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  • A Crucible of Souls

  • The Sorcery Ascendant Sequence, Book 1
  • By: Mitchell Hogan
  • Narrated by: Oliver Wyman
  • Length: 18 hrs and 44 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (734 ratings)
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A Crucible of Souls cover art

A Crucible of Souls

By: Mitchell Hogan
Narrated by: Oliver Wyman
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Summary

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.

©2013 Mitchell Hogan (P)2014 Audible Inc.

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)

What listeners say about A Crucible of Souls

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    422
  • 4 Stars
    220
  • 3 Stars
    68
  • 2 Stars
    18
  • 1 Stars
    6
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    401
  • 4 Stars
    207
  • 3 Stars
    49
  • 2 Stars
    9
  • 1 Stars
    9
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    384
  • 4 Stars
    197
  • 3 Stars
    64
  • 2 Stars
    19
  • 1 Stars
    9

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

An excellent approach and cracking characters

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.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Ambitious but not always successful

This feels like both the author and narrator are aiming high, but fall short at times. For example, 'girls' voices are innately done and irritating. Whilst the story seems to leap forward at times, by the end of the book I felt I hadn't experienced the satisfaction of a story arc. The author takes time to develop ideas but these are often not followed through, and leave a feeling of aborted ideas.
That I enjoyed the story, and these ideas, and the narrator's enthusiasm was commendable, is why I felt underwhelmed with the overall effect.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Mary-Sue fest thats hard to take seriously

Listened up until the last two hours but still ended up dropping it. Main Character is a serious mary-sue who's experiences and actions don't line up at all. Pretty dull.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great fantasy yarn

My enjoyment reminded me of reading The Name of the Wind - not quite the same depth and breath but definitely as much fun.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Another story about Pug

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

Similar to the Magician. Orphan meets wizards discovers he is special.

Any additional comments?

Orphan discovers he is special... again. Good enough that I bought book 2.

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24 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A great entertaining listen.

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.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Slow but interesting

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.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

A bit confusing, vague and unfocused.

The problem for me listening to this book is that I was left feeling confused. I didn't understand who the "bad guys" are or why they are. I didn't understand why or how Caldon was able to do some of what he did, and I am left with a feeling that this book just stops in the middle of a story for no real reason. As a main character Caldon was a bit vapid and while I appreciate he is only 17 he often seemed a bit younger.
The writing was ok but few of the characters have any depth and there doesn't seem to be much motivation for why anyone does anything. Threads seem to be started but completely dropped, and characters that have been in several chapters never get mentioned again. I understand this is a series, and it may be that they are picked up again in later books but I don't think it is for me. It's all very vague and unfinished. The world building was again ok but not more than that.
The Narration wasn't bad but there wasn't much variety and this left the book feeling flat and somehow made everything seem like it happened at the same steady pace, with no life in the action and no emotion in the intense parts.
Overall a bit disappointing.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

well written and well read

very good story look forward to reading the rest of the series . well read very enjoyable

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Keeping it interesting

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

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