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  • The Providence of Fire

  • Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne, Book 2
  • By: Brian Staveley
  • Narrated by: Simon Vance
  • Length: 24 hrs and 7 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,146 ratings)
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The Providence of Fire cover art

The Providence of Fire

By: Brian Staveley
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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Summary

Brian Staveley's The Providence of Fire, the second novel in the Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne, a gripping new epic fantasy series in the tradition of Brandon Sanderson and George R. R. Martin.

The conspiracy to destroy the ruling family of the Annurian Empire is far from over.

Having learned the identity of her father's assassin, Adare flees the Dawn Palace in search of allies to challenge the coup against her family. Few trust her, but when she is believed to be touched by Intarra, patron goddess of the empire, the people rally to help her retake the capital city. As armies prepare to clash, the threat of invasion from barbarian hordes compels the rival forces to unite against their common enemy.

Unknown to Adare, her brother Valyn, renegade member of the empire's most elite fighting force, has allied with the invading nomads. The terrible choices each of them has made may make war between them inevitable.

Between Valyn and Adare is their brother Kaden, rightful heir to the Unhewn Throne, who has infiltrated the Annurian capital with the help of two strange companions. The knowledge they possess of the secret history that shapes these events could save Annur or destroy it.

©2014 Brian Staveley (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

What listeners say about The Providence of Fire

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

The first book had some promise...

Would you try another book written by Brian Staveley or narrated by Simon Vance?

I did and wasn't satisfied, so returned it. I think we live in an age where it is fashionable to make conflicted heroes/heroines/villains... Unfortunately most authors mistake conflicted, for contradictory or contrary. You end up with a selection of character paths that make no sense. Brian Staveley produces teen fantasy fiction, he's not George Orwell.

What was most disappointing about Brian Staveley’s story?

George Martin, Anthony Ryan, Patrick Rothfuss and Joe Abercrombie (Barring his Shattered Sea trilogy dross) handle conflicted and complex character building within well structured plots. Staveley is simply not as good as these guys and his plot direction seems to be built on a scene by scene foundation rather than an overarching tale, that is logically fitted together.

What does Simon Vance bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Simon Vance is the only constantly good thing in these books. Great narrator.

Was The Providence of Fire worth the listening time?

No. It repeatedly helped me fall asleep at night time, on the train... Anywhere I decided to stick it on really.

Any additional comments?

Some teens might enjoy this tale, but this really is just another example of poor plotting and character creation. Style over substance stuff really. At the end of day, i wish i could say that there was even a message in this slick slop, but there isn't...

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25 people found this helpful

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

A Story Full of Idiots

Would you try another book written by Brian Staveley or narrated by Simon Vance?

Not sure about Brian Staveley, but I would listen to Simon Vance narrate more books. Mr Vance's performance was the only high point of the entire thing.

What was most disappointing about Brian Staveley’s story?

He writes characters who are utter idiots.

Which character – as performed by Simon Vance – was your favourite?

While I enjoyed Simon Vance's performance, there wasn't really a character in the whole book who didn't aggravate me

Could you see The Providence of Fire being made into a movie or a TV series? Who would the stars be?

No. I wouldn't imagine anyone bothering to make a movie or TV series out of this. But if they did the only cast I can think who might play the characters in the book are the Teletubbies or the Three Stooges. A Cast Of Idiots.

Any additional comments?

I really tried to like this series. At first I put the constant ill fortune, which seemed to dog the three main characters down to their youth, inexperience with the greater world, or as I said just ill luck. Then I realized that things weren't getting any better, and I started to realize that bad things were happening to them because they were too stupid to avoid the disasters that kept finding them, indeed they went looking for disasters to fall into. I have read other books (notably by Ed Greedwood) where the story consists of the characters stumbling from one fight to another with little real story to make it more interesting and less annoying. (fight scenes do not a story make). The book did have a reasonably good story line, with some interesting ideas. This did not however save the book from its main failing. The utter idiocy of the characters made it painful to endure. Simon Vance did a masterful job of reading, what I think is a very poor book. I don't think I'll bother with the final volume. I think I've suffered enough.

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11 people found this helpful

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

Good story but....

The beginning and the end were good but the endless battle in between just went on and on and on, becoming so confusing I didn't know who was fighting who. You get the idea. But, having said that it still held my interest enough to want to know what happens in the third book. Brilliant narrator though. I would definitely look for more audio books read by him.

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8 people found this helpful

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

Great book, very gritty

I really enjoyed the first book and have enjoyed this one. It is unrelentingly "gritty". I know this will appeal to some but for me it was a little too much and there are only so many descriptions of torture and physical and mental suffering that you want to hear on any given day. If I was reading I would have skimmed those bits but audio books make that difficult.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

amazing story. recommend to anyone

great narration. great development of plot from 1st book. satisfactory conclusion to novel . leaves you wondering what next

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4 people found this helpful

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

Excellent book

A gripping, original story that keeps getting better as the series progresses. Would recommend to fans of Brent Weeks

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4 people found this helpful

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

Great second instalment

Lots of interesting and new things to learn
Keeps you wanting more
One of the best stories I have listened to
Hope the third book is out soon :)

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4 people found this helpful

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

Better yet

Simply good all the way through and the audiobook reading by Simon Vance is masterful.
I really enjoyed the first in the series, but this is even better.

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3 people found this helpful

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

Brilliant

I loved this book Brian Staveley certainly knows how to weave a story. I can't wait for next one.

Simon Vance narrated the story so well made it even more gripping.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great work, staveley!

Loved it, its got twists and turns and revelations galore and the two brothers and the kettral unit are fantastically written. Cant wait for the next one

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2 people found this helpful