Narrator: Stefan Rudnicki, Scott Brick, William Dufris, Maggi-Meg Reed
Audio Length: 14 hours and 49 minutes
It’s Vlad Li Tam’s world and we are all just living in it. The press and reviews for this novel have been over the top. So, I kept putting this one at the top of my to-be-read stack but for one reason or other it kept getting pushed back. With the sequel fast approaching, I knew I needed to read this one soon, so I decided to go with the Audio version. Yes, I purchased both the hardback and audio editions. Publishers love me.
The novel begins with destruction of an ancient and powerful city known as Windwir. Windwir is the center for the Androfrancine Order. The Androfrancine’s mission is basically one of archeology, they gather up artifacts, scrolls, etc. of the previous ages. They release the discovered technologies back into society when they feel it is safe. Their goal is to prevent another total wide destruction of lands as the past ages have done. Now, with the destruction of Windwir the Androfrancine Order is decimated and the majority of discovered relicts are destroyed. Who could have precipitated this heinous crime and why did they do it?
The novel is written in an alternating character format. The majority of novel revolves around four main characters, Rudolfo, Jin Li Tam, Petronus and Neb. At points, a few other characters are introduced into the story to provide their perspective. Mr. Scholes uses this technique to great effectiveness by keeping each narrative really short, usually 2 to 3 pages. This creates a feeling of high tension and makes the story feel like it’s moving at break neck speed. All four characters are so wonderfully developed that you can’t wait until their next section to find out was it going on. With the addition of characters known as the Servitors, or metal man, such as Issak, this just tops off the incredible character development inside this story.
The plot is just flat out great. Mr. Scholes takes a different tack than most fantasy type novels. He centers his story on the politics regarding the destruction of Windwir versus the battles that result. Entire governments are affected, political traps are set, entire countries are set to go to war and people are being killed. I have not read a better fiction novel that creates this type of tension out of a political situation since probably Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card. Mr. Scholes plots his novel better than many writers that have been in the business for many more years.
The only real downside for me was the ending. First, I did not want the story to end but then again, I was not really sold by the final conclusions. I honestly thought it would come down to a struggle between Rudolfo and Vlad Li Tam for control of the Named Lands. The ending, for me, just kind of petered out and did not hold up to the first half of the novel.
The narration is incredible as it adds a new dimension to the novel. The narrators alternate their readings with the characters that they have been assigned. Stefan Rudnicki reads Petronus’ parts, Scott Brick reads Rudolfo’s parts, William Dufris is Neb and Maggi-Meg Reed reads the Jin Li Tam’s parts. Scott Brick also reads parts of the other characters that are introduced later, such as Vlad Li Tam, Pope Resolute and Sethbert. This shared narrative adds to the atmosphere of the novel by creating a distinct voice for each of the characters. Macmillan Audio went all out on this novel and the effort really shines through.
So, does this novel live up to the hype? Absolutely in every way and then some. I can see why it will be on many of the best of year novel lists as I am having a hard time deciding which one I like the most. In my opinion, it is a dead heat between The Warded Man, Warbreaker and Lamentation. So far, it has been a great year for the fantasy novels. I am really looking for the Mr. Scholes next novel, Canticle, and if the Audio version is done in the same format then I then that is edition I will go with.
Audio Length: 14 hours and 49 minutes
It’s Vlad Li Tam’s world and we are all just living in it. The press and reviews for this novel have been over the top. So, I kept putting this one at the top of my to-be-read stack but for one reason or other it kept getting pushed back. With the sequel fast approaching, I knew I needed to read this one soon, so I decided to go with the Audio version. Yes, I purchased both the hardback and audio editions. Publishers love me.
The novel begins with destruction of an ancient and powerful city known as Windwir. Windwir is the center for the Androfrancine Order. The Androfrancine’s mission is basically one of archeology, they gather up artifacts, scrolls, etc. of the previous ages. They release the discovered technologies back into society when they feel it is safe. Their goal is to prevent another total wide destruction of lands as the past ages have done. Now, with the destruction of Windwir the Androfrancine Order is decimated and the majority of discovered relicts are destroyed. Who could have precipitated this heinous crime and why did they do it?
The novel is written in an alternating character format. The majority of novel revolves around four main characters, Rudolfo, Jin Li Tam, Petronus and Neb. At points, a few other characters are introduced into the story to provide their perspective. Mr. Scholes uses this technique to great effectiveness by keeping each narrative really short, usually 2 to 3 pages. This creates a feeling of high tension and makes the story feel like it’s moving at break neck speed. All four characters are so wonderfully developed that you can’t wait until their next section to find out was it going on. With the addition of characters known as the Servitors, or metal man, such as Issak, this just tops off the incredible character development inside this story.
The plot is just flat out great. Mr. Scholes takes a different tack than most fantasy type novels. He centers his story on the politics regarding the destruction of Windwir versus the battles that result. Entire governments are affected, political traps are set, entire countries are set to go to war and people are being killed. I have not read a better fiction novel that creates this type of tension out of a political situation since probably Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card. Mr. Scholes plots his novel better than many writers that have been in the business for many more years.
The only real downside for me was the ending. First, I did not want the story to end but then again, I was not really sold by the final conclusions. I honestly thought it would come down to a struggle between Rudolfo and Vlad Li Tam for control of the Named Lands. The ending, for me, just kind of petered out and did not hold up to the first half of the novel.
The narration is incredible as it adds a new dimension to the novel. The narrators alternate their readings with the characters that they have been assigned. Stefan Rudnicki reads Petronus’ parts, Scott Brick reads Rudolfo’s parts, William Dufris is Neb and Maggi-Meg Reed reads the Jin Li Tam’s parts. Scott Brick also reads parts of the other characters that are introduced later, such as Vlad Li Tam, Pope Resolute and Sethbert. This shared narrative adds to the atmosphere of the novel by creating a distinct voice for each of the characters. Macmillan Audio went all out on this novel and the effort really shines through.
So, does this novel live up to the hype? Absolutely in every way and then some. I can see why it will be on many of the best of year novel lists as I am having a hard time deciding which one I like the most. In my opinion, it is a dead heat between The Warded Man, Warbreaker and Lamentation. So far, it has been a great year for the fantasy novels. I am really looking for the Mr. Scholes next novel, Canticle, and if the Audio version is done in the same format then I then that is edition I will go with.
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