liriel, Christie Golden's Jander Sunstar). Monte Cook is not one of them. Vheod simply lacks depth. We aren't given any substantial information about his history in the abyss, aside from his having been an assassin-for-hire, and the incident that caused him to flee from that world. We're never given an explanation for the 'Taint' he wears and how he got it.

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Title: Pillar of Flame

Subtitle: Dragonlance: The New Adventures: Elements Trilogy, Book 1

Author: Ree Soesbee

Narrator: Christine Williams

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 50 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-08-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Epic

Publisher's Summary:

New to her magic, Nearra has only recently stepped out on the path of becoming a wizard. But before she can even take the Test of High Sorcery, the Wizard's Conclave charges her with solving a mystery. All the fires in Kenderhome and Palanthas have gone out and Nearra must determine who - or what - is to blame for this powerful magic. Will this be the beginning of Nearra's magical career - or the end?

Members Reviews:

same formula

Any additional comments?

As far as the New Adventures books go - they all pretty much follow the same story line over and over. More so than most fantasy books it seems. And though these books were supposedly written to interest younger kids into the Dragonlance series there have been some omissions.

Minor spoiler/rant

So Nearra goes to Palanthus to take her test and the book basically says the only tower of high sorcery is Raistlin's in Palanthus and he won't let them use it for testing so they have a building there where all the wizards do their business. Why isn't Wayreth mentioned - it's like it doesn't exist - this part doesn't really fit in with the rest of Dragonlance. Other things too - like the previous books - none of the wizards seem to have to study any spells. And through the entire New Adventures books they always seem to fight against some evil magic users - there's no variety

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Title: The Edge of Chaos

Subtitle: Forgotten Realms: The Wilds, Book 3

Author: Jak Koke

Narrator: Paul Neal Rohrer

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 24 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-08-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Epic

Publisher's Summary:

Explore the unexplored - enter The Wilds of the Forgotten Realms!

On the border of a dangerous, magically unstable area called the Plaguewrought Lands, the leader of a cult seeking the spread of this wild magic and an alchemist who wants to control it join forces and create an elixir that allows pilgrims to survive the Plaguewrought Lands. But only one can succeed. A young man with strange powers and a priestess of the god of death will help determine who.

Members Reviews:

I read a lot of books

I liked this series of books. It kept me captivated and very interested. I couldn't wait to read the next book.

Beware the Plaguewrought Lands

First off, I would like to welcome Mr. Koke to the Forgotten Realms. The Edge of Chaos is his first novel in the FR setting and the third in the stand alone series called The Wilds. The first was The Fanged Crown by Jenna Helland, the second, The Restless Shore by James P. Davis and the forth, Wrath of the Blue Lady by Mel Odom is due out in December.

The main plot of The Edge of Chaos revolves around the border of The Plaguewrought Land near Ormpetarr. People are talking a pilgrimage to the town in the hopes of becoming spellscarred and thus receiving magical abilities. The only problem is that the chaotic nature of the spell plague lands mostly results in death. There is a better chance of survival here though since an alchemist named Gregor has an elixir to make people immune to the fatal effects. Vraith, the leader of the Order of Blue Fire has plans for the elixir. Then there is the main protagonist, Duvan, who works freelance acquiring things. Mostly he works for Tyrangal who is head of the Copper guard. Duvan is joined by Slanya who journeys with him on a quest. There are subplots of a couple of the characters pasts, and evil ambition, and an eventual love interest.

Like all new FR novels, this one takes place 100 years after the spell plague events. The plot takes a different approach to the spellscarred people. Usually people who have become spellscarred are shunned or prejudiced against, however, in this one the people are looking to become spellscarred. The pacing was done very well. It never bogs down and moved nicely from one scene to the next and kept me interested. The book also flowed quite well even with a few hiccups here and there. I cam across 12 mistakes which could have been taken care of with some good editing. I won't claim to know the ins and outs of creating a book, but I have noticed lately that there are a lot of mistakes in the FR books. More so than before. I still enjoyed the book very much otherwise. Mr. Koke does a really good job of developing the characters. Each one had their own voice and they all had flaws adding to their realism. Vraith was about the only character that I really didn't care for. I just couldn't connect with her and as the main antagonist, she didn't feel that threatening. Aside from a couple, the secondary characters, I felt, could have added a bit more to the story, especially at the end. This story runs in at 278 pages. In order to get it to over the 300 page mark, WotC put in a long excerpt to a forthcoming novel. These pages could have been used to provide some more background of a couple characters or added more the ending battle. Those are just my thoughts.

