Different

The story went from the 1800s to 1980s. I'm not big on time changes. But the story of black arts and ghostly goings on was good.
The narrator kept the tone going and was very good.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Gripping Story

The biggest plot line of all time has to be the time honoured battle for supremacy between good and evil. Richard Storry explores this compellingly in ‘the Black Talisman’, leading the listener skilfully through his time-layered saga.

This really is unturnoffable - I found myself listening to the denouement into the early hours, using headphones under the duvet so as not to disturb my slumbering partner.

Storry has the enviable quality of being able to alter genre in his writing from book to book; and the style of this story lends itself beautifully to the wonderful voice and delivery of Jake Urry. A gripping story, which I thoroughly recommend!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

I loved the narration...

As the last strains of my audiobook fade, I wonder what I just listened to? That was so out of my usual reading sphere that I'm not really sure what I think.
The Black Talisman was a supernatural/religious book, completely different from anything I'd read before and although it's always good to try something new, it doesn't guarantee enjoyment.

As with many of today's novels, it has a current day strand (1984) and a past strand (1673), alternating between the two. More than 300 years ago, a coven of witches met and called up their Dark Lord, Anubin. They were thwarted in their plans by the local priest and his associates; and an icon, the Black Talisman became mislaid. This was required for them to reconvene, but it was split into 3 pieces, each hidden separately by members of the church.
Many years later, two youngsters, Monica and Gilbert, find themselves wound up in some frightening events, caused by the search for this artifact.

I'm not a fan of horror, yet in many ways this wan't particularly scary. Some parts were a bit predictable and the churchy bits were fine, I quite enjoyed the angels' appearances. But at the end, when the author described his image of heaven, he lost me. That struck me as rather unnecessary, I felt that the afterword should have been scrapped.

Special mention for the narrator, Jake Urry, whose descriptions of the food served at a gastronomic supper, made my mouth water.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Great storyline

I Enjoyed this audio book very much from start to finish great story line too

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Fantastic narration - ok story

This was quite a short audiobook with a mythical, supernatural plot involving demons, angels, witches etc. There were two plot lines, one starting in the early eighties and the other in 1673, which come together in the end.
It was an ok story but never really gripped me. Partly, I think, this is due to the fact that it was too heavy on religion for my taste. I was expecting something scarier and more twisted, but the plot just fizzled out in the end. Much preferred Mr. Storry's debut novel, The Cryptic Lines, to this one.

The narration by Jake Urry was as stellar as ever. His voice is really suited to these dark, mythical stories. But he also did a great job of portraying Monica, the young female protagonist, who sounded very believable. And who knew he could sing as well?!

I chose to listen to this audiobook provided by the narrator and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Thoroughly good listen!

I’ve listened to quite a few of Richard’s books now and I must say, they’re all brilliant and so easy to listen to despite having some great twists and turns.
And this is no exception. A great tale that pulls you in and is brilliantly narrated with great character voices and pacing.
I did find the romance parts a little syrupy for my tastes and there’s a religious feel to the book that comes through quite strongly, but I still wouldn’t hesitate to listen to more in this theme from Richard and his other books have been amongst my favourites of the year!
This is my honest opinion on a free review copy.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Loved it , great story.

he could do this as a live performance easy. I heard Richard give a live performance once and felt why did live story telling stop , no mobile video krap could compete with that atmosphere. keep it up sir.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Pretty Good

I Enjoyed this book from start to finish good story I liked the time jumps for a short story had a lot in it.
Jake Urry was very good.
A+👍

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Great book

I really enjoyed this book. It is a supernatural/ religious book. Entertaining with interesting story and characters. The narrator helps to give the story a creepy and frightening feeling.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A suspenseful/religious/supernatural horror

Any additional comments?

The Black Talisman is a book I've had on my audible list for a while. I started it about 8 months ago, and for whatever reason, lost the thread. Not one to give up (as I know it can sometimes depend on my own mood rather than anything else) I started this again.
Now THIS time, I got into it straight away and found it much more engaging.
The story is based around a supernatural/religious storyline, with a bit of romance for good measure.

What I also like ( in fact what I really enjoy) is the tale is told over two time periods, 300 years apart.
Firstly, we're in the late 1600's. A coven of witches is disrupted deep in the woods whilst performing a ritual to summon a demonic energy. One of the witches is caught and taken to the local Squire. Out of her pocket falls a black talisman. This object is split into three and it's decided it should never be put together again. The three pieces are given to different people to dispose of secretly, so there's no chance of it ever being put together and used in the dark arts again.

So what has this got to do with a young couple in the 1980's?
We meet Monica & Gilbert, friends since childhood and drawn together throughout their lives. Whilst taking part in her interest of genealogy, Monica comes across some interesting and disturbing facts about her family. How though is this all connected?

As the story unfolds, the author intertwines a well thought out and well written storyline. It's just about the right length to keep the listener interested, and not complicated enough that you lose the thread of what's happening. It's an atmospheric read, with a small group of characters. I will just say, the ending did give me a little jolt of: "Well, wasn't quite expecting that".

As ever, the fantastic voice of Jake Urry as narrator helps somewhat in giving this story it's creepy, eerie feeling. It's definitely worth a listen, especially in the dark, cold, murky depths of winter.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!