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A Rise of the Cursed

The Sword of Avalon (The Rise of the Last, Book 1)

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A Rise of the Cursed

By: S.M. Clarke
Narrated by: Sasha Jones
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Albion Bell has spent his life haunted by the fire that destroyed his childhood home and stole his father from him. Raised between foster homes and shadows, he believes the past is buried, until a violent rift tears open between worlds and drags him into a shattered Avalon, where myths bleed and history is a living weapon. In Avalon, Albion discovers he is the last scion of the Pendragon line, a bloodline long thought extinguished after centuries of betrayal, war, and sorrow.

Bound by ancient magic to the legendary Excalibur, Albion struggles against the crushing expectations of a broken world desperate for salvation. Torn between loyalty to friends and distrust of the powerful figures who claim to guide him, Albion must navigate a kingdom plagued by civil war, corrupted magic, and conspiracies older than the myths themselves. His reluctant allies include Winston, a stoic mentor scarred by his own losses; Adele, the enigmatic heir to a fractured Camelot; and Becca, a trusted companion hides dangerous secrets.

As Albion searches for his missing mother and discovers a sigil linked his family legacy—he is stalked by the manipulations of the Celeste Empire and the demonic forces unleashed by Avalon’s collapse. In a desperate confrontation, Albion after accepting his Pendragon birthright, faces the harrowing choice between becoming the hero Avalon demands or forging a new path that could doom both worlds. As the lines between past and present, love and betrayal blur, he must decide whether legacy is a chain to bear, or a sword to break. In a land where memory itself can be weaponized, Albion’s greatest battle will not be against the monsters without, but the ghosts within.

©2025 Exorbital (P)2025 Exorbital
Action & Adventure Epic Fantasy War Arthurian Haunted Mythology Magic
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Hear ye, hear ye, all those who still keep some affection for old swords and older legends!

The Rise of the Cursed offers a modern return to Arthurian legend through Albion Bell, a learned but troubled man who finds himself drawn into an inheritance that is both dangerous and exciting.

What I enjoyed most was the gradual transformation of both character and story. Albion begins as a recognisably human figure from our time, grounded by quieter memories of his childhood and his loving father, before Excalibur, Avalon, and destiny draw him towards the role of the medieval hero in the making. The tale moves briskly once it reaches that wider mythic world, but also works perfectly well without requiring any particular knowledge of Arthurian legend.

The audiobook is especially fitting for this grand tale. The human narration has a pleasant voice, and listening really is the way to go here: it gives the story something of the quality of an old legend being told aloud; rather appropriate for Arthuriana.

I would encourage new listeners to venture beyond the gentler opening chapters. They are the threshold rather than the whole castle. Albion’s adult person and journey, his relationships, training, powers, and larger struggle soon take command. This is a thoroughly enjoyable Arthurian fantasy!

Where Modern Man Meets Arthurian Myth!

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Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this and how the characters developed.
Narration was good with different accents and intonation to distinguish the different characters.
looking forward to the next one.

Interesting twist on myth and legend

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