Some Criticisms

1. I would have liked more about Vraith.

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Title: Goblin Nation

Subtitle: Dragonlance: The Stonetellers, Book 3

Author: Jean Rabe

Narrator: Paul Boehmer

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 34 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-08-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Epic

Publisher's Summary:

The climactic conclusion to the Stonetellers saga!

Goblin Nation concludes The Stonetellers trilogy, finding Direfang and his army of goblins and hobgoblins deep in the Qualinesti Forest. Although they are far from the Dark Knights' mining camp they escaped from, they are also far from safe. The forest is fraught with its own deadly dangers - with the entire world seemingly bent on keeping the goblins from founding their new homeland. But Direfang is resolute and will risk all their lives in a final bid for freedom.

Members Reviews:

Death, Destruction, & Goblins for Everyone!

Okay, when I read this book I hadn't read the first two books in the series, nor am I generally well disposed to goblin-like creatures. Anyone who's read my own fantasy novels knows that, for me, goblins and their kin are generally cannon-fodder. Yet, Jean Rabe - always a brilliant writer -- grabbed hold of me and made me care about this band of motley creatures that I would, in normal circumstances, merely have stepped on. Does that make me more akin to the Dark Knights than to the heroes in this tale?

I hope not, because the Dark Knights in this volume are pretty despicable (as they should be). The goblins, on the other hand, run the full gamut of human personalities from loving to greedy to brave to selfish, and their near-human friends and allies show the same depths. And though I had not read the first two books in the series, the plot was easy to follow -- though never simplictic -- and the characters were compelling (even without their full back stories).

In short, this is another fine fantasy novel by Jean Rabe, one of the modern masters of the form. If you like Jean's work, you'll surely like this. If you like goblins (and other disgusting creatures), you'll surely like this. If you like goblins being killed -- you'll surely like this, as the body count is very high. And if you like Dark Knights, well, there are some dandy ones doing dastardly things here. Something for just about every lover of fantasy: bold heroes, vile villains, humans, goblins, half-elves, wizards, druids, healers, traitors, a gnoll, a bit of sex, and even a dragon.

So maybe I would make a fine hobgoblin, after all. Thanks, Jean.

Not very good

This trilogy always had simplistic characters and plotlines, but granted they are goblins and in the last two books at least they were on the move. This final book has them sticking to one place and it just stagnates.

The characters are still somewhat interesting(the ones that weren't suddenly killed off), but there is little character development at the time that's best for it. Character subplots are dropped,suddenly cut off, or-in the most prominant case-given an abrupt and cryptic ending without closure. Vague spoilers here-the ending confrontation is almost laughably anti-climactic, considering how thoroughly the villains are thrashed.

Moreover, while I possibly missed it in the previous books, I'm pretty sure in those the characters were setting out to make a "goblin homeland," implying that there isn't one. Now they suddenly mention that there already was a goblin homeland after all...they just want to make another one instead.

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Title: Of Thieves and Elves

Subtitle: A Supernovella

Author: A.P. Stephens

Narrator: Michael Roger Lane

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 26 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-21-12

Publisher: Fanda Books

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Epic

Publisher's Summary:

A monumental tragedy has befallen the Clan of Ionor, an ancient brotherhood of elven warriors. Concerned when their Master does not reach his secretive business in a distant kingdom, the Elders learn that Tryn, their beloved leader, has been captured by a cutthroat gang of bandits known as the Steel Claw. Yet this is not the darkest of their tidings. The relic under the clan's safekeeping, a weapon of terrible power that was forged by the gods themselves, is also missing.

