A Crucible of Souls

The Sorcery Ascendant Sequence, Book 1

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A Crucible of Souls

By: Mitchell Hogan

Narrated by: Oliver Wyman

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About this listen

When Caldan’s parents are brutally slain, he is raised by monks and taught the arcane mysteries of sorcery. Vowing to discover for himself who his parents really were, and what led to their violent end, he is thrust into the unfamiliar chaos of city life. With nothing to his name but a pair of mysterious heirlooms and a handful of coins, he must prove his talent to earn an apprenticeship with a guild of sorcerers.

But he soon learns the world outside the monastery is a darker place than he ever imagined, and his treasured sorcery has disturbing depths.

As a shadowed evil manipulates the unwary and forbidden powers are unleashed, Caldan is plunged into an age-old conflict that brings the world to the edge of destruction.

This is an updated recording from the original 2014 edition, also performed by Oliver Wyman, which matches the current reissue of the print book.

Action & Adventure

Epic

Epic Fantasy

Fantasy

Fiction

Magic

Sorcery

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Critic reviews

Winner of Best Fantasy Novel, 2013 Aurealis Awards

"For a debut novel this is more than a little impressive. Characters are vividly drawn, multi-layered, and in one or two cases, compelling. Hogan joins with the new wave of fantasy authors in his use of morally ambivalent characters, distinct and tight points of view, believable world building, an intelligible magic system, and some edgy, gritty content." (D.P. Prior, author of The Nameless Dwarf)

Most relevant

I knew nothing about this book going in and although nothing much happens action wise its still well told and interesting. I enjoy a novel magic system and this certainly has one . The main character is likeable which helps and the subplots are intriguing. Give it a go if you're looking for a decent bit of fantasy that's not too dark. The performance from Oliver Wyman is up to par also. Good all round book.

Slow but interesting

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Slow start, great middle, vague ending. And awful narrator - the main character has a weird, pathetic English accent. Maybe it wouldn’t bother a non-British listener, but I found it painful. I kept going though and ended up really enjoying most of it. I would say that the 3 other side-stories were much more interesting than the main character.

I will be checking the reviews to see if it’s worth listening to the rest of this series. Normally I love a fantasy setting with a wide world, good magic system and some mystery, and there’s a lot of interesting stuff going on in the background of this, but I don’t know if I can face sitting through hours and hours to try and get some answers…

Promises much, nearly delivers.

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I absolutely loved it! The voice is superb too, really gets into characters. The story builds and builds throughout so if you start listening and it feels too slow just give it more time. The time spent on developing the character and scene is totally worth it.

completely hooked!

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Well told story lines that have yet come together. Can't wait to see how the characters get on in the next one.

Keeping it interesting

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If you could sum up A Crucible of Souls in three words, what would they be?

Caught up in the whole story

What did you like best about this story?

The main character and the explanation of how magic is formed and used.

Any additional comments?

A good book to get caught up in although can be a little slow in places.

A great entertaining listen.

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

It's a good story that moves along at an enjoyable pace

What other book might you compare A Crucible of Souls to, and why?

It has been a long time since I read this sort of story line. Had a few drawn out examples that dampened my interest. Not quite on a par with Tolken, but well worth a read and I have downloaded the next in the series.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Time on the boat maybe

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

Yes

Any additional comments?

A great opening to the series - I do not usually like books that stretch into 3 parts - this one is an exception.

Reawakened my enjoyment in fantasy fiction

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Would you listen to A Crucible of Souls again? Why?

The plot and character development are intertwined and intricate enough to to allow a retread.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The protagonist with his humble nature unaware of the power and potential within.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Chaldeans first test duel with the protector master and discovering respect through performance.

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

if only there were enough hours to listen in a day.

Any additional comments?

It was an entertaining read throughout.

An excellent approach and cracking characters

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What did you like best about A Crucible of Souls? What did you like least?

The magic and the background world-building is interesting and intriguing. But the characters is a bit bland. I have a hard time to feel really interested in the persons and their fate.

Would you recommend A Crucible of Souls to your friends? Why or why not?

Perhaps, possibly to someone who is just advancing from really vanilla authors like Eddings.

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

The narrator is really good, almost every time he succeed in giving all involved their own voice, it is one or two dialogues it is hard to know which line belongs to which woman, but that is probably as much the authors fault as the narrator.

Did A Crucible of Souls inspire you to do anything?

Not especially, sometimes I hardly felt the need to turn on to continue listening.

Any additional comments?

Perhaps it deepens and engage more when the author get some more experience and there is more revelation about the world.

Good concept, but ...

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Similar to other stories in the same genre, like name of the wind. I'm thinking about it and I'm not sure if this is actually better than name of the wind, I can't decide. For me that's just about as glowing a review as Ican give.

Narration was good as well, although I would like to hear a change in pace as action hots up. But again it worked and it worked well.

Thumbs up.

Well executed

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I loved this book so much, I listened to it over and over again, and when I have read the sequel, I will probably listen to it some more.
Unlike other books in this genre, it held my interest all the way through. Hogan's descriptive powers are truly masterful. Scenes and characters came alive. The story didn't flag for a moment.
How !much of the book's appeal was caused by Wyman's wonderfully adaptive voice, I an not sure. I haven't ever heard a book so well read. thanks to both author and narrator for a most enjoyable experience.

My first book in this genre I read to the end.

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