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Skullsworn cover art

Skullsworn

By: Brian Staveley
Narrated by: Elizabeth Knowelden
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Summary

Brian Staveley's new standalone returns to the critically acclaimed Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne universe, following a priestess-assassin for the God of Death

From the award-winning epic fantasy world of The Emperor's Blades...

Pyrre Lakatur is not, to her mind, an assassin, not a murderer - she is a priestess. At least, she will be once she passes her final trial.

The problem isn't the killing. The problem, rather, is love. For to complete her trial, Pyrre has ten days to kill the seven people enumerated in an ancient song, including "the one who made your mind and body sing with love / who will not come again."

Pyrre isn't sure she's ever been in love. And if she fails to find someone who can draw such passion from her, or fails to kill that someone, her order will give her to their god, the God of Death. Pyrre's not afraid to die, but she hates to fail, and so, as her trial is set to begin, she returns to the city of her birth in the hope of finding love... and ending it on the edge of her sword.

©2017 Brian Staveley (P)2017 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Brilliant." (V. E. Schwab, New York Times bestselling author)

What listeners say about Skullsworn

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great spin off

Ok, so I’m finding this book hard to review... had it been a random story narrated by Elizabeth, I’d have probably given her 5 stars for her narration as she can’t be faulted and portrays Pyrre and the other characters really well; unfortunately Simon Vance has already created a persona for Pyrre in my mind and she differs a lot from Elizabeth’s portrayal... but don’t let that put you off, Elizabeth is brilliant!
Coming in straight after I finish the Unhewn trilogy I felt a little wanting in the single character front of Skullsworn and single path of the storyline which is the complete opposite of the Unhewn multiple stories and twists and turns.
All in all, a very good book which I’d most likely give 5 stars if it was a complete standalone story and Unhewn hadn’t raised my standards so high. Definitely worth a read!!

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Barely made it past chapter one

Perhaps it picks up later in the book but the beginning chapter and a half was so drawn out and dull and the characters to pretentious and annoying I couldn’t continue.
Coupled with that the narrator is horrible to listen to and I felt very badly cast in terms of the age of the character.

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4 people found this helpful

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

Hard going

I loved the first three books and when I saw that there was a book all about Pyrre I was so excited. Sadly I found this audiobook very hard going. The story and setting is interesting and kept me going and with a different narrator I think I would have actually enjoyed it. But the breathless gasping amazement of the narrator is tiring, to say the least. I kept catching myself waiting for that double breath intake she so often does and losing track of the story. I guess not every one can be as good as Simon Vance but I so wish they could be!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic stand alone

I was sceptical when I first picked this up (so to speak). I've always loved series of books and I didn't honestly find Pyrre that interesting in the original trilogy. I am very happy to have been proven wrong. This is a great book. I found myself listening long past when I had said I wanted to be asleep and finding excuses in my day to listen more. I wanted to know what happened.
The ending was... unusual. I'm not sure how convinced I was by the explanation given but it has given me a lot to think about and that's all anyone can ask.
The narration was a bit breathy for my taste but not overly off putting. I would suggest listening to a sample before buying to see if it's to your taste.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I wish this was not just a one off

I have read Brian's other books but this book grabbed me from beginning to end. The narrator is a ok so one of the best I have heard.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it .... listened to it twice!

Would you listen to Skullsworn again? Why?

Yes. Brians' writing it as good as it gets in the fantasy genre if you ask me. Yes it is dark, but grimly realistic and not for the faint hearted.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Skullsworn?

I loved the character Ella, a totally amoral character living just in the moment, but lighting up the page whenever she makes an appearance.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The ending was utterly brilliant, and an ending fit for the characters.

Any additional comments?

Brian's understanding of religion and faith and all that it entails is cleverly interwoven into his writing, It makes you think, and question both the characters actions and perhaps what goes on in the real world too. Reading Brian's books is an education in itself, so prepare to have your thinking challenged.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Dark

narrator was good, story was good but it's a bit too dark. what did I expect though about a book about death worshipers.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not quite Pyrre.

If you've read/listened to the first three then you've probably got a soft spot for Pyrre. That personality doesn't see the light in this story. It's a different character entirely, bland and tuneless. The performance and a couple of reveals pull it back.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful Read

Absolutely wonderful read. Tremendous story telling and great imagination. Different characters stories, pulled together at the right time, and with ease. Definitely as good as the Emperors Blades.
Just loved it.
I know it's not as easy as all that Mr. Staveley but, more please.
as ever
Handsome Prince

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable standalone and backstory

I listened to this after The Empires Ruin not realising the correct order (obvious now!). Was good to get some of the backstory for a character in that book although not 100% certain the two match up completely but that could be me. Recommended reading for those wishing to follow the journey through Annur and its ever widening lands.

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