Narration Totally Off-Putting

I am enjoying the story well enough, but the narration is awful! What would have taken me maybe a week to complete is turning out to be a much longer listen as a result. The working class Victorian English accent is monotonous, with little inflection to differentiate characters; the foreign Middle-Eastern accent is cringeworthy and just disrespectful; it's difficult to take the characters seriously because the narration seems to depict them as dim-witted and immature in their respective scenes; and the narration overall doesn't correlate with the tone and mood of the story, as if it were a children's story to entertain toddlers.

Wouldn't be keen on trying an audiobook narrated by Richard Aspel any time soon...

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1 person found this helpful

Oh wow!

This took a while to get into, but once it took hold, I couldnt stop listening! Good story!

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A great all rounder

What did you like most about The Magician's Apprentice?

I read this story a while ago and loved it. When I looked for it on audible I was a bit disappointed that it was read my a male but still a good story.

What did you like best about this story?

A humble girl from a poor background who only wants to be a healer can change the whole world of medicin.

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

It's in 3 parts.

Any additional comments?

Can we please have Lirial. We have the third part abhorsen but not the first (sabrial) or the second (Lirial)

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Subtle and Surprising

If you could sum up The Magician's Apprentice in three words, what would they be?

Woman's true nature

What did you like best about this story?

Whatever the odds, one who is considered to be the weaker sex shows the greater strength not only by her desire to heal, but also being prepared to put herself in danger for the sake of others. This sort of feminine courage appeals more to the heart than the sacrifice of a male. In this story the depth of such courage might be missed due to the simplicity of its telling. Yet making a most pleasurable listen.

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

A male voice telling the story of a woman somehow had within his intonation his respect for the feminine.

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

Yes. But this is an unfair question, with any good listen one wants to listen all the way through, and especially as most readers do such an excellent job of it.

Any additional comments?

The reviews to this book are surprisingly diverse, from boring and atrocious to brilliant and entrancing which can only show it to be a well written book. Why? Because well written books only appeal to some. A book which everyone enjoys like say "Wind in the Willows", is that it is not only well written, but the story appeals to all. The story of The magicians Apprentice only appeals to some.

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As always fantastic

This prequel to the magician trilogy and the traitor spy teulogy was most enjoyable and filled in some gaps.

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One of my favourites

A brilliant read for both those of you who have read the black magician/traitor spy books and want some rich history of Karalia and those who are new to the world and want to get stuck in.

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Very enjoyable

I really enjoyed listening to this book. The story is excellent and well written. The narrator is very good although some of the accents are interesting.

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The magicians Apprentice

Interesting and lively story, told in a melodic and calm voice - cant wait to read on - Great read

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5 people found this helpful

Read this first.

What did you like most about The Magician's Apprentice?

The Magician's Guild is a long series. If you prefer to read or listen in chronological order then you have to start with this one.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Magician's Apprentice?

The war

What about Richard Aspel’s performance did you like?

The narrater is also good, clear and understanding.

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loved it

I really like trudi canavan. great story with really good characters I highly recommend it.

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