Pretty promising start to a new series!

This is a great return to what I think is Michelle Pavers best style. If you liked her Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series, I think it would be difficult not to enjoy this as the formula is just so similar. Equally, if you liked this and haven't listened to that series, I cannot recommend it enough.

I'm not sure this book is of quite the same quality as the Torak books, both in story and narration. It's a tough act to follow though, and I think Toby Stephens does a very decent job on this. I will be looking out for the next one and hope it develops into another great series!

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5 people found this helpful

Good story and Tony Stephens narrates it well.

Good story and Tony Stephens narrates it well. Totally pictured the island and the Dolphins. Looking forward to the next four books.

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Feel like I've been sold an adolescent pup

With such a majestic title I thought I was in for a a full-blooded tale of Greek myths and heroes. Instead this story features two young adolescents of the period who meet up when they're separately cast away on a deserted island, and learn to respect each other and work together to get out of their fix. There's a pod of dolphins somewhere in the mix too. The language and storyline's aimed at adolescents, and although the author tells her tale imaginatively she does seem to take an age getting though every little adventure. I'm half-way through and not sure I've got the energy or enthusiasm to finish it. It's well read (as always) by Toby Stephens.

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2 people found this helpful

Good

Narrator ok, title is rather misleading
am a HUGE fan of Ancient Chronicles which have listened to repeatedly.
this, may listen again though

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A Wonderful YA Story!

I was recommended this book by Audible, as I love science fiction and fantasy. I read the synopsis and decided to give it a try. I really enjoyed it.

Hylas is an outsider (someone not from the village) who has been adopted (somewhat) by a family that keeps goats. He is only 12 years old, but he takes the responsibility of looking after the livestock very seriously. However, when a group of warriors he calls "Crows", starts chasing him and his sister, Issi, he finds himself in an adventure of a lifetime.

This is an exciting young adult story set in the Bronze age. Narrated by the actor Toby Stephens, the story takes the reader on an amazing journey. His voice has a calming timbre that was soothing and exciting at the same time. He read the story with a steady pace that kept me enthralled from beginning to end. I think I could die happy listening to his voice!

The story is a mixture of action, adventure and danger that kept me hooked! The story is mostly told through Hylas's point of view, but there are some scenes which are seen through the eyes of other characters including Pirra, a young girl, and a dolphin. This gives the story an interesting feel.
Pirra comes across as a spoilt brat, who is accustomed to having her every wish granted. However, she grew on me as the story continued. She is stubborn and determined, but she is also very lonely.
The dolphin gives the story a slight twist. They are very intelligent in real life, and this dolphin is no exception. I don't know if it is curiosity, empathy, or something else that makes this mammal so fearless and trusting towards humans. The dolphin in this story is portrayed in the same way, and is very friendly; Hylas names him Spirit.
The mystery and suspense of why the warriors were chasing Hylas was quite intense, and I felt his confusion and terror as he was chased by them. There are some amazing scenes that are described that made me feel like I was there. The fire scene was one such scene - it was definitely intense! The end of the book was a bit bittersweet (in my opinion), and made me want to read/listen to the next book in the series, The Burning Shadow, to see if Hylas eventually finds his sister, Issi.

Michelle Paver has written an exciting young adult adventure that was fast paced and exciting. I loved the way the story flowed, and how she described the scenes in such a way that they came alive in my mind's eye. I would definitely read more of her books in the future.

I highly recommend this book to young readers aged 10 to 15, and to adults who love YA novels. - Lynn Worton

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2 people found this helpful

Good

This book is really good the author has done it really well though I would say not the best for kids. I think this is really good because it is really spiritual and telling people about gods that they believe in. Having the dolphin have his own chapters to is really amazing and the connection between boy and dolphin this is truly brilliant the author has done it so well with the tragic story of Hilis and him having the chieftain's son as his best friend just wow truly truly brilliant.

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Ok, but not has good has Percy Jackson books.

Well read, but not one of my favourite books, I prefer Percy Jackson. In this I felt the gods etc were only has real has the character / person believed they were & how they interpreted what they saw or heard but you might be thinking yeah right isn't it just.
Where has in Percy they are real & has a real part in the story. Or is this just me thinking like a 21st century person & not a person alive in the Greek or Roman times of when ever this story was based.

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Dolphins!!!

While this is undoubtedly aimed at a younger person than myself I still found it enjoyable, engaging and in places quite thought provoking. I think many adults would enjoy this as light read.

I was surprised by how much I found myself empathising with the characters. Paver makes great use of PoV to allow us to get in the minds of these children. When they they were in danger my heart thumped a little faster and when they succeeded I was happy.

I LOVED the dolphin thing. Like I said, Paver seems to have a way with the PoV and I didn't find it hard to feel like I was swimming in a turquoise see a mid group of dolphins playing in the sunshine. Dolphin PoV was the best. The best.

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A book for adolescents.

I realise that I am getting old - this book did little to capture my interest and is likely to have greater appeal to the young teenager. The story lacked any real complexity in the plot, the main characters were fairly one dimensional and there was little to grip the more mature reader. The narration was of a good standard but in overall terms this was not a very satisfying listen.

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Bit young for me

I struggled to finish this book. But kim hoping my son will enjoy it when he listens to it.

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1 person found this helpful