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Goldenhand

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Goldenhand

By: Garth Nix
Narrated by: Heather Wilds
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The long-awaited fifth installment in Garth Nix’s New York Times bestselling Old Kingdom series, for readers who enjoy series by Rae Carson, Kristin Cashore, Scott Westerfeld, and Cassandra Clare.

Goldenhand takes place six months after the events of Abhorsen and follows the novella Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case, which is featured in Across the Wall.

Lirael lost one of her hands in the binding of Orannis, but now she has a new hand, one of gilded steel and Charter Magic. On a dangerous journey, Lirael returns to her childhood home, the Clayr’s Glacier, where she was once a Second Assistant Librarian. There, a young woman from the distant North brings her a message from her long-dead mother, Arielle. It is a warning about the Witch with No Face. But who is the Witch, and what is she planning? Lirael must use her new powers to save the Old Kingdom from this great danger—and it must be forestalled not only in the living world but also in the cold, remorseless river of Death. Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy Magic Royalty Magic Users Witchcraft
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Terciel & Elinor By: Garth Nix
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Love this entire series, and although Goldenhand isn't the strongest book, it is still a great experience. Developing Lirael further as she progresses as the Abhorsen in waiting, Goldenhand introduces some new characters whilst drawing on the key previous names from the past books in the series.

However, Heather Wilds narration is nothing but bland and awkward and really takes away from the enjoyment. My advice, buy the physical book and read it.

Another great story from Nix but let down by Wilds

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I really struggled with this book. Having listened to the first three Old Kingdom books read beautifully by Tim Curry. He really engaged with the characters and the plot. Therefore engaging me. He was always going to be a hard act to follow. Then with the fourth book Clariel the narrator changed to Graeme Malcolm. Whilst he was not in Curry's league he still did an admirable job once I'd gotton used to the changed accents of the well established characters. I can not say the same about Heather Wilds Narration. It was sooooo monotone. I couldn't tell when one sentence began or ended. let alone characters or chapter. I found myself repeating chapter after chapter because I kept zoning out. It was beyond tedious. I gave up after repeating chapter 17 for the umpteenth time and returned the book. Which is a shame. Garth Nix is a great writer and this was a great series for young and old alike. However for me the finale was completely ruined by the narrator. I have very poor eyesight, so my chances of reading the physical book are slim.

Awful Narration !!

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The story was excellent and brought together many threads and opens the door for further development, PLEASE lets have more.
However the narration was like a trainer for voice dictation, crisp, perfect diction, without expression or emotion. If I had not wanted to follow the story I would have ducked out in the first ten minutes, run the text through a text to speech processor and you would get more feeling, warmth, heart or whatever it is that is the mark of an excellent narrator.
I would happily have Heather Wilds on my satnav, crisp and clear, but never again on an audio book unless she goes and follows the Tin Man in Oz. Less robot more heart. Perfect diction can kill a story.

A robot could read it better, story excellent.

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I was pleased that this was much better than Clariel but the narrator's weird and monotonous delivery drove me mad. I kept having to rewind as I missed bits because she bored me!

I did enjoy the story but I think that the first three books were far superior in their storytelling and would hope that Garth Nix can bring back the magic to the next book as I love the series.

The narrator is dreadful!

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I've loved these books by Garth Nix ever since the first one came out. The storyline is so imaginative and flows, keeping you absolutely riveted.

Then I realised that I could listen to them as well. Joy! Except ..... the narration on Goldenhand was absolutely dire. The other books in the series were narrated with character, fluency, and some real feeling. However, this last book....I really don't know why this lady was given the job. It has made listening to this story very challenging. She's robotic and stilted and has very little expression except in the very last chapter when she allows some life to come into her voice; but this is only one small positive in an otherwise negative listen. I kept going because I love this series (Netflix should seriously consider taking this up) but honestly Ms Wilds very nearly spoilt it for me, hence the only one of the books not to be given 5 stars. It's still a wonderful story but if there are any more in the series to come, please, please can we have a different narrator?

Such a shame

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