The Ionor dispatch Eonen, a headstrong Elder, and a young and talented apprentice, Tride, to rescue the Master and the relic by infiltrating the bandits' stronghold - the formidable Fortress of Toppledom. As the two determined elves hasten into the unknown beyond their borders to restore balance and honor to their clan, they encounter the true darkness behind the matter - the very origin of the world's evil.

Allegiances will be twisted. The fates of many will be set into motion. And the destiny of one will be realized.

Members Reviews:

Of Thieves and Elves, immerse yourself...

Where does Of Thieves and Elves rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

Of Thieves and Elves is one the higher ranking audiobooks in my collection.

What did you like best about this story?

I very much enjoyed Of Thieves and Elves by A.P. Stephens. The author has a unique prospective of the of fantasy world which I find refreshing. The ability of the author to create grand images of scenery, both stark and wondrous, as the main characters travel on their journey is astounding. The action is hard hitting and battle scenes are very descriptive and brutal in a way that will have you feeling as though you were standing amid the frenzy.

Have you listened to any of Michael Roger Lanes other performances before? How does this one compare?

No,this is my first one. Mr. Lane's performance is outstanding. I thouroughly enjoyed his narration and charcter voicing in this Supernovella.

Any additional comments?

I am looking forward to further adventures in this series but then again; I am continually looking forward to works of A.P. Stephens.

Failed to Excite

It's OK but failed to grip or excite. I read a lot of fantasy books and this one follows a pretty formulaic path, with nothing innovative or new.

Obviously written to launch a series of books leaving the story half told.

The narrator is OK but not great.

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Title: The Art of the Sword

Subtitle: Night Threads, Book 5

Author: Ru Emerson

Narrator: Stephen Hoye, Gabrielle De Cuir, Susan Hanfield, Judy Young, Stefan Rudnicki

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 35 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-03-12

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 9 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Epic

Publisher's Summary:

Searching for the source of Zero, a highly addictive drug that threatens Rhadaz society, Chris finds a lethal dose of the untreatable drug in his own veins and turns to Ariadne, a reluctant sword-master, for help.

Members Reviews:

Don't like multiple readers.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Like the entire series but really dislike the multiple readers. I lose the coherence of the characters.

I would recommend it to anyone that likes fantasy with the above caveat.

I

Would you be willing to try another one of the narratorss performances?

Yes, individually the readers were fine.

enjoy this series

Would you listen to The Art of the Sword again? Why?

Enjoy this series in general. I have enjoyed Ru Emerson's books for many years. This series has been a favorite for years.

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Title: The Science of Power

Subtitle: Night Threads, Book 6

Author: Ru Emerson

Narrator: Stephen Hoye, Gabrielle De Cuir, Susan Hanfield, Judy Young, Stefan Rudnicki

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 45 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-03-12

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Epic

Publisher's Summary:

Young Jennifer is forced to put all of her extraordinary gifts to the test when the land of Rhadaz faces its final battle against the forces of a mad emperor and the influences of death-worshiping outer worlds.

Members Reviews:

Happy ending, but leaves you wanting more.

Loved how well the story progressed in this saddly last book in the series. The blending of the characters was great with a surprise thrown in as well. Really wish their where more books though, detailing more of the lives of merchant Cray and his wife as well as the lives of the other characters. Also would have been great to see how the country handled the influx of technology with their world of magic. Will the bad guys return yet again or finally stay gone. Like I said I loved the book but it left me wanting more.

Super fantasy series.

All 6 books are really enjoyable reading. An excellent alternate world with characters that hold your attention through all the books. A satisfying conclusion to a series that was worth every penny and the time spent reading it.

Five Stars

Very enjoyable - I just wish there were more books in this series!

Finished?

Tied up the loose ends or should I say threads?But felt disappointed to say goodbye.Although anything in the future for the characters would be more as individuals.With one badie unaccounted for story left hanging a little.

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Title: The Islander

Subtitle: Stormlands, Book 1

Author: John Maddox Roberts

Narrator: Michael McConnohie

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 14 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-29-12

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 17 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Epic

Publisher's Summary:

Hael, a young herder cast out of his tribe for killing a taboo beast, is thrust into a foreign world where steel is so rare it is used as currency, and where a simple herder must become a warrior in order to survive.

