Refreshingly excellent!

I've read reviews for other stories, were the reviewer will complain that the protagonist is too string and perfect, but in this case it's the whole point of the story and is so blatant, it's brilliant.

Many books in this genre have a very similar story line; young man suffers tragedy, then goes to train with masters, comes back to kick some butt. This one has a refreshing angle; our guy is already kicking butt by hour number 3-ish.

The pace of the book is excellent there are no points where the story drifts into nothingness for a while, but keeps going on string with action around every corner. There is however only one story line, making the book easier to follow if you're the type to be listening to books while engaged doing this else.

I think if you're into books that world build for hours with incredibly well drawn out characters (a-la Joe Abercrombie), this isn't it; but it is well written and has (so far) an excellent story with an original twist.

It's seems to be getting more difficult to find good books in this genre; of course it's all personal preference, but similar-ish stories that I consider good recently are (hopefuly can help someone also looking);
Dawn of Wonder
Licanius Trilogy
Cycle of Arawn/Galande

40 people found this helpful

Good story overall

Very good narration, good story if a little slow during the middle. Tends to focus more on dialogue and has a little less action that I would have liked. Also names of guilds a little uninventive but nevertheless, would recommend!

8 people found this helpful

16 hours I'll never get back...

Any additional comments?

Lots of 5 star reviews with an interesting premise so thought I'd give it a punt...

... and what a complete pile of bilge it turned out to be!

A flawless demigod of a protagonist who quite frankly I couldn't care less about after the 1st few chapters. One-dimensional, completely forgettable supporting cast, vacuous female characters who's entire existence appears to be to faun all over the lead.

The writing style was juvenile, clumsy and utterly cringe worthy in places. By half way through the repetitive phrases like 'the young warrior' and 'cocked his head' were driving me to distraction.

Nick Podehl does a passable job but some laughable English accents and mispronunciations did take the gloss off somewhat. I can only imagine that those giving the performance 5 stars haven't listened to a book narrated by the likes of Steven Pacey, Rupert Degas or Stephen Fry.

19 people found this helpful

Kel Kade's debut, and what a start it is!

If you could sum up Free the Darkness in three words, what would they be?

Fun, distinctive and covetous!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Rezkin - I really enjoyed his thought process about every day occurrences, which caused me on occasion to smile and laugh to myself. As a guy, I got pretty envious of his perfection, which is weird considering he's a fictional character, but that shows how much I enjoyed the book.

What about Nick Podehl’s performance did you like?

I believe it's the first time I've listened to Nick's narration, and believe he is stellar in his performance of the various characters.

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

Pretty much, and that's a rarity. I was staying up later than usual and listening to it during every spare moment.

Any additional comments?

The only qualm I have is with Rezkin's love interest, which I can sometimes find a bit annoying and too much.

Other than that, buy it, read it, listen to it.

4 people found this helpful

Kings Daft Tidings

I have to doff my hat to Kel Kade, I really do! Looking at the fabulously large number of high ratings these books are getting it's undeniable that people are simply lapping them up. For someone likes me who puts the likes of Sanderson and Abercrombie with their hugely detailed worlds and finely crafted characters it just shouldn't work though.

The main character is stupidly unrealistic. Rezkin is a young lad brought up as an orphan by en elite team of mentors and warrior-trainers isolated from the rest of society this much is true. However, the resulting mix of Spock, a fantasy ninja, High Ambassador and the man from the Milk Tray adverts is breathtakingly unreal. His achievements within days are mind boggling as is the utter fawning weakness of much of the surrounding cast. He reaps and charms his enemies like the Fellowship of the Ring on acid.

Nick Podehl plows his way through it with considerable aplomb and never once gives the hint that his mind is screaming at the text with its sheer implausibility. He injects excitement even though Rezkin just seems untouchable.

And, really that's the magic of course, it's just gloriously absurd! Naturally this means that someone like me who prides himself in liking more serious or at least more logically constructed fantasy would not be seen dead giving it a high rating and it's beyond doubt that I would not even consider carrying on with the rest of the series. I really won't, honest . . . in fact tomorrow I'll return this one . . . yes I will . . . tomorrow.

11 people found this helpful

Surprisingly entertaining, but...

This book did entertain me, but it comes with some big flaws. A big mystery the author dangles in front of our noses is a strong incentive to keep on reading, and who doesn't like a person who gets things done?
However, if the protagonist is perfect, things can grow too unrealistic even for a fantasy book. Rezkin, despite having grown up in seclusion, takes over significant parts of society within days of becoming part of it. He is, however, surprisingly dimwitted when dealing with his 'friends'. This is a useful comic counter-balance to his otherwise perfect appearance at first, but it does grow tedious after a while.
Oh yes, and perhaps crucial in a modern fantasy novel that really should overcome traditional stereotypes of the genre: all women are stark stupid - eager to jump into bed with the protagonist and willing to fight one another over it. Literally. Bechdel test? -Failed big time.

6 people found this helpful

A solid start

This is a very strange book. Normally a fantasy story follows the premise of a hero overcoming difficult enemies or obstacles. Not here, here the main character(Rezkin) is effectively a god, capable of inhuman feats on a regular basis and without much effort. This is unusual because author could be in danger of making a boring story as there is no risk to any of his actions nor does the author impose any restrictions on the character. The story is purely driven of the fact that Rezkin does not know who or what he is . And while there is enough clues that allow you to have a good idea it did manage to keep me engaged all the way through .

The great appeal of this book for me is that it is very easy to listen to, which I found a refreshing turn of pace considering the shift in fantasy to a more dark and bleak style over the last 7-8 years in particular. If you are able to disconnect yourself from the ubsurd premise and enjoy the well paced story ( really it's probably the best paced book I have read) it is really good fun. If you are unable to disconnect then I can freely accept that you may detest it.

As for the next book. It appears to be getting released in October of this year and I can't wait.

6 people found this helpful

Impressive. #impressed!

Headline says it all really. The negative reviews have no basis at all.
The narrators skills are award worthy! Actually preferred the voices of characters over his own! Yes, I shall read the remaining books! Quite a few laugh out loud moments...

1 person found this helpful

Ho hum

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Not particularly. It's okay as a teenage boy fantasy of wanting to be a demi-god in a world populated by whiny voiced females, but unlike the intended character of the main protagonist, definitely not dark and deeply satisfying.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

A long wait for not very much.

What three words best describe Nick Podehl’s voice?

Average. Reasonable male voice characterisation badly let down by female. Even stronger female characters had an air-head whine to them.

Did Free the Darkness inspire you to do anything?

Well, I thought about Rezkin but went off to get some coffee as it did a better job of raising my pulse rate.

Any additional comments?

It's an okay background listen and probably more suitable in the young-adult genre.

8 people found this helpful

Avid fantasy reader - couldn't make it through

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

To me this story is too heavy, you have to fight through details that are given where they are not needed to get the story to continue and you are constantly asking why the story is so flat. It bounces from one idea to the next without giving a real plot and fills the space with more needless detail.

What could Kel Kade have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

A more relatable or empathy inciting main character and a clearer story line. I got 6 hours in and was bored.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

The voices were generally ok but it was a little bland, and I can't tell if that was the writings fault or not.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Free the Darkness?

Too many to list.....

3 people found this helpful