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  • The Dark Defiles

  • By: Richard Morgan
  • Narrated by: Simon Vance
  • Length: 23 hrs and 59 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (239 ratings)
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The Dark Defiles cover art

The Dark Defiles

By: Richard Morgan
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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Summary

Compared to Michael Moorcock and Joe Abercrombie alike, Richard Morgan's fast-moving and brutal science fantasy reaches its final volume as Ringil comes to his final reckoning and sees the world tipping into another war with the dragon folk. And, most terrifying of all, the prophecy of a dark lord come to rule may be coming true very close to home....

The Dark Defiles is a supremely fast-moving 240,000 word epic. A massive-yet-tight story that both shines a light on some mysteries from earlier volumes and reveals deeper mysteries yet. We encounter the artifacts of an ancient race, learn the true story of the ghostly Dwenda and follow three old friends as they face their greatest test yet.

©2014 Richard Morgan (P)2014 Tantor Media

What listeners say about The Dark Defiles

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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Uncomfortable ending

Um... Yeah...

Overall, I found the final book confusing and unsatisfying. Some elements are beautifully sculpted - Egar Dragonbane and Arketh's story wraps up wonderfully. Unanswered questions are resolved and become understandable.

There are storylines that don't get resolved to my satisfaction:

1. Dwenda history - there is a resolution of sorts but more detail would have been appreciated.
2. Grey places - not a satisfactory explanation and hints of an ancient war remain opaque.
3. Kiriath - more info is needed.
4. Ringil's last stand.
5. Talons of the Sun - what is it?
6. Hjel and his relationship with and to Ringil.

I think my biggest problem as that the story isn't linear and trying to get it straight in my head was impossible. I eventually gave up and sat back to enjoy the story.

Simon Vance is, as ever, a superlative narrator.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

good read

excellent narrator, complex story, good strong characters, gritty. would be hard to read as a stand alone book. overall very enjoyable.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

This doesn't feel like the end...

Loved this series, but if I am honest I am left slightly confused by this book. It feels unfinished, there are threads left hanging that need to be tied off and random, unnecessary revelations that leave me thinking "eh!!!!!" And not always in a good way.

This is a great read, well written, characters that live and breath and are not always easy to love. Ringil may be the hero, but there are times when he is cold bloodedly dispatching people that are difficult to read. In this series war makes monsters on every side. The world too is richly drawn though this is one place I really wouldn't want to wake up and find myself in.

My only problem is that the ending feels rushed. Revelation on revelation. Key players in the plot of the entire series that are only mentioned in the final pages, hidden secrets and unanswered questions. Ok, I am a fan of not always being given the answers, of making the reader work for some of them, but the defeat of the Dwenda leaves me feeling a little cheated.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Too long winded.

This book should have been half the length. There is a good story in there somewhere but the self-indulgent author forgot he was writing a novel for others to read and thought he was James Joyce. I struggled through his first two books and had forgotten how self absorbed he was. By the time i came across this one i had a vague memory of the story originally being interesting. Gay guy as the hero, best friend a lesbian and a big burly guy to round the team off. Condensed, i think this would make a great story but unfortunately i had to wade through the mountains of superfluous narrative before getting to the predictable end. I wont be going back to Mr Morgan's work again.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Thought this was the first book not the last !!

Any additional comments?

Really enjoyed the book and thought it was left hanging for a 2nd. However after reading peoples reviews I now realise this is actually the last.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyed it!

This was my favourite of the trilogy. Not sure that's a common opinion but for me I just enjoyed the development of the trio. (Oh Egar - I'll say no more).

Keeping it brief, there's more swords, Mage play, dragons and Gods! All wrapped up in what I thought was some strong writing. The overall story arch is not vast but I think it's plenty rich.

Boy do I love the warrior dark mage angle! It's not perfect but it's definitely up there with my great reads (listen).

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Not easy to get into to

I was after a book, similar to the epic fantasy series from terry goodkind or the good old wheel of time series.. I wanted good fantasy setting with a really horrid bad king/ ruler as our main enemy, like emperor jagang from the sword of truth. The synopsis on this audiobook leads you to believe that may be the case.. It may well be the case but after listening to around 200 minutes of constantly changing characters, locations and being introduced to multiple story threads, I have lost interest. At around the 3rd hour mark whilst driving home, a long drive, I actually said out loud 'who the hell is this now!?' and shortly after, I stopped the book. No idea whats going on, the author seems to assume we should know who some dark elf is or a black which / god type being who just appears during the opening chaptors and starts interacting as if we have had many dealings with this character already.


I may return to it, but more likely I have wasted a credit :(

Way to many characters, a little bit dull, no clue whats happening. I would avoid.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Bad tempered gods and bloody-minded heroes

A nice conclusion to a great trilogy. If you love the first two this won't disappoint. Also Best narrator ever.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

It should continue in a 4th book

Worthy finish of the saga. I could listen these kind of books in any quantity.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

RKM delivers with devastating style!

I very rarely re-read/listen to any titles. And I have several hundreds in my library.
But Mr Morgan's unique style has drawn me back THREE times to his entire bibliography!
And this series (land fit for heroes) is where his outstanding work was debuted. And just gathered strenght as he went along.

(Edit: After FIVE repeats of all his works, this series has been moved to my favourite, above the Altered Carbon series!
Perfect balance of complexity without an overall arch that leaves you lost in the world.
RKM always ties up all the loose ends and delivers a massively fulfilling experience)

Yes, some reviews critisize graphic and gratuitous content.
That is RKM style, and he executes it masterfully!
Yes, it's dark, violent, explicit, disturbing, raw.
No, don't let your kids listen to it.
It's genius and intricate work meant for adults.
Enjoy it as such!
And to boot another masterful performance from Simon Vance!
Worthy 5 stars!

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