Too slow in places

Not a bad narrative but really dragged on at times. Especially the battle scenes. Won't be listening to the next one.

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Really, Really Good 🐨

This book reminded me a lot of reading Lord of the Rings in the epic tale it tells. FAIR WARNING, ONCE YOU START ITS VERY HARD TO STOP LISTENING 😋

From the title and image of this book I got the impression it would mainly focus on Ella, it doesn’t and at first I was disappointed as she seemed to get left behind in mainly focusing on her brother Mira’s journey. It ends up probably being split 50/50 between the two characters and thankfully they have equally captivating stories to draw you in and keep you in suspense. I really do recommend this book, especially as the narrator is fantastic and really the journey is so captivating in a large part because of the chosen narrator, Simon Vance, it’s one of the best stories I have listened to in a long time. I have already purchased the rest of the series I have such high hopes for it.

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What a gem!

I really, really, enjoyed this story! I tried this book because the author was in some random website's Top 10 list for fantasy. I had never heard of him before, even though he lives in Australia (sure, I probably live under a rock), so I was quite pleasantly surprised at how good it was.
It's a very well written debut novel and the narrator truly brought it to life, just absolutely awesome! I found the character development very exciting, it really had me cheering for the MC's to succeed, and I couldn't wait to see how they grew and where their story arcs tooks them (which I found both equally enjoyable). Some parts of the story seemed to just flash by rather hastily, but overall, i thought the pacing was pretty good.
All in all, it's quite a good read, and i think anyone who likes fantasy will find something enjoyably in this - you certainly shouldn't regret the purchase.

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Absolutely Brilliant!

To say that i love this book would not give it justice! The story was engaging and i couldn't wait to finish but dreaded that it would end. I purchased this on a whim at a discounted price and i think this is the best book purchase ive made all year. The narration was so well spoken and the changing voices from dialect and gender was fantastic. I struggled with a few books being read by an opposite gender with how they perform a voice, but this was great didn't bother me at all. I can't wait to read/listen to the next book. This has definitely gained a James Maxwell fan and i will be searching out more books solely beacuse they are read by the extraordinary talented Simon Vance.

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First time to read this author

Excellent story read well by narrator. Can't wait to read next in series. Didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did.

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Fantasy for adolescents..

The magic system is cool.
The conflict is okay, although i am 4 hours into the book and only now does the plot begin to unfold. The main character doesnt really seem to have a major arch in the story, leaving her brother Miro to steal the show. That might change later on, if i manage to talk my self into finishing this book. It has being quite boring as the development draaaaaaaags. The dialogue is very cliche and there is to much focus on love stories. There are several sex scenes so far and a lot of heavy sexual tension and nudity, which is fine, but i dont see how it helps the story. Which brings me to my headline, its a book for adolescents telling the story of adolescents figuring out this whole new world of sexuality and their new urges and desires. I just so happens that these adolescents can do magic and use swords (no puns intended!)
The writer is a great wordsmith. I really enjoy his phrasing and structure, which gives a very poet spectrum to the narrative sometimes. But still, the story itself does not please this reader.
However, that is just MY opinion. I came here to leave a review because i always read these before i pick out book. Hope this helps.

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2 people found this helpful