Members Reviews:

Before you get too far involved....

Before you begin this series, please keep this in mind: it may never be finished. As of this writing book five is the latest book in the series and it does not complete the story. I had a short exchange with the author on a blog and he said that the publisher had lost interest in the series and he had no interest in finishing the series on his own (for which I can't really blame him). That having been said it is an entertaining read, as I find all his books. Just bear in mind that you will be entertained, up to a point and then be left feeling unsatisfied.

Excellent post-apocalyptic action.

John Maddox Roberts is one of those guys that just can't seem to gain popular acclaim, despite masterful works such as his `SPQR' series, mysteries involving the adventures of Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger as he solves crimes in ancient Rome.

He's also known for solid works of alternate history, such as King of the Wood, Hannibal's Children, and The Seven Hills. In addition, he's got several other works of fantasy and science fiction to his credit. Among these, my favorites are the five books of the `Stormlands' series.

In the first volume, The Islander, we're introduced to a fantastic setting - Earth, some unknown number of centuries after modern-day civilization was wiped out - and several equally fantastic characters. The book is centered on Hael, a young warrior from a tribe known as the Shasinn. The Shasinn are herdsmen, following their herds of horned kagga (a sort of mutant cattle) from one pasture to another on their home island of Gale. Gale is part of a vast chain of islands that line the west coast of a large continent. Together, these islands and the adjacent coast are known as the Stormlands. It is never made explicitly clear in the series, but as more and more of the story is told in the following volumes, one can deduce that this is the West Coast of North America. The Stormlands are roughly central California up to Washington state.

Hael is mainly content with his lot in life; he'll spend a number of years as a junior warrior. As he gains seniority, he'll be allowed to marry and own his own kagga herds. He's an orphan though, marked as something of a social outcast. His orphan status kept him from becoming an apprentice to the tribe's Spirit-Speaker, and also threw him together with a new half-brother: Gasam, a warrior of the same fraternity Hael belongs to.

Gasam holds an unreasoning hatred for Hael, and eventually, sets up Hael to be exiled. Left without a tribe, adrift in life, Hael goes down to the sea, where he boards a trading ship bound for the mainland.

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Titel: Die Nebel von Avalon

Autor:: Marion Zimmer Bradley

Erzähler: Katharina Spiering

Format: Unabridged

Spieldauer: 46 hrs and 43 mins

Sprache: Deutsch

Veröffentlichungsdatum: 11-20-12

Herausgeber: Random House Audio, Deutschland

Kategorien: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Epic

Zusammenfassung des Herausgebers:

Morgaine, die Hohepriesterin des Nebelreichs Avalon und Schwester von Artus, erzählt die wahre Geschichte ihres königlichen Bruders und der Ritter der Tafelrunde. Zum ersten Mal erzählt eine Frau diese Geschichte, zeigt die Heldengestalten in einem neuen Licht und erinnert daran, dass einst Frauen die Macht in den Händen hielten: Sie lenken im Verborgenen das Geschick ihrer Zeit und setzen den König der Legenden auf den Thron, geben ihm das heilige Schwert Excalibur.

©2004 Fischer TB (P)2012 Random House Audio

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Title: Bloodsongs

Subtitle: Saga of Frost, Book 3

Author: Robin W. Bailey

Narrator: Nicol Zanzarella

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 42 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-28-12

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Epic

Publisher's Summary:

Everyone, even Frost, thought that she was an ordinary mother and wife. But she begins a quest to find out who she is after the unforgiving grip of death snatches her husband and two sons from her loving arms. Her identity found, this mother and wife turned witch and swordswoman vows to travel the world fighting the very source of evil.

Join Frost on her journey as she wields her mighty demonblade to slay all evil that crosses her path.

Members Reviews:

Awesome book!!

A great book by a great author.

Great continuation of this story. Leaves me begging for more

wonderful story, great addition to the Frost saga, where can I find book #4? Is there a previous book in the series?