Astounding and way above my expectations.

I enjoyed this even more than the Riftwar trilogy and I honestly didn't think it would surpass that at all. The audio sample does not do this book justice at all. I wasn't going to purchase it and I was also unsure of the reader at first but she was outstanding and im so glad I purchased it despite being unconvinced by the audio sample. Seriously good read.

5 people found this helpful

Must LISTEN!

Immense story. Top notch narration. If you enjoy fantasy or a good yarn, this is for you!
Once you have completed this series, try the Saxon Chronicles by Bernard Cornwell.

Feist and Wurts deliver an amazing fiction here, worthy to rank alongside Magician and besting the likes of Tolkien and R.R.Martin.

You will treasure this audio book for years to come. It makes long drives and housework breeze by like the summer winds that caress broad leaf oaks of the seasonal forest.

God bless

5 people found this helpful

A great co-operation between authors.

I have to admit I liked this series of books a little more than the "Rift War Saga" though there was some cross over with that series happening. Feist & Wurts worked well together and the series seemed to me, not have the rough edges that Magician, Silverthorne & A darkness at Sethanon had. The characters are predominantly human with nary an Elf or for that matter (thank god) a thief to be seen, which made the series more, well, believable. (I know, a strange word to use in relation to works of fantasy...but) Personally I think Tania Rodrigues did a fantastic job in narrating all three books in the series. After all the central character in the series is a woman and to have a male reading the part would have just been ....odd. A great series and a good listen.

2 people found this helpful

Keep Peter Joyce please

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

Not a lot TBH, I would like to see how Peter Joyce reads this book as he has done a great job on the Rift War Saga and Krondors Sons, they're in the same story so I think he should have continued. I do however understand with the lead being female the use of having a female narrator but Tania just didn't cut it for me.

2 people found this helpful

Could have been so much better.

The story itself will take a hold on you like the others before, but the awful narration is this book's biggest issue. The narrator's terrible attempts at different voices is laughable especially her trying to achieve a male voice. It makes the book difficult to follow in sections where a number of characters are speaking in quick succession unless you are paying close attention, and let's face it half of the reason for having an audio book in the first place is so that we can listen whilst focusing on other things. I really wish they hadn't swapped from Peter Joyce as he made the stories come to life with his excellent voices, accents and charisma. I won't be continuing this section of the cycle until there is a different narrator and will skip through the next 2 books as I ended up listening to it as a chore that was there to be finished rather than for any form of listening pleasure.

1 person found this helpful

Intriguing Tale

I enjoyed the Riftwar Saga very much and was bereft once I’d finished the third book. At first, I struggled to get into it this new story partly because it was slow but mostly because I found the narrator’s voice to be a little flat and lacking enough energy and characterisation for some of the parts. However, it grew on me and after 4-5 chapters I found myself back into the that similar place of wanting to get to another point in my day when I could listen again. Kelewan, it’s culture and politics are well imagined and this story within this world is very intriguing. You find yourself very much behind the heroine Mara and her journey towards the game but I struggled with the cliff hanging parts because I kind of knew in my mind that she would have to survive so it was more listening and waiting to find out exactly how. So overall I thoroughly enjoyed this first book but not quite as much as The Magician.

1 person found this helpful

Brilliant

Likes - intrigue plots steeped in cultures that could easily be associated with our own civilisations centuries ago.

Dislikes - none. Seriously.

Reading. Excellent. Tania is a preferred narrator for me only bettered in polgara the sorceress

1 person found this helpful

Great book

Great book read beautifully wonderful characters breath taking fantasy love the strong female character looking forward to the next book

1 person found this helpful

A really clever and imaginative book

the book takes the brilliant story of 'the magician' and weaves this book into it very cleverly.

1 person found this helpful

Lush, vibrant, colourful and a great story to boot

A very well written story of power, intrigue and ruthless blood sport. strong character depth and description. Feist and Wurtz bring the world to you in great detail. Servant and Mistress are a must listen after this!!

1 person found this helpful